Protection policy

Sure, guns and bombs are dangerous, but what about car keys and pencils?

Police educate incoming freshmen at orientation and send out an e-mail to University students during the fall semester, outlining the “zero tolerance” Georgia law that prohibits a weapon on or within 1,000 feet of any school-owned property.

Besides firearms and explosives on the list, other weapons include paintball guns, BB guns, potato guns and nunchaku.

The weapon doesn’t have to be discharged or used – keeping one in your- dorm room, car or on your person will lead to an arrest, according to the policy.

The penalties for breaking the law are severe – if convicted of the felony, students could face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy, campus residents, students, faculty and staff need to feel secure.

We understand these weapons rules are made for our protection – but where will the line be drawn? Will car and door keys be confiscated because they can poke someone’s eye out?

Should disposable razors be added the list because of their penchant for causing nicks? Could pens and pencils be rendered harmful because their sharp points can break skin?

Many objects could be considered lethal when in the wrong hands. While we feel this policy does help make our University safer, we hope objects aren’t banned simply because of how they can be dangerously used.

- JoAnn Anderson for the editorial board.

Show us the money

We support Athens-grown victuals, but organic prices are no match for Kroger.

While we’re excited about “Eat Local Week” and can’t wait to taste the effects of locally grown produce on our favorite downtown restaurants’ specials, we’ll still make our regular trips to Kroger this weekend.

After all, organically grown and environmentally friendly are great, but nothing beats swiping a Kroger card and watching the total shrink magically before our eyes.

Until Athens’ organic food markets can offer prices that make the switch to locally grown affordable, we’re sticking with the supermarket for all our grocery needs.

That said, all those fruits, veggies and meats we buy every week traveled an average of 1,500 miles before they reached the Classic City, according to Craig Page, executive director of Promoting Local Agriculture and Cultural Experiences.

That means the cost of food likely will rise along with gas prices, meaning we all could be spending more on groceries soon.

Assuming there comes a day when the gap between locally grown prices and supermarket prices narrows almost to nothing, we’ll be first in line at Earthfare and with a table waiting at Farm 255.

Until then, stay strong, local growers. You’re a valuable alternative to the local supermarket scene, and if you stick around long enough, you just might topple the grocery store Goliaths.

Our advice: relocate downtown. If gas prices get high enough to narrow the price gap, we’re definitely not walking down Baxter and back just to shop at Kroger.

- Matthew Grayson for the editorial board.