h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Drinking so much that you pass out in a social setting makes you a good laugh. Drinking so much that you pass out in your bedroom makes you a depressed alcoholic who should get help. My darling Ellie ... her brush with this still upsets me six months later, as does any substance abuse connected with her. So much so that even when she drank a glass of wine last weekend and we were lying comfortably on the sofa watching The Matrix Reloaded her reference to the party we went to in London made me want to cry.
I know where my dislike of substance abuse comes from: I'd like to say "common sense", but that's so patronising. Just that I get scared by the thought that I couldn't rely on my own perceptions. And Ellie is special to me, so I want to keep her safe. (What is strange is that in Karen's case, whose drinking habits have escalated in the last couple of months, I can rationally think "It's her business".)

Making a racist comment to a member of an ethnic minority is clamped down on. Making a homophobic comment to two girls who are in a relationship is brushed away as "he didn't mean it". Or, "he was having a laugh, you know? Lighten up" Well what if I don't want to lighten up? Is it fair to have some jerk - WILL, I'M TALKING TO YOU - come up and say "hey, you guys, I'd really, you know, prefer it if you didn't, like, express yourselves around me". No one else was offensive, so why should he be? (Answer: he's a jerk.) Some were confused, others curious. Two of my friends severely disapprove due to their religious beliefs. (One Christian, one Muslim.) But they were never rude. Not like Will was.
This is all over now though, because Ellie made a threatening comment to him that has been construed by some as a death threat.

hang in there and stay strong. You're doing the best things and stuffs...

for your words of wisdom!