Constructive uses of firearms will be lost, and we will accomplish nothing. It will stay because it is firmly rooted not in fraternity basements, but in our society. The Trustees and their comrades want to stop drinking on campus. What's really wrong is that they cannot comprehend that drinking is deeply imbedded in our society. Drinking is an integral part of most cultures, including ours.
Most cultures surround alcohol consumption with ritual.
Drinking behavior is almost universally organized by cultural rules and expectations, including and quantity and kind of drink, rate of consumption, time and mood of drinking events and age and sex of drinkers. The institution and etiquette of hospitality, of which alcohol is a pivotal feature, is a strong binding force within a community. It promotes social cohesion by establishing a close relationship between guests and host. In the drinking arena first names are required and organizational placements tabooes. Any traveler of Europe can attest to the significant role alcohol plays in channeling the flow of most cultures' social energy.