July 2024 Edition
July 2024 Edition
For athletes and sports fans alike, the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sporting events. Every four years, more than 10,000 athletes from nearly every country come together for the Summer Olympics and compete in dozens of sports. With over 3 billion people watching, it's arguably the most popular sporting event in the world, showcasing sports and countries both large and small on the global stage. Every Olympics has great competitions, but upsets are the most memorable. Underdogs take the...
The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11. It marks the city's third time hosting the Summer Olympics after previously hosting them in 1900 and 1924. So, of course, a huge chunk of the Olympic events will be held in Paris. Neighboring cities like Saint-Denis, Le Bourget, Nanterre, Versailles, and Vaires-sur-Marne will also host certain events. Way.com reports the opening ceremony of the event will take place in Jardins du Trocadéro on the Seine, and the closing...
For centuries, sports have impacted the lives and cultures of people worldwide. From the first Olympic games in Greece as far back as the 700s B.C. to the formation of the National Association of Base Ball Players—the first professional sports league in America—in the 1800s, the love for sports has always been apparent. What makes sports so popular? Why do so many people gather around a big screen or spend hundreds of dollars on tickets to appear in person at an event? While there doesn't...
Way.com reports that top earners among the highest-paid athletes include: - Cristiano Ronaldo– $260 million - Jon Rahm – $218 million - Lionel Messi – $135 million - LeBron James – $128 million - Giannis Antetokounmpo – $111 million Observations - The fact that the top two athletes based in Saudi Arabia are on this list shows their financial might. - It's cool to see two basketball players on the list. It shows how well the NBA is doing financially. Soccer Stars Dominate Soccer...
President Trump, and America, dodged a bullet Saturday. While speaking before an estimated crowd of 15,000 in Pennsylvania, President Donald J. Trump was shot and wounded in the right ear. Video shows him grabbing his ear, then ducking behind the podium for cover as the Secret Service rushed to cover him. He then stood up, ordered the Secret Service to “wait, wait, wait,” then turned to the crowd, raised his fist defiantly, signaled he was okay, and said what appeared to be “Fight! Fight!...
As we gather to celebrate the 4th of July, our hearts swell with pride and gratitude for the freedoms we cherish in this great nation. Despite the challenges and political climate we face, we must remember that the United States of America remains a beacon of hope and the best country in the world. This is a time to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of our nation and the exceptional spirit that has guided us through times of trial and triumph. From its inception, America has been a land of...
Who had “12 minutes” in the betting pool for when old Joe would have his first mental gear-stripping in the debate? You won! The only real question I had before the debate was whether the Dems would send in a Stunt Biden, or if Joe’s medical team could create a Frankensteinian aberration of modern medical science capable of mimicking a coherent, competent, fully functioning human from the doddering dementoid that currently serves as the sock puppet figurehead of these United States. They...
What we witnessed in this debate was nothing short of a political masterclass by President Trump and a disaster of Biblical proportions by Biden. Despite the deck being stacked against him, former President Donald Trump obliterated Joe Biden, who had spent the last seven days holed up in Camp David with sixteen advisors, meticulously prepped and rehearsed to the hilt. If this had been a heavy weight fight President Trump would have bee awarded a technical knockout 15 minutes into the debate....
My, what a difference a few days makes! It seems like just yesterday Joe Biden's defenders were continuing to insist that he was fine. The campaign was trumpeting the $27 million he'd raised since the debate, and after all, no serving Democrat had called for him to step down, had they? Then on Tuesday, Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) became the first Democrat to formally call for Biden to bow out. "Recognizing that unlike Trump, President Biden's first commitment has always been to our...
Now is the summer of our discontent Made peaceful protest by the SCOTUS rule And all the clouds that lour’d upon the DNC In the deep bosom of The Narrative buried. Now are our brows bound with declining polls; Our clenched fists thrust up ‘gainst monuments; Our stern tweets charged with merry threats, Our dreadful marches to delightful looting. Apologies, Willie. In my defense, Richard III would feel right at home in Washington these days, and this long, hot summer is just beginning. From...
I have outrage burning in my heart and a fire in my soul. President Donald J. Trump, a true patriot and relentless fighter for our great nation, has just survived an assassination attempt. This is not just an attack on a man; it’s an attack on everything we stand for as Americans. This was not just a bullet aimed at President Trump; it was a bullet aimed at every single one of us who believes in the values of freedom, justice, and the American way of life. In typical Biden hate filled...
