Read And Enjoy

In response to the Slate Book Review Against YA mentioning "...you should feel embarrassed when what you're reading was written for children."

Bologna.

1. I’m a firm believer that unless a person has a legitimate impediment, EVERYONE can enjoy reading IF he or she discovers WHAT he or she enjoys.  

The beauty of reading is that each reader experiences the words and scenarios uniquely.  Certainly, the writer’s intent (regardless of reading level) is part of the experience, but the reader’s own collective experiences tint understanding and perceptions.  As such, reading a story when younger WILL be a different experience from reading the story as an adult with additional life experiences.  

NO ONE should say you can only read a book once or ONLY at a specific age.

2. The “Young Adult” category is NOT solely based on readability level OR intended audience. Often, a story is categorized as YA solely because the main characters are not adults.  Y’all DO realize that Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer would be (and often are) categorized as YA, right?  Would anyone REALLY say, “Oh, sorry. You’re an adult now. You really shouldn’t read Mark Twain.”

Do most readers or writers even know what a story’s Flesch-Kincaid readability level is? I doubt it, and I doubt most readers or writers care.  I’ve read many examples of YA and Adult fiction across the readability spectrum. It is NOT necessarily vocabulary or literary complexity that determine a great story.  It’s the reading experience that matters. 

Ashamed of what I, or what anyone else, may read based on its category?  

Bologna.

Writers Battle and The Indie Author Debate

Bands battle.  Rappers battle.   Athletes battle.  …why not writers?

 

Next time you catch a battle on tv or on YouTube, take a look at the audience.  Solid moves draw cheers, and particularly painful jabs prod onlookers to cringe. 

 

I certainly appreciate a good bout, but I didn’t think I’d be oohing, ouching, wincing, and belly-laughing quite so much over a written writers’ blog battle.  Better yet…they’re taking it into the video ring.

Round One

Earlier this week, Michael Kozlowski published a blog post on GoodEReader.com claiming that Self-Published Authors Are Destroying Literature. (http://goodereader.com/blog/commentary/self-published-authors-are-destroying-literature/)

 

That alone started a scuffle in the post comments, but the battle was just beginning.

Round Two

Mercy Pilkington published a rebuttal post, also on GoodEReader.com, with Counterpoint: Self-Published Authors Are the Salvation of Literature. (http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/counterpoint-self-published-authors-are-the-salvation-of-literature/)

 

Ooooh!  Bob!  Weave!  Jab!  Duck! Ouch!

The Main Event

As if the written blocks and punches weren’t entertaining enough, Mercy and Michael are also taking the blog battle to the webcam arena. 

Bwahahahahahaha!!!!

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m curious to hear how they each define “literature” and if anyone mentions the canon or the history of literary canonization. 

Grab your popcorn and place your bets, folks.  The Indie Author Debate airs on Spreecast this Thursday (06/20/13) at 8 pm CDT. - http://www.spreecast.com/events/indie-author-debate

Marriage Mathematical Symbols for Accurate Support or Dissent

Do, or don't.  Support, or dissent.  It's totally your choice, but I'm letting my mathematical nazi write this blog post (close cousin to my internal grammar nazi).

It’s bad enough trying to figure out all the red and pink symbols popping up in profile pics all over social media, but even when you figure out the two basics (Marriage Equality represented by an equal sign, = and one man, one woman represented by a not equal sign ≠), folks are tinkering around and customizing the symbols. 

I even saw a marriage equality symbol with rectangle-ish pancakes rather than lines for the equal symbol.  I saw another using two silhouetted rifles as the bars on the equal sign.  Still, I can dig the customization and tinkering. 

It’s when the symbols change so much that they no longer mean the same thing that I don’t think these folks are aware of the actual meanings of the symbols they’re using.  I don't know if it's the English major in me, the technical writer, or the daughter of a math teacher who's cringing, but less than accurate use of VERY clear mathematical symbols made me speak up.

Am I speaking up for or against marriage equality? Nope. I'm speaking up for using the most appropriate and accurate symbol when YOU use the visual to voice your support or dissent.

Is this even a mathematical symbol?

