Will he ever shut up?!?!

Background: In eastern Kentucky, I lived in a "Dry County" (no alcohol sales of any type). Most claimed "Religous" motivation for the ban. The county also had one of, if not THE, worst illegal drug problems in the country...a mean household income of $8000 a year...and ranked #115 (out of 120) for places to raise a child in Kentucky by Kentucky Child Welfare Office. While these issues were rarely addressed, it was common knowledge that any type of alcohol consumption was strictly taboo. Alcohol prohibition was a frequent topic and subject of many hell fire and brimstone sermons in many Appalachian churches.

Are people in this county aware that the Idea that the consumption of alcohol is inherently bad (sinful) is merely a cultural thing, unique to this region and a few other rural areas of the south (though it's quickly vanishing). And that everywhere else in the entire world, it is perfectly normal and acceptable for Christian folks to partake in the moderate consumption of alcohol. It's just another thing that makes Breathitt appear (appear nothing...it is!) so Backward to civilized society.

I have a question for those who support "Dry": Why? Why can't a man who works everyday, provides for his family, takes an active role in his church and community have a cold beer when he gets home from a hard days work?

Because it's sinful? Is that what you think? I tell you what, I'll make you a deal...I'm not even going to go into the argument that Jesus drank wine...because people of this line of thinking believe that it was unfermented grape juice, because they blindly believe the opinions (lies) of their preachers. It in fact was not, and I have concrete, scriptural arguments to support it. But for the sake of this point, I will concede to you that alcohol may help those with an unpure heart to more freely conduct themselves in a way that is unholy.

So that being said, I want to ask this question: Why did God put the tree in the garden if he knew we were going to sin by it? Answer: He had to provide a choice.

So do you think you're better and more knowledgable than God? You must! You wish for others to not even have the choice! Your self righteous elitest ego wants to play God to others and not allow them to partake in an activity which is ABSOLUTELY LEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY! (providing your 21 years of age). Had you been The Creator in those days, you would not have put the tree in the garden so as to not allow for the freedom of choice. Then what would you have? A race of blind slaves.

You see that's the whole point to salvation. God wants us to CHOOSE Him over sin. So just because you think drinking is a sin and choose not to, why not let others choose for themselves. Let people CHOOSE to drink if they so desire. 'Cause quite frankly, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Doesn't God tell us not to judge, lest be judged ouselves? I interpret that as MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Because as another wise man once said, "If you're minding your own business, you won't be minding mine!"

Yep...You've stood strong and "fought the good fight to keep this evil out of our county", and what has it netted? Besides all the tens of thousands of dollars that go up to Wolfe and down to Perry; it's lead to: INCREASED drinking and driving (you think a drunk is going to let something as miniscule as a 'Dry County' keep him from going out to get more when he runs out???), INCREASED DEMAND FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS!!! (Don't make me explain "Supply and Demand" to you) Thus with the influx of illegal drugs comes additional crime. Theft, Murder, etc. And the biggest pain in the rear as far as I'm concerned, if I want to take my wife out for a nice dinner I have to drive to Hazard, Winchester or Lexington. No I'm sorry, while I absolutely love their fried chicken, I don't consider a certain local sit down resturant "Fine Dining". If you do, you need to get out a little more...but I digress.

I would rather take my $60-$80 I'm going to blow on an evening out and visit a nice local resturant so that my money supports a business in the local area that created jobs for my neighbors, and leave my $15-$20 tip for a local waitress, that will take it to a local store and spend it on a locally made product for her kid that is going to the local school. And by his attendace in that local school, more funding will be granted from Frankfort and DC, thus making the school systems better, so that our kids can get a better education, and grow up to be better business people that can expand our base economy.

You see where I'm going with this? Do you see where your attitude is standing in the way of even the most minor progress? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that being Wet would be the end all savior of Breathitt county, but it would certainly be a start. Because Applebees, O'Charlies, Fridays, or any other 'Chain Pub & Grub' isn't going to come into a Dry County and set up shop. And no local entrepenuer or investor is going to open nice establishments with out the ability to entertain civilized social adults.

It's time to start thinking outside of the box and give up that comfort zone you cling so desprately to Breathitt.

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."- James Bryant Conant (1893-1978)