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The Plainsman, 'It was fun and good'

By Natalie Wade / MANAGING EDITOR | December 3

The Plainsman has become such a huge part of my life during the past eight consecutive semesters, and it's going to be hard to steer myself away from the office between classes or during a free moment.I've spent the better part of my Monday through Wednesdays deciphering AP Style and deciding if the hairline is more or less than a pica away from the picture, and I've loved every long night.I am choosing to leave The Plainsman while I am ahead.

America's Forgotten Problem

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | December 3

American infrastructure is failing.If we do not step up to the plate soon, the effects of a rapidly deteriorating infrastructure will cripple our economy.The U.S.

Reel Review: Twilight 'New Moon'

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | December 3

One film has been buzzed about more than any showing in theaters this holiday season. Of course I am talking about "New Moon."Let me start off by saying that I am not a Twilight fan, so this is not a review about how much I love Edward Cullen or Jacob Black or how I have seen it three times already.

Reel Review: Twilight 'New Moon'

By Jacob Cole / STAFF WRITER | December 3

Director Chris Weitz fails to bring anything aesthetically captivating to his work on "New Moon," the second entry in the "Twilight" saga; compared to Catherine Hardwicke's slimy blue color timing and queasy camera movements; however, his direction is as exciting and breathtaking as Scorsese's.That's more or less where the positive aspects of this film end, sadly, as "New Moon" is an arduous slog through a mythology that seems as long as a round-trip to Mordor in real-time.Codependent protagonist Bella (Kristen Stewart) is still in chaste bliss with vampire hunk Edward (Robert Pattinson), though her impending 18th birthday reminds her that she ages, while Edward remains eternally young.Naturally, she suffers nightmares of being an old lady chained to her eternally teenaged beau, which Edward believes is a bit obsessive (it is important, here, to remember the relativity of perception).His vampire family invites Bella over to celebrate, she cuts herself on the birthday card, yadda yadda yadda, and tensions (and appetites) are stoked.Edward decides to leave, to where he does not say, nor did I ask owing to an old saying about gift horses and mouths.

Hello, Goodbye, See you Soon

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | December 3

This semester has come and gone and with that, we at the paper have had successes and room for improvement.There are a few staff members leaving that have been a true asset to this paper professionally and personally and will truly be missed on both levels.Julian, who has brought comic relief every time he graces the office with his less than punctual presence, has been behind the camera this semester.

'Tis the Season to Decorate

By Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR | December 1

When I came back to Auburn after Thanksgiving break last year, I realized that my apartment was in need of a serious make-over.

Getting Back to Solid and Honest Journalism, Without Fox News

By Andrew Sims / ONLINE EDITOR | November 28

Lately in the news, and I don't mean the Fox News and CNN floating heads that yammer back and forth about who is bending the truth more, but the people that I trust, we are talking about returning to "responsible" journalism.Writers like Maureen Dowd, Leonard Pitts and Nobel Prize winning writer Paul Krugman are among the people who say the things we don't want to hear.

Holiday Traveling, How to Survive

By Olivia Martin / Associate Intrigue Editor | November 28

For me, no major holiday would be complete without a five-hour plane ride home to California from Atlanta.As the last class of the day ends, I run home to stuff my magic silver suitcase (Which, no matter how much I have crammed into it, never exceeds the 50 lb.

I'll Give Thanks for Harry Potter

By Kate Davis / GRAPHICS EDITOR | November 23

There's nothing like a good Harry Potter book to complete your holiday. When my suitemate made a Potter reference earlier this week (posting "Dumble" on her door), I realized I had the whole series tucked away in my dorm and decided to re-read the series.

We Were Just Dirt 'Pur'

By Michelle Wilder / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR | November 23

"We were just dirt pur,'" Granny said. That's my granny's explanation for the reason she and her family never traveled anywhere when she was growing up.

Wall Street Journal Article on Auburn is Misleading and Biased

By Lindsey Davidson / Editor | November 19

I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fraternity supporter, and I don't drive around with a "Go Frat" sticker on my car.But, I do know the Wall Street Journal article degrading the Auburn male Greek system and Southern school traditions was disrespectful and, on most levels, wrong.Any current or former student and any enlightened guest knows the information was skewed and slanted.

Dual Album Review: John Mayer's 'Battle Studies'

By Kevin Saucier/Multimedia Editor | November 19

When I first heard about the name and concept of singer/songwriter John Mayer's fourth studio album, "Battle Studies," I winced.When the track listing was released, and I saw that the album would feature songs titled, "Heartbreak Warfare," "Assassin," and "War of My Life," I groaned.But when I listened to the album last week, after finding a link to a leak of the album on Twitter, I sighed with relief.My initial reaction to Mayer equating failed relationships with the horrors of war was a hearty, "Puh-lease."He's my favorite modern pop artist, and I'm all for metaphor, but no breakup is even close to people dying.But then I thought about the last time I got dumped, and I imagine the experience is one many can relate to.You're not thinking clearly.