What the heck is this?  I think someone mentioned it waving like a flag, but it just looks like a totally different symbol, and frankly, the only double wavy lines I know of like that are water or wave warnings.  Hmmm.  Maybe considering the topic, it might actually make sense if all the other symbols weren't based on mathematical symbols like = and ≠.

The double tilde or double wavy lines are just out of place.  They don’t have any mathematical equivalent to state your cause with a simple symbol.

A tilde over two equal bars (the symbol for congruent) makes more sense.  Mathematically, congruent means that if you rotate, reflect, and/or translate two shapes of the same size, those two shapes or objects are congruent.  They match.

The tilde symbol, ~ usually indicates a mathematical meaning of equivalency or similarity between two values.  In terms of logic, it is also a similar symbol indicating negation.  It’s also a diacritic placed over certain letters in languages (other than English).

Ok.  A single tilde, ~ might make sense.  Mathematically, the ~ means Similar.  Similar is pretty much the same thing as congruent except that one of the shapes or objects has to be resized to match.

It all depends on what you’re really trying to say.  You have to know the actual symbols to know what and how you’re showing your support.

So what EXACTLY are you trying to support?

Marriage Equality?

One man, one woman?

Congruent?

Similar?

It's your opinion and your choice.  Please just choose an accurate symbol to represent your support or dissent.  :-)

  

Jodie Foster Coming Out at the Golden Globes?

So, was Jodi Foster's acceptance of the Cecil B. Demille Award a "coming out" speech or was it just a normal acceptance speech that happened to include references to people and events that were semi-public/private?

Thoughts from Belly Acres, Alabama:

Dunno, folks.  Down here in 'bama, we don't really think about a person's lifestyle preferences until the subject comes up in conversation.

'bama Example

For example, at the company Christmas party... "Oh, hi.  Meet my coworker Bob and his partner, Dale."  Even then, the subject may not go any further since "partner" could mean a few different things.  Usually, we just absorb the statement and realize that it could mean an alternative lifestyle.  Ok.  Good to know.

Now, if the person(s) involved in the conversation happen to want to talk about their alternative lifestyle... well, that's okay, too.  Conversations can go many ways.  :-)

Overall, though, unless the subject is brought up specifically to let people know and/or to encourage discussing, 'round here, we pretty much assume your lifestyle is similar to our own and don't nose into your business any further.

If the subject never comes up, most folks around here just don't think about it too much.  A person is a person regardless of what he or she does with adult consent in his or her own home.  Does anyone really think folks should know the preferences of every person encountered in life?  ...doctor, lawyer, school teacher, police officer, waiter, cook, actor, athlete, author, artist?  Does it matter?

Jodie Foster's Speech at the Golden Globe Awards:

We're not bellyachin' 'bout this in Belly Acres, Alabama

Not that it mattered at all to me, but I didn't know that Jodi Foster lived a "nontraditional" lifestyle.  It's still okay, and it still doesn't matter.  I can't say that I ever really wondered or cared.

Don't get me wrong.  I love Jodi Foster's work.  This latest media noise just prompted me to check my video cabinet to find (horror of horrors) that I did not currently own a copy of Candleshoe  one of my favorite Jodi Foster movies.

Thank you, Amazon.  Candleshoe can be in my DVD player within a couple of days or streaming online in a matter of minutes.  Cool.

I do love Jodi Foster's work.  I can't really say whether or not I like Jodi Foster, the person or not.  I don't know her.  I know her work and her characters.  I also know some trivial facts about her career, but I've never met her.

As a fan, I would like to meet her someday, but whether I meet her or not, I'm still going to enjoy watching Candleshoe, Freaky Friday, Silence of the Lambs, Maverick, Contact, Ana and the King, Panic Room, and Nim's Island.

Because her work is so stellar, I believe she must have a pretty awesome personality to do so much and bring her roles to life so well.  Yeah.  I'd like to meet her, but though this latest speech is currently trending in the media, I have to say, any questions I might have about this speech are so far down the totem pole of interesting aspects of Jodie Foster, I doubt I'd even bring the subject up in conversation.  Which means, in 'bama understanding, that it'll pretty much be ignored in favor of other topics.  :-)

Look Over Your Ballot BEFORE You Go Vote

Be an Informed Voter

I'm certainly not going to tell you who or how you should vote, but I am going to tell you, it's a whole lot smarter to take a look at the ballot before you arrive at your polling place.

