Miller: Obama, Congress Must Work Together Before Committing To War
April 4, 2011
The situation in Libya has been evolving constantly since unrest emerged there in February, following similar uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and other Arab states. Muammar Gaddafi—the man President Ronald Reagan called the “Mad Dog of the Middle East” for his sponsorship of terrorist activity against the United States and her allies—responded violently to opposition protests and threatened to treat protesters like “dogs” and to “show no mercy.”
When the opposition took up arms to challenge Gaddafi and his oppressive regime, President Obama was silent. When the opposition had the initiative, marching toward Tripoli, President Obama was silent. And when Gaddafi regained the initiative, beat back the opposition military forces, and threatened to slaughter his own citizens, President Obama was silent. For three weeks the President remained silent while the world waited for some sign of American leadership, some indication of America’s intentions. The President offered no such leadership and no such intentions.
Nor during those three weeks, did the President approach the Congress—as the Constitution requires—to seek approval to take our nation to war. Instead, who did the President consult? The Arab League and the United Nations.
Two weeks have now passed since President Obama initiated his war in Libya without seeking the approval of the Congress, yet serious questions about the United States’ involvement in that war remain unanswered. Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to question Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen during their testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. Unfortunately, their responses did little to assuage my concerns or those of my colleagues.
When one Member asked Secretary Gates to define “success” in Libya, he responded that the removal of Gaddafi from power is an important part of success. This perplexing response comes after repeated assertions from the administration that regime change is not an objective of the military operations in Libya. How can it be that Gaddafi’s removal from power is one part of the administration’s definition of success, when that element has been ruled out as an objective of the war? This is but one of the many contradictory policies and statements advanced by the Obama administration in defending its decision to go to war.
When asked about the composition of the Libyan opposition, Secretary Gates repeatedly stated that he has no idea of its composition, its key players, or its political objectives. He even admitted that the term “opposition” is a misnomer because there doesn’t seem to be any true structure to the disparate groups opposing Gaddafi. I don’t believe there should be any discussion of arming the opposition until our leaders can speak with confidence about the sympathies, intentions, and affiliations of those groups. As history has shown us, we must remember that the enemy of our enemy is not always our friend.
I was especially bothered by Admiral Mullen’s inability to project the length of our commitment to the NATO operations in Libya. This is perplexing, given the fact that the President and his administration have declared that our military objectives have been achieved. Perhaps it is the President’s failure to clearly articulate his near-, mid-, and long-term goals for Libya that has contributed to the confusion of his Military leaders. Until those goals are articulated, the American people will continue to bear the ever-increasing costs of this operation. As of this week, more than $550 million have been spent on this foray into Libya, and the Defense Department estimates that it will cost an additional $40 million per month to sustain our support to the NATO mission. I remain unconvinced that this is an expense we should shoulder at a time when our Nation bears the burden of a $14 trillion debt.
Finally, despite the policy failings of the administration, our men and women in uniform deserve our highest thanks for their loyalty, patriotism, and professionalism. They have executed these operations with the skill and focus we demand; however, we must remember that we already demand much from these brave warriors and their families. At a time when our service members deploy at historically high rates, the President and the Congress must work together—within the bounds of the Constitution—to ensure that our Nation commits to war only when we must.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
April 4, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their Students of the Month for March. They are (L-R) Yhsyionia McConico,Dakota Dempsey and Ashley Davis. Submitted photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Wins ACM Radio Station Of The Year
April 4, 2011
Cat Country 98.7 received their Academy of Country Music Radio Station of the Year trophies Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. Accepting the trophies from Sony recording star Sara Evans were Mary and Dave Hoxeng, owners of Cat Country 98.7. The ACM Station of the Year honor was the third for the station. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mavis Jean Huie King
April 4, 2011
Mavis Jean Huie King, 77, went home to the Lord on Sunday, April 3, 2011. A member of the Methodist faith, Mavis was a lifetime resident of McDavid.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Homer and Pencie Ola Bass Huie; husband: Felton Claudell King; daughter Deborah; brother Don Huie; and grandchildren Thomas White and James Michael White.
She is survived by daughters Vanessa King Walker, Arleen (Gregory) Bush and Darleen (Bobby) Jernigan; sisters, Frances Green, Lillian Green, Wylene (Pat) and twin Mable Thames, Marjorie; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home with burial to follow at the Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Joelle Carmon Riley
April 4, 2011
Joelle Carmon Riley lived a beautiful life from July 24, 1986 until March 31, 2011.
She grew up in Barrineau Park but currently lived in Pensacola. She graduated from Tate H.S. in 2004. She received her license in aesthetics in 2006 from George Stone and in January graduated with a Pharmaceutical Technician license from Virginia College. She loved and surrounded herself by family and friends.
Joelle is preceded in death by her dad, Joe Riley, Jr. and her grandparents, Mama Neil and Papa Neil.
She is survived by her fiancé, Donald Russell; her mom, Dee Riley; her sisters, Deidre Riley and Romona Parsons; her brother-in-law, Brian Parsons; her niece, J.C. Parsons; her nephew, Jackson Parsons; her grandparents, Rachel and Joe Riley, Sr.; and numerous other family members.
