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Large Drink, Small Portion

By Natalie Wade/Editor | July 9

"Would you like to value size that?"I often get asked this question at fast food restaurants, and most often my answer is "Sure, why not?"But in recent weeks I've experienced a phenomenon that makes me question spending the extra 49 cents for a large drink and side.

Web Site Pinpoints Local Sex Offenders

By The Editorial Board | July 9

You'd like to know if you were living next door to a registered sex offender, wouldn't you?We know we would.A recent update to the Lee County Sheriff Office's Web site enhances residents' awareness of sex offenders in the area.The site allows users to conduct a search for registered sex offenders living in their neighborhood, as well as the option of subscribing for e-mails alerts about sex offenders who plan to locate to the area.While our editorial board acknowledged both sides of the issue, we believe this to be an invaluable tool for residents of Lee County.Some may argue the features of the site are too intrusive, as they provides users with the names and addresses of registered sex offenders in the county, but this is information we think any family would want at its disposal.Imagine you're starting a family and have found the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood to begin raising your children.For their well-being, you would want to know if you were planning to become the neighbor of a person who had previously committed some form of sexual abuse.Even if this information wouldn't keep a family from moving into a certain home or a certain neighborhood, we still see merit in the site providing this information.Simply knowing where these people reside we feel is something any caring parent should be concerned about, and if the site increases a family's awareness of the neighborhood and tightens the parents' concern for where their children go, it's a good thing.We don't believe offenders found on the site should be so blatantly singled out to the point it's the equivalent of a Wild West "Wanted" sign or being shunned in the stocks in the town square, but we do applaud the awareness and heightened safety the Web site provides to families of Lee County.That said, for our editorial board's contrasting view, read below.

Pizza Less Fun, More Annoying

By Julian Kersh/Managing Editor | July 9

You know you're on a slippery slope when your constants are letting you down, and lately, my main man, pizza, has been frustrating me -- maybe not pizza itself, but the world of pizza, if such a thing exists.First, let me focus this cynical column toward this phenomenon I've witnessed each time I somehow decide to dine at Little Caesar's.The wonder that is the Hot-N-Ready Pizza is no secret.

Mother, Should I Trust the Government?

By Kevin Saucier/Copy Editor | July 9

If there's one thing I've learned watching thrillers and science fiction movies, it's that governments deal in sensitive information.

Life-long Sentencing Unfair for Sex Offenders?

By The Editorial Board | July 9

While we acknowledge the utility of a Web site that allows users to locate nearby sex offenders in their county, we question if this added public scrutiny is fair to those one-time offenders.The same is true for having to re-register as a sex offender after moving.By no means do we view sexual offenses as insignificant crimes -- quite the opposite, actually.However, the lifelong stigma of being labeled a sex offender is too severe if we're not 100 percent sure that person is worthy of carrying that label with them for the rest of their life.We discussed scenarios where an over-18 partner is convicted of sexual abuse after having sex with their boyfriend or girlfriend who is not of age.There could have been consent at the time, but if that person comes back with charges of rape, there's no way to disprove such accusations, and just like that, someone is forever labeled a sex offender.Is this fair?We believe that, rather than having set guidelines that apply to each situation, a case-by-case method of determining whether sexual abuse actually occurred would be more just than the current method.Obviously this process would be more time consuming and more costly. But again, when someone is dealing with the everlasting dishonor of being known as a sex offender, the "Ah, but we're going to have to do more work!" excuse loses the minute amount of worth it had in the first place.Maybe a change should be implemented that would eliminate the tainted status after so many years of a clean record.While there should be no leniency for repeat offenders, we think it's unfair to require the constant registration for a one-time sex offender after they have already served their time. One-time convicts of other crimes aren't forced to publicly introduce themselves as a criminal after serving their time. They're certainly not listed with name and address on the sheriff's Web site, either.Again, with revision to the system, lifting of the label could be something that is dependent on the severity of the crime, as well.Why is it that only sex offenders are persistently highlighted for their crimes?We don't believe in revision of the system simply for justice, but for safety as well.If the reason for providing citizens with the names and locations of local sex offenders is to heighten their awareness and to protect them, then why not alert them about the proximity of previous convicts of other crimes?

Distractions Bog Down Media

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | July 2

I know I am not alone in complaining about this, but by God it feels like it sometimes. I am plagued with the seemingly incurable disease of distractibility.Anyone who knows me can second this without batting an eyelash.

