South Bibb Dixie Youth AA State Champs

The South Bibb Dixie Youth Baseball seven and eight year olds won The Alabama AA Dixie Youth Baseball State Championship last week at the tournament held in Athens. They are currently playing in the Regionals for the National Championship. Read 7/29/09 edition of the Centreville Press for the rest of the story.

Monkeys with Guns

Daniel L. Bamberg
columnist

In response to the gun monkeys...

I was offended when Barack Obama said Middle Americans were angry people clinging to their guns and bibles. I was offended when the rock group Green Day wrote a song called “Bullet in the Bible” which expressed the contradiction in handgun ownership and Christianity. Here I am, however a Christian in love with Christ. Here I am, a pro-second amendment American (not your average pro-second amendment advocate because I don’t own a gun and believe a world completely without guns is a morally ideal concept, even if it is impossible). Yes, here I sit over the past three weeks I’ve been called a liberal nut, which is funny because others have called me ultra conservative. I’ve been called a non-Christian, I’ve been called a coward, and all because I stand up for the equal rights of those who might disagree with my true beliefs. Rarely in my opinion column have I allowed my actual beliefs to completely surface because my approach has always been fair and middle of the road, some get that. Meanwhile others are insulted week after week. I don’t believe in theocracies, fascism, propaganda, violence, or hatred.

I find it peculiar that the most controversial topic I’ve touched on so far was about guns. Of all the heated topics I have addressed since "Everybody Has One" debuted, this is the one that strikes a nerve. I've talked about irresponsible law enforcement, hypocricy in modern faith, evolution, pollution, and even called the major opinion news media "nazis". Don't get me wrong I got my share of heat from those topics. Yet you would think I either won the Pulitzer or slapped someone's grandmother with all the feedback I got from my column "The Right to Beat Violence, the Right to Kill Innocence." I hear ya’ all of ya’ the heck with standing up for morality, truth, and social dignity. Let’s make the ownership of a killing machine our greatest passion. Yee Haw (said with my most mundane sarcastic voice). I am proud to have finally struck a nerve. I even received my first threat, which is now framed and will be hung in the living room of my new home soon.

This week I received emails, snail mails, second hand verbal messages, and phone calls regarding my column about making punishments for irresponsible gun ownership much stricter. It appears everyone somehow gathered I was suggesting the government should ban handguns. If this week's critics had actually read and comprehended what was published they would have noticed that (not once but) twice in that column I actually stated the opposite. Never once did I suggest the right to bear arms should be taken away. In fact I said this right should not be taken away.

I also feel it necessary to point out that I clearly specified “handguns” when I expressed my personal loathing of firearms. I never once mentioned hunting riffles or shotguns. I actually used the word handgun and semi-automatic weapons. Some of you felt it necessary to send in NRA literature, or as I call it heartless death stroke propaganda. The improper education concerning how guns protect individuals was not necessary. I have read all of that nonsense before. That is exactly what it is, nonsense. The NRA's material is a Public Relations tool for those who condone violence, and have on several occasions held rallies in towns whose citizens were grieving an innocent life taken by a handgun. If you want NRA facts, check the organization's history. Major gun enthusiast and journalist Hunter S. Thompson was once given the opportunity to write about the NRA. According to many he was excited about the chance. The piece never saw the light of day, however because Thompson came out of the experience claiming the group were a bunch of heartless and self righteous hypocrites. Perhaps that is neither here nor there. I would like to say however for every story of protection, which was sent in to me, I could find 25 to 30 stories on the exact dates of those events to match where handguns were used offensively, not defensively. In fact I could probably find 100 or more if I really took the time to dig.

One thing I kept reading and hearing from last week's critics over and over again was "Criminals get the guns illegally how can you come down on responsible gun owners when they have no control of what a criminal does?" That's a tough one. Nah, not really. Let me give it a shot. Nearly all weapons used in a crime were once purchased legally within the country. On very rare occasions they are smuggled internationally. Criminals get a hold of the guns through theft of an individual or business and illegal purchase from an individual in need of quick cash. In other words the possession of a gun for a criminal began with the legal purchase somewhere.
Perhaps you can't blame the owner in most incidents where they wind up on the street. You can easily however blame the availability of guns and indirectly those who advocate stockpiles of arsenal on the market. I call these "gun monkeys." These are those who haven't evolved out of the Old West. People who protect their homes are one thing. People who carry guns around in their automobile or on their person are like cowboys. 

