How Dry We Aren't

    Is this the age of prohibition? ......Clearly not, but try telling that to Bloomberg. His idealistic dreams of a healthy, drug and alcohol free New York are just down right unrealistic. This is unfortunate, but it's the truth. Much like one of our previous presidents from the past, who sought to cleanse the nation of drunkenness over 100 years ago. Theodore Roosevelt, the father of prohibition.  "Enter Roosevelt. Fearless and bullheaded, the new commissioner vowed to enforce the law, both to root out bribery in the Police Department and also to reunite families on Sundays. He gave speeches envisioning hard-working men picnicking with wives and children. He anticipated a drop in drunk and disorderly arrests (then the city’s highest arrest category) and a decline in Monday hospital visits. He expected that wages saved from saloons would help feed families and pay the rent." Of course, as you well know, this did not happen. Instead of abiding by all these excessive laws, the citizens found ways around them. Speakeasies, bribes for 'blind eyes', and deals done in dark, damp allies. His crackdown backfired. In New York, Roosevelt never won the popular vote again. Bloomberg (who's politics are laughable might I add) should learn the lesson others have learned in the past, "Never take a beer away from a New Yorker."
      "How Dry We Aren't" by Richard Zacks is a interesting and comedic testament to the average New Yorker's passion for the drink, and how this passion can be seen throughout history. The author begins with bloomberg, but transitions into Roosevelt within the 3rd paragraph, and mainly centered on him. I did not expect this but in the very end he was able to make an interesting connection. He clearly thinks there is a lot we can learn from our past. This article is mostly based on logos (as most of it is factually based), but there is obviously some pathos. He uses "we" throughout the article and in the title, and speaks of the New Yorker spirit, and is obviously very passionate about the subject. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to aim for a healthier and happier city. In fact if there was a way to have an alcohol-less society (or at least a society that knows how to drink without taking advantage of it) I'd be all for it, but you can't just make people change their lives. You can't force them. The harder you push, the harder they'll push back. I think Bloomberg is being a little too ambitious, this is not a mayor's job. The people have to change on their own, but in order to do that, they have to want to change.


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