The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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My last article seems to have kicked off a firestorm of discussion! From all around the South, I've had fellow turkey hunters confirm exactly what I had been experiencing; a severe shortage of turkeys! The big 3 reasons, to me, were predators, habitat, and baiting. All 3 of these are tied together, compounding each individual problem into something worse. Of course, I'm not a biologist, so I got in touch with the real deal, Ted DeVos. Asking for his views, this what he sent me. I believe your 3...
Most of us have heard or read many a message about the importance of having a positive attitude. However, if you are like me, I need to be reminded regularly in my life journey about the powerful impact my attitude has on myself and others around me! To a great degree, your attitude will determine your impact, your peace and your legacy. My absolute favorite quote about the importance of a positive attitude is from Chuck Swindoll: " The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude...
We are less than four weeks away from our June 5th primary. Those of us who follow Alabama politics have pointed to this year as being a very entertaining and interesting gubernatorial year. However, last year’s resignation by former Governor, Robert Bentley and the ascension of Kay Ivey from Lt. Governor to the Governor’s office has put a damper on the excitement we anticipated in the governor’s race. Kay took over the reins of state government and her appearance as a seasoned veteran of state...
As we approach the end of the 2018 spring turkey season, I look back and cannot recall a season as rough and tough as 2018. This past season I only killed one gobbler and had a miss on video. I did not call in any birds for other hunters for the first time in a long time. What happened to the turkeys in 2018? I did not hear or see the number of birds that I have seen in Alabama in the past, but I'm not by myself. According to the wonderful world of social media, all my fellow turkey hunters are...
Republicans took control of federal offices and presidential races in 1964 in Alabama. It was referred to as the Goldwater Landslide. The Baxley-Graddick fiasco in 1986 was the game changer for governor. In the last 32 years there have been eight governor’s races. Republicans have won all of them, with one exception. Don Siegelman was an interloper in 1998. During that same period, Alabamians have elected all Republicans to every secondary, statewide office. There are six secondary c...
Turkey season has kicked off now in Alabama, and yes I was very fortunate to kill an opening day gobbler, I've seen plenty of action while helping hunters and huntresses chase after those elusive birds. Now, while some folks have started the season with a big bang, knocking down turkeys well before the mornings really started, there are also folks out there who just can't quite get the rascals to fly down from the roost in the right direction. Some of these birds have been talkative, and...
Jesus said, "Blessed / Happy are those who have pure hearts, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8. Another way to put that would be to say - blessed are those who walk with integrity, for they will see God's purpose and plans for their lives more clearly. The Bible has a lot to say about walking with integrity and why we should. Let me share with you a few reflections I have on the practical blessings or benefits of walking with integrity in this life. First, walking with integrity blesses us...
This past week, the Black Belt Branch of QDMA spent a day with some of our military men and their children on a pheasant shoot at Great Southern Outdoors in Union Springs, Alabama. "As the president of the Black Belt Branch, I am honored to show our love and respect to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom and safety!" said, Mike O'Malley branch president. "Our board of directors works diligently throughout the year to generate opportunities for our members to give back to our...
Last April, I was in Kansas City for a meeting. As we drove through a beautiful part of town with very large homes, I noticed a huge church that looked like a castle. It was built out of stone and looked as if had been there many years in this older, established part of the city. As a preacher, I was curious to see the name of this massive church as we drove by. On the impressive sign in front of the church it said, “Country Club Christian Church.” Now, I’m sure that this is a great churc...
The Alabama Legislature usually gets very little done during an election year session except passage of the budgets. However, the Legislature may have to address issues pertaining to prison health care. A Federal judge has ruled that our prison mental health care is “horrendously inadequate.” This year the solution will probably be to simply add $30 to 50 million to the prison budget and kick the can down the road to the next quadrennium. Our Medicaid agency funding is always a key issue. Med...
A few weeks back my column illuminated the career and influence attained by our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. In the column and in my book, “Six Decades of Alabama Political Stories,” I reference the fact that our current senior senator will be regarded as one of Alabama’s greatest U.S. Senators. I consider Lister Hill, John Sparkman, and Richard Shelby in that triumvirate. However, history more than likely will reveal that Shelby is eclipsing Hill and Sparkman in the annals of senat...
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...
Well, we finally made it to the month of February and we only have 6 days left in deer Season. But in February in Alabama another subject comes to my mind and that is the subject of Prescribe Burning. The following article is from one of the premier land managers in our state, Mr. Ted DeVos Of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services. Images and thoughts of woodland fire are typically that it is bad! However, this is probably because most people are not familiar with the benefits of...
