I grew up in Florida, and one summer I became close friends to an old fisherman.  He was a Prohibition Officer during the 1930’s. He would tell me stories of being assigned to watch Al Capone when he would come down on the train.  He told me many times to never believe anyone who said prohibition did not work.

“Yes,” he said, “the people that wanted to drink could always find some moonshine or illegal booze. But,” he emphasized, “that the vast majority obeyed the law, did not drink, and our society was much better for it.” Since alcohol has become legal how many crimes have been committed, innocent lives lost, and families destroyed by those under its powerful influence?

Solomon reminded us that “wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise” (Pr. 20:1). Our leaders made a great mistake in giving their approval to alcoholic beverages, and it seems we are on the verge of legalizing marijuana as well.  What we learn from history is that we do not learn from history. Solomon spoke the truth when he asked, “Who has woe, who has sorrow…? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine…at last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper” (Pro. 23:29-32). True then. True now.

-Dennis Doughty