Waffle House, Trains, & the Rattlesnake

Waffle House, Trains & the Rattlesnake

By: The Midnight Rider

Waffle House

This week, I saw a news report on WAAY 31 News about a male that had fell through the roof at the Waffle House in Tuscumbia, Alabama.   Here is the article from the WAAY 31 news site:

“A 27-year-old from Birmingham, Wesley Glenn Bost, fell through the ceiling at a Waffle House in Tuscumbia Sunday morning.

Tuscumbia Police say surveillance video shows Bost went into the bathroom locked himself in and tied his blue jeans to the door. He then climbed into the ceiling and fell through. They said he did a lot of damage to the restaurant and broke the sink and toilet.

After Bost fell through the ceiling, jumped into his car and police chased him. He then left the car and fled on foot. Police are getting warrants on him for the damage caused at the Waffle House”

There is also a video of the incident.  I must warn you if you watch the video be aware, there is some strong language involved.  Mr. Bost caused a major amount of damage to this facility.

With the above in mind, let’s look at the situation.   When The Midnight Rider was younger, he was known to do some stupid stuff.  However, it never crossed my mind to say “hey, let’s get jacked up, go to the Waffle House and fall through the ceiling.”  What was this young mind thinking? Actually, it appears that he was not thinking. I am sure that the guests at the Waffle House got more than their money’s worth with this incident.  

Trains Again

I recently had an article published about the train situation in Sheffield, Tuscumbia
and Muscle Shoals.  The day after I wrote the article, I had to go to downtown
Sheffield to get something. Guess what? Yep, you guessed it.  I got caught by a
train on Atlanta Ave. Drove over to Montgomery Ave and it’s blocked also.

I finally got across the tracks and got my item.  I went across Atlanta Ave, thinking I
had it made.  When I got to Avalon Ave, there was another train. I give up.  I am
just going to stay in the east end of the County. I guess I will just going to
Lawrence County to buy things.  

Rattlesnake Saloon

I recently read an article about the Rattlesnake Saloon on a website.  I have never been to this Restaurant. However, after reading the article, I think I am going to get my wife, Harley Rider and go visit the Saloon.  I noticed that they have trail rides there. Harley Rider has a new horse named Keri that she needs to ride some. Maybe we will make a day of it.

I wonder if they will let us bring Festus the dog.

Finally

I know the above is supposed to be satire.  However, in today’s society, who
knows if it is not true.    

That’s it for now. But remember that the Midnight Rider will always be around to voice his/her/their (?) opinion.

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider...

Mishandling of Terrorist Threat at Muscle Shoals High/Carson Nash

From a student:

Today at MSHS there was a student who made a terrorist threat and was arrested. I’m sure you’ve heard all about it. However the school told us students that it was a drill and only had us under a Code Yellow. There is no excuse for the school lying to us, it’s just plain wrong. Our levels of alert weren’t even raised because we thought it was a drill. When someone knocked on my classroom door, we opened it. That could’ve ended very badly. I feel the school should even have some repercussions for it!!

We are acquainted with the student who sent us this post and believe it to be true. Every parent should demand answers from both the principal and the board.

*****

Who was the "terrorist?"

Above is Carson Nash - He's the more slimy one on the right. So basically, he's now been arrested for a felony and is about to be kicked out of Muscle Shoals High School. That's not to mention what his parents will do to him, assuming he has parents.

Carson says he's looking for a welding job. Good luck with that, Carson. College? Not sure that you were planning to go, but if you were, you may have just lost financial aid for five years. Quite a stinky kettle of fish, isn't it, Carson?

From Bad to Worse at the Lauderdale BOE

Today we're presenting the first in a series by the Colbert Cavalier, but first a short thought on the Lauderdale County Board of Education from one very irate taxpaying citizen:

Your LCBOE Chairman for 2019 has been named. It will be your board member with no bio who thinks CDB oil is as dangerous as heroin. LOL! As usual, the joke is on the citizens of Lauderdale County.