This article could be a catalyst for some IMPORTANT discussions about the spiritual direction and mission of your church! Please read, and I would love to hear your feedback. My email is listed below. How do you view your church? Do you view your church primarily as a Cruise Ship or as a Battleship? It makes all the difference in how you view the spiritual direction and mission of your church! Here are some questions to ponder which may help you determine which way you truly see your church. If...
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...
Here lately I've been on a real kick about what it means to pass on the hunting heritage, and I'm still really adamant about bringing in the next generation of hunters. It's not only rewarding for everyone directly involved, but it improves the sport as a whole. Mike O’Malley, President of the Black Belt Branch of QDMA, right here in Montgomery, just had such an experience, and “Some of my greatest, most meaningful memories are those spent with my father in the field. I was blessed to have a f...
Solomon was one of the wisest people who ever lived according to the Bible! And he wrote most of the book of Proverbs which is considered part of the wisdom literature of the scriptures. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon tweets out many great nuggets of truth and wisdom which are still so practical today for our everyday lives. In the book of Proverbs, we can find three keys to reducing stress in our lives. Stress is a major factor in our lives! Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans consider...
Did you know that 63% of Americans think that the Christmas season should include participating in a Christmas worship experience in a church? And have you heard another very interesting statistic, 7 in 10 Americans believe that Christmas would be a better experience if it had a more Christian focus? Those stats do not surprise me at all. Why? Because deep down, I believe, that most folks know that there is something very beautiful, hopeful and mysterious about Christmas. They sense that this...
This month, I want to talk about how to anticipate tracking a deer after it's been stuck with an arrow. There are some tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for when the arrow hits that can give you a good idea of where you hit it and how long you need to wait before tracking it. Of course, I can right out tell you that shots to the head and neck aren't really what you want. Sure, they're pretty vital, but with all the bone, skin, muscle, and fur in the way, you're more likely than not just going...
With all the changes and uncertainty surrounding Alabama government in recent months, including political appointments, high level resignations, special elections, runoff elections and a host of new candidates tossing their names into the 2018 election circus, Alabamians might be relieved to know one thing remains steady and solid and many may never have heard of it – Alabama’s Silver Haired Legislature is one of Alabama’s crown jewels. This illustrious and distinguished array of Alaba...
As you read this, Bow Season has already started for all of Alabama. Despite the rough weather we've had in recent weeks, I've seen quite a few deer out and about, later in the evening. So take heart, Bow Hunters; they'reout there! If setting up trail cameras is a part of your pre-season scouting efforts, they can really pay off when setting yourself up for bow hunting. While there is no such thing as a guarantee when it comes to placing a buck, you can get a fair idea of where the deer are...
We have all heard the Good News Bad News jokes. One of my favorites is this one: Doctor: I have good news and bad news. Patient: Tell me the good news first. Doctor: You have 24 hours to live. Patient: What!?! How can that be good news? So, What is the bad news? Doctor: I forgot to tell you yesterday! My wife, Janeese, and I went on an exploratory trip to Uganda and Kenya this past Summer with Compassion International. We learned so much about the current plight of children in various parts of...
October 4, 2017 Judge Roy Moore and his wife, Kayla, made their traditional horseback ride to their voting place in Gallant in Etowah County, last Tuesday and when all the votes were counted that night, they won a resounding victory. Moore’s capture of the GOP Senate nomination was impressive. A 55-45 margin is not a total trouncing, but is considered a landslide. Despite being outspent by the Washington establishment 15-to- 1, Moore prevailed. His solid bloc of conservative evangelical v...
Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy Seal, wrote a book about the deadliest day in Navy Seal history. The book was entitled Lone Survivor and was later made into a very successful movie starring Matt Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell. Marcus and three other Navy Seals were sent on a secret mission into the mountains of Afghanistan in 2005 to attack top Taliban leaders who were gathering in a small village for a high level meeting. It was supposed to be a quick in and out mission. But things went south...
By now, most of the Summer planting has been completed. As for me, I'm not really into Summer planting, as the areas I like to hunt all ready have a rather large amount of browse for the deer to go through later in the year. But in some areas, that extra bit of green thrown in there can make a huge difference in improving deer habitat. Of course, aside from the usual Summer planting, there's another option that eludes most hunters; establishing soft mast in your neck of the woods. Some of you...