As former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn once said, and I’ll paraphrase, “Any fool can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.” In our political landscape today, from Washington, D.C. down, we have plenty of folks kicking down barns, but not nearly enough carpenters building them. During the most recent legislative session, the legislature passed a package of bills called “Working for Alabama,” which is a prime example of building good,...
Southern women especially I think know how to talk cookery. Take the pound cake. Three times in the past week I have been involved in conversations about pound cakes. And that's not to ignore the chats about tomatoes fresh from the vine, or about new potatoes, or about running beans in early summer. There is hardly a shortage of recipes for pound cake. Church cookbooks and community cookbooks always offer several. The variety stemming perhaps from women using ingredients they had on hand. The...
The discordant views in modern America mirror much of the animosity of the 1700s and 1800s. Unfortunately, there is presently a dearth of individuals who possess the wisdom and historical perspective of the Founding generation. The great secession document known as the Declaration of Independence spelled out the colonies’ grievances and asserted the God-given right of representative government. Many in Great Britain viewed colonial secession as treasonous since the colonies were part of an...
Those familiar with Alabama’s rigged duopoly election results understand Jury Box removal of corrupt politicians (re)installed via uncompetitive Ballot Boxes. Highly restrictive ballot access laws, hyper-gerrymandered districts, poor voter turnout with week open records laws, buttressed by our unresponsive ethics commission make our State ripe for a higher incidence of attempted Jury Box discipline with election results so unrepresentative of the population. Well seasoned, righteous...
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to tell their current government to go away and don't come back, it’s only fair those people tell the world exactly why they’re mad, what that government has done to annoy them, exactly why the government sucks, and precisely why said government needs to go find some other continent to plunder. I’m paraphrasing, of course, but not by much, because that’s what the Declaration really is—a laundry list of complaints...
I must admit, this is becoming an almost monthly event. With so much going on and so many topics to cover, it has become increasingly difficult to write about a single topic. As you can see, this month’s contribution is no different. So, let’s get started. 1. The toughest job in the country. Let there be no doubt, there are dozens of difficult jobs. Jobs that tax bodies physically and that drain the mind and soul spiritually. But as I watch the news, I have come to believe that there is one...
The use of automatic weapons when fighting an opponent can cause great fear in that opponent who may only be able to return fire each time the trigger to a weapon is pulled by the finger. An automatic weapon or machinegun can by definition fire multiple rounds with a single pull of a trigger by a finger or single finger engagement of the trigger. Firing a semi-automatic weapon is hard enough when you have a fair amount of control, especially a handgun at anything greater than close range....
Back in 2018, I wrote an article about Zimbabwe when it was poised to become blessed with a great economic recovery. In 2008, Tendai Biti became finance minister, and in a 30 minute speech, he announced the end of essentially all government interference in the economy. He treated Zimbabwe to instant free markets. Regulations, licensure, import permits, and exchange and price controls all went out the window. In 2009, Biti replaced his country’s worthless hyperinflated dollars with U.S....
Many today know the name of Samuel Adams more for ale and pubs than for American history. But Thomas Jefferson said of him, “I always considered him as more than any other member [of Congress] the fountain of our important measures.” Preparing his first inaugural address, Jefferson recalled, “I often asked myself, is this exactly in the spirit of the patriarch of liberty, Samuel Adams?” Encyclopedia Brittanica says Sam Adams “did more than any other American to arouse opposition...
What if I told you the devil's goal wasn't for you to follow him? It's a crazy thought, right? I had this realization the other day when I was asking how anyone could follow the devil versus follow God. It seems like such an easy decision, but I realized that devil's goal isn't for you to follow him. The devil’s goal is for you to follow yourself. It's for you to truly believe in yourself so much that you will follow your own way and your own desires. And even say that you do not need God and...
Inspired by the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s confrontation with church hierarchy, peasants staged an insurrection which challenged the socioeconomic order. This revolt would have a lasting impact on Europe and set the stage for future conflicts between the elite aristocracy and the growing middle class. In 1524, the strata of society was organized according to land: its ownership, its use and ultimately, its profitability. The various plagues that decimated Europe in the past...
The UK just wrapped up an election, and guess what? They managed to count the votes the same day, the Prime Minister conceded that night, and today, the next day, there is a clean transfer of power. No drama, no chaos, no endless counting, no mysterious “late-night” ballot drops. So, why can’t the United States, the leader of the free world, get its act together when it comes to elections? First, let us talk about efficiency. The UK managed their election like a well-oiled machine. The...
