ALCOHOL IS OK

To the editor:

Al Bohl, KU's new athletic director, is trying to lift restrictions on
"tailgating" at KU football games. In "Alcohol, games don't mix" (J-W, Aug.
15) KU Law Professor Mike Hoeflich wrote opposing the effort.

The reality is anything associated with "alcohol" is an easy target. If the
argument starts with "alcohol, (fill in the blank) don't mix", the argument
is over before it begins. If you believe alcohol leads inevitably to
"rowdiness" and "drunken driving," how could it ever be an accepted part of
any human activity?

* Alcohol, house-painting don't mix

* Alcohol, yard work don't mix

If alcohol is "evil," what can you "mix" with it? Nothing mixes with "evil."

If we start with "alcohol is evil" where do we end up? The answer is:
"Prohibition." But that failed. Why? Because most of us don't believe
alcohol is evil, or that it leads, as Hoeflich suggests, inevitably to
"rowdiness" or "drunken driving" any more than dancing leads to promiscuity
or swimming pools lead to drownings. Alcohol is simply another of the
options offered to each of us in this world, to be used or abused. The real
issue is personal responsibility, expecting people to take responsibility
for their own conduct.

Hoeflich believes allowing adults freedom to drink while tailgating at
football games will encourage underage and binge drinking.

But, what about any celebration - graduation, family picnics, birthdays or
bar mitzvahs? Alcohol is typically involved. Do weddings ever get rowdy?
Yes. So is the answer: "Alcohol, weddings don't mix"? I hope not. The most
that can be said is "Alcohol abuse, (fill in the blank) don't mix."

KU football games are celebrations. Each is a time for students and alumni
to celebrate their experiences at KU, and in this town. We can't control
"rowdyism" with prohibition. We have laws to punish people who do not act
responsibly. Personal responsibility is the answer. Indeed: Alcohol, games
do mix.

Bill and Susan Skepnek,

Lawrence