Tim Melson is Helping Alabama Citizens? Not Quite

 

Florence's own state senator Tim Melson has just won an interesting award. He's been named the Sound Money Legislator of the Year. That sounds promising - as if he'd done something great for the state's citizens. Not quite.

The award was presented to Dr. Melson by the Money Metals Exchange which was pleased that he had some years ago introduced legislation to end sales tax on gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars. This year, Melson introduced legislation to end capital gains tax on the precious metals.

So all of you out there, feel free to purchase a multitude of bullion bars this Christmas. Just think how much you'll be saving.

Now, if only we could find a legislator who cared enough about the public to end the sales tax on that other luxurious item - food.

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Tim Melson Claimed What?

 

Your laugh for the day courtesy of Tim Melson:

Tim Melson was born and raised in North Alabama and understands the hardship families face from rising costs...

Really? 

Tim's father was a medical doctor who died in a crash of his own small aircraft. Does that sound as if our state senator faced ANY monetary hardships while growing up?

We also remember John Sutherland's father, a local jewelry store owner. Not quite on the same economic plane as Melson, but we're sure he lacked for little materially. The main difference is that John isn't trying to present a false image to the public.

Vote for John Sutherland on May 24th!

What Did Sen. Tim Melson Just Say? Going after Catholic Vote?

 

 

Want to have some fun this weekend? Early Sunday afternoon, stand outside Shoney's, Lost Pizza, or Ray's at the Bank and ask those entering if they know who Tim Melson is. You'll probably get a 40% negative response.

Then ask those who are leaving if they know who John Sutherland is. You'll undoubtedly get around a 90% negative reply.

Are you scratching your head? Who's John Sutherland, right? He's Melson's opponent in the upcoming Republican primary.

Sutherland is currently making the rounds and apparently spooking Melson slightly. The current state senator just sent out a mailer asking for votes. In case you didn't take time to read it, you may have missed a bombshell.

Oh, you say you already knew Melson sometimes suffers from foot in mouth disease. Yes, but this is written words on campaign literature, and unless you're a Catholic, you probably don't hear these words used very often. What were they?

...he will always protect the unborn without exception.

Was this simply a nebulous statement that may have come out the wrong way or is it something he meant literally?  We'll be looking more into this outlying belief tomorrow.

Tim Melson Has Some New Detractors

 

We're, as usual, middle of the road in this conflict between the Lauderdale County Commission and the HPNA. The group has now written a letter accusing Sen. Tim Melson of some rather nefarious activity in relation to the contested monument. The group's stance is partially correct and partially incorrect.

We'll publish the letter/press release tomorrow; however, we want to present our readers with a valid question. Most of you reading this blog remember 2000/2001 very well. At that time, many organizations from large to small created some kind of time capsule to be opened at a later date - many of them to be unsealed in 3000/3001. 

Apparently anyone who had ever gotten their names in national news decided to contribute. One wag asked why anyone would think a person living in 3001 would give a rip about what Helen Gurley Brown had to say one thousand years previously. After all, if you disallow the Battle of Hastings, can you name something from the 1001 era? Just off the top of you head. We'll wait.

As that old news reel mantra went, time marches on. We'll guess that none of you out there think that things will be the same in 3001. How about 2501? Just when do you see our world, country, or state changing radically. No, it won't be overnight. The point is that things change whether we want them to or not. 

You say you understand that your old high school or university will not be extant a thousand years from now. How about 500? No? Then how about in one hundred? Oh, that you say is something different. Is it?

Lauderdale County is on its third court house. Muscle Shoals is on its...what...98th city hall? We haven't seen too many protests over losing these local landmarks. 

We suggest all of us worry less about a war memorial and more about what the City of Florence (or any other local town) is doing with our tax dollars. If you can sign a petition to keep the memorial, surely you can sign one to send Handy Dandy Andy packing?

Thank You, Dr. Tim/Namaste? Watch Your Mouth!

 

In case any of our readers are not aware, Tim Melson is a physician who resides in Florence and is the area's state senator. He has almost single handedly brought medical marijuana to the suffering of this state and we applaud him!

No, sorry, no pass on the Ag Center boondoggle...

(Tim, you do get extra points for having to deal with many of those yokels in Montgomery.)

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Not only do we now have medical marijuana (barring the governor vetoing the bill), we have yoga in our school curricula. It's just that you still can't say "Namaste."

So is that just for instructors or is the teacher supposed to reach out and slap those unruly students who utter the greeting? How about Bon Jour? Aloha? Wazzup, Dog?

Remember at UNA when they encouraged you to stay in Alabama and help make it great? Well, it didn't work.

Project Say Something Letter to Tim Melson

We've commented before that, even if he means well, Sen. Tim Melson of Florence doesn't always express his thoughts in the most mannerly way. This blog had missed a controversy from last month, but a regular reader sent us a copy of Project Say Something's letter to the good state senator after he spoke before the Lauderdale County Commission last month:

PSS Letter to Tim Melson

This at least answers one of our questions concerning whom an acquaintance of ours was referring to in his pithy comment on the PSS Facebook page.

