A Dec. 8 letter writer's comments were a bit off the mark. While I
agree with her that irresponsible drinking is a problem in our
society, I believe she is confusing several subjects.

First, alcohol is not the problem. The people who consume it
irresponsibly are the problem.

Second, the companies that produce alcoholic beverages have never
claimed that their product is harmless. To their credit, they
continually ask those who drink to do so responsibly. (This is the
deciding difference between alcohol companies' responsibility and
tobacco companies' responsibility with regards to their respective
products.)

Third, alcohol consumed in inappropriate quantities does indeed affect
behavior; however, the emphasis should be on the inappropriate amounts
of alcohol consumed and not the product itself.

We cannot attack products that are harmful only when used
inappropriately. Instead, let us stand together and work for tougher
penalties for those who choose to perform inappropriate behavior. If
we continue to legislate to the lowest common denominator of society,
we will soon see that we've legislated ourselves right out of a
society - and into a tyranny.

Joshua Bruner