John Atkins A Learning Lesson

Reading some of the blogs that often have a lot to say, much like Buc does on occasion. This particular piece of work hit me the wrong way . . . . I guess. Asking for opinions, I have one. DawgBark starts off as many do when trying to make a point, make a point by shouldering up and then getting to true feelings. Never liked back door operations.

Do I believe this gentleman was pulled over at the age of 17 and got a lesser penalty, yep.

I am a great believer in making a point, a memorable moment that can change our lives. This is a case that might make this young man think twice down the road . . . . Called Stop, Look and Listen.

Was the penalty too excessive? The way that I look at it is simply this . . . . Allows all of us “football fans” to see if the “penalty” has a direct effect on this young man’s life.

John Atkins spent some time at GMC. Supposedly along with football practice and play, GMC has some “strict” learning sessions for these young men that want to progress to D1 football.

From where I sit, I hope that this introduction to “what can happen” opens not only JA’s eyes and brain, maybe others “benefit” from this episode.

Ridiculous, that word sometimes is associated with “youth”.

Reading many of the blogs, makes me wonder why we have a police force anywhere. As so many of the "idiots" are saying, the Athens police are "morons". Just doing their job. I get in my automobile, first thing I do is attach my seat belt. Idiots, and Morons don't, they end up dead in many cases. Nothing like eating your windshield just before meeting your maker.

Law enforcement doing their job, I say right on. All of us have to grow up or pay the price at some point in our lives.

This portion was lifted from DawgBark.
Let me start this article by saying I have the utmost respect for police and what they do.  The keep us safe every day and put thre lives on the line with every traffic stop they make.  With that said, th Athens Police are out of control.
Believe it or not I got pulled over for the same thing about 12 years ago when I was 17 in Dahlonega,GA.  I only had my learners permit at the time and I was pulled over because I wasn't wearing a seat belt.  All I got was a ticket.  There was never a moments talk about me being arrested.
But in Athens apparently it is an arrestable offense and $1000 bond?? C'Mon Man!  That is absolutely flippin ridiculous!
What do ya'll think? Was this excessive??

On the surface it may look excessive, but nothing is excessive in my mind if it can SAVE a life.

I'm pretty sure he fastens his seatbelt FIRST thing when his butt hits the front seat of his car now.


(they should triple it for texting while driving)

wlayton, better half and myself have always been close to insurance, both pro and con.

The following statement you made carries so much weight.
(they should triple it for texting while driving)

Much has been said about the University of Georgia having stricter policies than other schools, primarily the SEC . . . . that is where we are. Rules too tough, including the University and the "Police", GO ELSEWHERE. IC and others should have taught all of us a lesson in "football for the Big Men on Campus". Maybe in Dahlonega a young fellow can "skate". Rules change when you move out of your comfort zone and have to "play by the rules". My opinion.

Maybe we should just relax, old farts like me, overlook any and all youthful mistakes. Young folks will "grow" out of this and all will be ok down the road.

I sit on the side of holding football players to the same rules and regulations that the rest of us have to follow, whether 18 or 70.

Anyone that will and does "look past" what these young athletes think is permissable, for them solely . . . . I say to heck with National Championships, if that is the way it is . . . .

While I am sure that some will say that I am blowing this out of proportion, going back to the statement of "ridiculous" that was made . . . . I agree that the statement was ridiculous, and I understand the word "ridiculous" and the meaning of the word.

I ask this simple question . . . . At what point are each of us responsible? Whether 18 or 70, same rules apply. Don't like the difference in municipalities and how they handle their business . . . . Stay in your COMFORT ZONE. Just saying . . . .

There was a time once when I didn't wear seat belts either - and there were no laws requiring it. I was "lucky" enough between 16 and 18 years old to witness the effects of NOT wearing seat belts, firsthand: LOTS of human bodies ejected from automobiles. Dead human bodies. One of them was a guy who flipped his Jeep upside down on a lonely back road on top of a guard rail, and I got to sit with him and wait until the police could get there to pack him into the ambulance. No way he made it. He was FAR from merely busted up - he was "totaled". I still didn't wear one.

Finally I saw some kid who was drag racing some friends of mine right down College Station Road in Athens. They made the turn right there at the by-pass, this kid did not. He wound up upside down, hanging from his seat belt, dazed, but alive. My friends had no idea he wrecked - I helped drag him out of his upside down sports car. When I got back in my little Nissan Sentra, I buckled up and haven't driven without a seat belt buckled since.

Even so, when I was in the Navy, they made us take a little ride in something called "The Convincer". Just a little "cockpit" that sits at an angle on rails. You buckle up and they drop you. You hit the bottom going about 10 mph or so. After a ride in that little contraption, you wear your seat belt.

To John Atkins and whoever wrote that blog - it ain't about the penalty. Has NOTHING to do with the penalty. You just wear the damn seat belt.

thriller, after reading your post, it was like reliving my past. I went through the no seat belt macho thing myself. Like you, my eyes were opened by knowledgable folks that brought me to my senses.

Sometimes too much is made of today's athletes and why they should be pampered, even coddled. I worry with the new contract with Mickey and Minnie that college football, SEC especially, going the route of the NFL and all of their glory. Trying not to be too pessimistic, hard not to see and understand that this contract will change college football in many ways that a lot of folks are not going to like.

As usual, wavered from the topic. Mr. Atkins and other athletes, let this be a wakeup call. Dahlonega and Athens are two different locations. John, your scholarship provides much for you and your future. Don't want to follow the Athens rules, move to Dahlonega and join the person(s) that think you were handled harshly. My opinion.

This portion was lifted from DawgBark.
Let me start this article by saying I have the utmost respect for police and what they do. The keep us safe every day and put thre lives on the line with every traffic stop they make. With that said, th Athens Police are out of control.
Believe it or not I got pulled over for the same thing about 12 years ago when I was 17 in Dahlonega,GA. I only had my learners permit at the time and I was pulled over because I wasn't wearing a seat belt. All I got was a ticket. There was never a moments talk about me being arrested.
But in Athens apparently it is an arrestable offense and $1000 bond?? C'Mon Man! That is absolutely flippin ridiculous!
What do ya'll think? Was this excessive??

Let ME start by saying law enforcement officers don't make the laws, they simply enforce them. If you have a problem with laws look to the ones who establish them ... the elected officials. That being excessive may well be the case, however, it is the law and everyone is subject to the consequences of disregarding the law. How are the police "out of control"? They are just doing their job.

I don't have a problem wearing my seat belt. It is second nature to snap the belt in place, especially with that annoying beep - beep- beep every second. I feel they do save lives and if you don't want to wear one, be prepared for the consequences. It is the law.