Opinion

Having been born and raised in Alpine, I grew up hearing, “If you don’t like the weather, just hang around for a while and it will change.” Earlier today, I did a wellness presentation. The topic that I covered included how human beings are able to adapt to change.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis, British writer and lay theologian.

Why can’t we keep organizations going in this town? A few have survived but many have gone belly up. Why? We created the Alpine Downtown Association about six years ago and we’re still here, but it hasn’t been easy.

I wish everyone a Happy New year, and may we get control of COVID-19 and the wide spread Omicron. This virus has killed well over 800,000 folks in the U.S. alone. With the quick spread of Omicron, I will start wearing my mask despite the fact that I have received all three vaccines. I ask that you practice good health habits and stay safe.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to consider what will be important in the year ahead. As an officer of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, that means thinking about the long-term success of the cattle industry.

“Sixteen years ago in 2005 the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform issued a report that proposed a uniform system of requiring a photo ID to vote in the U.S. elections. The report also pointed out that widespread absence voting makes vote fraud more likely. Voter files contain ineligible, duplicate, fictional, and deceased voters, a fact easily exploited using absentee ballots to commit fraud. Citizens who vote absentee are more susceptible to pressure and intimidation. And vote-buying schemes are far easier when citizens vote by mail.” - John R. Lott, Jr.

A recent Reddit thread discusses the lack of heroes in modern society, but the truth is we have plenty of heroes. It’s true that in the internet era, historic figures we once considered heroic are being reevaluated as their past misdeeds and personal peccadilloes are revealed.

In the blink of an eye, 2021 has zoomed by - and often on Zoom! Thankfully, Michael’s Mountain Ministry was able to once again bring the Live Nativity in person to all the wonderful people who made up our large audiences each of the three nights of performances. You all know by now that as the director of the Live Nativity, I depend solely on the hard work of numerous volunteers and generosity of many individuals and businesses to produce the Live Nativity. I apologize ahead of time if I have left anyone out, but I do want to thank the people who made the Live Nativity possible.

In the Dec. 23, 2021, edition of the Avalanche, you published a letter from a Fort Davis resident decrying our government’s “manipulative efforts” to “create and increase fear of COVID,” and who likened COVID’s lethality to that of the flu. More than 700,000 Americans would disagree if they could, but I’m weary of arguing with people who possess an alternative set of “facts.” I would instead like to put forth a compromise that I hope we can both agree on.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” — George Bernard Shaw Writers love finding new words. Even rediscovering forgotten words can be fun.