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THE GAZETTE IS "THE VOICE OF REASON" ! VOL. 26 - ISSUE 5 MARCH  2026 www.alabamagazette.com 16 Pages 16 Pages –– 2 Section ©2025 2 Section ©2025 334-356-6700 334-356-6700 (334) 365-6552 M-F-: 9-5 Sat: 9-5 Sunday: Closed 1778 E. Main Street Prattville, AL 36067 ALABAMA'S FREE PRESS GaZette Take One! THE ALABAMA M A R C H H O L I D AY S M A R C H H O L I D AY S 8th - Spring Equinox 17th - St. Patricks Day 20th - 1st day of Spring 29th - Palm Sunday War, Wars, and Rumors of War! The U.S. Launches Major Military Operations Against Iran "Wars and Rumors of Wars" Matthew 24 [KJV] 2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, These shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. March 5, 2026 – IRAN - "And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." (Matthew 24:6 Douay–Rheims) The United States and Israel launched massive air and naval strikes on the brutal Iranian regime, which has attacked Americans, Israel, and international shipping for 47 years. Iran has retaliated by launching missiles at U.S. bases. As of press time, six U.S. service members have been killed since the war began on February 28, 2026. Most were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a tactical operations center in Kuwait, part of Iran's retaliation for U.S.–Israeli strikes. Several additional U.S. troops have been seriously wounded, with at least 18 reported injured. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed this morning in an Israeli air strike. President Donald J. Trump (R) announced the slaying on Truth Social, after the United States and Israel launched a major joint attack that overwhelmed Iranian air defenses. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," President Trump announced. "This is not only Justice for the people of a but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do." To this point the U.S. has struck Iran over 2,000 times with cruise missiles, B2 bombers, F16s, F35s, F15s, and F/A-18s. The venerable B-52 bombers have also played a key role in Operation Epic Fury. "American airpower remains unmatched," Central Command said on X. "The B-52 Stratofortress has been utilized in every major conflict since 1965. During the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, B-52s struck Iranian ballistic missile and command and control posts." Israel sent in a strike force of over 200 of its own aircraft – the largest aerial strike operation in its country's history. "This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country," said Trump. Trump is offering immunity to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, military officers, and regime assets that lay down their arms now. "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" Trump concluded. Dozens of the top Iranian commanders of the regime have already been killed. Central Command said that U.S. military forces have attacked missile launchers, Iranian air defenses, and command and control for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel and seven Arab countries have been hit by Iranian missile attacks. The Pentagon described the operation as a response to what it called "imminent threats" posed by Iran's expanding missile program and its support for militant groups across the region. Iranian officials, however, condemned the attack as an act of aggression and vowed retaliation, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged conflict. Iranian leaders condemned the strikes as a violation of international law and accused the United States of seeking to undermine Iran's sovereignty. Central Command announced that Iran's naval presence in the Gulf of Oman has been completely eliminated, declaring that the Iranian regime went from 11 ships to none in just 48 hours. "Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO," CENTCOM said on the X account. "The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over. Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global economic prosperity for more than 80 years. U.S. forces will continue to defend it." CENTCOM has stated that U.S. forces will continue to defend maritime navigation and respond to Iranian missile launches, which remain ongoing. The situation is fluid, and additional military actions or regional responses are possible as Operation Epic Fury continues. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has exerted heavy pressure on the 88-member Assembly of Experts to select Mojtaba Khamenei, age 56, as the country's next Supreme Leader. Analysts and regional observers say the IRGC has taken an unusually assertive role in shaping the succession process following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told Newsmax on Wednesday there is "widespread support" among members of the alliance for President Donald Trump's campaign targeting Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. Spain has been the most vocal critic of the ongoing combat operations. F35s flown by British pilots have shot down several Iranian drones that were threatening the country of Jordan. The Iranian regime killed 35,000 peaceful protestors in its own streets in January and February when they sought regime change. This brutal defiance of international norms and Iran's refusal to give up its quest to develop nuclear weapons convinced President Trump that Operation Epic Fury was necessary for the best interests of the United States and the peace of the world. To comment or to ask a question email: brandonmreporter@gmail.com A2 www.ALABAMAGAZETTE.com March 2026 March 2026 Honoring a leader