John Riley is a talented Maine cartoonist.  This cartoon (published in Brunswick's Times Record newspaper) shows not only his creative ability, but also a realistic, pragmatic, and common sense approach to that town's enforcement of alcohol consumption laws. 

Although it is not entirely clear where Riley comes down on the issue (the cartoon is not demonstrably for or against the stepped up enforcement, in our opinion), one thing is clear: if you want to buy alcohol (in a Brunswick store, bar, or restaurant, at least), you need to prove you're twenty-one years old or older.  Period.

Showing one's identification, regardless of age, for the privilege of buying alcohol is the minimum anyone should expect.  And it's the law.  Asking people to obey the law is not unreasonable, especially when the activity is as reckless and unwise as purchasing a controlled substance like liquor.

For over a century, the League has supported, and continues to support, restrictions on drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other vice.  Regardless of whether he intended to make a pro-law enforcement statement or not, we thank John Riley for this editorial cartoon. 

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