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YOUR VIEW: Incorrect Facts In Editorial

By Adrian Carlson / SENIOR IN FINANCE | April 1

While I agree with your overall condemnation of the bill, I can not help but to point out the problems in the article that are simply untrue.

YOUR VIEW: Opting Out of The Third-Party System Will Save Doctor-Patient Relationship

By Dr. Richard Amerling / New York, NY | March 25

Now that the Senate version of ObamaCare is moments from becoming the law of the land, we need strategies to safeguard the doctor-patient relationship from government intrusion.The most effective approach is for both patients and physicians to opt out of the third party payment system.From the patients' perspective, opting out makes sense.

OUR VIEW: Health Care Bill Brings Hope For Years To Come

March 25

H.R. 4872 represents a monumental change for this country, a change some of us feel is much needed and long overdue.If implemented in its current form, the bill will allow 32 million more Americans to be able to afford health insurance, granting 95 percent of our citizenry health coverage.It's not perfect, but it's an admirable start.The legislation also makes way for children to stay on their parents' insurance policies until age 26-good news for students like us.By 2014, insurance companies will no longer to be able to bar individuals from receiving insurance due to pre-exisiting medical conditions.Being denied coverage for having illnesses as simple as asthma is an abhorrent practice, and we're happy to see the government helping to bring an end to it.With more citizens able to afford insurance, there will no doubt be an increase in the amount of patients seeking medical attention, as the poor and forgotten are finally able to come out ofthe shadows and seek treatment.

OUR VIEW: Blame and Responsibilities Must be Shared by All

March 4

Over the past year 12 citizens of Auburn have been involved in pedestrian accidents.When events like those occur, it is natural to want to point fingers and begin playing the "blame game," and every party responsible begins to look for a scapegoat.There is no one person or entity to blame for these incidents. There are a number of factors and issues that contributed to these accidents.

OUR VIEW: Meal plan not-so-bon pain for some students

By Editorial Board | February 25

Jonathan Reeves is one of many Americans who has to live with a gluten-free diet.As an incoming freshman, Reeves would have been required to purchase one of Auburn's meal plan options, even though the number of gluten-free choices available are not as plentiful as they should be.The weaknesses inherent in the meal plan's mandatory nature show when dealing with students who have different dietary needs, and that's just one crack in the facade.When students have legitimate, documented medical dietary issues, the University must make accommodations.We would hope they would act in such fashion out of the goodness of their hearts, but we're certain there is a legal obligation here as well.We understand why the meal plan exists.The campus restaurants would have difficulty staying financially viable without the money from those mandatory plans.However, shouldn't that tell us something?If it takes mandatory meal plans to help these restaurants make ends meet, then it seems obvious to us those restaurants are obviously not meeting the needs and demands of their customer base.It's capitalism in its purest and simplest form. The customers have demands that aren't being met, so they go elsewhere.

OUR VIEW: SGA Elections Do Matter, Take Pause Before You Vote

By Editorial Board | February 18

You have important choices to make today, students of Auburn, choices that will forever impact The Plains for you and the generations of Auburn family members who come after you.The Student Government Association elections are today, and the candidates for office represent a wide array of directions for Auburn's future growth and well-being.We worry you do not fully realize the power you have right now, and we want you to know what your vote really means this year.

I'm Sick of Getting Excuses

By Laura Maxwell / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | February 18

Sneezing.Coughing.Aching.Chills.You've got a cold. And there's no cure for it.

Bringing Food Brings Love

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 18

My grandmother died recently.The doctors said her 90-year-old body couldn't handle the stress from the emergency brain surgery she had just undergone, but in reality it was just time for her to go.Before my grandmother, I had never lost a close family member.

People go crazy over a few beads and cups

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | February 18

Beads.Costumes.And lots of shiny things.Honestly, what other toys are needed to keep anyone entertained for a weekend of craziness in New Orleans.The better half of my weekend was spent yelling "Cups!

OUR VIEW: Stop, look, listen: Why pedestrian safety matters

By Editorial Board | February 11

Occasionally, there comes a time when an issue of importance thrusts itself into the spotlight.After Haluk Yapicioglu was struck by a car while crossing Magnolia last week, pedestrian safety once again moved to the foreground, much as it did after Shou Ju Chen and Mary Hammett were similarly struck.Over the next four weeks, The Plainsman will be bringing you a series of articles about pedestrian safety on this campus.Please take note and pay attention.This is an issue that could easily effect each and every person on this campus.As journalists, we feel it is a vital necessity to cover all aspects of this issue to their fullest extent.It is only in diligently seeking the truth and reporting it that we will be able to understand and comprehend the problems facing us and the solutions we need.We will not take an editorial stance on this issue until that series of articles is finished.We will not make up our minds on the matter until we review all of the evidence, carefully weighing facts and figures along with anecdotes, personal tales and a plethora of opinions.However, we certainly invite and implore you to share your views and opinions with us.Send a letter to the editor if you have a strong opinion on the matter.Let us know if you or someone you know has had similar issues happen to them on campus.If there are places on campus you think could prove dangerous, bring them to our attention.We can only be fully effective in covering this campus with the help of you, our Auburn family.