"The Alabama Republican Party is heartbroken by today's attack on President Donald Trump. This disgraceful act of violence has no place in our society and is an attack on the very principles of freedom and liberty. We stand in unwavering support of President Trump, his family, and the others injured and killed in this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this tragedy. "As a society, we must come together and reaffirm our commitment to civility, respect, and...
A new dock and boardwalk, a new live weigh-in category and a new species for catch and release are among the highlights for the 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR), set for July 19-21 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island. The new dock and boardwalk will increase the capacity for the number of boats that can be tied up to head to the weigh-in station, and the boardwalk will also provide access to the north side of the rodeo property. "We added a dock 7 to help alleviate pressure...
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reports that Argentine black and white tegus – an invasive species of large lizard native to Argentina – are breeding in the wilds of Georgia. Argentine black and white tegus can growing up to 4 feet long and weigh 10 pounds or more. They eat everything from bird eggs to small animals and plants. The big tegus remain an issue in Tattnall and Toombs counties. Four Argentine black and white tegus were recently reported, on both sides of the county...
On Tuesday, a partnership of conservation groups, state agencies and private partners will hold a ribbon cutting on a new boat launch, transient docks, and a tournament pavilion in Selma. This project was accomplished through a partnership that includes the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Innovate Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF), B.A.S.S.,...
My first visit to the Davis Ranch in the Dallas Texas area was in 2013. There I met several men including John Davis, the owner. We hit it off almost immediately. It was not too long after that, I began flying there a couple times a year to do hunting and speaking events with a small group of men. That place holds a lot of great memories. It was there I took my first Rio turkey. It was there I harvested several pigs. And it was there where I met the most amazing men, many who have become...
Fortunately, the number of people in Alabama who participate in the traditional outdoor endeavors of hunting and fishing has remained relatively steady, but one activity is on an upward trajectory – shooting sports. That fact has definitely been noticed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, which is in the process of adding a state-of-the-art shooting facility in Shelby County to complement the 12 existing...
For summer travelers, Way.com provides a guide to the best nature destinations in the U.S., from Pigeon Forge,Tennessee, to Asheville, North Carolina, and Page, Arizona. This list was compiled from popular U.S. destinations with the highest number of nature recommendations on the Booking.com platform and includes mountains, desert landscapes, and woodlands. These tempting destinations offer plenty to get you out of your comfy chair and into the great outdoors. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (JUL 10, 2024) – In this digital age, there is growing concern that the overconsumption of digital media through smartphones, apps and social sites can impact mental and physical health, as well as increase social dysconnectivity. Increasingly, however, many people are looking to take back the hours they typically spend glued to their devices and instead foster a healthier relationship with the online world. Dr. Karen Anne Wallach, a researcher at The University of Alabama in...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (June 27, 2024) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will host the HEL Optics Metrology Workshop to improve metrology processes and technologies in high-energy laser (HEL) weapon systems. Registration is now open. The workshop will connect stakeholders from across the region on September 11-12 on the campus of UAH, a part of the University of Alabama System. Registration will close on September 4. The cost is $170. Federal government and UAH employees and students...
The first full school year since OpenAI launched ChatGPT on Nov. 20, 2022 has come to a close. Since then, educators' attitudes toward artificial intelligence have changed. For example, New York City Public Schools was the first district to ban ChatGPT in January 2023, only to lift the ban later that year in May. In fact, 70% of educators in New York report that AI has actually increased their passion in teaching. It's not just New York, though. Data shows that, across the country, educators'...
Many Colorado high school graduates have headed into this summer uncertain about college. Some still might need an estimate of the cost, commit to enroll at a school, or finish tasks, like turning in immunization records and high school transcripts, before they show up in the fall. While students and families might fear they're behind for the fall, college advisers and admissions experts say they shouldn't worry after a college-going process complicated by Free Application for Federal Student...
With the Fourth of July approaching, everyone is thinking red, white and blue. If you have a pot garden, you can switch out some of the pots with RED, WHITE AND BLUE at the speed of a blink of an eye. Buy white vinca, red begonias, and blue salvia (or whatever you can find in this color scheme) and plunge them into some existing or new pots to highlight the patriotic season. Every year I bake a sheet cake and ice it with white icing. Then with red strawberries for the stripes, and blueberries...
Hamburgers and hot dogs are the quintessential American summer foods, and everyone needs to be able to do at least one of them well. Truthfully, there's not much you can do with hot dogs besides choosing a good brand and boiling them in a good beer. When grilling outdoors, pick your favorite, make sure your coals are right, and concentrate on quality condiments. For hamburgers, I like 85% lean ground beef because it has enough fat to sizzle well in both the oven and on the grill without too...
