December 13, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 25, Issue 46
“Our vote and our money are the two most powerful things we have. Be careful who you give them to.” - Roy Douglas Malonson
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
VACCINES ON THE WAY, ARE THEY SAFE?
By: N.L. Preston
RS DEER RANCH PURCHASES THE REFUGE DEER HERD By: Ginny Grimsley
Whitetail deer in the wild don’t migrate; they remain in an area about the size of seven square blocks all year. But, this year, some of the most prestigious of the species in the country are making a move south about 250 miles this December 2020. The Refuge Herd—an old, established herd from which 90% of the Whitetail deer herds
in Texas can claim a pedigree—will be transported by air-conditioned blackout trailers from Glenn Sodd’s “The Refuge” ranch in Corsicana to the RS Deer Ranch owned by Roy Douglas and Shirley Ann Malonson in Waller County, Texas as a result of a full sale of the herd. These 380 deer that make up The Refuge Herd have been in development since the
late 80’s. Glenn Sodd, a lawyer with a love for the outdoors and a piece of land near Corsicana along the Trinity River began breeding Whitetail deer when there were only a handful of breeders in Texas. He was interested in creating strong bucks with trophy antlers in order to attract hunters to his land in order to sustain it. When he began consistently turning up bucks with
over 200-inch scores in the early 2000’s, it became a true familyowned business, and his son-in-law Chris McSpadden took on the operation. Chris did everything from marketing and sales to feeding and caring for The Refuge Herd of Whitetails and has done so for the last 20 years. “It’s high maintenance, and it’s not a
Deer cont’d page 4
HOUSTON – Texans may soon start breathing some cautious sighs of relief as the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine, which includes 224,250 doses to 109 Texas hospitals in 34 counties, are set to arrive on Dec. 14, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Those amounts are barely enough to scratch the surface, with 30 million people in the state of Texas alone, so who will be among the selected to receive the first shots, and many are wondering if they are safe to take. State officials have decided that health care workers will be vaccinated first, followed by nursing home staffers, emergency medical ser-
vice drivers, paramedics and home health aides workers in an effort to “protect those caring for COVID-19 patients and preserve the health care system’s ability to function.” “The State of Texas is already prepared for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine and will swiftly distribute these vaccines to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a release. “As we await the first shipment of these vaccines, we will work with communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” The vaccine will be spread across 21 hospitals in Harris County, four in Montgomery County, one in Galves-
Vaccine cont’d page 5
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December 13, 2020
EDITORIAL
President/Chief Editor
Tristar
Griselda Ramirez: Production
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ambassador Greenfield’s GUMBO DIPLOMACY
Distinguished author Richard Haas’ best seller, “The World in Disarray,” finds in highest expression at the close of the Keystone Cop’s four-year global conflict resolution. Another Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated two weeks ago. This assassination will disrupt the peace process in the Middle East and will certainly destabilize the region. VP Honorable Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and that meteoric black woman diplomat from Louisiana, Linda Thomas-Greenfield
will have to put the world back together after four years of incompetence. African nations are at war. Ethiopia has never been subjugated, but the Tigray and Orono ethnic groups are slaughtering each other. In Mozambique, marauding bands are massacring innocent noncombatants. The largest nation in the world, the Sudan, stops the ethnic hostilities. Nigeria, Niger and Somalia are facing unrelenting insurgencies from religious fanatics. Nigeria has turned a blind eye to human rights violations. In Asia, there is a hot war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is snapshot of an unstable international order in an America first world. I ask my readers to remember that Africa is a continent, not a country. There is a desert in Africa the size of the continental United States. There are only about 1,500 ethnic groups in Africa. The 20th largest economy in the world is in Africa-Republic of South Africa. I was forced to divert and counter perceptions and misinformation about “The Motherland” because the mainstream news media is Euro-centric in the reporting of
Greenfield cont’d page 6
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
