Accountability & Terry Bowden

Our sources at the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center tell us Eddrick Perez Harris has bonded out of custody while Deandre Alexander Harrison remains in lockup. The third suspect in the latest UNA rape case had previously bonded out on Sunday; he was not connected to UNA or the university's football program.

Our friend O.B. has commented on the two athletes being leftovers from Terry Bowden's recruiting program--basically "crime not only pays it plays." Others have commented on the entitlement philosophy of today's athletes. We have no doubt a little of each played a part in the events of this past weekend, but the most salient point?

Alcohol/other drugs. Now both the young woman and her alleged attackers will pay dearly for a few hours of "fun." The media regularly warn women to be mindful of their surroundings, but never seem to add that alcohol clouds such awareness.

*****

Apparently Eddrick Harris had a very bright future in football, both at the university level and at the professional as well.

Eddrick Harris

*****

Okay, all you Colbert County writers out there, here's your chance to be famous...or maybe infamous depending on the subject matter:

Essay Contest

Shoalanda

Our Naughty List (Some Much More Than Others)

"Naughty Lists" seem to be a trend among local bloggers this year, so we're happy to jump on the bandwagon. Here's our version, in no particular order...

1. Terry Bowden - He didn't even bother to say goodbye.

2. Wal-Mart - What? They've made so little money over the years that now they're worried about Publix? Please...

3. Florence City Council - Most of them truly care about the town. Standing one's ground can be courageous, but failing to find a solution for our garbage woes is not a great example of placing the city first. Santa may not leave any trash in their yards, but by February Cupid may consider doing so.

4. Cherokee Mayor Chuck Lansdell - If you don't play his way, he won't play at all, while blaming others for his leadership problems.

5. Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan - We're about to begin year three of this ongoing saga, all paid for by Lauderdale County taxpayers. He's not even appealing his DUI conviction on claims of innocence, but on a nebulous law. Great example there, Chief.

6. Brian Keith McGuire - Another less than upstanding citizen costing Alabama tax payers unnecessarily to appeal the loss of his teaching license. A Lauderdale jury may have found him not guilty of rape, but the Alabama Board of Education pronounced him guilty of that plus a lot of other seedy doings. Does he think anyone would hire him to teach Alabama youth even if he got his license back?

7. "Christians" who bash atheists - It doesn't speak well of their religion or their IQ. After all, we haven't seen any Methodists trash talking Baptists recently. Calling an atheist harsh names isn't going to make him want to sit by us in church on Sunday morning.

8. Florence and Colbert Animal Shelters - Neither can see the forest for the trees. We hope in 2012 both entities will concentrate on promoting animal adoption. It's about time...

9. Steve Pierce - If we can blame one man for UNA now residing in the purgatory that lies between Division I and Division II, it's Steve. We have to ask why he prefers UNA to be a very small frog in a big pond to being a very large frog in a medium pond.

10. Susan Leigh Smithson & the Sweetwater Gang - It's been over two years now since the owner of Sweetwater mansion and a few locals began their efforts to restore this once stately home. During this time, the director and her various committee members have alienated almost anyone who has volunteered to work on the property. Here's hoping Smithson finds a buyer in 2012,

11. Red Bay Police Chief Jana Jackson for commenting prematurely on the death of David Andrasik. No, no one knows how a Franklin County grand jury will rule in January, but we highly suspect Jackson will have some thoughtless words to eat.

We could add more, but the sound of tiny hooves approaching needs immediate investigation. Here's hoping all readers are careful out there this weekend.





Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Special Report: O.B. Gets a Christmas Miracle?

Reports are circulating that Terry Bowden is leaving UNA. True? Untrue? We're guessing true. That means our dear friend O.B. has gotten one of his Christmas wishes. Uh, does that mean he won't get the other one?

If you haven't read O.B.'s interview with "Tater Tot," don't miss it!

Tater Tot

What It Was, Was Football

What's dearer to the heart of the average Alabamian than his coon dog? Why, Alabama football of course--that is unless he's an Auburn fan, but that's a story for another day. Those who can neither define nor pronounce the word proration can recite Coach Nick Saban's salary history without so much as a stutter. Perhaps they can't comprehend the enormity of it, but they will quickly tell you since the taxpayers don't fund Alabama football, it's none of their business to start with.

So, just how much does Nick Saban make? Perhaps the easiest way to comprehend the magnitude of his salary is to compare it to that of others. Currently the University of North Alabama, an institution reportedly eager to ascend to Division I athletics, offers head coach Terry Bowden a base salary of $100,000.00 per year, well over that of the average citizen in this Heart of Dixie. Sounds good, but wait, let's look at the above chart and compare it to Nick Saban's.

What does this say about the mentality of most Alabamians? If Johnny can't read, or doesn't have a book to read, does it really matter as long as he can catch a spiral pass? Perhaps we should look on the bright side; at least Nick Saban can afford to buy us all another Big Orange.


Note: Curious as to how your salary stacks up against Nick Saban's? Simply type in your annual income for some very revealing statistics: Salary Comparison.