Saying she would never, ever get on the back of the bus Mavis Staples roused the crowd at the Chevrolet stage on the sunny beach of Gulf Shores, Alabama this afternoon. Besides singing in top form Staples showed that she was not shy speaking politics and asked what was the matter with people questioning the birthplace of our president. I was able to catch a few songs of her set and really enjoyed hearing the old Staple Singers classic "I'll Take You There." As I was leaving the stage area Wayne Coynes of The Flaming Lips walked by. I guessed he was on his way to the media area and I was right. The Flaming Lips front man gave several interviews and photo shots. No sooner did he leave then the entire band of Cage the Elephant showed up, on their way to their 3:45 set today. It's hard to keep up with all these musicians. I need for them to all come up here together and let's get the interviews and photo shots all done in one session, leaving me more time for beach fun. Seriously, good, fun stuff seeing all these bands at Gulf Shores. (Preston Brady III, MobileTribune.com) (Photo: MobileTribune.com 

The drive from Mobile has each day been pleasant, a chance to enjoy the farmland scenery and take in the fresh air in these parts. Of course I drove the speed limit, which changed from 30 to 70 depending on where I was. Despite dire warnings from local media outlets regarding police and state trooper presence I hardly saw either.

(TAUK, Hangout 2012, MobileTribune.com)

This was my first Hangout Festival and I am told that last year the stages were closer together and caused unnecessary crowding on a large stretch of beach that this year accommodates the  five stages easily and beautifully. The two main stages - Hangout and Chevrolet are on the beach itself, facing each other about a quarter mile apart ( or as one photojournalist told me, later in the evening about three miles apart.) The most popular stage it seems has been the X-Box where yesterday Skrillex , a mix-master drove a young crowd crazy even before he ran onto stage. Waiting in the pit to take photos - an affair that was arranged to allow only two photographers at a time - the bass coming out of the speakers literally shook my body and I wondered if perhaps it was medically safe to be vibrated with such force. Suffice it to say this lone individual standing on a major pedestal center stage has iconic status and a following who anticipated and knew every move he made. It was the most crowded venue for such a small stage I have seen here so far. I enjoyed about two songs and scurried over to the media area where I met up with the innovative jazz quartet Tauk. I had listened to their song Stepwise a few evenings ago and found their style unique, their ability to take jazz to yet another level refreshing and promising for such a…

America is a wonderful but strange country, still young by world standards and still a little on the uppity side. Like it or not Americans like to tell other people how to live their lives. In Europe, on a personal level we would be laughed off the street, yet here it is oddly acceptable to butt in, to push your view on others. The recent cover of Time magazine showing a 3 year old boy breast-feeding on his mother is a wonderful example of yes you can, no you can't. The woman in the photo says the boy was actually breast feeding when the photo was shot, and the size of this strapping toddler caused many to remark, "He's five years old if he's a day."

Well, no, he's three - a healthy three. Look at him, drinking the best milk money can't buy! One must also consider that a large chunk of Americans are also hung up on a breast being shown in public. Indeed, a few years ago Facebook was accused of removing the photos of a member who was breastfeeding her child. 

Men love breasts but when it comes to showing breasts to others, or where teenagers can see them well that's a whole different story. We are still primarily a culture with many sexual hangups, and organized religion plays a big part in the picture. Outside the sexual realm of the debate there are many who say a child should not breast feed past six months or a year. We are not sure on what they base their demands. The problem for those people is they can only make that decision with their own children - not with the children of others. Still, their opinions are heard but likely have the affect of a drop of water on a huge fire. - Preston Brady III,…

If Rand Paul, a republican senator from Kentucky was correct in his stance rejecting gay marriage rights and sticking with "six thousand years" of tradition, we would all still be living in caves saying I Tarzan, you Jane. Sorry Rand but as much as you and your small group of followers would like for everything to stay Wizard of Oz and Ozzie and Harriet, life changes and with change often comes equality and good. (Rand Paul, Wikipedia photo by Gage Skidmore) Remember when women were given the right to vote? Well, even if they still can't play golf in Augusta, Georgia and there has never been a woman as U.S. president, they have still come a long way ( with a bit of a way still to go though!) I remember when in the Deep South black people were finally allowed to use the same restrooms as white people and to sit at restaurant counters with whites - and not really long ago they were finally extended the right to vote. They've come a very long way as well, with a black president holding office. Six thousand years of tradition doesn't look so appealing under those circumstances, does it? 