whose devotion to God, family, and the unborn transformed Alabama's moral and political landscape Alabama lost a great man this month—a man whose leadership, convictions, and Christian faith helped shape the moral and political landscape of our state for decades. To know John was to witness a man of purpose and discipline, anchored in Scripture and committed to serving God, his family, and the people of Alabama. His voice carried influence not because it was loud, but because it was principled—rooted in wisdom, humility, and charity. A Life Chosen for Service, Not Wealth John Giles possessed the intellect, business acumen, and leadership presence to lead major corporations and accumulate significant wealth. But he chose a different path—a life of service to Alabama that was grounded in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His work, particularly in the pro-life movement, helped shape policy and raise up leaders who defended the unborn and supported women in crisis pregnancies. John and his wife, Deborah, were instrumental in building a culture to "Choose Life" in Alabama long before national tides shifted. Their efforts were part of the long, faithful march that ultimately led to overturning Roe v. Wade and life for millions of children yet unborn. Faith as His Foundation John's life was rooted in a deep, disciplined Christian faith. Scripture was not an accessory to his leadership—it was his compass. His decisions, conversations, and counsel were shaped by biblical truth and prayerful reflection. He occasionally reminded us that righteousness is not determined by polls and that truth does not rise or fall with public opinion. For him, faithfulness—not accolades—was the standard. Champion of the Family John believed the family was the cornerstone of both culture and citizenship. At a time when cultural norms shift with the wind, he stood firmly on the conviction that healthy families build a healthy Alabama. "Family values" were not talking points to him—they were sacred responsibilities. He spoke with parents, students, educators, and elected officials about raising children in truth, strengthening marriages, and building a foundation of faith for the next generation. Servant Leadership in the Public Arena John brought Servant Leadership into the public arena that had a meaningful lasting impact for Alabama. His service included running a noble campaign for Lieutenant Governor in 1994, serving as Alabama's Small Business Advocate and as Appointments Secretary for Governor Fob James, and leading the state's Existing Business and Industry Services under Governor Guy Hunt. As President of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, John's leadership was transformative. He created a legislative "report card" that helped citizens see clearly how their elected officials actually voted—not how they advertised themselves. That tool became a beacon of transparency in Alabama politics. Those who worked with him described him as a leader marked by humility, compassion, discernment, and the ability to speak truth in a way that healed rather than divided. A Legacy That Lives On Though John Giles has stepped into Glory, his legacy continues—measured not in titles or public acclaim but in the lives he touched. Here are some quotes that reflect the message of his calling: • "The greatest legacy is a life that turns others toward Christ." • "A leader without Scripture is a ship without a compass." • "Strong families build strong communities." • "Alabama's greatness is the character of its people." • "A leader's job is not to echo the crowd but to elevate the conversation." John was a commentator whose newsletters and articles—including many published in 1819 News—combined clarity with conviction, and truth with grace. His writings remain available online and continue to speak directly to Alabama's moral, civic, and spiritual challenges: 1819 News Articles John's newsletters remain available online and continue to be relevant for Alabama: John W. Giles Newsletters including these topics: • Who is driving Alabama's legislative priorities? Not You & Me! • The "Gift" That Keeps on Giving ~ 20th Anniversary of Choose Life Tag • Seven Pillars of Conservatism. • A Quest for Truth ~ A Journey Home! • I Could Have Done More! • Battle for America ~ Fought on Seven Hills. A Christian Life That Shaped Alabama John W. Giles did not simply live in Alabama—he shaped Alabama. He did not just advocate for Christian values—he embodied them. He was a gift from God to the state he loved and served faithfully. He will be deeply missed; however, his wonderful influence will continue for generations. About the Author Jim Burns has been a friend of John W. Giles for 30 years. They worked together on elections and voter education, pro-life campaigns, and in government service. Jim also served as John's "tech support" and mentor in computing and internet technology, sharing many hours of collaboration and friendship over three decades. The Alabama Gazette shares in the loss of John. He was a contributing writere and supporer of the Gazette for many years. He will be greatly missed. A Tribute to John W. Giles: A Statesman Whose Faith and Courage Helped Shape Alabama Mr. John W. Giles, age 71, of Luverne, Alabama died peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at his home. Funeral Mass services was held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at The Church of the Holy Spirit. Prayer services was held 30 minutes prior to Mass. Services was officiated by Father James Dean and directed by Dunklin Funeral Home. JOHN WALLER GILES September 