DECEMBER 5

On this date in 1933, Prohibition ended when Utah ratified the 21st amendment to the Constitution. Ten days later, the new amendment took effect.   I'll drink to that!

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment which had made it illegal to manufacture, transport or sell alcoholic beverages.  (It was still legal to possess and drink alcohol.)  The 18th had been in effect since January 16, 1920.

Let us hope that our country learned a lesson from this experience.  Outlawing alcohol just pushed it underground,  enriched a few,  made criminals of many and strengthened the mob.  Those 13 years may have been the most ruthlessly, lawless in our history.

We do need to control alcoholism.  It is a curse to many.  New laws will not make it happen. Alcoholism is an addiction.  All addictions must be treated medically - as illnesses.  We have made enormous strides in medicine in my lifetime - but not enough in treating addiction.

Pray for addicts!  Thank God you are not one.

O_O