[DeltAlum]

Sigmagrrl,

You are correct about one thing. Underage drinking is against the law, and because of that, and for Risk Management purposes, it shouldn't be tolerated in our organizations.

But...

That's one reason I'd like to see the law changed and the drinking age lowered to eighteen.

Several others have pointed this out, and I will repeat it. Not all of us have the addictive personalities that your parents have. I do have some experience with one of our daughters who was using drugs, but has been sober for over two years now. Obviously, I still worry about her.

On the other hand, I drink (although seldom these days), and have for many years.

Please don't tell me what I think tastes good and doesn't. I liked the taste of beer from a very young age. There are wines and liquors I enjoy, and others that I think taste like gasoline -- and won't touch.

And, by the way, you're speaking from a very small experience base. Many of our parents drink, but are not addicted. I don't think that gives you the background or knowledge to dictate to us. There are innumerable medical studies that show a couple of drinks a day are beneficial to your health. There are probably just as many that say the opposite. Hell, my grandfather ate fried red meat pretty much every day for every one of his 98 plus years. Personally, I think as long as you do things in moderation, you'll probably be OK.

I feel badly for your unfortunate experience -- but it doesn't happen that way to the vast majority of us.

As someone pointed out, don't paint everyone with the same brush.

Let's try to be just a little less self-righteous.