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4 | Thursday, June 29, 2006 | The Red & Black
Colin Dunlop | Editor in Chief
editor (cvrandb.com
Lyndsay Hoban | Managing Editor
me@randb.com
Katy De Luca | Opinions Editor
opinions@randb.com
An independent student newspaper serving the University of Georgia community
ESTABLISHED 1 893, INDEPENDENT 1980
Majority opinions of The Red & Black’s editorial board
Happy Fourth
Celebrating our nation’s independ
ence can be a stimulating event
It’s time to break out the grill, eat some pota
to salad and celebrate Independence Day. On
this day, it’s important to remember what we
are celebrating. It was on July 4, 1776, that our
forefathers decided that they had put up with
enough from Great Britain and that it was time
to fight for what they believed in.
With the history lesson out of the way, we can
focus on what’s really important this Fourth of
July — fireworks. Independence Day celebra
tions have been characterized by these fiery
bursts for years, and this year will be no differ
ent.
Most fireworks are still banned in the state of
Georgia, but on the Fourth, the authorities
tend to turn a blind eye on unauthorized fire
work use.
If you are going to take the plunge and just
start lighting things on fire this July Fourth,
here are some tips from the Editorial Board you
might find helpful:
► Avoid shooting fireworks into crowds. This
could cause serious injury and chances are the
victims won’t find this too humorous.
► Never return to a lit firework. Even if it does
n’t go off and you think it might be a dud, it
might just be a slow burner. Watch your face.
► Don’t, under any circumstances, tie fireworks
to cats. In fact, don’t tie fireworks to any ani
mals. You know that isn’t funny. At all.
► Even though fuse-watching may be fun, hov
ering over a burning firework could lead to very
unhappy endings.
► If you absolutely must hold on to a firework
(even though we can’t imagine why), point it
away from your face and away from other peo
ple. It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be sur
prised.
► It is best to avoid flip-flops when lighting fire
works. If you have to flee, you’re going to need
some traction.
► Alcohol and fireworks may seem like a fun
combination, but it is best not to handle fire in
an inebriated state. Always rely on a designated
fuse lighter.
► You might be tempted to show your fireworks
display off to large crowds, but avoid the desire
to bring fireworks with you downtown. Bike
cops are not your ideal audience.
If having your own fireworks show this year
isn’t in the cards, there are plenty of other
events around Athens to enjoy.
This Sunday, the Botanical Garden is putting
on a little Independence Day shindig from 3 to
4 p.m. There will be a free concert by the
Classic City Band and other festivities.
Common Ground, located on North Newton
Street, is hosting Interdependence Day. They
will play host to outdoor games and races, a
vegan pie-eating contests, as well as fireworks
viewing and an outdoor movie screening.
Bishop Park will present the Star Spangled
Banner Classic, Athens’ main fireworks show,
and other events beginning at 6 p.m. Cake will
be served by the ACC firefighters, and a Little
Mr. and Miss Firecracker contest will be held.
Whether you go out on the Fourth or decide
to stay in, this holiday is about spending time
with family and friends. Remember what the
Founding Fathers fought for and the sacrifices
that were made so we could live the life that we
live today.
God Bless America.
In the event of a firework mishap, call one of
the following numbers: Athens Regional
Medical Center, 706-475-7000, St. Mary’s
Hospital, 706-389-3000. Oh yeah, and 911.
Our
NEWS: 706-433-3002
News Editor: Cristen Conger
Associate News Editor: Jessica Jordan
Sports Editor: Alex Byington
Variety Editor: P.T. Umphress, Jr.
Photography Editor: Andy McFee
Editorial Adviser: Ed Morales
Recruitment Editor: Jessica Jordan
Design Editor: Andrea Askew
Online Editor: Thomas Houston
Chief Copy Editor: Jessica McClean
Cartoonist: Bill Richards
Graphic Artist: Lindsay West
News Writers: Michelle Floyd, Lauren Morgan, David
Pittman, Brian "Aubrey" Smith
Sports Writers: Marshall Duncan
Variety Writers: Miles Moffit
Photographers: Leigh Auerbach, Waites Laseter III, Julia
Norman
Page Designers: Rachel Boyd, Nathan Evick, Tara Nelson,
Opinions expressed in The Red & Black other than unsigned editr
essarily those of The Red and Black Publishing Company Inc. All ric
Rebecca Rudolph
Stringers: Rebecca Ann Bowen, Christopher Homer,
Jessica Luton, Allison Petit, Alec Wooden
Copy Editors: Brooks Becker, Alicia Choi
ADVERTISING: 706-433-3001
Student Advertising Manager: Natalie Lawrence
Account Executives: Anne Marie Aycock, Irena Chernova,
Lindsay Nichols, Amanda Ryan, Travis Williams
Classified Manager: Kimberly Drew
Advertising Director: Rick Chapman
Production Manager: Sam Pittard
Office Manager: Mary Straub
Receptionist: Kimberly Drew
Publisher: Harry Montevideo
The Red & Black is published Monday through Friday fall and
spring semesters and each Thursday summer semester, except hol
idays and exam periods, by The Red & Black Publishing Company
Inc., a non-profit campus newspaper not affiliated with the
University of Georgia. Postal address: 540 Baxter St. Athens GA,
30605. Fax 433-3033. Subscription rate: $195 per year.
als are the opinions of the writers of signed columns and not nec-
its reserved. Reprints by permission of the editors.
