The people's voice of reason

Articles from the May 1, 2014 edition


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  • Know The Law!

    Sheriff D. T. Marshall|May 1, 2014

    The Alabama Legislature has gone home for another year. The gunman for the NRA is gone and his latest bill that would allow anybody to carry a handgun in a vehicle without a permit died in committee in the house. I hope that we have heard the last from Senator Scott Beason. The gun laws remains the same as passed last year, you still need a permit to carry a handgun inside of your vehicle which, to me, is good for the public as well as law enforcement. I just don't understand why a law abiding...

  • The Problem With Penitentiaries

    Judge Philip Dale Segrest|May 1, 2014

    In past articles we have discussed the breakdown of the family and the impact of family breakdown on moral formation. We suggested that inadequate moral formation is the root cause of crime. We suggested the possibility that the breakdown of the family and damage to its role in moral formation has contributed to the escalating rate of incarceration. We have also discussed the important role that the peer group plays in moral formation and the fact that usually the “peer group” is found in church...

  • Political Races

    Steve Flowers|May 1, 2014

    Early on it appeared that the best political races of the year would be for legislative seats. Indeed, with this being a lackluster year for statewide contests there are some good senate races throughout the state to watch. Most of these hotly contested battles will be intraparty GOP squabbles. Senate District 11, which is composed primarily of St. Clair and Talladega Counties, may be the best race to watch. Incumbent State Sen. Jerry Fielding is being challenged by State Rep. Jim McClendon. Fie...

  • Primary Promises

    Marcia Chambliss|May 1, 2014

    Another primary season is wrapping up and numerous questions are circulating in my brain as my email and mailbox are daily filled with campaign literature. So should any candidate happen to read this piece, here are but a few of those random thoughts and if you are a voter, perhaps they will encourage you to take time to ask questions of your own before June 3rd. If you are a candidate running as a Republican, I already know that you are a “conservative, Christian, love President Reagan and t...

  • Fish, Fish and More Fish!!

    Zack Azar|May 1, 2014

    May has to be my favorite month for fishing. The weather is not yet steaming hot, the bass are hungry and active after spawning and the bream are preparing to bed. The full moon of May, which occurs this month on the 14th, will see bluegill and shellcracker bedding. Several days before, as well as several days after the full moon, bedding activity will be at a peak. Let's take a look at some fishing tactics that will help you fill your stringer this spring. Most of us started our fishing career...

  • Rating Quarterbacks

    Ed Jones Sports Editor|May 1, 2014

    The state of Alabama has sent some very good football players to the National Football League, some drafted in the first round. Roman Harper (DB), Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (RB), Trent Richardson (RB), third in the Heisman voting, Rolando McClain (LB), Corey Lemonier (DE) and Nick Fairley (DT) just to name a few. Most have not lived up to their draft status. The only player from Alabama that is actually starting or contributing to the success of his team is 2013 "Rookie of the Year",...

  • Some of the headlines I see suggest that there is a war on Christianity. What do you see and don't Christians have rights?

    Ron Holtsford|May 1, 2014

    I see the headlines that you see and certainly there are groups that object to Christianity. It seems that more of the objections come from secular groups than religions having differing view points. Perusing the news today I see the following all by Todd Starnes posted on the internet: Atheists Strong Arm Wrestling Team over Bible Verse Air Force Academy Orders Cadet to Remove Bible Verse Teacher Faces Possible Firing for Sharing Bible Verse Mandrallius Robinson of The Greenville (SC) News...

  • You Really Can Go Back; It's Just Different

    Robert Tate|May 1, 2014

    My wife, her sister and I just came back from a 10-day trip to Germany. Her niece and their family are stationed in the same place my wife and I were stationed from 1987-1993. You know, there is a saying that "you can never go back." Well actually you can, just be prepared for all the changes. Before we left, I told my niece that I was "easy" and would do anything they had planned. I only had two real requests. First, I wanted to get into the AWACS simulator and fly. I had not flown that...

  • The Cost of Forsaking The Humanities in Education

    Bobbie Ames|May 1, 2014

    In 1962, at The Southern Humanities Conference, at the University of Alabama, N. Floyd McGowin, President of the W.T. Smith Lumber Company, was the keynote speaker. His Topic, "Can the Humanities Be Dispensed With In An Age of Crisis?" He opened his address, "I assume that we are using the word humanities today in its original and true sense, and that we shall have nothing to do with the sly distortions of meaning that were insinuated into our language when John Dewey and other peddlers of...

  • May Potpourri

    Judge Peggy Givhan|May 1, 2014

    We have often heard that April showers bring May flowers and this proverb should hold true for us since there has been plenty of rain. I also hope that each of you have experienced a wonderful Easter time with much joy now and in the future. It is amazing how this cool, cool weather lengthened the life of pansies, snaps, geraniums, petunias, and spring blooming shrubs. In past years, I would be pulling out these flowers and would be planting for summer. Now, I will not replant until sometime in...

  • Faster Benefit Decisions For Veterans

    Kylle McKinney|May 1, 2014

    On Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we also share some news about Social Security disability benefits for veterans with disabilities: a new expedited disability process. We believe it is important to recognize those who currently serve in the military as well as those injured in the line of duty and consider it an honor and a duty to serve them. Whether the injury is physical or mental, getting a decision about Social Security...

  • "Your Family, Your Children and Your God"

    Dr. Rick Marshall|May 1, 2014

    The month of May is all about families. Not only do we celebrate Mother’s Day, but many families get together for reunions, kids finish the school year and some graduate. It can be a blessing or it can beat you up as a parent. As I write to you this month, how to be the family you want to be and how to live out your faith at home are on my mind. There is no question the American family is in trouble. Isn’t that strange with all the blessings we have living in this country? Unfortunately, the...

  • New District Attorney to focus on elder abuse

    Dr. John Bitter|May 1, 2014

    Reducing the number of elder abuse cases in the River Region area, and declaring war on abusers will be a major focus on May 9, of the yet-to-be-named Montgomery area elder abuse prevention council when it meets at Cara Vita Independent Living Community. At this time Daryl Bailey, Montgomery County's new District Attorney, will talk to the group and discuss his plans to create a local elder justice task force. So, look out wrongdoers, the old folks are on the war path; sentiments that should...

  • "Leave & Cleave"

    Trisston Burrows|May 1, 2014

    Henry Ford, founder of the Ford empire, was a hard-working, simple man. At his 50th wedding anniversary, he was asked by a reporter, "How do you account for your happy marriage?" Henry did not hesitate for a moment before he replied, "By sticking to the first model!" When God brought Eve to Adam to be his wife, He declared, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh," Genesis 2:24. The Hebrew word for "leave" means "to relinquish...