First off, I am Straight Edge. I imagine that many of you do not know what being "Straight Edge" implies. So, here is a quick definition and history before I begin my venting. Straight Edge kids abstain from casual sex and they do not drink, smoke, or do drugs. This movement was started mainly by the lyrics of songs by Ian Mackaye of Minor Threat (an old school punk band). These lyrics are best summed up with, "Don't drink, don't smoke, don't f*ck!"

Now, on to my real reason for writing this. I realize that I go to what most consider a party school, but come on. I get tired of seeing college kids drunk out of their mind all for the sake of fun. If you can't have a good time at a party without paying three dollars and getting a cup, then I really do feel sorry for you. It sickens me to hear someone yell, "Keg stand! Yeah!" But I usually do hear those words at least twice a weekend.

My problem is that I think college students clutch at norms that have no foundations. To say that all college students drink is obviously false. But to say that a good majority of those that do drink don't even stop to think, "Wow, this really is an ignorant thing I'm doing. I'm putting a substance into my body that harms my liver, damages very important brain cells, and puts me in a state in which I do things that I normally wouldn't." You would think that, after hearing some of the horror stories that people have, they'd quit drinking. But, no, never underestimate the stubbornness of a Radford University student.

Also, if I never heard another complaint about the cops having hassled a drunken student, I would die a happy man. As if it's the cop's fault that you went out, got drunk, and are now trying to stumble back to your dorm. People say, "What, would they rather us drive home drunk?" No, they are merely trying to discourage irresponsible drinking in general. They really could give two craps about whether you have a few beers at a friend's house as long as you stay there. Also, I think the idea of responsible drinking is a paradox in itself. If one were responsible then one would not drink to begin with.

I realize that most of what I have said goes against the commonly accepted views of college students. I welcome any comments, questions, and criticisms that you, the reader, might have. Before I close I would like to make one thing clear: I do not feel that I am in any way better than people who do drink are; I just wish that those who do choose to drink would stop to think about what they are doing. Thank you for your time, and I leave you with a quote; "O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!" -William Shakespeare

Name: Dave Shifflett
Year: Senior
Major: INSY
Comments:
I would have to say that this is one of the best forums I have ever seen. Kudos to everyone for not being immature and making it personal, rather it was a constructive "argument."

Name: cgh
Year: senior
Major: speech
Comments:
What makes you so almighty, to say what I shouldn't do. I tell you what, I don't smoke, and I don't do drugs, plus I'm pretty verbal abou tpeople doing that shit around me, however, I don't like that stuff becuase it harms them, fuck, I'd like to see a lot more people smoke up and kill themselves, I think we could get rid of a lot of ignorant fucks. But once in awhile, I don't think drinking is too bad as long as it's responisble, you know their is such thing as a responsible drunk... And i enjoy drinking and hanging out at bars somtimes. Now causual sex is a different story. This is simthing I whole haertly agree with, and it's sad that women are held to a different standard then men when it comes to having casual sex too. I don't like the idea of aids or irresponsible fuckers with some growth between their legs, but open sexuallity is pursuit of happiness that I'm constuitionally given the right to have. You don't have to be a striaght edge to be a decent responsable functioning person, but I guess you do to be a contemptible jerk

Name: Brian Korte
Comments:
Rock on, Bennett! :)
John, my comments were avoiding the personal experiences, becasue I do not feel that is important in expressing my message. I most definitely applaud your responses to the feedback here, and am glad to see that this site is being used as a public forum. This is what Whim is all about!

Now back to my point...consuming alcohol responsibly includes everything surrounding the event, not just the action itself. Drinking responsibly means knowing who one is going with, how one is getting there, how one will get home (since driving is absolutely not an option), how many drinks one can take before one's "enough is enough" limit, and how to handle one's self during that time. As a friend of those drinking, one has a responsibility to make sure that they get home safely, and are not in any danger to themselves or the community. Personally, I don't like the thought of having one of my friends hold my head over the toilet, so I avoid being in that situation. On the same token, as friendly as I am to my friends, my idea of a good time is not checking on them every 10 minutes to see if they are still breathing. Yet I do so. I avoid parties for that reason.

Too many people are irresponsible. For some, they don't know their limits. Others forgot to eat that day, etc. It doesn't matter. My preference is to stay away from situations where that sort of thing happens in the first place. That's the most sure way to have a good time. There is nothing wrong with drinking, provided it is responsibly, and in a controlled environment. A party is not one, and as far as moshing, a crowded concert floor is not one either. Some might see that as extreme. If in your eyes I don't meet up to the straight-edge standards now that I've made my own mature, legal, constitutional and responsible decision to have a mixed drink when I so chose, then I really don't want the title at all. Again, do what you want to do. I'll do the same. Quoth the Godfather, "I wish you the best of luck, so long as your interests dont' conflict with my interests."

Name: bennett
Year: sophmore
Comments:
I'm sorry I wasn't more specific. My comment wasn't realy referring to anything in the discussion, but rather to the straight edge movement as a whole. While there are many things I do not know about the movement, I personally do not like to refer to myself as being straight edge because of the reputation for violence. Because of that I'm just a kid who doesn't drink, do drugs, etc. I don't feel like I realy have something to call myself. I'm too passive of a person to get pissed off at people for their personal choices. It doesn't help the straight edge movement at all if its going to be known as a bunch of kids who are going to yell at you if they see you eating meat, smoking a cigarette, etc. I'm not sure if "fighting for what they believe in" is the best thing to call it. Again, the straight edge movement is a great thing, except for its violent relationship with everything that isn't going to go their way. Mosh pits, however are a different thing. They realy are a shitload of fun, but people should be thrown, not punches and kicks. Its a sad thing that there are kids out there who go into a mosh pit for the purpose of "getting away with beating the shit out of someone". However, keep in mind not everyone is like that. Moshing is realy the only form of dance I can have fun with.

