I really find it appalling that you would try to implement the graduate resident, myself, or anyone else into Lewis' death.
The GR, to my knowledge, was told not to say anything about the events and to turn all questions to the Athens PD.
Before I say anything else I would like to say that I'm the "conveniently out of town roommate who refuses to comment (as Frank J so wonderfully put it)." I would like you to know that everyone of my friends have known for at least a week that I was going to be out of town celebrating my little sister's birthday and visiting my girlfriend. So how you can say that I was conveniently out of town is absurd. I mean pardon me for not using my psychic abilities to see into the future and know that all of this was going to happen. It does suck that it happened, but what could anyone do. Yeah, Lewis did party hard and often, but that was his choice and no one else's.
As for me not refusing to comment, what do you want me to say? What am I supposed to say? I honestly was really different from my roommate and I rarely said more than "Hey, how are you?" I rarely even saw him. Yesterday I got a phone call at like 1230 telling me of the events that happened yesterday morning. I did not know what to think. I didn't even really know what had happened, I was simply told that my roommate had passed and that it was probably alcohol related, which really didn't surprise me. I knew that there really was not anything that I could do. I knew that I could not stay in the room last night, so I left and stayed with my parents in a hotel room, and now I am trying to find a new room.
So next time you make an insensitive comment such as the one that you did earlier today, remember the people that are involved. Remember what something like this can do to people. Remember that people have these things called feelings, something that you have apparently lost. My first year at college has really been a living Hell. Last semester my grandpa lost a battle with lung cancer and now I am dealing with the death of my roommate. Honestly, tell me how that would make you feel. Also, remember the guys on my hall. One guy called my RA this morning and said that he could not even go to class this morning because he was sick of the constant questions and everything that he had been asked. My hall is extremely somber right now. I mean what more can you expect? So, next time maybe you will remember the people and their feelings when something like this happens, and not open your mouth until you know what fully is going on.
This is rough, and it's sad that it happened. But when people say that in order to prevent this we need to crack down on underage drinking, I find that absolutely absurd. I know more mature people at the age of 17 than at the age of 25. Age just _Doesn't_ always mean experience. I in general find the concept of age priveleges hysterically terrible. A guy can man a 2 ton instrument of death at the age of sixteen, but not see a rated R movie until 17. He can vote to decide the fate of the country at 18, but isn't deemed mature enough to take care of HIMSELF until 21.
But then again, what else is there? You can test someone on their ability to drive a car at the age of sixteen. You could in theory test people on their knowledge of politics before they are able to vote, although I'm sure that would raise the hackles of certain people as they would claim the test would be racist, as it very well could be. But how could you really test someone's responsibility? I can't think of any sort of drinking knowledge test, or a test about decision making. What do you guys think?
This is a very tragic incident, and I hope that everyone at UGA will think twice about how much alcohol they consume the next time they go out drinking.
Although I am not a Greek, and do not think that fraternities and sororities are such a great thing, I think that Frank J's comments are completely out of line. How much alcohol Fish chose to consume or not consume was his own decision, not the fraternity's. Others should not be blamed for one person's actions.
In regards to Frank J's comments I wish he would have thought before he spoke. As the deceased's RA, I was there for every painstaking, grief striken moment of this event. To say that was Lewis Fish should be written off as just another "frat boy" that drank to much one night and suffered the consequences is to forget that he was a person. Lewis was a charasmatic, caring, and great individual. He was there for his friends and went out of his way to connect with the people he knew. As for Darryl Willie, I know for a fact that he did not just think "an individual that is in his care was just 'choking'". Mr. Willie was the first person on the scene and did everything in his power to save this young man's life. Cliff Williamson had let it be known to us all week of his intentions to go out of town for the weekend. The police did not contact him until mid-day, and at that point they did not feel it was appropriate to provide him with all of the details until he returned to campus that evening. I am an avid spokesman against fraternities , however, I do not think that this is the proper time to be placing blame and pointing fingers and making wild conspiracy theories (Mr. J). I think for now it is best to let Mr. Fish be remembered as the outstanding individual that he was and allow all of those who knew him the time to mourn our loss before we take steps toward moving on. As for the R&B, they miss quoted Mr. Willie, my residents, and were unethical in their approach to obtaining information (especially pictures) from my hall. So, Mr. J, from now on, let's consider others and how they feel at such a time before we spout off at the mouth.
