Don’t blame fandom for Toomer’s Corner oaks poisoning
Let's keep the blame for the poisoning of the Toomer's Corner oaks where it belongs. (Associated Press)
The temptation among some in this whole sorry Toomer’s Corner oaks affair is to shake their heads and say, “Those crazy Alabama fans,” or huff and puff about SEC football and its fans being out of control.
But it’s patently unfair to take the actions of one individual who uses his fandom for a college football program as an excuse for destructive behavior and lay them at the feet of the school or blame the intensity of big-time college football. Just as it makes no sense to take anyone who commits a shocking crime and somehow attribute it to his race or religion or make the leap to blaming it on society in general.
Remember the guy who threw security into a tizzy and briefly shut down the Atlanta airport a few years back by running down the “up” escalator, and how some idiots tried to use it as an opportunity to bash the University of Georgia simply because he was a Dogs fan on his way to a game?
That was illogical and unfair, and so is blaming the University of Alabama, Crimson Tide fandom, the Alabama-Auburn rivalry, the SEC or college football in general for the poisoning of the oaks.
I like the way the Senator put it at Get the Picture (though I have to sanitize it for a family newspaper’s audience): Sometimes people behave like complete [jerks] simply because they’re complete [jerks].
IT’S NOT TOO LATE…
I speculated here a while back that for those young Dogs fans who haven’t been able to afford the minimum “buy-in” level of a Hartman Fund contribution to get season tickets, the aftermath of a disappointing season might make this the year to make the move.
And, indeed, it looks like donations to the Hartman Fund, aka the Bulldog Club — which entitle the donor to buy season tickets — must be flagging this year. The donation deadline was Tuesday, and yet two days after that a notice was put up on Georgiadogs.com that “If you have not yet made your 2011 contribution, please donate today to ensure you receive season ticket priority for the 2011 season.”
In other words, the deadline has passed but they’re still soliciting donations.
Even if you don’t want to buy season tickets for 2011, a donation of at least $100 to the Hartman Fund makes you eligible to request tickets to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome between the Dogs and Boise State.
So what are you waiting for?
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
382 comments Add your comment
WIN WITH RICHT
February 18th, 2011
1:35 pm
Auburn Fan
A liebacker is an Awbarnite who refuses to admit that Newton and Fairley were getting kickbacks for playing at Auburn.
Dixie Redcoat Band
February 18th, 2011
1:37 pm
A lot of people were also wondering if it’s new or used toilet paper…pretty funny.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:38 pm
“But, you AWbarn fruitcakes talk about overzealous and fanatical fans, when yall have your sleazy coaches and supporters paying off players.”
Who’s currently on probation? ALABAMA!!!!!!!! Oh, and if you have proof of players being played, go talk to the NCAA, Gump.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:38 pm
“Now why doesn’t Awbarn come clean and admit what they did?”
Which is what? Guess they don’t teach common sense in GA schools.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
“A liebacker is an Awbarnite who refuses to admit that Newton and Fairley were getting kickbacks for playing at Auburn.”
Well Matlock, where’s this thing called EVIDENCE? Oh that’s right, there ain’t none. LOL
WIN WITH RICHT =OXYMORON
Have fun in Memphis, 6-7er!
BAMA K9
February 18th, 2011
1:41 pm
Auburn Fan
I was just joking. I get cable in my doublewide. I know what is happening in Egypt. Egypt is that little town south of Macon where the two headed goat was born.
BAMA K9
February 18th, 2011
1:42 pm
Auburn Fan
Have fun on double secret probation.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 18th, 2011
1:43 pm
Auburn Fan
Auburn Education = OXYMORON
RxDawg
February 18th, 2011
1:46 pm
“Much better than it does to support a school who graduates people like Bernie Madoff”
Not that I’m trying to troll but….. Bobby Lowder anyone?
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:46 pm
“Have fun on double secret probation.’
You should know all about probation.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:47 pm
“Not that I’m trying to troll but….. Bobby Lowder anyone?”
Lowder didn’t steal billions of dollars and is not sitting in federal prison right now. Not that I’m defending Lowder or anything.
Mindy
February 18th, 2011
1:47 pm
I can usually go for the isolated stalker on the grassy knoll theory; however I can’t help but remember when Alabama played Michicgan during the bowl season and a bunch of Bama fans had made signs denigrating and “dissing” Auburn, (one sign said “Roll Ducks Roll”). I truly don’t understand why Bama was so mad. Auburn beat them fair and square in the Iron Bowl and deserved their shot at the Championship game against the Ducks. And anyway, to me, they should’ve been happy that their state AND their conference would be represented AGAIN in the BCS championship game. I’m thinking it’s not a “lone crazy” but perhaps a whole town of “crazies”.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
1:47 pm
“Auburn Education = OXYMORON”
Then again, you didn’t go to college.
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:52 pm
Auburn beat somebody fair and square?
