Alabama coach Nick Saban says Alabama fans shouldn't worry about the Andre Smith suspension being an NCAA issue.
Saban says it's an institutional issue and not an NCAA issue.
Saban made his comments a few moments ago in a post-practice news conference at the Super Dome.
GS
Text of Saban's comments here.
"We have really enjoyed our time here so far, the hospitality from the Sugar Bowl and the city of New Orleans has been outstanding. Our players have had a good time and have had the opportunity to do some positive things, but I am also very pleased with the way that our players have kept it a priority to practice well and do the things that they need to do in meetings. We have gone out and done a pretty good job each and every day in preparing for what should be a pretty challenging opponent in Utah. Our players had the chance to go see the Saints play on Sunday, some had the chance to see that Hornets game Tuesday night, and about 50 players went to Children's Hospital yesterday. Obviously the hospital visit is a unique experience for all of us – you really appreciate what you have when you see what others have to suffer through. I hope it was a helpful and rewarding experience for those young people that our players got to meet. I know there is an issue that you want to discuss and I will make a statement about it. Andre Smith is a fine young man and he did a great job here for us. He may be doing a great job for someone else in the future or he may be doing a great job for us in the future. That decision has not yet been made. He has represented himself, his family, and this university in a fine fashion and we are pleased with what he has done to help make this team successful. His legacy as a player here should be the fact that he made All-American here and that is a reflection of the hard work that he has put in during his three years here. It is very disappointing and unfortunate that judgment was used in a circumstance that has created consequences in him not being able to participate in this game. It is unfortunate, but hopefully it is something we can learn from and other players on this team can learn from as well. If you do what is right, things usually turn out the right way. If you don't do things right, things won't go your way. Sometimes your actions create consequences and that can go in the right or wrong way. This is an institutional matter that is not an NCAA matter. That has been verified by the NCAA. Anyone that is out there worried about the NCAA doesn't need to think about that. The way that we will handle this is the way we have handled it before when Andre Smith didn't play. Mike Johnson will move to left tackle and David Ross will play left guard. That is all I have to say about that, so that is all I am going to say about it."
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
More From New Orleans
hi gang,
more from the video blog on the luxury boutique hotel we're staying in...and also you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out parking in New Orleans.
Later!
Greg Screws
more from the video blog on the luxury boutique hotel we're staying in...and also you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out parking in New Orleans.
Later!
Greg Screws
Wed AM in New Orleans
Slow day here in New Orleans.
Slow for us....not for the action in town. After walking a few miles tracking fans down and going from parking lots to fans....parking lots to SAT trucks...walking walking walking...I'm actually sore.
Maybe it's a reminder that I need to work out.
Weather is perfect down here but rain expected for Friday. That is perfect because we will be parked outside and get to roll back and forth thru the rain while going from the Dome to the truck.
Okay...I'm through whining.
The weather is great today...but I've frozen down here before. When Auburn beat Michigan 9-7 in the 1984 Sugar Bowl, the entire south was slammed with an ice storm. No ice in New Orleans but we froze...wind chill was awful.
I've mentioned before that the vibe in New Orleans was a little different than past Sugar Bowls.
One thing is that there aren't as many people. Haven't had to much trouble moving around...except at Jackson Square.
If you are going to Jackson Square....prepare to park and walk.
Also, the town seems to have a softer edge to it. Maybe more of a live and let live from the locals...the town seems to not be as tense as in the past.
Bama fans are still bummed about losing Andre Smith. He was sent home by Nick Saban after Monday's practice.
It's looking more and more like this is going to be over a deal/talks with an agent.
It reminds Tide fans of the Antonio Langham deal from the 1993 Sugar Bowl when he signed a deal with an agent in the wee hours of the morning after the Tide beat Miami. This is a little different. Back in the Langham deal, many Tide athletic department administration officials found out about the Langham deal, kept quiet, and hoped it went away. That backfired.
This time, it appears that Bama AD Mal Moore and Coach Nick Saban acted quickly to get Andre Smith out of New Orleans when
the found out about the situation.
Alabama Attorney General Troy King is on this. Says they are going over all the evidence and working closely with UA on this to see if an agent violated any Alabama laws. Alabama has very strict laws on the book about agent conduct.
(GS Opinion Alert-Is every legal problem in Alabama solved? Is every bad guy behind bars? Has every fugitive from Alabama justice been apprehended? I think is a University of Alabama/Andre Smith problem. I know the laws are on the book about agents. But at best, resources used by the state to punish agents in the state seem to be misguided, and at worst, it seems to be pandering to a fan base. Is there a law on Alabama books directed at the players? Maybe there needs to be a law that says the Andre Smiths of the world can't sign with an unsanctioned agent before their class graduates. You won't see that law passed because it's easier to get pitchforks and torches and go after the agents rather than the players.
More Later
GS
Slow for us....not for the action in town. After walking a few miles tracking fans down and going from parking lots to fans....parking lots to SAT trucks...walking walking walking...I'm actually sore.
Maybe it's a reminder that I need to work out.
Weather is perfect down here but rain expected for Friday. That is perfect because we will be parked outside and get to roll back and forth thru the rain while going from the Dome to the truck.
Okay...I'm through whining.
The weather is great today...but I've frozen down here before. When Auburn beat Michigan 9-7 in the 1984 Sugar Bowl, the entire south was slammed with an ice storm. No ice in New Orleans but we froze...wind chill was awful.
I've mentioned before that the vibe in New Orleans was a little different than past Sugar Bowls.
One thing is that there aren't as many people. Haven't had to much trouble moving around...except at Jackson Square.
If you are going to Jackson Square....prepare to park and walk.
Also, the town seems to have a softer edge to it. Maybe more of a live and let live from the locals...the town seems to not be as tense as in the past.
Bama fans are still bummed about losing Andre Smith. He was sent home by Nick Saban after Monday's practice.
It's looking more and more like this is going to be over a deal/talks with an agent.
It reminds Tide fans of the Antonio Langham deal from the 1993 Sugar Bowl when he signed a deal with an agent in the wee hours of the morning after the Tide beat Miami. This is a little different. Back in the Langham deal, many Tide athletic department administration officials found out about the Langham deal, kept quiet, and hoped it went away. That backfired.
This time, it appears that Bama AD Mal Moore and Coach Nick Saban acted quickly to get Andre Smith out of New Orleans when
the found out about the situation.
Alabama Attorney General Troy King is on this. Says they are going over all the evidence and working closely with UA on this to see if an agent violated any Alabama laws. Alabama has very strict laws on the book about agent conduct.
(GS Opinion Alert-Is every legal problem in Alabama solved? Is every bad guy behind bars? Has every fugitive from Alabama justice been apprehended? I think is a University of Alabama/Andre Smith problem. I know the laws are on the book about agents. But at best, resources used by the state to punish agents in the state seem to be misguided, and at worst, it seems to be pandering to a fan base. Is there a law on Alabama books directed at the players? Maybe there needs to be a law that says the Andre Smiths of the world can't sign with an unsanctioned agent before their class graduates. You won't see that law passed because it's easier to get pitchforks and torches and go after the agents rather than the players.
More Later
GS
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday in N'awlins
Back at Sat Truck at the Superdome.
Busy today. carson and i haven't stopped since about 8ish Got to truck around 2:30.
All this cajun cuisine and we can't get a pizza delivered.
Called a pizza place and told them i was Harry Connick Jr.....and they delivered it.
Asked them if i could deliver the next pizza to Harry's place and they said sure..."Harry is a great tipper."
Judging from what I remember about Harry's lovely wife, he can apparently talk a good game as well.
We've worked a ton today. One thing that is tough about bowl games is that you have to cover so much ground and you can't
get a parking place and towing is a revenue source.
(NO CARSON! THAT IS A REAL FIRE HYDRANT AND THEY DON'T KNOW US HERE! KEEP MOVING)
The French Quarter is jammed today. No parking places. It's easier to take a cab and just have them drop you off.
Or you can park three miles away, and walk in....and that cost you time which is the most valuable commodity you have working out of town under deadline. We grab a bite anywhere we can...just wolf something down and keep walking.
So Carson and I have been doing a ton of hiking around the Quarter and downtown. Walk 30 minutes. Do interviews. Walk 30 minutes back to the car and hope it hasn't been towed cause Carson parked it in a loading zone.
By the way....many of the New Orleans police officers are some of the nicest people in the world. (Long story and no chance of it making on this blog....but if you see me at Masons, I might tell you the story.)
The Sugar Bowl showdown special is tonight. Got a ton of work to do!
Bama fans outnumber Utah fans pretty substantially.
We went to the National World War II museum today. Extraordinary. The guy who designed the boats used to hit the beaches on D-Day was from New Orleans. Eisenhower once said that the man that designed the boats....Andrew Jackson Higgins...was the man who won the war for the Allies. The "Higgins Boats" ran on the beach ad the front dropped down letting soldiers hit the beach.
Emotional visit to a remarkable museum.
More later when I have time.
Also more from the Quarter with Carson below.
Busy today. carson and i haven't stopped since about 8ish Got to truck around 2:30.
All this cajun cuisine and we can't get a pizza delivered.
Called a pizza place and told them i was Harry Connick Jr.....and they delivered it.
Asked them if i could deliver the next pizza to Harry's place and they said sure..."Harry is a great tipper."
Judging from what I remember about Harry's lovely wife, he can apparently talk a good game as well.
We've worked a ton today. One thing that is tough about bowl games is that you have to cover so much ground and you can't
get a parking place and towing is a revenue source.
