Beyond Tomorrow is a cable show which airs a variety of geeky and interesting things. Today's episode did a myth buster on beating a breathalyzer test. Have you seen this done on shows like Myth Busters before? I've seen this exercise performed in any number of ways, but never with successful results. Here's the haps:
Two guys got good and drunk; one on scotch, one on vodka and cranberry juice. Thirteen total drinks apiece in a three hour time frame. Best case scenario, with time to metabolize the booze, at the end of the drinking spree, both gents have a minimum of 10 drinks in their system. When they blew, the first guy blew a .11 and the second a .09.
After trying peppermints, mouthwash, batteries, hyperventilating and cigarettes, neither was able to decrease their BAC. Findings are always the same - the only way to truly lower one's BAC reading is by lowering the BAC itself - and that takes time.
What I found most surprising was that after a three hour bender, one drink every 15 minutes, both guys weren't all that high. Thirteen drinks is a task-one must be TRYING to get drunk if they're drinking that heavy.
This is why I shoot holes in the usual argument of how folks are afraid to have a drink or two with dinner. Afraid they might be picked up for DWI on the way home. Yet, these tests indicate one could have at least eight drinks within a few hours and be under the presumptive legal limit. That's not a mistake made by having a drink or two with dinner - that's only going to happen with hardcore drinking.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Granny's Wine... But Less Of It
A new American Journal of Medicine study finds older Americans are drinking less. At the same time, minors are also drinking less. The study finds older Americans are more likely to drink wine instead of beer or hard liquor.
To what do we attribute these changes? From this blogger's view, there are several ingredients:
First, I think it stands to reason that as we age, most people's drinking slacks off. There just aren't a lot of folks who start drawing Social Security and use their first month's check to buy a beer bong. Second, the wine is a no brainer. With the health benefits shown by red wine, a more health conscious America is more likely to consume rouge vino.
The minors drinking rates falling off? First, education. Kids today are far, far more educated on the dangers of excessive consumption than at any time in history. Second, kids have more entertainment options than ever before. Instead of keg parties, many teens are turning to Wii parties. Instead of sneaking booze from the old man's liquor cabinet, kids are too busy text messaging. Instead of spiked punch at parties, more students are attending virtual parties on line on social networking sites.
Either way, the new AJM studies show some encouraging signs!
To what do we attribute these changes? From this blogger's view, there are several ingredients:
First, I think it stands to reason that as we age, most people's drinking slacks off. There just aren't a lot of folks who start drawing Social Security and use their first month's check to buy a beer bong. Second, the wine is a no brainer. With the health benefits shown by red wine, a more health conscious America is more likely to consume rouge vino.
The minors drinking rates falling off? First, education. Kids today are far, far more educated on the dangers of excessive consumption than at any time in history. Second, kids have more entertainment options than ever before. Instead of keg parties, many teens are turning to Wii parties. Instead of sneaking booze from the old man's liquor cabinet, kids are too busy text messaging. Instead of spiked punch at parties, more students are attending virtual parties on line on social networking sites.
Either way, the new AJM studies show some encouraging signs!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Beer For My Horses
Country singer Toby Keith has now stepped into the world of film. Next week, his first stab at a movie, "Beer for My Horses" hits theaters.
Alcohol consumption has always been a staple topic in country music. "Beer For My Horses" is one of the biggest country singles of the last 10 years. Why? Just because of the line, "Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses"? Nah, it's more than that...
This song had the mass appeal of putting up with no crap from no one. In our post 9-11 world, I think it appealed to our sense of self protection, righteousness and justice. Throw in a line or two about drinking and you've got the recipe for a successful country tune.
The one thing I always noticed about "Beer For My Horses" as a song was this: the link between justice and alcohol. Once the job is done, you've protected yourself and the world, hey, tip back some booze!
Not sure this is a really great message, but hey, maybe I'm reading too much into the song. It IS a country tune, after all...
Alcohol consumption has always been a staple topic in country music. "Beer For My Horses" is one of the biggest country singles of the last 10 years. Why? Just because of the line, "Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses"? Nah, it's more than that...
This song had the mass appeal of putting up with no crap from no one. In our post 9-11 world, I think it appealed to our sense of self protection, righteousness and justice. Throw in a line or two about drinking and you've got the recipe for a successful country tune.
