[sudo-discuss] Not a sober space, but...

[GtwoG PublicOhOne]

In summary I agree with Chris about this:  It should be possible for
people to handle having a couple of beers without becoming obnoxious or
raising a liability risk.  If someone is intoxicated to the point where
they're obnoxious (such as e.g. chasing someone around who doesn't want
to talk to them), that's a problem.  And for liability reasons if
nothing else, SR shouldn't be treated as "the party" or "the after-party."

The key distinctions are between "casual occurrence" vs "event," and
between "alcohol as beverage incidental to e.g. a meal" vs "getting
loaded."

"Events" where alcohol is "served" or even "made available" run the risk
that if something bad happens, SR could be fined for operating an
unlicensed nightclub.  Per a recent news story about a fight at a
warehouse party, the persons responsible were facing a $60,000 fine for
that. 

Alice & Bob bring over a pizza and a sixpack to share with friends, is
"casual" and the alcohol is "incidental to the meal."  The small number
of persons involved, and the small amount of alcohol involved, reduce
the risks to negligible. 

"Getting loaded" falls into the legal definition of intoxication, which
is a minefield of liability.  If someone gets loaded _at_ SR and then
gets in a fight or auto accident, their defense attorney would almost
certainly bring SR into the chain of liability.

Even "get loaded _somewhere else_, then head to Sudo" is a risk, since
one has to get from "somewhere else" to SR, and that means being
intoxicated in public or DUI.  If "get loaded somewhere else" is
"policy" or even "understood," then SR becomes entangled in the chain of
causality if a problem occurs.   

If a few individuals' repeat behavior is a cause of these issues
becoming "issues," then it's likely that they have drinking problems. 
SR is not obligated to accommodate those behaviors, and the people
involved should face up to their situations. 

-G


=====

 
On 14-02-16-Sun 7:17 PM, Chris Bee wrote:
> ...I feel really awkward proposing this, but lately it seems like the
> thing to do with some of the newcomers goes something like this-
>
> 1. Get loaded somewhere else
> 2. Head to Sudo
> 3. ???
> 4. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!!! (and/or pass out, depending)
>
> As someone who used to do this on a nightly basis, I kind of get it
> but even in my finer moments I don't think I would have shown up at a
> space where people were trying to work and expected a warm reception.
> And, as someone who has chosen to embrace sobriety I have no quarrel
> with people who haven't, but since I haven't really developed the
> patience required to deal with drunk folks yet I tend to retreat or
> act somewhat distant towards them. Sometimes this results in them
> chasing me around the space because they want to "hang out,"
> especially if I'm working on music stuff...that's okay if they can do
> so in a non-disruptive manner, but I'm kind of screwed if they can't
> so I'm more or less forced to deal with them or (sacre bleu!) leave
> Sudo to try to get shit done.
>
> What I am NOT proposing is making Sudo a sober space. If it comes to
> that, sure, but as a first measure I think it's heavy handed and
> doesn't really serve the interests of the community that can have a
> couple of beers and function equally well as without. I think what I
> am asking is that we, as a group, need to send the message that Sudo
> is not the afterparty, and that if it continues to be treated like one
> that the individuals involved will be asked to leave for the night. I
> think being somewhat forgiving in this situation is probably not a bad
> idea...and of course, repeated behavior of this sort will probably be
> brought up in a meeting (i.e. is having ***** around worth it?) and
> appropriate action will be taken.
>
> Needless to say, Sudo/BAPS events would be more or less exempt since
> the actual drinking will be taking place here and any situations that
> arise from said drinking will be dealt with as needed.
>
> I would like to hear what everyone has to say about this.
>
> -chrisbee
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> sudo-discuss mailing list
> sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
> http://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://sudoroom.org/pipermail/sudo-discuss/attachments/20140216/7ed5268c/attachment.html>