Also every self-protection example sent in to me with the exception of one was during home invasion. My article was not about someone who had a shotgun in the house. It was about someone who was carrying a gun in his car and shooting it in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Again, last week’s critics simply did not read my column. I’d love to play the devil’s advocate and debate you people for kicks. Lord knows your arguments are so typical I could wax Nostradamus on every rebuttal you've got. The problem is your attacks are not exactly oppositions to neither my opinion nor my column.

On the issue of me saying handgun ownership was an measure of “social deviance” I can only laugh at the reactions I got from that. The idea of owning a gun as protection is an example of how “deviant” society has gotten. If society was not “deviant” you wouldn’t need to protect yourself with a killing tool. I also clearly said I respected the right to bear arms. The man whose poor family's incident gave me the inspiration for the story was a gun owner, and still is. I sent him the column before I printed it. He’s a member of the NRA, a gun collector, and I have went to the shooting range with him on numerous occasions. He not only liked the column he agreed with it. Of course that is because he actually understands the English language. Yes, liberal whack job Daniel Bamberg has shot a gun. I am not a bad shot and for kicks I enjoy them. Still, I would never own one.

Finally to in regards to the very vague potential threat, which was issued to me, let me stress something. One, you proved every point I made. Two, do not make a pro second amendment individual like myself a martyr for those who oppose your rights. I clearly suggested I was morally against guns and personally would not own them. I followed that with a clear emphasis that I believed the second amendment was a right, which should be upheld. Before you go popping your gat, read the whole thing and learn basic English comprehension you courageous gangsta you.

I stand up for the second amendment (in spite of the fact I believe it to be vastly misinterpreted by many gun owners) simply because citizens have owned them for too long to let the government take them away at will. I also stand up for the second amendment because I do believe we should have a chance to defend our rights in the strange case that the government attempts to turn on us (the citizens). I am against the second amendment because we have come a long way since the musket. Also I find it peculiar that we are given the right to keep and bear arms but I can't order a panzer, a nuclear warhead, a Israeli jet, or a mess of napalm. These are arms I can get down with. Yet I can own a Desert Eagle or .50 caliber, nothing more than elephant guns in a country where elephants are all in zoos with the monkeys. I also oppose the second amendment because I believe it is this right, which has allowed the criminals to possess these things in the first place. Guns are killing machines. They are not toys. They rarely protect. They don't add inches to your size or points to your IQ. You can't score a good-looking woman with one. You can't get into heaven or Dodge City with one. You can't procreate with a gun. You can't wipe your rear with a gun. You can't get a new best friend with a gun. You can't make a million bucks (legally) with a gun. You can't raise your children with a gun. You can eat by using a gun, but with a handgun you'll look silly. They are for nothing except killing. If that makes me less of a man so be it. If a manufactured object measures my bravery I will proudly take on the name yellow.

I want to end on a temptation, which was in one Robert Kornman's letter to the editor. I am pro-second amendment because I believe we should be able to arm ourselves in case of a government seige on our rights. Yet, let us be brutally realistic. Korman mentioned he would go with 50 million hunters over the government with his chances. I am not sure if there are really 50 million hunters in America, but never mind that. I would take my chances with the hunters as well simply because I won't stand for government oppression against my countrymen. On terms of chances, in a gambling scenario, if you really believe they are going to fight off armored tanks, jet fire, foreign ally support, and so -on you really are living in a fantasy world. If this government actually decides to turn on us our stand will be something to take pride in. At the same time, however it will be futile resistance.

Matt Downs called back down

The unfortunate thing about being a weekly paper is sometimes when the news hits the street things have changed. Moments after we printed this week's article about Matt Downs being recalled to the San Francisco Giants he was called back down. This goes to show again how ridiculous the revolving door at the secondbase position for the Giants has been over the past month or so. All indications point to Downs being in AAA for the rest of the season. Hopefully we will get a chance to see our local baseball hero again next year.

Operation Military Kid Day Camp

By Deborah Cash Martin

What happens to a military kid when a parent goes off to fight in the war? What goes on in their minds and what changes happen in each of their lives when one of their parents leave the home to fight for their country and their world seems as if turned upside down?  Although they may not speak it, their minds are deeply worried about their parent coming home safely. Each time the news begins its broadcast on the update of the war, there is news of another solder once again being seriously insured or killed in the line of duty.