Editorial board members include Colin Dunlop, Lyndsay Hoban, Katy De Luca, Andrea Askew, Jessica McClean,
Thomas Houston, and Tara Nelson.
Reaching Us
Phone (706) 433-3002 | Fax (706) 433-3033
opinions@randb.com | www.redandblack.com
540 Baxter St., Athens, Ga„ 30605
Letters should, include name, year in school, hometown, phone
number, major or job title or other appropriate identification.
Letters should be no more than 150 words. All letters are
subject to editing for length, style and libelous material.
Study abroad to open up horizons
O n the day this column
first runs, I will
have been away from
my girlfriend for one week
solid.
This may not seem like a
big deal, but consider this:
we started dating in
February — when she lived
in Columbus and I lived in
Athens. This was a three-
hour drive and not some
thing that could be done
without some planning and
manipulation of schedules.
However — despite our
best efforts — we never
went more than a week and
a half apart without one of
us breaking down and going
to see the other.
Now she’s in Germany,
some god-awful distance
from Athens that I’d rather
not calculate, on a study-
abroad trip and will be gone
for another four weeks —
until July 26.
This means she will be
gone for a total of five
weeks. Still think this isn’t a
big deal?So now the ques
tion is: how does one deal
with a barrier such as the
Atlantic Ocean?
Telephone, you suggest?
Let me let you in on a little
practical experience I’ve
gained: no matter what your
cell phone provider says,
calling a U.S. phone while it
is in another country is no
easy task. There are interna
tional calling numbers,
country codes and even city
codes.
To give a little perspec
tive, when I was younger
most of the metro-Atlanta
area went from seven-digit
dialing to 10-digit dialing,
and I thought that was a
pain in the ass.
But now, I’d give any
thing to dial just 10 num
bers and hear my girlfriend's
voice.
So e-mail seems like a
good alternative, but when
the convenience factor of
the personal computer is
gone, the traveler must rely
Colin Dunlop
on computer labs — which
may or may not be open 24
hours a day.
So for someone like me,
who is used to the immedia
cy of cell phones, I find this
method frustrating and
unfulfilling.
Bitch, bitch, moan, moan
you’re probably saying. “I’m
halfway through this col
umn, and I’ve been given
nothing but complaining.”
Hey, I’m getting to the
message, just give it time to
develop.
So what is a needy
boyfriend to do while his
girlfriend studies abroad?
Trust and wait.
That is all there is to do.
For someone who enters the
culture shock of another
country — I sometimes get
chills watching the National
Geographic channel — a trip
of this length can be a little
intense.
So while she is gone, I
wait by the phone and com
puter for that little role I
can play in helping her
through any tough times so
she’ll have an amazing time
on her trip.
Despite my somewhat-
jaded view and the fact
that I’ve never been on a
study abroad trip myself (I
can’t seem to give that
kind of time commitment to
anything not in the good ol’
U.S. of A.), I do see its
appeal and understand its
value.
When else can you travel
to a foreign country,
stay, learn and have the
experience of a lifetime on a
small budget?
I’ll answer that: when you
meet a philanthropist
with personal scholars in
Rome or when you are in
college.
With plenty of options
available through the
University System of
Georgia, it’s a wonder that
study abroad programs
aren’t mandatory.
Many times, the HOPE
Scholarship will pay for
tuition and fees, so all that
is needed are the plane
tickets to and from and the
arrangements to travel.
Of course a little spend
ing money is nice, but a
digital camera can bring
back much more
interesting things than
something with 17 conso
nants in its name.
So as the list of my
friends who haven’t studied
abroad dwindles, I wonder if
it’s time for me to step
out of my comfort zone of
downtown bars and the
convenience of my own car
and stretch my thinking to
include countries that
don’t feature the Dwight D.
Eisenhower Interstate
System.
But before I go, someone
is going to have to promise
me there will be a Wild Wing
wherever it is that I choose
to go.
— Colin Dunlop is the
editor in chief for
The Red & Black
STUDYING ABROAD?
We want to hear from you!
Are you spending the
summer in another coun
try? Tell your story to the
University community by
submitting a column about
your experiences to The
Red & Black. Send a 600-
word column in the body
of an e-mail to
opinions@randb.com, plus
a picture of yourself to run
with with column.
E-mail, letters and faxes from our readers
Accurate HIV information is important
We appreciate The Red &
Black staff highlighting
National HIV Testing Day
and HIV testing services at
the University Health
Center (UHC).
