Opinion Archives - Page 19 of 20

May

23

2016

The Wizard of Glow

Opinion

As the sun’s rays faded on the grounds of the Garrett Coliseum, the ultraviolet light bulbs flickered into existence and brought life to the mounds of foam being shot 20 feet into the air and onto an ecstatic and gyrating audience. Speakers on a nearby stage pumped out rhythmic pulses that seemed to send shockwaves through the crowd. Just to the side, vendors peddled their themed merchandise at elevated prices beneath white pop-up canopies. This was no ordinary 5K. It was a “Foam Glow 5k,” an event that seemed to focus more on the theatrics of glowing foam than on…

May

12

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

What’s the Deal with Kratom?

Opinion

Have you noticed the increasing number of options there are at gas stations around Montgomery of what is typically branded as “5-Hour Energy shots?” You can now find products like Viva Zen, K Chill and Vita Lize that are packaged in the same bottle with different labels at almost any convenience store throughout the city. The ingredient in these products that has them flying off the shelves and creating controversy is Mitragynine Speciosa, which is found in the Kratom plant. Kratom grows naturally in Southeast Asia and is a part of the coffee family. It has been used in traditional…

May

10

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Prisoner of Words

Opinion

When you think of the things you take for granted, what do you think of? Do you think of technology, clothing or a safe place to sleep at night? What about the ability to read this article? Illiteracy has been putting people at a disadvantage since the beginning of recorded history. If you think illiteracy ended with the abolition of slavery or that problems like illiteracy do not exist in America you are wrong. Thirty-two million adults, 14 percent of the population, are illiterate, according to the 2014 U.S. Department of Education and National Institute of Literacy-data. As cliché as…

May

06

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

See Ya Later, Stress

Opinion

‘Tis the season for panic attacks, phone calls to mom at 3 a.m. and staying up so late we have no idea what day it is. Finals week is among us and as always, it means business. As we are all starting the assignments we should have begun months ago, there are many ways we can keep from falling apart. “Stress is a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.,” Merriam Webster defines. Symptoms for stress are both mental and physical, including insomnia, muscle tension, headaches and hostility. (more…)

May

05

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Cloverdale Spring Concert Series

Arts, Opinion

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the pollen is creating a yellow tint on the cars, tables, and art statues around campus; it is safe to say that spring has sprung. With more hours of daylight and warm, breezy evenings, the 10th Annual Spring Concert Series hosted by the Cloverdale-Idlewild Neighborhood Association provides the perfect activity for Sunday evenings. (more…)

May

03

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo

Opinion

There is much joy in planning your family beach trip for Memorial Day weekend, but we can’t forget Cinco de Mayo. This wonderful holiday is sometimes overlooked and many of us may not really know the reason behind this celebration. Most would say it’s the one day a year to get sick on Mexican food, but many often confuse it as Mexico’s Independence Day, which is Sept. 16. On this day in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo took charge in the village church of Dolores where he eventually overthrew the Spanish oppression. Only the city of Puebla really makes a considerable…

Apr

25

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Trump Wins New York Primary Election

Opinion

After several weeks of negative results, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump scored the most decisive victory of this campaign cycle. His massive win in Tuesday’s Republican presidential primary in New York was quite a comeback after he suffered back to back defeats in Colorado and Wyoming. Trump got 89 delegates out of the 95 available. Trump’s juggernaut had staled with massive negative publicity over some of the statements he had made regarding abortion. His victory in New York though has jump started his movement towards the Republican National Convention in Ohio. Although it is still doubtful whether or not Trump…

Apr

22

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

STDs: The Invisible Killer

News, Opinion, University

We all know Montgomery to be home to a rich history in the civil rights movement, Chris’s World Famous Hot Dogs, and people that took the world by storm such as Nat King Cole, Hank Williams Sr., Zelda Fitzgerald and the infamous Doe B. However, what most of us don’t know is that Montgomery has earned the title of home to something far less reputable. Since 2013, Montgomery has been labeled the most sexually diseased city in America. The fourth largest city in Alabama ranks far higher in reported cases of STDS - 4,388 as of the 2013 data - …

Apr

21

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Celebrate Local Authors at the Alabama Book Festival

News, Opinion, University

Being a college student is tough. Between class and involvement on campus, it's easy for you to get bogged down. Sometimes, we just need to step back and enjoy some leisure time. For many of us on campus, reading is our go to escape. On April 23, the 11th annual Alabama Book Festival seeks to bring book lovers from all over the state to Montgomery for a day full of fun and learning. The festival includes author presentations from many famous authors including Natasha Tretheway, Rick Bragg, Homer Hickam and Alan Katz. Local authors will also be presenting throughout the…

Mar

19

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Being Privileged: Is it a Terrible Thing?