Being a military kid does not come without a price. Many times they are transferred without notice and end up attending a different school and having to make new friends from each place they are sent. Sometimes the schools are either ahead or behind what they have already studied and their grades may suffer due to the transfer of the child. New friends have to be made and sometimes that is not easy. Once again they are called the new kid in school and in the neighborhood.

These children experience stress of just being a military kid. They have many needs and require a special kind of support from their community and peers. A program called Bibb County 4-H Youth Operation Military Kids has devised a way to help the military kids receive the support of other military kids and special groups of adults who make a point of being their for these kids.

On June 30, Operation Military Kid Day Camp was held at the Heritage Park in Brent. To participate, children were first to get permission (RSVP) from their parents and bring 2 can goods to be donated to DHR when the event was over.

The Local Alabama Cooperative Extension System is speaking out for the Military Kids and bringing them together for help and support. They are helping to also educate the community regarding the issues the Military Children have to face when one of their parents have to leave them behind.

4-H Region Extension Agent for Bibb And Shelby County Joy Maxwell introduced two children who had relatives that are serving in the military or is at this time stationed in Iraq. One of those kids was Kira Marie Nix who said her God Father, Jackie Sims had been to Iraq and has since returned and is now training solders for the war. She said he has a teaching class in Kentucky Alabama. Kira said it was hard that her Godfather was not around now because he had been a major part of her life. She said he now is missing most of their family events due to his dedication.

Kaycee Creel is nearly nine-years-old. She said the military was very important to her because the solders are fighting for our country. Kaycee said all her family members in the military have since come home and was very glad they were safe. Kaycee was very shy and when asked what she thought about the 4-H, she nodded yes, it was fun. 

The kids played Frisbee Golf, made a Wacky Worm Farm and had a Cup Cake Workshop along with Arts and Crafts, Red Cross and much more. Lunch was served and snacks served at the appropriate time. Maxwell said there were about 50 kids participating in today’s event.

A Military Operation Kid Grant in the amount of $2,000 sponsored this program event today. The person who runs the grant and applied for the grant is Operation Military Kids Coordinator Charlene Hines and she is also an Extension State Agent for Auburn University. Maxwell said she applied for several grants for several counties. There were also a host of volunteers from all around the county at hand helping with the kids and their planned activities.

Hines said, “We are doing this to recognize our military youth in all the counties. She said, Alabama has 35,000 military children and these kids give up a lot to be a military kid.” Hines said these people are special and they need extra support and this program is designed to give that support to the military children. This program provides them with camping activities and opportunities to talk about being a military kid. This program helps to provide a great safety net for the military kids.

Hines said a camp was done last week and 105 kids participated. These kids were from all over the State of Alabama from 27 different counties. Cave diving, rock climbing, canoeing down the Cahaba, robotics, rocketry, GPS, campfires and swimming.

The main goal of this project is to be there for the military kids and to understand that these kids have different issues at hand than the normal kid in school. Understanding these children’s needs has become a focal point in the 4-H Extension System. . 

Bibb County Looses Funds for Undercounted Federal Domestic Assistance Funds

Guest Speaker Anita Maddox Representative for the Bibb County Census Bureau explained the importance of filling out the census forms. Every occupied household will begin receiving a questionnaire beginning March of 2010.

These forms are filled out every 10 years to ensure an accurate and fair count of all populations at all geographic levels in the nation. The Census Bureau needs you or someone in your household to fill out the simple questionnaire once it arrives.

Only an estimation of 54 percent filled out the census forms ten years ago in Bibb County. All of Bibb County’s citizens need to be counted accurately. Failing to return the census forms will create serious consequences to your own hometown for the next 10 years to come.

Many may not understand the importance of making each census form filled out, count and make a difference. Any citizen not being accounted in each occupied home, will affect funding in your community. Maddox explained as follows: if 100 people within your community undercount its own citizens, thousands of dollars are forever lost. Alabama’s allotted Federal Domestic Assistance Funds is based in how many people live within each town.

Alabama gets $1,269.33 of Federal Domestic Assistance funds per person for the next 10 years to come. For example: 100 people multiplied by $1,269.33 equals $126,933.00 for 100 people counted in your own hometown. Every person definitely counts. Each person that is not counted, causes loss for money that could help within your own town.

The money allocated is used for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more.

