The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: Opinions

Back up the rules

We do not agree with the Less Safe rule, but the state should enforce its own laws

We're all familiar with "Over the limit, under arrest" ­- that catchy phrase advocated by the state of Georgia warning us not to drive drunk.

But what about "under the limit, under arrest?"

Joseph Fu, the head of the University's mathematics department, was charged in August with DUI under the Less Safe process.

Under this process, a driver who is pulled over and given a Breathalyzer test still can be charged with DUI - even if his breath sample is less than the legal limit.

According to documents obtained by The Red & Black, Fu drove the wrong way on a one-way exit ramp. At the Athens-Clarke County jail, he was given a Breathalyzer and received a .057 gram result - less than the .08 legal limit for those over age 21.

However, last Friday, Fu went to court and his charge was lessened from DUI to reckless driving.

Although The Red & Black does not agree with charging drivers who blow less than the legal limit with DUIs, the state should enforce its own laws.

Clearly, Fu was too impaired to be driving - traveling the wrong way down a one-way street isn't exactly safe.

If Georgia isn't going to invoke the Less Safe process, then the rule shouldn't even be a provision in the state's DUI law.

We in no way advocate drunk driving, but the Less Safe process appears to be nothing more than a scare tactic.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board

So long, fountains

The University's saving water, but we still miss the North Campus fountains

North Campus fountains, we knew ye well.

As drought conditions continue and the fountains remain off, yet another year starts without your flowing waters.

Herty Field is bare. The courtyard next to Old College is empty. The Founder's Memorial Garden is stark.

When will we see them again? Gone are the days of misting wind during the spring. Gone are the sounds of rushing water as background noise between classes.

It's hard to believe that students who weren't here before spring 2007 haven't seen your gloriousness.

It's even more tormenting to know that if this trend continues, whole classes could graduate without dipping a toe into your cool water.

The University says it has conserved 150 million gallons of water between November 2007 to October 2008 in a campus-wide effort to cut back on water usage.

That's wonderful. We're just sad the fountains were victims.

In other cities around the state, public fountains have been funded by recycled water from private donors.

Surely there's an alum who would donate water and team up with the University's Physical Plant to ensure it's properly recycled.

In the meantime, we'll be waiting. Because, as the University says, every drop counts.

- Carolyn Crist for the editorial board

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