With freedom comes responsibility

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Mar 7, 2009 10:34 AM EST

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

The big news this week in the Rochester, NY area was the death of a 19 year old SUNY Geneseo student.  It seems he drank for 3 days and had a blood alcohol level at least 7 times the legal limit. 

Of course all fingers are pointing at the unofficial fraternity PIGS.  They caused this death.  They provided the alcohol and the atmosphere to drink, drink, drink.  Right? 

I understand that the first reaction of parents would be to question and blame.  But what about the rest of us?  Are we going to fall under that old American tradition of placing blame everywhere except the most obvious place?  Since the student is dead, we must look to others in order to find justice and revenge.  That's the American way.  Of course, none of this would be complete without criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.  We have to make examples of those responsible so this type of senseless death never happens again.  Right?

For me, there are three possible explanations for the death of a student due to alcohol poisoning. 

1.  Because of mental defect, the young man did not have the capacity to understand the relationship between drinking too much and serious health concerns that could lead to death.  However, since all reports indicate that this young man was quite intelligent, I think we need to discard this explanation.

2.  This could be a very plain and simple premeditated murder.  The young man, taken and held against his will was forced to consume so much alcohol that it resulted in his death.  Since there are no reports that the man was bound and physically forced to consume alcohol, again we must discard this explanation.

3.  Finally, the easy explanation that no one wants to believe or accept.  Suicide.  The young man, for whatever reason, wanted to join this unsanctioned frat and to do that he had to leave his intelligence and reason at the door.  He had to start drinking and not stop until he was dead.  All indications suggest he was free to leave at any time or free to stop drinking at any time.  But he didn't leave and he didn't stop.  This young man committed suicide, though no one will ever call it that.  He decided to drink.  He decided to keep on drinking.  He decided to go along to get what he wanted.  He took his own life.  He has only himself to blame.  Hard to swallow?  Absolutely. 

As a society, we cannot keep blaming others for actions and results that can only be caused by one's own actions. As long as we continue to blame others when others are not to blame, we will continue to see the same results.  Sure there are facilitators out there who will purchase alcohol for under aged drinkers, but those drinkers would get alcohol in other ways if necessary. It all rests with the individual, not the group.

Ultimately, we have freedom....and the responsibility that must go along with it.

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