That's right, they're not. That's because alcohol is not "taboo" for them and most have been around it since they were small. Even when I was in Ireland, I never saw anyone abuse alcohol the way I've seen people do over here, and you know how everyone thinks all the Irish are drunks. Most people I saw would drink every day, but they wouldn't get sloppy drunk, it was just something to do to relax at the end of the day. The French and Germans that I was around were like that, too...the only possible exception I can think of was the English people I knew, and they did tend to get smashed, but at least they were halfway responsible about it, you know, they didn't go driving cars or anything. Alcohol isn't the problem, it's what people do with it. My parents have always let me drink here at home, and I think that's why I don't drink much at all when I go out; I usually don't even drink at all. Americans are so uptight about all the wrong things. ;)

OK so lets have Taxes set so high on the first 2 American cash crops that made this country be able to survive=Alchohol and Tobacco.

While there is a Driven Group as "IT IS BAD" because of abuse then are they not getting as bad about troding on the foot steps of the past?

War On Drugs=A Joke. More Money Spent=0! For Results.
One Tobacco Company Paid 19 Billion $ to the Federal Govt., in 2000 more than any other Corporation in the USA! That was just one! 3 Other Majors of The Tobacco Industry, I will not count the Liquor Business.:o

I don't think it's that binge drinking is "cool" - I think it's more that people get used to the ritual of guzzling down enough to get them drunk before they go someplace that's dry. That is how they learn to drink - as opposed to learning to drink wine w/ meals etc.

Our fraternities were far from rich and so they didn't get the 50 kegs or whatever for a party. There would be plenty of times when we'd be bitching about only getting one beer because the party kicked so quickly.

3.2 beer at 18, regular beer & wine at 19, liquor at 21. Yes it'll probably be a giant clusterf*&k for a couple years, but the prohibition that young adults are subject to now is no more effective than the 18th Amendment was.

one more thing...
 

If we TRULY are above the norm, if we TRULY want to give the
young person a good life experience like we say we do...
then let us educate the young, in our mentoring, in our pledge
or new member programs.
Let us LEAD BY EXAMPLE....
Let us, prithee do, then, refuse to have booze or drugs in the
house. Let us be the leaders, the scholars, the sagacious ones
we purport to be. Look anew at your Rituals...do.
And let us drink, and drink deeply, drink from the flagon of
Fraternity, the greatest youth movement ever.
Sound nice?..then do it! It is a wise step to the greatness we
once had....we have stumbled, yes, but we have not fallen.
Fraternally from an old Teke...for all...EPC

Erik, the problem with that is that it says that drinking is a BAD thing. It's not. Drinking in moderation actually makes you healthier.

And I don't think we set much of an example by not having alcohol (or drugs) in the house if we indulge in them elsewhere. It's the zenith of hypocrisy and NIMBYism. As you said, if we truly care about our members we will educate. Not prohibit.

Do I think Calva, Juliette & the gals had keggers at their house? No. Do I think they would enjoy alcohol responsibly if they were around today? Yes.