The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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A special publication by the Alabama Gazette....
At the turn of the 20th century, Germany, historically a great land power, decided to challenge Britain to a naval arms race. It didn't end well. Now another traditional land power, China, is eager to make its own naval challenge, this time against the U.S. The question is whether Washington can deter China's ambitions before they develop a deadly strategic momentum. We write this after reading China's new military strategy, an English translation of which was published this week on the eve of...
America is still the greatest country in the World! Have a blessed 4th of July!...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to advance a bill setting strict parameters for how international trade negotiations are reviewed and ratified, sending a standalone Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill to the Senate. The House passed the same measure, but it was linked to a separate Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill that failed to pass when U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) and a majority of Republicans voted against it. Thursday, the House voted o...
The nation's two-decades-long crime decline may be over. Gun violence in particular is spiraling upward in cities across America. In Baltimore, the most pressing question every morning is how many people were shot the previous night. Gun violence is up more than 60% compared with this time last year, according to Baltimore police, with 32 shootings over Memorial Day weekend. May has been the most violent month the city has seen in 15 years. In Milwaukee, homicides were up 180% by May 17 over...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montgomery's "Fighter Ace," Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland met with U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) and her staff on Wednesday, May 20. Gen. Cleveland and his fellow "Fighter Aces" were later honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. Rep. Roby thanked Gen. Cleveland for graciously visiting and sharing stories about his service. "It was such an honor to have Gen. Cleveland in my office this morning. He was kind enough to s...
The question sounds almost silly (pardons to the submitting reader), but there are legal consequences of sorts and in many years gone by it was taken much more seriously in certain cases. Beginning with life insurance, the industry typically will not pay life insurance proceeds to beneficiaries in cases where someone has taken their own life within two years (may vary by company) of the policy being issued. So if anyone is so compelled to financially benefit their beneficiaries, they will have a...
A children's worker spoke to a group recently about innovative teaching. She said an intrepid Sunday School teacher brought fish sticks, a loaf of bread and a toaster oven to the class. She heated the fish and let the children slather them with ketchup. She then taught about Jesus feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish. His parents asked one little boy what he learned that day. "We learned about when Jesus fed the crowd with fish sticks and Wonder Bread!" he said. John is the only gospel...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eight C-130 aircraft will remain with the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, according to recently released Air Force plans. The Air Force Report on C-130 Force Structure reinforces a temporary November 2012 decision not to move forward with a plan to transfer the aircraft away from unit. After scrutiny from Rep. Roby and other members of Alabama's Congressional Delegation, the Air Force elected not to transfer the existing aircraft as p...
The name Flakka comes from the Spanish word "flaca," which means "skinny girl." The drug is sold in other parts of the United States as "Gravel." The drug comes in the form of a white crystal (Gravel) or a pink crystal (Flakka) that is foul-smelling. Flakka can be snorted, swallowed, injected or vaped in an e-cigarette. While its effects are generally felt for three or four hours, they can continue for days. This new synthetic drug has increasingly been reported in Ohio, Texas, and several recen...
Something A Little Different I love watching the “Chopped” series on Food Network. How else are you going to learn to prepare an entree with a whole catfish, a bottle of cherry soda, broccoli and goat cheese? Some of the combinations the contestants make to prepare their dish at first sounds horrible. But most of the time it works. There is a time that a chef will be asked to cook from a Mystery Basket. To be successful, you need to think outside the box and be a master of the basics. Thinking o...
I was saddened to hear of Robert Schuller's passing last week. In his heyday he was a preacher to the nation, including many of the nation's leaders. Politicians and Hollywood celebrities came to be interviewed by him on TV, and he was the minister the family called to visit John Wayne when he lay on his deathbed. Schuller began his work in Southern California preaching at a drive-in theatre with the mantra, "Come as you are in the family car." Then he built the Crystal Cathedral--an all-glass...
- Good news: The House has passed a Budget Resolution that increased critical funding for national defense, a key budget component that I strongly pushed for in negotiations. For the last few months, we have been discussing ways to prevent devastating cuts to military funding known as sequestration from taking effect in the next fiscal year. As Congress began its negotiations for a Budget Resolution, I worked to build a bi-partisan coalition to support increased defense funding. It wasn’t a...
