Good Things Are Worth Fighting For...

Yes. I'm against the Amethyst Initiative. Perhaps, it isn't a surprise, as I am a Latter-day Saint and that being so, I do not and will not ever in my lifetime consume alcohol.

I had a friend in high school who called me one evening to ask me why I did not drink. Really her question was a plea, "Can you give me a reason not to drink?" I told her I was sure drinking was "fun" and probably a little exciting, especially for minors. Why else would so many people be doing it? "However," I told her, "drinking irresponsibly forfeits your ability to choose."

"What do you mean?"

"The effect that alcohol can have on someone, especially if they are drinking irresponsibly, may lead them to do things, they would NOT have done should they have been in the proper mindset-- Life altering things, that they might greatly regret being a part of."

"Like what?"

"Like everything that 'partying' is about, and taking life into your own hands."

Honestly, I didn't-- I still don't know what partying is about, except for from high school rumors, shady television sitcoms, and movies I probably didn't finish. When I think party-- I think irresponsible...and in some ways, I think the purpose of party is to "forget the stress of consequences" (the obvious companion and blessing of choice).

The very next week my friend had decided to be apart of that life. I don't know that it made her happy. It helped her fit in. But, at least she did her research. I admit, I was a little disappointed, especially when she claimed her hangover headache was from loud music at the 'alcohol-free party last night'. (I think its funny that people think you're stupid if you're innocent.)

The fact of the matter is, there are still good people in the world (My friend was one of them); People, who do their best to consider all sides of morally controversial dilemmas. High schoolers have just developed the physical ability to really think things through. However, they need a little practice, as risk taking is still highly prevalent among teens (as their values are, first, to look good for peers, and, second, all that other stuff).

My friend called me for a reason not to drink. Do you think her concern arose from the blue? No. She had friends who were doing it; a brother, and his friends, who were doing it; a crush who was doing it; teammates on her sports team were doing it, and performing at a state champ level regardless; parents who were doing it, and who did not permit association with religious organizations or written works; And--

The fact of the matter is, high schoolers, although they've got great minds and an ability to choose, are faced with a whole lot of pressure. What they need is someone to give them a chance to act responsibly. They need someone in their defense. The odds were against Charla*.

There are some laws which are meant to limit behavior for the benefit of society, and there are others that are meant to defend true values. Life, I'd say, is one of those true values we ought to defend. By life, I don't refer only to the decrease of binge drinking and traffic related deaths. I refer to the American life; the type of life that's governed by choice and opportunity and taking joy in both. The type of life that our ancestors hoped could be theirs, as they were led to this land, in freedom and bondage alike.

We ought not to shy away from its defense because the battle to preserve it is difficult (I'm talking to you Duke and Dartmouth). We ought to stand up for it, in an honest effort to preserve another truly American, and diminishing value: Good things are worth fighting for.

*name has been changed