The one thing I always noticed about "Beer For My Horses" as a song was this: the link between justice and alcohol. Once the job is done, you've protected yourself and the world, hey, tip back some booze!
Not sure this is a really great message, but hey, maybe I'm reading too much into the song. It IS a country tune, after all...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Marcus' Official Stance on Alcohol
I had a recent inquiry as to my official stance on alcohol. This question came from a youth substance abuse prevention organization, not from an individual who was just curious. I figured this is something I should share because, frankly, it's the stance I believe most people should also have.
Alcohol is illegal for all American civilians under 21 years of age. I obey all the laws of this country. Therefore, when I speak to audiences who are minors, I do not and cannot and will not approve of the consumption of alcohol for those in the audience.
If a person is of legal drinking age, I believe in moderation, safety and responsibility if they choose to drink alcohol. If driving is involved, this becomes even more important.
That's my official stance on alcohol. The laws are what they are and I'm a law-abiding American citizen.
If there are clients or individuals with further questions, feel free to ask! Happy to share my thoughts, but rest assured my personal philosophies will always be in lock step with the laws of this country.
Alcohol is illegal for all American civilians under 21 years of age. I obey all the laws of this country. Therefore, when I speak to audiences who are minors, I do not and cannot and will not approve of the consumption of alcohol for those in the audience.
If a person is of legal drinking age, I believe in moderation, safety and responsibility if they choose to drink alcohol. If driving is involved, this becomes even more important.
That's my official stance on alcohol. The laws are what they are and I'm a law-abiding American citizen.
If there are clients or individuals with further questions, feel free to ask! Happy to share my thoughts, but rest assured my personal philosophies will always be in lock step with the laws of this country.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Beer Pong By Any Other Name...
Changing a name doesn't change the truth of the game. Kinda like Cookie Monster being forced to eat carrots to give a good example to obese American children-he's still Cookie Monster, even if he's called Carrot Monster.
Beer pong is till beer pong, no matter what you name it. Does playing it on Wii reinforce drinking behaviors? When games are as realistic as, well, reality, it makes perfect sense to think "Pong Toss" will be a nice segue into beer pong. From a personal perspective, I first wanted to shoot skeet and trap after playing Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo. If you like the game, it makes you wonder, "Hmm, I wonder if I'll like the activity in real life?"
The game company has a bit of social responsibility to not invent a game which can damage society. But the thing that bothers me most is that "Pong Toss" is rated T for Teens.
Beg pardon? Teens? The only teens who can legally drink in this country are those in the armed forces while they're on a military base. And those guys probably don't have an excessive amount of time for Wii or beer pong.
Just another sad commentary on how we view alcohol consumption in our society.
************
Wii Beer Pong Game Draws Jeers
Does New Nintendo Game Glorify Teen Drinking Culture?
By CLOE SHASHA
July 9, 2008
ABC News
JV Games has cleaned up its new Nintendo Wii version of the college drinking game "Beer Pong" by removing references to booze and renaming the title, but authorities and mental health experts fear that it will only reinforce an alcohol culture on teens.
In the Wii Nintendo game "Pong Toss," developed by JV Games, the player scores a point after tossing a ping pong ball into the opponent's cup.
"Pong Toss," as it's now called, still gives gamers the ability to practice the tossing skills required for Beer Pong, a popular drinking game involving ping pong balls aimed into cups of beer. Beer-guzzling is the goal of the real Beer Pong game in many college settings.
The game earned a rating of "T" for teen — ages 13 and up — from the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and that has caused parents, educators and even one state's attorney general to react with dismay.
"When a behavior is modeled or practiced in any form, it becomes more likely to be practiced in the future," said New York psychologist Eva Levine. "Kids are very susceptible to this type of media. I see it all the time with young kids and adolescents. It's definitely true that children that are exposed to alcohol use are much more likely to engage in alcohol behavior."
On Monday, Conn. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal expressed concern about the game, and about the future games that will be released under JV's Frat Party Games line.
Blumenthal believes that a game like "Pong Toss" has more worrisome consequences than other types of violent or dangerous video games.
