Hi John,
Alcohol is just a term for a chemical that has an -OH group in its chemistry. Ethanol and methanol are different in the length of the carbon chains that hold the -OH. Drinking methanol (aka wood alcohol) can be a problem tho - in the days of moonshine it was commonly refered to as "retina remover" as it left the patient blind. Great for race cars, but not drivers.
As a side note one of our local ethanol producers - Verasun energy - is going public soon. Shares look the be in the $20 price and they are planning to build 2 or 3 more plants in the upper midwest. We already have several plants in the area and they are all expanding. Looks like it is here to stay regardless of the politics.

Tom
I.I. #1475