For obvious reasons, this will be my last War Between the States sesquicentennial column given Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox. The only one penned with greater despair was four years ago on First Blood and Treason in Baltimore. Massachusetts troops shown themselves eager to assemble in the sovereign State of Maryland (still in the voluntary Union at the time) uninvited by the Governor and/or Legislature of that State to kill and wound persons of Maryland. This made painfully clear...
My past articles have been about the role of family in Southern cooking, a little history of Southern Cuisine and the types of food and what ingredients were found in Southern cooking. A hodgepodge of different topics that were racing through my mind at the time. Also some Southern recipes for dishes that were and are still popular and some that aren't common in the everyday menus of people today. There are several topics that I will keep focusing on; the need to use the freshest ingredients...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) today voted against the Senate’s Homeland Security Appropriations Title because it did not contain language prohibiting funding from being used to implement President Obama’s unlawful actions on illegal immigration. “I could not support a Homeland Security Appropriations Title that does not prohibit funds for implementation of executive amnesty. Yes, the recent court action gives us some hope that the Judicial Branch will finally rein in...
I touched on the need for a stocked pantry in my last article. There have been books and websites about pantry stocking and I don't want to dwell too long on the subject. If you are starting out in a new apartment fresh from college, your pantry will be basic and mostly stocked with comfort food. Southern Living's Test Kitchen has a quick list of 10 items that could be a good start for you: Beans-great for side dishes, salads, or in pasta. Rice-easy and versatile side dish. Pasta-Quick main...
A special publication by the Alabama Gazette....
I have always enjoyed peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches. I like peanut butter, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and cheese between two slices of white toast. But when I tell people that I eat PB&M sandwiches, reactions range from "Oh, How disgusting" to "You're weird". Then I found an article in Garden and Gun by Jed Portman, titled "A Forgotten Southern Sandwich". The peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich! The picture in the magazine is even with my favorite mayonnaise, DUKE'S. I did not know...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - "Every student deserves a chance, and every parent deserves a choice," U.S. Representative Martha Roby said marking National School Choice Week in a special video message. "I'm Martha Roby and I'm proud to celebrate School Choice Week. "Every student deserves a chance, and every parent deserves a choice. My state of Alabama is going to be making another big push on improving school choice this year, and we are going to do our part in Congress to make sure federal laws support...
You have not mentioned specifics about yourself so I’ll make this answer generic in a personal and in a business sense. I’m sure that you looked at your financial estate planning (401k, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, life insurance, etc) and as you do you also think about your legal estate planning. Your financial estate planning goes hand in hand with your legal estate planning and you should discuss that with your lawyer, not that he or she will try to advise you on whether your inv...
As I was scouring my news apps the other day, I came across an article about food you should never buy, but make at home. The article said that the items made at home are cheaper and healthier than the store bought items. At first glance, I agreed with most of the list. Peanut butter, mayonnaise, applesauce, hummus, and pesto can be made with a good food processor. Granola needs a sheet pan and a bowl and a list of your favorite nuts and grains and fruit. Pancake and waffle mix is nothing but...
The story of Southern Cuisine makes for many cookbooks and even novels, but I am not here to write a literary masterpiece. I have stories to tell, but its practical information that will make your life in a kitchen easier and more enjoyable. Friends have asked for information on basic cooking techniques and simple recipes. They liked the hints I gave them about what to keep in a pantry, especially since we live twenty miles from a major grocery store. It is so easy these days to go to the store...
Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? Next week many people will start putting up there Christmas trees. Here are some helpful tips and things to consider when purchasing a Christmas tree. You often hear "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" and that not only goes for fruits and vegetables, but also Christmas trees. There are many advantages to buying an Alabama-grown Christmas tree instead of an artificial tree or a live tree grown in another state. Alabama has between 50 and 60 Christmas...
Writing about such a broad topic as Southern Cuisine sends my mind in so many directions. In my last article, I introduced a part of my childhood and memories of spending time with my grandmother and recipes that have been pasted on. My picture in the last issue was an old picture taken when I won my first SPAMERICA'S CUP. I have updated my picture from a cook that experimented with a fusion of techniques and flavors to a chef that likes to cook foods the way they used to be prepared. Simple ing...