Props to Sen. Melson for the Time He Got It 1000% Right!

Supporting Tim Melson in his Fight against the Attorney General

Alabama attorney general Steve Marshall has come out as vehemently opposed to medical marijuana. In reality, 33 states now have some form of legalized pot for medical purposes. We do not condone the recreational use of drugs, but do staunchly support the use of any drug that can cure an illness or ameliorate its symptoms.

While we have seen several criticisms of Marshall's stance, we've failed to see anyone pick up on one very odd statement. Our attorney general says that federal law trumps state law on the issue. Really? He says he doesn't support any state laws that go against federal statutes. Really? So, tell us again, Steve, how you opposed the Alabama anti-abortion bill from last year that was in direct opposition to established federal law?

We know that Sen. Melson feels put upon by critics of the Ag Center. Just because we see no future in that money pit, it does not mean we don't support him in most things, especially this issue.

Listen to Physicians, Not Steve Marshall

Steve Didn't Get The Memo

Are Garner & Melson Behind Proposed Colagross Ouster?

From an anonymous pundit:

The president (Glenda Colagross) is hesitant to build the workforce development center in Florence. She does not believe that it will beneficial to college to have such a building when those who started the ball rolling do not and have not had a plan for what will be done in such building. Since Senator Tim Melson and Commissioner Roger Garner are tied so tightly to the Ag Center, they are desperate to make her build. Mr. Garner is also an employee of NWSCC and is unhappy that he can not manipulate this president like he did the last.

Senator Melson’s involvement has been confirmed by several in Montgomery and by the AEA state representative. The vote was incredibly unorganized and last minute due to “someone with ties to Montgomery” leaking a story to the local newspaper that one would occur. The employee who headed up the vote, Ms McBride, is the secretary of one of Senator Melson’s very close friends, Mr. Tom Carter. The TimesDaily has obviously aligned with Senator Melson and his plots since they are not reporting fact and definitely not telling the entire story. I am very sad by what has occurred this week at Northwest Shoals and believe that those who are responsible for damaging the college and the community should be known.

I would also like to add that there was not a 68% no confidence vote. Of those who voted, half the individuals voted for and half voted against. Many people did not vote at all since they do not want to be involved with something so ridiculous. When all numbers were counted, less than 18% of the faculty and staff voted no confidence for the president. Of those who voted not confident, many were lied to about their futures at the college while others were threatened. Additionally, there was no procedure in place to make sure that those who actually voted were who they said they were and only voted on one campus. With 492 employees, there was no safe guard to make sure that individuals were really college employees.

In regards to the “short-term leave”, President Colagross was on a planned vacation with her family and was on campus Thursday and Friday. This vote was planned at a time so that that statement could be used.

Note: Our calculations indicate a 52 percent "no" vote. We are happy to correct this.

A Lotta Bodies Down Here...

No, Tim, Curb Crawlers Aren't Innocent

First, in recent weeks we've published some criticism of Tim Melson, our state senator for Lauderdale County. Some has been written by others, and we do not totally share their opinions.

If Sen. Melson ran tomorrow, we would endorse him. Our problem with Tim is his problem with pronouncements. We don't feel that he thinks before he speaks. "Innocent Johns?"

No, we're pretty sure there's no such thing as innocent murderers, innocent arsonists, or innocent johns. Most counties already release booking photos of the crub crawlers caught in their vice webs. 

Wives and children? Thieves, arsonists, rapists, etc. have wives and children. It's not the government's fault...it's not the press' fault...that these people commit crimes, are arrested, and then are presented to the public as the evil doers they are. 

We will chastise Sen. Melson here for being so concerned with the families of criminals, but not innocent children who have been raped and are now pregnant by their attackers. Couldn't you have voted against that sick bill, Tim? Most of us would have thought much more of you if you had...

Uncle Zar Says Let's Ditch Melson...

We've recently seen and received some very pithy comments on current issues. Here's one we saw in the TimesDaily on plans for Inspiration Landing:

...talking about how much in fees to tack on to concert tickets to an imaginary amphitheater before you've even gotten the first bid to build the first road is like me ruminating on where I'm going to take Jennifer Lawrence on our 20th wedding anniversary.

We'll touch briefly on two comments we've seen concerning the new anti-abortion law. First, a male Facebook poster stated that he knew how it was to be pregnant. We can hardly wait to commiserate with him after his prostate surgery, since we know exactly how it feels and all.

Second, we saw a comment from a Baptist minister who was encouraging his congregation to prepare to offer FOSTER care to any unwanted infants until institutional homes could be built for them. Big of him, wasn't it? In case you didn't grasp the criticism of that comment, it's not about life itself, but how this minister won't suggest his congregation actually make these infants real family, but just offer them temporary shelter until an orphanage can be built. 

