http://www.statenews.com More than 2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 21 drove under the influence of alcohol in 2006. College binge drinking continues to dominate college campuses in the U.S. and claims many lives. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Tue, 05 May 2009 00:37:24 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38899 i love drinking.. yah Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:00:34 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38899 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38906 Since you’re a freshman, I’m going to cut you some slack and fill you in on a little piece of information. 1. Students already understand the consequences. 2. They don’t care. They would much rather drink and party until someone gets hurt or arrested, and then the bar, the cops, and everyone else but themselves. It’s the American way. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:26:03 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38906 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38907 Whoops, that’s and then blame the bar, the cops, and everyone else but themselves. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:27:28 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38907 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38910 Its all about quality vs quantity. You can reflect on your freshman year and say “remember that time we were drunk and ….” or you could recount your college career of staying in or going bowling every Fri at the Union. To me I would rather take the risks. Also drinking in college prepares you for the real world where alcohol is everywhere. Ever been on a golf course or at a bar and notice all the business that goes on there? Having sad social skills but a high GPA will get you a job nowhere but a laboratory. BTW, I graduated undergrad with a above a 3.9 and went to burger rama and ricks religiously. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:12:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38910 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38916 Quoting Life Choices “Its all about quality vs quantity. You can reflect on your freshman year and say “remember that time we were drunk and ….” or you could recount your college career of staying in or going bowling every Fri at the Union. To me I would rather take the risks. Also drinking in college prepares you for the real world where alcohol is everywhere. Ever been on a golf course or at a bar and notice all the business that goes on there? Having sad social skills but a high GPA will get you a job nowhere but a laboratory. BTW, I graduated undergrad with a above a 3.9 and went to burger rama and ricks religiously.” that 3.9 was probably in a tough and rewarding major like communications or history or another equally useful and rewarding major. Still the poster makes a good point about balance but his jab at laboratory jobs is a bit out of touch with reality. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:08:48 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38916 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38921 Why are you here?! In case you haven’t noticed, MSU is for rednecks, heavy partiers, and those who messed up earlier in their education. If you’re not a total loser and you care about your education, a transfer to U-M is in line. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:55:06 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38921 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38922 I had a number of friends that transferred to UoM. They said the education is no different, but the people suck. And the girls are ugly. So **** off dbag, come to EL and say that. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:11:53 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38922 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38930 Anupama: “It seems the heaviest drinkers on college campuses are students who live in a fraternity, sorority or in a residence hall.” What about those in apartments? Wouldn’t you say they are just as guilty, and maybe more so? Of course there are many “good” people in the apartments as well….. but you will still have to answer yes. So when you do, you’ll have to realize two things: 1.) That you have now included everyone but commuters, and 2.) You can’t say that the heaviest drinkers hail from particular living quarters, it’s just dumb. (although, you can about fraternities if you want, because they’re d-bags) “…even banning alcohol from campus altogether, which could result in opposition and retaliation from students.” …. and alumni, fans of sports, etc….. And now you sound like even more of a dumbass because without drinking you will turn away money from alumni that were drinkers in college, you’ll turn away prospective students that want this aspect in their college life, you’ll turn away sports enthusiasts that, oh my goodness, SPEND MONEY at the university! This just in: universities aren’t just here for you to learn, they need to make money! I’m sorry. You’re not a dumbass, just naive. There’s hope for you yet, you’re only a freshman—not to necessarily learn about drinking… no, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying there’s hope for you to not be a dumbass. To quote the Free Beer and Hot Wings morning show: “I like drinking.” Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:43:50 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38930 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38935 Anupama, you sound a little stressed from classes. Have a drink, it will do you a world of wonder. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:56:21 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38935 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38939 Consider me a case study for how naive this article is – binge drank four days a week at MSU for four years while living in dorms, apartments on-campus, apartments off-campus, and in a house, graduated with a 3.7 BSCE and landed a solid job. Now happily married with kids, living in a cozy house in suburbia, and still successful at work and active in the community. And guess what? My wife and I now take turns getting crocked on the weekends (somebody’s gotta watch the kid). The key is to know how to balance the partying and education. Don’t be such a stick in the mud. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:43:05 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38939 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38943 Dear American: You blew your point with your rant about the guys possible origins. Is is possible Anupama was born in the US and just might actually be an “American” himself. Not everyone is named Dick or Bobby or Jane….Get a grip and find another moniker other then “American” cuz you ain’t much of a representative for the country bro. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:57:04 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38943 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38949 @American, does that name really sound Middle Eastern to you? Not that it would make your idiotic comment any less repulsive, but I’m gonna go ahead and guess that the writer isn’t from the Middle East. You idiot. That being said, this letter is absolutely ridiculous. Is the thinking behind that since prohibition always works so well we should try it on college campuses? The whole point of the Amethyst Initiative is harm reduction. There really isn’t anything that colleges or communities can do to stop drinking altogether, so policies need to take that into consideration. I think the writer forgot the second part of the greatest line about alcohol ever written: it’s the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:22:12 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38949 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38959 American: Most likely you got the religion wrong. Most Indians are Hindu. Quit while you are behind. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:29:48 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38959 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38960 13.4% practice Islam Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:37:00 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38960 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38961 FYI- Islam is the 2nd biggest religion in India at about 15-20%. I’m a gambling man; I like these odds. Maybe American is too. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:38:53 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38961 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38962 This letter may demonstrate why this freshman chose engineering as opposed to anything to do with logic, reasoning and/or writing. Most of us are here by choice, so why is it that you feel the University should have the “right” to interfere with students’ personal lives. I am just going to resort to saying this is the most poorly written and elementary opinion I have read in my 3 years here. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:39:33 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38962 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38963 Imagine, if you will, a question mark after the second sentence. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:41:01 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38963 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38965 Justin: I agree that this is an ill-conceived opinion piece. Don’t knock on the engineers; everything we do is based on logic and reasoning! Like ~80%>>>15%. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:00:05 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38965 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38994 im saving my comment for tonight when im drunk Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:23:23 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38994 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39022 Bob Dylan said, “don’t criticize what you can’t understand,” and I think this applies to you, Anupama. Now I’m not advising you to become an alcoholic, but not once in this article did you list off an alternative viewpoint from the casual college drinker’s perspective; which, in itself, not only makes your argument faulty but ignorant as well… that is, unless you can think of a better term for suggesting borderline fascist sanctions against something you’ve (presumably) never tried. Now since you obviously knew you weren’t going to change a majority of college student’s minds with some DARE facts; one can easily assume there’s a motive behind this… someone you know is an alcoholic… maybe you may know a drunk driving victim (which is NOT always underage drinking)… or a more obvious reason, people don’t think you’re “cool” or you don’t “fit in” here and you think it’s because you don’t drink. It’s not that. It’s you. I have several friends that don’t drink and it’s fine. We all understand it’s a choice and no one makes them do it. You just need to lighten up, talk to people, and stop writing page long newspaper opinions about something you know nothing about. Oh yeah, and I’m a sophomore PLS major who usually drinks at least once a weekend and has a comfortable 3.6 GPA. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:09:28 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39022 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39026 Well, I’ve drank on a regular basis all through college (and most of them were binge drinking, gasp!), and guess what? I’m graduating, in 4 years, with honor, and have completed 3 majors. I’ve also been able to hold down two part time jobs this entire time. And guess what? I’ve been accepted to several grad schools, and received two very good financial offers from them. And I did all of this while drinking once or twice a week. I’m not saying that drinking does not have a negative effect on some people’s grades and lives, but these sweeping generalizations? Coming from a freshman? You have a lot to learn and experience before you can pass these judgments. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:35:33 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39026 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39036 while it’s fine that everyone can get drunk regularly and get excellent grades, but do you have any idea how annoying it is to be studying at midnight and have drunk people screaming all around you? Imagine there’s no quiet place to study (other than the library, which i will not walk to at midnight). maybe I am biased (in fact, I know I am) against anyone who drinks but I have my reasons…and alcohol smells so bad (never tried it). peace! ^-^V Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:15:40 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39036 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39046 If you have to brag about your endeavors on an online message forum for a newspaper, you have other issues. No one cares about your GPA Lucy et al. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:52:25 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39046 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39068 Noise pollution – WTF? Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:32:25 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39068 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39095 I really don’t know how you earned your degree (bribery perhaps?), however, noise pollution does exist. “http://www.quiet.org/faq.htm” Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:13:44 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39095 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39132 Yeah, about this; I’m pre-law and have a 4 point gpa, am a member of the Greek System, and have had my fair share of drinks. Let’s not throw entire organizations under the bus, i.e. Fraternities, for doing what the rest of campus does (and with a higher average GPA than non-Greeks, nonetheless). Way to go State News, way to think your argument through. Anybody up for LuHas tomorrow afternoon? Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:05:12 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39132 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39170 yeah brah, let’s get drunk on Natty Ice afterwards too. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:28:56 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39170 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39180 “Universities can create a student-to-student program where nondrinkers can peer mediate student alcoholics through education on the severe consequences of drinking.” I think this is the worst idea over. Though it makes me wonder whether or not you know the meaning of “alcoholics”. “Alcoholics” does not simply refer to people who drink, “alcoholics” are people who have an addiction to alcohol. I think having a bunch of students who do not drink, who do not understand what it is like to live with an addiction to alcohol tell alcoholics why the shouldn’t drink is really the stupidest idea ever. People with alcohol addictions would do far better with groups like Alcoholics Anonymous- of which there are meetings near campus, including open meetings, which are open to alcoholics and non-alcoholics, and it might benefit you to attend one. If one is not comfortable with AA, as many are not, there are many other groups out there, though many not as widespread and easily accessible as AA. There are groups that are exclusively online which may not be as effective but are easily accessible. As well one could seek out individual counseling with someone who is actually certified in counseling, not some random straight edge college student. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:29:43 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39180 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39681 I think what you need to be focusing on is advocating for suicide prevention groups, for all your past, present, and future roommates and neighbors… And please don’t talk about laws when you don’t understand them. Underage drinking will result in an M.I.P (with the crucial part of this being that one has to get CAUGHT). Thanks to the Holmes act, it does NOT stay on your permanent record. I really hope I never have the displeasure of meeting you in person, ever. Tue, 05 May 2009 00:37:24 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39681