Centreville Historic Preservation Commission hosted this months Chamber of Commerce Coffee. Ashley’s Flowers & Gifts and Hobson Law Firm sponsored the Chamber Coffee.

Chamber President Mike Hobson of Hobson Law Firm spoke much of the history of his new office building. He said he thought the house was built in 1850 and had only three owners, which were The Davidson Family, The Leaper Family and Mary Fuzzell Vining. Mrs. Vining owned the house from 1985 until 2009. Many renovations were done on the house while keeping much of its original More history is being gathered regarding the houses historical past. It is on the National Register of Historical Places.

David Daniels, Designated Appointee on behalf of the commission, said he felt blessed that he could come together with a bunch of leaders of this community and to see them face-to-face.

The Historical Committee has been working nearly 3 years trying to preserve its history. Daniels mentioned a man named Thomas Dory who served in the civil war in 1860. He was a young man that went off to war and never returned back home as many others had done while fighting in the war. Thomas Dory was a Yankee solder that had been buried outside of the Hobson Law Firms new office building in the city of Centreville. Around 1950 or 1960, upon the request of his family, the Wisconsin Calvary came to Bibb County and returned Thomas Dory back to his hometown.

Christmas on the Square will take place in December and homecoming between Brent and Centreville will be on July 3^rd, 2010. More details will come at a later date.

Chamber Director Tracey Mitchell has asked the community to not forget to bring your school supplies for the children of DHR. She stressed that they need pencils, pens, paper, crayons, notebooks, backpacks, scissors or just a donation.

Next Chamber of Commerce Coffee is on August 6^th, at the Bibb Medical Nursing Home at 9:00 a.m.

Greenpond-Woodstock Library now a part of Woodstock Municipality

Greenpond-Woodstock Library now a part of Woodstock Municipality

 

Finally the Greenpond Library has become a part of a municipality. Noel “Bill” Hubbard of Greenpond approached Woodstock Town Hall members months ago. He requested that Woodstock take over this special library so that he could retire without worrying what may happen to the facility. He knew he could not retire until it was in safe hands.

Until July 1 of this year, it was the only public library in the State of Alabama that was not in a municipality. For a long time, Hubbard’s goal was for it to become just that. His dream and goal finally became reality this month. The library and park were deeded to the Town of Woodstock. As Hubbard said, all the I’s have been dotted and the T’s have been crossed on all the needed paperwork.

The Greenpond-Woodstock Library was a great surprise to see when entering its establishment. The atmosphere from the very beginning, welcomes all who enter. The decor is of a homelike setting and makes one feel comfortably relaxed and ready to find that special book you may be seeking.

In 1995, fourteen years ago, Hubbard saw a need for a local library. He was a teacher at Hoover High School when one day while visiting his sister in Greenpond, kids came to her door asking to borrow her encyclopedia. The kids were almost in tears and did not have the sources needed for their assigned homework. That day, Hubbard saw a need and an idea began to form of the importance of having a local library for all the Greenpond citizens.

That same week, a meeting was held with the Greenpond Beautification Board. Once Hubbard presented his idea, everyone on the committee agreed there was indeed a need for a library and felt this would be an easy project to tackle. Thus began an idea and the idea soon became reality.

Hubbard’s uncle signed over land deeds on seven acres of property he owned and it was to be used for the future Greenpond Library.

The structure began with a doublewide trailer that had been used as a Home Economics College for the Talladega school system. When the modular buildings were no longer allowed, it became available to Hubbard. Later, the county gave them another modular to connect to the doublewide and soon a tower was built in between to connect the two modular structures to make the library look less like a mobile home. The construction was a success.

Now, books were needed. Stocking the library was a community project. Many patrons and the general public of Greenpond donated books and other items to bring the library to life. Even now, patrons pick up new books when traveling out of town and return with books just for this library. Some bookstores such as Books-a-Million donate books on a regular basis.

There is a wonderful computer room with 14 computers and each month approximately 600 individuals utilize the computers for research, job hunting and email. Hubbard said there are plans for more computers. Fax machines are open to the public and an extra line was installed due to the amount of patrons needing its use. Eight to nine thousand patrons visit the library on a yearly basis.

Another wonderful item the Greenpond-Woodstock Library has is a broadband I cam service that is set up to allow military families see and talk with loved ones on a more personal basis. To do this service, appointments have to be set up.