OUR VIEW: War of the Words

By Editorial Board | February 11

We're all familiar with the old adage "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."Pardon our French, but bullshit.Whether we like it or not, certain words within our language are endowed with power beyond their original meanings.These taboo words, curse words and words like "faggot" and the N-word, are viewed by many as intensely negative.When people choose to use those words in a different meaning, in ways other than the widely-accepted negative meanings, conflict ensues.Censorship is the natural enemy of creativity, and provocateurs will always continue to push the boundaries in the name of freedom of speech and expression.Courtesy versus personal freedom.Where do we draw the line?Honestly, we're not entirely sure.A key to the problem of taboo words is situation.When we're with our friends, we use a different discourse than we would in a job interview.The lack of formality and the familiarity we have with our friends let us know where the boundaries are.

Being Bold on Valentine's Day

By Brian Desarro / ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR | February 11

I am certainly not proud of being one. My boyfriend says I should hide my face in shame. In public, I just put on a smile and act like nothing is bothering me.But I can't deny it any longer.I am a Valentine's Day hater.Embarrassing, right?Let me explain myself, though, because my reasons may not be what you were expecting.

Yes, I'm a Facebook junkie

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 11

People are fascinating to me.I love to sit on campus benches to people watch and occasionally I'll sit behind two friends on the transit to listen to what they found interesting that day.

Swallow pride: letting the last word go

By Emily Clever / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR | February 11

There are certain songs out there that will make me cry every time, like "Puff the Magic Dragon" and Don Henley's "The End of the Innocence." But the one that gets to me like no other is Rascal Flatts's "What Hurts the Most."I don't even like this song.

Keep your crude comments to yourself

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | February 11

The Plainsman is an open forum.This means you as students, readers and individuals have the opportunity to voice your opinions on issues and make them heard to the Auburn community.We provide the paper for you to write on.This is a large responsibility, not only for the staff of 30 students, but also for you.You have the chance to speak your mind via letter to the editor, commenting on the Web site, writing an entertainment review, drawing comics, and of course, joining the staff and being able to write personal columns.I enjoy criticism.My skin toughens daily just by the position I have chosen to take.It's with critiques and criticism that we grow and learn from our mistakes.It's not from the venom of hatred and abundance of free time that we learn from others.Recently, there have been a growing number of misplaced comments on The Plainsman's Web site.I'm not referring to the ones slamming grammatical errors, quality or quantity of articles or even really the ones criticizing the writers.It is the immoral and lewd comments attacking other readers and individuals at this University with no basis that tempt the freedom of a forum for others.Racist comments are uncalled for on any level and for any reason.Especially when they are on an article dealing with a person being hit by a car and being sent to ICU.I'm still confused how racism is relevant here.Not to mention appropriate.The people commenting on how this publication is a failure also bewilders me.If you don't like it, tell me what to do to improve it.Better yet, show me.I am constantly amused by commenters saying they don't like this story or they don't like the paper.That room is for your opinion, yes, but use it to your advantage.Instead of bashing one of the sports guy's grammar (who is Dutch, by the way, and he was called a hick), offer some advice or guidance.You don't have to help, and I realize not everyone is a 'word cop,' but crudeness isn't always necessary on articles about clothing and basketball.With that space where you can publish almost whatever you want, write things that matter and put your name to it.In the pedestrian article, discuss the issues, not misguided assumptions.On an Avatar review, write why you didn't like it instead of death threats to the writer.This is not an opportunity for you to brag on your personal life either.If you have questions on how we deal with articles, ask me.If you don't like how we do something, tell me.If you think you can do better, show me.One way is with the Readership Survey to give us feedback on your thoughts on the paper.

OUR VIEW: Give Lebo the Heave-ho

By Editorial Board | February 4

Although there are nine games left in the basketball season, we feel the need to speak out on this matter now.When we reach the end of this season, we call on Coach Jeff Lebo to step down from his position.His short tenure here has not been a great time to be an Auburn Tiger within the walls of Beard-Eaves.He has led his teams to only two overall winning seasons and only one postseason appearance.

Be Earnest: It's Good For You

By Ben Bartley / COPY EDITOR | February 4

Being a product of the Internet generation has made me realize several things about myself.(Well, many, but this is neither the time nor place for a fetish roundtable.) The main epiphany being I am all about some irony and sarcasm.And I don't know if that's the way I want to be.Sure, the guy who always has the witty comeback is great to have around now and again, but is that guy, with his pettiness and sharp jokes, worth being?I don't know.

Diversity Brings Better Life

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | February 4

I love culture.I love diversity.Living in the South, as you might imagine, presents a few difficulties.Not that the South lacks culture (it's definitely unique), but it's just not a Petri dish full of diversity.I mean, the only Asian student at my high school had a George Bush drawl.