Out Of Control?

Snaggletiger · « **on:** February 23, 2011, 10:05:04 AM »

I'm getting to the point now where following the one "hobby" I'm most passionate about, college football, just isn't fun anymore. Auburn had the dream season so many of us thought would never happen. A National Championship season and one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play the game....marred by the media blitz surrounding the alleged pay for play scandal. It looked for a while like that would pass when the matter was investigated and supposedley put to bed. So Auburn goes on to win the MNC but the celebration seems so short lived.

It seems now that our beloved University and program have the proverbial target on their backs. Each day brings some new allegation or rumor and some obscure "Blogger" comes out of the woodwork with some damning evidence of cheating at Auburn. National pundits have developed a hard on for uncovering dastardly deeds on the Plains while HBO prepares to unveil the latest in-depth investigative piece that by all accounts, will at the very least, paint Auburn and Tommy Tuberville's staff in a less than flattering light. Is a former player really going to accuse an assistant coach of funneling money to him? Don't know but that's what was being reported this morning on our local sports talk show.

The beat goes on and on and on. One regular caller to the show that is a huge Florida fan even said this looks like a concerted effort by someone to bring Auburn down. Don't know why. I'm sure there are a few ideas out there, but it's quite obvious that it's happening. And not just at Auburn. Tennessee is reportedly receiving their letter today from the NCAA outlining violations in football, basketball and baseball. Has the culutre of college sports in the South just spiraled completely out of control? My theory is things always have and always will go on, but that the fans in general are the ones out of contro. The focus has long since steered away from enjoying the greatest sport on earth and moved to an environment where bringing the other guy down is our new National Championship. Obsessing over what everyone else is doing and trying to be the insider, the one to get the goods is the new Heisman Trophy. It's just not fun anymore.

Kaos · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:16:32 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 23, 2011, 10:05:04 AM

I'm getting to the point now where following the one "hobby" I'm most passionate about, college football, just isn't fun anymore. Auburn had the dream season so many of us thought would never happen. A National Championship season and one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play the game....marred by the media blitz surrounding the alleged pay for play scandal. It looked for a while like that would pass when the matter was investigated and supposedley put to bed. So Auburn goes on to win the MNC but the celebration seems so short lived.

It seems now that our beloved University and program have the proverbial target on their backs. Each day brings some new allegation or rumor and some obscure "Blogger" comes out of the woodwork with some damning evidence of cheating at Auburn. National pundits have developed a hard on for uncovering dastardly deeds on the Plains while HBO prepares to unveil the latest in-depth investigative piece that by all accounts, will at the very least, paint Auburn and Tommy Tuberville's staff in a less than flattering light. Is a former player really going to accuse an assistant coach of funneling money to him? Don't know but that's what was being reported this morning on our local sports talk show.

The beat goes on and on and on. One regular caller to the show that is a huge Florida fan even said this looks like a concerted effort by someone to bring Auburn down. Don't know why. I'm sure there are a few ideas out there, but it's quite obvious that it's happening. And not just at Auburn. Tennessee is reportedly receiving their letter today from the NCAA outlining violations in football, basketball and baseball. Has the culutre of college sports in the South just spiraled completely out of control? My theory is things always have and always will go on, but that the fans in general are the ones out of control. The focus has long since steered away from enjoying the greatest sport on earth and moved to an environment where bringing the other guy down is our new National Championship. Obsessing over what everyone else is doing and trying to be the insider, the one to get the goods is the new Heisman Trophy. It's just not fun anymore.

Don't know if you realize it or not, but you gave credence to us silly tin foil hat wearers.

Looks like a concerted effort to bring Auburn down? Hmmm. I believe I said years ago that this was war and that the more successful we were, the more intense the effort would be from a certain group to destroy us. But I guess that's just coincidence, isn't it? It's coincidence, too, that many of these rumors and attacks spring from Bama message boards -- boards where people like Cecil Hurt post under anonymous names.

We know this, but we're just being silly conspiracy theorists when we try to bring it to light and fight against it.

It's not the fans, Snag.

Don't you find it very strange that Auburn and Tennessee are the ones under attack? Coincidence there?

Sometimes they really ARE out to get you.

