Opinion

Our View: Military policy discriminates against those it protects

coreyshep — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:55:23 -0400

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” has been a part of the military since 1993. The policy prevents openly gay, lesbian or bisexual people from serving in the U.S. military.

Now Congress is considering overturning the 15-year-old policy, creating quite a stir, even within our seven-person editorial board.

We believe the policy was created in order to protect homosexuals in the military, but, at the same time, the policy discriminates against the group it was established to protect.

Staff Opinion: Last column, a farewell of sorts

coreyshep — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:52:56 -0400

This is it.

My final column for the weekly edition as editor of The Auburn Plainsman.

It’s been an adventure to say the least, but I wouldn’t venture to say it was enough to satisfy every journalistic ambition I have. And that’s something that has always rung true with The Plainsman. It is the jumping off point; a place to get your feet wet.

Staff Opinion: Hard work and dedication: For me

coreyshep — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:50:21 -0400

I’ve dedicated this summer to working out and finally putting myself first. It’s taken a lot of work to get into the routine of things and stay motivated.

It takes a lot of dedication to wake up at 5:35 a.m. to go swim before my class at 8 a.m. It takes even more work to convince myself to go lift weights later in the day, and, occasionally, I feel crazy enough, to run a couple of miles.

Staff Opinion: Concert brings realization about life

coreyshep — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:46:00 -0400

When do you turn old enough to have a beer with your old man?

I’m not even sure I actually believed that question would have an affirmative answer followed by a date.

My eyes seemed to have been opened to a new adult world Monday night as my dad joined in on musical festivities shared by my friend circle.

Reality show aims to teach responsibility, misses mark

coreyshep — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:11:02 -0400

NBC’s new reality show “Baby Borrowers” aims to teach teenage couples from 18 to 20 about everything that goes into parenting.

The couples “borrow” children from their real parents, some of whom were teen parents themselves, to experience parenthood firsthand.

Different age groups of children, including infants, toddlers and preteens, rotate every three days, and the teens must learn how to cope with children at different stages of development.

The teens also take care of a senior citizen to simulate caring for in-laws later in life.

Mercury-filled lightbulbs should come with directions

coreyshep — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:09:48 -0400

CFL lightbulbs (the swirly Al Gore ones) are more expensive than regular lightbulbs, but they last longer and end up paying for themselves.

The supposedly “green” lightbulbs present a big problem, however, if they break.

CFL bulbs are packed full of mercury, which is the reason they last longer, and the mercury can be hazardous to bulb owners with butter fingers.

Side effects of mercury poisoning from the lightbulbs include chest pain and coughing in the short-term and hallucinations and delirium in the long-term.

Staff Opinion: Troops faced with electrocution

coreyshep — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:06:52 -0400

If it weren’t enough our nation’s soldiers were volunteering for a dangerous war that has become a drag on the morale of the people of the United States, they now have to worry about the possibility of electrocution.

The New York Times reported Friday between August 2006 and January 2007 “at least 283 electrical fires destroyed or damaged American military facilities in Iraq,” information the paper gathered from internal Army documents.

Staff Opinion: Facebook adds to procrastination

coreyshep — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:03:44 -0400

Facebook: social outlet or ultimate distraction? For me, it’s the latter.

When it comes to school work, Facebook is my go-to distraction. No matter the severity of my work load, the consuming site never ceases to divide my attention and prevent concentration.

That’s right; I am a self-proclaimed procrastinator and Facebook junkie. If my computer is on, I can guarantee I am logged in and wasting my time.

Our View: Alcohol policy too invasive, insult to Auburn students

coreyshep — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:01:09 -0400

In an attempt to involve parents in critical student issues, the Office of the Dean of Students will put the New Policy of Parent Notification of Alcohol and Drug Incidents into effect at the beginning of fall semester.

Under this new policy, Auburn University will contact parents if their son or daughter is involved in an alcohol or drug-related incident.

This is being added to an existing policy that allows the University to contact parents if their son or daughter is transported to a medical facility because of alcohol or drug use.

Staff Opinion: Procrastination: form of art, not flaw

coreyshep — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:56:31 -0400

I have an incredibly infectious disease. Well, I have an undiagnosed infectious disease. And I’m sure I’m not the only one suffering from it.

Procrastination.

Even as I type this now I am Facebooking and talking with a friend.

Some weeks this dear column may not be written until the very last hour before deadline.

It’s not that I don’t like writing it; surely I wouldn’t have chosen a field in writing if I hated the art.

The reason may very well be that I am the world’s worst procrastinator.