Lewis was a friend of mine. Please understand that he was one of the sweetest, most laid-back people you could meet... That is what is important here, that his memory is kept as the person that he was, not that he had too much to drink one night... Right now it is not a matter of who gave him the drinks or where or any of that... Now is the time to remember him for him. The fact is that he is gone and there are a lot of us mourning his death. I know these other issues are important but please hold off on your judgments and criticisms. If he was your friend, you would feel the same way. Pay your respect, say a prayer, and in the future watch out for yourself and your friends...
I agree with JBG that, "this is a tragic accident and I hope this is a wake-up call for all UGA students". While Frank J's topknot is truly tied too tight, I agree that there needs to be an in depth investigation. I want the investigation to center around how underage students are buying alcohol! Clarke County / City of Athens collected over $2 million in fines alone last year from alcohol issues. Forget the "they presented an ID" argument... For every dollar an underage person is fined the Bar or retail outlet selling the product should be fined at 10X! Soon the outlets will curb themselves. There is a conspiracy and the money is lining the pockets of Athens, Clarke County and the outlets. End the abuse, stop the selling of alcohol to underage people!!
Students please don't let this death "blow" over your heads. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!!
As a Student of the 70's we were able to drink at 18. Add the pot and acid on campus and it really was amazing we did not all tear the place down.
But we didn't. We all somehow dragged ourselves to classes and graduated. Still having flashbacks from those days.
We could go to the TV room,walk down the street with
a 6 pack, or tan with a cooler on a warm day.
My point is that it is sad that we now take booze off campus. Booze is ubiquitous in our society and we ignore it until we graduate? It also forces problem drinkers to hide away in their dorm rooms
drinking in dangerous solitude. Students will drink. You can not just make a rule and evaporate the problem. the rules push this reality.
I truly feel for the Rich family. And all of the others
drinking alone daily in their dorm rooms.
J.Elliott
James Elliott, Investment
Atlanta
need8break1@aol.com
As a UGA Alum and former Russell Hall resident, I am so saddened by this story. Anyone who has ever lived in Russell Hall, or anywhere in Athens for that matter, can agree with me when I say that there is no way to stop the underage drinking that occurs at UGA. College kids are always going to find a way to drink, no matter what. And furthermore, the town of Athens revolves around the bars downtown, plain and simple. Whether we admit it or not, it's the truth in my opinion.
I think the message here is to make sure that people know what to do when they see a friend as intoxicated as Lewis was. If the drinking itself can't be stopped, maybe the focus should be on responsibility and moderation.
My prayers are with Lewis's family and friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.
How fortunate for society that we spend the extra money and have police, crime labs, and courts to gather facts and and interpret laws rather than just letting axe-grinders and conspiracy-theorists like Frank J. pursue their own little political agendae over the body of a 19-year old kid.
Frank - really - unwrap the tin foil from your head. It's definitely cutting off the circulation.
My heart goes out to all of you affected by this tragedy. I have one son who attended Russell Hall in the past and I have 3 other sons who are hoping to go to UGA. One of my son's friends is currently in Russell Hall. Please take heart that his death was not in vain. This information will be used to help solve the currently existing problems and save countless other lives so this type of tragedy doesn't happen again. It was a very tragic accident and I'm sure that no one intended for it to happen. I will most certainly use this information to educate my teenagers of the dangers of alcohol and that they are not invincible. My sincere condolences to the parents and all affected.
In response to Frank J,
I do not think it is fair to bring such harsh judgment to the fact that the young man was part of a fraternity. Students on this campus drink be it Greek or non-Greek, Athlete or Club member; from all walks of life. This student made a decision to drink like many of us on this campus have chosen to do. Ultimately, it cost him his life like alcohol has for many other people. Be it a wake-up call or not, the tragedy is in the fact that someone passed so young of such a preventable death. Period.
This is a tragic accident and I hope this is a wake-up call for all UGA students. Nobody is immune to accident and tragedy. Unfortunately, Frank J's comments are irresponsible and insensitive. I am a UGA alumnus and stay active with my Lumpkin Street fraternity in an advisor role. Although I am not a member of SAE, I did serve on the IFC Executive Council in one of the VP roles and I can say with confidence that they are NOT a "corrupt Greek organization" as Frank J claims. In fact, Frank J should check with the Greek Life Office at UGA and see the impact of SAE's philanthropy and service to the community. Their alumni have contributed much to the state of Georgia and also both the UGA & Athens communities.
