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Articles from the February 1, 2016 edition


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  • SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER EXPLODES 73 SECONDS INTO ITS FLIGHT ON JANUARY 28, 1986

    Staff Writer|Feb 1, 2016

    In Remembrance of the astronouts who give their lives for America and NASA, the greatest space program in the world. The Challenger burst into pieces after taking off over Cape Canaveral for its tenth mission....

  • LET'S TALK ABOUT. . . .

    Robert Tate|Feb 1, 2016

    Hey, folks. Happy New Year to all. I hope everybody had a great Christmas season. But a lot has happened already this year so let’s get started. Let’s talk about. . . 1. Sexual Assaults in Germany: Okay, I admit. This one really angers me. Since this news broke, I have asked a couple of dozen people about this story and almost none of them had heard about it. Apparently, on New Year’s Eve, in six German cities, groups of “refugees” and “asylum seekers” thought it would be nice to pester, annoy...

  • Two Visions of Government Today in America

    Bobbie Ames|Feb 1, 2016

    Liberty is in dire peril today in America. What was birthed as a "land of the free and the home of the brave" has become a nation of ever increasing power taken from the local and state governments to the national government. This is absolutely against the intent of the United States Constitution. The transfer of power has decreased our individual liberty and ability to be self-governed. The end result of such political power is always TYRANNY. This article today is to appeal to God's people,...

  • Primary Candidates – Which Team Do They Represent?

    Marcia Chambliss|Feb 1, 2016

    An article appeared on al.com prior to the College Football Championship game that spoke to me on a level beyond football and rivalries, as a political analogy came wrapped up in a piece regarding the football team of my beloved alma mater’s fight for a national championship title. The article was written prior to the championship game and outlined the mission of this year’s team while giving some insight as to how they overcame an early season loss to battle back for a shot at the title. One...

  • COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

    Dr. David Nichols|Feb 1, 2016

    Most folks in Alabama agree on one thing. All schools should be operated by competent instructional leaders, all children should be entitled to the opportunity for learning at least on their grade level, students should be safe places and school environments should be conducive to creating high student learning expectations. Recent news releases from Alabama’s State School Superintendent touted a new high graduation rate average for Alabama’s schools. All too often such proclamations give sch...

  • A SOLUTION TO RED LIGHT CAMERAS

    John Martin|Feb 1, 2016

    WACV Talk Radio, I asked Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange what he was going to do about removing the obnoxious red light cameras from the city. His answer was very blunt, “Nothing.” In fact, he even announced that he had plans to install some more. Why? Does Mayor Strange understand that they do essentially nothing to improve safety? Apparently not. But he obviously knows that they generate a great deal of revenue by legalized piracy. This is especially true when yellow lights are timed so sho...

  • The Graftmaster Two-Step: Hubbard 'Doe-See-Does' with Rogers…

    John Sophocleus|Feb 1, 2016

    Recent reader comments suggest last year’s columns were more ‘watchdog-like’ than opinin’. After assuring commenters my goal remains to evoke thought as established by the assigned “THINK” moniker, I’m asked who I consider the most effective watchdogs in our State. My ‘big three from A to Z’ dogs include Bill Britt’s courageous reporting on ethics violations, John Rice’s anti-corruption efforts via the Alabama Foundation for Limited Government (AFLG) and ‘waste cutter’ Jim Ziegler’s accomplishm...

  • Inside the Statehouse

    Steve Flowers|Feb 1, 2016

    February 3, 2016: There are a good many stories about elections of the 1940’s and 50’s where vote were bought and elections stolen. The most brazen and blatant stealing of an election occurred in the 1948 race for the U.S. Senate in Texas. The players were Coke Stevenson versus Lyndon B. Johnson. Therefore, it can also be classified as one of the most relevant robberies in American history because if Johnson had lost, as he was supposed to, it would have dramatically impacted U.S. history. Coke...

  • What legal reason did the United States government give for taking Arlington, the home of Robert E. Lee during the War Between the States?

    Ron Holtsford|Feb 1, 2016

    What legal reason did the United States government give for taking Arlington, the home of Robert E. Lee during the War Between the States? This is an appropriate question considering the State of Alabama just celebrated General Lee’s birthday as a State holiday in January. Since the introduction of Martin Luther King’s birthday as a Federal holiday it has been conjoined with General Lee’s birthday holiday. The construction of Arlington House began in 1802, by George Washington Parke Custis. When...

  • 1. 29 Opinion Polls

    Judge Philip Dale Segrest|Feb 1, 2016

    It seems like every time I answer the phone these days it is a new opinion poll. The pollsters have even gotten into cell phones. I probably receive at least twelve or fifteen such calls each week. The calls are intrusive and excessive. The benefits arising from the overburden of surveys is highly questionable. The problems facing government these days are highly complex, to say the least. Most of us have our hands full simply dealing with the problems that confront us in daily life. So what is...

  • My Kids and Television

    Hector Oswaldo Chavez|Feb 1, 2016

    A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than four out of five parents are concerned that their children are exposed to too much televised drama, sex and violence -- yet millions of youngsters are still enthusiastically watching hours of TV daily, with little or no supervision. That's unsettling news for clinicians and medical professionals alike. American children spend an average of six hours each day watching TV or using other media devices . That's more time than they devote...

