The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 201
The Alabama House of Representatives fast tracked a controversial constitutional amendment sponsored by State Representative Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City). The bill, if passed by the Legislature and ratified by Alabama voters, would create a new bureaucracy – the Alabama Gaming Commission – which would have police powers would have total control of gambling in Alabama. The bill authorizes the Alabama Gaming Commission to authorize as many as ten casinos across the state of Alabama. Unl...
I hope you all voted in the primaries yesterday. You have an advantage on me in that I have to go to press with my column before Wednesday, my publication date. Therefore, you know the results. However, I doubt there are any surprises. We do not have any good state races this year. We have four open seats on our State Supreme Court. However, three of the four are held by popular incumbents, none of which received even token opposition from either Republicans or Democrats. Justices Will Sellers,...
Four hundred years ago, King James I of England convened his last parliament, the most significant and enduring legacy of which was the “Statute of Monopolies.” This act was both a restriction on royal prerogative and the beginning of legal protection for patents and intellectual property. Prior to this act, the crown arbitrarily granted monopolies to bestow royal favor and also to receive a fee for the privilege. The grant of monopolies had become an end-run around parliament to indirectly rai...
Our great republic is on track to be doomed. At a minimum, if we do not pull our collective heads out of the hole, we are doomed. There was a time when people prided themselves on common sense. Today, not so much. It seems the more stupid, ignorant and blind to reality people are, the happy the world seems to be to them. No matter what people want to think or believe, in this world there are still obvious rights and wrongs. Shades of gray exist for sure but I hate (not really) to burst some...
In Governor Kay Ivey’s State of the State Address, we witnessed a masterclass in leadership and vision, particularly in the domain of education. As a long-time observer and participant in the political arena, it's rare to encounter a moment where clarity of purpose and commitment to action align as perfectly as they did in Governor Ivey's address. Her words were not just rhetoric, they were a loud call for a brighter future for Alabama's children and a testament to her unwavering dedication t...
I have written several times after questions were posed regarding Advance Health Care Directives (Living Will plus Health Care Proxy appointment). An Advance Health Care Directive does not address a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) or a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) order. Other health care facilities that receive a patient from one facility to another, whether it is for a period of time or for appointments not offered as a service in their facility must decide whether they can or should honor a...
“They don’t have to gamble,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says of gambling opponents. Perhaps not. But we all have to live with the evils gambling produces. And Alabamians should remember the lessons of Phenix City. Life Magazine described Phenix City as the “wickedest city in the United States, …everything from gambling to murder to arson to fraud.” Known as “Little Las Vegas,” between 1945 and 1954 this little town of 23,000 featured casinos, lotteries, cockfighting, and other forms of gambling, and...
Reporting on Trump’s ballot access in States like Colorado and Maine prompted one loyal reader to recall a long past Gazette column about ineligible candidates on Alabama ballots; https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2018/06/01/news/state-school-board-races-worthy-inquiry-to-secretary-merrill/1376.html. No shortage of disagreement on what constitutes ‘insurrection’ in these current State cases w.r.t. ballot access for Mr. Trump. Ineligible candidates Alabama’s Secretary of State (John Merrill in...
Right now, America is suffering from the greatest invasion of foreigners in its entire history. Our borders are now so porous, they are utterly ineffective in keeping out many of the world’s most dangerous people. Just this past year, some three million migrants—nearly all of them penniless, destitute peasants—have poured across our southern border, overwhelming our barricades and security forces. An estimated 30 million more are still waiting in Mexico for their turns to assault it and take...
The General John Archer Elmore SAR Chapter is proud to share with you a brief story of Revolutionary War Soldier Bolling Hall, who is buried in Elmore County, Alabama. Although Alabama was not in existence at the time of the American Revolution, almost 1,000 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in Alabama. Many permanently moved to Alabama while others died in Alabama while passing through our state. Each of these patriot soldiers has a special story to tell, and many of them will never be...
The late Paul Harvey famously said: “Now, for the rest of the story.” “Jim Crow” is a classic example of an incomplete story. Establishment media incessantly blames the South for everything considered “historically bad.” Some modern TV shows and movies will make a sane person want to heave. In reality, when all racial and ethnic groups were in close proximity, segregation was essentially a non-issue in the Old South. Segregation was actually born in the North. Jack Trotter contends that everyo...