Sorry, Oliver. The Baptist Man Says Bastards Aren't Good Enough to be His "Real Son"

Now a word from one of our favorites, Uncle Zar:

Ms. Shoalanda,

Strange weather we've been having wouldn't you say? I hope all is well with you.

I just wanted to write and tell you how troubled I am at this moment.

I've lived in Lauderdale County my whole life. I have seen many sad stories unfold over my life: 

Stories about rape, incest, genital mutilation, and much more. 

It was all heartbreaking and life shattering.  

I have a strong dislike (of) abortion, but not including exceptions for rape and incest was just flat out wrong. 

Even the 700 Club's Pat Robertson said the Alabama bill went too far on his television show. 

Senator Stutts and Senator Melson, what if it happened to one of your daughters? God forbid, but what if she was raped by a family member and became pregnant? Would you still feel the same?

Please don't tell me you think that only bad things happen to bad people? 

No such thing in this world as an innocent victim??? 

Politicians simply passing laws cannot make America a perfect place in the eyes of God.  

Senator Tim Melson please step down from the Lauderdale County Ag Authority Board. 

I am NOT suggesting construction of the ag center be halted. 

I am NOT suggesting Senator Melson resign from his elected position in Montgomery.

I am ONLY suggesting that Melson STEP DOWN from the Lauderdale County Ag Authority Board, and from all positions.

If the ag center can not be built without Tim Melson it should not be built at all.

Continuing in the spirit of fairness may I suggest that Melson be replaced by Greer? Applications should then be sought to fill the vacant board seat.

If Tim Melson refuses to step down from the Lauderdale County Ag Authority Board a petition will be circulated seeking his removal by an order of the court.

Thanks again!

Uncle Z

This Friday Only: The Melson the Magnificent Magic Review

Coming this Friday to the Florence-Lauderdale Government Building, it's Melson the Magnificent! See the uncanny wizard make millions in taxpayer dollars disappear before your very eyes!

Assisting Melson will be Lynn Larson E. Greer. Also on the bill is comic Phil "Pumpkinhead" Pettus; he's a real trooper! 

Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early for the 2:00 p.m. performance. Critics have raved: No one in the state can match Melson and Greer when it comes to the disappearing dollars routine!

At Least We Have Football

Once upon a time, there was a man in his 50s; he was heavy and wrinkled and not much to look at. He liked young girls. No, we’re not saying underage girls, just young women. A friend of the man became used to the parade of younger women at the man’s home. Some were poor, some were scarred, some were hindered on life’s highway by unwanted children whom they presumably didn’t know how to prevent.

The man’s friend noticed that as the man aged, the girls became rougher looking. For after all, everything in life is a tradeoff. The man had not increased his financial worth, and what little looks he had were fast going. The search for a young woman to date had become more difficult.

One day the man called his friend to meet his latest squeeze. The friend was shocked to find an unkempt young woman who must have weighed 400 pounds…but as the man told his friend, “she’s only 18!”

Aren’t we like that in Alabama? We don’t have an adequate mental health system, we don’t have an even halfway decent prison system, we don’t have state of the art schools, we don’t even have money to keep the state parks open that 90% fund themselves.

What we do have is a great football team. At least No. 99 can boast that; we’re pretty sure Shoalanda and J. Redmon are a little disappointed after today. We do wonder if we would have such great teams if they depended on taxpayer dollars rather than revenue they produce themselves.

Each of us has to demand a state legislature that sets priorities…the correct priorities…and keeps them. Of the Shoals area’s most recently elected state officials, only Tim Melson seems to have not had some hobby horse to ride or axe to grind. Props to Dr. Melson!

Now, to you others: Can you at least pretend to care about the financial condition of our state? You have until February to perfect your game face.

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Besides the budget, which should certainly be the top priority, our local delegation needs to address:

* State Certificate of Need Laws

* The state’s continued involvement in the retail sale of liquor.

* The legislature’s extremely annoying habit of taking up valuable time by reading into the record commendations for every constituent who so much as passes his driver’s exam. (If a valued citizen passes away, we can see mentioning the good works he/she did in life. What we can’t see is commending each and every high school or college jock who gets his/her name in the local paper—isn’t that reward enough for such accomplishments?)



Shoalanda

Vote for Tim Melson!

No one's perfect...not even close. Most elections boil down to the least objectionable. It's not a surprise that we would endorse almost any opponent of Mike Curtis (once called "Chicken Man" by Alabama blogger King Cockfight).

However, we sincerely  believe Tim Melson has the intelligence and ethics to serve this district well. Check him out: Tim Melson.

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Thugs come in all shapes and sizes: It seems UNA has again made the news for athlete arrests.

UNA Footballers Arrested

We would predict since the crime is probably very low on the list of felonies (or even a possible misdemeanor depending on the value of the items), these two will get youthful offender status. We have to ask just what were these two "honor students" thinking? Will their parents let them live to reach trial or plea?

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Shoalanda