"My strong concern is the ratings, which fail to reflect the potential dangers," said Blumenthal. "It promotes alcohol use and even abuse and binge drinking, which certainly seems a more realistic prospect than someone driving a car dangerously after playing 'Grand Theft Auto,' although obviously, that's a problem as well. But what the beer pong game does is much more immediate for teenagers than what happens in 'Grand Theft Auto'."
The worry about teen drinking is real and rising. On Monday, an Associated Press analysis of federal records found that 157 college-age people, 18 to 23, drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available. The number of alcohol-poisoning deaths per year nearly doubled over that span, from 18 in 1999 to a peak of 35 in 2005, though the total went up and down from year to year and dropped to 14 in 2001.
Beer pong is till beer pong, no matter what you name it. Does playing it on Wii reinforce drinking behaviors? When games are as realistic as, well, reality, it makes perfect sense to think "Pong Toss" will be a nice segue into beer pong. From a personal perspective, I first wanted to shoot skeet and trap after playing Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo. If you like the game, it makes you wonder, "Hmm, I wonder if I'll like the activity in real life?"
The game company has a bit of social responsibility to not invent a game which can damage society. But the thing that bothers me most is that "Pong Toss" is rated T for Teens.
Beg pardon? Teens? The only teens who can legally drink in this country are those in the armed forces while they're on a military base. And those guys probably don't have an excessive amount of time for Wii or beer pong.
Just another sad commentary on how we view alcohol consumption in our society.
************
Wii Beer Pong Game Draws Jeers
Does New Nintendo Game Glorify Teen Drinking Culture?
By CLOE SHASHA
July 9, 2008
ABC News
JV Games has cleaned up its new Nintendo Wii version of the college drinking game "Beer Pong" by removing references to booze and renaming the title, but authorities and mental health experts fear that it will only reinforce an alcohol culture on teens.
In the Wii Nintendo game "Pong Toss," developed by JV Games, the player scores a point after tossing a ping pong ball into the opponent's cup.
"Pong Toss," as it's now called, still gives gamers the ability to practice the tossing skills required for Beer Pong, a popular drinking game involving ping pong balls aimed into cups of beer. Beer-guzzling is the goal of the real Beer Pong game in many college settings.
The game earned a rating of "T" for teen — ages 13 and up — from the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and that has caused parents, educators and even one state's attorney general to react with dismay.
"When a behavior is modeled or practiced in any form, it becomes more likely to be practiced in the future," said New York psychologist Eva Levine. "Kids are very susceptible to this type of media. I see it all the time with young kids and adolescents. It's definitely true that children that are exposed to alcohol use are much more likely to engage in alcohol behavior."
On Monday, Conn. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal expressed concern about the game, and about the future games that will be released under JV's Frat Party Games line.
Blumenthal believes that a game like "Pong Toss" has more worrisome consequences than other types of violent or dangerous video games.
"My strong concern is the ratings, which fail to reflect the potential dangers," said Blumenthal. "It promotes alcohol use and even abuse and binge drinking, which certainly seems a more realistic prospect than someone driving a car dangerously after playing 'Grand Theft Auto,' although obviously, that's a problem as well. But what the beer pong game does is much more immediate for teenagers than what happens in 'Grand Theft Auto'."
The worry about teen drinking is real and rising. On Monday, an Associated Press analysis of federal records found that 157 college-age people, 18 to 23, drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available. The number of alcohol-poisoning deaths per year nearly doubled over that span, from 18 in 1999 to a peak of 35 in 2005, though the total went up and down from year to year and dropped to 14 in 2001.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Keg Parties or Wine Tastings: What's College Drinking Really About?
Yesterday, I received the monthly E newsletter from my alma mater, Missouri State University.
Colleges are known for partying, heavy drinking, scenes from "Animal House"...all that stuff that post-college grads smile at, shake their heads in wistful amusement and think, "Man, it's a wonder no one was killed."
Colleges and universities don't typically promote their drinking stats, mainly because they're usually so disturbing. It's well known how much drinking goes on in colleges, but no one uses anything to do with booze as something to better the face of the university. Except maybe my alma mater...
When I received the E newsletter, there was an article about how Missouri State wines win medals in a regional competition. What?
Turns out, one of the branch campuses of Missouri state has a vineyard and winery called Mountain Grove Cellars. Wine from MGC was entered in a wine competition in Indiana recently and won.
