The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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I stopped listening to R. Kelly’s music a few years ago after being introduced to his monstrousness when the abuse at his Atlanta-maximum-security-McMansion first made headlines; I simply didn’t know and hadn't bothered to learn about the shade around him until then, despite its ubiquity in the popular consciousness (highlighted by the famous Chappelle Show sketch). What the new 6-part docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly”—produced by Lifetime and over a year in the making before premiering its first...
Another New Year lies ahead, and while each day is always new with possibilities for individual growth and change, there’s something about our culture that hones in on New Year resolutions with the hope of a clean slate for the coming year. An early December Bible study message regarding the book of Haggai was especially timely for me as I reflected on 2018 and the year to come, and the key Scripture remained with me throughout the Christmas season. As our political system and culture continues...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report last month announcing that for the third consecutive year the life expectancy of Americans is dropping. Another statistic that emerged from the report was the fact that more Americans died last year than any other year since such findings started being counted – over a hundred years ago. That alone is disturbing, but if you consider why this is happening it becomes even more concerning. The reason so many of us are dying and the r...
WOW! Can you believe another twelve months have come and gone? Happy New Year! In December 2017, my husband, Brian, and I had the awesome opportunity to attend a leadership conference at our church. Dr. John Maxwell was the speaker. During the course of his talk, Dr. Maxwell made mention of his end of year and beginning of year routine…. instead of making New Year’s resolutions, he picks just one word. “Oh that my ways would be established on order to keep you word.” Psalm 119:5 Brian and I thou...
Little has changed since earlier appellate cases and one will note slight subjective language in the subsequent decisions. These cases have arisen using the Establishment Clause of the Constitution of the United States to back up the adverse claims of individuals or groups in what they perceive as being unconstitutional. The Establishment Clause is a part of the First Amendment and reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” followed by the Free Exercise C...
Hey, folks. Here we go again with another edition of "Bits and Pieces." There is so much going on right now that I would like to address just a few of them now and then perhaps expand upon some of them at a later date. Here we go! 1. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: The woman is living, breathing proof that one can make it into politics with absolutely ZERO common sense. Before anyone goes Democrat on me, NO I am not slamming all politicians. Not even close. All I am saying is that she continually...
We would like to enjoy the world after you’re gone, please. And spare me the “well, it’s cold right here, right now, so it couldn’t possibly be warming in general” spiel. (By the way, this is the exact same argument that leads to people continuing to spank their children despite literally every single medical, psychological, and children’s group that has studied it saying it is terrible. The planet is getting hotter, and we are the cause. In the words of the report commissioned by the United...
It was Tuesday evening, one week prior to the November mid-term elections, and I was in attendance at the annual His Vessel Ministries Celebration Dinner listening to the featured speaker, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Admittedly, I wasn’t a supporter of Gov. Huckabee during his most recent presidential campaign, my lack of enthusiasm due largely to how he had embraced the Common Core State Standards Initiative back in 2013 while numerous conservatives were fighting tooth and nail to stop...
In the 1920’s and ‘30’s, we the people of the United States still retained vivid memories of the horrors of World War I—“The War to End all Wars.” Two decades later, when WWII erupted in Europe, we held a strict non-interventionist attitude to getting entangled into another one. A Gallup poll revealed that 88 percent were solidly against it. In a 1940 election year speech, our notorious President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced a campaign promise, “I have said this before, but I shall say i...
Straight-ticket voting enables a voter to cast all their votes for one party with a single mark at the top of the ballot. This duopoly party enhancing practice finally died in most States. Little surprise it remains in uncompetitive/ballot access blocked Alabama which will be among the last of seven States still suffering this practice when Texas (increasingly more a ‘battleground’ State) abolishes it for the 2020 election cycle. Texas will become the 15th State since 1994 to end this scourge, r...
I cracked-up in the middle of a root canal a few days ago. I didn’t just giggle. No. I went all out. I laughed until the dental assistant, the dentist, and an assistant in training who was just observing this fine spectacle all laughed too. This of course from my perspective and angle – at that moment – was hilarious. Things have sure changed. When I was a kid, my mom came home from work one day and announced that there was a new dentist in Grove Hill and she had made us appointments. My broth...
With the most popular holiday just around the corner, it seems like everyone is trying to get into the Christmas spirit. Stores are lining their aisles with Christmas goodies and decor, TV shows have switched to the theme of giving and love, and Santas are starting to float about. And why shouldn't they, after all it is that time, the meaning of the season, right? Yet, the very first Christmas seemed to do without all of these. The very first Christmas somehow started a frenzy without the power...
Commentaries printed in the Alabama Gazette are never presented to offend American Citizens and Legal Residents who originally hail from outside of the United States, as all legal immigrants are a vital part of this country's continued prosperity. Their talents are much needed and appreciated. It is only illegal immigration which poses a threat to American prosperity and is of serious concern to all Americans who value fairness and the rule of law for both their country and fellow citizens. Los...