AU_Tiger_2000 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:22:46 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 23, 2011, 10:05:04 AM

I'm getting to the point now where following the one "hobby" I'm most passionate about, college football, just isn't fun anymore. Auburn had the dream season so many of us thought would never happen. A National Championship season and one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play the game....marred by the media blitz surrounding the alleged pay for play scandal. It looked for a while like that would pass when the matter was investigated and supposedley put to bed. So Auburn goes on to win the MNC but the celebration seems so short lived.

It seems now that our beloved University and program have the proverbial target on their backs. Each day brings some new allegation or rumor and some obscure "Blogger" comes out of the woodwork with some damning evidence of cheating at Auburn. National pundits have developed a hard on for uncovering dastardly deeds on the Plains while HBO prepares to unveil the latest in-depth investigative piece that by all accounts, will at the very least, paint Auburn and Tommy Tuberville's staff in a less than flattering light. Is a former player really going to accuse an assistant coach of funneling money to him? Don't know but that's what was being reported this morning on our local sports talk show.

The beat goes on and on and on. One regular caller to the show that is a huge Florida fan even said this looks like a concerted effort by someone to bring Auburn down. Don't know why. I'm sure there are a few ideas out there, but it's quite obvious that it's happening. And not just at Auburn. Tennessee is reportedly receiving their letter today from the NCAA outlining violations in football, basketball and baseball. Has the culutre of college sports in the South just spiraled completely out of control? My theory is things always have and always will go on, but that the fans in general are the ones out of contro. The focus has long since steered away from enjoying the greatest sport on earth and moved to an environment where bringing the other guy down is our new National Championship. Obsessing over what everyone else is doing and trying to be the insider, the one to get the goods is the new Heisman Trophy. It's just not fun anymore.

And this is what some of us do not want our fan base to become.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:36:43 AM »

If I didn't have such an emotional and personal attachment to Auburn University, I would have left college football a long time ago. There's so much pointless and obnoxious bullshit off the field that I feel more aggravated the majority of the year than fulfilled.

Between keeping up with high school kids getting recruited to NCAA investigations to subjective voting by media members to uninformed voting by coaches to Finebaums and message boards to Harvey Updykes and Logan Youngs - it's enough to make me leave the game all together.

Not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy the NFL, so it's not like I wouldn't get my football fix.

But as I said, I love Auburn for more than just football, and football is the #1 cultural identity of the school. I worked in the athletic department, tutored in the academic center, and attended almost every game from 2003-2007. For that, I keep on going with it.

GH2001 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:38:34 AM »

Dang right its a concerted effort. Has been for half a century. And will keep happening if we keep playing the role of pacifist like we have been. It's no conspiracy. It's pretty public fucking knowledge. The last time I checked, the REC was real. This does nothing but justify Kevins objectives the last 2 days.

And au 2000, you can quit beating that drum. Fighting back can be mutually exclusive of lowering ones self. You act as if we can't do it without looking like them. Thats bs and you know it.

Saniflush · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:38:44 AM »

Quote from: Townhallsavoy on February 23, 2011, 10:36:43 AM

If I didn't have such an emotional and personal attachment to Auburn University, I would have left college football a long time ago. There's so much pointless and obnoxious bullshit off the field that I feel more aggravated the majority of the year than fulfilled.

Between keeping up with high school kids getting recruited to NCAA investigations to subjective voting by media members to uninformed voting by coaches to Finebaums and message boards to Harvey Updykes and Logan Youngs - it's enough to make me leave the game all together.

Not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy the NFL, so it's not like I wouldn't get my football fix.

But as I said, I love Auburn for more than just football, and football is the #1 cultural identity of the school. I worked in the athletic department, tutored in the academic center, and attended almost every game from 2003-2007. For that, I keep on going with it.

Did you give BJ's?

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:39:07 AM »

Excellent take THS

I guess it's just more of an observation than anything else. When I got in my car one afternoon this Fall and heard Paul Finebaum, of all people, break the news to me of the Cam Newton deal, I literally felt like I got kicked in the gut. I got mad and depressed all at the same time. Don't mean to sound melodramatic but I'm afraid I get way too caught up in Auburn football, especially when things are going as good as they were this season. And it flat out pissed me off that someone would level an allegation like this in the middle of the season. Then I got angry at Auburn, hoping like hell that they weren't stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot like this.

