Opinion: Cheers… well maybe not just yet

Well, now that October has arrived, that means that November 5th, is just around the corner. In case you haven’t noticed, November 5th, is the day we go to the polls and decide if Donley County is going to vote for, or against, the local option petition for liquor sales, including mixed beverages (liquor by the drink).

In Texas, particularly in Donley County, this is a sensitive issue for some, not so sensitive for others, while a few folks don’t care much either way. I am one of the “don’t care much” folks. Now understand that I enjoy the occasional cold beer on a hot summer day, or with a heaping plate of fine Texas barbecue, however you spell it. I even enjoy a margarita while dining on fine Mexican cuisine. When chatting with friends and family at small, intimate gatherings, or at family weddings, etc., it is really nice to sip on three-fingers of Wild Turkey to see me comfortably through the evening.

As in most elections determining “moral issues,” opinions and positions can run a bit hot. So far, folks have pretty much remained calm and quiet. A few people have taken the opportunity to express their opinions in this matter, including some that are a bit more pejorative than others, which is to be expected.

To date, the folks who are adamantly against liquor by the drink are the only ones we are hearing from, at least in public forums. Of course, that makes sense. The folks who are for the sale of liquor by the drink gain absolutely nothing, especially in a small community like Clarendon, by offending their friends, relatives, or customers when expressing their position about this issue. It’s probably best that they let their voice be heard, quietly, through the ballot box.

Now, as is usually the case, a few folks go a bit overboard, when referring those in favor of liquor by the drink. Name-calling, and questioning the religious fitness of the voters who are in favor of going wet is unfortunate. Such behavior can be counterproductive. Suggesting that the folks who are in favor of passing the option are in the grip of Satan, or who must be less religious if they enjoy beer and whiskey, is inaccurate.

Actually, the Bible does shed a little positive light on this issue. For example, consider the Gospel of John, chapter 2. In these verses, John the Beloved (at least in his own mind) tells us the story of Jesus making 180 gallons of wine, for a wedding party, no less. Sound familiar, wine being served at weddings? Anyway, I digress.

The text says, “Two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee; and Jesus’ mother was there. And Jesus was invited to the wedding and so were his disciples. When the wine had run short, Jesus’ mother said to him: ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her: ‘Lady, let me handle this in my own way. My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants: ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’…

In short, John goes on to tell us that Jesus turned five large jugs (each containing 20 to 30 gallons) of water into wine. He goes on to write that this isn’t some cheap rot-gut wine, this is the good stuff.

Now, I’m not sure how many people attended this wedding, but 180 gallons of wine is plenty to keep a lot of folks happy and festive. Of course, the Fourth Gospel presents those who would study it and him who would expound it with a problem, or two problems, actually. There is the simple surface story that anyone can understand and re-tell; but, there is also a wealth of deeper meaning for him who has the eagerness to search and the eye to see, and the mind to understand. So, rather than spend three days studying this issue, and due to time and space limitations, we’ll just relate the simple surface story. To wit: Jesus was invited to a wedding, and as often happens, they ran out of drink. So, what does Jesus do? He whips up a new batch of the really good stuff, and everyone partied on. In short, Jesus likes for people to be festive and enjoy themselves, especially at weddings. Back in the day, Jewish rabbis expressly stated that in order to have joy at weddings, wine must be served. Enjoy.

Of course, Jesus appeared to be rather upset that his mother assigned him a new “honey-do” project while he was enjoying the festivities with his friends. Even so, being a dutiful Son, he honored his mother’s wishes, and whipped up a batch of really good wine.

Another person whom I respect, and use as an example, is George Washington. From 1797 to 1799, President Washington ran the largest distillery in America, producing over 11,000 gallons of high quality whiskey a year, which also made him the tidy sum of $7,500 – a rather hefty amount for the 18th Century. He gave (in weekly allotments) some of this whiskey to his workers, including slaves, for a job well done.

Now to be fair, we need to consider another American in whom I have great respect and admiration for – namely, Sam Houston. Sam was a congressman and governor for the great state of Tennessee, as well as the president (twice), governor, and senator of Texas. However, Sam had a life-long love affair with whiskey – which kept him from being all that he could be. If Sam Houston hadn’t been a practicing drunk for most of his life he could have made it all the way to the White House.

This November 5th, I suspect that the final vote will depend upon the turnout. If it is large, the local option petition will probably pass. If it is low, the petition will probably fail. Right now, there is little doubt that the opponents appear to be more passionate and motivated, which could present problems for those who support the local option.

It seems to me that neither side is wrong. It’s simply a matter of personal preference. See you on the 5th of November. This is one time in which we all need to be heard. So vote!