There are many people laid off or no longer have jobs to go to. Hubbard said they help job seekers put together resumes for their job searches. He said they have always had this service and now that so many people are jobless, the need has increased tremendously.

This library has become a place to set up meetings for the community’s use. Various individuals teach crafts and enjoy activities the community has set up. These are just some of the uses of the library in Greenpond.

Individuals donate unwanted items to be sold and the funds are used for the upkeep of the library and park.

The staff consists of retired citizens who volunteer their time. West Alabama Planning pays one employee.

Hubbard said, “If it were not for the general support of people in and outside of the community, we would not have been able to maintain the Greenpond Library as we had in the past. We have the most supportive group of people that I have ever known, in this area.”

Hubbard plans to stay at the Greenpond-Woodstock Library until a replacement can be found. At this time, Woodstock Town Hall is taking applications this position. Once he leaves, Hubbard said he would be close enough to help with any situation that may arise in the future. Hubbard sadly said he was going to miss the library but it was time for him to move on and begin working on his next venture. He did not want to elaborate what this new venture is. 

Bibb Publications takes home 4 Awards!

At the Annual Trib Publications "Better Newspapers" Editorial Awards Banquet, the Centreville Press and Marion-Times Standard of Bibb Publications took home four awards.

Dianne Nichols, editor of The Marions Times-Standard took home a 3rd place award for best news story of the year. She also took home a 3rd place award for best overall editorial page of the year.

Deborah Cash-Martion of the Centreville Press took hom a 1st place award for best news photography from her front page December photo of the Bibb County Junior High School fire.

Daniel L. Bamberg of the Centreville Press took home a 2nd place award for best personal column for his weekly "Everybody Has One."

Congratulations of a job well done!

Annual Editorial Seminar and Awards Banquet

Publisher Lorrie Rinehart and reporters Deborah Cash-Martin and Daniel L. Bamberg will be attending Trib Publications, Inc. Annual Editorial Seminar and Awards Banquet. The company runs 30-40 newspapers in the southeast area including many community papers in Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas and a Georgia Daily. The seminar and banquet is held annually in Warm Springs, Georgia.
The goal of the seminar and banquet is to recognize excellence in story-telling, community news production, and readership development. Guest speakers will discuss topics to help improve community papers and attract attention. On Friday morning , July 10 speakers will begin discussing numerous topics. Following an adjourning the Awards Banquet will begin at 7pm. On Saturday morning more guest speakers will discuss various topics.
The Centreville Press is under consideration for several awards including "Best News Story", "Best Feature Story", "Best Personal Column", "Best Overall Design", "Best Sports Page", "Best Editorial Page", "Best News Photograph", and others.

Stories we are working on

This has been a busy news week. Make sure to read the Centreville Press July 15 edition for these stories in the works.

Making headlines...

ADECA seeking over $400,000 in stimulus money for Bibb County road resurfacing

Auburn University Board of Trustees looking to fill Bibb County District seat

After Guilty plea Bibb County teen sentenced to 20 years for murder of his mother

In sports...

an in depth look at former Bibb County High School football star Ben Jones as he enters his sophmore season at center for the University of Georgia Bulldogs

After making an impact in 11 MLB games, Matt Downs returns to Fresno

These are just a handful of the stories we are working on for you. Keep reading the Centreville Press

This Week in the Centreville Press

The latest edition of the Centreville Press hits the streets this morning 7/8/2009!

This week's headlines:

1. April Weaver to seek House District 49 Seat
   courtesy of APA press release
   
2. What happens when Mom or Dad leave for the front lines?
   by Deborah Cash-Martin
   
3. Pieces are in place for Bibb, on July 21st it's your move!
   by Daniel L. Bamberg
   
4. Think Quest team wins national honors
   by Deborah Cash-Martin
   
5. Sixty-Four Years ago Local World War II Veteran Came Home
   by Deborah Cash-Martin

* Don't forget our "untouchable" page of editorials and columns from Bob Tribble, Jim Oakley, Roger Kinard, Matt Hartzell, and Daniel L. Bamberg

Downs returns to Grizzlies

by Daniel L. Bamberg

reporter and columnist

According to the Associated Press San Francisco Giants second baseman Matt Downs has returned to (AAA) Fresno. Downs has been "all the talk" in Bibb County over the past few weeks. The Centreville native made state and national sports news when he was called up to Major League Baseball in order to replace a struggling Emanuel Burris. During his brief 11 game MLB stint, Matt accomplished several feats. He had a handful of hits including a double and a home-run, he knocked in a few RBIs, he scored a few runs, stole a base, and played second base with errorless skill. He made fans, appeared on several websites, blogs, and fan-sites. He was even adored on Twitter by a young female Giants fan who was impressed with his "passion" for the game. Indeed, baseball fans are not use to seeing passion as much these days as was the case say fifteen years ago. The point is Matt Downs made an impact and more than likely will get a chance to do so again.

