May 20, 2013Dear Sir,I am beginning to wonder if those of us who do not imbibe, and teach, and encourage others to adopt a life of temperance, and abstinence, from wines and spirits, are aliens in a community that seems to have a mantra of lighten up, and hoist a few.Before I am dismissed as a sanctimonious and judgmental fanatic, hear me out. Without it seems, a thought, social drinking is associated with having fun and relaxation. The new thinking now taking on a life of its own is to relax moderate drinking in the streets to make us more attractive to tourists who will enjoy themselves even more by the “buzz” to be had as they move in public.What is most interesting though, is the fact that those of us who do not imbibe for whatever reason enjoy life to its fullest without being self-righteous. To imply as is often the case we are stuffy spoil sports who would deny others of fun and relaxation is just not accurate.Bermudians love to drink and it is not funny, we are told to drink responsibly and do not drink and drive at all. There are many down sides and adverse possibilities to drinking when things go wrong in our lives as they often do. Yes, we are a tourist destination, and there are facts of life we can not ignore, but a conservative approach to the embracing of alcohol consumption is good for our country.It is concerning to this writer the very liberal views that seems to be enjoying good press lately is deeply concerning. Eat drink and be merry as the time honoured saying goes, but choosing not to imbibe will not make you stuffy, boring, dull or a wet rag. It means we turn it on without any substances to relax inhibitions that need to be controlled anyway. Drinking should be done in licensed premises as has always been the case and it has served us well for generations as a tourist destination and our locals who enjoy social drinking. Let’s not lower standards that may lead to public revelry in light headed bad behaviour that becomes a nuisance to all of us.WAYNE B SCOTT