The local news ... in Arabia

By Joe McAdory

Three days into the vaunted Big Switch from analog TV to digital and I am still receiving just one local station—one from Montgomery. It’s bizarre that—even with this converter box that I was instructed to purchase—I cannot receive a station from nearby Columbus, Ga., for more than 20 minutes at a time. However, scanning through my satellite channels I learned something somewhere between humorous and disturbing.

I can watch Al-Jazeera News.

That’s right, Al-Jazeera.

I can’t get most local stations, but I can learn about weather in Riyadh and hear about the Taliban’s struggle against the perceived American infidels. What is this world coming to? Someone fix my blasted television.

American Idol runner-up says he’s gay ... why should we care?

By Joe McAdory

News stories came out last week that American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert announced he was a homosexual and Chastity Bono, daughter of entertainers Sonny and Cher, has decided to change gender.

Such news doesn’t bother me on the cover of tabloids or entertainment magazines. But when it becomes serious news, it is a bit unnerving. Why? I DON’T CARE. Why should I care that Lambert is gay? Why should I care that Chastity doesn’t want to be a girl anymore? Why is this stuff important to society? We’ve got serious problems in this world, but for some reason society is caught up in a person’s orientation.

OK. I’m done ranting now. I feel better.

The Big Glitch

By Joe McAdory

I was ready for the much celebrated “Big Switch.“ I registered for converter box coupons, received them in the mail and went on to purchase the necessary little box.

Friday, antenna television went digital from analog. Saturday, I connected the box, which undoubtedly would solve all issues.

I have gone from three local television stations down to one—and that one’s from Montgomery. The NBA Finals are tonight, but I won’t see it. Guess I’ll be watching my satellite again. This is very, very disappointing.

Can’t forget Jerry’s smile

By Joe McAdory

One thing I remember most about Jerry Rutledge was his smile. No matter what task lie before him, Jerry was always cheerful and upbeat.

I worked with Jerry—an accomplished softball player during his heyday in Anniston, during two stints at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, one in the early 1990s and another five years ago. Jerry had a variety of roles at the Ledger, writing military-related stories to news stories to sports stories. He could do it all. Most recently, Jerry was moved back to the L-E’s sports staff where he covered high schools. Sports writers are always sports writers, no matter what other newspaper jobs they hold.

Jerry died last week. A blood clot in his lung ended his life at 52.

A memorial service for Jerry is being held in Columbus as I write this. I wish I could have attended, but I had far too many duties in town here to get away. I remember the last time I saw him. It was in the press box at Jordan-Hare Stadium last September. I never thought it would be for the last time. He was smiling then too.

Carl Long finally makes headlines

By Joe McAdory

NASCAR upheld its suspension of part-time racer Carl Long, who rarely makes the field for any race. The only time this dude’s name is called is during pre-race introductions. Heck, stories written about his suspension is the most press he’s ever gotten on the circuit.

Long, his team and crew chief were suspended and fined $200,000 for an using an engine that was oversized by .17/inch during pre-race practice for last month’s all-star races. Obviously, Long had no chance of actually making the real all-star race and would have instead competed in the consolation race reserved for drivers who don’t see victory lane, or haven’t in years. Give the dude a break.

It’s odd, though, that for years many of NASCAR’s stars got away with oversized engines and they were given breaks. Richard Petty won a 1983 race at Charlotte with an oversized engine and was allowed to keep the victory. He was stripped of the points, but so what? It’s been written that runner-up Darrell Waltrip didn’t whine too much about Petty’s engine since his might have been over the limit too.

It’s sad when real racers who aren’t corporate models work hard to actually make a race and get slapped and made an example of by NASCAR.