The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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As we mark the 73rd anniversary of the 22nd Amendment, which set term limits for the U.S. President, it is past time to act on the much-needed broader application of this principle – The United States Congress. The amendment was a bold step towards ensuring fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership at the highest level. It was deemed essential for the presidency; we must extend this wisdom to Congress. Our Founding Fathers had a vision for America's legislature that's far removed from the c...
When President Biden first took office, he immediately began dismantling our southern border. And he hasn't stopped. The President has taken 94 executive actions to destroy our immigration system, ranging from ending the successful "remain-in-Mexico" program to selling taxpayer-funded border wall materials for pennies on the dollar. The radical left-wing policies of Joe Biden, his "border czar" Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, have directly...
In the heart of Alabama’s District 2 Congressional race, where the stakes have never been higher, a candidate has emerged of high character and unwavering conservative values and Make America Great Again fervor, my good friend, Dick Brewbaker. Dick stands as the epitome of what it means to be a true patriot, a successful businessman, and a citizen lawmaker who not only talks the talk but walks the walk. As this race is crucial to which party controls Congress heats up, it is crucial to r...
I know we are in a new year, but allow me to look back into 2023 and share with you some observations and accolades from the last year. My old friend Mac McArthur has been Executive Director and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer of the Alabaman State Employees Association for 26 years now. He is one of my best friends and we talk about once or twice a month. Our conversations last an hour as we enjoy regaling stories of Alabama politics. Nobody knows Alabama political stories or Alabama political...
When James Monroe addressed Congress 200 years ago, many assumed his annual message would be limited to legislative initiatives. Since he had no spin doctors to help him explain his position, clarify its broad impact, or narrate its context, it was left to him to simply announce the Monroe Doctrine and let others decide its ramifications. Two centuries ago, the New World was shedding Old World political connections as new nation states were emerging after achieving independence. President...
In the thirteen years that I have been writing these Robservations for the Gazette, this is the first time that I am writing an “in your face” religious column, if you will. Although I am sure my leanings come out many times in my writings, this was never intended to be the purpose of my Robservations column. I must admit that this Christmas Season has been a little challenging for me. Not so much with issues in my own home but I see many things that given the opportunity and if allowed, the...
Without specifics about yourself I’ll make this answer generic in a personal and in a business sense. I presume you looked at your financial estate planning (401k, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, life insurance, etc) which is important as there may be some changes such as to an inherited IRA. Ask your investment professional. You should also think about your legal estate planning. After all you are a year older; you may have gotten married, had a new child, had a child reach the age of m...
Church and State are separate kingdoms, but both are established by God upon the authority of His Word, the Bible. Christian churches have historically recognized the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, and as President Andrew Jackson said, "The Bible is the rock upon which our republic rests." But during the last two centuries, the Bible has been under unrelenting attack. Unsurprisingly, secular philosophers denounce the Bible as a collection of fables, myths, and legends loose...
Many thanks for all the wonderful correspondences on my Christmas 2021 column; Christ is Born, Glorify Him! Pleasantly surprised how many included kind inquiry on my “Tough Roe to Hoe” column [https://www.alabamagazette. com/story/2021/10/01/opinion/tough-roe-to-hoe/2231.html] evoking Solomon’s wisdom. This third king of Israel reigned circa 968-928 BC, heralded for his wise judgments. One of the more notable Solomon decisions I wanted readers to recall comes from 1 Kings 3:16-28 repro...
Just before dawn on Saturday morning, October 7, 2023, about 4000 people gathered in a remote part of southern Israel north of the Re'im kibbutz, about 3.7 miles east of Gaza and began celebrating the last day of the Sukkot holiday with a Supernova music festival. Organizers had promised a "journey of unity and love" with dance, music, art, and drinks. The people were happy and cheerful as they danced and prepared for the gala event. Without warning, Hamas militants arrived in motorized...
The assaults on Robert E. Lee and anyone who fought for Southern Independence never abate. Lee symbolizes most things his critics hate – he was a devout Christian, he believed in the sovereignty of the States within a voluntary federal republic, his primary allegiance was to Virginia (his “country”), and he felt “Union” at the point of a bayonet undermined the entire American experiment in self-government. One might ask: Why did the colonies seek independence if the goal was replication of the m...
We know that Christmas is centered around the birth of Jesus, the Christ child, but what is it about the Christmas season that is so different from the rest of the year? Kindness seems to emerge, benevolence is more prevalent, evil thoughts take a pause, differences are often suspended, and “Merry Christmas” greetings broadcast in the market square are jubilant as if to say, “God Bless You.” It is a centuries old quest to somehow bottle the grandeur, supernatural attributes, and ambienc...
Before I launch into my topic this [month], I want to acknowledge what happened in Wilcox County yesterday. A long time, much-loved, retired deputy with the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Madison “Skip” Nicholson, was killed by a gunman while responding to a domestic-violence call in the Yellow Bluff community. Chief Deputy Trenton Gulley was also injured, but is expected to recover. The whole county is shrouded today in sadness. This will spill into tomorrow and into the upcom...
Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, we share this hopeful greeting with friends and family. At times, however, we may need a little more…more from ourselves as well as the people around us. Perhaps what God told Joshua is just what we all need to hear and to believe. “Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 As Joshua was about to lead God’s people into the promised land, he had reason to be afraid. He had an enormous task ahead of him, an...
That’s the way many want to celebrate Christmas today. The secularizers note that America is more diverse than it used to be, that we shouldn’t offend others, that saying “Merry Christmas” might be bad for business, and that public Christmas observances might even violate the First Amendment. Then they deliver their crowning blow: “Besides, everybody knows Jesus wasn’t born in December.” But saying “everybody knows” begs the question, as saying “all scholars agree” defines anyone who doesn’t ag...
This year’s Christmas column is once again intended to be at least one sobering moment in veneration of our Saviour’s birth; reaffirming the importance of standing against tyranny in this world. My devout, wholehearted prayer is all who know the Power of Jesus Christ’s teachings will take Him into their hearts this blessed season and overcome alethophobic [fear of truth] distractions and destruction by those make government(s) their god. Little surprise as more deny/reject God’s Truth, enabled...
We had a very distinguished congressional delegation from Alabama during the 30-year span of 1934-1964. The congressmen from the Heart of Dixie appeared to be born to serve in Congress. Their pedigrees were all similar. They had pretty much been born and raised in the town that they would eventually represent in Congress. Almost all had gone to the University of Alabama for their education and most had graduated from Alabama’s Law School. While at the Capstone, most had been members of Greek f...
When James Monroe addressed Congress 200 years ago, many assumed his annual message would be limited to legislative initiatives. Since he had no spin doctors to help him explain his position, clarify its broad impact, or narrate its context, it was left to him to simply announce the Monroe Doctrine and let others decide its ramifications. Two centuries ago, the New World was shedding Old World political connections as new nation states were emerging after achieving independence. President...
Several years ago, I read with interest an article about Anti-DWI devices in several states being installed on vehicles of convicted drunk drivers. On the surface it sounds like a great idea and I must admit that at least some politicians are trying to keep word on being tougher regarding their state laws. At one level, it seems like many new politicians want to do the right thing in many instances. But the anti-DWI device can be both a good and a bad thing. First the good. America seems to be...
Mr. Speaker, I read with great interest and frustration the 1819 News article, “Rampant' illegal gambling in Jefferson County shows need for enforcement arm, House Speaker Ledbetter says.” In the past, advocacy for legalized gambling was all about the need for additional revenues. Now that state coffers are overflowing with surplus revenue in the General and Education Trust Funds, however, the “new message” to legalize gambling has turned into the need for a Gaming Regulatory Commiss...
From 1980-1986 medical malpractice cases soared over 25% from the prior years. Not only did the cases increase, but the payouts doubled and I noted many law firms were a part of that, I recall rumors of one Alabama lawyer having difficulty in getting medical care because of their involvement as a plaintiff’s attorney. The Alabama legislature met and revamped the medical malpractice laws in 1987. Prior to 1987 some insurance companies incurred grave losses, so much that some companies no l...
T he War for Southern Independence impacte d events worldwide. In Great Britain debates raged as to why their “American Co usins” w ere i n conflict. Two renowned Englishmen – John Stuart Mill and Charles Dickens -- sparred over this very matter. This was not their first disagreement. John Stuart Mill was a poli tica l eco nomi st, politic ian, and p hilosopher who endorsed utilitarianism, a theory that advocated maximizati on of h ap pin ess and well -being. He supp orted fre e speec h, free...
In my November article about the JFK assassination and others, some people might conclude that Lyndon Johnson’s misdeeds, or at least most of them, had already been covered. After all, his assassinations alone were worthy of a dozen public executions. What more could he have done? There is much more—as Amazon would say it, “A Truckload More.” LBJ was not a nice man by any stretch. He was a heavy drinker and had no qualms about maintaining simultaneous sexual partners. He was very ill-man...
There is a quiet calm that falls over Alabama at Christmas time. Stars seem to be more brightly scattered over a broader more open sky. The type of sky with such depth it can make you believe in miracles and wishes coming true. In destiny, and in fate...if you believe in such things of course. There is a wreath or ribbon on most every door by now and twinkling lights blinking in colors. There are candles in windows, and decorated trees peeking through open drapes. It is the season of peace and h...
I once of the story of a family during the great depression was unable to afford anything but the bare necessities. One day the news came that a circus was coming to town. Tickets cost one dollar. The little boy came running home excited and eager to get the money from his dad. The father regretfully told his boy that he could not provide him with that much money, but if he went out and worked on odd jobs, he might make enough to purchase a ticket on his own. The dad promised to match what the...
