I am writing in regard to the recent charges regarding the death of Eric Blair.

While I see how many people may be looking to find a guilty party in this matter, I believe charging four students with felonies is unnecessary.

We are college students, and parties such as the one described are not uncommon. I’m sure most of the student body that attends MSU has been to one like it.

Sure those students could have turned him away but what would have happened then? There is always another party to go to or some other way to get alcohol. If a people want to drink, they will find a way.

At the age of 18, in the United States, you are legally an adult and old enough to make responsible decisions. You, no one else, should be held responsible for the outcomes.

I understand we all have nights when we lose control and do things that we shouldn’t - that is where having good friends comes into play. A friend will be there to take care of you when you need it.

If anybody is to blame in this case, it is Blair’s friends whom he came to visit.

They never should have allowed themselves to become separated knowing he wasn’t familiar with the area.

This was a very unfortunate accident but I think the blame is falling on the wrong people.

The message here should not be that underage drinking should be stopped because that is not going to happen.

The message should be to think when you drink and, by God, never lose track of the people you care about.

Lacey Smiatowicz
general management sophomore