Fools Cannot Be Convinced Against Their Will! Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists cannot be convinced against their wills, because you leave them confused still. Just as everyone has a nose; everyone has an opinion. However, seemingly Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists allowed a fool (TRUMP) to convince them that is alright to substitute one sin for another sin (Supreme Court Justices) against the will of God. If this is what they want Americans to believe, then they are sadly mistaken, because we know that they voted for someone who thinks the way they think: White Privilege. God-fearing Americans know, because the Bible tells us so: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
his own conceit.” “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.” (Proverbs 26: 4-6). Donald Trump has told over 25,000 public lies and counting, and every Christian knows that God hates a lying tongue, because lying is the beginning of sin. Thus, Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists are guilty of sins against God and man, because they knew when Trump’s lips were moving: “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” The proof in the pudding is in the tasting. Hence, the majority of Americans voted for Biden/Harris, because God-fearing Americans know that: “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” Currently, Trump, Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists are doing their devilish best to change the results of one of the fairest election in the history of the USA. However, Christian-minded individuals know that: “Fools make a mock of sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” (Proverbs 14: 9). God is in charge. He
sits high, and looks low, and only fools say there is no GOD. Hence, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists there is a way that seems right, but the end thereof is the ways of death. Many Americans; especially Christian Right Evangelicals and GOP Loyalists under the leadership mentality of Trump willingly walked away from the FAITH, but know this: “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” (Proverbs 21:16). God is pleading with Trumpsters to terminate their membership in the Trump-WalkingDead-Congregation for the sake of their souls and the soul of the nation and to God be the glory, honor and power. And, to every American the spiritual rewards of peace and prosperity, because we have overcome lies, lies, damn lies, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Selah! - AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
December 13, 2020
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Deer cont’d cheap business to be in. The deer need a lot of attention, and as much as we love and respect this herd, as our family changes, we needed to shift our business to fit those changes.” So they put the word
rs deer ranch two color logo
December 13, 2020 out to Derald McMaster and Greg Carswell at Big Time Whitetails and Exotics that they were looking for a buyer for the whole herd. “We thought of two or three of our very best clients and told them that this herd was going to be available for sale. The Malonsons were the ones who saw the true vision of what owning this herd
meant to the industry and to their business. We couldn’t be happier for all parties, including the herd itself,” says McMaster, who runs the marketing side of Big Time Whitetails and Exotics and will be handling all the marketing and sales for RS Deer Ranch going forward. Though the change is bittersweet for Chris McSpadden and his family, they’re thrilled to have the Malonsons take over the herd they’ve created over these 30 years. “We don’t just have a financial value on these
animals, we have a deep respect for them. Sometimes, we lose one that we’ve raised, and, I tell you, it chokes you up.” You don’t always hear ranchers speak this way about their livestock, but Chris does. What makes sense about this transfer of this herd from one family to another is that Roy Douglas and Shirley Ann speak very similarly about their own herd: “Our deer
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION are easy to handle and deal with because we are out there with them every day. They love peanuts, and they are happy to see us coming because they know they’re about to get a treat.” Shirley Ann’s love for their animals is evident in the way their herd responds to being handled for movement and breeding. Shirley Ann evaluates the fawns in the summer and watches them grow daily into majestic adults. is an asset as the Malonsons take on this new journey with The Refuge herd. That kind of daily care is a large part of the secret to The Refuge Herd’s success story. “The Malonsons are everything we could have hoped for this herd. They’re honest, driven people who have a desire to make this herd even better than it already is. The world needs more people like them,” says Chris McSpadden when asked why he chose to sell this well-known herd to the Malonsons when there are over 957 deer breeders in Texas. Much has changed around the RS Deer Ranch since 2008.
