Between the Ten Commandments monument and the Governor’s tax program, there has been very little room left this past week for any additional &uot;copy&uot; on other subjects of public interest.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to brush aside some of these headlines in favor of Auburn and Alabama football.

I can’t remember when I was this anxious to see a football season get underway.

Speaking of football, and the use of the word &uot;copy&uot; with respect to newspaper articles, I am reminded of something in my past which I have probably not shared with you.

When I finished the twelfth grade at Luverne High School, back in the &uot;dark ages&uot;, I was torn between going to Auburn or Alabama to pursue my college education.

The turning point on my deciding to go to Auburn University involved both football and &uot;copy&uot;.

My good friend, Doug Hawkins, now and for many years past a practicing veterinarian in Troy, was a student in vet school at Auburn the year I graduated from high school.

Doug was a native of Luverne and also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Auburn.

In addition, he held many other honors and titles, including editor of the school yearbook, the Glomerata.

I was a big football fan and also I was interested in a career in journalism.

Doug contacted me one day and told me that if I would come to Auburn he would make me the sports editor of the Glomerata and he would rush me for the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

This was very exciting and challenging to a young boy from a country town, so I fell for the &uot;bribe&uot; and wound up at Auburn to pursue my college undergraduate degree.

Doug kept his promise.

I became section editor for sports on the Auburn yearbook staff and I pledged Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Both of these actions significantly influenced my education at Auburn and my future career.

I went on to become sports editor of the school newspaper, The Plainsman, and I worked my way through college in the Auburn University Athletic Department.

I reported to coach Shug Jordan, one of the greatest football coaches and one of the finest men I have ever known.

I also became president of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity my senior year, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable four years at Auburn University.

I might add that I dropped out of journalism in my second year at Auburn.

I decided that I had a better chance to support a future family by pursuing a pre-law curriculum.

I still love to write and I enjoy submitting &uot;copy&uot; each week to the newspapers who run my column.

Most of all I am appreciative to those of you who read it and share your comments with me.

To my Alabama constituency, I must add that I went to the University of Alabama to law school following my obtaining an undergraduate degree at Auburn.

I pull for both Auburn and Alabama during the football season, and I sit in the end zone at the Alabama-Auburn game just to make sure I am perceived as being &uot;objective.&uot;

I enjoyed a very fine visit to Brundidge this past week where I spoke to the local Rotary Club.

My host was my good friend, Jimmy Ramage, who serves as the very able Mayor of that fine community.

I addressed the club on the subject of the Governor’s tax and reform package, and it was evident to me that I have friends who are for these taxes and I have friends who are against them.

Someone asked me where I stood.

I jokingly reply that I stood with my friends.

Next week I guess I will get my wish.

Both Alabama and Auburn play their football openers and both games are sellouts.

There should be a lot of different &uot;copy&uot; for all of us to read beginning in just a few days.

Until next time, remember &uot;I’ll go with you or I’ll go for you&uot; to help you solve any problem related to state government.

Senator Wendell Mitchell can be reached at 334-242-7883, or by writing to P O Box 225, Luverne, Alabama 36049.