27, 1954 - January 17, 2026 Born in Orlando, FL, John was the second son of William Ollie Giles, Sr. and Mary Ella Waller Giles, brother William Ollie Giles, Jr, and son Micah Worthington Giles, all who proceeded him in death. John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deborah Woodley Giles; children Zaviera Mendenhall Giles George (David George) of Mathews, AL, and Stephen Chadwick Giles (Melisa Quattlebaum Giles) of Eagle Mountain, Utah; twelve (12) Grandchildren Kendall Grace George Leoffler (Joe Leoffler), Rebekah Faith George, Elizabeth Hope George, Deborah Joy George, Seth David George, Anna Mercy George, Luke Stephen George, Oliver Simon George, Vivian Noble George, Victoria Elaine Giles, Felicity Marie Giles, and Carolina Bell Giles; two (2) Great Grandchildren Peter Joseph Leoffler and Maximilian George Leoffler; his sister, Caroline Giles Mixon (Delano Mixon) of Gainesville, GA, and brother Ted Wynn Giles (Donna Giles) of Birmingham, AL; nieces and nephews William Ollie (Trey) Giles III (Monica Duke Giles) and Allison Elizabeth Giles Lefeve (John Lefeve) of Guntersville, AL, Heather Perry McGee (Ross McGee) of Flowery Branch, GA, and Wynn Giles, Jr. (Alexis) of Birmingham, AL; and his Mother-in-law Ruth Woodley. John was a lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama, and Honoraville, AL. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, AL. John was in the family business, Giles Enterprises, Inc. of Montgomery, AL, for the first part of his career. He founded Peaches n' Clean, a carpet cleaning business still in business today. He then entered public life. He ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1994, served as the Small Business Advocate for the State of Alabama and Chief of Existing Business Industry Services under Governor Guy Hunt, and served as the Appointment Secretary for Governor Fob James. He then served as the President of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. In that role, he developed a voting "report card" for Alabama State House and Senate Legislators so constituents would know the voting records of their elected officials. He was a regular article contributor to the Alabama Gazette. He currently worked for First Citizens Bank of Luverne, AL. His journey of faith led him to conversion to the Roman Catholic Church in 2004. He was a staunch advocate of the unborn. He served as the Chairman of the Choose Life License Plates for the State of Alabama. John was bigger than life. He loved laughter. He was bold. He shared his faith and his time with all who called on him. His family is a testament to the love he had for his Sovereign God. John would not want you to look back and say, "what if." Instead, he would say, "be bold, love and cherish each other." John adored his wife Deborah, was so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and loved lending a helping hand to anyone who needed his help. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. John W. Giles Obituary Loretta Grant Editor Founder 2000 Samuel Adams Owner Let's Talk! 334-356-6700 www.alabamagazette.com alabamagazette@gmail.com Local Distribution Map We will be glad to expand to your area. 12 E. Jefferson Street 12 E. Jefferson Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Montgomery, AL 36104 The Gazette, (now The Alabama Gazette) was created in the year 2000 for the people of Central Alabama with the intent of being a thought-provoking, non-partisan publication reaching over 20,000 readers monthly. Written comments, stories, advertisements, social and church events, as well as classifieds are always welcome. The publisher is not responsible for errors in text reprinted from other sources. Furthermore, this publication does not establish due diligence on authors or advertisers and cannot guarantee that their offerings or writings are correct or suitable. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. We reserve the right to print, edit or condense any and all contents submitted. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising and submissions at its own discretion. All articles, ads and photographs may be subject to copyright. Brandon  Moseley Political Reporter Web Manager Mary Wright Layout - Design Office Manager Locally Owned FREE PRESS! March 2026 March 2026 www.ALABAMAGAZETTE.com A3 Steve Flowers is Alabama's leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at: https://steveflowers.us/ INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE With Steve Flowers Folks, we are in for a doozy of a political year in the Heart of Dixie. We have a rare open U.S. Senate race. A senate seat does not come open every year. It was expected, this time last year, that our first term Senator Tommy Tuberville would run for a second six-year term in 2026. However, Tuberville's decision to leave the U.S. Senate to run for Governor, left the barn door open for our second U.S. Senate seat. The seat will be filled by a Republican. We are a solidly Republican State. Therefore, the GOP Primary on May 19 will be our election. As the barn door closed for qualifying three weeks ago, the field, as expected, yielded five combatants: Alabama two-term Attorney General Steve Marshall, South Alabama Congressman Barry Moore, Navy Seal Jared Hudson, Trump and Tuberville staffer Morgan Murphy, and Lineville businessman Rodney Walker. There are two distinctive roles that a U.S. Senator takes. One is to be an ideologue. Another is to be an effective facilitator and advocate and bring home the bacon for their state. Fortunately, for Alabama's sake, we had a facilitator and