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Rev. Jesse Jackson: Republicans About to Show True Colors
Republicans ran as wolves in sheep’s clothing this year. But now voters will see the sheep garb discarded and the wolf come out. Remember the talk about deficits? Forget about it.

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It is fun being part of a big catfish story that has a fantastic ending, even for the fish!  In addition to having a restful time on a warm black night at the edge of the river bank, I had only received a few bug bites and I hadn’t fallen into the water once!  It was a good night!

I didn’t catch a lot of fish that evening; just a few small catfish.  My cousin and a buddy of his were the ones that capped off the evening with a whopper.  The following is my account of their story:

About 10:30 last Friday evening, I decided to call it a night of fishing, pack up my gear and head to the house.  My two younger fishing buddies decided to stay and go out in their little 12 foot skiff with a 10 horsepower motor.  We hadn’t used the boat because it was designed for two people, not three.

By the time I got home and washed the sweat and bug repellant off my body, it was just approaching midnight.  I had just gotten to sleep when the phone rang, shocking me out of a dream of big fish and palm trees.

Expecting the worst from a middle of the night phone call I was surprised to hear my cousin excitingly telling me that they had a fish on the line. They had been fighting it for over an hour. 

He told me that after I left they had gotten into the small boat and moved about 75 yards away to deeper water.  From there they could see the lights of their camp.  Without that campfire the river would have been as black as inside of one of the caves that dappled the stone cliffs on the opposite bank.

Bill and my cousin Dave continued fishing after I left.  They were anchored near a deep hole in the Tennessee River about three miles east of Decatur, Alabama.  The depth finder noted that it was about 42 feet from the surface to the bottom of the river at the point where they tossed their baited hooks into the water.

Fishing at night on any body of water is a spooky proposition, especially when your fishing line is tight with something deep under the surface of the water thrashing about trying to throw the hook.

Dave called me again at two in the morning, still excited but exhausted from a three hour battle with a huge blue catfish.  Every time the fish came close to the skiff it would turn and make a mad dash toward Mobile. They were only using 25 pound test monofilament and had to be careful not to put more stress on the line than was necessary.

Earlier that afternoon, they had stopped at the mouth of a creek that was flowing into the river and had caught several shad.  As cut bait, a hunk of shad on a hook is hard to beat as bait for a hungry catfish. 

Their fish had scooped up the bait from the bottom of the river and for three hours maintained a constant pull on their line.  At times it seemed like they had hooked onto a submarine.

Finally when both the fish and the fishermen were worn out, they pulled the cat fish up to the boat and immediately decided that the thrashing fish would tear their craft to pieces of they were able to get it on board. They did the next best thing and tied the monster to the outside of the boat. 

A fish this size has to be weighed and photographed or else it’s just another tall tale about the one that got away.  They lashed the fish to the outside of the boat with the anchor rope. They called a friend who would bring a set of bathroom scales and a camera and meet them at a marina about three miles away.

After weighing Dave, the two other guys lifted the catfish and put him in his arms.  The difference in the two weights was 67 pounds.  The length was 5 feet, 7 inches.  That was some catfish.

Ever the sportsmen, the trio returned the fish to the river.  After a pat on the head, the fish, which they had now taken to calling Charlie, twisted out of their grasp and returned to the river. 

The opposite of everything is true
The late Kwame Turé (Stokely Carmichael) used to talk about how, when as a young Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee organizer he’d gone South to face down the endemic violence of Jim Crow, the racism which had always defined the character of a country reserved at its inception for the enjoyment of “free, white men” was always and everywhere openly displayed.

Read more on Boulder Weekly

The picturesque waterfront destination that is Gulf Shores, Alabama is the perfect place for your next getaway vacation if the sound of stunning sands, crystal clear water, and numerous attractions is music to your ears. Whether you want to lounge along the Gulf Coast or set out on an adventure full of recreational pursuits, Gulf Shores has everything you need for a memorable and exciting retreat.

While most vacation destinations boast of pristine beaches and gorgeous, warm waters, Gulf Shores lives up to its reputation with some of the most incredibility beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Image miles and miles of sugar white sand that pierces into crisp, clean, emerald waters, and you have barely come to grasp how truly breathtaking this area is. With water temperatures around 70 degrees year-round and hardly a day where you need to fight for the perfect sunning spot, the beaches of Gulf Shores are definitely a worthwhile reason to check out this little vacation spot.

When searching for a place to pursue your favorite waterfront activities, consider the two and half miles of pure excitement that Gulf State Park has to offer. In addition to the swimming, surfing, shelling, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities off of its sun-kissed beaches, visitors also have access to freshwater fishing, swimming, and boating on the 900-acre Lake Shelby.

For those who want to explore the natural wonders of coastal Alabama, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent spot for viewing the native flora and fauna of the region. There are two hiking trails, the four mile Pine Beach Trail and the one mile Jeff Friend Trail, that wind through the gorgeous landscape and offer the possibility of a coyote, red fox, bobcat, alligator, or armadillo sighting. Sea turtle nesting season lasts from mid-May through mid-August, and migratory birds use the area as a stopover in April, May, September, and October.

Always a favorite way to unwind and soak in the scenery of Gulf Shores, golf enthusiasts can experience the best course in the state at the nearby Kiva Dunes Golf Club. Integrated perfectly into the natural flow of the land, players of all skill levels will welcome the unforgettable experience of playing a round on this exceptionally manicured and challenging course. Two other excellent options in Gulf Shores are the Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend Golf Courses. Both Arnold Palmer-designed, Cotton Creek features rolling hills, difficult bunker locations, and glistening lake hazards, while Cypress Bend offers an open course complete with expansive bunkers and water hazards that penalize inaccuracy off the tee.

A truly accommodating vacation spot, Gulf Shores, Alabama features numerous family-oriented attractions to compliment your time away from the sparkling sands. Waterville USA is a classic choice with its 20-acre water and amusement park that is sure to keep even the most discerning child smiling the entire day. The water park is home to a massive wave pool, a relaxing float river, and numerous thrilling water slides, while the amusement park includes a roller coaster, mini-golf, laser tag, and much more. Another option that is sure to please is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, where children can get up-close to all of their favorite animals and enjoy other features such as the reptile house and petting zoo.

Gulf Shores is an exciting vacation destination where adults and children alike can experience the action-packed, activity-filled getaway they always wanted. To make your trip as convenient and relaxing as possible without sacrificing a prime waterfront location, stay in a spacious Gulf Shores condo rental that offers all of the amenities and comforts of home. When you have enough space to comfortably accommodate your entire family in addition to extras such as wireless internet, plenty of beach towels, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private pool, you really can experience the coastal vacation you have been dreaming about.