Articles written by Kristin Oberholzer

Editorial: Just take a right from Wall Street to Main Street

wpolley — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:26:00 -0400

Oh, the joys of absorbing two debates within one week’s span.

Where would I even begin to start?

This week, there will be no analysis from me about what any of the candidates said, or didn’t say, in their televised opportunities to reach out further to the public.

But, speaking of the public, I’ve noticed how the focus of the campaigns have really honed in on us, the commoners.

We seem to have indirectly and probably unintentionally reshaped both campaigns’ modus operandi for these final remaining weeks before Election Day.

At some point during this eternal election cycle, both the Democratic and Republican campaigns have taken on a noble struggle to obtain the coveted “main street” vote.

Television commentators and reporters immediately caught on, making “main street” and “Wall Street” the hot potato buzz words we’ll never be able to forget.

It seems like every political analyst is breaking down how Obama needs to act less like an elitist and how Palin is the key for McCain to hold on to the “main street” voters he’s already accumulated.

Editorial: VP debate could be more entertaining than factual

wpolley — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:22:00 -0400

“Part of what a leader does is to instill confidence and demonstrate he or she knows what they’re talking about and communicates to the people, if you listen to me and follow what I’m suggesting, we can fix this.”

That grammatically-impaired quote comes from none other than the Democratic VP nominee Sen. Joe Biden, during his brief interview with CBS news anchor Katie Couric last week.

Biden’s quote highlights the importance of being able to practice what you preach, or simply being able to apply what you seem to know.

Unfortunately for the people who intend to vote come November, it appears neither of the major vice presidential candidates can measure up to Biden’s own standard of what a leader is supposed to exhibit.

And again, unfortunately, I’m almost certain nothing that can or will be said in tonight’s St. Louis debate between Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin will indicate either candidate is doing more than bumbling along the road to the White House, making the trip a little more difficult for their respective running mate.

Editorial: Viewing game from couch is not as bad

wpolley — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:52:00 -0400

To be such an avid Auburn football fan, which doesn’t require much other than having an interest, I did a strange thing last weekend.

After a childhood friend of mine lost both his mother and ex-girlfriend to different automobile accidents within the span of two weeks, I decided to sell my precious LSU ticket and make a weekend trip back up to north Alabama to hopefully see a friend in need and squeeze out a visit with the fam.

Lucky for me, I was able to bounce outta town Thursday night before the crazy crowds completely consumed our otherwise tolerable game day crowded town.

The whole drive home, I was utterly bummed about missing what’s arguably the second-best game of our football season.

The pain really started to hit me by Saturday morning when I woke up in time to watch the end of College GameDay with my dad.

I can’t describe how badly I wished I could have been there in person, if only just to laugh at the redneck LSU fan holding a sign saying, “I came here off of FEMA $.”

But no, I had voluntarily driven 230 miles to be AWAY from the scene.

Editorial: Why I can’t vote for the glorious change

wpolley — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:08:00 -0400

If you just skimmed my headline, you might be under the assumption I will not be voting for the Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama in about seven weeks.

That may lead you to believe I plan to vote for the Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.

Both of those assumptions would be horribly incorrect.

I plan to vote for neither.

Despite the reiterated, redundant promises for change, I feel neither candidate addresses any of the real changes that need to happen in America.

Obama’s been riding a gravytrain of “change” for nearly a year, eloquently leading the tired, struggling American public with a romanticized dream of change for the middle class.

In his beginning, I thought he was a fresh face to the scene. He sparked the interest of those who had never been concerned with politics with his unique background, his rise from Chicago to the Senate and eventually, his fairytale ending of receiving the Democratic nomination.

Editorial: Trying not to be on the non-plan plan

wpolley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:17:00 -0400

Having a strong, passionate opinion on differing topics for several consecutive weeks is a hard thing to do.

Anyone who must share their thoughts and opinions on a daily or weekly basis will understand.

The first two or three weeks are easy — you come in ready with all of your carefully thought-out rants and raves, prepared for the lovely or hateful responses which are soon to follow.

But you can only stand on your soapbox for so long.

Or at least that’s how it is with me.

So for this week, my opinion piece will be about the appropriateness and acutality of not having an opinion.

Some people, like myself, call this apathy.

And I have it bad.

It seems like I go through some type of this cycle with nearly all things: school (for sure,) work, exercise, politics, religion, people, etc.

I can only be consumed by emotion for something for only a short time.

Soon thereafter, it feels worse than pulling teeth to even let (insert random noun/verb here) cross my mind.

Do all people go through this?

Editorial: Sporlitics? Politorts? They’re the same!

wpolley — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:08:00 -0400

Although the Democratic National Convention is behind us and the Republican National Convention will be wrapping up tonight, I’m still a little confused concerning what’s been deemed one of the most historic nomination processes in American political history.

Did I just watch two separate political congregations elect their talking head, or did I witness an athleticless sporting event?

When I break the whole thing down, after reading the never-ending array of articles filled with experts’ analysis, and after browsing through spectacular photos only AP and Reuters could deliver, I see no difference between the conventions and well, just any plain old sporting match.

Let me explain.

To begin, notice the most obvious: the venues for each party’s convention are full-time venues for large sports teams.

The Democrats launched their convention from Denver’s Pepsi Center, home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Denver Avalanche.

As if that wasn’t magnificent enough, the Dem’s headed over to the Denver Bronco’s Mile High Stadium for Barack Obama’s acceptance speech finale.

Editorial: Looks are everything — to an extent

wpolley — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:49:00 -0400

It’s funny how things you seem to be looking for always have a way of finding you, instead.

The other night I climbed into bed and started thinking about how to go about this sort of introductory column — my first of the year.

Should I take a “Hello world, I’m Kristin!” approach?

No.

It’s certainly been done before, and I admit, it probably wouldn’t be that interesting.

Should I follow ole’ John McCain and create my own printed version of the “Straight Talk Express,” sharing my political thoughts and frustrations?

No.

I would quickly receive hate mail, and I’m not quite ready to absorb that kind of reaction.

Should I start with trash-talking every team lined up to face our football team this fall?

No.

I’m just a girl, right? I don’t know what I’m talking about.

Keystone State proves key for Clinton campaign

wpolley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Clinton the victor, the race for the Democratic nomination continues

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton saw a tremendous and much-needed boost after her campaign declared victory in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary late Tuesday night.

“I’m in this race to fight for you,” Clinton said in her victory speech to supporters in Philadelphia. “You know you can count on me to stand up strong for you every single day in the White House.”

Clinton won by a 10-point margin, giving her a substantial amount of Pennsylvania’s 158 pledged delegates.

Arrest made in stabbing incident

wpolley — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:18:46 -0400

At approximately 1:00 a.m. Thursday, Johnathon Sepp Etterer of Birmingham turned himself in to Auburn City Police in connection to yesterday’s stabbing at The Edge apartment complex.

Etterer, 20, has been charged with second degree assault and has been moved to the Lee County Detention Center where he will be eligible for bond.

According to Auburn City Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson, Etterer decided to turn himself in after speaking with his parents late last evening.

King files lawsuit to stop gambling

wpolley — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:46:47 -0400

Attorney General tries to quell casino gambling in Mobile

Alabama Attorney General Troy King has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Interior in attempts to keep the Poarch Band of Creek Indians from continuing informal conferences with the department concerning casino gaming limits.

The tribe wishes to include Class III gaming activities such as electric slot machines and table games in its casino centers. Under Alabama state law, Class III games are illegal.