GOVERNOR OUTRAGED BY SENATOR'S POT INCIDENT

By Michael Weiss, The Atlanta JournalConstitution

Gov. Zell Miller said Thursday that state Sen. Ralph David Abernathy III,
who was caught at Hartsfield International Airport with a quarterounce of
marijuana in his underwear, would be out of a job if he had any say in the
matter.

"I think it's outrageous," Miller said in a statement issued Thursday.
"What kind of example is this for our youth?"

"If he worked for me, he'd no longer be working in the executive branch."

Abernathy (DAtlanta) was detained by U.S. Customs officials Monday, after
he arrived at the airport on a flight from Jamaica, customs officials said.
He agreed to pay a $500 civil fine and was not arrested, officials said. In
a statement issued Wednesday, Abernathy apologized for his behavior, which
he called "stupid."

Miller and Abernathy have not spoken since the incident, said the
governor's spokesman, Rick Dent. The governor can do nothing about the
matter, but Dent said Miller has indicated that either the Senate or
Abernathy himself could "take action."

Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard also issued a statement Thursday, saying the matter
is between Abernathy and the voters in his district.