(NO CARSON! THAT IS A REAL FIRE HYDRANT AND THEY DON'T KNOW US HERE! KEEP MOVING)
The French Quarter is jammed today. No parking places. It's easier to take a cab and just have them drop you off.
Or you can park three miles away, and walk in....and that cost you time which is the most valuable commodity you have working out of town under deadline. We grab a bite anywhere we can...just wolf something down and keep walking.
So Carson and I have been doing a ton of hiking around the Quarter and downtown. Walk 30 minutes. Do interviews. Walk 30 minutes back to the car and hope it hasn't been towed cause Carson parked it in a loading zone.
By the way....many of the New Orleans police officers are some of the nicest people in the world. (Long story and no chance of it making on this blog....but if you see me at Masons, I might tell you the story.)
The Sugar Bowl showdown special is tonight. Got a ton of work to do!
Bama fans outnumber Utah fans pretty substantially.
We went to the National World War II museum today. Extraordinary. The guy who designed the boats used to hit the beaches on D-Day was from New Orleans. Eisenhower once said that the man that designed the boats....Andrew Jackson Higgins...was the man who won the war for the Allies. The "Higgins Boats" ran on the beach ad the front dropped down letting soldiers hit the beach.
Emotional visit to a remarkable museum.
More later when I have time.
Also more from the Quarter with Carson below.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday-Sugar Bowl PM
Exhausted.
No poker for Greggles tonight.
It's almost 9 and we're still in the SAT truck getting ready to feed more tape.
Just another fun-filled bowl trip...LOL. Fans just don't understand.
We went to the French Quarter to interview some wildlife and found some!
More Sugar Bowl stuff tomorrow.
Our special is tomorrow (Tuesday at 630pm) and we have twice as much work tomorrow as we did today.
But we will get it done.....we always do. LOL.
More later.
GS
No poker for Greggles tonight.
It's almost 9 and we're still in the SAT truck getting ready to feed more tape.
Just another fun-filled bowl trip...LOL. Fans just don't understand.
We went to the French Quarter to interview some wildlife and found some!
More Sugar Bowl stuff tomorrow.
Our special is tomorrow (Tuesday at 630pm) and we have twice as much work tomorrow as we did today.
But we will get it done.....we always do. LOL.
More later.
GS
Monday Afternoon
Hi all,
Good news-Media hotel is within walking distance of Harrahs.
Bad News-Don't have time to go to Harrahs,
Better News-The sun is out.
Worse News-Everyone is playing/partying/cutting up/partaking but us.
After working most of the day, we've checked into our hotel. It's a great travel lodge.
If you google "Ed's Chainsaw Service, Tax Preparation, Tanning Beds, and Motor Lodge that is where we are staying."
I'm bunking with a family of troubadours heading to Las Vegas to find their fortune.
We have this really cool flip phone which I'm sure that Carson Clark and I will get in trouble with at some point.
Check out today's tour of the first half of the workday.
Later.
GS
Good news-Media hotel is within walking distance of Harrahs.
Bad News-Don't have time to go to Harrahs,
Better News-The sun is out.
Worse News-Everyone is playing/partying/cutting up/partaking but us.
After working most of the day, we've checked into our hotel. It's a great travel lodge.
If you google "Ed's Chainsaw Service, Tax Preparation, Tanning Beds, and Motor Lodge that is where we are staying."
I'm bunking with a family of troubadours heading to Las Vegas to find their fortune.
We have this really cool flip phone which I'm sure that Carson Clark and I will get in trouble with at some point.
Check out today's tour of the first half of the workday.
Later.
GS
Monday AM In New Orleans
Here I make my weather debut..
"Right now in New Orleans, it's 54 and overcast."
Thank you! Thank you very much!
In about an hour Carson Clark and I are off to find Alabama fans. It's been
interesting watching local morning television. One station has a version of Robert Reeves "Robert on the Road." It's called "Al in the Alley" and it's about the hot spots to eat, see, and visit in the French Quarter and surrounding area.
I'm just kidding. But it's idea to pass along isnt it...LOL.
Found out today that the economic impact of the Sugar Bowl is back to almost pre-Katrina levels. The dollars generated from Bama and Utah are going to be within
90% of the Sugar Bowl before Katrina. Also, before Katrina there were 38,000 hotel rooms. Now there are a little mover 34,000 rooms. That is according the New Orleans folks in charge of "Keeping up with tourism numbers for reporters who come to the Sugar Bowl Department.
Again, I have mixed emotions about this game. It's hard to beleive that Gene Stallings brought his 1992 team down here 16 years ago. You've heard that time flies. It's true. Emily was seven years old. Did bring Emily down here a couple of times. I had the only pre-schooler that could read a map of the French Quarter.
"Dad, the Mason du Puy is just off Royale. Not Bourbon."
It's a good thing DHR isn't reading this.
Many people don't know the most important figure in the 1992 Sugar Bowl. It wasn't anyone wearing or cheering for Alabama. It was a small loud-mouthed linebacker name Rohan Marley. Marley had two footnotes in history. One is that he was the youngest son of reggae singer Bob Marley. The second was saying "We've got no respect for Alabama. Why should we respect them."
From there he went on and on and on and one about how great the Hurricanes were and how Alabama couldn't stand up to them.
Later that week, some Miami players ran into a big and not exactly ripped in muscles Roosevelt Patterson. Patterson was a good lineman. His strength was disguised by a big think layer of well....baby fat.
The Miami players started taunting Roosevelt about his size and lack of "apparent athletic ability." It was mean and cruel. Also profane.
The trash-talking could have escalated into an altercation but it didn't. Bama players went back and told there teammates.
At that point Marley began a marked man as did the Hurricanes.
Marley probably had more to do with getting Miami beat than UA defensive coordinator Brother Oliver.
Coming up today....hitting on funny media moments from Sugar Bowls, checking in with Tide fans, and Bill Curry grabbing a facemask.
Later...
GS
"Right now in New Orleans, it's 54 and overcast."
Thank you! Thank you very much!
In about an hour Carson Clark and I are off to find Alabama fans. It's been
interesting watching local morning television. One station has a version of Robert Reeves "Robert on the Road." It's called "Al in the Alley" and it's about the hot spots to eat, see, and visit in the French Quarter and surrounding area.
I'm just kidding. But it's idea to pass along isnt it...LOL.
Found out today that the economic impact of the Sugar Bowl is back to almost pre-Katrina levels. The dollars generated from Bama and Utah are going to be within
90% of the Sugar Bowl before Katrina. Also, before Katrina there were 38,000 hotel rooms. Now there are a little mover 34,000 rooms. That is according the New Orleans folks in charge of "Keeping up with tourism numbers for reporters who come to the Sugar Bowl Department.
Again, I have mixed emotions about this game. It's hard to beleive that Gene Stallings brought his 1992 team down here 16 years ago. You've heard that time flies. It's true. Emily was seven years old. Did bring Emily down here a couple of times. I had the only pre-schooler that could read a map of the French Quarter.
"Dad, the Mason du Puy is just off Royale. Not Bourbon."
It's a good thing DHR isn't reading this.
Many people don't know the most important figure in the 1992 Sugar Bowl. It wasn't anyone wearing or cheering for Alabama. It was a small loud-mouthed linebacker name Rohan Marley. Marley had two footnotes in history. One is that he was the youngest son of reggae singer Bob Marley. The second was saying "We've got no respect for Alabama. Why should we respect them."
From there he went on and on and on and one about how great the Hurricanes were and how Alabama couldn't stand up to them.
Later that week, some Miami players ran into a big and not exactly ripped in muscles Roosevelt Patterson. Patterson was a good lineman. His strength was disguised by a big think layer of well....baby fat.
The Miami players started taunting Roosevelt about his size and lack of "apparent athletic ability." It was mean and cruel. Also profane.
The trash-talking could have escalated into an altercation but it didn't. Bama players went back and told there teammates.
At that point Marley began a marked man as did the Hurricanes.
Marley probably had more to do with getting Miami beat than UA defensive coordinator Brother Oliver.
Coming up today....hitting on funny media moments from Sugar Bowls, checking in with Tide fans, and Bill Curry grabbing a facemask.
Later...
GS
Sunday, December 28, 2008
More From New Orleans
I can chart my life by Sugar Bowls I've covered.
The first one was Auburn's win over Michigan. That was "pre-Emily."
Emily is now 23-years-old and a much better kid than I deserve credit for having.
Luckily she got her mom's brains. Not sure what she got from me. Will get back to you on that.
I covered the great Sugar Bowl matchup where Bama crushed an obnoxious and highly overated Miami team. That was fun. Watching jerks get popped in sports or real-life is entertaining. (Another example would be Tony Stewart hit a wall in a NASCAR race.)
Watched Virginia Tech beat Texas down here once. That was great to watch unfold.
Hokie coach Frank Beamer is a class act. Great to see him win.
I've always loved New Orleans. Many people just think of that naked lady in the door of that Bourbon Street bar. But there is a unique history and culture here
is steaming back from Katrina.
Speaking of Katrina.....
I'm ambivalent about being here. At one point I had no interest in coming back here ever. Just watching the pain and misery from Katrina had me crossing this town off my list. But friends have travelled down here, and enjoyed their stay.
Friends of friends who know business owners are urging everyone to come back and help the city rebuild. The Saints may be playing in the Dome, but there is still more work to be done.
Gotta go eat. No shrimp and grits for us. We're looking for a drive through and a bed.
More later.
Greg Screws
Local Media Icon
The first one was Auburn's win over Michigan. That was "pre-Emily."
Emily is now 23-years-old and a much better kid than I deserve credit for having.
Luckily she got her mom's brains. Not sure what she got from me. Will get back to you on that.
