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)

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?

You can find out more here.

Find me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.

— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg

382 comments Add your comment

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:21 pm

Actually Auburn Fan, it was the coloring books in Auburn’s library that got burned in the fire.

Where is ZEEEEEEEE Nachos?

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:21 pm

UGA Bubba

Cool, post the link so I can come over and make fun of you some more.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:22 pm

What do you call a UGA player in a three piece suit?

The Defendant!

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:23 pm

What does a wrecked car and a UGA grad have in common?

They’re both useless.

KimZ'sPackage

February 18th, 2011
4:23 pm

AUBURN FAN
How would the state of BAMA go BROKE when al they have is Hunting land and Trailer parks. The IRON CITY don’t do much IRON no moe. HAHAH. People go to d=college in Alabama to leave ALABAMA. Why do you think there are so many Auburn and Bama fans on the ATL blog are all you alabama people just loving ATL so much or do most of you LIVE here. The AJC gets fans from all schools because the ATL has people from all over the country and from ALL colleges.
YOU ARE TOO STUPID. Why are yo on an ATL BLOG if you don’t live in the GEORGIA.?

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:23 pm

Why do they have hedges at UGA’s football field?

To keep the cheerleaders from grazing.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:23 pm

Auburn Fan, are you performing at the Punchline later tonight cause you are hilarious. All Family All In.

GRIM TREEPER

February 18th, 2011
4:24 pm

how can you tell you’re getting close to aubren?

If you stop and take a wizz, all the cows back up to the fence.

GRIM TREEPER

February 18th, 2011
4:26 pm

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:26 pm

“How would the state of BAMA go BROKE when al they have is Hunting land and Trailer parks.’

Sounds exactly like GA.

“hy do you think there are so many Auburn and Bama fans on the ATL blog”

Because we like to make fun of schools whose football team finished last in the SEC.

“The AJC gets fans from all schools because the ATL has people from all over the country and from ALL colleges.’

And Atlanta has what to do with UGA?

“YOU ARE TOO STUPID.’

What a profound comeback, troglodyte! You’re inbred mom must be so proud of you.

“Why are yo on an ATL BLOG if you don’t live in the GEORGIA.?’

How do you know that I don’t live in GA, little girl?

KimZ'sPackage

February 18th, 2011
4:26 pm

AUBUN FAN
What does a Q-Beam and an Auburn Fr. chick have in common? They both can see the Stupidest Bull in the pasture, but only one of the 2 will marry him.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:27 pm

“are you performing at the Punchline later tonight cause you are hilarious. ”

No, I’ll be here making fun of toothless UGA non-grads like Phil, GRIM TREEPER , You and KimZ’sPackageStore.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:28 pm

“What does a Q-Beam and an Auburn Fr. chick have in common? They both can see the Stupidest Bull in the pasture, but only one of the 2 will marry him.’

Joke fail, little girl. Do you always get your jokes from people with webbed hands?

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:29 pm

What’s the difference between a UGA grad and a picnic table?

A picnic table can support a family.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:29 pm

How does one spot a UGA funeral?

All the tractors have their lights on.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:30 pm

When was the last big funeral take place for UGA?

The Liberty Bowl 2011.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:30 pm

What does the Athens Clarke County Police Department and Mark Richt have in common?

They produce the same lineup every week.

UGAG

February 18th, 2011
4:30 pm

Members of the Georgia football team were placed in a remedial English class. We are going to start with the basics, the professor explained. Does anyone know what comes after a sentence? All of the players raised their hands. The appeal, they all shouted with pride.

KimZ'sPackage

February 18th, 2011
4:31 pm

AUBURN FAN
What is you lifetime record against UGA? Don’t like lifetime? Then the last 5 games? What is your record against TECH lifetime? How bout the REGGIE BALL years? HAHAHAH UGA fans love REGGIE but Auburn fans were left with a CRUCHED can of Campbell soup and a beat-up Badalic. TECH killed Auburn the last Home and Away games against you PUNKS.

UGAG

February 18th, 2011
4:31 pm

What does it mean when a UGA graduate drools out of both sides of his mouth at the same time?

His trailer is level.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:32 pm

“What is you lifetime record against UGA?”

Auburn leads 54–52–8

When’s the last time UGA was relevant in football?

1980

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:33 pm

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:34 pm

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:35 pm

Nick Fairley draws blood from Aaron Murray’s chin w/ face mask

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QfSRUk0fuA&feature=related

Something UGA is not....

February 18th, 2011
4:36 pm

AUBURN TIGERS – 2010 BCS National Champions – WAR EAGLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7WV1sCMmkQ

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:36 pm

I wonder if Auburn fan will be sitting in his trailer tonight praying to Scam Newton.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:38 pm

I wonder when Trooper Taylor is going to be caught for brokering a deal with all the kids in Louisiana.

GRIM TREEPER

February 18th, 2011
4:38 pm

Those are some pretty cheesy jokes Cheater Fan. Would’ve thought you could do better than that, ol toofless one.

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

February 18th, 2011
4:38 pm

WOOF WOOF DAWGS!!!!!! WE’Z GONE WIND US DA CHAMPSHIP WIT MY LEADERSHIP!!!!!!!!

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

February 18th, 2011
4:39 pm

GRIM TREEPER

USE MY KIND DA FAN!!!!!! WE’Z GOND WIND US THE 2008 NATIONAL CHMPSHIP CUZ WE’Z PRESESAON NUMBERED ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:40 pm

Just remember folks that Auburn Fan’s 7:00 show is different from his 10:00 show. The insert school name here jokes are just part of his defenseless warm up act.

