Gerry Rafferty dies

I really like Gerry Rafferty's music and yet, his untimely death to alcoholism is yet another example which I can reference when discussing with my children the seriousness and all-too-real dangers associated with alcohol and drugs.

I still have trouble coming to terms with the death of my own friends due to alcoholism. Reporting the facts may just send a strong enough message to people on the edge.

It's a damn shame anyway you look at it.

I'm raising children. They're still innocent. I must instill in them a strong sense of right and wrong and the best way is by example - both in the way I live my own life, and in the way I can point to others who have @$#&!% their lives up. Frankly, I don't care to hear about what is or isn’t effective in dissuading those already in the grips of irresponsibility…demons…or just plain old stupidity.

Perhaps this type of reporting might lend credence to the message that every parent strives to instill in their children.