I covered the great Sugar Bowl matchup where Bama crushed an obnoxious and highly overated Miami team. That was fun. Watching jerks get popped in sports or real-life is entertaining. (Another example would be Tony Stewart hit a wall in a NASCAR race.)
Watched Virginia Tech beat Texas down here once. That was great to watch unfold.
Hokie coach Frank Beamer is a class act. Great to see him win.
I've always loved New Orleans. Many people just think of that naked lady in the door of that Bourbon Street bar. But there is a unique history and culture here
is steaming back from Katrina.
Speaking of Katrina.....
I'm ambivalent about being here. At one point I had no interest in coming back here ever. Just watching the pain and misery from Katrina had me crossing this town off my list. But friends have travelled down here, and enjoyed their stay.
Friends of friends who know business owners are urging everyone to come back and help the city rebuild. The Saints may be playing in the Dome, but there is still more work to be done.
Gotta go eat. No shrimp and grits for us. We're looking for a drive through and a bed.
More later.
Greg Screws
Local Media Icon
Sunday Into Sugar Bowl Monday
Greetings all!
Just rolled into New Orleans with Carson Clark and Alex Lynch. 400 plus miles and about 4 of those it wasn't raining.
Nothing like driving through three states in the rain with 18-wheelers on my a** wondering why I'm not driving 90 miles in a downpour.
When you tell people "I have to go New Orleans to work the Sugar Bowl"...they say "Poor Guy! Sorry you have to do that! Poor guy hanging in the French Quarter eating oysters and jambalaya and drinking the best of the best."
Here is what we're doing now.
Standing in the rain in a hotel parking lot doing SAT feeds for various stations and looking for a fast food place.
But I'm not going to complain. Yesterday I watched "Band of Brothers" on The History Channnel all day long.
Those guys had a reason to complain on the road trip they took. We're just covering football.
Granted to Alabama fans, this is life and death. But it isn't. It's a football game.
(Phone ringing-"Hi, Is this Mr. Screws? Do you plan on playing in the Texas Hold em tournament at the casino Tuesday night?
We are confirming your reservation." Greg-"Yes, I'm going to play and don't call me at work anymore.")
There is one thing that does get old. New Orleans is unique. It tries my patience to be the only sober person in a sea or humanity...or crimson. So working these games does present a challenge.
More on the challenge later in the trip. Stay tuned.
Just rolled into New Orleans with Carson Clark and Alex Lynch. 400 plus miles and about 4 of those it wasn't raining.
Nothing like driving through three states in the rain with 18-wheelers on my a** wondering why I'm not driving 90 miles in a downpour.
When you tell people "I have to go New Orleans to work the Sugar Bowl"...they say "Poor Guy! Sorry you have to do that! Poor guy hanging in the French Quarter eating oysters and jambalaya and drinking the best of the best."
Here is what we're doing now.
Standing in the rain in a hotel parking lot doing SAT feeds for various stations and looking for a fast food place.
But I'm not going to complain. Yesterday I watched "Band of Brothers" on The History Channnel all day long.
Those guys had a reason to complain on the road trip they took. We're just covering football.
Granted to Alabama fans, this is life and death. But it isn't. It's a football game.
(Phone ringing-"Hi, Is this Mr. Screws? Do you plan on playing in the Texas Hold em tournament at the casino Tuesday night?
We are confirming your reservation." Greg-"Yes, I'm going to play and don't call me at work anymore.")
There is one thing that does get old. New Orleans is unique. It tries my patience to be the only sober person in a sea or humanity...or crimson. So working these games does present a challenge.
More on the challenge later in the trip. Stay tuned.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Randy Owen
Hi gang!
Randy Owen is back in action. His long-awaited CD and book is out.
For more, click here to find out where you can find Randy signing copies of each.
I've interviewed Randy a few times. Great guy. Easy to deal with when it comes to celebrities.
Plus, Randy and Jerry Hayes are friends. Good enough for me!
GS
Randy Owen is back in action. His long-awaited CD and book is out.
For more, click here to find out where you can find Randy signing copies of each.
I've interviewed Randy a few times. Great guy. Easy to deal with when it comes to celebrities.
Plus, Randy and Jerry Hayes are friends. Good enough for me!
GS
Friday, October 31, 2008
Dancing With Shrek
"Greg, do you want to be in the local version of Dancin' With The Stars?
It's called "Stars Dancing For HEALS."
Me? You Kidding Me?
Completely out of my comfort zone. Never danced in my life.
But whatever Tracy Wright wants, I will do. She runs the HEALS Clinic operation.
HEALS is a non-profit that is dedicated to providing health care for students and their siblings at participating schools. It's an extraordinary effort.
If they want me to dance to raise money, where are my shoes?
Basically, you know how this works. You take someone that is "dance-challenged" like me. Take lessons and then you dance in front of a big crowd.
If you watched me on television, you probably know I don't get a nervous very often.
Not a lot makes my pulse race at work. In television news, a calm head pays big dividends as deadlines approach. The closer to the newscast you get, the calmer you stay.
But the thoughts of dancing in front of people just terrified me. Still does.
But with the help of an extraordinarily patient woman, Mendy Langford, I'm going through the lessons to "Dance For HEALS."
More on Mendy soon on my blog. Suffice to say, she has her work cut out for getting me dance-ready.
In fact, take a look at the pictures. Dance instructors are fit, cut, toned, and athletic people. Mendy looks great and is an athlete. But dancing with me, it looks like she is dancing with Shrek.
The way this works, you raise money by having people vote for you with cash.
Here is the link to do just that. Help me raise money for HEALS.
Will keep you posted on who it goes up until showtime on November 18 at Monaco Pictures.
Plenty more on the timing of the lessons, and the instructor unfortunately dancing with me on November 18.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Reports of Huntsville Shooting
Here is a link to the reports of a shooting at Huntsville Hospital. We received calls into the newsroom about the shooting. But no official confirmation of the shooting from anyone at the hospital yet or Huntsville police.
Will keep you posted. Thanks for watching NewsChannel 19!
Greg
Will keep you posted. Thanks for watching NewsChannel 19!
Greg
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kate Burnette
This is a link to Kate Burnette's story.
If you are free, go help the family at Hampton House Saturday, October 4.
The Burnette family is very nice...and anything you can to to help would be great!
GS
If you are free, go help the family at Hampton House Saturday, October 4.
The Burnette family is very nice...and anything you can to to help would be great!
GS
Thursday, October 2, 2008
More on October Domestic Violence Awareness Month
A viewer, and friend, sent in this poem that her mother wrote about surviving
domestic violence. What strikes me is that through it all, this person hung on and didn't give up.
Suvivorship
Take a good look at me.
I'm a survivor.
You can't see my bruises now-
They're healed.
But I'm a survivor.
Although my spirit still hurts sometimes
and i still cry,
I'm a survivor.
My future is looking good-
because I'm a survivor.
For the first time, I have a job
as a survivor!
I have close friends now
who help me know myself
as a survivor.
I'm a happy and confident person now-
Because I'm a survivor.
Best of all
My children laugh and play-
Yes, we're all survivors.
The poem below is from a person who feared they wouldn't wake up because they would
be killed in their sleep. This is about a person who finally realized remembering their family was a key to getting out and living.
The Door
Survival means walking through the door.
Sunlight.
Air.
Safety.
Rescue yourself.
Do you want to live a long life?
See your grandkids?
You can walk out the door and don’t look back.
Going through the door means not taking a punch.
Going through the door means not hearing how you hold them hostage.
Going through the door means not crying in the shower to start, or while you cook dinner to end, the day.
What did you say to your best friend the last time you talked?
Your parents?
Your kids?
How will they remember you from that call?
Will you wake up?
Will you know?
Will your last moment offer a glimpse of rage fueled by fear, confusion, and darkness?
Will it matter to your family that you stayed to fight, fix, and solve the problem?
Go through the door.
Don’t look back.
Choose to live.
You can’t search through darkness and madness to find a hand that won’t reach back.
The national hotline for domestic violence help is 1-800-799-SAFE. The emergency number for the Crisis Services of North Alabama is 716-1000.
Please help.
domestic violence. What strikes me is that through it all, this person hung on and didn't give up.
Suvivorship
Take a good look at me.
I'm a survivor.
You can't see my bruises now-
They're healed.
But I'm a survivor.
Although my spirit still hurts sometimes
and i still cry,
I'm a survivor.
My future is looking good-
because I'm a survivor.
For the first time, I have a job
as a survivor!
I have close friends now
who help me know myself
as a survivor.
I'm a happy and confident person now-
Because I'm a survivor.
Best of all
My children laugh and play-
Yes, we're all survivors.
The poem below is from a person who feared they wouldn't wake up because they would
be killed in their sleep. This is about a person who finally realized remembering their family was a key to getting out and living.
The Door
Survival means walking through the door.
Sunlight.
Air.
Safety.
Rescue yourself.
Do you want to live a long life?
See your grandkids?
You can walk out the door and don’t look back.
Going through the door means not taking a punch.
Going through the door means not hearing how you hold them hostage.
Going through the door means not crying in the shower to start, or while you cook dinner to end, the day.
What did you say to your best friend the last time you talked?
Your parents?
Your kids?
How will they remember you from that call?
Will you wake up?
Will you know?
Will your last moment offer a glimpse of rage fueled by fear, confusion, and darkness?
Will it matter to your family that you stayed to fight, fix, and solve the problem?
Go through the door.
Don’t look back.
Choose to live.
You can’t search through darkness and madness to find a hand that won’t reach back.
The national hotline for domestic violence help is 1-800-799-SAFE. The emergency number for the Crisis Services of North Alabama is 716-1000.