Name: John Moore
Year: Sophomore
Major: Philosophy
Comments:
Bennett, I'm not straight edge because I don't want to put chemicals in my body. To be that pretentious is ignorant because you can't help but put chemicals in your body everyday. I mean, even the "oh so clean" bottled water had to have the bottles washed out by some chemicals before having the water put in them. The reason I am straight edge is because I don't see a reason in drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. It seems like a waste of time, money, and health to do those things. On to the thing about the mosh pit, pain is a rush. Sure it hurts but you're having fun dancing to energetic music and while doing so you get to release a little agreesion. You're not seriously harming anyone else in the pit and if you do then it's purely accidental.

Name: bennett
Year: sophmore
Major: world domination
Comments:
so its bad to hurt yourself, but ok to hurt others?

Name: Dave Shifflett
Year: Senior
Major: INSY
Comments:
John, while I understand that SE's want to spread their message, I believe that there are better ways of doing so, not by violence and aggression, but by perserverance and assertiveness, community service, public demonstrations, flyers, web sites, and forums. These are all peaceful, effective methods of expressing one's ideas.

Name: John Moore
Year: Sophomore
Major: Philosophy
Comments:
Dave, I wish you had put your email address so we could carry this out over email but here goes. While I realize that there are Straight Edge kids that are militant, you have to respect their convictions. They are out there fighting (literally) for what they believe in and trying to make the world how they think it should be. To me that is a very honorable and respectable thing that they're doing. But, as soon as they start beating kids up because those kids smoke, drink, etc. then I have a problem with it. I do not condone outright violence nor do I think that it is necessary. However, if you believed in something so strongly that you were willing to take any action necessary to spread your message, I would stand up for you also. As I close, I got from your posting that you didn't like mosh pits, is that true? Just wondering. I think they are a wonderful form of expression and a release for pure energy at a show (its a truely wonderful experience).

Name: Dave Shifflett
Year: Senior
Major: INSY
Comments:
John, while I do respect your decision to keep away from alchohol and drugs etc, I am not a supporter of the Straight Edge movement. Here's why; I have attended several events where a large number "straight edges" were in attendance. they all had their big black X's on their hands and were hanging out in a large group, chillin to the music. Fine. However, many of them began to get very unruly, starting mosh pits among themselves. when a person, unbeknownst to them, who was not a "straight edge" would enter the melee of flailing arms and legs, the SE's in the mosh would target them and begin to attack them by making sure that they got knocked down, kicked elbowed and otherwise assaulted. Luckily the bouncers in the club were able to control and break up most of the mosh pits. SE's would also verbally abuse and insult other people that were smoking, and/or drinking. I do believe in the right to free speech, only to the point where it infringes on the rights of others. You can say and feel what you wish, so long as it does not become personal. I have a problem with people who can judge, and attack, perfect strangers simply because they might have a beer in their hand, or a cigarette even. While you do seem to be of a sound, rational mind John, unfortunately some of your fellow SE's are not, and do not follow the ideals of their cause. It's the old addage of the few bad apples that spoil the bunch. Even though my experiences with Straight Edgers have not prooven to be pleasant, this obviously does not mean that ALL of them are this way, at least I hope not. Good article John, it is nice to see people that can rationally present their viewpoint.

Name: John Moore (the author)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Philosophy
Comments:
Brian, thank you for responding to my article. I'm glad to see that the article generated an intelligent response. Now, on to the debate at hand. I still stand by my observation that responsible drinking is a parodox. You did not give a formal definition of your own "responsible drinking" but I would imagine that it entails drinking without getting drunk and being sober enough to drive home. Well, I contest that if you were truely responsible then that beer should have been replaced with a water. You drink both but the water doesn't damage your liver, hinder your ability to drive at all, and you can't get a DUI after having drank a bottle of water. If you're not going to get drunk (ie. "drink irresponsibly") then why drink at all? I value your opinion since you have been on both sides of the fence. But I also think that you were never Straight Edge if you thought then the way you do now. I have no problem with my friends drinking and I'll drive you to the store so you can buy your cigarettes if you need a ride, so please realize that I am an open minded person (I think so anyways). Once again, I thank you for your response and if you would like to carry on this debate through email I would like that very much.

Name: Brian Korte
Year: senior
Major: MSTD
Comments:
John, thanks for your insight. I have been on both sides of the spectrum of anti-alcohol and alcohol. I have lived both lifestyles, and from what I've learned, I can say that I do disagree with you on your statement that "if one were responsible, one would not drink to begin with." That is the way I lived up until a year ago. And you know, I was misinformed. It was always cool with me if others drank, I just wasn't going to do it. And now, now that I am of the legal age and I made a decision to drink every once in a while, I can say that it is a life experience, much like any other, that you will never REALLY comprehend fully until you try it. If you want to stay straight edge, go for it...more power to you. I'm not going to defend drinking at all. Too many people are irresponsible with alcohol. Having been on the other side, however, and knowing what I do, I would tell you (and anyone else reading this fascinating feedback posting) that there ARE responsible drinkers. They do populate the campus. We only hear about the bad ones. I won't sway your decision to not drink...again...do whatever you want...just be cautious about who you are grouping in the "irresponsible" category. I don't regret my decision to drink, and I also don't regret my decision to be abstinant for all of those years. I fought the peer pressure and I came out clean. Thanks for the aticle, and I hope to hear more from you soon.

Name: Jeff (the Vent Section Manager)
Comments:
For another, similar look at students and alcohol, please visit my article on why I do not drink.