I am an alumnus of the University of Georgia, and experience I had there as a member of the Demosthenian Literary Society ranks very high in my character development. Demosthenian helps shape sharp minds, and many of my closest friends today are Demosthenians. Demosthenian has made its mark on Georgia politics, but I cannot vouch for (or even stomach) all of the alumni, the most famous living alumnus is surely Ralph Reed. (Fashion buffs might be delighted to know Emilio Pucci was a Demosthenian and a Georgia grad.) There are two Demosthenians in Congress: Jack Kingston (R-GA) and John Barrow (D-GA).
Barrow was one of the two at-risk Democrats certified to have won his House seat today. Though he gets on DINO (“Democrat in name only”) lists, I know Barrow as my former Athens city council member and the member of a family with generations-long Democratic Party service. Indeed, his mother was the Demosthenian interim faculty advisor for s short stint in the late 80s. Ah, memories of old school days.
Ralph Reed was at UGA when I was there. He often wrote fascist rants for The Red and Black (the student newspaper.) I distinctly remember a friend reading Reed’s column in the Red and Black, tossing it down and pointing to Reed’s picture said, “That guy’s never going to go anywhere with such negative views!” If only. . .
At least that crumb has been discredited by his role in the the Jack Abramoff scandal.