But since that time, it's been a daily kick in the gut. A friend and fellow Auburn alum whom I always talk football with, came in the restaurant this morning and we were both of the same mindset. All you could do is shake your head and say I'm sick of this. It's like a never ending series of trying to throw body blows until one lands and cracks a rib.

AU_Tiger_2000 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:41:19 AM »

Quote from: GH2001 on February 23, 2011, 10:38:34 AM

Dang right its a concerted effort. Has been for half a century. And will keep happening if we keep playing the role of pacifist like we have been. It's no conspiracy. It's pretty public phuking knowledge. The last time I checked, the REC was real. This does nothing but justify Kevins objectives the last 2 days.

And au 2000, you can quit beating that drum. Fighting back can be mutually exclusive of lowering ones self. You act as if we can't do it without looking like them. Thats bs and you know it.

Good luck with that. Never seen it happen before because it ultimately just ends up in name calling. Just like it did on here.

GH2001 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:46:36 AM »

Quote from: AU_Tiger_2000 on February 23, 2011, 10:41:19 AM

Good luck with that. Never seen it happen before because it ultimately just ends up in name calling. Just like it did on here.

What Jr and k accomplished yesterday with that paper involved none of that. It was well planned, organized and systematic. And it got us heard. Something came of it.

What gf and chad did with the fb page had nothing to do with lowering ones self either.

Lots of these acts added together can make for some huge momentum. I think Kevin doing a blog similar to brooks would do a ton. Especially if it got noticed.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:54:39 AM »

Quote from: GH2001 on February 23, 2011, 10:46:36 AM

What Jr and k accomplished yesterday with that paper involved none of that. It was well planned, organized and systematic. And it got us heard. Something came of it.

What gf and chad did with the fb page had nothing to do with lowering ones self either.

Lots of these acts added together can make for some huge momentum. I think Kevin doing a blog similar to brooks would do a ton. Especially if it got noticed.

I'm in agreement with all this. I have no problem promoting AU and/or making sure any attempt to treat us like the proverbial stepchild is challenged. I think the perception of many was that this "War" was more about getting in someone's face than anything else. Using it as a positive for Auburn is what it should be all about. They're better at crawling through the gutters than we are.

Kaos · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:59:50 AM »

Quote from: AU_Tiger_2000 on February 23, 2011, 10:22:46 AM

And this is what some of us do not want our fan base to become.

And nobody has suggested doing anything of the sort.

What we are trying to do, for the quintillionth time, is provide a response to the negativity directed our way so that it isn't passively accepted. That passive acceptance emboldens those who hate us. We may disagree on the number and influence of those who do so, but there is little doubt that the group determined to wreck Auburn exists. It always has. It destroyed Dye and thought we were done for. It would have destroyed Tuberville if it hadn't had its own myriad problems to combat. Absent those problems now, the focus returns.

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:00:44 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 23, 2011, 10:54:39 AM

I'm in agreement with all this. I have no problem promoting AU and/or making sure any attempt to treat us like the proverbial stepchild is challenged. I think the perception of many was that this "War" was more about getting in someone's face than anything else. Using it as a positive for Auburn is what it should be all about. They're better at crawling through the gutters than we are.

^^^This x 1,000,000^^^

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:08:45 AM »

I have those days too Snaggie. We have been through a shitstorm this season with the media. K is right. I no longer believe that it is a coincidence that most of the stuff comes from bama message boards or ugay graduates that have a blog, or some GA from one school that now works at another.

No coincidence that it is happening to UT as well, they hate us and then UT. I also believe the conspiracy of them out to destroy us. Someone said yesterday that they didn't believe that ever bammer was out to destroy us. They may have been correct in stating that. Is the young lady that sits in the office next to mine trying to destroy AU? Nope, she doesn't have the time, money, connections nor the resources, but she damn sure would laugh her ass off at our demise. Do the big money donors that sit in the skyboxes at bds? Yeah, they have all that and I am convinced they are using it to hurt us anyway they can.

Now we have the looming HBO show coming up where apparently Stanley Mcsackbrodie is going to claim that Coach Eddie Gran gave him money. I still think this show is a shot at the entire SEC, it won't make us look good by any means and it's not meant to be deflection, but other schools will supposedly be named as well. I think the rest of the nation is tired of the SEC kicking it's ass and they want to see us brought down.

