re: "Tide for Toomers" has raised over $32,000 from Tide fans

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I'm more against this raising money by Bama fans than anything Auburn is doing, but in light of this past season and everything that is happening now, AU is just coming off as being a little too sensitive

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I think your missing the point that the trees are really more of a symbol than anything else. They're a symbol of a feeling of home and a feeling of family, if you will, for Auburn fans. My grandfather and mother walked under those trees. My grandfather died before I was born, but when I went to games as a child with my parents, my mom would always tell me about how he would walk around with her after games and go to Toomers corner and roll the trees, etc. I have very fond memories as a child of that experience. If they end up dying, a part of that dies and is gone. I'm sure my grandfather died knowing nothing would ever happen to those trees along the lines of what happened. Yes, they can eventually be replaced, but it's just not going to be the same.

With all due respect to uga, he's a mascot. He's not a gathering place of celebration that has bonded fans for years.

I think people have to understand the fact that it's not just trees. The trees are the embodiment of years of history and experiences that have a deep seeded place in many, many Auburn fans hearts. I think the bama fans, for the most part, that are donating money realize this and probably have something in their lives that represents something similar. They understand the loss that Auburn fans all of a sudden feel. They've looked past a rivalry and they've shown their own compassion. It would make no difference if that embodiment resided in a box of rocks or 130 year old oak trees, but it's there and it's a real thing for Auburn fans. It just so happens that replacing oak trees is very expensive and people have decided to put their money toward the rehabilitation/replacement of those trees. It's their choice to do so, as it is yours to disagree.