Please help.
Greg's Book Club For October
Oct. 2
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
by Thomas Friedman
Thomas Friedman is one of the smartest and sharpest people on the political landscape. Friedman is with the New York Times and covers world economic issues.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded is about what we, meaning America, should do about climate change, and how we should be on the point of developing new energy sources.
He says the U.S. has to invent it's way out depending on oil. The book projects ahead, looking down the road at what should happen as the world devours huge amounts of energy by the nanosecond.
Oct. 9
Salvation on Sand Mountain
by Dennis Covington
There were some people in the newsroom who had never heard of this book so I thought I would bring it back. It's non-fiction.
Salvation on Sand Mountain is Covington's journey visiting snake handling churches. He was drawn to the churches but also found some aspects of the experience distubing. This book is riveting. The ending is very abrupt. Like he had to get it in under deadline. But it's a remarkable glimpse into a group of people who
very fiercely practice their faith. After reading the book, I had a much more enlightened grasp of what these people believe and perform in their church.
One of my Top Ten books.
Oct. 16
Dad's Tweed Coat: Small Wisdoms, Hidden Comforts, Unexpected Joys by Jim Reed.
Jim Reed owns one of the best book stores in the country. It's a unique place called "Jim Reed Books-The Museum of Fond Memories."
Everything from old Life Magazines to the actual pig from atop a Piggly Wiggly, Reed's place is a treasure.
The book contains essays from Reed childhood and most focus on his father.
Warm book. Great book that makes you smell your childhood home while you are reading it.
Oct. 23
Lies and Other Truths: Rants, Raves, Low-Lifes, and Highballs by Jim Dees
Jim Dees is the host of Thacker Mountain Radio. Thacker Mountain Radio is a live radio show featuring authors and music produced by
Mississippi Public Radio. Dee's book is about living in the south as we start to roll through the 21st century.
Great titles in this book like "My Dog Can Mix Drinks" and "Thinks I Have Smelled WHile Bicycling."
Dees lives in the town I hope to retire in...Oxford, Ms.
Oct. 30
Family Bible
by Melissa Delbridge
I always hated when movie reviewers used the phrase "tour-de-force" about a film. It is such a cliche.
But I really can't explain Family Bible any other way. Astounding. Incredible.
It's one of those "you can't read this if you have a bad back, are pregnant, or have high blood pressure" sort of reads.
It's a memoir by Melissa Delbridge about her life in Tuscaloosa. If you know Tuscaloosa, you will recognize a great
deal from this book.
It's not for the faint of heart. It's about her father who drank, her mother who "invented road rage" and her search for identity.
The book is a powerhouse of writing. If it sounds like I'm jealous it's because I am. What a book.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
by Thomas Friedman
Thomas Friedman is one of the smartest and sharpest people on the political landscape. Friedman is with the New York Times and covers world economic issues.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded is about what we, meaning America, should do about climate change, and how we should be on the point of developing new energy sources.
He says the U.S. has to invent it's way out depending on oil. The book projects ahead, looking down the road at what should happen as the world devours huge amounts of energy by the nanosecond.
Oct. 9
Salvation on Sand Mountain
by Dennis Covington
There were some people in the newsroom who had never heard of this book so I thought I would bring it back. It's non-fiction.
Salvation on Sand Mountain is Covington's journey visiting snake handling churches. He was drawn to the churches but also found some aspects of the experience distubing. This book is riveting. The ending is very abrupt. Like he had to get it in under deadline. But it's a remarkable glimpse into a group of people who
very fiercely practice their faith. After reading the book, I had a much more enlightened grasp of what these people believe and perform in their church.
One of my Top Ten books.
Oct. 16
Dad's Tweed Coat: Small Wisdoms, Hidden Comforts, Unexpected Joys by Jim Reed.
Jim Reed owns one of the best book stores in the country. It's a unique place called "Jim Reed Books-The Museum of Fond Memories."
Everything from old Life Magazines to the actual pig from atop a Piggly Wiggly, Reed's place is a treasure.
The book contains essays from Reed childhood and most focus on his father.
Warm book. Great book that makes you smell your childhood home while you are reading it.
Oct. 23
Lies and Other Truths: Rants, Raves, Low-Lifes, and Highballs by Jim Dees
Jim Dees is the host of Thacker Mountain Radio. Thacker Mountain Radio is a live radio show featuring authors and music produced by
Mississippi Public Radio. Dee's book is about living in the south as we start to roll through the 21st century.
Great titles in this book like "My Dog Can Mix Drinks" and "Thinks I Have Smelled WHile Bicycling."
Dees lives in the town I hope to retire in...Oxford, Ms.
Oct. 30
Family Bible
by Melissa Delbridge
I always hated when movie reviewers used the phrase "tour-de-force" about a film. It is such a cliche.
But I really can't explain Family Bible any other way. Astounding. Incredible.
It's one of those "you can't read this if you have a bad back, are pregnant, or have high blood pressure" sort of reads.
It's a memoir by Melissa Delbridge about her life in Tuscaloosa. If you know Tuscaloosa, you will recognize a great
deal from this book.
It's not for the faint of heart. It's about her father who drank, her mother who "invented road rage" and her search for identity.
The book is a powerhouse of writing. If it sounds like I'm jealous it's because I am. What a book.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is the month designated to heighten awareness about domestic violence issues.
It was first observed in 1987. The month brings awareness to those who have died due to domestic violence, honors those who have survived, and puts together efforts to to end the violence.
Domestic violence is many cases comes somewhere that you least expect it. It is a terrible plague in our culture, and the daily battle to end it seems a long way off.
But it's a battle that has to be fought, and has to be won.
While the overwhelming number of battered and abused spouses are women, there are men who suffer as well. For more information on National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you can click here.
Domestic violence can happen anywhere. Big city. Rural. In the quiestest neighborhoods. The people trapped in abusive relationships live lifes of desperation that can end behind four walls of fear, pain, and suffering.
One person who went through just that wrote this poem called The Door.
The Door
Survival means walking through the door.
Sunlight.
Air.
Safety.
Rescue yourself.
Do you want to live a long life?
See your grandkids?
You can walk out the door and don’t look back.
Going through the door means not taking a punch.
Going through the door means not hearing how you hold them hostage.
Going through the door means not crying in the shower to start, or while you cook dinner to end, the day.
What did you say to your best friend the last time you talked?
Your parents?
Your kids?
How will they remember you from that call?
Will you wake up?
Will you know?
Will your last moment offer a glimpse of rage fueled by fear, confusion, and darkness?
Will it matter to your family that you stayed to fight, fix, and solve the problem?
Go through the door.
Don’t look back.
Choose to live.
You can’t search through darkness and madness to find a hand that won’t reach back.
The national hotline for domestic violence help is 1-800-799-SAFE. The emergency number for the Crisis Services of North Alabama is 716-1000.
Please help.
It was first observed in 1987. The month brings awareness to those who have died due to domestic violence, honors those who have survived, and puts together efforts to to end the violence.
Domestic violence is many cases comes somewhere that you least expect it. It is a terrible plague in our culture, and the daily battle to end it seems a long way off.
But it's a battle that has to be fought, and has to be won.
While the overwhelming number of battered and abused spouses are women, there are men who suffer as well. For more information on National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you can click here.
Domestic violence can happen anywhere. Big city. Rural. In the quiestest neighborhoods. The people trapped in abusive relationships live lifes of desperation that can end behind four walls of fear, pain, and suffering.
One person who went through just that wrote this poem called The Door.
The Door
Survival means walking through the door.
Sunlight.
Air.
Safety.
Rescue yourself.
Do you want to live a long life?
See your grandkids?
You can walk out the door and don’t look back.
Going through the door means not taking a punch.
Going through the door means not hearing how you hold them hostage.
Going through the door means not crying in the shower to start, or while you cook dinner to end, the day.
What did you say to your best friend the last time you talked?
Your parents?
Your kids?
How will they remember you from that call?
Will you wake up?
Will you know?
Will your last moment offer a glimpse of rage fueled by fear, confusion, and darkness?
Will it matter to your family that you stayed to fight, fix, and solve the problem?
Go through the door.
Don’t look back.
Choose to live.
You can’t search through darkness and madness to find a hand that won’t reach back.
The national hotline for domestic violence help is 1-800-799-SAFE. The emergency number for the Crisis Services of North Alabama is 716-1000.
Please help.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Oxford, Ms. Presidential News
Hello Presidential Debate and Oxford,Ms.Fans!
Click here for info on what is going on in Oxford, Ms. before the debate!
Some fun places in Oxford. Square Books.
William Faulkner's place Rowan Oak.
Legendary Restaurant City Grocery.
Graceland Too. Yeah, He's an Elvis fan. And it is "too" and not "two."
Click here for info on what is going on in Oxford, Ms. before the debate!
Some fun places in Oxford. Square Books.
William Faulkner's place Rowan Oak.
Legendary Restaurant City Grocery.
Graceland Too. Yeah, He's an Elvis fan. And it is "too" and not "two."
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Greg's Book Club At Bailey Cove
We're meeting at Bailey Cove Library on Thursday (Sept. 25) at 6pm to talk books and reading.
We're going to chat about "The Bible Salesman" by Clyde Edgerton. But we're going to talk about some of my favorite books and authors.
The Bailey Cove Library is at:
1409 Weatherly Plaza SE
Huntsville, AL 35803
(256)881-0257
My email is greg.screws@whnt.com if you have more questions.
Would love to see you!
Greg
We're going to chat about "The Bible Salesman" by Clyde Edgerton. But we're going to talk about some of my favorite books and authors.
