by Hunter Patterson | Feb 1, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
In the inaugural show of “Herd That” (title pending review from you all) Hunter Patterson and Alexander McMeen discuss everything you need to know about one of the biggest rivalries in college sports. If you are going to argue that is not the biggest, it is definitely the closest. We break down the 1990 game at Memorial, this year’s games and a ton of history about the big game. Listen, give us some feedback, and...
by Thomas Whisenant | Jan 25, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
After a day of school when I was younger, I would rush to my grandmother’s house for a bowl of chocolate ice cream. I would sit with her and play dominos for an hour, watch cartoons and try to recreate the moves I saw on Power Rangers every Saturday morning. I would pretend that I had no homework, no spelling tests, no grade sheets and no baths. The dream always ended. My mother would arrive and take me home to the reality of third-grade responsibility and icky vegetables. Regardless of how much I wanted to pretend that life was just like another day at grandmothers, I was always wrong. At some point I had to get to work. And now, Mommy has finally arrived to pick up Congress from grandma’s house. At first, the State of the Union address seemed to be nothing more than a campaign speech in a thousand dollar suit with a bow on top. Under the title “An America Built To Last”, the President unveiled a vision that included insourcing and creating new manufacturing jobs, providing workers with new skills, an increase in American energy production, and stressed a “renewal of American values”. He touted his success in eliminating bin Laden, ending the war in Iraq, cutting deficit spending, reviving the automotive industry and reforming the bureaucracy. He also dodged and sidestepped ‘third-rail’ political issues such as Social Security and Medicare, entitlement programs and debt reduction. While the speech might have been an election year surge, President Obama was not afraid to try to take on and challenge the political status quo. The President chose...
by Cory Woodroof | Jan 24, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
This past weekend, Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich surprised the nation with a staggering win in the South Carolina primary. Gaining about 40% of the overall vote, the conservative former Speaker of the House managed to pull ahead of frontrunner Mitt Romney to win the state’s election. If anything, Gingrich needed the win. With Romney claiming New Hampshire and barely losing out on Iowa –Rick Santorum recently had the race called in his favor- , Gingrich needed a strong showing in SC to reassert himself in the race. Who knew that a major controversy would help lead to Gingrich’s eventual win. Shortly before the first southern primary, Newt Gingrich’s second ex-wife, Marianne Gingrich, came forward during an interview with ABC News, revealing startling claims about the former Speaker’s past. Ms. Gingrich accused Newt of desiring an “open marriage” during their time together in the midst of an affair. We have already seen scandal destroy the campaign of one presidential hopeful. If history was to repeat itself, a storm was brewing for the Gingrich campaign. This time, history decided to be original. Just before the polls opened in South Carolina, the Republican nominee hopefuls held a final debate. The opening question came from the hot topic of the night – the “open marriage” interview. The moderator asked Gingrich if he wished to comment on the issue. Newt gave a stern reply. “No, but I will.” The crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Gingrich continued. “I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to...
by Hunter Patterson | Jan 14, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
The first in a series, Lumination asks Lipscomb students what their thoughts are about the mascot change. This will be an ongoing series until the decision is made final. The following is written by senior American Studies major Grant Winter. We are Lipscomb. This has been our university’s mantra ever since L. Randolph Lowry became president. It is a phrase that could be heard every time he spoke, coupled with the latest statistics or rankings for a little school bragging rights. While I soon grew tired of the continual usage, one thing about the phrase provided solace. It did not include the name of our mascot, Bisons. Don’t get me wrong. I have as much school spirit as the next. There is nothing I enjoy more than heckling an opposing player to the point of frustration. Yet, every time I hear “Bisons” in a cheer, I cringe. There is a reason that every time I type the word “Bisons,” a little red squiggly line appears underneath. Our beloved mascot is a falsehood. A fantasy. It doesn’t exist. It belongs only in an imaginary land with deers, gooses and mouses. I know there are many who are holding on for dear life to the consonant in question. There have been arguments of tradition. I call it more of a bad habit. Some think that it will cost too much money to rebrand everything on campus. Look around. “Bisons” is not displayed many places. It would seem the athletic department has long been ashamed of the name. Others say “Bison” sounds weird or that keeping the current spelling sets us apart. ...
by Hunter Patterson | Jan 13, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
The first in a series, Lumination asks Lipscomb students what their thoughts are about the mascot change. This will be an ongoing series until the decision is made final. The following is written by senior biology major Alexander McMeen. Lets Go Bison. The Bison played great today. We are the Lipscomb Bison. Sounds strange doesn’t it? For all of you grammatically correct people out there, there is your correct usage of the word “Bison”. For all of us with feeling, the S is what adds the extra magic. We are the Lipscomb Bisons! Long before I was born we have been the Lipscomb Bisons. Some say it is incorrect. Others say it sounds funny. Some (Belmont) make fun of it for being different, but I find that more than ironic. For a University that prides itself on setting itself apart from others, giving in and changing our name to the Bison is crazy. Some say setting ourselves apart with the wrong form of the word is ignorant. I disagree. The word Bisons is being more and more recognized as a correct usage of the word. Even ESPN recognized it as a now correct usage of the word. Next year, it will be in the Merriam Websters dictionary, AS A WORD. What schools change their nicknames!? Some might say it is only an S, but to those who have been around Lipscomb, it is more than just an S. It is who we are. It is who our alumni are. It is whom I have grown up as. We are the Lipscomb Bisons. If you actually think about it, Bisons...
