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(09/03/12 3:21pm)
"The Hunger Games" confronts its audience with a premise that is surely improbable and undeniably barbaric: that human life has become expendable, and children-the most innocent of us all-are the ones being used and killed for sport, their humanity masked by euphemisms. Victims are deemed "tributes." This seems so far removed from our modern, civil rights-backed society. You may think there is no way to draw parallels, what with our 21st century emphasis on equality. Yet social Darwinism and its application, eugenics, are prevalent both in the U.S. and abroad.On July 16, Rosa Silverman of the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published an article with shocking statistics from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, an independent IVF regulator in the U.K. In 2009, the most recent year for data, Down syndrome was given as a reason for 31 of the 127 test-tube baby abortions. These children would not be perfect, that much they knew. But who is? Infertility had been conquered, but the young conqueror couldn't survive our own hunger games.Earlier this month, parenting website Babble.com published an equally jarring story about Paul Corby, a 23-year-old from Pottsville, Pa. in need of a heart transplant. "According to the Corbys, and according to a letter from Penn Medicine which they shared with me, Paul has been denied the placement in large part because he is autistic," Babble contributor Joslyn Gray writes. Not only has Corby been denied a transplant outright, he has been denied any of the hope or solace that accompanies consideration for the life-saving procedure. His mother has a petition on Change.org and, at the latest count, is just thirty-two thousand shy of the three hundred thousand-signature goal.If Corby's autism is not the principal reason behind Penn Medicine's refusal, the hospital has done nothing to rectify the public or the press's understanding of this tragedy.If it is any consolation (it isn't), our predecessors can't hide the vestiges of social Darwinism either. Just this year, North Carolina legislators voted down a measure to provide compensation for victims of forced sterilization. According to Jennifer Calhoun of The Fayetteville Observer in a June 5, 2011, article, there were at least 7,600 documented cases of state-sanctioned sterilization between 1929 and 1974. The state's eugenics board supported forced sterilization to keep people with "feeblemindedness," among other traits, from having children. The movement was billed as a way to curb the need for welfare and other government expenses. The means to this intended end were gruesome. "'(My fallopian tubes) weren't tied,'" she said. "'Mine were cut and burned at the end. It was a tool they used to just have the power-the power of God,'" said Mary English, a victim of forced sterilization Calhoun interviewed. The state had the third most forced sterilizations in the nation under the eugenics board program.History has spared other more brazen proponents of social Darwinism. Margaret Sanger, the founder of what is now known as Planned Parenthood, once appeared as a choice on a list of important women for a middle school project of mine. Her pernicious legacy has been whitewashed. "(Sanger) referred repeatedly to the lower classes and the unfit as 'human waste' not worthy of assistance, and proudly quoted the extreme eugenics view that human 'weeds' should be exterminated," writes Edwin Black in his book "War Against the Weak."Her desire for Americans to embrace eugenics and, as she wrote in the April 1932 edition of Birth Control Review, "to keep the doors of immigration closed to the entrance of certain aliens whose condition is known to be detrimental to the stamina of the race, such as feebleminded, idiots, morons, insane...and others," speaks for itself.Sanger's ideas may not have been subtle, but most of the other underpinnings of social Darwinism are. Next time we watch or read the latest pop blockbuster, let us pull ourselves out of the haze and acknowledge the proximity and palpability of the hunger games around us.
(08/28/12 12:49pm)
It's practically a sin to say the word 'books' during the beginning of the semester; it's almost like one of those Voldemort kind of things where people would instead prefer you to say 'that-which-must-not-be-purchased.'
(08/27/12 2:42pm)
The English language has always been evolving, ever since it was first spoken by Angles and various tribes of the British Isles more than 15 centuries ago. Many words that were once considered derogatory have evolved into more positive and even flattering words.
(08/22/12 2:44pm)
Voting is an indispensable component of our democratic process.
(08/21/12 2:15pm)
Clint MoseleyBased on experience, Moseley is the guess for starter. However, he did not participate in spring practice as much as Frazier due to a sore shoulder, and the extra time may be the deciding factor. He has proven himself a quarterback that can win in the SEC. If he can improve his efficiency and ability to make decisions on the fly, he may get a crack at the starting job. He completed 66-108 passes in the 2011 and five touchdowns to three interceptions. He also had a quarterback efficiency rating of 133.06.Kiehl FrazierFrazier is the overwhelming favorite to win the quarterback battle. He threw only 12 passes in2011, but proved his worth with his feet when his number was called. During the off season, Frazier grew not only physically, but also as a leader on the field. Loeffler’s offense is focused on getting the ball to the star players. If Frazier gets his shot, we could see many connections with Lutzenkirchen, Blake and Trovon Reed. One of the most encouraging things said about Frazier’s improvements and abilities is his arm strength.Philip LutzenkirchenComing off of a 2011 season where his numbers weren’t much flashier than 2010, as well as surgery on a torn labrum, expect Lutzenkirchen to have a big year. The biggest change to the offense from last year is the addition of the prototypical fullback Jay Prosch. Prosch will assume the role of lead blocking and protection, allowing Lutzenkirchen to get downfield and attack the seam. Lutzenkirchen will have more opportunities and likely be the No. 2 receiver behind Emory Blake.Onterio McCalebbMcCalebb’s biggest asset heading into the season is his experience. His biggest competition in 2010 and 2011, Michael Dyer, has been dismissed from the team. Another advantage is Loeffler’s pro-style offense. This offense utilizes the tailback more than Guz Malzahn’s did. Expect McCalebb to have more carries than the last two seasons, but unless he puts on more weight, they will mostly be outside of the tackles. His biggest competition this year will come from sophomore Tre Mason.Corey LemonierAnchoring the defensive line will be Lemonier. The best part of his game will be his ability to pass rush. He is fast and good at getting extension with his hands. He is entering the season 20 pounds heavier than last year, an advantage when facing larger tight ends. He has room to improve in his run defense. If Lemonier can stay explosive off the line and disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage he will become a more balanced defensive end and potentially one of the best in the SEC.
