My baptism by beer

[_Hades]

I always love it when people who don't know a porter from a pilsner tell you that the only reason to drink is to get drunk. One beer leads to another. One drunk leads to another and the next thing you know you have 7 DUI s and the judge is forcing you into rehab again.

As an experiment, I would encourage you to go out into the real world and look around. I realize this can be tough to do, if you live inside the Morridor. Out here in the real world, the majority of people drink. These people don't drink like college kids at a frat house. They are responsible about it. I personally, don't like to get too drunk. The people who I have drinks with don't either. As a rule, I don't drink and drive. The people I drink with have the same rule.

Since you never-drinkers think that booze is like heroin, you may ask how I keep from getting too drunk. I switch to iced tea when I've had enough alcohol. People in the real world hold down jobs, provide for families, and don't drink everyday. Alcoholics drink everyday, and start in the morning. Normal drinkers don't jones for booze. Beer is just one of life's little pleasures that God has blessed us with.

[_zeezrom]

...teen-like rebellion and an immature drive for independance rather than interdependance..

Wade,

I am an adult last time I checked. Amazingly, this means I'm able to make informed decisions and act in a responsible manner despite having the freedom to do as I please. Just because the potential to be reckless is out there does not predetermine my actions.

[_why me]

Since you never-drinkers think that booze is like heroin, you may ask how I keep from getting too drunk. I switch to iced tea when I've had enough alcohol. People in the real world hold down jobs, provide for families, and don't drink everyday. Alcoholics drink everyday, and start in the morning. Normal drinkers don't jones for booze. Beer is just one of life's little pleasures that God has blessed us with.

Do you have any idea about the real world? Check out alcohol consumption in Finland and its influence on domestic violence. Or check out alcohol consumption in Russia and binge drinking in Britain.

My cousin holds down a job and she is an alcoholic. Can't leave the drink alone.

[_why me]

I am an adult last time I checked. Amazingly, this means I'm able to make informed decisions and act in a responsible manner despite having the freedom to do as I please. Just because the potential to be reckless is out there does not predetermine my actions.

I think that these lines were said by every alcoholic who began with his or her first drink.

[_zeezrom]

Zee, it seems that you are behaving like a child. First you are celebrating the fact you drank a beer.

Celebrating? Um, no. This was a big moment for me kind of like trying coffee for the first time or going on my first date. Just because normal people happen to try beer when they are much younger doesn't mean I'm acting younger for trying it later in life.

Second, you claim that the posters who are critical of you drinking a beer are treating you like a child.

Yes, because I feel like they are for one main reason - they seem to think any adult who tastes beer is starting on a path of recklessness. The posters are unable to accept the fact that a person can actually be responsible without having an authority tell them to be responsible.

Here is what you should do. Drink your beer...get kick butt drunk...have a hang over....drink another beer to ease the hangover and then buy a six pack for you and your wife.

Then report back to us.

What the hell are you talking about?

[_Buffalo]

I am an adult last time I checked. Amazingly, this means I'm able to make informed decisions and act in a responsible manner despite having the freedom to do as I please. Just because the potential to be reckless is out there does not predetermine my actions.

I think that these lines were said by every alcoholic who began with his or her first drink.

Jesus drank. Joseph drank. Brigham drank. Are you better than them?

[_Quasimodo]

Do you have any idea about the real world? Check out alcohol consumption in Finland and its influence on domestic violence. Or check out alcohol consumption in Russia and binge drinking in Britain.
My cousin holds down a job and she is an alcoholic. Can't leave the drink alone.

How about the hundreds of millions that drink on occasion? Who live full productive lives and die at ripe old ages?

I thought you were Catholic?

[_zeezrom]

Jesus drank. Joseph drank. Brigham drank. Are you better than them?

For some reason, this fact does not seem to register with some people. It's as if they are unable to comprehend the idea.

[_Darth J]

I am an adult last time I checked. Amazingly, this means I'm able to make informed decisions and act in a responsible manner despite having the freedom to do as I please. Just because the potential to be reckless is out there does not predetermine my actions.

I think that these lines were said by every alcoholic who began with his or her first drink.

You are an advocate of the "Mormon lay" (which is totally incompatible with church teachings about chastity).

Therefore, you are a serial rapist.

[_Buffalo]

Jesus drank. Joseph drank. Brigham drank. Are you better than them?

For some reason, this fact does not seem to register with some people. It's as if they are unable to comprehend the idea.

Believe it or not I didn't even learn that until recently.