*****

Who was it that said "Republicans will take over Colbert County when pigs fly"? 

Welllllll, 14 pigs are flying over the swamp after this last election: Circuit Clerk Eady, Judge Brown, Probate Judge Rosser, Revenue Commissioner Oswalt, Commissioners Barnes, Bendall, Black, Coroner Gasque, School Board Members Yarber, Barnes, Saint, State Senator Stutts, and State Representatives Sorrell and Kiel. 

The pot is boiling after the Red Tsunami in November with popular Probate Judge Daniel Rosser looking to unseat the powerful Incumbent District Judge Chad Coker.

On Tuesday, November 27th, a Bar-B-Que lunch honoring the newly elected Republicans took place in the Court House. While onlookers watched the political posturing, Rosser appeared confidant in his surroundings.

The coffee house chatter has it that there is no secret that Rosser’s father is very close to the west end Bar-B-Que king of pork.

That's a lot of fat to chew on.

Only 2 short years ago, David Black courted Judge Rosser to bring him in to the Republican fold. So, what is David Black’s underlying motive for courting Democrats to switch to the Republican party? Rumor has it that Dr. Jimmy Gardiner may be next. 

If the pundits are calling this one correctly, what happens to one prominent attorney in particular if his county commission brother joins the Republican party?

Again, Who said "Republicans will take over Colbert County when pigs fly"? 

Right now, those flying pigs are circling the Court House.

The Colbert Cavalier

About That Stolen City of Sheffield Vehicle...

Recently a 10 year-old SUV was stolen from the home of an assistant director of the Sheffield Recreation Department. Where is the assistant director's home? We understand it isn't in Sheffield. The city website identifies the assistant director as Kyle McKinney. Is this the same Kyle McKinney who resides on Puritan Avenue in Muscle Shoals?

In fact, we hear that Ricky Canup, the department's director, doesn't even hire employees from Sheffield. He prefers youths and others from Muscle Shoals. We bet Sheffield is really proud of Canup. No? Send us your thoughts.

*****

We really love the fact that the Sheffield vehicle was described in such detail. It's 10 years old; it was purchased used; the list goes on. Does that mean the citizens of Sheffield shouldn't be concerned that it was stolen? Or does that mean McKinney didn't need to take care of the SUV since it was so old? Or was the description just a little icing on the story to make it more palatable while offering a blurb for the city's frugality?

How's that frugality going over at Inspiration Landing?

Sheffield Needs an Enema?

From a reader: According to an article in today’s Times Daily, THIS is one of two finalists for the (Sheffield) superintendent’s job:

A Lot of Explaining to Do! 

Demopolis Interview

Is that board obsessed with people named “Keith”, or do they just love outsiders who cut and run? What’s wrong with Carlos Nelson? Granted, I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him, but he HAS worked as a teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent within the Sheffield system. Sheffield has a long history of dragging in outsiders who create messes and run. (Roger Tomberlin closed the Village School way back in the early 1990s, which led to the first mass exodus of students. Lankford finished the job, but this time it was teachers and staff who ran.) Maybe THE BOARD is the problem.

Winfield Board of Education won’t tell citizens of THEIR district why Keith Davis resigned unexpectedly, but Sheffield’s board is ready to take him in??? The city of Sheffield needs a giant enema!

Giving Tuesday? But Give to Whom?

After Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, we have Giving Tuesday. If you hadn't planned to give to a worthy cause, you would do well to reconsider. But to whom?

We were just bombarded with ads for a group called Rescue that works with incoming illegal immigrants. How Google determines which ads to send us is totally lost on our meager intellect. 

How about we give to those just a little closer to home. Let's inject here that your money is yours to do with as you see fit, but giving at home improves not only the lives of the recipients, but the lives of the givers as well. So who is worthy?

We don't give to many charities which have a national board. Donations are often eaten up in administrative costs, and much is also allotted to areas away from the Shoals. At the top of the list there is the Salvation Army. There are obviously much more efficient charities which solely serve the Shoals.