Why UGA Makes Me Love Auburn

By Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR | November 19

Last weekend I traveled to Athens, Ga., for the Auburn vs. UGA football game.I am from Atlanta so I was very excited to go to this game because a lot of my high school friends go to the University of Georgia.As I was driving to Athens, I started wondering to myself why I chose to attend Auburn over UGA.After all, when I made the decision to go to Auburn as a senior in high school, I had not even stepped foot on UGA's campus.However, since coming to Auburn I have visited Athens three times and after each visit I cannot drive fast enough to get back to the Loveliest Village on The Plains.Do not get me wrong, I have fun every time I go to Athens, but the University of Georgia lacks many of the qualities that had me begging my parents to let me attend Auburn and forfeit the HOPE scholarship.During my trip last weekend I realized UGA is definitely not the family Auburn is.

Auburn Gets a Much Needed Bye Week

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | November 19

In the first leg of Amen Corner, Auburn was on the 11th green poised to beat Georgia, but four putted and ended up losing the game.The first putt that went awry was the play calling.On the first two drives, Auburn's offense had its way with the Bulldog defense.Chris Todd completed his first eight passes and had two touchdown passes during those drives.All the passes were short, no more than 15 yards, and over the middle during the first two drives and were extremely effective.Why did the play calling change?If something is working, run it until the other team can stop it, then move onto something new.If anything, it wasn't a lack of coaching that lost the game, it was too much coaching.The second missed putt was the offensive line.Injuries and fatigue along the front five led to three Georgia sacks and nine tackles for loss.The line couldn't provide the rushing attack the lanes and push to make a difference in the game.When coaches switch the game plan from short passes to long passes, the offensive line needs to establish a running game to allow the deep throws to open up.Ben Tate needs to be gaining more than 67 yards in a big rivalry game, especially when he is wearing No.

Our View: Insurance Benefits Must Be Extended to Same-sex Couples

By Editorial Staff | November 19

When we heard the Universities of Alabama at Birmingham and Huntsville were extending insurance benefits to homosexual members of their faculties, we became excited and filled with hope.Finally, we are beginning to see equal recognition of same-sex couples even here in Alabama, the buckle of the Bible Belt.Sadly, we live in a state where colleges and universities have to take initiative on issues like this, as we all know full well the state of Alabama would not likely endorse such policies if left to its own devices.In fact, UAB and UAH are among the only universities within the state that offer such benefits.The main campus of the University of Alabama is currently studying adopting such a policy.Auburn, on the other hand, appears to be happy to stand pat on this particular issue, as it does not seem to be a priority concern to the powers that be here.Are we actually letting Alabama get ahead of us on something?

Dual Album Review: John Mayer 'Battle Studies'

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | November 19

John Mayer, once an innocent-looking pop heart throb, has been on a quest for several years to change that image.Striving to disassociate his style from radio hits such as "Your Body is a Wonderland" and "Bigger Than My Body," Mayer emphasized his passion for guitar in his last album, "Continuum," released in 2006."Battle Studies," Mayer's first completely self-produced album, brings him even further from that original image.Throughout the production of the album, Mayer wrote updates, shared song lyrics and posted videos on a companion blog called, "Battle Studies: A Mid-Action Report."Mayer wrote, "to evolve you have to dismantle, and that means accepting the idea that nothing you've created in the past matters anymore, except that it brought you here.To pick up your new marching orders."This album is unlike anything Mayer has recorded before.

Farewell Auburn Plainsman, I Did My Best

By Brittany Cosby / Campus Editor | November 19

Though my time on The Plainsman staff was short lived, I felt it was only right to leave my legacy to the ones I leave behind.To the fall 2009 Plainsman staff, I leave safety walks to Moe's, "We do our best," Chick-fil-A in the Student Center, the candy drawer, e-board ramblings, late pagination days, laps around the office and the Diabeetus.To the Campus section, I leave the section fronts, filling space, writing for the front on Wednesday, the Scoop, story ideas and meeting deadline.To Ellison Langford, I leave Story Idea Wednesdays, drowning ourselves in queso, Chef's Table, Degrassi: The Next Generation, So You Think You Can Dance Tour, The Office recaps, walking around without shoes, sneaking off to Cold Stone for ice cream, sleepovers in Atlanta, Plainsman talks, good and bad photo discussions and breaking news.To Professor Judith Sheppard, I leave your insight into the journalism profession, nailing me on A.P.

OUR VIEW: Alabama PACT Payments Must Continue to be Paid Out

By Editorial Staff | November 12

Well, we got trouble, friends, trouble right here in Alabama.If you've read a newspaper or watched the local news, you should be aware of the current $345 million deficit faced by the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) account system.