They now have two thriving Whitetail herds certified by the Texas Animal Health Commission with one of those herd at the highest tier of certification as well as some of the best Fallow deer in Texas. 70 acres of their 251-acre ranch in Waller County are dedicated to the deer in their care. RS Deer Ranch is permitted for 500 deer, and they have the seasoned facilities and know-how to make a home for the 380 in the Refuge Herd. “I plan to sell off most of my own herd but the very best because with a herd as special as The Refuge, there’s no need to mix them. They’re pretty perfect as they are.” The Malonsons maintain hunting lodge facilities as well as deer breeding operations for Whitetail and Fallow deer on their RS Deer Ranch, convenient to Houston by 50 miles and College Station by 35. With the accumulation of The Refuge Herd, Roy Douglas and Shirley Ann, are now set to become one of the leaders in this billion dollar industry in Texas. - AANI
For more information about the RS Deer Ranch: 979-921-9908
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Vaccine cont’d
persons could spread the virus to others, and we may have to wait until February or March to find out. With that in mind, people are reminded to continue to take safeguards and follow safety guidelines in order to protect themselves and others against COVID-19.
ton County and one in Fort Bend County. Larger allotments are expected in January and in the following months. But many are apprehensive to take the immuniza-
tions, especially Black Americans, still exhibiting mistrust and distrust developed from the infamous Tuskegee Experiment. The head of the U.S. vaccine development effort, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, said he believes the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, and could have long-lasting effect. Slaoui told CNN’s “State of the Union” that only time will tell for certain, but that in his
December 13, 2020
opinion, the vaccine’s effectiveness could last for “many, many years,” with older people and others who are more vulnerable requiring a booster every three to five years. Slaoui also said that one of the hallmarks of immune systems is memory, so the body’s response to the coronavirus will be much faster once vaccinated, adding that it’s still unknown if vaccinated
Slaoui said once 70 to 80% of the population is v a c c i n at e d , “the virus will go down.” For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The United States has more than 14 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 281,000 deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 66 million confirmed cases with more than 1.5 million deaths. After a devastatingly painful year 2020 – we
may have hope on the horizon and could be approaching “the beginning” of “the end” of the pandemic. Local hospitals to receive vaccines: Harris County: • Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital: 1,950 • Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital: 975 • St. Lukes Hospital at The Vintage: 975 • Texas Children’s Hospital (Main campus): 3,900 • HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest: 1,950 • Texas Children’s Hospital (West Campus): 975 • UT MD Anderson Cancer Center: 4,875 • LBJ Hospital - Harris County Hospital District: 1,950
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5 • Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center: 5,850 • Memorial Hermann Greater Heights: 1,950 • Memorial Hermann SE Hospital: 1,950 • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center: 2,925 • Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital: 975 • Ben Taub General Hospital: 1,950 • Houston Methodist West Hospital: 975 • Houston Methodist Hospital: 5,850 • CHI St. Lukes Health: 5,850 • Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital: 975 • Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital: 975
• HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast: 975 • University of Texas Medical Branch - Clear Lake: 975 • Montgomery County (Total: 4,875 doses) • Texas Children’s Hospital Woodlands: 975 • Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital: 975 • Kingwood Medical Center: 975 • Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital: 1,950 Fort Bend County: • Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital: 1,950 Galveston County: • University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital: 2,925 - AANI
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Greenfield cont’d news. Through the diplomatic brilliance of John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and their boss, President Barack Obama, a treaty with verifiable controls was negotiated with Iran to prevent the enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons. The stable genius cancelled this treaty to the dismay of most of our key allies. Now we are facing a balance of terror in the Middle East although the Biden Administration will reinitiate the treaty, especially if the Democrats win the two senate seats up for play in Georgia on January 5, 2021. Thomas-Greenfield
December 13, 2020 touted her unique approach to diplomacy as a former ambassador, calling it “Gumbo diplomacy.” “In my 35 years in the foreign service across four continents, I put a Cajun spin on it,” she said. “I called it Gumbo Diplomacy. Wherever I was posted around the world I would invite people of different backgrounds and beliefs to help me make a rue and chop onions for the Holy Trinity and make homemade gumbo. It was my way of breaking down barriers, connecting with people and starting to see each other on a human level, a bit of lagniappe is what we say in Louisiana.”
THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Good afternoon. Mr. PresidentElect, Madam Vice President-Elect, I am humbled and honored by the trust that you have placed in me to become a member of your cabinet as ambassador to the United Nations. In the years that I have worked in government, I am always struck by how only in America would be where we are today, where life can be hard and cruel but there’s hope in the struggle, there is promise in our dreams where you learn to believe in yourself and that anything is possible. Like both of you, I learned from my family. Mr. President-Elect,
I’d like to thank you for those generous words that you said about me, my parents had very little back in Louisiana where I grew up, but they gave me and my siblings everything they had, and I know how proud they would be of this day. On this day, I am also missing my mentor, Ambassador Ed Perkins, who was also from Louisiana, and served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton. He told me constantly, Linda, don’t undersell yourself and he would always do everything possible to lift me up. He passed away last week but I know he is
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION here with us today and on this day, I am thinking about the American people, my fellow career diplomats and public servants around the world. I want to say to you America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back. Mr. President-Elect I have often heard you say how all politics is personal and that is how you build relationships of trust and bridge disagreements and find common ground. And in my 35 years in the foreign service across four continents, wherever I was posted, I would invite people of different backgrounds and beliefs to help me make gumbo. It was my way of breaking down barriers,
connecting with people and starting to see each other on a human level, a bit of lagniappe is what we say in Louisiana. That is the charge in front of us today. The challenges we face; a global pandemic, a global economy, a global climate change crisis, mass migration and extreme poverty, and social justice are unrelenting and interconnected, but they are not unresolvable if America is leading the way. Thank you. Some of us already know about the Holy Trinity; onions, bell peppers and garlic. The secret is in the rue. The cook is the truth. She can bring peace.
ticipating at this year’s conference include The University of Arkansas, Baylor University, Brigham Young University, Pepperdine University, Rutgers University, Texas Christian University and West Virginia University. “In these trying times, I welcome the holding of your Model United Nations activity,” said U.N. Secretary-general
António Guterres in his welcoming message to attendees. “Your unwavering commitment to international cooperation is essential for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest test our world has faced since the Second World War.”
- AANI
LONE STAR COLLEGE NAMED DISTINGUISHED DELEGATION AT NATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS HOUSTON – Lone Star College students from LSC-Kingwood and LSC-Tomball received recognition as Distinguished Delegation at this year’s National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference. The event, which was held virtually this year, took place Nov. 6 – 8. “The National Model United Nations allows students to learn skills in diplomacy and negotiation,” said Margaret Jelinek Lewis, LSC-Tomball associate professor. “The conference involved students working with delegates from colleges within the U.S. and throughout the
world in developing resolutions that represent the best interests of all delegations involved.” LSC delegates included LSC-Tomball students Leah Sullivan and Alex Lewis, and Katherine Dullen from LSCKingwood. Dullen was also recognized by her fellow delegates serving in the United Nations Population Fund committee and was awarded the Delegates’ Choice Award. The students are enrolled in the LSC Honors College which offers a wide range of opportunities for honors students, from incoming freshman wanting to
graduate with an Honors AA or Honors AS degree, to high-achieving students seeking to graduate with Honors distinction, to students interested in earning individual honors course credit. “Participating in National Model United Nations helps students develop a new understanding of different cultures,” said Peggy Lambert, LSC-Kingwood history professor. “Students must understand the interests, perspectives, and policies of the countries they represent and act as representatives from those countries.”
Student delegates must research and prepare a position paper based on the policies and views of the country they represent within the United Nations committee in which they serve. It is both an exercise in competition and diplomacy, requiring students to build, give persuasive speeches and engage in formal negotiations. Other schools par-
Lone Star cont’d page 7
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Lone Star cont’d Lone Star College offers high-quality, lowcost academic transfer and career training education to 93,000+ students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today
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