Ed, about the recent BackTalk item on the wisdom of teaching underage kids to drink. I was taught at a young age to drink moderately and turned out to be a full-blown alcoholic. Whether it was my fault, I don’t know. But I don’t think it is a good idea to teach young kids to drink.

Drying Out

Is there a right answer in this debate? Teach kids alcohol is forbidden, and they’ll sneak it and binge drink. But allow them a taste of it, and they’ll develop a taste for it. Damned if you do ...—Ed. Note