An Alabama Three-Way

The state of Alabama might be changing its state song. The current song is titled, appropriately enough, "Alabama," and is one of those songs that, I'd guess, most people in the state don't know. Or, if they do, they only know one verse.

A state House committee is recommending "Sweet Home Alabama" as the new state song. (Tip: Doc's Political Parlor)

The Lynyrd Skynyrd classic overcame an early push for "Stars Fell On Alabama" to receive the committee's recommendation.

Georgia changed its song back in 1979. "Georgia On My Mind" was adopted as the Official Song. There was no controversy about it. And, when it passed the legislature, Ray Charles performed it at the state house.

For the Yellowhammer State, though, I prefer "Stars Fell On Alabama." Oh, I have nothing against the Skynyrd song. I just think that "Stars" is a better song. Not because "Sweet Home" essentially tells Neil Young to kiss its ass -- I agree with that sentiment. And, I do like the song. But, to me, "Stars" is a superior song.

Judge for yourself.

First, here's a choir performing the current song, "Alabama"...


[Direct link]

Now, the committee's recommendation, "Sweet Home Alabama"...


[Direct link]

Finally, the early front-runner, and my personal choice, "Stars Fell On Alabama"...


[Direct link]

Which would you prefer?

Congressman says don't "Clean House"

At a gathering in Phenix City, Alabama on Wednesday, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL) told voters that it would be a mistake to throw out the entire Congress and start over. The 4-term Alabama Republican said that, while it wouldn't him personally if he lost his Congressional seat as part of a massive "Cleaning House" backlash by voters, the voters of his state would ultimately suffer if they did the same to the state's two Senators. [Direct YouTube link] Earlier, Rogers blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's ego for the Cap and Trade bill that passed the House of Representatives. He said the bill would die in the Senate, and the Upper House would propose its own "more reasonable" bill.

Driving your own car is racist

In Russell County, Alabama, (just across the river from Columbus, Georgia, for the geographically impaired) there was a discussion last week about using county vehicles. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has the story, but here's a summary: One county commissioner -- one of the four white ones -- brought up for a vote a policy saying that county commissioners could use the county-owned Ford Explorer only when traveling outside the local counties (Russell County, Alabama and Muscogee County, Georgia). Commissioners would have to use their own personal vehicle when driving in the local counties, and could be reimbursed at the standard rate. Another commissioner -- one of the three black ones -- called the proposed policy "racist." The vote was 3-3-1. That broke down to three whites voting "yes," three blacks voting "no," and one white abstaining. They finally ended up agreeing to research what the policy has been, since nobody remembered. Without knowing what the previous policy was, assuming there was one, it seems to me that a county vehicle could be used for county business, regardless of where the business is. A policy that says you can't use a county vehicle for county business in the county is ... stupid. Not racist, just stupid. Calling it "racist" is ... racist. And stupid. At least it's nice to know that stupidity is color-blind.