In addition to the Federal offices, state, and local offices, ballots also include Proposed Amendments.

You may have heard and gathered info on most of the higher offices, but you may never have heard of some of the amendments.  It's just smart to take a look and see if there's any additional info you might want to check before voting.

To See a Sample Ballot

...gotta love the digital age.  We can see and print sample ballots online.  

Most states will have a similar web site, but I can specifically help you with Alabama.  If you're a voter in the state of Alabama, go to: 

http://alabamavotes.gov/.

There you can check your voter registration status and the location of your polling place.  You can also see Sample Ballots for each county.  

http://alabamavotes.gov/ElectionInfo/2012SampleBallots.aspx?a=voters

Links to the Amendment Acts

See all those amendments on the right side of the ballot?  They give a general description, but often, they're not really enough to make an informed voting decision.  You could Google all the Act Numbers assigned to each, but there's a much shorter way.

Check out the pdf from on the Secretary of State (Alabama) web site.

http://www.sos.state.al.us/downloads/election/2012/general/statecert-amendments-2012-06-08.pdf

The pdf lists all the proposed amendments on the ballot and includes LINKS to the Act Numbers.  Use those links to read the actual Act.  

This will give you a little more information.  If you need to know more pros and cons to each, you'll have to google a bit.  The State Provided files are just straight up records and documentation.

For any of the local or state offices on the ballot about which you may not be as knowledgeable, you should probably Google the candidates a bit to make an informed decision.

Be Prepared

Well, there ya go...at least, in Alabama.  Click a couple of links and walk into the polls as an informed voter.

Read up.  Go vote!  :-)

QR Code Marketing Goes Bananas

QR Code marketing has certainly grown in popularity and checking them out with our smartphones has become a really cool scavenger hunt game.  Today, however, it's obvious that QR Code marketing has gone bananas.  Literally, I found a QR Code ON my banana today.

If you're interested in making your own QR Codes and using them in your marketing strategy, I wrote a short tutorial with step-by-step instructions on my professional blog.  Here's the direct link:  http://www.sherrysnider.com/qr-codes-and-smartphones-for-marketing/

Stupid Kid and the Threatening Essay

Yes.  I really do mean "stupid."

No.  I don't normally just blurt out "stupid kid."  Kids are kids and they do really strange things that don't necessarily make them stupid, but even kids have to live in the real world of socially acceptable behavior.

In this case, the stupid kid really was stupid.  I have no idea of his intelligence level or capabilities.  I just know that his actions were INCREDIBLY stupid.  So I should say that his actions were stupid - not him.  Right? 

Wrong. 

This one was so stupid, it pretty much categorizes him for life. 

...can't help it, folks. 

The Stupid Kid and the Threatening Essay

The latest viral story going around is about the 15 year old who turned in a threatening essay at school.  Basically, it was a first person narrative from the point of view of a school shooter as he entered the school and began firing.  From the descriptions ("huge glass fascade"), the 15 year old was describing his own school, East Greenwich High School.

The "essay" has been reprinted on the East Greenwich Patch - which I initially thought had been split into multiple posts.  No.  Apparently, the "essay" actually ended with "To be cont'd."

Read it for yourself. 

I'm irate because it is NOT an essay.  I don't know if the media is misreporting this puny little descriptive narrative as an essay, or if the original assignment was supposed to be an essay, and the story has retained the title.  Honestly, I don't know where that miscommunication originated.  ...but that's a side rant.  That's not even why the word "stupid" came flying out of my mouth.

Apparently, he turned it in at school. 

STUPID!

Days later, he was disciplined.  Then he posted it on Facebook!

STUPID again!

Then the community uproar began.  The school HAD to respond...emailing parents about the situation, etc.  Parents were furious that they weren't notified right away.  Folks are angry because not enough was done.  No one yet knows if the student will be allowed back to the school.

