A few things ...

The Opelika-Auburn News published a story in Friday's edition about Auburn City Councilman Rev. Arthur Dowdell's decision to take tiny Confederate flags off of the graves of soldiers at Pine Hill Cemetery. Some callers complained saying the newspaper never should have published a story and even went as far to say we advocated the desecration of graves.

This newspaper reported what happened. We provided information. If we had not done so, then these angry callers perhaps would not have known otherwise.

So what is the best solution here? I don't think a knee-jerk reaction was best. I would think reasoning as adults should be in order to resolve this in a manner that satisfies all parties. Unfortunately, that may be easier said than done.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned the regular season good be increased to 18 games and the Super Bowl could be played in mid-February. I believe that's way too much. The current schedule is plenty long and I simply see this as catering to TV contracts and sponsorships.

It was even noted that the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 could be on the same day. The 500 has been run recently in prime time. That would conflict with football. If the Super Bowl is played on the same day as the 500, would NASCAR brass move the starting time back to where it used to be so it does not go head-to-head with the NFL? I would hope so.

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Today was going to be a glorious one for Joe. First, I was going to tee off at 7 a.m. at Auburn Links and pretty much have 18 holes to myself. I play so much better when I'm alone instead of the times when large galleries follow me around and the TV cameras are on. I would have had no groups in front of me, no playing partner and the chance at a 2 1/2-hour round.

Then I was going to continue my exploration into making the best BBQ ribs I can. I make pretty good ribs, but I need to keep tinkering until I get them perfect. I need the practice. Besides, halfway decent ribs are good enough for my taste buds.

During this time of culinary creation, I was going to plop in my favorite chair and watch the NFL Draft.

It sounded too good to be true. I'm not at the golf course. I have no car. I'm riddled with car problems again. I don't have any ribs because I don't have a car to go get the ribs and my stomach really doesn't feel like eating BBQ anyway. As for the draft, looks like the TV people who control the universe have decided to push back the starting time until 3 p.m. That's ridiculous.

Now I have all day with nothing to do and no car. But I do have a lawnmower. And I do have a lot of grass. Look out fire ant mounds, I've got four wheels and two spinning blades. Since I can't play golf or cook BBQ, I'm going to take it out on pests.