But yes, sometimes it seems like it has gotten out of control, it something new everyday and it takes some of the fun out of it......but I love Auburn and I will keep on keeping on.

Kaos · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:09:27 AM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 23, 2011, 10:54:39 AM

I think the perception of many was that this "War" was more about getting in someone's face than anything else.

Then I submit that speaks more to your mindset than what was actually being discussed.

At no point was any sort of physical retaliation or act of malicious vandalism proposed. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

And it you look at how we've handled things I hope you're feeling a little chagrined at expecting that from us.

As I told another here: We're businessmen, we're professionals. We know how to do things in a rational and dignified manner and get results. We've already proved that.

Who honestly believed we could get a major daily newspaper to change anything? And we did it with a handful of phone calls. Nobody is asking anybody to strap on an M16 and camo paint their faces. We're just asking you to join us in making OUR voice heard.

What happened down here in South Alabama a few years ago? Neal McReady had a radio show. Bama fans complained that he "wasn't bama enough." He was fired. We did nothing. And now we bitch because the airwaves are dominated with Tide talk? If you don't vote, don't bitch. We're deciding to vote.

The altar is still open. Even those of you who turned your nose up at what we're trying to do are still welcome. We all want the same things I hope.

In here we vent because we can. I THOUGHT this was family. I pray I wasn't wrong.

AU_Tiger_2000 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:09:48 AM »

Quote from: GH2001 on February 23, 2011, 10:46:36 AM

What Jr and k accomplished yesterday with that paper involved none of that. It was well planned, organized and systematic. And it got us heard. Something came of it.

What gf and chad did with the fb page had nothing to do with lowering ones self either.

Lots of these acts added together can make for some huge momentum. I think Kevin doing a blog similar to brooks would do a ton. Especially if it got noticed.

I wasn't talking about name calling to the paper or on Facebook. That actually was handled with a modicum of restraint. The original intent posted by someone on here was to "They need her to be such a source of grief that they have no choice but to fire her." over a Facebook post. That is exactly what I would consider fans going to far. Obviously I'm in the minority here on that so I won't keep beating that dead horse. I meant name calling between Wench, Kevin, JR, you, and me (definitely not calling myself innocent). I alluded to Kevin being "fucking retarded" in a post last week (which is still funny to me) and a "two year old" earlier this week. JR called me a "pc pussy". Kevin ignored arguments in order to say things like "Pffft!" (which doesn't really refute the 2 year old comment) and "pa-fucking-thetic" and to tell a female poster to "fuck off". Which I would take particular exception to, except I know that Wench can handle it and dish it back out. And you called me "big brotherish" and "self righteous".

Now I'm all for letting bygones be bygones, especially since this is the only Auburn message board that I like and it allows debates, aka pissing matches. But it has gotten personal a few times over the last few days. I have my opinion on handling the Bama bloggers, posters, and media (give'em enough rope they end up hanging themselves; they are pandering to this state which, have to face it, has more bammers than Auburn fans) and you and Kevin have yours (put together a concerted organized front to individually confront acts of favoritism in the media; and if it works I suggest taking on MSNBC next). Whatever, we don't see eye to eye, but we're not going to talk the other one into changing.

Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure you'll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.

JR4AU · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:16:55 AM »

Ive said it! The bammers are not going to let AU win a NC without a full fledged effort to take it away, or at the very least see to it that we cant enjoy it. They are not content with saying wait til next year, or telling us it will be 50 more years, they want this one taken away, and want AU stripped of the ability to compete with them. They are having some success at it to because of the assive "its just football" fans. It is just football, but to them its their reason for living and how many of them identify themselves, and AU enjoying a NC, isnt something they can sit back and passively tolerate.

