In response to Nicole Martingano’s letter yesterday, I can only say that I wholeheartedly agree that anyone can be a drunken driver. After all, the first thing you learn in driver’s ed is how the immediate effect of alcohol is not the slight dizziness so many students seem to enjoy, but the lack of judgment. (Drunken texting, anyone?)
If you choose to be in the spotlight in good times, however, prepare to be in the spotlight in bad times as well. Kristen Gillis knew, better than anyone, the responsibilities and obligations for which the Student Body elected her. Asking for her case to get the same attention (or lack of) as any “regular” student is like asking Fox News not to demonize Obama were he to be found drunken driving, even though he represents us all as a country.
Furthermore, if you choose to campaign against drunken driving, or any other cause, make sure you practice what you preach, or face the consequences. Regarding Martingano’s claim that UF doesn’t have enough amazing students like her friend: I completely disagree. I have only been here for one semester, yet I have met so many people that make me smile every time I see them. Just because you are a Greek “celebrity” on campus or you publicly announce how dedicated you are to a cause doesn’t make you better than everybody else. On the contrary, humility is a value that is rather lacking nowadays.
