The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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This is the final version of a three week series of stories that illustrate that Alabama is a Big Front Porch. James E. “Big Jim” Folsom was one of our few two-term governors. In the old days, governors could not succeed themselves. Therefore, Big Jim was first governor in 1946-1950. He waited out four years and came back and won a second term in 1954, and stayed through 1958. Big Jim was still a young man when he was first elected in 1948. He and his wife, Jamelle, had their firstborn chi...
Prior to the American Revolution and more than a decade before the French Revolution, there was the Swedish Revolution, which marks its 250th anniversary this month. While often out of the orbit of discussions of western civilization, Sweden was and continues to be a repository of enlightened democratic values. With a remarkable history of military conquest and constitutional government, the semiquincentennial of the Swedish Revolution is worth noting. Sweden is known for having divided...
In the news everyday now, we are hearing about the 87,000 new IRS agents being hired by the federal government. At base level, this seems to be a bit egregious and threatening. Let’s be honest, there has never been a human being in the history of this country who has received a letter from the IRS and looked at that envelope and smiled. Never. Although some good news may be hidden within, it always seems to portend the end of someone’s financial world. Time, money, audits, you name it. It is...
Champions of political competition often cite Alabama with the most restrictive ballot access laws in 50 States. Any non-duopoly political party wanting access/inclusion on the upcoming Nov. 8th general election ballot printing was required to submit over 51,000 verified signatures. Given the history of being blocked from ballots, debates, media coverage, etc. the LPA [Libertarian Party of Alabama] submitted almost 80,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office reducing ‘wiggle roo...
There are a few ways to approach your estate planning and even if you don’t think you have anything you most likely have more than you think. Some people however, do literally have nothing and live month to month and have more debt than assets, but most people do have enough to where they should at least talk to a lawyer. But let’s say you live month to month and have next to nothing in the bank. Let’s also say you have a car payment, you rent a place to live and maybe credit card debt where...
The War for Southern Independence produced many divisions in both North and South. Southerners overwhelmingly supported the Confederate cause; a small percentage supported the North and some preferred to remain neutral. One individual who preferred neutrality was John W. Hinson, commonly addressed as “Jack” or “Old Jack.” Hinson owned a plantation called Bubbling Springs, near Dover in Stewart County, Tennessee. The area, known as Land Between the Lakes, separates the Cumberland and Tenness...
What has happened to our butterflies? Have many people even bothered to notice? On a typical summer day, how many do you see? Up until about 1980, anybody could step outside in most places and spot a dozen or more in a few minutes. Since then, gradually at first, their numbers have diminished, and the decline has continued every year. When we passed Y2K, it began to accelerate. Finally, in mid-summer 2021, the remaining 10% of our butterflies suddenly almost completely disappeared, even in...
Staff Sergeant Deborah Marie Chambers: Age 68 Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Deborah Marie Chambers served in the U.S. Air Force. Her Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOSC) was Education and Training Craftsman and Morale Welfare Recreation and Services Journeyman. Her service included support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm/Clam. Her decorations, medals, citations and campaign ribbons awarded were: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force...
I think one of my favorite U.S. Presidents would have to be Teddy Roosevelt. He was so full of life and accomplished a great deal. “The Man in the Arena” is also one of my favorite quotes: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again a...
In Camden…poor little small Camden, we have limited restaurants of any kind. Fried chicken is widely available. There are more places to buy fried chicken than there are gas stations or red lights, but still the number is limited. Add to that the fact that Wilcox County has never not had the highest unemployment in the state. So there are people who evidently need jobs, but restaurants here are never fully staffed. They are always hiring. The staff shortage is so severe that it is no longer u...
Bring out the red, white and blue flags, and bunting one more time. Labor Day is a national holiday that we celebrate the hard work of those who have made our nation a better place to live and work. Labor Day marks the end of the summer and what used to be the beginning of the school year. So let's get into the garden and see what work (labor) needs to be accomplished for a wonderful garden this fall. First of all, later this month you will need to cut back spent summer blooming perennials to...
Another Outdoor Truths Circle Event in the books. This was our second one on the North Fork River. Our cabin was only a few hundred yards from the Norfork Dam. Last year was my first time to experience the daily changing conditions the river offers. And its all about if the gates of the dam are open or closed and whether both gates are opened or just one. Each condition determines if fishing will be serene and confined or if as much effort will be given to maneuvering the boat as will be...
We just came back from my somewhat annual summer vacation to Ruidoso New Mexico. We went out to eat more than in the past and we cooked more than in the past and since we were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, there were meals prepared for my wife and I, by friends of ours. So, I'm changing the format of my article this month. I will have a description of a dish, the recipe and the picture. And I will have pictures of dishes with little about what is in it. At least not a full recipe. Th...
It’s natural to have some fear or apprehension at the beginning of a new task. We may ask ourselves questions like “What if I don’t know what to do?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” I am sure at some point in life, all of us have had questions like these have come to mind followed by feelings of fear and doubt. I know I sure have. Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Be Strong and of Good Courage. Life can be full of challenges, sorrows, and tough decisions. But even amidst hardship, the Lord counsels us t...
You can apply for Medicare online even if you are not ready to start your retirement benefits. Applying online is quick and easy. There are no forms to sign, and we usually do not require additional documentation. We’ll process your application and contact you if we need more information. Knowing when to apply for Medicare is very important! You must apply during your limited initial enrollment period. If you’re eligible for Medicare at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three mon...