As of last Thursday, however Matt was hitting just below .200, certainly not outstanding. If however, you take into consideration that this was his first MLB stint, he had only played in 11 games, and was flying out on hard hit balls, you will discover the truth beyond the numbers. Also take into consideration both his manager and Giants General Manager were quoted on more than one occasion as being impressed with his abilities at the plate and in the field. Matt will likely see the big leagues again before all is said and done. His send down was the effect of Giants reactivating second baseman Rich Aurilla from bereavement. Aurilla himself struggles at the plate, is aging, and has little room to improve. Emmanuel Burris, the starting second baseman before Downs was called up is still in the minors, and hasn't exactly been a shining star.

For now Matt returns to (AAA) Fresno where he was putting up some very impressive numbers earlier this season. The fans are likely excited to see last year's (AA) San Jose standout return. The send down is not a bad thing. Downs is young, full of potential, and well liked from his short time in MLB. Seeing him in "the show" again is almost a sure bet. Those of us in Bibb County will continue to root for our hometown hero. Continue reading the Centreville Press for up to date information on Matt Downs' professional baseball career.

April Weaver to Seek House District 49 Seat

Republican April Weaver recently announced she will run for the Alabama House of Representatives - District 49. District 49 encompasses southwestern Shelby County and the northern half of Bibb County. The seat is currently held by Representative Cam Ward who has announced that he will be a candidate for the Alabama Senate next year.

Weaver is no stranger to Montgomery or to politics. As a member of the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee, the Bibb County Republican Party, and the Shelby County Republican Party, she has been a strong advocate for voters and businesses of District 49. In 2006, she received two board appointments by Governor Bob Riley and she currently serves on the Statewide Healthcare Coordinating Council (SHCC) and the Alabama Child Death Review System. In addition, she holds the position of Chairman Emeritus for the Alabama Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society (AHPRMS), an affiliate of the Alabama Hospital Association. An active community leader, Weaver is a graduate of Leadership Shelby County, a board member for the University of Montevallo Student Affairs Department, an Advisory Board Member for the Baptist Health System Congregational Health Program, a team member of the Central Alabama Rural Action Commission, and a member of the strategic planning committee for the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. She has also been an active community volunteer for area events such as Alabaster City Fest, Helena Buck Creek Festival, and Brierfield State Park Music Festival. She has been involved with numerous regional fundraising events such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the March of Dimes Walk America, The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, and The American Diabetes Association’s Walk for Diabetes. Her past activities also include Education Chairperson for the Bibb County Chamber of Commerce, team member of the Bibb County Child Caring Foundation, Director of the Bibb County Safe Kids Coalition, Advisory Board member for Bibb Medical Center Home Health, Board of Directors for the Bibb County Kiwanis Club, and liaison to the University of Alabama’s Rural Health Scholars Program.Numerous organizations have recognized Weaver for her outstanding professional and community leadership.

In 2006, the Birmingham Business Journal honored her as a member of its “Top 40 Under 40” list of young professionals. In 2008, she received leadership recognition and was chosen as “Key Talent” for the Baptist Health System. Weaver, a 1989 graduate of Bibb County High School, began her healthcare administration career sixteen years ago at Bibb Medical Center (BMC) after she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1993. While maintaining her job at BMC, she returned to college and became a registered nurse in 1997. She joined Brookwood Medical Center in 1999, quickly rising to the rank of Director of Public, Community and Government Relations. She joined Shelby Baptist Medical Center in 2002 and presently serves as its Director of Business Development and as a member of its administrative team. She completed her MBA in 2006.

“I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives,” said Weaver. “As a life long resident of this area, I intend to be a proactive representative of the people of District 49. I was born and raised a Republican, and I will be a strong, conservative voice for the voters of this district. My good friend Cam Ward has been an enthusiastic and hardworking representative on behalf of District 49. I intend to follow in his footsteps and to be the kind of responsive public servant that the people of this district deserve. Every day I am in Montgomery, I will fight to ensure that the conservative values and principles we share are reflected in every piece of legislation that is sent to the Governor’s desk.” For more information, please visit www.aprilweaver.com.