Rand Paul belongs to that group of gay marriage opponents who are similar to the white man holding prejudice against the black but saying, "I have many black friends, but . . ." 

Rand keeps his heart open to compassion for gay people and their "civil rights" but he draws a line in the Kentucky sand when it comes to the legal joining that would put gay couples on the same financial footing as their counterparts. 

Ironically, the very reason Rand and company are against gay marriage - money - is the very thing gay marriage would bring to the U.S. economic table over the years - money, and lots of it. 

Yes, it seems six thousand years of…

There are two major groups of opponents to gay marriage in the United States, with smaller groups who oppose for various reasons such as prejudice or non-understanding of the issue. The largest group of opponents are those who wish to deny gays the same financial benefits straight couples receive across the board in daily and annual finances. It's no secret that the IRS shows favor to married couples and those with children, providing them generous exemptions. Single people - including straights - are punished by the government and considered to have extra money that can be given to the government. The proof of this statement is apparent in the well-known notion that some families actually produce more children in order to receive additional government benefits and incentives. From a tax filing perspective married couples reap benefits not extended to gay couples, not recognized by the government as deserving of such benefits. 

The Finance Foes against gay marriage fear there is not enough money to share with gay couples who would be on the same footing as they, and therefore they oppose legalization of gay marriage on those grounds. Married couples enjoy thousands of perks in the everyday world, including in the realm of health benefits, travel packages, financial planning, insurance and more. Many of the Finance Foes will not admit the reason for their opposition, and it's easier for them to just say they oppose on religious or moral grounds. Many of them take the simple position of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney: "Marriage is between a man and a woman." What they are really saying is "Marriage keeps the money between a man and a woman."

The Religious Foes are against gay marriage because they believe it is a sin, and claim the Bible speaks against relations between people of the same sex. Their various interpretations of the Holy Bible have so far failed to produce any concrete support of their foundation, and it's more…

When governments stop spending money some people get mad. In Greece they go wild. At this moment there is no organized government in Greece and talks between political parties cannot actually be called talks but rather bickering. The New Democracy party - the most conservative of those vying for power failed to achieve enough votes in last weeks election to take control of Parliament. The far left have gained considerable power, supported by a country rebelling against so-called austerity measures, a popular term being used across Europe for cutting government spending at a time when unemployment rates are above 20% in some counties including Greece. The turmoil in Greece is once again rattling other countries who wonder if Greece will be able to pay back bailout funds and whether the Euro will be dropped in that country and perhaps eventually spread to others such as Spain, who is having it's own turmoil with massive "indignant" demonstrations in major cities. 

It is becoming more clear the Euro may have been the single most currency mistake in world history, tying together at the hip a group of countries who in the beginning had dreams of a stronger continent with a single currency. The correct position would have been for each country to hold its own, to maintain its own currency. In that case should a weak country or two eventually emerge, those countries would not pull down the stronger ones. It would be an understatement to say Germany wishes it had never heard the word Euro. As the strongest country in western Europe it has taken on the reluctant role of wealthy brother helping out a weaker sibling, only to be resigned to the reality the weaker sibling is too confused to pull himself out of the morass.  

Right now the contagion of Greece…

It all started with a few questions by Mobile's alternative newspaper Lagniappe. Co-editor Rob Holbert asked the Mayor a few questions about campaign spending at a city council meeting after the Mayor refused requests for an interview. To use a Deep South cliche, he got cussed out.(Disclaimer, the publisher of Mobile Tribune a few years ago worked as a reporter for Lagniappe, covering the The Mobile County Commission meetings.) Following Lagniappe's lead, the Mobile Press Register and local television station WKRG have covered the story.  (Photo: Mayor Sam Jones, WKRG.) The story is interesting in that it has the Mayor possibly spending up to $70,000 on expenses in a non-campaign year. The election for Mayor is almost a year and a half away and so far no one has really stepped up and challenged Jones, although a few have announced plans to run. The Mayor is a Democrat but Mayoral elections in Mobile are non-partisan. One of the problems the Mayor has in this story is the financial problems the city has, to the tune of over 29 million dollars in debt. The Mayor and the Mobile City Council are at a standstill over the Mayor's insistence on reviving a special so-called temporary one cent sales tax. A few years ago the Mayor's request for a temporary sales tax was honored but it finally expired and it's not clear it did any good for the city. The city has a combined sales tax rate of 9% and applies to  food both in restaurants and stores. Another problem the Mayor and indeed the city government faces is accountability for spending. Mobile is not well-known for providing detailed expenditure figures but rather groups spending into larger categories. Jones had told news media that he spent campaign money on Mardi Gras throws, and for upkeep of a building he owns and uses as campaign…

