In response to the comments I received on my Alcohol post:

The anonymous comment made by someone was quite interesting because it came off very angry. Why he/she appears that way, is a curious matter. My math wasn't obviously exact but generally reflected that which was given during the meeting. My stance wasn't to outlaw those who like to drink alcohol  but rather, addressing those who choose to do so and do so irresponsibly. As a student body, we have done a heck of lot of “protecting” and aiding those who sometimes drink a little too much whether it is our immediate friends or those we simply recognize as a fellow SAS'er. We all get it. We all go out at ports at night, eat, drink and dance. However, the idea is to make sure we all get back from each port safe, sound and healthy. My point was to highlight the purpose of the meeting we had with Dean Dan.  It was a needed talk, not because we or I want to “focus on the negative” but because we have collaboratively looked out for one another while in port, but we now need people to do better.  We as individuals need to hold ourselves accountable because we all are essentially our own responsibilities and we as a functioning unit, will continue to hold each other accountable so that nothing happens to anyone. Yes, those who brought the kid in was commended and the action is encouraged on a regular basis, but the reasoning for the tone of the evening was to remind people that “we” can't afford another “near-death” experience. Totally appropriate and sometimes you can't begin and end a meeting with such a grave matter all “hunky-dory.”

In fact, I have a ton of friends who took a “booze cruise” on catamarans. I am not the police, I am not taking the superior role by denouncing what they chose to do versus what I chose to do. My point was any decision that we all made while in port (Mauritius) or any in the past and future, affects the entire shipboard community. The insinuation that those who really “care” should refrain from simply “sitting back” and actually do something, isn't fair. It is what it is. My paragraph in which I was tossing out some ideas as to why people drink to THAT EXTENT was simply that...ideas. It absolutely wasn't a paragraph telling “boozer students' parents how to parent”- which I thought was an interesting spin on what what I said. Those who drink responsibly shouldn't be attacked for the way they feel towards those who don't and alter the tone of the voyage and ship regulations. It is a valid feeling. Certainly the percentages and perception of who is in the minority and majority is interchangeable.. definitely dependent on the angle looked at and what is measured. Notice I presented a number of different opinions of the SAS body towards the alcohol issue. It is a frequent topic. We discuss both the negatives and positives of alcohol in general. Everyone can do better. There is often a misconception about alcohol limit, and it is important that we are cognizant of these things before we get to that level. At the conclusion of the meeting, no one particular person felt antagonized. There were nine students who were severely intoxicated and had dock time after being treated. But the overall vibe was set from that meeting. We can and will all do better.

Updates: March 5th, 2011
The hospitalized kid (back in Mauritius) is going to meet up with the ship, he will be rejoining us. Not sure when, but the announcement was made after heavy deliberation.

The 2 students and the crewman that left via our secret entrance into the military base in Diego Garcia touched bases with SAS. Both young ladies received treatment from Singapore. Neither will be returning, but one is better and returned to her family. The other will remain hospitalized and need further treatment. I was pretty surprised because I knew one of the girls- Mimosa. The crew guy was said to be going blind? I am not sure what his update is.