Is it coincidence that a group of people in my home state of Arkansas are now gathering signatures for a petition to make the entire state wet in 2014? My home county, Saline, is a dry county. Unlike Pulaski County where I work, I can walk into a gas station in my home county without seeing rows of coolers full of beer. I have no idea who thought it was a good idea to sell liquor in gas stations, but I disagree. I have heard that people can request a cup of ice at the drive through window at liquor stores. Of course it is illegal to drink beer or wine while driving, but people do it anyway. Of course DWI is a problem everywhere, but at least it is not so convenient in a dry county. Private clubs are allowed to sell liquor in dry counties. In my opinion that was the thing that triggered the downfall of our recent sheriff. Sheriff Bruce Pennington was arrested for public drunkenness and resisting arrest after stumbling out of one of those private clubs. If a man who spent much of his life as a law enforcement officer gets himself in trouble with alcohol, doesn't this send a message that alcohol can be trouble for anyone?

Earlier this week, the TV station where I work had a liquor segment that promoted all sorts of alcoholic beverages. When a friend indignantly asked me why such a thing was allowed on morning TV, I realized that I have become desensitized to this sort of thing. I had nothing to do with the show content and only caught a glimpse of the segment, but why did I not realize that parents with young children would be upset about this? Yes, consuming liquor is legal for adults, but should it be promoted and glorified on TV? I know that many people do not see anything wrong with an occasional drink, but for some it is the beginning of alcoholism, lost jobs, broken families, violence, and depression. Is that really the sort of thing that we should be promoting?