Last year we recommended "Room in the Inn." We can't think of a charity that does more immediate good. Here's the link to give:

Room in the Inn

*****

Again this year, let's also help those who absolutely cannot help themselves:

Dogs - HASRA

Cats - Blind Cat Rescue

We Purrlitely Thank You!

Alabama is First...

No, silly humans, not in anything good. Our state takes first place in Black Friday violence this year. Remember a few years ago when a woman was injured at a Black Friday shopping brawl in Muscle Shoals? Well, at least this year the violence took place in Birmingham.

Riverchase Galleria is a huge shopping mall. Yes, they still have those in places. Footaction is a national chain of shoe stores. This year the store was releasing a new tennis shoe for the holidays. An argument erupted among several young males, and one is dead - ostensibly shot by police.

Oh, there's more... A 12 year-old female bystander is in critical condition, possibly paralyzed for life. A 70 year-old female bystander is in serious condition after she fell trying to escape the gunfire. A second shooting victim was not seriously injured.

But wait, there's still more. The dead man had a concealed carry permit. His family says he was just defending himself against aggressors trying to jump queue in their dishonest pursuit of tennis shoes. No matter the legality of this young man's gun, he's still dead. 

A civil rights attorney from Florida has arrived in the state to sue the Hoover police for depriving this man of his life. No, we have no idea who started what, but authorities say the victim didn't shoot the two injured by bullets at the Galleria. 

So, yes, Alabama has another first. What does that say about us? Many like to divide various states into segments, or mini-states. Alabama is usually divided into three or four. The Shoals is in the techie north, so we can say this gun violence doesn't affect us. Really?

How many prospective firms stop to consider exactly where the Shoals is in relation to other state locations? Alabama is Alabama. God help us...

Sheffield Loses Four More Police Officers

The City of Sheffield has announced it is losing four more police officers. In order to combat some of this employee hemorrhaging, the City on the Bluff will begin to pay hazardous duty pay for both police and firefighters.

Let's see...you work for the fire department and make a certain wage when flushing fire hydrants, etc., but get an extra hourly bonus when you fight a real fire. Okay, that works.

But how about police officers? We assume they get the extra incentive if they go on SWAT duty or attend a hostage situation in almost any capacity. Yet, don't police officers, by the very nature of their job, face danger with even the most mundane call? Who knows when a welfare check can become an ambush?

Just a thought, but if candidates for the police force don't want to work in Sheffield, why does anyone think John Elkington can get real, live investors for Inspiration Landing?

Two Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Many countries celebrate a day of giving thanks. We once asked a friend who resides on another continent if her country celebrated Thanksgiving, she replied yes - not just one day a year, but every day. Shouldn't we all be like that?

Most of us owe a debt to those who are no longer here. We can continue to pay that debt by making sure their interests are always taken care of. Those interests can be the family they left behind or causes about which they were extremely passionate; don't fail to repay those debts as well. Be ever thankful.

Now let's get the Christmas season underway!

The "Farm Bill" and CBD Oil Sales

This falls under the heading of the things we learn writing this blog...

1. What is the "Farm Bill?" It's legal name is the Agriculture & Nutrition Act. 

2. What will this bill do? Among other things, it will make hemp-derived CBD oil legal. It will not make marijuana CBD oil legal.

3. What are the odds that it will pass? According to D.C. pundits, there's an 80% to 90% chance that the bill will pass next year. Republicans voted it down this year.

4. When will it be voted on? At some point in 2019 - probably the spring.

5. Will the price of CBD oil drop? Again according to pundits, it will cut the price dramatically.

6. What's the current price? The article we read states $110.00 per 1K milligrams (one gram). A friend who orders from Arkansas now pays $70.00 for this amount. 

7. Does CBD oil really work? According to many of our friends, it does. Shoalanda herself has not tried it because it's rumored to taste like something from the farm and not a legal bill. If it does become perfectly legal, we understand the liquid can be placed in capsules, and we will definitely try it then. 