I agree that an investigation is necessary. However, Frank J, I find your zeal to expose the truth to be disingenuous. I suggest you do a little research on an organization before you label them with callous and insensitive remarks, especially during this difficult time. If you have ever lost a close friend or family member to a tragic event, I know you can empathize with SAE and their situation.
Not only is Frank J a complete loser, but he also completely wrong.
Loser: He has posted over 70 responses to online R&B articles. In these responses, he frequently refers to himself in the first person. Loser.
Wrong: SAE has had NO, not a single, alcohol related tragedy or incident in at least the last five years. There has not been anything to indicate that there were ever any alcohol related instances before five years ago either.
Frank J: You need to get your facts straight before you go off on your weak conspiracy theories. Stop being so insensitive to those affected by this tragedy. Lewis Fish was a good student, a great friend and he meant a lot to the people in his life.
No one really cares what you have to say, even if you post a response to a R&B article almost every day. You are not important, and from reading your responses it is evident that no one likes you. Don't try to pull someone else, someone who was a very good person, down just to make yourself feel better.
Although insensitive, I feel Frank J makes a good point --
if he is correct about SAE having "an unusually large number of alcohol-related tragedies," then the fraternity should face repurcussions.
Of course he could be wrong -- I would like to see proof -- but we can't let tragedy mask any perpetual wrongdoing.
I sense that there is much more work to be done in the future regarding this topic but since Lauren Morgan is a contributor, I am expecting some good research and some hard-hitting journalism in a future edition of the R&B.
We have an overly drunk freshman who supposedly "partied hard", a GR that thought an individual that is in his care was just "choking", a roommate that was conveniently out of town and refuses to comment, and the entity that is ever-present in alcohol related incidents, the Fraternity.
I find it interesting that University Police Chief Jimmy Williams stated that Fish had not been drinking at a bar or food establishment and that while the drinking was not related to the fraternity, he wouldn't comment about Fish's presence at said fraternity that evening.
Hmmmm.
I think that the R&B should look into why SAE is not under the microscope here. There are a unusually high number of alcohol-related incidents that have occurred in SAE's recent past. Why are they still allowed to have a University charter?
I do hope the R&B takes this seriously and can shed some light on how such a corrupt Greek organization can continue to operated in our community.
Spring Break
anonymous871
posted 1/23/06 @ 7:58 PM EST
The GR, to my knowledge, was told not to say anything about the events and to turn all questions to the Athens PD.
Before I say anything else I would like to say that I'm the "conveniently out of town roommate who refuses to comment (as Frank J so wonderfully put it)." I would like you to know that everyone of my friends have known for at least a week that I was going to be out of town celebrating my little sister's birthday and visiting my girlfriend. So how you can say that I was conveniently out of town is absurd. I mean pardon me for not using my psychic abilities to see into the future and know that all of this was going to happen. It does suck that it happened, but what could anyone do. Yeah, Lewis did party hard and often, but that was his choice and no one else's.
As for me not refusing to comment, what do you want me to say? What am I supposed to say? I honestly was really different from my roommate and I rarely said more than "Hey, how are you?" I rarely even saw him. Yesterday I got a phone call at like 1230 telling me of the events that happened yesterday morning. I did not know what to think. I didn't even really know what had happened, I was simply told that my roommate had passed and that it was probably alcohol related, which really didn't surprise me. I knew that there really was not anything that I could do. I knew that I could not stay in the room last night, so I left and stayed with my parents in a hotel room, and now I am trying to find a new room.
So next time you make an insensitive comment such as the one that you did earlier today, remember the people that are involved. Remember what something like this can do to people. Remember that people have these things called feelings, something that you have apparently lost. My first year at college has really been a living Hell. Last semester my grandpa lost a battle with lung cancer and now I am dealing with the death of my roommate. Honestly, tell me how that would make you feel. Also, remember the guys on my hall. One guy called my RA this morning and said that he could not even go to class this morning because he was sick of the constant questions and everything that he had been asked. My hall is extremely somber right now. I mean what more can you expect? So, next time maybe you will remember the people and their feelings when something like this happens, and not open your mouth until you know what fully is going on.
Cliff Williamson
cliffy87@uga.edu