High School Exit Exam Unnecessary

By Editorial Board | July 2

Alabama's Board of Education is considering doing away with the high school graduation exam, a change that would be implemented beginning with the 2011 school year.If we were members of the Board, we'd vote to scrap the test.For those out-of-staters who may not have taken a high school graduation exam, it's a standardized test spanning five subjects with the goal of evaluating students' grasp of fundamental content and their readiness for graduation.The test is first administered during students' sophomore year, with several opportunities to re-take the sections if they fail.But how many students drop out discouraged before getting a chance to retake, having failed the test the first time?We feel that the AHSGE doesn't necessarily equip students with a stronger education and that it also presents unfair situations.Many of us recall a week when material was crammed in preparation of the test.We think regular course work would serve as a better learning experience than temporarily memorizing this specific information.Also, it makes no sense that a student can pass all of his or her classes, completing all required course work, but still be denied a diploma because he or she couldn't complete a section of the exit exam.Granted, it's probably a rare scenario that a student passes all courses, yet can't complete the graduation exam, but some students do not test well.Add a weakness in a particular subject and the nerves of knowing your immediate future hinges on this test and you have a situation that could end disastrously for a hard-working student.Looking at the situation from a more objective standpoint, many states do not require an exit exam and rank much higher in academic achievement than Alabama.New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut rank in the top six of "educational effectiveness," according to the U.S.

Saying Goodbye is Hard

By Natalie Wade/Editor | July 2

My roommate of three years is becoming a grown up. By that I mean she's taken a job offer five and a half hours away from Auburn and nine hours from her parents house.

State Gun Safety Stats Seem Vague and Skewed by VPC Agenda

July 2

While the editorial board's June 18th article, "State Must Take Stand Against Gun Violence" was certainly well-intentioned, its arguments were fueled by skewed, agenda-driven statistics.

Alabama Alum Remembers 'War Eagle' Airplane

July 2

Editor, The Auburn PlainsmanWhile I was in Auburn this past weekend for daughter Katherine Gay Zito's MBA extravaganza, I spoke to the Plainsman's own Kim concerning an item of historical interest, and perhaps, of interest to your readers.Some years ago, Hollywood made an adventure picture about a mythical nuclear submarine named the "Crimson Tide." The good people in Tuscaloosa made much of this bit of fiction!In July 1944, myself and my crew were assigned to a brand new B-17 Flying Fortress, No.

Wasting Excess Time Online

By Christian Becraft / Staff Writer | June 26

I don't have many hobbies, but when it comes to procrastination, and with the Internet as my guide, you can just call me an expert.The Internet is a helpful tool for procrastination, one that everyone tinkers with.

Chivalry is Not Dead in the South

By Anna Schierholz/Associate Sports Editor | June 26

Before my enrollment at Auburn, the South was mysterious, uncharted territory for this city girl.

Thank You Social Media

By Natalie Wade/Editor | June 26

Social media has now taken a step in the right direction to become a more credible and informative tool.Sadly this step is at the cost of people's lives and freedom.In the last week the whole world has seen the few glimpses being spread about the riots in Iran over the recent disputed election process.As a journalist I hold a strong belief in the ability to share knowledge with the public.

Communication is The Key

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | June 4

We have all been told that communication can make or break a relationship right? Ask any couple and they will tell you that a relationship without communication can quickly go to relation sh... you get it.Let's step outside the realm of dating relationships and into our relationships with friends and peers.

Work ethic: Do you have it?

By Natalie Wade/Editor | June 4

Work ethic is a good thing. But sometimes it can be a person's downfall.Take for example how often I find myself with more than one job.My plans for this summer started out as carefree and jobless.And I was thrilled.Then along the way I picked up chaperoning for a workshop, being the editor at this here paper, working the register at the AU Bookstore, babysitting a few kids and writing for the Opelika Observer.Sadly this isn't a new symptom of my Type A personality.I was the kid in high school who was the president of every club and all around know-it-all.Hopefully I've grown out of the know-it-all stage, I'll ask my friends later, but I'm still too often overexerting myself.How do other students seem to find themselves with an afternoon available to lay by the pool or take vacations?In no way am I complaining about any of my responsibilities, because I love them all, but I think I have a problem.I'm not comfortable until I'm booked solid, until I can't find time to eat lunch.As I type this my half eaten Chick-fil-A meal is sitting beside me.

This is my generation's 'Tonight Show'

By Kevin Saucier | June 4

Why do I suddenly feel like an adult? A case could be made that while I still rely quite heavily on my extremely gracious parents, I have plenty of reasons to feel like one.I voted in a presidential election last year, I'm a little over a month away from being able to buy alcohol, and I'm not too far off from graduating.But adulthood, or at least a conscious awareness of it, didn't click for me until Monday night when I saw Conan O'Brien become the host of "The Tonight Show."My sense of humor, the things myself and many more in my generation find funny, just got kicked a little closer to the mainstream.Jokes that might require a little bit of discomfort or silliness might no longer be relegated to cable or late-night hours, after my parents have gone to bed.This is my "Tonight Show."The absence of Conan between his last "Late Night" episode in February and his return to television on Monday made me realize how under-represented my comedic sensibilities were when it came to nightly talk shows and how glad I am to have him back.An odd feeling came with watching Conan's first episode the other night.

Our View: The Plainsman Should Be Next in Line to Get Digitized

June 4

Recently the Auburn University Libraries decided to digitize over one hundred years of Auburn tradition by making the Glomerata open to online, public access.As of now, yearbooks as old as 1897 are available for viewing, and those from that year through 2003 are also available.

Summer in Auburn Means Construction Woes

June 1

For more than the past two months, construction has plagued not only Magnolia Avenue and Duncan Drive, but the beautiful image of Auburn's campus.