People are afraid...rightfully so.  Others are defending this "good kid."

Again, I have no idea if he's a good kid or not.  I just know he's stupid.  His syntax needs a lot of help, but he's got a decent start on a usable vocabulary for a 15 year old.  BUT HE TURNED IT IN AT SCHOOL!

Stupid!

Then he posted it on Facebook!

STUPID!!!!

Heaven help!  In this country we revel in the luxury of freedom of speech among other individual freedoms, BUT you cannot yell "Fire!" in a crowd unless there's actually a fire threat.

Since some think this little narrative was a precursor for future/potential actions, would his "essay" be his cry of "Fire!" for help?

I don't care!

If you need help, you ASK!  You don't turn in a paper like that at school!

Stupid!

The whole yelling "Fire!" in a theater or crowd analogy has been around for ages BECAUSE it easily shows how one's freedom of speech IS free, until it endangers others or infringes on the rights of others.

For Heaven's sake!  He's 15!  He's not a child.  He's been in school long enough to know what's acceptable and what's not. 

People have the right to THINK what they want.  They even have the right to speak and write out their thoughts, if they so choose.  (Anyone who wants to keep those thoughts private knows to NEVER speak those thoughts or write them down.) 

He obviously didn't want it private.  He turned it in to school AND then posted it on Facebook.

Even if a person feels the need to write out his thoughts and stories, he needs to keep a private journal.  Respect yourself AND respect others.  You don't turn that stuff in at school!

Stupid!  Stupid!  Stupid! 

Now, I still don't know the exact intent of this "essay" - whether it was a prank, a warning, a really stupid teen joke, or a down right threat.  The only obvious intention was to stir up "stuff."

In that respect, the 15 year old may even consider himself smart and successful at stirring up stuff.

As a human being in an American society - turning in such a paper to school - THEN, after being disciplined - posting it on Facebook....

Sorry.  That's a ....

Stupid Kid.

FAILURE on SO many levels.

Atlanta's Priciest Repo - Bank of America Plaza Skyscraper

Wow.  The lender essentially bought back the 55 story tower at $250 million when the previous buyer couldn't pay the mortgage at the 2006 purchase price of $436 million.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the full story here.

SOPA – Stop Online Piracy Act – 79 Pages of WHAT?

Bologna.  I read through that 79 page bill.  Ironically, all 79 pages are online at http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/text.

We already HAVE laws regarding all the “issues” addressed in this bill.  …and despite all the definitions, terms, liability, actions, etc., the entire bill is actually VERY vague.  Legal documents that define a lot, but don’t spell out concrete examples and circumstances make me VERY nervous.  All it REALLY does is allow, in writing, a certain number of days and “reasonable” expectations for defined “parties” to the crime.

It’s Redundant and Opportunistic

We don’t need redundant laws just because the word “internet” is applied.  It’s the same crime without a geographical limiter.  The following are just SOME of the crimes mentioned in this ONE bill.

·       We have copyright laws and laws about intellectual property.  (They specify the financial gain caveat, too.)

·       We have laws against endangering the public health. 

·       We have laws regarding prescriptions. 

·       We have laws against counterfeiting. 

·       We have laws against corporate espionage and trademark infringement. 

·       AND we have laws against serious bodily harm and death.

WHY do we need a 79 page bill for MORE of the same laws just because the internet is involved?  Law should try to keep up with technology, but there’s no need for technology/internet-specific law for the purposes mentioned in this bill.  The bill doesn’t differentiate between tangible world and internet world crimes, either.  IT’S REDUNDANT.

Vague Language Problems:

Legalese is always bad, but some legal documents are worse than others.  This bill is 79 pages of a whole lot of definitions and opportunities to litigate, but very little substantial legislation…and VERY little that we don’t have addressed already under the same crimes that don’t involve the internet.

