I can’t believe I’m writing this

I can’t believe I’m writing this column. It took something near the heavenly sphere to make me do it. However, my heart requires a break of a life long promise, a tradition so ingrained in my soul that it never occurred to me that I would ever let it go. Before I went to Georgia Tech, I knew in my heart that I hated all things UGA. Maybe it was the drunken slurs of their one-tooth fans bragging about the past. Maybe it was their inability to get my hamburger order right. But once a Techie, it is so embedded in one’s psyche that you just know, til the day you die, that you will forever say “To Hell With Georgia” when asked for the Good Word.

 But then along came this blue eyed, red-headed beauty who is as smart as they come. Somehow, all the other kids had managed to avoid even flirting with going to UGA. But the last one, named Alden (“All Done”) for a reason, would make Dad ponder: Do I stick to my “I hate UGA” passion?

 Now to be fair, it’s pretty easy to be a UGA fan these days. They are on quite a run, in football and academics. They compete for national football championships, their SAT scores are top notch and their graduates no longer just specialize in how to lay a smooth layer of asphalt. I’ve got lots of friends who are UGA alums and they seem pretty well adjusted considering their lack of a formal education. Nonetheless, my distaste of UGA could have lasted for the rest of my lifetime.

Alden laid it down easy. “Dad, if I get accepted in early enrollment at UGA, that’s where I want to go. But I need you to support my school.” What is a Dad supposed to say to that? “Of course, honey.” Well, early enrollment is pretty tough I think, as over 17,000 prospective students applied. So I’ve still got an out. But she’s pretty dang smart.

Then I thought about the Hatfields and McCoys. If you are a Hatfield and your daughter falls in love with a McCoy, what choice do you have but to put down the hatchet? Now I realize that little family feud is not nearly on a par as Tech/UGA, but the point is the same. Does a daughter who owns her Dad’s heart get what she wants? Too easy.

But still, early admission is tough. Unless you are Alden Burke, in which case, you are easily an early admittee as confirmed by the UGA Admissions Office. She offered an olive branch, she’d still apply to Tech, she said. Dad caved. “Honey, why? If UGA is where you want to go, don’t bother with Tech. They’re a bunch of goofy engineers anyway.”

 I can’t believe I’m saying this. Go Dawgs! 

Kelly Burke, master attorney, former district attorney and magistrate judge, is engaged in private practice. He writes about the law, rock’n’roll and politics or anything that strikes him. These articles are not designed to give legal advice, but are designed to inform the public about how the law affects their daily lives. Contact Kelly at kelly@burkelasseterllc.com to comment on this article or suggest articles that you’d like to see and visit his website www.kellyburke.com to view prior columns.