There's no disputing the most happening, funnest beach setting in the world next weekend will be on a Deep South beach nestled along the Gulf of Mexico called Gulf Shores. This Alabama beach has in recent years been outed as one of the places to hangout in the summer and for snow birds to hibernate for the winter, but the Hangout Music Festival has in the past few years catapulted it to international stardom and there's no turning back.  (Photo: Sleeper Agent, Joseph Llanes) Next weekend performers such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, Jack White, Randy Newman and a host of up and coming acts such as Hey Rosetta, Sleeper Agent, The Magnetic Zeros, Dispatch and dozens of other well-known bands will descend on the Redneck Riviera donning flip-flops, shorts and bikinis and a party will ensue from May 17 through May 20, 2012. The 17th is the pre-party night. The General Admission tickets sold out months ago but there may still be VIP and Super-VIP tickets available, as well as special admission tickets for the Thursday night event. Just so everybody has a great time and keeps the getting in and out of venue stress level down, be forewarned parking is going to be at a super-premium. This ain't Daytona Beach so there will be no parking along the shore. The organizers have promised a souped-up shuttle service so this is going to be the best way to get in and out of the beach party area from your accommodations. There is a $20.00 charge for shuttle service good for the entire weekend. All this info plus ticket availability is on the Hangout Music Festival Website. MobileTribune.com will be there providing instant coverage via our Twitter account …

The Marvel Avengers made their first showing in September 1963 and was a hit for those that were young and the young at heart.The amazing marvel comic cartoon characters we knew as kids are now on the big screen in your city at your local movie theater.The super heroes can also be found at your local Wal-Mart on 3D CD and as action figure toys for that boy or girl that loves adventure.So visit your local move theater to watch the action further or go to Wal-Mart to get your Avenger CD in 3D and buy all the action figures to play with while watching the movie.Robert Downey Jr portrays Iron man.Cris Evans portrays Captain America.Mark Ruffalo portrays The hulk.Chris Hemsworth portrays the mighty Thor.Jeremy Renner portrays Hawkeye.Scarlett Johansson portrays The Black Widow.Clark Gregg portrays Phil Coulson as 1^st in command as a shield field agent who carries out Nicks orders,Cobie Smulders portrays Mara Hill as 2^nd in command as a shield field shield agent. Samuel L Jackson portrays Nick Fury as the peace keeping organization Director of the shield team and forms the Avenger team to fight against the Evil Loki and his plans to take over the world.Tom Hiddleston portrays The Evil Loki who plans to conquer earth anyway he can.Click on the two links below to view the Wal-Mart websites to buy the new release of the Avenger on 3D CD or action toy.

http://www.walmart.com/cp/The-Avengers-DVDs/1092185

http://see.walmart.com/TheAvengers/?povid=cat14503-env172199-module042812-lLinkMMAVENGERS

Click on the website links below to view a few marvel websites.…

City of Mobile Police Officer Chad Wynne was shot in the chest on Friday March 2, 2012 while on a robbery call at a local Winn Dixie store.

Police Officer Chad Wynne was off duty when the call came in and responded to help out at the scene. http://lawenforcementtoday.com/2012/03/05/mobile-alabama-officer-shot-off-duty/

Mobile Police Officer Chad Wynne is still off from work recovering slowly from the chest wound he received from the gunshot.

While Mobile Police Officer Chad Wynne is recovering from his chest wound Debbie Jordan and Deron Mc Michael  have put out fundraiser flyers at the local fire stations to help assist in the financial needs of Chad and his immediate family.

Debbie Jordan and Deron Mc Michael have started a T-Shirt fundraiser for Chad’s family and all proceeds will go to help Chad in his time of need.

The costs of the T-Shirts are $15.00 each and are nave blue short sleeve shirts in sizes small to 4XL.

If you would like to make a donation or buy a T-Shirt to help assist Police Officer Chad Wynne please call Debbie Jordan at 251-533-9475 or e-mail her at debbiej729@yahoo.com  or call Deron Mc Michael at 251-455-3522.

Click on the link below to view a news article about Officer Chad Wynne and his condition.

 http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/officer-wynne-recovering-from-surgery

Click on the link below to view an article about line of duty deaths and disabled law enforcement officers.…