Liquor and Violence

The Times’ recent editorial on breaking the cycle of domestic violence (June 24) came up far short in naming the root cause of this social disease. The numbers are mind-boggling but one need only to read the newspapers to know that alcohol abuse is involved in the majority of cases. The shooting death of a pregnant 14-year-old by her drunken 17-year-old boyfriend in Santa Ana recently is a tragic example.

Glamorized by our entertainment and athletic “heroes,” Tailhook-type beer drinking is now the norm for high school students.

The solution is a Prop. 99-like measure that helped reduce the use of nicotine and saved lives. Millions must be raised to save our children from the reptiles that are targeting them to perpetuate this curse on our society.

Our judges and politicians who have received political payoffs from the liquor industry must now become responsible for their actions. Who better to pay for these sins than the people who are committing them?

WILLIAM J. SPELLISCY

Orange