Even though I'm sure the vast majority of the people reading this topic can easily tell the difference when people are merely speculating and they're sharing facts, the two do often have a strange way of becoming confused by some people on the Internet and speculation has a way of becoming accepted by some as fact. So, simply as a clarification, it probably should be stated explicitly that:
- speculation that RD's public or private behavior may have been colored by the possibility that he had been drinking (or even ingesting anything stronger) is simply that: speculation. It shouldn't ever be confused with actual published and/or first hand accounts - whether they be pro or con
- and the possibility of having been drinking shouldn't be seen in any way as an excuse to condone any individual's bad behavior.
Speculation certainly has its place - particularly whenever we're what-ifing about some sort of DS storyline point or storyline we might have liked to have seen done on the show. But speculation, no matter how well intended, can be and often is a very dangerous thing when it comes to discussing a real person's life.