Letter: Alcohol issue is divisive

I have resisted for some time voicing my opinion on this subject. After Fred’s [October 3, 2013] article, I can no longer be silent.

I was interviewed by Roger several months ago, and I gave him several reasons why I did not support this fool hardy push to bring alcohol to Clarendon. One of the reasons he did quote, which is manifesting itself more and more as the election draws near, is how this issue is another divisive issue that our community did not need at this time. During the interview, I asked the question “Why now?” I have not heard a logical and truthful reply yet? It seems that regardless of how divisive this issue is to our community, the other side is bound and determined to get their alcohol no matter what, no matter who is hurt, no matter the costs and without any types of limits to its availability.

Please excuse me for contributing to this divisiveness, but I cannot sit by and be quite any more. My silence would not only betray my faith but my parents’ virtues and their good name by continuing to do nothing, there is a saying that comes to mind about “silence”, but I will suppress that thought for now.

For now I have two questions for those who support bringing alcohol into our community;

1) What are you willing to do to secure the public safety from public intoxication and drunk driving that will occur at these new centers of intoxication within our fair city?

2) What are you willing to do to protect minors from the new availability of alcohol?

What laws and fines are you willing to support to keep our “Mayberry” a great place to raise a family? So far I have not heard one mention by the other side on this nor do they even acknowledge that there will be any negative effects from the passage of enhanced availability of alcohol in our community. My fellow citizens please understand this new measure is only about availability, you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.

Please do not respond with the shallow, illogical comment, “Minors are going to consume alcohol anyway”? Minors consuming alcohol is illegal and the sale to or giving of alcohol to them is also illegal, not to mention it is immoral (let me know if you need a quote from Jesus on hurting a child). My greatest fear is that the measure will only make it easier for minors to get access to alcohol. If you need some information on of the effects of alcohol on the mental development of a minor there are numerous studies, several can be found at the following NIAAA website; http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/213-221.htm. Certainly both sides will agree underage drinking is a problem and is not good for our community.

There will be more to come on this subject and especially on what the Bible says about drinking.

Will Thompson, Clarendon