So, when I read the story about the trees on Toomer's Corner, located in Auburn, Alabama, being destroyed, it bothered me.
In case you haven't heard the story, here it is in a snapshot: "A tree killing herbicide was intentionally applied in lethal amounts to the soil around the 130 year-old live oak trees at Toomer's Corner and there is little chance the trees will survive." (Courtesy of CBS42)
The incident was brought to the attention of Auburn officials after a caller to the Paul Finebaum show stated he had poisoned the trees. Listen to that clip here:
What struck me as most disturbing about the caller was his justification as to why he did what he'd done. He did not appear to be troubled, concerned, or bothered by the enormity of his act as, in his mind, it was an "eye for an eye".
For those of you who would say they're just a bunch of trees, you're missing the point. It's about respecting the pageantry and tradition of another school—no matter your differences—and what this man did, if he truly did it, is criminal and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Rivalries can be a glorious thing, but they can also be dangerous if they are taken too far and this, make no mistake about it, took it too far. The officials at Auburn are now concerned not only about the likelihood of saving Toomer's trees—which as already stated, seems unlikely—but also about the trees and shrubbery contained within the surrounding area as the herbicide used was powerful enough to taint the soil system as well.
So unnecessary.
Hopefully the madness will end here and there won't be any retaliation, but something tells me this won't be the end of this story.
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