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  • Alabama Sheriffs Lawsuit: Outrage v. Issue

    John Sophocleus|May 1, 2018

    Much ink has been spilled these past months to highlight outrageous observed results from our Alabama law enabling sheriffs to transfer ‘inmate food provision’ monies in their favour. These monies are deposited into county Sheriff ‘personal’ accounts, not into any specific government account(s). Most noteworthy is Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin’s four-bedroom house with an in-ground pool and canal access in Orange Beach for $740,000; one of several properties (total assessed value of...

  • SAME CRIME; SAME TIME; SAME FINE

    Robert Tate|Apr 1, 2018

    I was watching the news the other day, minding my own business when out of the blue, I heard something so stupid, so ridiculous, so un-American that I had to hit the rewind on my DVR and watch the news segment again. No way. No how. Come on, are you kidding me? Now I am not talking about snowflakes pounding down Tide Pods, crying in the streets and foolishly calling for an end to the Second Amendment. Nor am I talking about the cretins crying the NRA has blood on its hands while ignoring the...

  • WHAT DOES THE DEATH PENALTY CHALLENGE IN ARIZONA MEAN TO THE REST OF AMERICA?

    Ron Holtsford|Apr 1, 2018

    Right now in front of this United States Supreme Court the Arizona death penalty challenge means no change in the standing State laws. A much more liberal sided Court in the future could well change that dependent on their interpretation of the United States Constitution and a then considered murder case or cases. First, the United States Supreme Court turned down a request to hear the case. Before the United States Supreme Court might hear a case, a Writ of Certiorari may be filed with the...

  • Parole P.G.T. Beauregard to Beauregard, Alabama

    John Sophocleus|Apr 1, 2018

    New Orleans Mayor (wannabe actor) Mitch Landrieu has made many appearances recently from 60 Minutes to the usual 'talking head' TV morning circuit displaying removed statues stashed in secret locations and extoling his recent book entitled: In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History. The removals were prompted by efforts to rebuild the city after devastating hurricanes. I'm not foolish enough to think champions of leviathan like Messrs. Christie, Landrieu, et al will ever...

  • Readiness, Response, and Action

    Commissioner Chris Beeker Jr|Apr 1, 2018

    There are three dates that many of us in Alabama will never forget. The most prominent being those of April 3, 1974, April 27, 2011, and most recently March 19, 2018. On each of those days portions of Alabama were devastated by tornadoes ranging from categories F3 to F5. Lives were lost, people were seriously injured, and homes and businesses were destroyed. Compounding those tragedies was the fact that some communities lacked electrical service for several days. Even those who were not...

  • Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:3

    Marcia Chambliss|Apr 1, 2018

    Like so many of the Alabama Gazette readers, I strongly believe in the power of prayer, and I’m so very thankful to live in a nation where citizens can still gather for times of corporate prayer. Such an event will take place in our city on Thursday, May 3rd at the Alabama Activity Center on Dexter Avenue, 7am, at the annual Montgomery Prayer Breakfast. Since 2004, and in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, the Montgomery Prayer Breakfast has been a time of praise for our Lord and p...

  • Tears and Laughter: What does pretty look like?

    Amanda Walker|Apr 1, 2018

    Facebook is fabulous at providing us with fun ways to waste time. The latest is a link that lets you submit a picture of yourself and it shows you what you would look like on the cover of a fashion magazine. We all look pretty in the pictures they design. We also all look very much alike. It’s as if they stamped us all with the same pretty stamp. A lot of us will probably be wearing more make-up this week after seeing their pictures, but that may not be what real beauty looks like. I met a w...

  • "The Gift of Joy"

    Trisston Wright Burrows|Apr 1, 2018

    Whenever Easter approaches, I find myself thinking about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The purpose of Christ's life was to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The Bible says that Jesus became sin for us so that we could be forgiven and found righteous in God's sight (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus was so certain of His purpose that he predicted when and how He would die (Matthew 26:2). Do you ever think about what your purpose is? I sure have! Well, some say that our...

  • Tragic? Yes. Scary? Yes. The NRA's fault? Get real!

