Recently my hometown of Harrison, Arkansas has gone “wet.” Basically, a certain number of stores can sell alcoholic beverages here. Most people are thinking; so? Well, this town is definitely unlike any other you are likely to visit. Imagine a town tucked away in the heart of the Ozarks, churches and banks dotting every corner, barefoot kids on bikes, and a high moral standard living in the hearts of it’s residents. All was well until suddenly this quaint town was turned inside out. Not by tragedy or natural disaster, but by Bud light, Sam Adams, and Coors?
Fact One; There are a lot of injustices in life, which we are all aware of. The sale of beer is not one of them. The amount of time and energy that was put into protesting/supporting the sale of alcohol was ridiculous. A home could have been built for Habitat for Humanity if half of the protesters and supporters had put down their signs and picked up a two by four and a hammer. There were police reports in the paper every day concerning theft of signs, people running over signs in other people’s yards, and arguments over the issue. What a waste of time and energy, and does anyone else find this behavior completely crazy?
Fact Two;It is not the end of morals and the world as we know it. I remember reading the paper one morning and a woman had asked if prostitution and pornography were coming to Harrison next. I literally stopped reading the paper for a month. Now, I can honestly say that since Harrison has gone “wet,” my life hasn’t changed in the least little bit because of it. I still work, live in the same home, have the same friends, and my children still haven’t been exposed to prostitutes or had someone offer them alcohol at recess. Rest assured citizens of Harrison, the sale of a 6-pack of Modelo does not mean that legalized prostitution and gangs selling crack to 4th graders is imminent.
Fact Three: This is America, isn’t it? If you don’t believe in the sale or consumption of alcohol you don’t have to drink it or buy it, do you? If you don’t want your children exposed to it, protect them. That is a parents job, isn’t it? If you vacation, take a day trip, or go to a wedding you will probably find alcohol somewhere. Not everyone may like it or approve, but that is the current state of the world today and hiding from something isn’t always the best way to change it. I do realize that people don’t drink for religious, personal, and health reasons and I respect those choices. It would be wonderful if the respect went both ways.
Fact Four: Petty actions are committed by people who have let things get out of perspective. Seeing adults behave like children is pretty eye opening. Basically, people on both sides of the issue were worried about not getting their way and threw temper tantrums which resulted in petty actions. I find when we behave in a small way, it is in general because we are being small people and see ourselves as such. Harrison is a wonderful town, with or without alcohol and the people who live here are generous, kind, and open to others. There is nothing petty or small about that.
