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by Michael Meyers

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Let's Talk About Alcohol

I want to be careful. The issue of alcohol is sensitive, not just because of church tradition (although that is a part of it), but because alcohol is a significant ingredient for trouble and pain.

Good-natured fathers change into violent overseers through alcohol abuse. Thoughtful and responsible people become rude and apathetic when they abuse alcohol.

There is, however, another side to alcohol use.

I myself have felt frustrated with the inability to go downtown and have a drink with a friend, and many respectable MBC students echo the same sentiment.

Honestly, part of my desire stems from the fact that the prospect of a having a drink excites people--having a beer is a bit unknown, and drinking a glass of wine is a mark of adulthood, which can be exciting.

Excitement is not a bad thing; it is, in part, a sign to a person that something important is about to take place, and how humans deal with alcohol is important.

A 16-year-old with a new driver's license is excited about driving. Although this excitement might provoke misbehavior, the state still provides that 16-year-old with a license and freedom to drive. The problem is not the 16-year-old. Problems occur when the 16-year-old starts speeding or ignoring traffic laws.

Driving privileges are good. Careless driving is bad.

Drinking privileges are good. Careless drinking is bad.

Could Multnomah be a place where thoughtful freedom is exercised? The answer remains undecided, but I hope we can continue to wrestle with it, regardless.

On Nov. 30, part of the student body met with Dr. Lockwood and Dr. Strickland to discuss campus issues, including the alcohol policy. Unfortunately, discussion on the topic received little time.

At the end of January 2007, the student body will be invited to gather with the faculty and dedicate an entire hour to discussion on the subject of alcohol. They will specifically address MBC's position concerning alcohol as stated in the student handbook. Please attend if this issue is important to you.

And cheers to a Merry Christmas, whether it be with a beer or a root beer!

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