extremely effective U.S. Senator for 36 years in Senator Richard Shelby. It is because of Senator Shelby that UAB, Huntsville, and Mobile have become the beacons of economic growth and prosperity for our state. For decades, we had a tandem in the Senate that were the ultimate gentlemen, powerful, facilitator senators in America. This duo of Lister Hill and John Sparkman were two of our greatest Senators in Alabama history. Senator Shelby joined them in rounding out our three greatest Senators. Shelby probably eclipsed the magnificent Hill and Sparkman. John Sparkman was the Father of Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal. Lister Hill was the Father of the UAB Medical Center. Richard Shelby became the grandfather of these two Alabama economic gems. Shelby took Huntsville and UAB to unimaginable plateaus that Hill and Sparkman could not even imagine. For almost two decades, we had a two-man tag team of effective statesmen, respected and feared U.S. Senators in Richard Shelby, and the amicable, colorful, witty, and quietly powerful Senator Judge Howell Heflin. Fortunately, for Alabama's sake, Shelby mentored and facilitated the election of his successor Katie Britt. Senator Katie Boyd Britt has the makings of being one of the greatest U.S. Senators in Alabama history. She will join Shelby, Hill, and Sparkman in the annals of effectiveness. In fact, she has gotten off to a faster start than all three combined. She got there at a much earlier age and attained committee assignments never seen by any freshman senator in Alabama nor American history. It is unheard of for any state to have any of their senators on Appropriations, Rules, Banking, and Judiciary, much less a freshman senator. At the beginning of the race, it looked like a two-man contest between Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and Second District Congressman Barry Moore. However, with the endorsement of Congressman Barry Moore by President Donald Trump, coupled with Moore receiving the endorsement and total support of the deep pocketed, dark money, right-wing, Republican Club for Growth, this tandem makes Moore a prohibitive favorite. Prior to Trump's entry, it was developing as possibly an interesting contest for the open seat. Attorney General Steve Marshall was poised to give Moore a good race. He has been elected twice statewide and has some base of support. The three unknowns, Jared Hudson, Morgan Murphy, and Rodney Walker, are running spirited campaigns. The Daddy Warbucks Club for Growth endorsement of Moore is important because the key to any senate primary election is who has the most campaign money to spend. Money is the mother's milk of politics. Money buys media. Media appearances equate into votes. It is a given that whichever of these five GOP candidates wins, Katie Britt will be joined by an ideologue. So, it does not matter who of the five we send to Washington, they will see their role as being a right-wing, Fox news chasing, ineffective senator. Both Steve Marshall and Barry Moore have a proven track record that dictates that is their perception of their political role. They will neither one care nor have any interest in being effective for Alabama. Steve Flowers is Alabama's leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us. Alabama Has a Rare Senate Seat Opening This Year The views of submitted editorials may not be the express views of The Alabama Gazette. The views of submitted editorials may not be the express views of The Alabama Gazette. Across Alabama, families know what inflation feels like. It isn't an academic debate. It is the extra money at the grocery store. It is the gas pump climbing higher than it should. It is the uneasy realization that your paycheck simply does not stretch as far as it once did. For two years under the previous administration, that pressure was constant. Inflation hit 40-year highs. Retirement accounts dipped. Small businesses absorbed rising input costs. Working families carried the burden. That is the backdrop against which President Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union address, and it is why the speech resonated far beyond Washington. As Louisiana Senator John Kennedy put it, "When moms and dads lie down to sleep at night and can't, they're worried about the cost of living. President Trump's making it clear tonight: tackling this issue is his top priority." Sen. Tommy Tuberville brought the kind of coachstyle clarity Alabama voters appreciate. "We have HUGE tax cuts, a secure border, manufacturing coming home, and our armed forces once again rebuilt, refocused, and ready to defend American interests anywhere in the world. America is STRONG, and we can't stop winning." The key word in that sentence is winning. Because this speech was not built on promises. It was built on results. Inflation has cooled dramatically from its peak. Real wages are rising again. When President Trump declared this the "golden age of America," critics scoffed. But golden compared to what? Compared to nine percent inflation? Compared to border chaos? Compared to energy dependence and supply chain breakdowns? Contrast gives clarity. And the contrast this year is unmistakable. The centerpiece of the speech was the One Big Beautiful Bill, which permanently locks in the 2017 tax cuts and blocks what would have been a $4.3 trillion tax hike. Kennedy laid it out plainly: the average tax filer will see a $3,750 tax cut in 2026. That is not theory. That is groceries, braces for a teenager, vehicle repairs, savings. More importantly for working Alabamians, the bill delivers targeted relief that