Sipping too much freedom

As proud as we might be of patriotic celebrations at Aulne, the county lake, Ramona, and Peabody, it’s sad that law enforcement officers had to spend most of the Fourth of July weekend dealing with sometimes dangerous or violent disturbances involving drunken celebrants.

Surely, the Fourth of July should be more than a day to celebrate our freedom to become intoxicated, risk-taking, and belligerent. Much as we hate the scourge of drug-related crime in our county, it pales in comparison to the number of incidents linked to alcohol.

There’s nothing funny, cute, or liberating about being out of control on any drug, whether it be marijuana, meth, or too many beers. Being responsible means not only controlling our own consumption but also treating as societal pariahs those who refuse to control theirs.

— ERIC MEYER