Anonymous Animosity

by Daniel L. Bamberg
reporter and columnist


I recently received a negative snail mail concerning my column "Everybody Has One". I welcome both negative and positive feedback for all of my work. At the same time, however I request one thing from everyone. Please at the very least leave your name. In some cases my column has actually hurt feelings, and I can't exactly apologize or explain a misread without knowing who to apologize or explain to. Furthermore, it is a cowardly act to remain anonymous while responding to a column. This is an integral ideal the Centreville Press takes seriously. We do not print anonymous "letters to the editor" and we do not take anonymous quotes on reports unless it is a polling of the general public as was in the case of the article about the Centreville City Council not meeting for over a month.

I would however, like to respond to this horribly misguided and cowardly letter I just received. I will not use my column to respond to anyone but will be using the new blog for such purpose. I hope you all feel secure enough to continue sending in your letters with your name included. I assure you if healthy debate is what you desire, I am more than willing to oblige. In order to follow our own principles here at the Centreville Press I cannot and will not post the letter itself. So you are all going to have to trust me in regards to its content.

If someone decides to send a response in to an article or column they should take a breath and consider grammar before writing. Some of this letter was confusing due to the atrocious misuse of the English language. The most confusing sentence was where the anonymous man suggested an atheist doesn't believe there is no God. This would suggest they believe there is a God, because they do not believe there is not a God. This is the reason using double negatives hurts the argument for anyone. A person who suggests I do not understand the meaning of the word hypocrite (as was stated in the letter) should make sure they understand the English language at the very least.

I admire that this man is a Christian. Congratulations I love Jesus too. Perhaps one day we will meet in that place we are both destined for, become friends, and understand one another. In the meantime however, we are here in this place where the world rarely makes sense. It makes even less sense when a Christian would actually suggest he or she (or any Christian for that matter) is not a hypocrite. I will not make assumptions concerning this person's biblical education and studies. At the same time it is imperative I point out what proper biblical study will reveal. Christ came to save us because we were hypocrites. Man needed salvation because man was hypocritical. The author and advocate of early Christianity, known as the Apostle Paul suggests not only are we all hypocrites but he himself couldn't escape sin or hypocrisy. In Paul's explaination of the inescapability to sin, he describes being of the flesh as a curse bound to sin. This doesn't excuse sin. It simply suggests if man could escape sin he'd be able to save himself. Thus, Christ, whom the anonymous letter's author speak so highly of would have never been born in the flesh, died in the flesh, as a perfect offering for our sins.

I find it atrocious that the author of this letter suggests that I am somehow not a Christian because I support (as the column of topic suggests) the rights for everyone to have their opinion, voice their ideals, and worship in the way they choose. There is a truth that flies over the heads for much of the "Bible Belt" South. We live in a secular society, like it or not. Jesus lived in the flesh within a hypocritical spiritually legal society and a Godless secular society. Christ said "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's." The soul of man is God's. God chooses where to put the soul he owns based on the belief of man's heart, due to the irreverence of a man's actions. In other words we are sin holding something of God's. If we do not submit our souls willingly and acknowledge that they are God's possession, we are judged on every sin we've committed eternally.

I am not on the side of any religion outside of Christianity based on ideals and principles. I am not a Universalist, as this letter clearly seemed to lable me. I believe in one true God and his son who is equally God. At the same time I stand on the side of every religion outside of Christianity for the sake of liberty and free will only. In a secular society it is illogical and crude to stake my rights for worshipping my God without defending the rights of someone else to worship their God. This doesn't mean I have to agree with their beliefs. It also doesn't mean a non-Christian and I can't get into healthy conversation about spirituality or that I cannot present my testimonial of faith to such a person. The only time a religious practice of any kind should be denounced or criticized in open court is when its masses inflict actions which strangle the essential liberties of others. Furthermore, one who has complete faith in Christ should not go about on an unspiritually charged crusade to change the world. Christ never told us to break down temples and raid the synagogues. He told us to follow his commandments, pray for each other, and charged us to testimony. I ask of you if tearing down other faiths were God's will why did Paul not destroy the Pagan statues in the towns he visited? Instead he applauded their faith and introduced them to Christ as their "unknown God." Moses was punished for throwing a temper tantrum due to people's lack of faith. Peter pulled a sword on a Roman Soldier sent to arrest Christ and was chastised not praised for it. The author of this letter goes on to ask me how I feel about Muslims since the attack on 9/11. Well, I feel they were zealots who acted out violently. At the same time I have a brother in law who is a Muslim. He's one of the friendliest and warmest people I have ever met. He also talks 90 mph and asks a million questions. He's a wonderful man with a wonderful family. I would no more consider him my enemy than I would want him to consider me his enemy because of what Christian zealots have done throughout history. Lumping people into extreme categories because of the actions from a few is precisely what I am against. I feel there is no difference in labeling Muslims murderers and labeling black people (insert racial slur). It is ignorant, small minded, and unfounded.

