The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 687 - 711 of 1678
Every night at 7 pm central, I join 3.5 million plus Tucker Carlson viewers looking at the lava lamp saying, so what do we do now? Many of us have abandoned Fox, because of this gross, misguided judgment of firing a stellar example of pure journalism. Why would a publicly traded company who lives and dies by the value of their stock, fire the highest rated news show with target rich demographics. His base is coveted by advertisers with 490,000 viewers between the ages of 25-54. Many of my...
Oppressed Birmingham citizens may appreciate LPA [Libertarian Party of Alabama] efforts for greater access to their ballots. Their Executive Committee recently approved a resolution introduced by District Representative Patrick Merritt [Region 3] to support Birmingham citizens using I&R, see Article 3.15(b) link: https://www.birminghamal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/mayorcouncilact.pdf to restore some of their cherished liberty. I&R enables citizens to place measures on their respective...
Right here in the Heart of Dixie, amidst our rich traditions and enduring values, a somber shadow is being cast over our beloved Alabama. This specter is not of an external invader or a natural calamity, but a silent, insidious crisis sweeping through our communities, threatening our most precious resource - our youth. The teenage drug overdose statistics are not just alarming, they are a stark warning, a call to immediate action. Our bright, promising torchbearers of tomorrow are falling prey t...
In 2011, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas decried "an Establishment Clause jurisprudence in shambles." Unable to come to a consensus, the Court has shifted from one theory to another, with confusing, conflicting, and sometimes bizarre results. Over the past several decades the Court has struck down school prayer (1962) and Bible reading (1963) but allowed prayer at town board meetings (2014), prohibited (1948) but later allowed (1952) released-time programs whereby children could be release...
Jefferson Davis not only received verbal criticism, he was also subjected to physical abuse when he was held in a Union prison awaiting a trial that never happened; however, he never backed down from his belief in the sovereignty of the States. In 1846, Davis described the only source of the Federal Government’s powers: “I answer, it is the creature of the States; as such it could have no inherent power, all it possesses was delegated by the States.” Many Northerners agreed that the Union is vo...
Before you even read any farther, take a look at this short video. It is absolutely FRIGHTENING. https://www.facebook.com/InsiderNews/videos/760507585303195/ This is a new mega-prison in El Salvador, especially designed to house and punish the country's vicious drug gangs. Look at them—handcuffed, leg shackled, and herded like cattle. Think about it. Would you want anything like this in YOUR state, in YOUR county, or anywhere NEAR where you live? Even when locked in prison, could you feel s...
My friend Shirley was telling me about her first car the other day. She is in the market for a new car is what had the subject on her mind. I assure you cars are not our usual topic of conversation. Typically, we gossip. She said she paid $200 for her first car – a blue and white, two-door Thunderbird. It ran, it had a radio, and it had plenty of ashtrays, but it was missing a window. This did not hamper her or kill her enthusiasm in any way though. She said she designed a replacement window u...
We all deal with storms in our lives. Whether financial problems, health scares, or relationship issues, no one’s life is free of challenges. And we often don’t get to choose which storms pass through our life. The only choice we usually have is how we respond to those storms. A dear friend recently shares with me a great metaphor looking at the different reactions between a herd of cows and a herd of buffalos when a storm approaches. The cows make what might seem the logical choice. They try to...
As the first Regular Session of the Quadrennium evolves there are a myriad of complex issues arising. I am reminded of three simple truisms regarding the Alabama legislature and the governing of the State of Alabama. First of all, if anything significant or controversial or any major initiative is to be addressed, then it is dealt with in the first year of the four-year quadrennium. Thus, giving legislators three years before their constituents vote on them again. The political pragmatism and...
Trading in commodities, which are ingredients or components of finished goods, is the focus of global commerce. Information about commodities, their availability, and the impact of events that create scarcity, affects both current and future prices. Two hundred years ago, one significant commodity was tallow, a substance rendered from animal fat that was used to make candles, served as a basis for early skin care ointments, and was an essential ingredient of soap. Today, when we think about...
Hello my fellow Robservationites! Today I am bringing you the 16th Edition of my “Bits and Pieces.” For all of you who are familiar with this column, you know there comes a time when there is so much going on that I just want to touch base with several stories instead of focusing on just one topic. So, here we go. But first, this is my 158th Robservation. Anyone who knows me realizes that I write a lot about German ace Hans-Joachim Marseille. He shot down 158 airplanes. What does that mean? Wel...
The incident occurred in Florida on the interstate. The two men are from different states but with the incident occurring in the sovereign State of Florida, Florida law and jurisdiction applies regardless of the law in the residential states of the two men. Florida, as you may recall has a “stand your ground” law. Alabama also has a similar stand your ground law but we will discuss the Florida law and incident. Two families driving down a Florida became involved in a road rage incident bet...
