Moms Can Be Very Stupid About Coupon Books

It doesn't require a lot of intelligence to spin an insignificant nothing into an issue or become obstinately irate about it, as mothers of UGA students and local officials have recently proven.

The Athens Banner Herald "reported" today that a controversy is brewing over the content of...a coupon book.

Yes, indeed, as if white-flight soccer moms had less to worry about, allegations that a small coupons booklet encourages alcohol abuse and underage drinking are rampant in this part of the state today, the result of the ire of a few concerned parents.

To be fair, UGA consistently ranks as one of the top party schools in the nation every year, and students shouldn't be tempted with all of these alluring - and quite reasonable - bargains.

So, parents, tell your children to stop reading the Red & Black, the Flagpole, the Athens Banner-Herald, and every single store window at every single gas station in this town and any other town in the nation, except may Salt Lake City. Okay?

Athens, GA is rife with alcohol endorsements. Only Sanford Stadium is a bigger draw than the downtown scene in Athens, so tell them not to frequent any of the places downtown either.

It's true that the coupon books were given away at bookstores in town, but who are we kidding here? Don't be intellectually shallow, saying that only these coupon books target students. That's just asinine.

What percentage of kegs are sold to students in this town, many of them underage? 80%? Does that sound like a fair estimate to you? It doesn't make it right, but you shouldn't be naive enough to think that it doesn't happen. And will continue to happen. No one endorses these coupon books, and, unlike what the Athens Banner-Herald stated, there was not a slew of advertisements for drinking related activities in the damn thing, so back off.

If you want to keep your kid away from the booze, set an example. Tell them it's not safe or legal for them to drink underage, and maybe - just maybe - they'll listen to a calmer version of you than the one ranting in papers or on television.

Because I'll let you know one thing, ladies: if you're that concerned your son/daughter is susceptible to advertising, stop letting them watch MTV, FOX (that includes The OC, moms), F/X, and the Weather Channel. Regardless of whether you're aware of this, mommy, advertising targets everyone. Everyone all the time. It is advertising's wish to have the largest available audience, better than the day or the week before it. If they could, they'd sell booze to your unborn child. If your kid is as susceptible to advertising and weak-minded as you think he/she is, then oh well. Maybe you should have been a bettter parent all along. How about that?