National exposure

By Joe McAdory

O.C. Brown, of Auburn, often writes letters to the editor to the Opelika-Auburn News. This week, Brown had a letter published in USA Today. Here’s a photocopy of the edition.

Cold weather on the way

By Joe McAdory

Hope you didn’t get used to the abnormal spring-like temperatures so far this winter, because winter’s back with a fury this week. Don’t expect to see high temperatures above 55 for the remainder of the work week with some days, particularly Tuesday and Friday, unbearably cold with highs near 40.

As for the low temps. Expect to see thermometers dip into the 20s for the next few nights before dropping into the teens later in the week. Looks like our heaters will be working overtime. No wintry precipitation is in the forecast.

Rogers pleased to be involved in three committees

By Joe McAdory

Here’s a note from Congressman Mike Rogers’ office in Washington. Thought I’d pass it along.

Congressman Mike Rogers said today he is pleased to continue serving on three critical committees for the Third District. The committees include: The House Armed Services Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.

Rogers also said he was pleased to retain his leadership position on the Homeland Security oversight subcommittee as the Ranking Member.

“With so many challenges facing folks across East Alabama, I am honored again to have the opportunity to serve on these three important committees,” Rogers said. “This is certainly encouraging news for the Third District’s many interests.”

As a nation still at war, Rogers said his membership on the Armed Services Committee will allow him to continue advo-cating on behalf of our brave men and women in uniform and our Veterans, as well as the Third District’s three military installations – the Anniston Army Depot, Fort Benning, and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base.

With agriculture key to East Alabama’s rural economy, Rogers will again serve on the Agriculture Committee so he can continue to be a strong voice in Congress for our farmers. The committee will also allow Rogers to continue promoting en-ergy independence through research at universities in the Third District like Auburn and Tuskegee. “Agriculture is as much as national security issue as it is about jobs and economic growth,” he said.

Rogers also said his Homeland Security Committee and Subcommittee assignments will allow him to continue working to help strengthen our porous borders with Mexico and Canada, as well as advocating for vital facilities like the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Calhoun County.

Rogers said he looks forward to working with the new Obama Administration and House leadership to get things done for East Alabama.

News personalities and federal appointments raise eyebrows

By Joe McAdory

Word has it president-elect Barack Obama has targeted CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta to be the new Surgeon General. If I needed brain surgery, and folks believe I do, I’d let Dr. Gupta do the job. If I needed open heart surgery, I’d let Dr. Gupta do the job. If I needed a root canal, I bet he could do that too.

But I’m not big on Gupta, or any member of the national media, suddenly appointed into a federal government position. I enjoy watching Gupta on TV and always want to hear what he has to say. I do believe there should be a line between the government and national media. I’m sure this is totally legit, but Gupta’s prospective appointment can give the perception to some that his role with CNN had something to do with Obama’s decision.

The same can be said about the late Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary who also was a popular personality on Fox News. Snow was great at both jobs, but some can’t help but wonder if his role with a conservative television network helped orchestrate a new job with a Republican president.

I do believe in the “best person for the job” train of thought. But in this era of public perception, we need to be careful.

Health, finances in need of fine-tuning

By Joe McAdory

The poll this week at oanow.com asks what your New Year’s resolution involves. It’s interesting that through Tuesday afternoon, health and finance are dominating the responses—generating 76 percent of the vote by themselves.

This tells me that respondents are unhealthy and poor.

People aren’t as concerned with religion, family or professional achievement. Maybe they’re already satisfied with those.