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Avoid alcohol

"Can someone help me understand why alcohol consumption is so acceptably encouraged?"

Because those who make the rules about what drugs we should and should not consume have alcohol consumption ingrained in their social lives.

Mr. Burns,

In your Letter to the Editor you asked for help in understanding how we can subsidize alcohol.

There are other examples besides booze: Tobacco, high-fructose corn syrup, poor quality health insurance, worthless health foods. Big Alcohol is just one of a number of rich special-interest groups that make enough money to influence the choices made by our Congressmen inside the Beltway.

The answer to your question is ... Lobbyists!

I'll drink to that Burnsie.

Have you been living in a bubble?

Moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who are either abstainers or heavy drinkers.

They have fewer heart attacks and strokes.

Moderate consumers of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or distilled spirits or liquor) are generally less likely to suffer hypertension or high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, Alzheimer's disease and the common cold.

Sensible drinking also appears to be beneficial in reducing or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis, kidney stones, digestive ailments, stress and depression, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis A, pancreatic cancer, macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness), angina pectoris, duodenal ulcer, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, gallstones, liver disease and poor physical condition in elderly.

Most of the world’s population uses alcohol responsibly. If that’s something you don’t want to do fine, but don’t make up lies about it being completely devoid of benefits.

I'll help you understand. Alcohol doesn't ruin families, careers and take lives for the vast majority of drinkers.

So please keep your judgments to yourself.

When you have a need for the juice at the end of the day (or all day as with Sen Kennedy) , it is hard to argue against its use. Why so many people think they are free because they can use alcohol, they really are slaves to it. As one lady told me, "I just like to unwind at the end of the day". I suggested that she just take some Valium instead. It produces the same effect essentially. Her response was "I can't do that, then I would be a drug addict". While she would not technically be a drug addict, she did realize that alcohol is a drug. One does become tolerant and potentially dependent upon it. When you take alcohol everyday, how can you tell your children not to use other drugs? If you try that you are a hypocrite. Your children see right through that. Its hard to be a good parent. Its even harder when you set a bad example.

Alcolol taken in moderation is a life enhansor for some people. The problem is that some people are generically disposed to abuse alcohol.

I was taught in church that the wine of the new testament was non alcoholic. However the words of the New Teatament do not concur.

When Jesus made wine, he was questioned by the "lord of the feast", why did he provide the best wine after people were well drunk. Ususlly the best wine is provided first.

The New Testament tells us that Bishops are not supposed to be wine drinkers. Were it the case that no one was supposed to drink wine, this statement would have been un-necessary.

Writer of this article, you error in supposing that alcohol use has no legitimate uses beyond medicine.

Right.
Don't drink.
But follow the leader (conservative leader, Rush Limbaugh) and pop OxyContin all day long.
LOL!

You're making up lies.

Do we spend money and pass laws to encourage consumption? Methinks you see this issue through a religious filter, jacob.
Tell you what. I'll admit no one is personally responsible enough to have a dozen beer in their home if you'll admit they are also not personally responsible enough to have an assault rifle in their home.

Have you been sipping a little? Kinda early, ain't it? But don't worry *hic!* you'll be ok on your morning drive to *hic!* werk, I mean work.
And how does Rush enter this foray? You libs really need some counseling to help you get past this guy.

Men who drink beer or liquor on a regular basis may face a heightened risk of several different types of cancer, according to a Canadian study.

Researchers from McGill University in Montreal surveyed nearly 3,600 Canadian men aged 35 to 70 and found those who averaged at least a drink per day had higher risks of a number of cancers than men who drank occasionally or not at all.

Many studies have suggested that moderate drinking -- usually defined as no more than a drink or two per day -- can be a healthy habit, particularly when it comes to heart disease risk.

But the current study suggested that even such moderate drinking levels are linked to higher risks of certain cancers, at least when the alcohol of choice is beer or liquor.

Alcohol is a drug. It kills brain cells, which do not regenerate. It is a barbituate, slowing things down. It lowers inhibitions and distorts sensory perceptions, reason, and physical reactions. It is a major factor in divorce, abuse, crime, lost productivity, and many illnesses and accidents. It is addicting, physically and socially. It is a tool. I have never 'missed out' on a moment due to abstinence.

Limbaugh (along with the other conservative leaders) control the hearts and minds of many in Utah.
I thought EVERYBODY knew that?
They don't like it when they are reminded of this fact.

what a shallow letter for sure - all things in moderation is okay and most folks to drink in moderation.

Beer and wine are food. In small quantities they are quite enjoyable. One can abuse food and alcohol with serious repercussions to one's health. Consumer beware.

But the answer to the letter writer's questions is: because the state controls it.

What is meant in the letter as; ironically?

Alcohol is taxed up the wazzu and is controlled by only being allowed to be sold in State run stores.

Meanwhile, freedom means "live and let live".
You can't FORCE others to do what you want them to do. That's called control. I'm against it.

All of the documented overuse of "Happy Pills" in Utah ruins more families than booze.
And I've been to Utah County, the hotbed for this. I can't get out of there fast enough. My skin crawls.
No wonder it's a problem there.

Lisa

Well put, Sir!

You have more intelligence in one of your eyelashes than any 5 of our legislators have combined.

Mike in Sandy

What are you talking about? Name one law that encourages alcohol consumption. There are none.

What???
Ann