Some of the most obvious head-shakers include the following…

• Since when is “reasonably” concrete enough for legal language?  …unless it’s defined in writing…reasonably, by who’s standards here?  By the way, I searched the bill text for “reason.”  It popped up 43 results.
• “Internet site dedicated to theft of U.S. property” is used many times, but “dedicated” is still VERY subjective.
• “notorious foreign infringers” – really?  THAT’S what you’re going with in a US Bill?
• “if such person knew or should have known that the work was intended for commercial dissemination.” – should have known?  Oh, so we CAN punish the ignorant or stupid.  Good to know.  I thought that in this country, there must be PROOF of guilt…or at least enough charisma to convince a jury.

Not a Beast, But Should NOT Be Ignored

Frankly, SOPA is not the scary beast many claim it to be.  It IS, however, an attack on the internet…SOPA – Stop ONLINE Piracy Act. 

WE DON’T NEED IT. 

Piracy is piracy whether it’s online or not, and we already have laws for that. 

If internet service providers need to be more clearly addressed by US laws regarding these crimes, then write THAT bill.  …not one that addresses everything from prescription drugs and bootleg videos all the way through murder…online. 

Come on.  Do we need SBPA – Stop Baptist Piracy Act?  …just to address piracy crimes committed by Baptists or in Baptist Churches?  Please.  This is all a joke, right?  

Nice Skin ... Polyurethane?

Yeah.  Note to self: do not apply polyurethane in the dark.

...and in answer to your question...  Yes, I did.

The short of it is that I have 20+ small wooden projects that I need to complete tomorrow, but they needed a coat of polyurethane first. 

Well, rather than laying them flat, spraying from one side, waiting to dry, rolling and spraying from another side, etc., I figured out a jig to stand each of them on end (by the tip), so I could spray them from all angles and leave them on the jig to dry.  Problem is... I didn't have all the supplies I needed to make the jig.

I got all the supplies from town, but by the time I got home, put the jig together and got all the pieces on it, it was dark.  ...and I was in a hurry.  Ooops.

I took the jig outside (mounted pieces and all) and (since it was windy) I moved a decent distance from the house.  ...in the dark.

I opened the can of spray polyurethane, but couldn't quite make out the red dot on the push button.  50/50 chance of directionality, right?  Ugh.  I SO should have known.  (There's a reason I don't gamble much.) 

Polyurethane -- straight into my own hand...all over my trigger finger.

(((Sigh)))

Well, I did manage to turn the can and spray the projects, but once I got back inside, I was afraid to look at my hand.

hmmm.  Clear satin spray polyurethane...doesn't really "show" well on skin, but I knew I needed to clean it off!  ...off to the sink!  Apparently, fingernail polish remover doesn't work all that well on polyurethane.  At least, it didn't FEEL like it worked well enough.  I still couldn't SEE what I was trying to remove. 

To be on the safe side, I pulled out the denatured alcohol.  THAT's good stuff!  I still can't SEE if the polyurethane is gone or not, but I FEEL like I've melted away anything that could possibly be on my skin ...as well as a layer or two of dermis, I'm sure.

Oh, well.  LOTS of Oil of Olay to be applied liberally.  :-) 

...and if I awake in the morning to a discolored, chemically sealed finger, you'll find me scrubbing with the purple degreaser (from the automotive aisle) and some serious Palmolive soaking.  Oh, Madge?

Newspaper Requires Phone Call

Seriously?  I've got a yard sale coming up, so I've priced, tagged, sorted, taken pictures, posted pictures, written copy and posted it on Craigslist and in our local Buy Sell Bulletin.  I also emailed the local paper about placing an ad since the website only gave a phone number. 

GET THIS.  The local paper...which is actually one of several nearby newspapers, magazines, etc. replied to my email telling me that I had to CALL about placing a yard sale ad. 

Really?  It's 2011. 

Not only did I do the normal, manual yard sale prep, I did it early so I could take and post photos...so I could include a link to the online photo gallery in the ads.

I created a free web page on weebly.com and submitted ads on Craigslist and to our local (print only) Buy Sell Bulletin....all online and all free. 

Not only does the local paper want me to CALL ...during business hours... but I'd have to pay for a VERY short ad (to keep the cost reasonable), and I have to deal with phone/verbal communication...which is HORRIBLY ineffective and inaccurate for printed copy. 

REALLY?