When Cortni Borgerson thinks about the trillion or so periodical cicadas emerging from underground, she sees more than clumsily flying insects flitting from tree to tree in search of a mate. She sees lunch. Some may find that idea revolting, a belief often, if unknowingly, steeped in colonialism and the notion that eating insects is "uncivilized." But Borgerson, an anthropologist at Montclair State University, is among those eager to change that perception. She's a big fan of dining on bugs of...
July 12th is National Pecan Pie Day! The origins of this day are unclear, but who cares? Pecan Pie is awesome, and obviously deserves its own day. There is a bit of controversy over just where pecan pie was invented, with some saying Georgia, others insisting on Louisiana. We all know, however, that pecan pie was invented right here in Alabama-those who say otherwise are fools, liars, mentally unbalanced, or likely all three. In honor of Pecan Pie Day, here's my Momma's recipe. You'll have the...
Which cities are best for grilling a steak outside this summer? With summer here and National Grilling Month around the corner, Lawn Love ranked 2024's Best Cities for Grilling Meat. We compared nearly 470 of the biggest U.S. cities based on 4 meaty categories. We looked at local interest in grilling, access to butcheries and home improvement chains, and the average cost of meat in the area. We also considered ideal weather conditions for cooking outdoors, among 17 total metrics. Fire up the...
Our music leader announced the first hymn for the "Let's turn to hymn 666." she said. Everybody broke out in laughter since 666 is the well-known "mark of the beast" in the book of Revelation. I remembered another music leader announcing the same hymn, but he said, "Let's turn to hymn 667 and go back one!" It seems that our hymnal publisher would've left page 666 vacant like buildings skip floor 13 in their elevators. John the Revelator wrote about a charismatic leader who would beguile the...
Pastors and music leaders have had good-natured arguments for years. Musicians insist pastors will be idle in heaven with nothing to do since preaching isn’t on the agenda, whereas music is. And pastors retort that the music program is the source of much church conflict on earth. As radio preacher J. Vernon McGee used to say, “When Satan fell from heaven, he fell into the choir loft!” I remember years ago when the piano music just before the message was simply gorgeous. I said this before...
John Eldredge, in his book, Epic, tells us that life is a story. God is telling a story and you have a crucial role to play. Do you know what kind of tale you were born into? Do you know the story? Do you understand your role in the story? Life will never make sense until you do! In Epic, Eldredge writes: “ Notice that all great stories pretty much follow the same story line. Things were once good, then something awful happened, and now a great battle must be fought or a journey taken. At...
I met her at a conference in our state, and she quickly turned the conversation to her church, of which she was very proud. She loved the pastor, the members, the worship and the ministry. All of this is fine. Then I asked her where her church was located. I knew where she lived and was surprised that her church was 40 miles away Our denomination has traditionally supported members belonging to local churches through which they can serve their communities. The Church Covenant that evangelical...
One of the ministry traditions I grew up with is that older ministers would often give us younger ministers a treasured book—either one from their libraries or a copy of one they found encouraging. I think this tradition is all but over now. Many of us older pastors have tried to give away portions of our libraries we’re not using now, only to find that the “young bucks” don’t value books like we do. Research suggests the typical pastor in my day acquired a library worth $50,000 or...
The American population is aging—and much-needed mental health care providers are in short supply. Earlier this year, the federal government rolled out new rules to help older Americans access more services and give health care professionals the flexibility to help those in their community with the greatest needs. But better health care access only works if the people poised to benefit understand the new rules. It's not unusual for Medicare patients to need to advocate for themselves in...
Every July 4, we celebrate our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people. We have useful online resources like the Social Security Statement (Statement) and our benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving benefits. The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and provides personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits...
Montgomery's Hank Williams Museum announced on Monday that it will commemorate the 101st birthday of the internationally recognized music legend on September 14 with a graveside wreath-laying ceremony and a memorial concert featuring The Malpass Brothers, a traditional country duo that hosts a popular television show on the RFD-TV network. "Though he died at just 29 years of age, Hank left a lasting musical legacy that continues to be appreciated by each new generation, and we feel it is...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
On Friday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Selma) announced that her annual job fair will be in Bessemer this year on August 8. "Are you looking for a job or interested in exploring a new career opportunity?" wrote Rep. Sewell. "If so, I hope you'll join me for our 13th Annual Job Fair in Bessemer, Alabama on Thursday, August 8th! Our event will be located at the Bessemer Civic Center from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m." "As your Congresswoman, I have made it my mission to bring more resources and...
