Prohibition simply does not work, all it does is create a whole new set of problems. Does the name Al Capone mean anything? Are we winning the war on drugs in this country, or have we simply created more criminals? I think it would be easier for those who have a problem with alcohol to simply not drink it. Making it illegal won't eliminate the demand for it.
Religion tries to bring back prohibition in Alabama
by Gopher 26 Replies latest social current
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IP_SEC
I don't know if prohibiting the sale of alcohol would curtail the number or not.
I come from an area that has a number of dry counties and precincts.
No it makes the problem worse. People who will drink and drive, drink and drive farther to get their booze.
I am in complete agreement with eclipse.
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Gopher
Once again, you cannot legislate morality or even sobriety.
Like Snowbird said, people will drive till they find what they want.
If these Christian preachers had a more effective spiritual program, maybe it would address the root of the problem rather than attacking the retail establishments who merely provide a service.
I'm from Minnesota, and I have never heard of dry counties or cities up here. The problems of alcoholism are no larger here than they are down south.
What has helped here:
1. Public education programs (ads that reinforce "friends don't let friends drive drunk"),
2. the establishment of the designated-driver program (free non-alcoholic beverages all night to the DD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_driver), and
3. the understanding that bars don't serve those who are already overserved.
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eclipse
Excellent points, Gopher.
Logical, balanced, reasonable.
Prohibition is none of the above.
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Junction-Guy
Every area has its own culture, I believe in preserving that culture. Where i come from there are alcoholics, but the majority of the people dont even drink at all. That is their culture and their way of life, and I would hate to see it lost to some "outsiders" trying to change things.
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snowbird
Prohibition is none of the above
2. the establishment of the designated-driver program
You're right, Eclipse. Prohibition hasn't solved anything, rather seems to have exacerbated the problem.
When, as kids, we went into the neighboring county to buy alcohol, we always had a designated driver. We were responsible kids simply out to have a little fun. The driver was old enough to purchase alcohol; we were under the legal age for drinking it; but we knew better than to drink and drive. Our purpose wasn't to get drunk, anyway. We lived in the backwoods, the girls were not allowed to go skinny-dipping, so we had to do SOMETHING!
Junction Guy, I'm sorry for your unhappy memories. My dad, uncles, and brothers were full-blown alcoholics, so I feel your pain.
Snowbird
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eclipse
Every area has its own culture, I believe in preserving that culture. Where i come from there are alcoholics, but the majority of the people dont even drink at all. That is their culture and their way of life, and I would hate to see it lost to some "outsiders" trying to change things.
Only the ones living there have a say, so if they push for prohibition, then more power to them. It's too bad that you seem to ignore the fact that prohibition will not eliminate the problem. I would not live there, and not because I am an alcoholic, but because I like having the right to choose to drink responsibly.
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Junction-Guy
I realize it wont solve the problem, and prohibition probably has its own side effects, but I see it as an idealogical issue, it shows just what that community stands for and against.
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JeffT
Yeah, can't let people vote on how their town should be run. Next thing you know they're going to stop listening to the governing body or something.
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Gopher
Yeah, can't let people vote on how their town should be run. Next thing you know they're going to stop listening to the governing body or something.
Governing Body says -- don't vote or you won't please Jehovah Athens, Alabama church leaders say -- vote to prohibit alcohol, or you won't please the Lord. It's the same type of religious pressure. - Gopher , your friendly neighborhood atheist