    Robert Tate|Mar 1, 2018

    I don’t know about you guys, but I love the Twilight Zone. Twice per year, I eagerly anticipate and when I can, watch as much of the Twilight Zone Marathons the SciFi Channel shows. Hour after hour, it never gets old. “It’s a cookbook!!” You gotta love it. There is no doubt that Rod Serling was a master of the English language. He had a definite way with words. Before every episode, he would prove that with just a brief ditty to the upcoming show. It was brilliant. One of my favorite Rod Ser...

  • 58 Million

    Commissioner Chris Beeker Jr|Mar 1, 2018

    In the 1973 landmark ruling of the case of Roe v Wade, it allowed taking the life of an unborn child acceptable and permissible under the law simply because the woman had the ultimate right to make that choice. In this discussion and argument by those judges, was the future ever considered before rendering that ruling? The Supreme Court ruled 7–2 that a right to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment extended to a woman's decision to have an abortion, but that this right m...

  • The Auburn Greed

    John Sophocleus|Mar 1, 2018

    Every year another batch of young souls descend upon Auburn University embarking upon a four year (oft a five or six year) mission to better themselves in hopes of one day being heralded as “an Auburn man.” Better still, they might someday achieve the status recently bestowed upon Jay Jacobs as being “an Auburn man through and through.” They’re told to believe being an Auburn man is encapsulated by the Auburn Creed, penned nearly seventy-five years ago by *George Petrie. Some may recall the Alab...

  • A Commentary on Marriage

    Ron Holtsford|Mar 1, 2018

    Sometimes things are on my heart and I find an urge to write about them. Often times it is the death of a loved one or a close friend that tugs at my heart. With the wedding season almost upon us and a recent experience I have a strong urge to write on marriage. Now I am certainly no pro on the subject, in fact maybe I am a failure having had a prior marriage. I must say I envy those with long marriages such as that of my parents that lasted sixty-two years until the death of my mother. But...

  • AWAKEN: A River Region Easter Gathering

    Marcia Chambliss|Mar 1, 2018

    I can't write about politics this month. My heart just isn't in it right now, and I honestly don't know when it will be again. Almost all of the current “debate” involves anger and accusations lobbied back and forth, and nothing is resolved in that atmosphere. I recently described myself to a group as a "recovering political junkie," and little did I know at that time just how irrelevant politics would soon become. Those readers who know me are aware that our family recently lost one of our you...

  • Kids Don't Have The Answers, and Shouldn't Be Asked

    Amanda Walker|Mar 1, 2018

    It took me a long time in life to learn evil is a real thing that actually exists. Some people are evil. Some people have evil tendencies or evil ways about themselves. It is difficult to accept evil when you are genuinely not. Evil hides well and is easily camouflaged, but you best trust it is there. It is probably not a far drive from where you currently are. I don’t know if it started in the ‘80s or if that was just when I came of age enough to be aware of it. There seemed to be this soc...

  • "The Breastplate of St. Patrick"

    Trisston Wright Burrows|Mar 1, 2018

    In His parting words to His disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ commissioned them to preach the Gospel to all nations. Then, He gave them a solemn promise…“I am with you always.” “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. For centuries, those words have comforted the ailing, assured the weary, and even carried martyrs peace...

  • WHO KNEW?

    Robert Tate|Feb 1, 2018

    I have to admit that I kind of pride myself on being a fairly up-to-date guy on World War II history when it comes to the air war in Europe. For those of you who may have been reading my column for several years, I think you probably know that already. Well about eight years ago when I was doing some research on my book about Luftwaffe pilot Hans-Joachim Marseille, I came across an interesting photograph. It was a photograph of a black man sitting under the wing of a P-40 in North Africa circa 1...

  • With Recent Individuals Suggesting That President Trump Is Unfit To Serve, What Would Be Required To Remove His Powers?

    Steve Flowers|Feb 1, 2018

    There are two instances in which a President can be removed from power by Congress and/or high ranking Executive branch officials. The first is impeachment which requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives and a 2/3 vote by the Senate. You will recall if you are old enough that President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives but not removed because 2/3 of the Senate did not also vote to impeach him. The recent suggestions by Democrats have more to do with remo...