The Bailey Cove Library is at:
1409 Weatherly Plaza SE
Huntsville, AL 35803
(256)881-0257
My email is greg.screws@whnt.com if you have more questions.
Would love to see you!
Greg
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Presidential Debate In Oxford, Ms.
Can't wait for to see the presidential debate from Oxford, Mississippi!
With much of the talk about "lipstick" and slim pickings on hardcore details on substantial issues, I can see William Faulkner spinning and kicking whiskey bottles in his grave.
But I did find something recently that is a huge resource for those of use who love
presidential debates. Click here to get a transcript of every presidential and vice-presidential debate. And I mean all of them. From Lincoln to "W" all of them are here.!
Greg
With much of the talk about "lipstick" and slim pickings on hardcore details on substantial issues, I can see William Faulkner spinning and kicking whiskey bottles in his grave.
But I did find something recently that is a huge resource for those of use who love
presidential debates. Click here to get a transcript of every presidential and vice-presidential debate. And I mean all of them. From Lincoln to "W" all of them are here.!
Greg
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Real Numbers On Domestic Abuse
The Centers for Disease Control says 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in United States are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.
Approximately 33 million or 15% of all U.S. adults, admit that they were a victim of domestic violence. Six in ten adults claim that they know someone personally who has experienced domestic violence.
3 out of 4 people know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
The CDS says 23.6% of women and 11.5% of men aged 18 years or more have a lifetime history of intimate partner violence victimization.
If you know someone that needs help, someone that may be the victim of abuse, give them 256-716-1000. That is the emergency number for Crisis Services of North Alabama.
If you know someone that needs help walking out the front door and into the light and safety, help point them in the right direction.
Some people get out alive. Some don't. Help them make a decision that can save a life.
Approximately 33 million or 15% of all U.S. adults, admit that they were a victim of domestic violence. Six in ten adults claim that they know someone personally who has experienced domestic violence.
3 out of 4 people know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
The CDS says 23.6% of women and 11.5% of men aged 18 years or more have a lifetime history of intimate partner violence victimization.
If you know someone that needs help, someone that may be the victim of abuse, give them 256-716-1000. That is the emergency number for Crisis Services of North Alabama.
If you know someone that needs help walking out the front door and into the light and safety, help point them in the right direction.
Some people get out alive. Some don't. Help them make a decision that can save a life.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Football Recipes! Send Em' In!
Hi Gang! The first full-blown college football weekend starts Aug. 30.
Good food and drink are staples of a great football buffet.
We're going to get you started with two recipes! Send your favorite football season recipe in and we will get it on the blog.
The blog dip is from Brittian Anderson. Britt is an Ole Miss grad and can explain what the term "Hotty Toddy" means. "Hotty Toddy" is what Ole Miss fans say to each other when they passing each other, want food, want drink, going into the game, leaving the game, pulling up, driving home, or at the births of any future Ole Miss fans.
GROVE DIP by Ole Miss alum and two-time degreed Brittian Anderson.
2 cans of Mexicorn, drained
3/4 of a bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese
3/4 of a bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
1 tbsp. of Cajun seasoning (like Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning)
3-4 tbsp. of chopped jalapeños
4-5 tbsp. of sour cream
Sprinkle chives on top.
Serve with Fritos Scoops
Britt didn't recommend this but I suspect yor favorite drink works with this whether it has a serious kick or not!
Greg's Jambalaya.
2 pounds of Raw Shrimp, Chicken Filets, Smoked Sausage.
2 cups of Converted Rice.
Two Cans of French Onion Soup
Two Cans of Cream of Celery
One Can of Rotels ( I like Spicy Rotels)
One Large Bulb Onion
One Large Green Bell Pepper
One Large Red Bell Pepper
One Large Orange Bell Pepper
1/2 Cup Green Onions Chopped
Two Bottles of Dark Beer
One Large Pan-Big Enough To Hold Very Large Turkey (12-14 lb. Turkey. That's a reference point for size at the grocery store.)
Peel shrimp. Cut chicken into cubes and slice the sausage. Cut the chicken and sausage into consistent sizes so it cooks evenly.
Evenly distribute the shrimp, chicken, and sausage into the pan.
Pour French Onion, Soup, Cream of Celery Soup, and Rotels into pan and stir evenly with shrimp, chicken, and sausage.
Spread the two cups of rice evenly through pan.
Chop all peppers and onion as much as your patience will allow.
This will make a big heavy pan of food. Take a large spoon. Wooden spoon is better cause it won't tear the food.
Gently stir and evenly distribute the food in the pan.
Take one dark beer. Guinness is good. Evenly pour over pan.
Take aluminum foil. Tightly cover the food.
Preheat oven to 375.
Cook for 75-80 Minutes.
Drink 2nd Dark Beer.
Take it out. Loosen the Foil.
Cook For another 15 Minutes.
Take out of oven.
Sample one of the chicken cubes you cut. If those are done. It's good to go.
Feeds 12 people. You will probably have plenty left over
Email your recipes to news.department@whnt.com
Thanks...Greg.
Good food and drink are staples of a great football buffet.
We're going to get you started with two recipes! Send your favorite football season recipe in and we will get it on the blog.
The blog dip is from Brittian Anderson. Britt is an Ole Miss grad and can explain what the term "Hotty Toddy" means. "Hotty Toddy" is what Ole Miss fans say to each other when they passing each other, want food, want drink, going into the game, leaving the game, pulling up, driving home, or at the births of any future Ole Miss fans.
GROVE DIP by Ole Miss alum and two-time degreed Brittian Anderson.
2 cans of Mexicorn, drained
3/4 of a bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese
3/4 of a bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
1 tbsp. of Cajun seasoning (like Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning)
3-4 tbsp. of chopped jalapeños
4-5 tbsp. of sour cream
Sprinkle chives on top.
Serve with Fritos Scoops
Britt didn't recommend this but I suspect yor favorite drink works with this whether it has a serious kick or not!
Greg's Jambalaya.
2 pounds of Raw Shrimp, Chicken Filets, Smoked Sausage.
2 cups of Converted Rice.
Two Cans of French Onion Soup
Two Cans of Cream of Celery
One Can of Rotels ( I like Spicy Rotels)
One Large Bulb Onion
One Large Green Bell Pepper
One Large Red Bell Pepper
One Large Orange Bell Pepper
1/2 Cup Green Onions Chopped
Two Bottles of Dark Beer
One Large Pan-Big Enough To Hold Very Large Turkey (12-14 lb. Turkey. That's a reference point for size at the grocery store.)
Peel shrimp. Cut chicken into cubes and slice the sausage. Cut the chicken and sausage into consistent sizes so it cooks evenly.
Evenly distribute the shrimp, chicken, and sausage into the pan.
Pour French Onion, Soup, Cream of Celery Soup, and Rotels into pan and stir evenly with shrimp, chicken, and sausage.
Spread the two cups of rice evenly through pan.
Chop all peppers and onion as much as your patience will allow.
This will make a big heavy pan of food. Take a large spoon. Wooden spoon is better cause it won't tear the food.
Gently stir and evenly distribute the food in the pan.
Take one dark beer. Guinness is good. Evenly pour over pan.
Take aluminum foil. Tightly cover the food.
Preheat oven to 375.
Cook for 75-80 Minutes.
Drink 2nd Dark Beer.
Take it out. Loosen the Foil.
Cook For another 15 Minutes.
Take out of oven.
Sample one of the chicken cubes you cut. If those are done. It's good to go.
Feeds 12 people. You will probably have plenty left over
Email your recipes to news.department@whnt.com
Thanks...Greg.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Getting On A Plane
I would just as soon have a colonscopy as get on a plane and fly anywhere.
That's a problem since my wife defines quality of life as how many times you fly to England in a year. Not my idea of fun. Heading to a country where a shallow gene pool of dunces gets the royal treatment does not foster optimism upon landing.
Flying to England. The only good thing about flying to England is they hate the French as much as we do. Plus the Euro is killing us right now and looks to be that way until either Chelsea or Jeb is in the White House.
It's getting nasty on airplanes. Pilots and flight attendants make DMV workers look downright Amish.
Mean. Nasty. Get on this plane now and shut up.
We're flying you to Disney Freakin' World. What more do you want? Tell your little pinhead son to sit down or I will call the tower and them he made a terrorist threat and I will park this damn plane. I don't care about your Orlando reservations!
When I do fly, I always say please and thank you to the flight staff. Rationalization it is. If they have to pick someone to throw off the plane at 37,000 feet, maybe it won't be me.
But I can't imagine working for an airline these days. Dealing with a general public that made reality TV shows...well...an unfortunate reality must be miserable.
Being rude is not unusual behavior these days. It's a birthright.
Flight attendants and pilots try to make the herd follow rules they didn't make.
It doesn't matter if you want to use your cell phone on a flight. The rule is you can't. The plane is landing. Sit your butt down. Yelling at the flight attendant won't help and will in fact get you kicked off.
Making the decision to drink nine beers before you go to the gate isn't the flight attendant's fault. Screaming "HEY YOUFF CANNNNNN NOT CAANAAAAAAAANCELL MY FLIGHTS I HAVE OREEEOLES TIZZEKETS TO TONIGHTS GAME" will not get you anywhere.
After much research, and not admitting to personal work, I have come to the conclusion that screaming when you are drunk is like revving your engine behind a police officer at a red light. You just draw attention to yourself that might be a bad idea.
Dealing with the public. The customer is always right. That might be old-school Mayberry now. In many arenas, like airports, the public now is loud. And arrogant. And abrasive. And just an expert on everything.