speaks directly to the middle class: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits. Tuberville called them " For waitresses in Hoover, welders in Prattville, nurses in Daphne, retirees in Enterprise, that relief is tangible. This is how economic growth compounds. Families keep more of their own money. Businesses reinvest. Hiring expands. Confidence rises. It is real bottom-up momentum rather than Government top-down redistribution. But if the economic message was strong, the emotional contrast of the night may have been even stronger. How do you not stand when the gallery is filled with families whose loved ones were violently murdered by illegal aliens? How do you remain seated when military heroes are honored? When members of the USA Hockey team are recognized? When grieving parents are acknowledged in front of the entire nation? You do not have to agree with every policy. You do not have to applaud every line. But when American families who have buried their children are being recognized, basic human decency should not be partisan. That moment said more than any protest ever could. It may well have been the strongest State of the Union address since Ronald Reagan - clear in purpose, confident in delivery, and unapologetic about putting American citizens first. President Trump asked every Congressman and Senator to stand for Americans over illegal immigrants. Not one Democrat stood. That was not about legislative nuance. It was about alignment. And the visual told its own story. The border turnaround underscores that alignment. For nine consecutive months, Border Patrol has released zero illegal aliens into the interior of the United States. That is not symbolism. That is operational control. Border security is public safety. It is drug interdiction. It is restoring federal authority. Senator Tuberville said it plainly: "Border security is national security." Tariffs are again being used as leverage, and manufacturing is returning because the playing field is no longer tilted against American workers. That shift does not happen overnight, but it begins with clarity and enforcement. Meanwhile, many Democrats chose boycott, protest, or visible silence. Elections are rarely decided by a single speech. But they are shaped by contrasts. On one side: permanent tax relief, border enforcement, energy expansion, economic resurgence. On the other: resistance to the very policies now producing measurable stabilization. With midterms approaching, control of Congress will determine whether tax relief remains permanent, whether border enforcement continues, and whether economic momentum accelerates or stalls. Those stakes are not abstract. They determine paychecks, security, and growth. Championship teams do not coast when they have the lead. They press the advantage. They finish strong. The golden age is not a slogan. It is a direction. And for the first time in several years, that direction feels unmistakably upward. Perry O. Hooper Jr. is a former state representative, a current member of the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee, the 2016 Trump Victory Chair, and a widely published columnist on politics and current affairs. New Golden Age Real Results; President Trump's Message Left Democrats Speechless Perry O. Hooper Jr. Founder Let the People Speak Former Alabama State Representative Alabama State Republican Executive Committee www.letthepepoplespeak.us (L-R) Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald J. Trump, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson A4 www.ALABAMAGAZETTE.com March 2026 March 2026 I believe you just answered a question on AI (artificial intelligence) relative to the legal field in December 2025. Are there other areas where AI has created cause for concern? AI, as I said in December is a hot topic. Technology has the ability to be so useful to humans. But three things often happen. Number One, its limitation may not be readily discernable, Two, it may be used in ways that "machine learning" has not yet achieved and Three, there are too many bad people out there that figure out how to misuse the technology. The items I discuss here are not meant to create panic or to imply that AI will do away with jobs. Everything that I discuss requires human input and human oversight. You will note from several of the examples that I use that human scrutiny would have often prevented AI generated errors by not taking in faith what AI reports. In December, I had advocated for one word- CAUTION! AI's flaws have become evident for instance in law, medicine and research among many other uses. AI has misidentified structures in imaging modalities, placing them in wrong locations. I have seen many tools over decades that attempted to provide the outlining of internal body structures. The original tools used libraries which were full of physician expert identified and contoured normal structures. But all of these products failed in a way that medical professionals needing to use these as tools lost faith in the years of promises with very slow progress. Then came AI and the accuracy significantly increased. But to a fault, in that some medical professionals needing contoured organs revealed in medical imaging took too much faith in the tools. Fortunately, the faith in tools was usually greater in less important organs and human attention played a larger part in the identification and contouring of the organs more relevant to normal or diseased organs. Johnson and Johnson, subcompany Accelerant touted in 2021an AI based software for its TruDi Navigation system for ENT surgeries. Over the