So far, I've got more than a little belly ache over the paper ad.  I think I'll forego the traditional ad in the paper and see how modern media and some road signs pay off. 

What do y'all think?  Do you still use newspaper classified ads?  Are they still as effective as other mediums?  Does your local paper have an online submission option?

Deep Fried Boiled Easter Eggs

We at Belly Acres have become quite fascinated by shopdogsam's YouTube videos, especially his cooking videos.  With Easter fast approaching, we HAD to try these deep fried boiled eggs.



So, the verdict?  We LOVE shopdogsam's videos.  ...battered, deep fried, hard boiled eggs?  ...not so much.  Give 'em a shot if you want.  It was certainly a fun project, but I think they may be an acquired taste.  :-)

You can see all of shopdogsam's YouTube videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/shopdogsam.

World's Best Dog Toy for $1.50

I love playing with the dog.  I love watching the dog play with his toys.  What I can't believe is that his favorite TOY is a $1.50 microfiber hand-shaped cleaning mitt from the Dollar General Store.

 

A Brand New Commodore 64! No, seriously. It really IS.

Will my next computer be a really, REALLY, old one?  ...sort of?

Honestly, I thought the NYTimes was pulling my leg on this one, but Commodore USA REALLY is marketing a new Commodore 64.  They're going with the very early AND latest trend of all-in-one desk-saving boxes with the retro look of the original Commodore 64 with all the latest specs. 

"It comes with a 1.8 gigahertz dual-core processor, an optional Blu-ray player and built-in ethernet and HDMI ports. It runs the Linux operating system but the company says you can install Windows if you like. The new Commodore is priced between $250 to $900." -- Read the full article here.


I couldn't resist, so I actually checked out Commodore USA's web site.  Now, truly, I just don't see a huge appeal for this box beyond our nostalgic band of hoarders.  (You know who you are.  You still have one of these in storage somewhere, too!)  But I'll be darned if they might not be on to something here.


I saw the images of the OTHER nostalgic-ish products they have lined up.  The Commodore Vic-Slim and Amiga 1000 actually look pretty tempting.  They really are desk-space savers, and they really DO look cool.  (Click the links for each to view the image galleries.)

Who'd a thunk?  ...and yes, I've already seen folks commenting...wanting a throw-back Atari 2600 with all the original games built in.  I have to admit...I'd probably buy that. 

Flood Light at McDonalds?

Okay.  This is one for the "Really? Seriously?" category.  There is a giant flood light/search light flashing back and forth across the night sky near Belly Acres.  To say the least, this is NOT a common occurrence.  When one of those obnoxious attention-getting distractors DOES appear, it's usually to promote/draw attention to a car show...a car sale...a travelling faire...a big race...some other huge sporting event...or even a monstrous screening of Star Wars.  (Well, it does look like a giant light sabre.)

Tonight's spectacle?  McDonald's.  Seriously.  It's waving over McDonald's.  ...a new McDonald's that opened today, but not even REALLY a new McDonalds'.  It's a new McDonald's building that was constructed over the old McDonald's...in the exact same spot...where the old McDonald's was demolished a couple of months ago.  

Seriously?  After weeks of watching the demolition and reconstruction on the daily drive, McDonald's really thinks we need a giant flood light/search light to bring attention to the fact that it's open once again?  A simple yard-stake sign or even a banner proclaiming "Now Open" would have more than sufficed. 

What do y'all think?  Grand opening/reopening overkill, or is it a legitimate promotional tactic?  McDonald's?  A Talladega Race, it ain't.   

How many lawyers does it take...to tolerate the Toomer's Corner Tree killer?

3rd attorney wants off Auburn tree-poisoning case <---- Anniston Star/Associated Press Story

Bwahahahahaha!  Really?  What Alabama attorney would WANT to defend Harvey Updyke Jr, accused tree poisoner of the Toomer's Corner oak trees?

The first two attorneys withdrew citing conflicts...association or family association with Auburn.  This third attorney cites an "irreconcilable conflict" between him and the defendant.

Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! 

Truly, what are the chances that ANY attorney in the state of Alabama wouldn't have SOME connection or conflict in this case?  Everyone I know has SOME kind of connection to UA, AU, or both.