It's the world we're swimming in right now. A guy who listens to Rush all day isn't going to take any crap from a silly attendant telling him to sit down because 900 people are in front of him. Especially the guy who just bought the family vacation at The Grand Floridian in Orlando.
I'm not worried a baby crying on a plane. I worry about adults acting like babies
before, during, and after the flight.
The smartest thing I've ever seen on an office wall said STOP WHINING.
The same applies in airports. They're doing the best they possible can with rules that politicians make. Also, the attendants and pilot are following airline rules made to maximize profits, Not put passenger comfort or mental health at the top of the list. Not even the top 100 of the list.
When yo go to the airport, take a deep breath. Chill. Like life, your next airport excursion might be a long one.
That's a problem since my wife defines quality of life as how many times you fly to England in a year. Not my idea of fun. Heading to a country where a shallow gene pool of dunces gets the royal treatment does not foster optimism upon landing.
Flying to England. The only good thing about flying to England is they hate the French as much as we do. Plus the Euro is killing us right now and looks to be that way until either Chelsea or Jeb is in the White House.
It's getting nasty on airplanes. Pilots and flight attendants make DMV workers look downright Amish.
Mean. Nasty. Get on this plane now and shut up.
We're flying you to Disney Freakin' World. What more do you want? Tell your little pinhead son to sit down or I will call the tower and them he made a terrorist threat and I will park this damn plane. I don't care about your Orlando reservations!
When I do fly, I always say please and thank you to the flight staff. Rationalization it is. If they have to pick someone to throw off the plane at 37,000 feet, maybe it won't be me.
But I can't imagine working for an airline these days. Dealing with a general public that made reality TV shows...well...an unfortunate reality must be miserable.
Being rude is not unusual behavior these days. It's a birthright.
Flight attendants and pilots try to make the herd follow rules they didn't make.
It doesn't matter if you want to use your cell phone on a flight. The rule is you can't. The plane is landing. Sit your butt down. Yelling at the flight attendant won't help and will in fact get you kicked off.
Making the decision to drink nine beers before you go to the gate isn't the flight attendant's fault. Screaming "HEY YOUFF CANNNNNN NOT CAANAAAAAAAANCELL MY FLIGHTS I HAVE OREEEOLES TIZZEKETS TO TONIGHTS GAME" will not get you anywhere.
After much research, and not admitting to personal work, I have come to the conclusion that screaming when you are drunk is like revving your engine behind a police officer at a red light. You just draw attention to yourself that might be a bad idea.
Dealing with the public. The customer is always right. That might be old-school Mayberry now. In many arenas, like airports, the public now is loud. And arrogant. And abrasive. And just an expert on everything.
It's the world we're swimming in right now. A guy who listens to Rush all day isn't going to take any crap from a silly attendant telling him to sit down because 900 people are in front of him. Especially the guy who just bought the family vacation at The Grand Floridian in Orlando.
I'm not worried a baby crying on a plane. I worry about adults acting like babies
before, during, and after the flight.
The smartest thing I've ever seen on an office wall said STOP WHINING.
The same applies in airports. They're doing the best they possible can with rules that politicians make. Also, the attendants and pilot are following airline rules made to maximize profits, Not put passenger comfort or mental health at the top of the list. Not even the top 100 of the list.
When yo go to the airport, take a deep breath. Chill. Like life, your next airport excursion might be a long one.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Summer Thoughts
I'm a little slow today. Actually a lot slow.
It's hot and as usual, I'm under-caffeienated and sleep deprived.
So, rather than write my usual Shakespeare...here is what's been crossing my mind lately.
How nasty will the email get from those send out all the crap about presidential candidates?
*If all that email is true, should we tell someone that Barack is really a terrorist and McCain has a screw loose from his days as a prisoner in Vietnam?
*Do the people that send those emails have a job or are they sitting in their respect campaign headquarters?
*Is Britney taking her medication as prescribed?
*Is there a dumpster around that if you had to make an emergency bathroom stop that doesn't have a surveillance camera pointed at it?
*I'm going to miss Tim Russert.
*I can't wait to watch another classic movie with young Kathryn. Last week,
it was "How Green Was My Valley" and this week it's "The Best Years of Our Lives."
*I want to give a commencement address.
*NASCAR has an excitement problem. The best automobile race on the planet is when the IRL race goes to Texas.
*I will finish my book. Soon.
*What kind of world will kids walk into in 20 years?
*The older I get the less smart I become. Just ask any kid that knows me.
More coming.
G-Dog
It's hot and as usual, I'm under-caffeienated and sleep deprived.
So, rather than write my usual Shakespeare...here is what's been crossing my mind lately.
How nasty will the email get from those send out all the crap about presidential candidates?
*If all that email is true, should we tell someone that Barack is really a terrorist and McCain has a screw loose from his days as a prisoner in Vietnam?
*Do the people that send those emails have a job or are they sitting in their respect campaign headquarters?
*Is Britney taking her medication as prescribed?
*Is there a dumpster around that if you had to make an emergency bathroom stop that doesn't have a surveillance camera pointed at it?
*I'm going to miss Tim Russert.
*I can't wait to watch another classic movie with young Kathryn. Last week,
it was "How Green Was My Valley" and this week it's "The Best Years of Our Lives."
*I want to give a commencement address.
*NASCAR has an excitement problem. The best automobile race on the planet is when the IRL race goes to Texas.
*I will finish my book. Soon.
*What kind of world will kids walk into in 20 years?
*The older I get the less smart I become. Just ask any kid that knows me.
More coming.
G-Dog
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
A Visit From Corporate
April 30, 2008
Attention: WHNT Staff
Regarding: Visit From Corporate
Staff:
By and large, the visit by our leaders at the corporate office went pretty well.
They were very complimentary of the work we do here at WHNT, and are very optimistic
about the performance of our sales and news department.
They were very skillful at offering constructive feedback on how we can reach our personal and professional goals. We're splitting some very fine hairs here. You, as a staff do great work, and in many cases, the move from great to creating a new
standard is the hardest improvement in our work environment.
However....
There are some things we need to keep in mind. While I appreciate the enthusiasm
of the staff, there are some eccentricities that need to be addressed which can be a detriment to our performing at a high level.
For example....
*The folks at corporate paid for our brand new hardwood (laminate) floors. They were very surprised to watch the production department skateboard races. Does the production department really do this every Monday and Wednesday at 1pm?
*The corporate vice-president has a sense of humor. But after being asked "Hey, can I wire up the digital channel to my bedroom? That is where the magic really happens" 32 times, the novelty wears off.
*Anchors-I know that it's an old joke to say "Hey, I'm Jerry Hayes and I'm wearing no pants" while on the anchor desk. Please, in the future, wear pants during the news. I thought you were just kidding.
*The newsroom does not have a two-drink minimum.
The sign stating such has been taken down.
*Meterologists-Please, under no circumstance,
use the weather computers to play Grand Theft Auto 4.
*Corporate News Director's Jacket-Never tell the corporate news director that somewhere there is a horse with no blanket if you don't like his jacket.
It cost more than you make in 3 weeks.
Especially if you aren't working here anymore.
*News Vans-I don't care if you finished 2nd in the Late Model Sportsmen Division.
Skylink is not to be raced at the Huntsville Speedway.
*Reenacting your favorite episode of Andy Griffith
is not a good use of time between the 6 and 10pm news.
*Crime Reporters-Don't end your story with
"DON'T MAKE ME COME TO YOUR HOUSE!"
*Letterman-Don't call the Letterman office and ask how wide the gap is between his front teeth.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
WHNT Management
Attention: WHNT Staff
Regarding: Visit From Corporate
Staff:
By and large, the visit by our leaders at the corporate office went pretty well.
They were very complimentary of the work we do here at WHNT, and are very optimistic
about the performance of our sales and news department.
They were very skillful at offering constructive feedback on how we can reach our personal and professional goals. We're splitting some very fine hairs here. You, as a staff do great work, and in many cases, the move from great to creating a new
standard is the hardest improvement in our work environment.
However....
There are some things we need to keep in mind. While I appreciate the enthusiasm
of the staff, there are some eccentricities that need to be addressed which can be a detriment to our performing at a high level.
For example....
*The folks at corporate paid for our brand new hardwood (laminate) floors. They were very surprised to watch the production department skateboard races. Does the production department really do this every Monday and Wednesday at 1pm?
*The corporate vice-president has a sense of humor. But after being asked "Hey, can I wire up the digital channel to my bedroom? That is where the magic really happens" 32 times, the novelty wears off.
*Anchors-I know that it's an old joke to say "Hey, I'm Jerry Hayes and I'm wearing no pants" while on the anchor desk. Please, in the future, wear pants during the news. I thought you were just kidding.
*The newsroom does not have a two-drink minimum.
The sign stating such has been taken down.
*Meterologists-Please, under no circumstance,
use the weather computers to play Grand Theft Auto 4.
*Corporate News Director's Jacket-Never tell the corporate news director that somewhere there is a horse with no blanket if you don't like his jacket.
It cost more than you make in 3 weeks.
Especially if you aren't working here anymore.
*News Vans-I don't care if you finished 2nd in the Late Model Sportsmen Division.
Skylink is not to be raced at the Huntsville Speedway.
*Reenacting your favorite episode of Andy Griffith
is not a good use of time between the 6 and 10pm news.
*Crime Reporters-Don't end your story with
"DON'T MAKE ME COME TO YOUR HOUSE!"
*Letterman-Don't call the Letterman office and ask how wide the gap is between his front teeth.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
WHNT Management
Monday, February 25, 2008
When Did I Switch Sides?
I didn't really want to go to breakfast but did. Eggs Benedict and
bloody marys were to good to turn down. Especially in Oxford, Mississippi.
