LETTER: Alcohol the issue, not publicity

To the editor:

I would like to respond to Justin Jerez’s letter to the editor about the effects of The Statesman on underage drinkers. In considering this topic, one of the most important Britons in American history John Locke comes to mind.

One of the basic tenets of the American system is the right to life, liberty and property. In his “Second Treatise on Government,” Locke proclaims the government may only deprive someone of these three fundamental rights by due process of law.

And the government rightfully did so to these two gentleman accused of underage drinking. Upon their arrest, their liberties were rightfully taken away, as prescribed by the laws created by our duly elected representatives.

Furthermore, in keeping with the idea of liberty, The Statesman has the right, duly given to it by the Constitution, of freedom of the press.

Many have called the press he fourth branch of government, and rightfully so. It serves as a watchdog for the public’s interests, not only protecting the people from their leaders but also from themselves.

Personally, I find it refreshing that The Statesman reported this article on the front page. To me it means that there was nothing worse to report. You would never see this article on the front page of The New York Times or even The Salt Lake Tribune, simply because there are worse things going on there.

But I would like to focus on an even more important issue. The issue of what would have happened if these two gentlemen would have not gotten arrested and then “harangued” by The Statesman. Deaths by drunk driving are all too common, even here in Cache Valley.

In case nobody has noticed, you can’t drink and drive if you aren’t drunk in the first place. Returning to Locke, nobody has a right to have their life, liberty or property taken away from them, except as stated earlier, by due process of law.

I hate to break it to you but a car accident has not one trace of due process. So what about the family of four who is murdered by a drunk driver? Where is their right to life? The Statesman may have ruined the lives of these two gentlemen, but at least they have lives to be ruined. Hopefully, these gentlemen learned the lesson taught to them by The Statesman and USU Police. Alcohol ruins lives, not The Statesman. 

Michael Buhler