None of the above is legal advice, but does shed some light on the subject. One caveat, no matter federal law, CBD oil may remain illegal in Rogersville; shop and dine there at your own risk.

Trains, Trains, Everywhere Trains

This is a train story. Last Tuesday, I was coming into Muscle Shoals when I decided to go to Sheffield to pick up something I needed for the Ranch. As I was traveling on S. Atlanta Ave, in Sheffield, I soon saw that the tracks were blocked by a train. Turning left, I drove to S. Montgomery Ave and guess what? That’s right, the train blocked that intersection.

So, I really did not have a lot to do, so I pulled off the road and decided to see how long the tracks would be blocked. Flash forward an hour and 5 minutes later, and the intersection is still blocked. Okay, Norfolk Southern Railroad, this is ridiculous. What happens if there is an ambulance trying to cross the tracks en route to Keller Hospital? Finally, I just gave up and left Sheffield.

The next day, I am going to Keller Hospital for a Doctor’s appointment. As I got to the railroad tracks on Avalon in Muscle Shoals, it is blocked by a train sitting still. I did not have time to wait so I drove down to the 6th Street tracks. The end of the train was about 10 feet from the intersection. As I crossed the intersection, I thought that this intersection was almost blocked also.

I know that Colbert County Commissioner Tommy Barnes has been trying to get some kind of conclusion to the problem. I saw on Facebook, that David Johnson had watched the crossing at Douglas Street in Sheffield, where a train had it blocked for over an hour. Folks this is not just a Sheffield problem. This is a Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals problem.

I know we need the railroad to transport commerce. However, it seems that in the last year, the problem of crossings being blocked for an extended period of time has increased. What is the solution? I don’t know. But there needs to be some type of compromise. What if people stop coming to Sheffield or Muscle Shoals because of this. Revenue for the cities drops. 

If you have an idea on how to fix this, contact your City Council Members or County Commissioners.

I Am and Always Will Be the Midnight Rider...

AG Steve Marshall Says No CBD Oil Legal to Sell

Alabama attorney general Steve Marshall has issued his opinion: It's illegal to sell any CBD oil or other products containing CBD in the state. He's gone even further - probably why Ms. Gonce has stated this is a very complicated issue.

According to Marshall, not just everyone can possess CBD products with under 3% THC content. That person must have a documented need. So if you can prove chronic pain, can you legally own it? No. It takes more than that.

As we read it (and we're open to comments), you must have a documented discussion, possibly ongoing for some time, about the need for this medicine. In other words, even if you have a chronic pain issue that is recorded on your medical records, you still could not legally possess the drug unless you had discussed it with your medical provider. Also, some experts are limiting the cause of the pain. Yes, really. In other words, if you don't have seizures/fits or some other similar issue, you're strictly outta luck.

Could you be busted for simple possession if you purchase from out of state? We don't know. We do know that about three months ago we had a package opened and checked by postal inspectors. When we asked why a kitchen implement would be checked, we were told it was done by (computer generated?) numbers. Open every 500th package arriving in a major postal hub? 

Well, you elected him folks. To be perfectly honest, we know of at least two who blog here who voted for him. Marshall has been taking a lot of flack for his actions recently, and things don't look good for him. He may not be the attorney general long. 

If you want to be able to use CBD oil for chronic paid, we'd say you need more than a new AG. The people of Alabama need to make it clear that this small amount of THC needs to be legalized via our legislature. Anyone holding their breath?

And now a word from Rogersville police officer C.B. Doil:

Hats off to Steve Marshall for the two thumbs down on this evil weed derivative. Look how many it's killed in Rogersville. Others have been left brain dead...just look at the mayor and the police chief.

Lauderdale County Board of Education - Part II

Several readers have commented on the problems, financial and otherwise, at the Lauderdale BOE. Here are a few of their insights:

Voters in Lauderdale county are to blame for the problems they are about to have with the school board and many who elected and reelected this board are not even aware of it. Especially the "consolidation" part. It was skimmed over in the local election recently. Of course, it did not help that the local democrats did not even have candidates running that informed the public that their local schools such as Waterloo may be closed if something isn't done about the money being diverted to the Ag Center. 