To suggest I do not even know myself is ridiculous and completely unfounded as well. This anonymous author goes on and on about how he stands for Christ. He suggests if he was faced with a blade to the throat he's still stand proudly and profess Christ. I would suggest many of us don't actually know ourselves until we are faced with ourselves. In other words until we are faced with a blade to the throat to suggest one won't deny Christ is unfortunately something only God knows. Remember Peter who walked with Christ, learned from Christ, saw the miracles Christ performed first hand, loved Christ, and was going to kill for Christ denied Jesus three times after the crucifixion. Jesus told Peter he would and Peter thought the notion was ridiculous. Then he did it anyway. He didn't even stand up for Christ in spite of Jesus suggesting Peter's denial before hand. I pray for the strength to fight for the name of Christ if need be. I pray for the strength to never deny my Lord. I never fall into the vanity of assuming my faith is stronger than it is until I am faced with a test of faith. My faith has survived many ordeals, as I am sure is the case for the author of this letter (or any Christian for that matter). The strength of Job is proper Christian ambition, but claiming one possesses such until it's been put to the test is frankly a deeply horrid vanity. In the end many forget as King Soloman suggested in Ecclesiastes "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." In some cases, as in the case of this anonymous person's letter a boastful exclamation of faith is vanity as well. Don't fret, we can't escape vanity, we can only hope to contain it.

The certain column magnified by this cowardly author "Man on the Phone Doesn't Appreciate my Tone" was simply suggesting that I stand up for the right to be human and be judged only by God. After all my first name in Hebrew translates to "God is my judge." What the author of the letter labels judgmental was actually quite the opposite. Don't get me wrong I, like all have had moments where I've placed myself wrongfully in the court as judge. I am, after all, a hypocrite. I was implying that as humans we have a right to our individual ideals and to look nowhere except to God to have them judged. God didn't say not to judge anyone, by the way. He said "do not judge lest you be judged." This simply means if you are guilty of something do not judge a person for it or else have it come back on you for your sins. When I labeled "everyone" a hypocrite in that column I clearly mentioned myself as one also. I am a hypocrite and thank God for giving me the strength to vulnerably admit that I am. Thank God for showing me that I as a Christian am deserving of his strict judgment against me and will forever be deserving of it. Thank God that his judgement will ease upon me due to Christ finding me. My salvation wasn't a get out of hell free card. I had to accept the burden and the blame for my actions which resulted in the mutilation, torture, death, and mocking of the only being who was ever innocent. We judge murderers all the time. Christians however forget the irony that when you accept Christ you are accepting guilt and blame for murder of pure innocence. This is the metaphor of the faith. Christ died as a result of man's sin. God sacrificed his son because our sins could only be bought off by the sacrifice of innocence. Abraham was asked to kill Isaac, because we had come this far in our hypocrisy. God sent his son in order to preserve our world without murderous sacrifice. Yet we as Chrisitans judge murderers as the worst of us all. If that is not hypocrisy, I don't know what is. As Christians, however we as asked to plead guilty of murder in order to be forgiven. We are hypocrites and murderers, and if Christians can not admit that then I don't see how Christ can be considered your savior, personally.

One last word before I go. The author of this letter boastfully (hypocrisy?) stands up and suggest he'd die a horrible death of beheading for his Lord and Savior. Yet he wouldn't sign his name or leave an address in his standing up for Christ to me (a Christian reporter who accidentally insulted this man with an ink pen). I think he or she may need to really do some soul searching. If you are too afraid to stand up face to face to little ol' me I don't think you have a chance at the hands of a anti-Christian zealot.