next four years, there were at least ten patients injured mostly because the navigational system misidentified appropriate locations inside ENT connected areas. The base of one patient's skull was punctured, another had a cerebrospinal fluid leak caused by the device, and in two patients a major artery was damaged causing a stroke in each of the two patients. While the two stroke patients both filed suit asserting the cause from AI use, the investigations have not yet confirmed or ruled that out. In addition to this device, there are over 1,300 other devices. It was reported that one AI heart monitor device misidentified abnormal heartbeats and a diagnostic ultrasound device also using AI software misidentified body parts of an unborn child. There are reports of many individuals seeking to self-diagnose by utilizing a chatbot. The braver souls learn from the chat bot and use the information to either challenge their physician or engage more deeply in the discussion of their own care. I learned long ago that people need health care advocates whether it is the patient or an individual that will champion their health. In December, of course I had discussed AI in law and pointed out the many cases now referred to as hallucinations that never existed and were made up by AI. Hallucinations describe AI made up cases to support the legal theories of a lawyer whether they be for the plaintiff, the prosecution or the defendant either in civil or criminal trials or appeals. Several attorneys have already received harsh tongue lashings from the bench to include sanctions that for the most part are intended to hurt financially. The Alabama Supreme Court has become involved in the oversight of this technology when misuse or misapplication has reared its ugly head. Finally, one more area of AI use that I pretty much bet each of you have engaged in has to do with the AI overview summary that you probably review each time you "google" a subject. I am as guilty as the rest of you. Within this article I have discussed AI hallucinations which in the legal world are made up legal cases. I would say that anything that you research has an opportunity to include one or more hallucinations. I think its okay that you read the AI overview or summary but don't take those results as the gospel. I would advocate looking further down at the results and read text from reputable sourced, non AI generated websites. Read them for yourself and not just one source at the top because you need to have a good understanding of what you seek to know and not from a single source. In connection with the above paragraph, came a warning via an article available online from Wired magazine. Looking back to the AI generated overview, look to see if hyperlinks have been generated especially if it is related to a product or service you wish to pay for. The Wired magazine article suggests that AI may generate a scam hyperlink within the article. AI gathers information from multiple web sites, not looking to see nor understanding if the link to a company is legitimate or not. Those that may seek to scam you may have multiple sites on the internet with scam links to hopefully take your money. After all, if you get an email for instance that claims your subscription to an internet security service has expired and gives you an easy link through which you can pay do you blindly follow that link and pay? If I question the need to renew a subscription, I will find the legitimate web site and sign in to my account to determine if my subscription has really expired. Usually, I find it has not expired. But if it has expired, I can use a link in the recognized legitimate web site to take care of business. When AI is gathering information for its overview it will tend to gather the most information even if that information is from unreputable web sites. There are reports of people calling telephone numbers linked to the overview and having the individual on the other end answer as if they are in customer service for that company. They will gladly take your information and payment. Your money and information may now be in the hands of a scammer. AI can be a good tool, but use the common sense that God gave you. The Bible contains the gospel truth, don't take AI blindly as the gospel. This article is informative only and not meant to be all inclusive. Additionally this article does not serve as legal advice to the reader and does not constitute an attorney- client relationship. The reader should seek counsel from their attorney should any questions exist. "No representation is made that the quality of legal services performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers." Mailing address: Ronald A. Holtsford, Esq. Ronald A. Holtsford, LLC 7956 Vaughn Road, Box #124 Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 220-3700 raholtsford@aol.com Are there other areas where AI has created cause for concern? Ronald A. Holtsford Americans across the country are preparing for tax season as W-2s make their way to everyone's mailboxes. People often compare filling out their tax forms to learning a new language because of how stressful and confusing it can be. However, this year, I'm proud to say that Alabamians will be bringing home more money than ever thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts — formerly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. From Marshall to Baldwin County, Alabamians in EVERY county will get to keep more of their hard-earned money this year. We have finally done something about the affordability crisis Americans are facing rather than spewing talking points in the face of working-class Americans who are looking for answers. On July 4, 2025, President Trump gave our nation's birthday yet another reason to be celebrated when he signed into law the most historic tax cuts of my lifetime. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, the average American will see a $3,752 tax cut in 2026, combining to a total of $50 billion more in tax returns this year. We not only prevented the largest tax hike in history, but we cemented into law CRITICAL pro-growth tax provisions that are already delivering for Alabamians. For the first time in decades, forgotten Americans have been remembered. Bluecollar workers, who make our country go round, are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Nearly 50% of Alabamians will benefit from this bill — especially our seniors and service industry workers No Tax on Overtime One of the provisions I'm most proud of is No Tax on Overtime, which I was proud to lead in the U.S. Senate. Thousands of Alabamians put in well over 40 hours a week so they can save for retirement, put their kids through college, and keep our state running. The idea that these extra hours would be punished in their tax filings is a disgrace to the American dream of hard work and achievement. Thankfully, paying taxes on overtime is now a thing of the past. Removing taxes on overtime pay is also a huge win for our brave law enforcement officers who often serve long hours keeping us safe. Now more than ever, we empower those who are putting themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. Police, construction workers, truck drivers, first responders, and many more will see the fruit of their labor in a new way come April. It is past time that their hard-earned time and money should be felt in their wallets. No Tax On Tips No Tax on Tips is another example of keeping hard-earned money in taxpayers' accounts instead of giving our bloated government more money to waste. We expect the best hospitality and service from many workers who are in customeroriented roles. When customers tip them, we have been falsely led to believe the whole amount will be kept by the employee we are gifting a tip to. I'd like to think giving a tip would mean something to the worker — a tangible expression of gratitude from their customer. Unfortunately, those tips have been taxed, and those workers haven't been rewarded the whole amount they are given. The Fed has long been scamming the service industry, but not anymore. Now, regularly tipped workers can claim up to $25,000 for deductions. This is huge win for the people who we trust to meet the everyday needs so many of us take for granted. Nearly 143,000 Alabamians received Social Security checks in 2024. Seniors work the majority of their adult lives so that they can retire comfortably. But, since the 80s, the government has been double taxing these benefits. We spend our entire adult lives paying taxes on the income we earn during of our careers, and up until now, retirees have been taxed AGAIN on their Social Security benefits. Not only do these historical tax cuts end that practice, but my bill, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, would do so too. Our seniors shouldn't have to get to the end of their careers and then get hit with yet another tax. Thanks to President Trump's leadership with the Working Families Tax Cuts, we are finally putting American taxpayers FIRST. The No Tax on Social Security provision is a rare and welcome victory for adults 65 and older who should rightfully reap the reward of their years of labor. The great Charlie Kirk famously charged Americans to, "get married and have kids," any chance he could. America is staring a population decline dead in the face as a result of the affordability crisis that has gone unaddressed for TOO LONG. Too many people tell me they feel that their work is for nothing. Our Founding Fathers would be ashamed of how we've used our own government to destroy the American Dream. It is the least we can do to honor Charlie's legacy by making the American Dream within reach to anyone who wants it. The Working Families Tax Cuts gives Americans the chance to take their lives back into their own hands and feel like their work is NOT in vain. Whether it is through Trump Accounts, empowering small businesses by job creation and tax deduction, direct tax-free K-12 education scholarships, ridding fraud from the health care system, defunding large abortion providers, empowering law enforcement and securing our border, or eliminating costly regulations on automakers and farmers, EVERY working family will have new avenues to SAVE their money and THRIVE. Tax season should be a stepping stool into helping Alabama's working families plan their future, and these tax cuts will do just that. Taking Back the American Dream GOD BLESS AMERICA! March 2026 March 2026 www.ALABAMAGAZETTE.com A5 Back in 1968, former Stanford University Professor Paul R. Ehrlich wrote a controversial book titled "The Population Bomb." Due to rapid worldwide population growth, many people were encouraged to bear fewer children and have smaller families to prevent catastrophic overcrowding and shortages of everything from food to living space. Since the book's publication, fertility rates worldwide have actually dropped. People started to display signs of relief. But the drop has not been equal. It has been concentrated in the responsible first world countries—mostly Europe and North America. The destitute third world countries showed some declines, but
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