GTBob
February 18th, 2011
1:52 pm
It’s kinda hard to not blame fandom. Yes this is one fan that went way too far but is anyone really surprised by this? A lot of football fans in the south are borderline maniacs. It’s embarrassing and scary at times. I have seen frat boys try to pick fights with children, and berate women. I have seen countless fights that started for basically no reason. The old days of fun rivalries and funny pranks are over. The news days of complete hatred are here. Not all fans are like this but the number is certainly growing large as the years go along.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
1:53 pm
I have to say You Dawgs know I am not DAWG FAN lover. I would never consider driving to Savannah an try to give antifreeze to an Uga???. I would hope no UGA fan would try to Damage the Ramblin Wreck, but that is why the mascots are so protected. GT hides the Wreck for fear of damage and Sonny keeps the Ugas safe. The problem that happened here is that the Trees are in a Public area and this fool was allowed to visit like anybody in town. I don’t tink any USC fan tried to burn down the ESSO club. I am pretty sure no Auburn fan tried to Poison the ribs at DREAMLAND. This guy is a bad aberation of “GOOD OLE FASHION HATE” so to speak. I can dislike the DAWGS but I never would HATE on Lewis Grizzard for his FUNNY AZZ articles. I am still trying to wrap my head around the PURE HATRED this guy exibited.
I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL more than I would want to HURT it. He just made College Football look too UGLY.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
1:56 pm
DAWG Fans ease up on AUBURN. You do know VINCE is an Auburn man and he did leave UGA for a wekend to take the Auburn Job years back.
If you DAWGS hate Fairley then turn that hate back on BEN JONES for trying t cripple the MSU player too. Don’t hate if you have the same type of player on your team.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
1:59 pm
I thought all ALABAMA men were BUSH Poisoners! Any woman that has had sex with a guy from the state of AlaBAMA has had her BUSH POISONED. HAHAHA. Just kidding, but people talk crap not PURE HATRED. It is a GAME after all.
BAMA K9
February 18th, 2011
1:59 pm
With all the ag students, botantists, and tree surgeons at Awbarn, it looks like one of them could to something to save those trees. Maybe they should swallow their pride and call in an educated expert from Bama.
BAMA K9
February 18th, 2011
2:01 pm
5150 UOAD
Are you trying to say that Bama women are experienced with dead wood?
how2fish
February 18th, 2011
2:01 pm
5150 UOAD really Ben had a season of late hits, pile driving opposing players etc, face it creep Fairly left AU not only because of the money but the payback coming his way if he played another season. For him with his baggage coming back wasn’t an option. And by the way when do you think Bull Dog Nation will start doing what you say..really?
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:02 pm
Bama K9
a bama EXPERT? HAHAHAH you are kidding right?
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:03 pm
“With all the ag students, botantists, and tree surgeons at Awbarn, it looks like one of them could to something to save those trees. Maybe they should swallow their pride and call in an educated expert from Bama.’
Kind of hard to bring back a dead tree when some of the most lethal poison was used, Gump.
You must think it’s easy to cure radiation poison by using a band aid.
“Maybe they should swallow their pride and call in an educated expert from Bama.”
Why would they want to bring in the KKK?
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
How 2
You know Ben Jones is DIRTY too. Don’t deflect. Admit JONES is as bad a Fairley but Jones in on the O-Line and doesn’t get his Dirty Play put under the TV microscope. You acn’t deny Jones trys to HURT the other teams players.
Mindy
February 18th, 2011
2:08 pm
Auburn beat somebody fair and square
Sure did. I saw the game; ‘Bama had the lead and then just let Auburn come from behind and beat them. Fair and square.
BuckhedBill
February 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
After all the above, WHAT CAN I SAY?
ClinchPanther
February 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
I still don’t get the state of Alabama’s obsession with the toilet papaer do you? Tide fans carring a “roll on a stick” Auburn fans littering the corner and trees with it. I don’t know. Something wrong here.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:12 pm
HOW 2 fish
I hate D Pollack. Not because he was DIRTY, but he did BRING the PAIN on his hits. I hated him because he WORKED so DAMN HARD to MAKE PLAYS. He may have made a few qustionable hit, but more times than not he was WORKING to make a PLAY. Fairley did much the same. Fairley did get flags and made bad hits, but so does EVERY D-LINEMAN over their career. R LOTT and R Lewis in the NFL are KILLERS. They TRY to BRING the PAIN on every hit. Are they wrong? Not everytime, but some times they cross the line and get a flag or fine. Get off FAIRLEY because your azz would be LOVING him if he was a DAWG.
MSU defensive player
February 18th, 2011
2:22 pm
How2fish,
The above poster is correct. I watched Ben Jones run down a Miss state player 10 yards down the field trailing the play and dive straight into the back of the players knees. Worst thing I’ld ever seen and all because this MSU player had been whipping him all game long. You dawg fans aint got no room to talk when it comes to dirty players. None at all.