Now, I'm REALLY interested to see how many court appointed attorneys it takes before finding one who can stomach representing this guy.  Anyone taking any bets? 

Neither a borrower, nor a lender be...without refilling the gas tank!

Really?  Seriously?  I really thought the first time I read this Facebook post, that it was a joke.

Then, I clicked the link to the story.  http://bit.ly/g5bh2G.

Holy cow!  ...and these are folks in our community!  AAhhhhh-ite porch pickers, hide them car keys.  ...ain't nobody borrowing nor lending a vehicle for a while unless it's a high efficiency hybrid or electric.  ...No stab wounds over gas money!  ...sounds like a bad post apocalyptic sci-fi movie.

Crimson Tiger - Toomer's Corner

Really?  Your football fandom made you do it?  Because of a college football rivalry, your team pride (devil made you do it) inspired you to not only destroy someone else’s property, but to poison live oak trees that were 130+ years old.  Seriously?

Destruction of property is just “slow-in-the-head” stupid.  You just don’t do that.  It’s bad enough when statues, often great art, are vandalized, but poisoning 130+ year old trees?  That’s the act of a true ass.  The act is inexcusable, but the fallout is even worse.  It’s not like it’s quick or easy to make reparations for such damages.  You can’t just special order a newly “built” replica of an old oak tree.

What an ass.

For those of you who don’t live in Belly Acres, Alabama, you are still probably well-aware of the football rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn.  You may not know about the Toomer’s Corner tradition of rolling, decorating, or otherwise reveling around the large live oaks to celebrate an Auburn success.

Two years of relative peace and prosperity between UA and AU, then a backwoods, bottom feeding, unemployed, short-bus, POOR example of an Alabama fan decides to poison the 130+ year old live oaks!   Moron even told it all on the Finebaum radio show.  …ignorant, stupid, and an actual idiot.

SI.Com - Toomer's Corner poisoning should enrage all college football fans

 

Arrest made in Auburn's Toomer's Corner tree poisoning

 

For once, I hope this way-off action of a self-professed fan can actually bring UA and AU fans together…in their disgust for this man’s actions!

For two years in a row, the state of Alabama has proven the strength and talent of our players in the SEC and our state.  In one year, the University of Alabama claimed the national championship and the Heisman.  The very next year, Auburn did the same.  Rivalry aside, that’s some seriously well-earned pride for all Alabamians.

I actually remember, during both national championship pursuits, rival fans quietly patting backs and giving thumbs up in support of their rival team.  The general feeling was that if MY Alabama SEC team can’t reach the national championship, then I guess I really do hope our toughest rival can win it.  …the national championship.  …not the Ironbowl.  That direct head-to-head game shows little mercy, other than the occasional appreciation for an amazing play.

I get that.  Ironbowl = It’s on.  Otherwise, rivals are still rivals, but pride in our state and our neighbors can actually soften a dogged fan enough to …well, to at least not root against the rival during every game.

Speaking as a person who lives in a “split household” as we call it in Alabama when some folks in your house are Auburn fans and some are Alabama fans, I’ve never totally gotten the “obsessive” parts of some fans, but I’m very proud of our family, friends, and neighbors who play honorably and honor our state.

Now, as for the Toomer’s Corner vandal/tree killer… You, Sir, no longer have the right to claim any recognition as a fan.  Your utter stupidity and disregard for life and property strip you of any acceptance of you, as a fan.  Neither UA or AU fans could really recognize such an herbicidal dumbass as anything other than an herbicidal dumbass.  You are no longer a fan.  You are an herbicidal dumbass.

….Hope you like the title, Sir.  It’s likely to stick for years.  …dumbass.

Feel FREE to discuss at length.  Facebook and the porch have been hopping over this one for days now.

 

 

Family Feud: Name something that gets passed around...

First question for the front porch...have you seen the Family Feud clip asking for something that gets passed around?



Secondly, which answer would you have given?...one of the 8?...one of the 4? ...or one of the other 88 percent who answered something else? ...and what exactly were the other survey answers???