DONNAN OF A NEW ERA

February 18th, 2011
4:40 pm

Fleischman in Chattanooga

WOOF WOOF SIC EM DAWG!!!!!!!!! COME HELP ME BAIL OUT DIS YERS FOOTBALL TEAM!!!!! WE’Z CAN GIVE DEM A PEP TALK BEFORE WE’Z BEET UP ON FLARIDU!!!!!!!! DAYS STOOPID BUT WE’Z SMART!!!!!!!!

KimZ'sPackage

February 18th, 2011
4:40 pm

Auburn Fan
WOW that is KILLER, but everybody argues the total # of games. On TV this year when Auburn won the TV guys called it EVEN at 52-52-6.
ARGUE if you want but I didn’t hear your comment abouyt REGGIE BALL kicking your AZZ the last time the war chicken came to ATLANTA or when the BEEs came to AUBURN. Caddie got CRUSHED and Campbell was ABUSED.
Mar JOE I am sorry I didn’t take your V—ity but you were an AUBURN chick. I did like the FREE BUFFET you offered, but not so hot when you snort like a PIG.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
4:41 pm

I wonder if Auburn Fan walked through an academic building at Auburn? That’s a mystery.

Dawg 39

February 18th, 2011
4:41 pm

Anybody else want to jump in. Using Forbes or any other rating service: Using any statistics you want to use; Using Everything from what it takes to get in to what it takes to get out & what you have when you graduate,: the results are the same. The top 3 Academic schools in the SEC are Vandy, UGA, & the (hated) UF.
AGAIN: ” I AM PROUD TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDAWG”.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:43 pm

“TV guys called it EVEN at 52-52-6.’

The record books say differently, ma’am.

“REGGIE BALL kicking your AZZ ”

Oh, that’s because I’m too busy looking at the BCS Trophy. You were saying?

“Caddie got CRUSHED and Campbell was ABUSED.”

Caddie and Campbell went 13-0, ma’am. Both are starting players in the NFL, unlike Stafford……

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:44 pm

“The top 3 Academic schools in the SEC are Vandy, UGA, & the (hated) UF.’

GA and academics is like saying red neck and Rhodes Scholar. Neither make sense.

“AGAIN: ” I AM PROUD TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDAWG”.’

But, you didn’t graduate from UGA. I love it when fans of schools like to play make believe.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:45 pm

“I wonder if Auburn Fan walked through an academic building at Auburn? That’s a mystery.”

Class of 99, ma’am. When did you attend and graduate from UGA?

PF is an idiot

February 18th, 2011
4:46 pm

Paul Finebaum: “Auburn is making the U of Alabama look stupid.”

Paul, it’s really not hard to make U of Alabama look stupid.

KimZ'sPackage

February 18th, 2011
4:47 pm

DAWG 39
Vandy and UF are AAU members UGA is a GIRLS SCHOOL. My 9th grade neice could be a Soph. at UGA. Pleas get over that UGA is hard. The only thing at UGA that is HARD is staying SOBER and not Arrested. LEEBURN makes sure the Liqour flows and the Underage students keep drunk. why has UGA been in the top 10 in the Fulmer Cup and Party School Rankings for the last 8 years? UGA is what the MOVIE makesr would make ANIMAL HOUSE from.

UGAG

February 18th, 2011
4:47 pm

“On TV this year when Auburn won the TV guys called it EVEN at 52-52-6.”

Won of the tv guys? What did they win?

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:49 pm

“My 9th grade neice could be a Soph. at UGA. Pleas get over that UGA is hard.”

SO where did you go to school?

Oh, and spell check is your friend, Gump

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
4:50 pm

KimZ’sPackage

Before you go around calling other people stupid, not stoopid, please learn how to use spell check. Calling people stupid and then misspelling half of your rants really makes you look like a high school drop out.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
5:02 pm

Poor Auburn Fan. Its so sad to be a Barner. Im glad I have no affiliation with Alabama Polytechnical Institute.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
5:03 pm

Auburn fans…… Feeling inferior to everyone else in the SEC for the last 50 years.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
5:05 pm

“Its so sad to be a Barner. ‘

We just won the national title, 6-7er. Trust me, we’re laughing and mocking people like you. People who are fans and not grads, that is.

“Feeling inferior to everyone else in the SEC for the last 50 years.’

Auburn claims SEC’s fifth straight national title by dropping Oregon on late field goal

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=310102483

You were saying?

AltamahaDawg

February 18th, 2011
5:05 pm

Thanks Mobile, I guess that would be the only way. Nothing says, lets take care of our tree, like scouring it with high pressure water blasting. I’m guessing the toilet paper “celebration” was not endorced by the Arborists in town.

Auburn Fan

February 18th, 2011
5:06 pm

Fleischman in Chattanooga

Need I remind you?

LIBERTY BOWL: UCF 10, UGA 6

Alabama Fan

February 18th, 2011
5:06 pm

Auburn Fan,

Sorry about the tree incident. I’ve got several good AU friends- hate to see a tradition like that die because of one loon. But it doesn’t take away from your 2010 title. Us Bama and AU fans will always rag on each other. What I don’t like is the multitude of dawg fans today talking smack. Those losers aint won crap in 30 freaking years.

Definition of mediocrity- Georgia football.

Fleischman in Chattanooga

February 18th, 2011
5:08 pm

Auburn Fan, funny thing is I was rooting for UCF.