Kaos · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:22:21 AM »

Quote from: AU_Tiger_2000 on February 23, 2011, 11:09:48 AM

I wasn't talking about name calling to the paper or on Facebook. That actually was handled with a modicum of restraint. The original intent posted by someone on here was to "They need her to be such a source of grief that they have no choice but to fire her." over a Facebook post. That is exactly what I would consider fans going to far. Obviously I'm in the minority here on that so I won't keep beating that dead horse. I meant name calling between Wench, Kevin, JR, you, and me (definitely not calling myself innocent). I alluded to Kevin being "fucking retarded" in a post last week (which is still funny to me) and a "two year old" earlier this week. JR called me a "pc pussy". Kevin ignored arguments in order to say things like "Pffft!" (which doesn't really refute the 2 year old comment) and "pa-fucking-thetic" and to tell a female poster to "fuck off". Which I would take particular exception to, except I know that Wench can handle it and dish it back out. And you called me "big brotherish" and "self righteous".

Now I'm all for letting bygones be bygones, especially since this is the only Auburn message board that I like and it allows debates, aka pissing matches. But it has gotten personal a few times over the last few days. I have my opinion on handling the Bama bloggers, posters, and media (give'em enough rope they end up hanging themselves; they are pandering to this state which, have to face it, has more bammers than Auburn fans) and you and Kevin have yours (put together a concerted organized front to individually confront acts of favoritism in the media; and if it works I suggest taking on MSNBC next). Whatever, we don't see eye to eye, but we're not going to talk the other one into changing.

Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure you'll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.

Here's my response to that.

The response to the paper. The Facebook. THAT IS THE FUCKING WAR WE WERE TALKING ABOUT. That's our entire intent. Give our people a voice.

You have your opinion. It's been expressed multiple times and in (occasionally) a very condescending manner. Your opinion is clearly in the minority. I think its naive to think they will end up hanging themselves. Hasn't worked ever before. The ONLY reason they had to regroup for a while was because a few Auburn people agitated and agitated and finally brought some of their shenanigans to light. It was forced.

If you don't want to be a part of what many of us feel passionately is a prime opportunity to hopefully bring about some legitimate change (and if you think about it, quell some of the bitterness flowing from their side and ours too) that's fine.

But you've made your point. We heard it and decided you were wrong. If you don't want to be a part of it, just quit sniping at those of us who do.

BTW? Pfffftttt is an entirely appropriate response to comments that have no merit.

GH2001 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:33:48 AM »

Quote from: Kaos on February 23, 2011, 11:22:21 AM

Here's my response to that.

The response to the paper. The Facebook. THAT IS THE FUCKING WAR WE WERE TALKING ABOUT. That's our entire intent. Give our people a voice.

You have your opinion. It's been expressed multiple times and in (occasionally) a very condescending manner. Your opinion is clearly in the minority. I think its naive to think they will end up hanging themselves. Hasn't worked ever before. The ONLY reason they had to regroup for a while was because a few Auburn people agitated and agitated and finally brought some of their shenianigans to light. It was forced.

If you don't want to be a part of what many of us feel passionately is a prime opportunity to hopefully bring about some legitimate change (and if you think about it, quell some of the bitterness flowing from their side and ours too) that's fine.

But you've made your point. We heard it and decided you were wrong. If you don't want to be a part of it, just quit sniping at those of us who do.

BTW? Pfffftttt is an entirely appropriate response to comments that have no merit.

Say what you want about Fulmer too, but that guy had the guts to turn the bastards in on the Means deal. The memo he sent to Kramer is great. Says in it that Tubs knew about em cheating too and was willing to talk. Outstanding. When good men do nothing against evil......well, you know the rest.

Jumbo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:49:39 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 23, 2011, 10:39:07 AM

Excellent take THS

I guess it's just more of an observation than anything else. When I got in my car one afternoon this Fall and heard Paul Finebaum, of all people, break the news to me of the Cam Newton deal, I literally felt like I got kicked in the gut. I got mad and depressed all at the same time. Don't mean to sound melodramatic but I'm afraid I get way too caught up in Auburn football, especially when things are going as good as they were this season. And it flat out pissed me off that someone would level an allegation like this in the middle of the season. Then I got angry at Auburn, hoping like hell that they weren't stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot like this.

But since that time, it's been a daily kick in the gut. A friend and fellow Auburn alum whom I always talk football with, came in the restaurant this morning and we were both of the same mindset. All you could do is shake your head and say I'm sick of this. It's like a never ending series of trying to throw body blows until one lands and cracks a rib.

This...

Godfather · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2011, 02:34:43 PM »

Quote from: AU_Tiger_2000 on February 23, 2011, 11:09:48 AM