I agree that Brock’s behavior was unacceptable and that his sentence was unjustly reduced. It’s pretty appalling. But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking he’s the only one. If you’re at a party with 20 people, chances are that between one and five of them are fully capable of doing something really, really stupid, *especially* if they’re getting drunk or high. One of those people might even be you.

Knowing how likely such things are, why on Earth would anyone willingly incapacitate him or herself to the point where they become an easy mark or a loose cannon? Do you really think you ought to be able to trust everyone around you–or even yourself–if you render yourself completely helpless or out of control? Says who? We aren’t owed charmed lives. Bad things happen to good people, even when we’re being careful. And yes, good people can do bad things, especially if they render themselves senseless on purpose.

It’s entirely possible for both victim and perpetrator to be responsible for their actions and the results of those actions. One’s guilt does not magically let the other off the hook.

Know when to stop. And if you aren’t certain that you can, or if you can’t trust the source of what you’re drinking or taking, don’t even start. Or be prepared to pay a steep price for your lack of self control.