James Dolan, the independent, TRIED to let voters know but he didn't have the precious (R) by his name that seems to be all that is necessary to get elected in this county or state, no matter the consequences. WELL, the consequences are COMING.. folks in Lauderdale County........Better enjoy having your local schools while you can.... alumni and supporters of Wilson, Waterloo and Central......They may soon go the route of Coffee and Bradshaw......You elected a representative who didn't WANT the Florence city voters to be able to elect school board members and when your schools close......remember what you "asked" for.......many city voters were trying to tell you how your alma mater will be missed.

And...

How deep is Larry Hill in this? He didn't even have a biography on Facebook for the voters to see. Was he handpicked to go along with the consolidation vote?

We know it's coming, whatever "it" may be - consolidation and more. It may be next month or it may be six months down the road. We encourage all parents and caring taxpayers to begin attending the BOE's meetings. You have a right to know.

Public School Blues

Losing 90 students from its system isn't the only thing Sheffield has to worry about. From a reader:

In the past 5 years Sheffield has lost 90 kids? How about in the past 3 years (under Lankford), Sheffield lost almost 80 employees. Teachers, administrators, and staff have fled in droves.
The other article about the JROTC program says that Sheffield High School’s enrollment is down to 270. 270!!!!! The question no one is asking is WHY? Why is enrollment so low? Why did employees quit, retire early, give up tenure, seek other employment? Why did Lankford board member Steve Hargrove resign at practically the same time? Why has Hargrove’s resignation from the board been kept secret? The Times Daily never reported it.

How long has the Lauderdale County BOE been covering up? From another reader:

To the $1.5M decline in fund balances and the voluntary annual forfeiture of $250K in TVA in lieu of tax funds to the ill-conceived Ag-Center Consortium, add the Federal EEOC gender discrimination lawsuit now pending against the BOE, filed by three female county office workers, which the board will more than likely lose, costing the school system between $360K and $500K in back pay, benefits, and penalties.  The plaintiffs’ case is quite sound but it is in the board attorney’s financial interest to drag the case out as long as possible and collect as much in legal fees from county taxpayers as he possibly can.

How soon will consolidation start? And when it's announced, there are those who will say, "Why didn't anyone tell us?"

Gerald Winston Surratt Jr. - Let's Lock Him Up

We've blogged on Gerald Winston Surratt Jr. before. Some know him as Jerry Surratt, the name under which he has a very colorful Facebook page. He has enough merchandise listed for sale to open his own catalogue return shop.

Police are currently searching Florence and the surrounding area for Surratt who went on a crime spree earlier this week. Crime is certainly nothing new for Surratt. During the past seven years, the Florence man has racked up 26 separate arrests on even more charges. Yet he continues to walk free.

Perhaps two of Surratt's most serious offenses are only alleged. A grand jury failed to indict Surratt in an attempted Sheffield rape, and detectives never accumulated enough hard evidence to arrest him in a UNA robbery/kidnapping. Other charges have been pleaded down.

Several readers have asked us why Surratt has not faced more strenuous prosecution. We'd say family money can retain some very good attorneys. Surratt himself now brags that he's Judge Ben Graves' second cousin. We sincerely doubt that Graves would risk his career for someone of Surratt's ilk. 

If you've ever been a victim of Gerald Surratt, we suggest you watch the prosecution of these cases very carefully. When (and if) Surratt is convicted of his most recent felonies, write a letter to the judge. This doesn't guarantee that the perennial bad boy will be locked up for a long time, but it's a start.

Lauderdale County Board of Education - Part I

The Lauderdale County BOE is not alone in facing difficulties. The question is: Does it have the leadership to face these problems?

One member doesn't even list his bio even though the district website has requested it:

Lauderdale County Board of Education

Yes, the member without the biography is the same person who was recently quoted in the TimesDaily as stating how many THC and CDB had killed in this country. 