We do, however, have
some concerns about the
information conveyed and
wanted to take this as an
opportunity to share some
accurate information about
HIV.
HIV is only transmitted
through four fluids: blood,
semen, vaginal secretions
and breast milk.
HIV is not transmitted
through saliva or urine.
Blood that is present in any
body fluid should be avoid
ed.
HIV also is not transmit
ted though casual contact.
You can’t get it from kissing
or hugging someone, sharing
eating utensils or from a toi
let seat.
HIV is primarily transmit
ted the following ways:
unprotected oral, vaginal,
and anal sex; sharing punc
turing items (needles); or
from mother to baby.
The blood supply has
been screened for HIV since
1985, therefore chance of
transmission through blood
transfusions is very unlikely.
E-MAILING US
Questions, comments,
complaints? Here’s where
to point and click:
Letters I opinions@randb.com
News Tips I news@randb.com
HIV testing is either con
fidential or anonymous. In a
confidential test, a name is
used, and results may go in
your medical file.
With anonymous testing,
there is no record that a test
was performed. Anonymous
HIV testing and counseling
is offered in the Health
Promotion Department at
the UHC. The cost is $35
(cash only), and it takes 3
business days to get results.
Call 706-542-8690 to
schedule an appointment.
HIV testing also is offered at
AIDS Athens and the
Health Department.
For more information,
please visit
www.uhs.uga.edu/sexual-
health.
Betsy Sanford and
Michelle Cohen
Health Educators
University Health
Center
Baseball coverage
has been stellar
I am Bulldog catcher
Jason Jacobs’ aunt. As their
baseball season ends, I
wanted to write and thank
you for the great articles you
wrote about the team and
Jason.
I live in Washington
State, and your writings
brought me closer to the
game. I relied on the differ
ent newspaper articles,
along with the Georgia Web
site, to keep up with what
was happening.
I also want to thank you
for the kind things you
wrote about Jason. It really
warmed my heart to read it
all.
I was privileged to spend
almost three weeks watch
ing Georgia play baseball
this past April and May.
UGA is a special place.
Coach Perno and his staff
are special people. I’m so
thankful that I was able to
be a part of it all for that
short time.
Billie Ackerman
UGA Catcher
Jason Jacobs’ Aunt
Gig Harbor, WA
Michelle Floyd
▲
Credit cards
can cause
costly errors
S anta Claus. The
Easter Bunny. Pee-
wee Herman.
I hate when things in
life are just big disap
pointments.
I ran into another one
the other day: Waffle
House accepting credit
cards.
I’m a pretty big Waffle
House fan. I don’t go a lot,
but I enjoy a good waffle
and hash browns from
time to time.
I always hated how
they only accepted cash.
So a while back when I
heard they were going to
start accepting credit and
debit cards at most loca
tions, I was ecstatic. And I
know I’m not the only
dork out there who kept
checking to see if the day
had finally arrived.
Since the process
began, I’ve been to vari
ous Waffle Houses, and
I’ve been happy to use my
cards when I don’t have
any cash on me (which is
probably about everytime
I’ve been to one).
I was a little nervous
the first time I did it
because the waitress was
having some problems
using a machine (funny,
since other restaurants
have used credit card
machines for years).
It eventually worked
out for her, so I’ve
continued to use cards
because of the conven
ience.
But I guess all good
things really must come to
an end.
Now I’m not so sure
this whole credit card
thing was a good idea.
I don’t want to make
fun of any Waffle House
employees and feed into
If that charge would
have made me
bounce a check or if
I didn’t notice the
mistake, I would
not be so happy.
any stereotypes about
them being poor, old and
stupid, because most of
them are really nice. But
some employees are giving
every Waffle House
employee a bad name.
My husband and I went
to eat breakfast at a
Waffle House out of town
the other morning. I
signed a bill for $18,
including tip.
A couple of mornings
later I checked my check
ing account online, like I
normally do. But this
time, I was missing some
money.
As I found out, Waffle
House charged my debit
card $105.
I don’t even think
that’s a possible total at a
Waffle House, even if I fed
the entire restaurant.
Plus, I’m not that gener
ous a tipper.
I don’t think the lady
was trying to steal money,
although I’m pretty naive,
so who knows. I just think
she didn’t know how to
use the machine because
she asked somebody else
to help her with it.
That’s just extra-sad
that two people working
together messed up my
total.
I find this whole situa
tion funny now, but only
because I had enough
money to cover it until
my bank fixed the prob
lem.
If that charge has made
me bounce a check or if I
didn’t notice the mistake,
I would not be so happy.
But at least for now to
be safe, I think I’m going
to start carrying cash with
me when I go to Waffle
House.
At least until the
employees have had a few
years to figure out how to
make the machine work.
— Michelle Floyd is a
news writer for
The Red & Black.