Re-reading this chapter always makes me wonder about Harry/Snape's relationship if he had looked more like Lily-- or if he had been a girl. Would Snape have despised him(her) because of the connection to James, or would he have been unable to hate someone who resembled Lily so much?

I'm sure this has been explored in fanfics somewhere...

I always pictured him as: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000114/

I got really excited at the point because all I could think was:

ZOMG! KATNISS IS GOING TO NARNIA! ASLAN WILL MAKE ALL THE THINGS GOOD AGAIN!

Mark, I think you need to add the following tags to this entry:

eternal sadness
infinite tears
heart-breaking sorrow
anguish layered in despair
this is why we can't have nice things

I was simply trying to make the point that "just drunk enough to do something that they might not have done a few beers earlier" as the OP stated is THE SAME as "someone who is too drunk to consent." If someone is compromised to the point where their actions go against what they would do sober, then they are too drunk to consent. The OP was trying to say otherwise, and that is a dangerous way of thinking.

Alcohol is the most widely used date rape drug. Students often ask, "if my date/partner and I are drinking or using drugs, does that mean we cannot consent to sex?"

CONSENT is when:

* The individuals have indicated that they are interested in having sex.
* Everybody involved is clearly capable of making an informed decision of his/her own free will.

There is NO CONSENT when:

* Your acquaintance/friend/date/partner is passed out (or asleep) or is incoherent, staggering, or not aware of his/her environment.
* Consent/permission has been given on behalf of another person.
* You think you have consent because she/he is not resisting. Apparent compliance can come from fear or an inability to verbalize or fight back due to intoxication from alcohol and/or drugs.
* You don't think the person would agree to sex if she or he were sober.
* You and your acquaintance/friend/date/partner have never talked about having sex together before now - when you are completely drunk - and you don't know what the person would want.
* Your acquaintance/friend/date/partner has indicated (verbally or non-verbally) that he/she is not interested.
* Even though you and the person have had sex before, he/she said that he/she was not interested tonight.
* Someone has stated what he or she is comfortable with, but when she/he is drunk you go farther than she/he agreed to.
* You are not sure.
http://getconsent.dal.ca/Alcohol_and_Consent.php

Just so we're clear on that.

"So while I think about it differently from Gale, I still think he did a good thing. I don't say right, because I don't think it would have been wrong to keep on with the kissing. But I do think it was a good choice."

It *would* have been wrong for Gale to continue kissing Katniss, because at that point he knew he was taking advantage of her. She is much more than confused-- she is under extreme mental duress AND suffering from a concussion. Katniss is not interested in romance or in Gale. She is making rash choices because they allow her to mentally escape from the pain she is in. Kissing Gale is not answering some primal urge of longing (as it was with Peeta), it is much more like taking a drink or a pill-- a misguided attempt to fill a void and make herself temporarily happy.

The minute Gale realizes this, he had a moral obligation to stop. Like a bartender who sees someone overindulging to the point of danger and cuts them off. It would have been wrong to continue to kiss her. It would have been him manipulating a mentally compromised person into giving him what he desires. It would have made him no different than the Capitol or District 13 personal who used and manipulated Katniss.

RE: Drunk Kissing

I work at a college and the idea that drinking makes one unable to consent to sex is something I work hard to convey to the students (though admittedly many of them still don't get it). I say that to let you know that I take the issue of consent as seriously as anyone (maybe more so). The basic premise of a consenting adult is one who's judgment is free and uncompromised. Substances like drugs and alcohol can definitely inhibit judgment, but laws also protect those who suffer from mental illness as well.

In that light, Gale may not be so off the mark. I think it is reasonable to say that at this point in Mockingjay, Katniss is most likely suffering from PTSD and significant depression-- conditions that could easily affect her ability to make decisions. Like you said, the kiss itself was a reaction to loneliness (and I'd venture a way to counteract the deep hurt from Peeta's condition)-- not a reflection of her true desires toward Gale. It was self-medication-- a rush to make the pain go away for a short while.

Gale's recognition of that shows at least a little bit of character-- at least he didn't keep going and capitalize on the situation. I don't think it was his recognition of her FEELINGS-- but instead realizing that he was, in fact, taking advantage of his mentally compromised friend--just the same if her would have fed her a bottle of white liquor.

Not to get all political, but I'm sure the Capitol has classified Katniss and her cohorts as terrorists-- who are in a whole other sphere outside of the Geneva guidelines. I'm sure Snow is justifying their torture and abuse in the same way we Americans justify Guantanemo Bay and water boarding.

O! Are we posting fan art? Because I found this last night and it is so full of win I ALMOST DIED.
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/218/1/a/ON...

No spoilers-- just linked to the image. Original post here: http://r1c3-cr4ck3r.deviantart.com/art/ONWARD-TO-... (may contain spoilers in comments)

NARWHALS FTW!