At six years old traveling with my family and passing several churches along our way to church, I recall asking my father, who is right and why are there so many different churches? My father did not have an answer. Fast forwarding as an adult, routine discussions in Christian circles were often centered around; what did the New Testament Church look like? Every church wishes to emulate the early church this side of the resurrection. Since the reformation in 1517, this discussion continues with...
On April 10th Richard Lagrand (who recently lost reelection as the incumbent last summer) was reinstalled to Lee County Commission District 5 by Gov. Ivey, reaffirming her fidelity to ACCA, BCA, et al corruption over the citizens of Lee County. The death of Commissioner Harris (see my February 2022 Gazette column) soon after taking office provided a perfect example for Ivey to show resolve on holding a special election with an entire term of office unexpired. Obviously this wouldn’t bode well w...
As long-range battery technology advances by leaps and bounds, there is no question that the popularity of electric cars and trucks will rapidly advance in the next few decades, due primarily to far greater fuel economy and expected shortages of petroleum and possible cutoffs from OPEC and other hostile countries. Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and many others are ramping up production. But one company is far ahead—TESLA. It makes ONLY EVs. In July, 2003, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning f...
Maybe in North Korea, maybe in Cuba, maybe in Iran – but not in the United States, the land of religious liberty. Well, maybe in Boston, or San Francisco – but certainly not in Selma, Alabama, right in the center of the Bible belt. But it happened. A man was arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the street. It was Halloween 2022. People in Selma were walking, some in costume, in an annual Monster March. And Rickey Caster, a Georgia street evangelist accompanied by his sister, came...
A huge portion of America has probably been clinging to their throw pillows and couch cushions just waiting for the final details of King Charles’ coronation in the United Kingdom to be announced. This week it was revealed that Prince Harry will be attending his father’s coronation. Wife Meghan will remain in California with the children. All media outlets have been more than generous with their reporting. Journalists have long attempted to explain people’s interest in the Royal family. Milli...
So often in this life when we are wronged, betrayed, offended, or treated unfairly. In the moment, we want to rise up to defend our rights and on our own point of view. Or we fight to get even. Or even stew in silence while nursing our wounds and getting angrier. It’s hard to extend the same grace and compassion that Christ Himself extended to others in the midst of His own pain. Yet He set the example, the way for us to walk. To be betrayed or wronged by one who was trusted is a difficult h...
Alabama's original 1901 Constitution had a law whereby the governor could only serve one four-year term and not succeed themselves. In 1968, the law was changed and since then the governor and all other constitutional offices in the state can now serve two consecutive terms. This one term and you are done, made for a very interesting, anticipated, and competitive governor's race every four years. They could begin four years in advance in earnest, and they would begin. Since Kay Ivey will be...
The desire for freedom and liberty is universal, but achieving it can take the effort of a lifetime. On March 15, 1848 - 175 years ago - Hungary revolted against the constraints imposed by both its Austrian masters and the authoritarianism of its ruling class. As a former Warsaw Pact country, little is known about the history of democratic institutions in Hungary. And it would be easy to conclude that the country’s experience with self-determination and independent government is recent. To the c...
I just finished watching Top Gun Maverick for the one billionth time. No, it never gets old. The wife and I really love that movie. When watched sequentially with the first movie, the changes are really eye opening. Among the most noticeable is “Phoenix” played by Monica Barbaro. Good luck finding a female combat pilot in the first movie. They did not exist at the time. To me, this is the most noticeable change. Women have fought hard to earn the right to fly these advanced aircraft and it is...
I recall the discussion of respondeat superior in law school and examples. It is obviously a Latin term and means, “that the master must answer”. The rule was first found in England and later the doctrine became a part of law in the United States. It can be used for both civil and criminal acts. In a civil sense I think of it as being useful when an employee wrongs a client or patient then the employer is liable if the act by the employee fell within the scope of their employment. As an exa...
Being involved in Republican politics for 43 years, and serving in two gubernatorial administrations, enables you to meet some pretty smart people. I often reflect by saying many people have skyscraper tall opinions, but ankle deep in factual based positions. When it comes to economic, social, moral and constitutional conservatism, very few have a depth on the issues along with the institutional and historical background all in one package. Curiosity peaking yet? Rush Limbaugh was the...
Five years ago my Alabama Gazette column featured a rendition of The Auburn Creed (originally penned by George Petrie in 1943) aptly re-titled The Auburn Greed. Petrie’s original prose righteously opens with this preamble impressed upon all Auburn students as follows: “I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.” Four score and steadfast tyranny of many high-plains grifters - e.g., Bobby (FDIC) Lowder, Ed Richa...
Electric cars are not new; they have been around for more than a century. According to Wikipedia, the first one was built by Robert Anderson in the 1830's. In 1884, Thomas Parker built one and equipped it with “his own specially-designed high-capacity rechargeable batteries.” In 1888, Andreas Flocken created a “Flocken Elektrowagen,” which some people claimed was the first “real” electric car. In September, 1910, two Bailey Electrics completed a 1000 mile endurance run from New York to Mount Wa...
