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Editorials/Columns
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Reverend Can’t Get Right
he image of the sleazy
preacher who can't wait until he gets his hand inside of your pocket, or who sleeps with as many women in his congregation as possible, has been a staple of Black come- dies for decades. Typically, this over-the-top character is an exaggerated version of the minister most of us remember listening to every Sunday dur- ing the church services we at- tended with our parents or grandparents.
Even though most of us know that, for the most part, the average church pastor isn't as despicable as the one de- picted in the movies, there are times when the line between real life and fiction becomes blurred. And, when that hap- pens, it's often hard to figure out which was the inspiration for the other?
Such is the case with Rev. Dr. Henry Lyons, the man whose antics over the years make you wonder if he's the living embodiment of what we always viewed as a joke, or if he's simply using what he's seen on the big screen as a template for his own bad be- havior?
It seems like just yesterday that the Bay Area church com- munity was welcoming Rev. Lyons back into the fold with open arms after his 4-year prison stint for mail fraud. The faithful and forgiving took him at his word when he acknowl-
edged the mistakes he'd made and applauded him when he appeared genuinely thankful for the opportunity he was given to resume his calling to do “God’s work.”
Fourteen years have passed since that warm reception and what we assumed was Rev. Lyons' first step toward re- deeming his good name. Now, with the revelation that he may have been involved with the misappropriation of fed- eral grant funding for his church, New Salem Mission- ary Baptist, the godly de- meanor he displayed back then seems like nothing more than a smoke screen.
Granted, the investigation into his alleged wrongdoing is still ongoing. But there's no denying that the optics of his alleged deviousness are horri- ble.
The skepticism surrounding his guilt or innocence probably wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have such a shady history. But, the fact is that, the charges being leveled against him are eerily similar to those that sent him to prison the first time.
For Rev. Lyons’ sake, you want to believe that this is all a part of some enormous mis- understanding. But it's hard to give him the benefit of the doubt when prominent mem- bers of his church have, not only, accused him of stealing their money but, have also, barred him and his wife, Mrs.
Willie B. Lyons, from step- ping onto church property. I mean, let's be honest, it takes a whole lot of under-handed- ness to cause devout followers of Jesus to become that fed up with your crap?
Add to this crazy scandal the presence of the F.B.I. and you can see this ordeal turning even uglier rather quickly.
The saddest part of it all, if these allegations are true, is that it means Rev. Lyons be- trayed the trust of the people who looked beyond his previ- ous indiscretions and allowed him to lead their flock. It's bad enough that he, potentially, vi- olated his oath to God by com- mitting a crime against his neighbors but, to stab them in the back in the process is downright reprehensible.
Of course, until there is a conviction or at least an indict- ment, Rev. Lyons should still be considered an innocent man. But, on the off chance that he and his wife are proven to be first-class scoundrels, I suggest that, when they have their chance to speak before a judge, they request to be sent to a federal prison complex where a female camp and a male facility are in close prox- imity.
That way, after they're sent up the road to begin their sen- tences, they can take comfort in knowing that they're at least serving time in the same zip code.
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Wake Up Or Swim: A Summer Earth Alert
he questions now are: where will people living along the
Hillsborough River relocate to, when their homes be- come inundated by high tide waters in 2030? And, will the Courtney Campbell Causeway be under water by 2050?
Who knows? By 2025, perhaps, all low-lying area roads here will be lined by vertical rulers as they are now in Nor- folk, Virginia, warning motorists that the flood waters are too deep for certain vehicles.
Indeed, five Solomon Islands in the Pacific have disap- peared under rising sea level, while six others have lost large portions of land. And sadly, villagers on other Pacific islands have been or are being relocated (Kiribati Islands, The Torres Strait Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Carteret Islands etc.).
The National Academy of Sciences predicted that by 2100, sea level could increase by anywhere from 16 inches to 56 inches depending on how the earth responds to changing cli- mate.
So, when Tybee Island, Georgia is cut off from the main- land because the only road is under water; when Fort Laud- erdale must use vacuum trucks to suck saltwater off the streets, and our U. S. naval bases are at risk of being flooded, it will be past time to admit the reality of global warming. And searching for the answers will be too late.
doing so he sacrificed his career for us since the NFL is apparently boycotting him.
Not only has he sacrificed his career, Kapernick has given food to starving Somalions and
$50,000 recently to MEALS ON WHEELS among other good deeds.
The third stanza of “The Star Spangled Banner” is directed at the Colonial Marines,” a
regiment of SLAVES, fighting with the British who had promised about 4,000 of them their FREEDOM!
In the third stanza of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Key is taking satisfaction in the killing of these SLAVE MARINES. The hireling that he speaks of are MERCENARIES. Both groups he hates.
Some of the BLACK BRITISH MARINES were involved in the SACKING and BURNING of the White House.
“The Star Spangled Banner” does not include US (Black People)!!!! It represents white su- premacy.
DON’T STAND FOR IT!
BOYCOTT FOOTBALL until COLIN KAPERNICK IS HIRED.
WILLIAM E. HINES, MSGT. USAF (RET.)
The Star Spangled Banner
AMPA – The National Anthem is a celebration of SLAV-
ERY, written by the racist slave owner and white su- premacist, Francis Scott Key.
Francis Scott Key was made wealthy by generations of his family’s SLAVE OWNING and the SALE and FREE LABOR of OUR SLAVE ANCESTORS.
The anthem was written during the fighting between the British and Americans in the Battle of Fort Henry during the War of 1812. It was a war in which the Americans failed in their attempt to take Canada from Great Britain.
In the past most of us knew nothing about the history of The National Anthem or all of its verses. But now thanks to Colin Kapernick the song has been exposed for the RACIST RAG THAT IT IS!
Unless you have been hiding under a rock, all Black people should know now that when Key wrote about the land of the FREE he DID NOT MEAN BLACK PEOPLE who were EN- SLAVED at the time and were considered “BEING OF AN IN- FERIOR ORDER.”
For any Black person to stand for “The Star Spangled Banner” is not only to DISHONOR YOURSELF, but also Colin Kapernick, who is responsible for exposing the anthem. By
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5
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