By Marie Garceau That green time of year is upon us, with many people celebrating and becoming just a little bit Irish. While most of the traditional customs associated with St. Patrick’s Day have faded away, it remains a celebratory day of lively music, food, and excessive alcohol consumption. Most restaurants, bars, and pubs are doing something, whether live music, games, or food and drink specials. No one will deny that large quantities of alcohol are consumed. This can pose a challenge f...
Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? We continue to raise public awareness about Social Security-related and other government imposter scams during the fifth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 7, 2024. Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information. There are common elements to many scams. Scammers often take advantage of fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pretend to be Social Security or other gov...
Sailors have often used this phrase as toast or a nautical blessing for many years. Some say it originated in the Hawaiian Islands as a wish for safe travels on the sea and still others say it came from a poem or literary work. Either way, we know it came from sailors or people very familiar with voyaging upon the oceans. I do know this nautical phrase is often used in the US Navy. “Fair Winds” is a nautical blessing or a prayer for good weather with the winds blowing your sails in the dir...
I was the new pastor still learning my way around when Jim came to see me. He was chair of the budget and finance team. He wished me well, then shared a concern. “The committee met lately, and we have an issue with the visitor’s envelopes you’re using,” he said. “We believe we shouldn’t ask visitors for money.” Churches used to welcome visitors and give them a card requesting contact information and sometimes a ribbon to wear. This was before we learned to call them “guests” and since learned mo...
My mind goes to so many outdoor activities this time of year. It's the middle of February so mostly I'm planning for the next couple of months. Not only will turkey season be upon us soon, but some of the best pan fishing is knocking at the door. The walleye run will put fishermen elbow to elbow in the river and the crappie will have boats side by side at the lake. These two fish are my all-time favorite varieties to eat. And the bonus points my wife gives me when I bring them home are enough...
They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. I have also heard that March is a great time to fly a kite. And we have all heard about "beware the Ides of March". However, March to gardeners could be termed the turnaround month, between winter and spring. The weather in the River Region is usually mild, with cooler nights and warm days which indicates the perfect time to start seeds, plant cool weather flowers and bulbs. Before we just jump out in our gardens with a random...
National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be observed at a ceremony at the Montgomery, AL, Vietnam Veterans' Memorial near the Harrison Road entrance at Greenwood Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on March 29, 2024. This ceremony will provide a way to thank and honor our nation's Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The Vietnam War Commemoration honors Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location of service which...
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Norma Lynn Lundy - March 4th Larry Patrick Cornwell - March 17th Tamara McClendon - March 18th John Michael Jeffries - March 20th Margaret Leah Compton - March 29th Gerald May - March 29th...
Lt. Col Melvin G. Cooper served during WWII and the Korean War. He passed away February 28, 2024....
Staff Sergeant Preston Frazier Jr.: Age 67 Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Preston Frazer Jr. served 17 years in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was fuel specialist in which he sampled the fuel for everything requiring fuel at an Air Force base. He also worked in electrical maintenance of flight simulators and counter measures. He received the following medals, awards, citations and decorations: Air Force Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. SSgt Frazier was born October 8,...
Tech Sergeant Willie James Rogers: Age: 72 Tech Sergeant (TSgt) Willie James Rogers served 20 years in the U.S Air Force. His Air Force Service Code (AFSC) was: (1) Disaster Preparedness for 14 years and five months and (2) Fire Protection Specialist for five years and seven months. He received the following medals, awards, decorations, and ribbons: Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal...
Master Sergeant Waldo Allison Spencer III: Age 90 Master Sergeant Waldo Allison Spencer III (MSgt) served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Flight Facilities Equipment Technician for a major portion of his career. His military service included three temporary assignments in Vietnam. He received the following medals, citations, awards, and decorations: Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal,...
The 2024 Montgomery County Spelling Bee was hosted Monday, February 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Performing Arts Building on the campus of Saint James School. Montgomery County public, private, and parochial schools and those home-schooled through the 8th grade were eligible to enter the contest. Montgomery County schools participated. For the 66th consecutive year, the Montgomery County Bee was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States - Smith-Wynn Post 96 in Montgomery Alabam...