It's interesting how different alcohols are "acceptable" due to the culture surrounding them. Wine is considered a classy, social beverage for celebrating, etc. But if there was a brewing contest, would anyone be proud of that? Or if someone was distilling their own whiskey, would that be something to brag about? Doubtful.
No college would ever think of promoting their university while promoting how good their alcohol is UNLESS that alcohol is wine. Just interesting cultural and sociological observations about college drinking and creation of alcohol...
Colleges are known for partying, heavy drinking, scenes from "Animal House"...all that stuff that post-college grads smile at, shake their heads in wistful amusement and think, "Man, it's a wonder no one was killed."
Colleges and universities don't typically promote their drinking stats, mainly because they're usually so disturbing. It's well known how much drinking goes on in colleges, but no one uses anything to do with booze as something to better the face of the university. Except maybe my alma mater...
When I received the E newsletter, there was an article about how Missouri State wines win medals in a regional competition. What?
Turns out, one of the branch campuses of Missouri state has a vineyard and winery called Mountain Grove Cellars. Wine from MGC was entered in a wine competition in Indiana recently and won.
It's interesting how different alcohols are "acceptable" due to the culture surrounding them. Wine is considered a classy, social beverage for celebrating, etc. But if there was a brewing contest, would anyone be proud of that? Or if someone was distilling their own whiskey, would that be something to brag about? Doubtful.
No college would ever think of promoting their university while promoting how good their alcohol is UNLESS that alcohol is wine. Just interesting cultural and sociological observations about college drinking and creation of alcohol...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Something To Make "Light" Of?
It's interesting how the airline made light of this. The woman tries to open the cabin door at 33,000 feet? Granted, this is pretty hard for someone who is, 1. not in the flight attendant "know" on how to do it and, 2. drunk. Still, if she was able to get the door open, that spells bad news for everyone on board. The attempted assault with a bottle is another sign that these are two women who simply do not know how to control themselves with alcohol - and the kind of people who probably shouldn't even be drinking socially, either.
***
Drunken Passengers Go on Rampage, Force Plane's Emergency Landing
Sunday, July 27, 2008
foxnews.com
BERLIN — Two drunken British women went on a rampage on a charter plane, hitting one flight attendant with a bottle of vodka and trying to open a cabin door as the aircraft was cruising over Austria at 10,000 meters, police said Saturday.
The staff on the flight from Greece to England eventually forced the women back to their seats and the pilot made an emergency landing in Frankfurt on Thursday, police told The Associated Press, confirming a statement they had issued on Friday.
The identities of the women, aged 26 and 27, were not released, but police said the 26-year-old may be charged with attempted assault and interfering with air traffic.
Both women were released, police said.
The rampage occurred when a flight attendant denied the women alcohol because they were visibly intoxicated, police said. The 26-year-old took a swipe at a cabin attendant with a bottle of vodka, then attempted to open a cabin door.
"Apparently the 26-year-old wanted to catch some fresh air," the statement said, in an effort to make light of the altercation.
The two women were taken into custody by police at the Frankfurt airport and given a breathalyzer test. Both were legally intoxicated.
After an hour in Frankfurt, the flight continued on to Manchester, England.
***
Drunken Passengers Go on Rampage, Force Plane's Emergency Landing
Sunday, July 27, 2008
foxnews.com
BERLIN — Two drunken British women went on a rampage on a charter plane, hitting one flight attendant with a bottle of vodka and trying to open a cabin door as the aircraft was cruising over Austria at 10,000 meters, police said Saturday.
The staff on the flight from Greece to England eventually forced the women back to their seats and the pilot made an emergency landing in Frankfurt on Thursday, police told The Associated Press, confirming a statement they had issued on Friday.
The identities of the women, aged 26 and 27, were not released, but police said the 26-year-old may be charged with attempted assault and interfering with air traffic.
Both women were released, police said.
The rampage occurred when a flight attendant denied the women alcohol because they were visibly intoxicated, police said. The 26-year-old took a swipe at a cabin attendant with a bottle of vodka, then attempted to open a cabin door.
"Apparently the 26-year-old wanted to catch some fresh air," the statement said, in an effort to make light of the altercation.
The two women were taken into custody by police at the Frankfurt airport and given a breathalyzer test. Both were legally intoxicated.
After an hour in Frankfurt, the flight continued on to Manchester, England.
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