Campus, News, Opinion, University

With all that occurs in a student’s life, it is understandable that some components of campus life may be missed. Once a month, in the Landing at the Nest, students and faculty meet and openly and safely discuss topics affecting them today. With signs placed all across campus, the blunt, yet caring, nature of Hot Topics Café always keeps me coming back for more. On Feb. 10, students and faculty joined together to “check [their] privilege.” (more…)

Mar

14

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Experiencing Ben Carson’s Visit to AUM

News, Opinion, University

After waiting in line for thirty minutes to see Dr. Ben Carson speak, I started to wonder if it had been worth leaving class. I volunteered to cover the event because hearing a presidential candidate speak in person was a new experience for me. I have only ever seen these candidates debate on television. According to AL.com, almost 300 students were lined up from the Taylor Center to Goodwyn Hall. As it turned out, I wasn’t the only person who was (more…)

Mar

11

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Supporting Bernie Sanders in Montgomery, Alabama

Opinion

In this season of polarized Presidential elections the citizens of Alabama cast their ballots on March 1, 2016 on what is called “Super Tuesday.” All polls indicated that Donald Trump would win the Republican nomination and Hillary Clinton would take the Democratic side in Alabama, and so it was. Clinton won the Democratic side with 78% of the votes, while Trump clenched the Republican victory with 43%. I was certain that I could find plenty of voting citizens (more…)

Feb

24

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Remembering Justice Antonin Scalia

Opinion

“Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity.” -Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79, was found dead on Feb. 13, 2016, at a ranch in West Texas. Officials confirmed that he had died of natural causes. (more…)

Feb

20

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Expanding Musical Horizons

Arts, Opinion

Do you have trouble connecting with today’s popular music on a human level? Has the heavy use of computer-generated beats and auto-tuned voices left you feeling detached from your car radio and latest playlist? If so, push pause on the polished product and take a risk on Greensky Bluegrass. (more…)

Feb

18

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Alabama Debuts Online Voter Registration

Opinion

Secretary of State John Merrill announced on Feb. 1 that electronic voter registration is now available for Alabama residents. Voters can now register or update their information at www.alabamavotes.gov. According to Merrill’s office, this new application aims to save taxpayer dollars, as well as provide a convenient, secure option for registration. Upon completion of the online registration, the form is (more…)

Feb

10

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Sanders Celebrates Dr. King

Opinion

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a date to celebrate one of the most influential voices in the history of the civil rights movement. This year, thousands of Alabamians celebrated by attending a political rally at the Boutwell Memorial Auditorium in Birmingham for presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. “There must be a mistake, someone told me Alabama is a conservative state,” Sanders joked as he addressed the crowd of 5,700 people inside the auditorium and another 1,400 in a separate location outside. (more…)

Feb

09

2016

By Aumnibus Staff

Iowa Caucus 2016

Opinion

There is a great deal of pressure between the two remaining Democratic candidates to the Presidency. What was once seen as a stroll through the park for the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turned into a nightmare in Iowa. In a race that was too close to call, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders snapped at Clinton’s heels into the wee hours of the morning. At the end of the day, only a few delegates separated the two; six of the precincts were decided with a flip of a coin. (more…)

Mar

12

2015

By Aumnibus Staff

Can Atlanta Braves Contend in NL East?

Opinion, Sports

With the 2015 MLB season fast approaching, Atlanta Braves fans all over the country are wondering if this new-look ball club can contend for a playoff spot. The 2014 regular season was a complete disappointment for Braves fans, as they saw their playoff hopes slip away in September. During that month, the Braves managed to lose 16 of the 20 games they played. The 2014-2015 offseason was just as lackluster as the finish to the regular season for fans. In an attempt to stockpile young talent for 2017, the year they will open up their new $622 million stadium, the…

Mar

01

2015

By Aumnibus Staff

AUM Cheerleaders to Participate in First Exhibition

Campus, News, Opinion, Sports, University

Probably the least talked about sports team on campus is the AUM Cheerleading Squad. The squad consists of 11 girls who have a passion for cheering. Coached by Michelle Crompton, their leader is wanting to expand and make the program bigger. On March 7, the squad members will be heading over to the Cramton Bowl Complex in Montgomery to show a routine they have been preparing. Cheerleading squads from across the Southern States Athletic Conference will come and show their skills on this day. This is formally called the SSAC Cheerleading Exhibition. This is the first time the AUM Cheerleaders…

Feb

26

2015

By Aumnibus Staff

Perfection no Longer a Long Shot for UK Men’s Hoops

Opinion, Sports

For the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, a shot at perfection still hangs in the balance as they head down the final stretch of games for the 2014-2015 season. Through 28 games, the Wildcats remain unbeaten on the season. Of those 28 wins, 14 have come against fellow SEC opponents in conference play. For every athlete that’s involved in a team-oriented sport, the perfect season has always been the ultimate goal. No matter what the sport, nothing looks better at the end of a grueling season than an unblemished zero in your loss column. What makes perfect seasons so…