(08/20/12 2:06pm)
Let me preface this by saying I love Auburn football.
(08/19/12 4:18pm)
In a speech he gave to a crowd of college students in Maryland, President Obama pleaded his case for a similar election to his 2008 victory over John McCain.
(08/17/12 10:07pm)
I admit I hadn't taken much notice to the Bourne franchise until lately and as far as I can tell "The Bourne Legacy" is not a Bourne movie.
(08/18/12 12:42pm)
Every time I type the title "editor-in-chief," I almost feel like I should be typing "leader of the troops" or "General Robert E. Lee." But I don't.
(08/17/12 2:07am)
This fall, tens of thousands of Auburn fans and alumni will pack Jordan-Hare Stadium to see their team compete, and they'll gladly pay exorbitant ticket prices to do so.
(08/10/12 4:23pm)
I’m going to hit you with a high note here, Auburn.Where’s our local music scene?Oh sure, it’s there. If you go to a bar or two you can see someone play. But it’s not vibrant, like it should be in a college town of our size.There are obviously musicians in the area, but nobody I talk to ever seems truly passionate about attending local concerts or pointing out that their classmates are in these bands.In fact, I hear more excited talk about people rushing off to Atlanta or Birmingham when they should be able to drive straight downtown and get a nice local dose of sound.I can think of a couple local musicians off of the top of my head right now: Dead?Wait!, Gypsies With Knives, Adventure the Great and John and The Connors. That’s four artists, Auburn. I’d like to be able to name at least five more, but I can’t. Not because they’re not there, but because I don’t ever hear about them.With so many bands/artists/sound gurus in its midst, why has our fair town not embraced the culture that lies within?We’re in an odd state for music, I’ll admit that. Alabama has historically been comfortably nestled between the constantly progressive and expanding music scenes of Georgia (Athens & Atlanta) and the formative music scenes of Mississippi (birthplace of the blues) and Louisiana (New Orleans jazz & blues).Music festivals also seem to come and go. Last semester, The Gnu’s Room did a fantastic job of putting on the Gnu Music Festival at Pebble Hill over on Debardeleben Street. Over the summer there was also the Full Tilt Boogie in Loachapoka, but nothing seems to stick as an annual event.I think the citizens and students of Auburn would love an annual music event, perhaps even sponsored by the University, to showcase local talent.WEGL 91.1 FM has tried to bridge this gap over the years, but without a source of documentation for live shows and artists that may only visit Auburn, new music can fall on deaf ears.It also seems that the venues for local music, like The Independent, seem to get run out of town quickly. I’ve heard that Bloodhound is doing an OK job as a replacement, but places like The Independent should always be welcome in a college environment. Why aren’t they?Is it because Auburn is an oppressive atmosphere for musicians?Some may say this is the sad reality, but I’m just not willing to believe it.Maybe I’m wrong and I’m not able to see through the woodwork of it all. Maybe there’s some secret venue that I’m not privy to, passwords and all.I could see how it might possibly be a lack of coverage as well. As an employee of The Plainsman I’d love to see more local music reviews, event listings and artist interviews.In fact, I urge you to send any opinions you have about this issue to opinion@theplainsman.comI want to hear your thoughts along with the ring of beautiful, sweet, local music.We don’t have to be Athens and we certainly don’t have to be New Orleans. We just have to be Auburn.
(07/31/12 3:07pm)
I work at a newspaper, and you could even accuse me of writing a few news articles. However, I promise that I am not a journalist. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
(07/27/12 3:15pm)
My name is Anna Claire Conrad, and I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; or, at least that's what my doctor says.
(07/20/12 3:44pm)
Believe it or not, "birthers" are still around.
(07/20/12 3:36pm)
Hey Auburn, how ya been?
(07/13/12 1:44pm)
Since the first time I pulled off of Interstate 85 and decided to make Auburn my home, construction has been an omnipresent feature of the Plains.
(07/05/12 10:19am)
I remember growing up through the Clinton and Bush eras and thinking, "I'm not exactly sure what kind of decisions these guys are making, but they don't seem to affect me."
(07/04/12 6:51pm)
Nearly a month ago I was sitting on the beach.
(07/04/12 4:22pm)
The United States of America is in trouble.
(06/28/12 10:01am)
To be honest, when I signed on as online editor of The Auburn Plainsman I had little knowledge of what the job actually entailed.
