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OUR VIEW: State Debates Medical Marijuana

April 15

The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, a bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana in Alabama, passed out of committee this week to return to the floor for a possible vote.While Alabama will probably not pass the bill any further this legislative session, it is no small feat the bill even made it out of committee.

OUR VIEW: Toughen 'Travel with Care'

April 8

When we first saw one of the "tickets" being handed out to pedestrians on Magnolia this week, we all had a good laugh.

OUR VIEW: All Done In The Name Of Fun, Laughs

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | April 1

In spirit of April Fools Day, we decided to run a special edition with satirical articles applicable to each section.

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: Farewell, Jack Smith

By Editorial Board | February 25

Effective yesterday, our general manager, Jack Smith, has resigned and left his position.While we find ourselves saddened and slightly dismayed by his decision, we know it is the best one for him, and we do not begrudge him that.We think had he known we were planning to write a farewell editorial to him, he may have tried to stop us, so we apologize, Jack, for what's to come.

Taking risks still worth it

By Olivia Martin / Associate Intrigue Editor | February 25

Close followers of my articles (I'm sure there are many) will remember a column I wrote last October about the whimsical fun of pink hair.Five months of whimsical fun later, I was fed up.

'I won't apologize' for my tastes

By Crystal Cole / STAFF REPORTER | February 25

Music is my life.It's probably one of the most overused phrases on a college campus, especially by fratastic bros trying to pick up girls at the bar.However, for some of us, music is in fact the air we breathe.

Fasting Should be More Than a Fad

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | February 25

It's the season for Lent: a proud tradition for many to feel they are giving back to their religious roots.Being a predominantly Christian tradition, whether it's Eastern or Western Christianity, many people take this time to give up any sort of food, alcohol or cussing because of failed New Year's resolutions, not for the 40 days of fasting and preparation.However, Lent is meant to give something back to others instead of taking personal sacrifices.Pope Benedict explained in his message for Lent 2010, that in year's past the alms giving part of the tradition has been lost.Fasters should concentrate on giving to charities and to their communities.This gives the opportunity to do an extrinsic, positive deed affecting others.This shouldn't affect those if their reason to give up 40 nights of hitting the bottle is to prove they aren't an alcoholic.Maybe for those 40 days the roads will be a bit safer.Even so, this is not a biblical concept.Preparing or fasting for your Savior is not measured by personal struggling for only an annual small period of time.Not being one of solid church standings, this selfish act that is intended to be anything but egotistical, appears to be a flawed to those not partaking for the "right" reasons.People's motives are selfish in everyday life.

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.