Guest editorial by Bob Lonsberry © 2018 The Hondurans in the caravan, the 7,000 people walking north to America, where do they go to the bathroom, eat and sleep and store their clothes? How is it that after a week on the road they are clean and their hair and clothes are well kept? How is any of this possible? And why do these people, supposedly fleeing intolerable conditions in their homeland, carry little flags from their homeland and break into its national anthem when the TV cameras show...
Based on your question and if nothing is done to change the designation prior to divorce, no, you will not continue to be the beneficiary. In years past if a spouse remained on a life insurance policy, then the ex spouse remained as the beneficiary even if the owner remarried. I was always careful to counsel estate planning clients concerning this. It is still a counselable issue for my clients. In the Code of Alabama, 1975, §30-4-17 (2016 law) the opposite effect occurred in that there is a...
While my skepticism regarding all things political seems to increase with each passing day, there is one element that keeps me engaged: elections matter, and this November mid-term is no exception. Elections, specifically this mid-term, matter because of the pure ugliness of the Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation process. What started as a three-ring circus of protests ended with Americans more divided than ever, and in my mind, was the result of calculated political maneuvering to influence...
In recent years, self-sufficiency and living off the land is becoming more and more popular. Now that relatively inexpensive photoelectric cells, wind generators, and composting toilets are becoming more readily available to people of modest incomes, it is becoming a lifestyle for increasing numbers of people. In America, independence has been a treasured objective since its beginning. We fought two wars to become independent from Britain. We fought for individual liberty. And we fought to...
How do you make $14 million as the first Gig City in Alabama? Spend about $60 million... Some readers may recall last November's piece entitled, "Giggin' for Dollars in Opelika: Scent of a Birmingham Sewer?" Few columns have generated more nastygrams from politburo types and other lotharios of leviathan in Alabama. The Hubbard 'spin machine' is in overdrive with the 'fire sale' of Fuller's Folly as one of our most notable local corruption fighters dubbed the endeavour. Inveigled as a tremendous...
As I write this, there are people in the southeast corner of the state who are still cleaning up downed trees and are without power. There are farmers in the wiregrass region who have suffered extensive losses. Our hearts go out to all of them, and to our neighbors in Georgia and the Florida panhandle who were in the direct path of Hurricane Michael. Floridian columnist and author, Carl Hiaasen, has long confessed that a huge portion of his work has been inspired by actual headlines out of his h...
I recently came across a cute story that I’d like to share with you… “A Sunday School teacher began her class by stating that everyone has been blessed and should be thankful. Then she asked one little boy for what he was especially thankful. “My glasses,” he replied. That seemed strange. So she asked him to explain. He said, “They keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.” In time, I suspect he will out grow the latter reason for his thankfulness. Don’t you agree?!?! That...
I have read the same thing from many sources about Aretha Franklin having no Will. She was apparently a resident of Michigan and since she purportedly died without a Will or trust then the rules of intestacy will prevail. It’s like I tell my clients, if you have no Will then the State of Alabama has one for you under it’s rules of intestacy. I don’t know the laws of Michigan but I will tell you what I do know and compare it to Alabama law. It is reported that Aretha left about $80 million dollar...
Once again, we find ourselves inundated with progressive, non-sensical idiocy that defies all rational belief. Everyday it seems as though the progressive, oh heck, let's just call them what they are, socialists hell-bent on becoming communist, never fail to come up with new ways of demonstrating their brain decay. I honestly believe a lot of these people are crazy. I cannot necessarily say stupid, but certainly crazy. And I do not mean it in any kind of nice way. Perfect example of the...
According to a 19th century legend, the Truth and the Lie met one sunny summer day. The Lie told the Truth, “It surely is a very beautiful day today, is it not?” Truth looked around suspiciously and raised her eyes to heaven for the day was indeed really beautiful. “Indeed, it is,” she said. So the two spent all day playing together until they happened upon a swimming hole. The Lie said, “Hey, Truth, it is so hot right now and the water appears to be very nice, let’s go swimming together!...
Empty screen before me once again, hands at the keyboard [see Mark 9:43-47 below] contemplating what to address for this month’s column... • The ray of hope for corrupt politicians upon reversal of Felon Hubbard’s 5th count of the twelve jury convictions? • The adulation of McCain? Boycott gubernatorial race voting to reduce signature requirements in our ballot access restricted State? • The Anita Hill DC flashback? • Explain the deleterious history of Nazis to those who are too blind/ignor...
Judge Dale Segrest Retires Tallassee, AL Judge Segrest is looking forward to retirement after years of community service and dedication to justice. Now is a new time for family, friends relaxation. Agape. Wikipedia defines agape as a "term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". You will find him most days in the garden. Toiling over each plant with intentionality. A job that was once a hobby now has new meaning. The garden that...
