So ... where’s that resignation?

By Joe McAdory

How interesting ... accounts of a high-ranking state official announcing his resignation nearly flew all over the Internet last week. The only difference is, such stories were never found at Web sites from ANY legitimate news organization. Interesting thing is, nothing has come of this. At least not yet.

It is sad that bloggers with an agenda can write anything about anyone, have no credibility to their claims and hold ZERO accountability for their words, and still manage to convince an ignorant public that what they say is the solid truth.

Some claims about this individual may be true, but if the other 99 percent are not, then this is not a story. If it is true, then my hat’s off to these solid, unpaid reporters. Until solid proof is revealed by a legitimate news organization or an official announcement is made by a political group or office, then I wouldn’t believe anything I read.

Rogers bill scheduled for Monday vote in House

By Joe McAdory

Got a press release from Congressman Mike Rogers’ office Sunday afternoon and thought I’d share it with you. Rogers, a Republican, will battle Democratic challenger Josh Segall this fall for the seat in the Third Congressional District.

Anyway, here’s what was delivered:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress is expected to vote Monday on a resolution sponsored by Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers, which honors the 60th Anniversary of the beginning of the integration of the Armed Forces.

Rogers said the resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 297, which is cosponsored by 38 other members of Congress including Representative Kendrick Meek (FL) and the entire Alabama delegation, should be debated on Monday.

Rogers, who introduced the bill in February, said he was deeply honored Congress plans to recognize the occasion.

“I am deeply honored that Congress may soon debate this resolution, which recognizes the contributions of so many brave African-Americans who have served our nation with honor and distinction overseas despite the many injustices they faced back home,“ Rogers said.

Rogers said the resolution also recognizes the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, who trained at historic Moton Field in Macon County.

Rogers, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said the resolution recognized the July 26, 1948 signing of Executive Order 9981 by President Harry S. Truman. That order mandated there be equality of treatment with all persons in the Armed Services regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin.

Rogers said that even though it took years to accomplish the complete integration of the Armed Services, it was Executive Order 9981 that began the process. He said while the Congressional schedule could change, he hoped the bill would be debated and passed Monday.

Polled Alabamians side with McCain

By Joe McAdory

Got a note from Gerald Johnson of the Capital Survey Research Center in Montgomery regarding this fall’s presidential election. The pollsters surveyed 536 likely voters between June 25 and July 1, asking the question, “If the general election for president were todday, for whom would you vote ...?“

Forty-nine percent of the respondents chose Republican nominee John McCain, while 36 percent sided with Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Another 15 percent weren’t sure.

The center also released results of the same question between April of 2007 and June 2008. Obama’s statewide appeal peaked last September, when 41 percent of Alabamians polled would have voted for him. His statewide popularity sunk to a low of 34 percent last month, which is surprising because he’d just earned the nomination over Hillary Clinton.

And what about McCain? His popularity among those polled was at an all-time low of 44 percent in April of 2007, but bear in mind he was still battling Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee at the time. His popularity peaked at 57 percent in the spring, but has since cooled.

And for the “don’t know” crowd, Election Day may be one of eenie meenie minee moe.

Will fans save money and stay home?

By Joe McAdory

The economy is effecting us at the gas pumps and in the grocery stores. No duh, you already knew that. But how is it effecting sporting events? At Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla., there were plenty of seats unfilled.

With football season right around the corner, I can’t help but wonder how many fans will choose not to attend games at Auburn and Alabama this season. I haven’t spoken with ticket office folks and I’d assume season ticket sales are strong as ever. But people may spend less money on souvenirs or concessions. Who knows? I expect big games to still sell out, but I wonder if the less-than-stellar games will feature smaller crowds than in the past.

Only time will tell.

I am here; you are not

By Joe McAdory

Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound cocky or anything. I’ve paid the price for being in Daytona Beach with a sunburn.