Adam’s response:
Students should practice moderation

I am often asked to sign position papers on various issues, and usually decline to do so with rare exception.

On this issue, I remember the days of the 18-year-old drinking age and am not sure there is much difference in binge drinking today versus then. The arguments about military service eligibility and the age of adult responsibility in other areas of life are compelling, and I hear them.

But, I have not seen convincing research that lowering the drinking age would improve the very serious problem we have with alcohol abuse among our younger population.

What I have preached and tried to live is moderation, and we urge our students who choose to use alcohol to do so legally and in moderation.

On the issue of changing the drinking age, this is not a parade I want to lead.

Michael Adams
University President

Editor’s Note: The above is University President Michael Adams’ response to Red & Black inquiries about his views on changing the legal drinking age.

Scripture more important than any personal beliefs

In Katie Andrew’s article on Our Hope Metro Community Church’s pastor, Renee DuBose, Andrew wrote that DuBose is a “life-long” Christian. If so, DuBose is the first one ever.

No one is born a Christian.

According to Jesus, a person must be born again. We are born with a sin nature that only can be changed by being saved by Jesus Christ.

Ms. Dubose also is quoted as saying, “I believe I was born gay. I believe with all my heart God creates diversity; my being gay is a mark of God’s diversity.”

With respect to Ms. DuBose, what she or anyone else believes must bow to the truth revealed in God’s word, which clearly states that being gay is an “abomination,” an “unnatural temptation” and a “perversion.”

Any pastor worth his salt knows that when his beliefs, however precious they might be to him, disagree with Scripture, Scripture must win.

It’s disappointing to see Ms. DuBose thinks what she believes matters in light of what actually is true.

Mitch Kimbrell
Senior, Moultrie, Ga.
History

Protect your pets from suffering in hot vehicles

New dog owners at the Universtiy may not know how dangerous it is to leave pets in vehicles.

The Humane Society (http://www.hsus.org) says: “Common sense tells most people that leaving their pet inside a parked vehicle on a hot, summer day could be dangerous after an extended period of time.

But most people don’t realize that the temperature can skyrocket after just a few minutes.

Parking in the shade or leaving the windows cracked does little to alleviate this pressure cooker.

On a warm, sunny day, windows collect light, trapping heat inside the vehicle, and pushing the temperature inside to dangerous levels. If they only have overheated air to breathe, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes.”

Save your dog! And go Dogs!

Thomas C. Reeves
Faculty, Athens
Ed. Psych and IT Dept.