I'm not a teetotaler. I like an occasional beer or glass of wine and very occasional sip of bourbon, if the company is right. But I'm not sure that it's a good idea to open Coeur d'Alene's waterfront parks to beer and wine sales. I'm sure that most who will partake of the offerings at McEuen Park and (for Sunday free concerts) at City Park will be orderly. But I'm not sure all will be. Especially on the 4th of July. Alcohol is a scourge on our society. For every 7 or 8 people who can handle alcoholic drink there's one who can't -- someone who drives drunk or becomes abusive to family members. I suspect such abuse was behind the prohibition against alcohol in city parks for all these years. So I wonder why the city of Coeur d'Alene is loosening the rules on alcohol sales now. As a regular concert goer to the City Park series, I'll watch with interest to see how the beer and wine sales affect the crowd and nearby park and City Beach goers. I'm hoping for the best.

Thoughts?