Don't Drink Like a Fish

Alcohol has claimed the life of 19 year old Lewis Fish, a freshman at the University of Georgia. He was discovered dead in his dorm room early Sunday morning. This tragic event is unfortunate but not surprising. Studies and statistics are constantly being put in the faces of college students, but is this doing any good? The problem isn’t that college students are drinking; we all knew they were going to do that. The problem is binge drinking, drinking for the sole reason to get drunk. Fish was in an environment where drinking and binge drinking is widely accepted. I have been to Athens and the UGA campus several times, and it isn’t hard at all for underage students to get their hands on some booze or anything else their little hearts desirer. With all of these temptations it is very important to learn how do make good critical decisions, like stop drinking if you feel like your dieing. Fish is now the latest victim to binge drinking and there will be more if something doesn’t change. According to NIAAA 1700 students 18 to 24, die each year due to alcohol. UGA has been trying to lower this number by arresting any student caught drinking on campus instead of issuing a citation. This is about the only thing the school can due. The power is in the hands of the kids. It is fairly simple if you don’t want to die don’t drink enough to kill yourself.

Due Monday, Jan. 30

Consider the recent alcohol-related death of a UGA student. What are the responsibilities of the college or university vs. the responsibilities of the individual regarding alcohol awareness and safety? Remember to research statistics of alcohol use and abuse among college students, and review various alcohol policies and how/if they're enforced on campuses. If you plan to differentiate between large and small colleges/universities, make sure you come up with a clear definition of those descriptions.

Abortion Attack From Scheafer

Women’s right to abortion is now in jeopardy. Nancy Schaefer, a right wing, Christian extremist from Clarkesville has proposed a new bill stating that women seeking an abortion must have a sonogram done and be presented with the opportunity to view their unborn fetus. Schaefer’s bill also states that the women must wait an additional 24 hours after the sonogram to finalize the abortion. This far right tactic is repulsing, and any woman in Georgia should be disgusted that they be forced to go through something so humiliating in such a time of despair. This bill casts a dark shadow on the American right to reproductive freedom. Schaefer, who is a devote Christian and the president of Family Concerns, also believes that no child should participate in Halloween due to its satanic undertones, and masturbation should be made illegal. It sounds to me that Senator Schaefer is nothing more than a religious extremist set on ridding the world of sin. Well here is a news flash this world isn’t perfect and sometimes people make mistakes. I agree that abortion should be an absolute last resort, but this insulting to women.

Due Monday, Jan. 23

Comment on Senate Bill 429, which is abortion legislation proposed by state Senator Nancy Schaefer (R-Clarkesville). Before commenting, you must find and read the actual legislation, comments from Schaefer and others who support the legislation, and comments from those who oppose the legislation. Refer to this research in your posting.

Due Friday Jan. 13

Search Internet blogs for discussions about the story of the 12 miners in West Virginia. How did the media get it so wrong? What lessons can we learn from this incident? Use this list of blogs to get started; you do not need to limit yourself to this list:
www.huffingtonpost.com
www.sploid.com
www.intheagora.com
www.powerlineblog.com
www.theagitator.com
www.drudgereport.com
www.michellemalkin.com
www.allspinzone.com
www.politicalvine.com
www.davidlimbaugh.com