The main question facing the board will be consolidation. We don't envy any of them when it comes time to face the public with their decisions. Yet it would seem consolidation may be the only route after the loss of TVA in lieu of tax money.

From a reader on lost funds:

...an overall decline of $1,526,000 in fund balances during the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018, which includes a $619,000 decline in State required operating reserves,...

We're not sure how our readers feel, but this appears to be quite a large chunk of change to us. Yet the public continues to elect those who feel past experience in driving a school bus is relevant to the position.

Perhaps we need board members with actual financial experience?

Rogersville Follies Return

We've recently had two readers who've been concerned about events in the town of Rogersville. First a letter from a regular commenter:


Several weeks ago I was back in Rogersville's court with my granddaughter. I'm starting to appreciate how the Amish do things. You never see them in traffic court.

Anyways, court was on a Wednesday, if memory serves me, which I found unusual. So, being the naturally curious sort, I did some checking around. Most small towns hold court once a month, usually on the first or second Tuesday of the month. Some have court twice a month.

Rogersville's court used to be on a Tuesday. Notice: I said 'used to'. So why change it? Apparently, it was changed to accommodate one officer. You read correctly. From what I learned, one Rogersville police officer was supposedly having difficulty making it to court. The officer? Non other than the son of Rogersville's very own Chief of Police. So, instead of making a shift change, or admonishing the officer re: his civic and legal responsibilities, the entire court is moved. Now, ain't that something?

As always,

Elk River Native

We have the greatest respect for those who work in the EMS field. We also realize it's easy to inadvertently give out information that HIPAA frowns upon. According to a local source, approximately a year ago, the Rogersville EMS began posting calls on its Facebook page.

These posts state the name of the location to which the responders reported, as well as the general problem. Is that a HIPAA violation? One response we looked at had 23 homes and another street had 16. Could this be narrowed down to identify the patient?

When in doubt it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Inspiration Landing or Desperation Ditch?

In March of this year, Memphis developer John Elkington introduced plans for a Germantown town center to be constructed in the Saddle Brook area. By July (a scant four months later), Elkington's financial backer had pulled out of the project. Elkington then said he was waiting until after the November city elections to redo the project, but so far the only word has come from a Texas company wanting to build on the same parcel.

Does that have any bearing on Sheffield's Inspiration Landing? We welcome comments.

For those who may need their memories refreshed, next month will mark three years since Elkington announced his Inspiration Landing project. As of today, Elkington has mentioned difficulties in securing various environmental permits, but no names of financial backers for the project. That would be with the exception of the City of Sheffield which has coughed up quite a bit and is about to borrow 4.5 million dollars for infrastructure.

The first deadline was announced as a completed amphitheatre ready by Spring 2018; then the deadline was moved back to beginning construction by December 31st. We have six weeks left until the end of the year. Neighbors of the proposed project have reported no work as of yet.

And if this deadline isn't met? What will be the next date presented to the Sheffield believers? Perhaps more to the point, who will pay the interest on the infrastructure loan while Elkington continues to seek funding?

The Monster That Ate Sheffield

The Sheffield resident saw the monster and immediately called for help. Whether one or two patrol officers made it round to the site first, we don't know. We do know that there were reportedly two on the scene by the time it was decided more help was needed. They called their DI.

When the inspector arrived, he too was shocked at the enormity of what they were facing. He called the acting police chief who was out jogging around city hall. When the acting chief arrived, he also recoiled in horror. Even more help was needed. A call was placed to animal control.

Yes, finally animal control was called, and Flower Jr. was rounded up and presumably released into the wild. Who knew Sheffield police officers were so unfamiliar with handling skunks?

(The above story was sent to us by a Sheffield resident. If there should be errors, we'll be happy to correct them.)

While speaking of things that stink in Sheffield, we know the city is in money-saving mode. That's good - just not in all areas. Several months ago a magistrate left Sheffield and went to work for the City of Muscle Shoals. Did Sheffield seek a replacement? Apparently not. Sheffield then re-hired the woman part time to work in collecting fines, etc.