Periodically, I go there to channel William Faulkner but most of the time it turns out to be my Uncle Jack Daniels. A favorite bed-and-breakfast.
A way to clear my head from the newsroom.
Breakfast went as smooth as it could until a seasoned group of travellers joined us.
Eating with people I don't know early in the morning...with a headache...is not something I do well. But in the course of conversation, I made an observation about
SEC football. Something about I wish Mississippi could step up and compete against the big boys like Tennessee and Florida. But I didn't think they could.
Maybe we could help them? Let them annex a county or two out ot Florida?
Out of the blue, a retired minister's wife, a pleasant woman wearing her Sunday best leaned over and said "well son, you sound like a democrat. That's what they do.
They try and make everyone all the same. Like one of those news people.
Always talking on the news about some guy that wants somebody to give something to him. I hate those people."
Sounds like an Alabama fan actually. But I digress.
My wife, who was already on her second bloody mary at 9:15 in the morning, started laughing and said "Hey Tvboy, tell her what you do for a living!"
Had to kill my bloody mary first and then pour a second.
I leaned in. Spoke softly so all would strain to hear.
"I'm a reporter. A member of the liberal news media. And every single day I
try to tear this country down brick by brick."
Needless to say. Breakfast was over.
Being from the painfully polite upper crust of Jackson, Mississippi, the woman said
"you have a blessed day."
Thanking them I stood up wished them well, and said "You kind people are welcome to join us at Ajax for lunch. But first we have to go to an ACLU meeting. Maybe we will see you at the Hillary Clinton book-signing at Square Books later today."
The evil liberal media.
On Sunday, I changed sides and didn't know it. I'm now apparently on the side of the vast right-wing conservative conspiracy.
Sunday, Feb. 24, we were scheduled to air the CBS 60 Minutes story about the prosecution of Don Siegelman. But right as the show started, we lost the feed and missed the first eight minutes.
The show featured a republican attorney who says Karl Rove asked her to spy on Siegelman, and also that the former governor was prosecuted for being a democrat in a republican state.
A technical problem. A glitch. A screwup. A mistake.
But all those open-minded people are now cursing, threatening, and and berating us. They think we're part of the republican-conspiracy to keep Siegelman in jail.
Today, I have been physically threatened. Another e-mailer says we will "get what is coming to us."
Other call us pigs, say we should be ashamed, one says his life goal is to screw us, and yet another wants us to die.
Nothing like calm political discourse. Our little technical problem is a microcosm of the country in which we live.
People make up their mind regardless of the facts. Don't confuse me with the truth.
I, seemingly, chosen a side in the republican and democratic debate. A bitter and hateful fight that is getting worse every day. It's about who is good and bad, and not who is right or wrong.
Now after so many years in the liberal media, I guess I can bask in the republican wading pool. Can I go back and forth? When the republicans run out of those white wedding cookies, can I go back to the democratic pool for oatmeal?
I've voted for democrats in my life. I've voted for republicans.
I make up my own mind. I don't vote one way or another because someone like Rush or Olbermann tells me their version of reality.
I can find and manipulate the Charmin without their help. I can also make my own mind up about conspiracy theories and the one that suggests we deliberately fouled up the CBS feed is just dead wrong.
If you have a reasoned and thoughtful opinion, I will talk and debate with you.
Curse and threaten me, scare my co-workers, and call so you can scream...then just listen to this sound....
Delete
Delete
Delete
Delete....
bloody marys were to good to turn down. Especially in Oxford, Mississippi.
Periodically, I go there to channel William Faulkner but most of the time it turns out to be my Uncle Jack Daniels. A favorite bed-and-breakfast.
A way to clear my head from the newsroom.
Breakfast went as smooth as it could until a seasoned group of travellers joined us.
Eating with people I don't know early in the morning...with a headache...is not something I do well. But in the course of conversation, I made an observation about
SEC football. Something about I wish Mississippi could step up and compete against the big boys like Tennessee and Florida. But I didn't think they could.
Maybe we could help them? Let them annex a county or two out ot Florida?
Out of the blue, a retired minister's wife, a pleasant woman wearing her Sunday best leaned over and said "well son, you sound like a democrat. That's what they do.
They try and make everyone all the same. Like one of those news people.
Always talking on the news about some guy that wants somebody to give something to him. I hate those people."
Sounds like an Alabama fan actually. But I digress.
My wife, who was already on her second bloody mary at 9:15 in the morning, started laughing and said "Hey Tvboy, tell her what you do for a living!"
Had to kill my bloody mary first and then pour a second.
I leaned in. Spoke softly so all would strain to hear.
"I'm a reporter. A member of the liberal news media. And every single day I
try to tear this country down brick by brick."
Needless to say. Breakfast was over.
Being from the painfully polite upper crust of Jackson, Mississippi, the woman said
"you have a blessed day."
Thanking them I stood up wished them well, and said "You kind people are welcome to join us at Ajax for lunch. But first we have to go to an ACLU meeting. Maybe we will see you at the Hillary Clinton book-signing at Square Books later today."
The evil liberal media.
On Sunday, I changed sides and didn't know it. I'm now apparently on the side of the vast right-wing conservative conspiracy.
Sunday, Feb. 24, we were scheduled to air the CBS 60 Minutes story about the prosecution of Don Siegelman. But right as the show started, we lost the feed and missed the first eight minutes.
The show featured a republican attorney who says Karl Rove asked her to spy on Siegelman, and also that the former governor was prosecuted for being a democrat in a republican state.
A technical problem. A glitch. A screwup. A mistake.
But all those open-minded people are now cursing, threatening, and and berating us. They think we're part of the republican-conspiracy to keep Siegelman in jail.
Today, I have been physically threatened. Another e-mailer says we will "get what is coming to us."
Other call us pigs, say we should be ashamed, one says his life goal is to screw us, and yet another wants us to die.
Nothing like calm political discourse. Our little technical problem is a microcosm of the country in which we live.
People make up their mind regardless of the facts. Don't confuse me with the truth.
I, seemingly, chosen a side in the republican and democratic debate. A bitter and hateful fight that is getting worse every day. It's about who is good and bad, and not who is right or wrong.
Now after so many years in the liberal media, I guess I can bask in the republican wading pool. Can I go back and forth? When the republicans run out of those white wedding cookies, can I go back to the democratic pool for oatmeal?
I've voted for democrats in my life. I've voted for republicans.
I make up my own mind. I don't vote one way or another because someone like Rush or Olbermann tells me their version of reality.
I can find and manipulate the Charmin without their help. I can also make my own mind up about conspiracy theories and the one that suggests we deliberately fouled up the CBS feed is just dead wrong.
If you have a reasoned and thoughtful opinion, I will talk and debate with you.
Curse and threaten me, scare my co-workers, and call so you can scream...then just listen to this sound....
Delete
Delete
Delete
Delete....
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Did The War End?
I must have missed it. Did the war end? Where was I when we killed all the terrorists? The brave men and women are home?
Is the economy back on track? Is the mortgage crunch over? Are people able to stay in their homes now? I must have missed it when the every business and homeplace started hitting on all cylinders again.
Our schools? All problems in our schools are solved? I was asleep at the wheel apparently when every T was crossed and every I was dotted.
Is the presidential race on hiatus? Did Hillary and Barack take a break and go shopping? I missed it? Did McCain, Huckabee, Romney, and that Ron Paul guy whose fans keep calling and e-mailing go for a foursome at the local golf course? I missed it?
Is every problem in America solved? The quality of our life can't be improved in any way?
It must be. Cause when i turned on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, and every other damn national news outlet this morning, all I saw was Britney Spears. Every news story has been advanced, fine-tuned, discussed, and analyzed in its entirety to the point that huge blocks of time and resources are now given to...Britney freakin' Spears.
Britney is going to the hospital. Britney has been to the hospital many times. I think its news when Britney doesn't go the hospital. In fact, in a week or so, when the current Britney drama is over, this should be the lead story: "World is good! Britney didn't go to the hospital."
Here is the short version of today's event in case you missed it.
Britney has an issue in the middle of the night.
Someone called an ambulance.
Ambulance picks her up.
Ambulance takes her to the hospital.
Britney admitted.
No confirmination of Dr. Phil being there....wait, He is on CBS morning show making a case that he did the right thing visited Britney the last time she was in the hospital.
(It's purely coincidental that Dr. Phil has a talk-show and the forklift that carries that monsterous ego parked at the hospital to help "Her Cajuness."
See: www.opportunisticgasbag.com
If you want the long version, go to any network morning news show when it comes to Britney. When it comes to the coverage of human debris slowing floating, sinking, and dying in the quicksand of life and culture, thank God we have every single movement, inside her body and out, covered to the nth degree.
It's embarrassing. The atom-by-atom disintegration of a celebrity now passes as important news. Call me when these people quit self-destructing. It was Anna Nicole yesterday. It's Britney today. And tomorrow's dysfunctional, socially maladjusted, trainwreck mega-star is just waiting in the wings of the next pathetic duo called celebrity parents to shove him/her/it on page one and into blazing glory. Some people have cattle. Celebrity parents have children.
And while they are waiting....plenty of airtime and column space will be waiting on them.
By the way, there are six people left in Presidential race, home foreclosures are up 75%, and almost 4,000 U.S. troops have died in a conflict that has lasted longer the World War Two.
Wonder when Britney is going home?
Is the economy back on track? Is the mortgage crunch over? Are people able to stay in their homes now? I must have missed it when the every business and homeplace started hitting on all cylinders again.
