Mothers for Social Drinking

If you read the links under "What I'm reading now" on the right, you've probably noticed a few stories having to do with the Neoprohibitionists -- prudes and nanny-staters with the goal of slowly chipping away at what's left of our freedom to abuse our bodies however we like.

To summarize: Exploiting hysterical "Do it for the children" tactics and the spinelessness of politicians who can't be seen as "soft on crime," they are trying to make even moderate drinking impractical, if not illegal.

Their views have already had an effect, as in places like this MSNBC story, which assumes a worldview that neoprohibitions would love. Using the standard journalistic cop-out of presenting "both sides" of a question no reasonable person would ask, it implies that any amount of alcohol consumption is dangerous.

It also buys into a notion that has taken hold among certain folks that parents are required to make their entire existence "child friendly," as if responsible adults engaging in adult-appropriate behavior around children will indelibly scar their little snowflakes. New parents start hearing this about 30 seconds after they announce their pregnancy, when well-meaning folks start telling them that "Everything changes when you have kids" and that "It's not about you anymore."

That's why it's good to see parents take a stand in favor of common sense and the rights of adults. I couldn't say it better:

We, the undersigned, take exception to the claim that social drinking in the presence of our children is a sign of irresponsible or bad parenting. Further, we contend that it is moderation that makes responsible drinkers, and that moderation and good sense are the responsibility of all citizens; that healthy attitudes towards the consumption of alcohol are learned in the home; that successful parenting does not require us to sacrifice the exercise of our own maturity in order to protect our children's innocence; and that our society has more to fear from the poor judgment and intemperance of institutions which prey on parental insecurities than with the hospitality we share with other mothers in our parenting journey.


found via Brookston Beer Bulletin.