Is this unethical? Or perhaps the word is illogical? Imagine this conversation:

Mr. Smith: Hi, I'm here to pay $100.00 on my speeding ticket as I promised in municipal court.

Clerk: Hmmm, Mr. Smith, don't you still owe $100.00 on a similar fine in Muscle Shoals...one that you haven't paid on this month?

Mr. Smith: Yes. Is that a problem? I'm here now wanting to pay this to Sheffield.

Clerk: I suggest you pay Muscle Shoals first. Then if you have any salary left this week, come back and give the remainder to Sheffield.

See the problem with sharing an employee?


Next: That Inspiration Landing loan and the Midnight Rider expounds on the railroad crossing problem.

Veterans Day 2018

Did you ever wonder why we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th? The rest of the world celebrates Remembrance Day on the anniversary of the Armistice, but the United States already had it own form of that observance to commemorate those lost in the War Between the States. In fact, our country already had two if you count one for USA military and one for CSA military.

So as the rest of the world remembers those who fell in the Great War and subsequent conflicts, we honor all veterans. This year we should all give special notice of those who died in the 1914-1918 War. Alabama was one of the first states to send troops after our country entered the war.

There's no way our losses even approached those of Great Britain. Yet our country was nonetheless diminished. Undoubtedly there are those who still grieve for the relative they never knew in person. Wars won't end before our planet does, but let's hope we can diminish their impact. Now let's make it happen. 

The Cold Shoulder at Muscle Shoals

From a reader:

Thank you for helping expose some of the problems at local high schools. Here's my beef. My family moved here from out of state and enrolled my daughter at Muscle Shoals. I understand the need for a dress code but I understand there have been problems with this code before. I bought my child several "cold shoulder" tops only to find out that they are forbidden by the dress code. Guess what, a certain math teacher who's not all that old wears them. This is her school picture.

We checked and this is indeed the school portrait of the teacher in question. We suggest that anyone who feels this is not fair play contact the school board and report the teacher. Muscle Shoals just loves disciplining teachers. No, wait, that's only if they're black. 

Yes, this is total hypocrisy. A young female teacher can be just as distracting as a young female student. Also, pardon us for showing our 112 years of age, but if a woman wants to get ahead professionally, she can't dress as a slut or hoochie mama or whatever term currently in vogue.

God Personally Anointed Adolph Hitler?

The things we learn on Facebook. No need to worry about elections says one local man. God personally places all leaders in power. Yes, the person who said that passes for a sentient adult.

The idea behind this specious theory is that there's something God wants done that only this man or woman can do. You mean like killing six million Jews, circus freaks, and all the mentally ill in Eastern Europe? Okay, gotcha. 

And we used to wonder how some people raised such malevolent offspring... (Just in case anyone may be in doubt, God is incapable of willing evil.)

Is You Is or Is You Ain't an Ag-Center?

A book could already be written about the proposed new Ag-Center for Lauderdale County. We're merely going to clear up two fallacious assumptions today.

1. The edifice must say Ag-Center, Agri-Center, or Agriculture Center in its official name. Not true; apparently the USDA will allow Innovations Center or Agriculture Innovations Center to be used. Haven't gone to sleep yet, have you?

2. Tupelo in Lee County, Mississippi, has an Agri-Center that's putting it on the map. We've had several friends tell us that, but that's simply not true.

The Agri-Center (supported by USDA funding) is in Verona, Mississippi (also in Lee County). It's actually quite small and hasn't even posted an event to its Facebook page for over two years.

Are there big concerts in Lee County? Yes; they're held at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo and have absolutely nothing to do with any Agriculture Center operated in conjunction with the USDA.

One final thought on this: If the Florence City Council decided 31 tennis courts would be too many for Veterans Park, why does anyone think Lauderdale County needs an arena that will hold 10,000 people? Build it and they will come? 

Why don't we just buy the Ag-Center board several sets of Legos and get on with solving some of our real problems?