  • Deer Season is almost done but the "Rut is On"

    Steve Long|Feb 1, 2016

    I hope everyone had a great start to the New Year! I know I've gotten my year off to a solid start with some quail hunting down at GSO this past Monday. This time the posse of hunters was from Florida, making their way up to our neck of the woods to enjoy a little bird hunting. All the fellas had a great time, and, of course, the dogs did too. They love a good day's work on the field. The birds were flying great and the hunters were shooting straight! We managed to pick up 129 quail, so...

  • THE LAST HURRAH!

    Ed Jones Sports Editor|Feb 1, 2016

    Levi Stadium in San Fransisco could be "Peyton's Place" on February 7, 2016. Two months shy of his 40th birthday, Peyton Manning will start the 50th Super Bowl with a determination to end his remarkable career with a win for the Denver Broncos over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. This is a contrast between the past of one of the greatest quarterbacks in history (Manning) and the new breed of quarterback (Newton) which may define the future. Peyton will be the oldest quarterback to start a...

  • February Potpourri

    Judge Peggy Givhan|Feb 1, 2016

    The month of February reminds me of the phrase, a prelude to the future, your garden that is. With the hope of spring coming on March 22nd, we have turned the corner on winter. We can turn our dreams, hopes and wishes into realty if we start making plans now. Go out to the flower beds, and visualize your garden. This is always easy if your beds present a clean slate. After the hard freeze we had the end of January, there will be dead plant material drooping around the beds. Clean this out...

  • Firearms Familiarization Course

    Sheriff Derrick Cunningham|Feb 1, 2016

    We have already begun our firearms course to "familiarize"Montgomery County citizens about the laws and proper use of a firearm. We know that learning how to protect yourself is very important in today's world. Our course is held one Saturday a month and has been scheduled for the following dates: Saturday, February 13th • Saturday, March 12th • Saturday, April 23rd • Saturday, May 14th • Saturday, June 11th • Saturday, July 9th • Saturday, August 13th • Saturday, September 24th • Saturday, O...

  • EDDIE THE EAGLE

    Sheriff Joe Sedinger|Feb 1, 2016

    The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office received a grant from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for an Eddie Eagle mascot costume. Eddie Eagle is the mascot of the NRA that teaches children about gun safety. Eddie says if your child sees a gun to “STOP, DON’T TOUCH, LEAVE THE ROOM, TELL AN ADULT”. Coloring books and sticker are available with this program. The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office promotes gun safety whenever possible. Eddie Eagle made his debut in the Martin Luther King parade on...

  • Valentine's Day Dinner

    David Spooner|Feb 1, 2016

    We made it through the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, with the stuffing, dressings, casseroles and too many sweets. We ate until we were going to burst and then we ate the leftovers. We spent hours in the kitchen cooking and then hours cleaning up. We also spent time with relatives and friends, which was a good thing. But now is the time to spend with just one other person, your significant other. The holiday this month is about love. If you are inclined to go out to a restaurant for a...

  • A Big Month for Celebrities

    Dr. John Bitter|Feb 1, 2016

    February is the shortest month of the year, but for us old timers it's a month that produced a lot of the folks who entertained us through our years of the “Greatest Generation.” For example, Actor Clark Gable was born on February 1, 1901. Who can forget his memorable portrayal in Gone With the Wind? On the second day of February, 1937, Tommy Smothers of the famous “Smothers Brothers,” came into the world. Comedian Joey Bishop was born on February 3, 1918; and a year and a day later, Red But...

  • PREVENTING DEBILITATING DISEASES AMONG WOMEN

    Kylle McKinney|Feb 1, 2016

    Just about every minute, a woman dies of heart disease. But the majority of these deaths are avoidable. That’s why Social Security encourages you to participate in National Wear Red Day on February 5, which aims to raise awareness about preventing heart disease and stroke among women. Social Security plays an important role in many women’s lives — nearly 60 percent of people receiving Social Security benefits are women. Social Security provides important financial assistance to women in times...

  • "How Shall We Live?"

    Dr. Rick Marshall|Feb 1, 2016

    In his book, Mastery, Eli Stanley Jones says, “The art of living is the least learned of all arts.” We have learned the art of existing, working, getting by with half-answers, but we know little about how to live up to life with all its demands, and have a sense of adequacy. Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christians seem to have about as much trouble with life as unbelievers. This is in contrast to the words of Jesus when He promised, “I have come that you might have life and that you m...

  • DON'T WASTE YOUR PAIN

    Michael J. Brooks|Feb 1, 2016

    I'm convinced the greatest detriment to faith is the problem of pain. "Why do the righteous suffer?" is a question as old as the book of Job. And it still befuddles serious-minded people who consider faith. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians about his "thorn." We think of a thorn as a slight irritation easily removed with fingers or tweezers. But New Testament scholar William Barclay argued that the word can also mean "stake." It was common to impale one's enemies or criminals in the Roman...

  • "New Beginnings"

    Trisston Wright Burrows|Feb 1, 2016

    A friend recently shared this with me and it really blessed me. So, I thought I’d share it with you. Here is a NEW way to look at John 3:16 and remember that it was written as GOD’s Valentine to the world, and to you and me! Jesus said: "For God so loVed the world That He gAve His onLy BegottEn SoN That whosoever Believes In Him Shall Not perish, But have Everlasting life." Happy Valentine’s Day & Many Blessings!...