  • Toward a more rational, Constitutional immigration policy…

    John Sophocleus|Feb 1, 2018

    The immigration debate is heated up once again. In true “reality showmanship” Pres. Trump has made for some great sound bites and TV coverage but little of substance. When asked as a candidate how he would accomplish his ends of securing the border and getting Mexico to pay for it Mr. Trump simply asserted “MANAGEMENT.” Well management is NOT an answer, but nonetheless revealing. One who uses eminent domain takings, federal bankruptcy laws, etc. to redistribute wealth in their favor certain...

  • A Nation Out of Order

    Marcia Chambliss|Feb 1, 2018

    The news alert came across my phone that Tuesday morning as I was preparing to leave home for my new discipleship class, an extremely timely one titled God of Order. Another school shooting, this time in Kentucky. Two more innocent teenagers killed, 16 others shot, and 7 more injured as they fled for their lives. I remember thinking, “Not again, Father God…please, not again.” Yes, and yet again, while the families and loved ones grieve the loss of these children, another senseless tragedy become...

  • We The People

    Commissioner Chris Beeker Jr|Feb 1, 2018

    At 12:01a.m. on January 20, 2018, a dually elected group of Senators with the mandate of representing their United States constituents in their states failed to remember who elected them and what their purpose is. Instead, they used an important opportunity reflecting fiscal responsibility to its citizens by creating an unfair and un-American tactic meant to obtain benefits and opportunity for people who never elected them to their position in the first place. The very people who used their...

  • Tears and Laughter: Stay well or stay home Alabama

    Amanda Walker|Feb 1, 2018

    There are two types of people in Alabama this week – those who have the flu, and the handful of running scared fearful ones who don’t. Bless their hearts. I was one of them until a few short days ago. I had gone out of my way to try and not catch it. I had upped the Vitamin C, was getting plenty of rest, cleaning with Clorox, washing my hands like I had a compulsive disorder, and avoiding people in general. I had all but taken to wearing a surgical mask and carrying a can of Lysol around wit...

  • "Love is in the Air"

    Trisston Wright Burrows|Feb 1, 2018

    Well my friends, it’s that time of year again…hearts, roses, balloons, stuffed animals that sing songs of love. Store shelves overflow with symbols of love. They began the day after New Year's to get ready for Valentine’s Day. Do you know that more roses are sold on that day than any other day in the year? All over the world, it is the day that people show their love for someone special. It is a great occasion to express love and appreciation for any of your loved ones, but it is just as importa...

  • Is it good to think about any legal issues for the New Year?

    Ron Holtsford|Jan 1, 2018

    Without specifics about yourself I’ll make this answer generic in a personal and in a business sense. I presume 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. After all you are a year older; you may have gotten married, had a new child, had a child reach the age of majority (19 years), gotten divorced or suffered the death of a spouse or even a child. You may have a child g...

  • Winston Churchill: The Historic "Great Man" and the "Darkest Hour"

    Robert Tate|Jan 1, 2018

    Earlier this year I did a review of the movie “Dunkirk” and clearly stated that I am in no way a movie critic. But I went to see “Darkest Hour” opening day and felt compelled to write something about one of my historical heroes, Sir Winston Churchill. Before I start I want to first say, “SHAME” to every movie theater here in Montgomery that, even up to the time of me writing this, has not shown this movie on even one of their screens. Not one! Shame, shame, shame. My wife and I made a short roa...

  • Inside the Statehouse

    Steve Flowers|Jan 1, 2018

    A few months back the Jefferson County Republican Party honored our Senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. It was held at The Club in Birmingham. The view from atop Red Mountain from this elegant club is spectacular, especially at night from the ballroom. The glass enclosure allows you to see the grandeur of the Birmingham skyline. As you glimpse at the scene you can see many of the buildings that are the heart of the University of Alabama/Birmingham. As the tribute to Shelby began, I looked out o...

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