Visitation will be on Monday April 4, 2011 between 5-7pm at Trahan Family Funeral Home. Memorial service will be Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 3 p.m. also at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, her family would like donations made to Regions Bank Joelle Riley Scholarship Fund.
Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Jesse “Ron” Graves, Jr.
April 4, 2011
Mr. Ronald Jesse “Ron” Graves, Jr., 40, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2011, in Flomaton.
Mr. Graves was a native and resident of Flomaton for most of his life. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grover and Cassie Graves of Pineview, V.T. Thomas of Century, and Irene Hollingshead of Greenville, AL.
Survivors include his parents, Ronald and Lula Graves of Flomaton; a brother, Denver and Ronda Graves of Flomaton; three nephews, Tanner Graves, Cole Graves and Mason Graves, all of Pineview; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Jesse Lough officiating.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Tanner Graves, Speedy Brantley, Richard Stuckey, Christopher Thomas, Jacob Newton and Ernie Downing..
Robert Monroe Womack
April 4, 2011
Mr. Robert Monroe Womack, 78, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2011, in Atmore.
Mr. Womack was a native of Goodway, AL, and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. He retired from Solutia after 29 years of service and worked at Builder’s Hardware and Bondurant’s Hardware. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and a member of the American Legion and the Judson Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Robert and Alice Sybil Womack.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Lillie “Tiny” Womack of Atmore; two daughters, Debbie Dean of Atmore and Tammie and Ricky Davis of West Lake, LA; four grandchildren, Amber Partain of Lafayette, LA, Hasten Dean, Jr. of Atmore, Adam Davis of Baton Rouge, LA, and Kevin Dean of Atmore; three great-grandchildren, Hasten Dean, III, of Atmore, Brandon Dean of Atmore, and Ainslie Partain of Lafayette, LA; a brother, John and Sandra Womack of Gonzalez; and a sister, Dorothy Smith of Atmore.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Henry Wilson and the Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Burial followed Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ernie Ziemke, Keith White, Gerald Stacey, Bill Robinson, David Matheny and Robert Brantley.
Honorary pallbearerswere LaVaughn Caylor, James Turk, Charles Agee, Chester Byrd, and Paul White.
Pain At The Pump: Gas Prices Continue To Rise
April 3, 2011
Gas prices across the North Escambia area have jumped 20 cents per gallon over the last month — an increase of 80 cents per gallon over this time last year.
The average price of a gallon of standard-grade gasoline in Escambia County was $3.64 on Saturday, up 19 cents per gallon in the past week. That is also increase of 20 cents a gallon from the month-ago price of $3.44, according to the daily price survey published by AAA. The same gallon of gas was $2.84 a year ago.
Analysts, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s Information Administration expect prices will continue to rise through the summer. Crude oil is at about $105 per barrel compared to the last year when it sold at $82 per barrel.
The highest-ever average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $4.05 in July of 2008.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office on Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy offers several fuel-savings tips, some of which include:
- Avoid aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration and excessive braking can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and by 5 percent around town.
- Remove excess weight. Avoid carrying unnecessary and heavy items in your trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reduce your mpg by up to 2 percent.
- Don’t idle. Idling wastes gas and pollutes the environment. Consider staggering your work hours to avoid rush-hour traffic times or telecommute if possible.
- Use cruise control and overdrive gears. While on the highway, maintaining a constant speed, in most cases, will save gas. Plus, using overdrive gears allows your vehicle’s engine speed to go down, which saves gas and reduces engine wear.
- Get a tune-up. A properly tuned vehicle can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
- Keep tires properly inflated: By keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure, you can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 3 percent for every one-pound drop in pressure of all four tires.
- Use the proper oil grade. You can improve gas mileage by 1-to-2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.
Pictured. At $3.66 per gallon of regular unleaded, this Tom Thumb in Cantonment was one of the cheapest stations in the North Escambia area on Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Clouds Increase Tonight, Stormy Monday
April 3, 2011
Clouds will increase tonight across the area, and Monday may be a stormy day.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 60. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a south wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 49. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph becoming north. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Sex Offender Arrested After Being On The Run For 7 Years
April 3, 2011
On Friday, the U.S. Marshals Pensacola Task Force arrested an area man who has been a fugitive from Escambia County for seven years.
In February of 2004, a warrant was issued for Kyriss Chamun Brown after he absconded from probation on an original charge of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12. In late October of 2007, an additional warrant was obtained for the 25-year old Brown after it was discovered that he had not registered as a sex offender.
Initial investigations by the Task Force determined that Brown may have moved to the 6200 Block of Ridge Gate Circle in Pensacola. The Task Force conducted surveillance on several occasions since early March and it finally paid off Friday when they saw a man they thought was Brown leaving the home as he got into a vehicle. After briefly following the car, Brown was identified as the driver and members of the FRFTF performed a felony traffic stop.
Brown was taken into custody without incident near Langley and Underwood roads. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.