Our schools? All problems in our schools are solved? I was asleep at the wheel apparently when every T was crossed and every I was dotted.
Is the presidential race on hiatus? Did Hillary and Barack take a break and go shopping? I missed it? Did McCain, Huckabee, Romney, and that Ron Paul guy whose fans keep calling and e-mailing go for a foursome at the local golf course? I missed it?
Is every problem in America solved? The quality of our life can't be improved in any way?
It must be. Cause when i turned on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, and every other damn national news outlet this morning, all I saw was Britney Spears. Every news story has been advanced, fine-tuned, discussed, and analyzed in its entirety to the point that huge blocks of time and resources are now given to...Britney freakin' Spears.
Britney is going to the hospital. Britney has been to the hospital many times. I think its news when Britney doesn't go the hospital. In fact, in a week or so, when the current Britney drama is over, this should be the lead story: "World is good! Britney didn't go to the hospital."
Here is the short version of today's event in case you missed it.
Britney has an issue in the middle of the night.
Someone called an ambulance.
Ambulance picks her up.
Ambulance takes her to the hospital.
Britney admitted.
No confirmination of Dr. Phil being there....wait, He is on CBS morning show making a case that he did the right thing visited Britney the last time she was in the hospital.
(It's purely coincidental that Dr. Phil has a talk-show and the forklift that carries that monsterous ego parked at the hospital to help "Her Cajuness."
See: www.opportunisticgasbag.com
If you want the long version, go to any network morning news show when it comes to Britney. When it comes to the coverage of human debris slowing floating, sinking, and dying in the quicksand of life and culture, thank God we have every single movement, inside her body and out, covered to the nth degree.
It's embarrassing. The atom-by-atom disintegration of a celebrity now passes as important news. Call me when these people quit self-destructing. It was Anna Nicole yesterday. It's Britney today. And tomorrow's dysfunctional, socially maladjusted, trainwreck mega-star is just waiting in the wings of the next pathetic duo called celebrity parents to shove him/her/it on page one and into blazing glory. Some people have cattle. Celebrity parents have children.
And while they are waiting....plenty of airtime and column space will be waiting on them.
By the way, there are six people left in Presidential race, home foreclosures are up 75%, and almost 4,000 U.S. troops have died in a conflict that has lasted longer the World War Two.
Wonder when Britney is going home?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Sanchez Recruitment Signals Change in 2018.
Josele Sanchez can fly. He runs the 40 in 4.12 consistently.
He can throw a football 80 yards on a tight spiral while down on one knee.
4.0 GPA. Wants to go pre-med.
Alabama and Auburn want him badly. But they have competition.
USC, Ohio State, Florida, Michigan, and Oklahoma want him as well.
Josele however is committed to staying in the state of Alabama.
His mother and father run a Hispanic restaurant in Albertville and are in bad health.
They are illegal aliens. Their restaurant used to get burned out fairly regularly.
But that stopped when Josele started playing football and everyone realized how great he could be wearing either crimson or orange and blue.
No one can prove if Josele is an illegal alien or not.
"She was literally standing in the Rio Grande River when her water broke. The border guards were chasing her and she was trying to give birth to me. She literally had me while she was standing in the water.
They couldn't decide where she was standing when she gave birth so they gave her the benefit of the doubt and let me be an U.S. citizen."
Josele's father was sent back to Mexico, but immigration agents let mom stay with the baby.
After 48 hours in the hospital, she sneaked out with little Josele and headed to Alabama where her sister lived. His father made his way back to the U.S. and Alabama a few years later. It didn't take long for the future football star to find out what the locals thought of immigrants...legal or illegal.
"I didn't realize how much people hated us. But I went to a public hearing at Huntsville's Art Museum when I was 8. People shouted at my father when he wanted to speak. They shouted him down and called us names when we left. All he wanted to do was say he wanted a chance to work hard, and he wouldn't let them down."
Ten years later, they still call Josele names. But now it's franchise, blue-chip, and savior.
As little Josele became big Josele...6'6" and 230 pounds, the community wall of hatred towards
illegal immigrants and Hispanics changed mightily.
"I didn't care what country he was birthed in cause that boy could throw a football. Thanks to him we won two state championship here. Hell yeah, we love diversity now."
The mayor of Albertville, Sconley Hoggins, doesn't care about illegal immigrants. His boy "Little Sconley" coached Josele to those two state championships.
"Thanks to Josie, my boy got an offensive coordinator at Arkansas. He is in charge of recruiting any athletes that come out of Rio Grande."
Alabama and Auburn are locked in a heated battle to get Josele. But his legacy may not be as a football players. State legislators who are Auburn and Alabama graduates are involved.
Jeremiah Dinanhouse is a Republican from Andalusia. He wants Josele real bad.
"If he will go to Alabama, I will get a bill passed that will give illegal immigrants amnesty if they
pledge to support the Crimson Tide. I would love to see Josele's parents with the burrito
concessions at Saban-Bryant-Denny Stadium and also would love to see them get permanent amnesty."
Alvin Sampler, a Democrat from Gadsden and an Auburn fan, wants to see Josele in orange and blue.
"That damn Dinanhouse won't steal my boy. I have always supported the Hispanic athlete's right to better himself in Lee County. He will be more at home here in Lee County cause it's so hot here. "
And Sampler has legislation of his own to entice Josele Sanchez to wear the orange and blue.
"My bill would let illegal Hispanic immigrants work in the Auburn athletic department and if they did that I know they would be more than happy to sign up their kids to play football
at Tuberville-Jordan-Hare."
Signing day is soon. The son of illegal immigrants will pick who he is doing play football for, or more importantly, against.
For now, everyone is the state is feeling warm and fuzzy as dreams of Hispanic athletes dance in their heads. Excited about a pipeline of great athletes from Guadalajara. No need for those
world class athletes to play soccer when they could play football.
War Eagle or Roll Tide. Roll Tide or War Eagle.
Josele Sanchez will pick a side soon.
His parents picked a side. Standing in the middle of a the Rio Grande giving birth, Josele's mom was headed to the state of Alabama.
State football fans are glad she did.
He can throw a football 80 yards on a tight spiral while down on one knee.
4.0 GPA. Wants to go pre-med.
Alabama and Auburn want him badly. But they have competition.
USC, Ohio State, Florida, Michigan, and Oklahoma want him as well.
Josele however is committed to staying in the state of Alabama.
His mother and father run a Hispanic restaurant in Albertville and are in bad health.
They are illegal aliens. Their restaurant used to get burned out fairly regularly.
But that stopped when Josele started playing football and everyone realized how great he could be wearing either crimson or orange and blue.
No one can prove if Josele is an illegal alien or not.
"She was literally standing in the Rio Grande River when her water broke. The border guards were chasing her and she was trying to give birth to me. She literally had me while she was standing in the water.
They couldn't decide where she was standing when she gave birth so they gave her the benefit of the doubt and let me be an U.S. citizen."
Josele's father was sent back to Mexico, but immigration agents let mom stay with the baby.
After 48 hours in the hospital, she sneaked out with little Josele and headed to Alabama where her sister lived. His father made his way back to the U.S. and Alabama a few years later. It didn't take long for the future football star to find out what the locals thought of immigrants...legal or illegal.
"I didn't realize how much people hated us. But I went to a public hearing at Huntsville's Art Museum when I was 8. People shouted at my father when he wanted to speak. They shouted him down and called us names when we left. All he wanted to do was say he wanted a chance to work hard, and he wouldn't let them down."
Ten years later, they still call Josele names. But now it's franchise, blue-chip, and savior.
As little Josele became big Josele...6'6" and 230 pounds, the community wall of hatred towards
illegal immigrants and Hispanics changed mightily.
"I didn't care what country he was birthed in cause that boy could throw a football. Thanks to him we won two state championship here. Hell yeah, we love diversity now."
The mayor of Albertville, Sconley Hoggins, doesn't care about illegal immigrants. His boy "Little Sconley" coached Josele to those two state championships.
"Thanks to Josie, my boy got an offensive coordinator at Arkansas. He is in charge of recruiting any athletes that come out of Rio Grande."
Alabama and Auburn are locked in a heated battle to get Josele. But his legacy may not be as a football players. State legislators who are Auburn and Alabama graduates are involved.
Jeremiah Dinanhouse is a Republican from Andalusia. He wants Josele real bad.
"If he will go to Alabama, I will get a bill passed that will give illegal immigrants amnesty if they
pledge to support the Crimson Tide. I would love to see Josele's parents with the burrito
concessions at Saban-Bryant-Denny Stadium and also would love to see them get permanent amnesty."
Alvin Sampler, a Democrat from Gadsden and an Auburn fan, wants to see Josele in orange and blue.
"That damn Dinanhouse won't steal my boy. I have always supported the Hispanic athlete's right to better himself in Lee County. He will be more at home here in Lee County cause it's so hot here. "
And Sampler has legislation of his own to entice Josele Sanchez to wear the orange and blue.
"My bill would let illegal Hispanic immigrants work in the Auburn athletic department and if they did that I know they would be more than happy to sign up their kids to play football
at Tuberville-Jordan-Hare."
Signing day is soon. The son of illegal immigrants will pick who he is doing play football for, or more importantly, against.
For now, everyone is the state is feeling warm and fuzzy as dreams of Hispanic athletes dance in their heads. Excited about a pipeline of great athletes from Guadalajara. No need for those
world class athletes to play soccer when they could play football.
War Eagle or Roll Tide. Roll Tide or War Eagle.
Josele Sanchez will pick a side soon.
His parents picked a side. Standing in the middle of a the Rio Grande giving birth, Josele's mom was headed to the state of Alabama.
State football fans are glad she did.
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