Legislator arrested in two-year scandal

By Joe McAdory

It was reported this morning that State Representative Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) was arrested Thursday morning in connection with Alabama’s two-year college scandal. She was charged with taking money for work she never did, four counts of mail fraud and four counts of fraud. Like the Dire Straits song goes ... “Money for nothing.“ Alabama taxpayers have apparently funded more things than they ever imagined. Schmitz was released on $25,000 bond.

The Legislature convenes Tuesday in Montgomery.

Ironically, Schmitz is co-sponsor of an ethics bill regarding no-bid contracts.

Giuliani had me fooled; I’ll take the Patriots 38-20

By Joe McAdory

YES! I can log on to my blog. Being unable to access my own blog account was like being locked out of my own house.

Wednesday morning I pondered if Rudy Giuliani would drop out of the race. Wednesday afternoon, he did. I also pondered if he’d be on the Republican ticket with Mitt Romney, should Romney earn the nomination for president. Then Giuliani turns around and endorses John McCain. Shows what I know. Perhaps I should leave my pondering to something I do know, like football.

Speaking of football, my Super Bowl prediction is 38-20, Patriots. Sure, I want the Giants to win, but I’d have a hard time picking against the Pats considering their success. Tomorrow I’ll try to make all-time AFC and NFC Super Bowl teams. Who should be the AFC QB? Tom Brady or Terry Bradshaw? Who should be the NFC QB? Duh! If we had to elect a president from the current roster of NFL teams, who would be our best choice? I’d vote for Brett Favre, or maybe Vinny Testaverde if he comes out of retirement for the 10th time.

Super Tuesday shaping up

By Whitney McHugh

Only six days away from Super Tuesday. If I had to pick Alabama’s presidential primary winners, I’d go with Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Mike Huckabee could give McCain a run here, but I’m starting to wonder if the former Arkansas governor is beginning to lose momentum.

It will be interesting to see how Alabama voters differed with those from other states. I also wonder how much longer Rudy Giuliani will remain in the Republican race. For a while, I thought he’d be the front-runner. As some candidates fall to the wayside, I can’t help but wonder who each party’s nominee will choose as a running mate for November’s general election. I can’t see a Clinton-Obama ticket after the sparring they’ve done. I can see Clinton-Edwards or Obama-Edwards. I can see a Romney-Giuliani. But does the running mate necessarily have to be a previous campaign opponent?

I just got the haircut from hell

Joe McAdory

Sorry I’ve been away for awhile. Can’t say I haven’t tried to blog. Technical difficulties got in the way.

Got a haircut today. It’s the last time I go to this business, which I refuse to name in print. The last two times I went, I left mortified with what I saw in the mirror. Yeah, I can’t help the goofy face, but at least hair artists can improve the mop on top of my skull. I left looking like a porcupine. Sure, I have a pair of cowlicks, but I’ve had folks take measures to work around the cowlicks—not amplify them.

I returned to the office and one co-worker said, “You need to get your money back.“

Instead, I borrowed scissors and went into the bathroom. After a few snips, the cowlick-amplified hair was gone. Why did I have to do this? I asked for a number three, you know, where barely any hair remained. Maybe next time I’ll just shave my head completely.

Thanks for listening. I feel better now.

Thompson campaign never had momentum

By Joe McAdory

I must admit, I’m a bit disappointed in Sen. Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign, or lack thereof. Tuesday, the Tennessee Republican bowed out of the race after poor primary showings in New Hampshire, Michigan, etc. His bid was a lost cause, so there’s no reason to continue this losing struggle.

I thought Thompson would have been a bit more formidable though. Maybe it was money. Maybe it was his delayed entry into the race. Whatever it was, he never shared the same spotlight with Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and now Mike Huckabee.

With the Democratic race primarily a two-person race, I’m wondering when North Carolina senator John Edwards will follow Bill Richardson’s lead and step aside.