And so an idiot named something or other from somewhere or another has put herbicides on the historic oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn. I guess if there is any university in American capable of figuring out how to save the trees it would be Auburn. But it is said to be doubtful that they can survive the attack.
My reaction is layered. It was a stupid and shameful act for any human being to do- willful destruction of another's property. And what seems so incredible is that the man, a former Texas highway patrolman, was proud of the act- so much so that he called the biggest sports show in Alabama to claim responsibility for the act and gloat about it.
The man is obviously unstable. But the reaction to it by people has been unbelievable. Firstly, this man does not represent Alabama sports fans who have a healthy respect for traditions and history even when they involve our greatest team rivalry. Making that assumption is as false as assuming that he represents all Texas lawmen, the KKK represents all white people or the 9/11 bombers represent all Muslims. This is the saddest aspect of the entire incident. Those who hate do not represent others with their misguided acts.
To those who make this some unspeakable crime because he hurt old trees I share your love for the outdoors and find it despicable when people intentionally and thoughtlessly spoil the beauty of nature with no apparent consideration for the long lasting results. But I can tell you the story would not even be a footnote on the back page of the paper if they were just any trees anywhere. The point is that they were sacred trees to the Auburn fans. His act was the equivalent of bombing a mosque or destroying a temple. Otherwise, these trees- as old and beautiful as they are- would cause no more reaction than the 35 million that are hacked down each year for a three week job of being Christmas trees.
The guy is a misguided sports terrorist. But you tree huggers shouldn't try to jump on the band wagon and make that part of the issue. Stick to spotted owls and subjects you know something about. This guy attacked the holy of holies- not an old growth tree farm in Montana. Some ground and places are sacred even to a drunk crowd trying protect it from toilet paper attackers.
As an Alabama fan and a guy who has spent my time on the Tuscaloosa campus and the Auburn campus I can speak with some authority. There's not a whole lot in Auburn, Alabama. If the university were not there it is doubtful we would have ever heard of the little town. But it has it's timeless traditions. One of those has been for it's fans to gather at the little corner by Toomer's store and celebrate victories. It's rivals have made it their goal to try to figure out how to sneak in and roll the big trees with toilet paper. I really hate for the trees to die. But after all, they are only trees. What is really important is that a wonderful and historic legacy of sports tradition is gone. Those are things really worth hugging. A lot more than an oak tree.