Just the facts sir
February 18th, 2011
2:25 pm
How2fish,
Furthermore I read a stat where the dawgs have led the nation in unsportsmanlike penalties for 3 straight years. Not sure if that’s true but I do know for a fact UGA is right up there at the top. Just the facts sir and the facts are that the dirtier a team the more unsportsmanlike penalties. Once again- JUST THE FACTS SIR.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:28 pm
“I still don’t get the state of Alabama’s obsession with the toilet papaer do you? Tide fans carring a “roll on a stick” Auburn fans littering the corner and trees with it. I don’t know. Something wrong here.’
You should be more concerned with your poor grammar.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
ClinchPanther
I agree. It must be some kind of sick outhouse obsession. Those folks act like were raised with corn cobs and have just discovered toilet paper.
MT
February 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
Georgia and Alabama— Dixie States
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
“It must be some kind of sick outhouse obsession. Those folks act like were raised with corn cobs and have just discovered toilet paper.”
Let’s see. UGA has an AD arrested for being drunk and having an underage girl in the car. A UGA employee gets arrested for child porn and 12 of their players are arrested in one year.
Sounds like you should be more concerned about UGA than the state of Alabama.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
“Georgia and Alabama— Dixie States”
WOW, what a profound statement.
Dan
February 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
ENOUGH WITH THE STUPID TREES!
9-11 is taking 2nd fiddle to these trees!!! Too bad they got dead but there’s more going on in the world than some trees in Auburn.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
MT
Now in DIXIE the Black Athlete is put on a PLATFORM not an Ole Oak tree. Times have changed. Maybe not as fast as it should have, but the SEC schools and white fans love to cheer black athletes and try to help them get college degrees. Don’t paint with such a BROAD BRUSH. Notre Dame graduates 98% of their black athletes, but they only have around 200 Black Athletes. GT graduates only 48% but that is 390+ Black Athletes ad UGA does a few more too. % is a number of the whole but it is not the only measure. GT graduates and has more members of the African American Enginerring Assoiation. MIT can’t say that.
Dawg 39
February 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Sorry, But, It Is no secret that Vandy, UGA, & the (hated) UF are the top 3 schools in the SEC.
Again: “I am proud to be a Georgia Bulldawg”.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
Auburn Fan
You sound like you are upset. Is it PMS or could the loss of those oaks trees be the root of the problem?
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:49 pm
DAN is is Politacally INCORRECT to HATE the people that cased 9-11. College Football you know who your enemy is. The US JAIL system is full on home grown Muslin terrorists. They are mad, poor, uneducated blackmen. The Jailbirds and the Radical White “Christians” that have guns are our bigger fear.
9-11 sucked, but the POOR, Unemployed, Lower educated masses pose a bigger threat to the US than a foreign people. Europe is dealing with the muslin poor and the native poor coming to blows. The US is not far form the same BLOW-UP just not on religous lines but cultural ones.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:49 pm
“It Is no secret that Vandy, UGA, & the (hated) UF are the top 3 schools in the SEC.”
And that’s not really saying a whole lot.
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:50 pm
“Is it PMS or could the loss of those oaks trees be the root of the problem?”
No, I’m not you. I don’t come on blogs and menstruate all over the place like you do.
DawgGoneFishing
February 18th, 2011
2:51 pm
How did an “idiot” like Updike get to those trees? He must have been noticed by somebody !! AU and UA might want to place additional security personnel at strategic locations. Bet this “ain’t” over !!!!
PHIL
February 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
GLAD IT HAPPENED….DIE TREE
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
5150 UOAD
Are you alright there?
PHIL
February 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF KARMA….WAIT TILL TROOPS ILLEGAL RECRUITS AND SCAM’S ISSUES COME OUT FULL LIGHT….DEATH PENALTY BABY
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
“GLAD IT HAPPENED….DIE TREE’
Hey WIN WITH RICHT , what were you saying about rabid fans?
PHIL
February 18th, 2011
2:55 pm
WITHOUT THE TREE WHERE IS UGA GONNA PEE???
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:55 pm
dawg39
WHY is UGA a top school n the SEC? UGA is 76% white(right) and 86% female(right) and UGA turns out the majority of Ga’s school teachers and we are #48 in education. So, how is UGA #3 in the SEC? UGA and the GA legislature is trying to get UGA Engineering and a Medical school so it can try to join the AAU. UGA is a WHITE GIRLS SCHOOL with sports to make the white rednecks spend money.
Is being #3 in the SEC like being the Tallest Midget?
Auburn Fan
February 18th, 2011
2:55 pm
“WAIT TILL TROOPS ILLEGAL RECRUITS AND SCAM’S ISSUES COME OUT FULL LIGHT….DEATH PENALTY BABY”
Folks, this is exactly the kind of fan who poisons trees, kills small animals and ends up sodomized in prison.