I continue to feel that a general, ongoing dialogue about the subject of law
enforcement is appropriate and healthy. The "Senior Kegger" matter is a
good example.
Without knowing the details of this particular incident, my general
observation is that, while alcohol is in fact a powerful drug and while auto
accidents involving it are the leading cause of death for young adults in
the U.S., and while the vast majority of "drug-related violence" in the U.S.
is in fact violence perpetrated by individuals under the influence of the
drug alcohol, it's abuse/illegal use is still not given the attention one
would think it deserves. Statistically it is a devestating drug menace yet
the media, government officials and the public at large insists on keeping
it in it's own category. Thus we hear the often used phrase "alcohol and
drugs" rather than more appropriate, more honest and more educational
phrases (especially for young people) like "alcohol and other drugs" or just
"drugs" (which should include alcohol).
And what network sitcom on television doesn't include a bar scene or two
every episode, often including jokes about excessive consumption of alcohol?
Yet the same network will have opened their evening newscast with some
dramatic story about another "drug" bust or a disturbing trend in "drug" use
among teenagers, never including the drug alcohol in their report. (Musn't
offend advertisors...) There is very little logic or rationalism at work here.
If you add to that the fact that a theoretical party involving minors
consuming alcohol might be broken up without any arrests being made while at
the same time a theoretical car is pulled over for a turn signal violation,
the odor of marijuana is detected and suddenly 3-4 law enforcement vehicles
respond because you have a "drug" stop, resulting in someone being taken to
jail for a minor possession charge, then I believe we have a law enforcement
pattern that is worthy of review.
Obviously these matters are not just of local concern. All the more reason
to be on the leading edge of examining how the justice system works and how
it affects all our lives.
One side note. I am concerned with Timothy Hillebrand's tone and usage of
words like "hood" and "gangstas" when referring to the two African-American
men involved in the "Kitterman Case". Even if Mr. Hillebrand knows more
about the case than I (like who the men were, where they are from, etc.),
the nature of his "resentment" is a bit disturbing.
Greg Meyer
Moscow