Note to MADD: DON'T become the next PETA

Or the next RIAA, or any of those self-serving organizations that end up causing more harm to the cause they vow to serve and protect than actual good. The anti-drunk-driving group is now whining that Obama was pictured on TV during his little get-together with Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and cop James Crowley (you know, from the Gates alleged-racism scandal) – and they were drinking beer. It seems MADD are now hopping aboard the bandwagon in thinking kids will do anything they see on TV if some older powerful dude is seen doing it first – and that, apparently, kids don't drink beer in secret anyway. (Don't make me laugh.)

The president of the United States, a Harvard professor, and a Cambridge police officer.

Images of these role models drinking alcohol were plastered on TV screens all across America the past few days.

And, the leader of an anti-drunk driving group hopes those images don't send the wrong message to the millions of young people who saw the president drinking on TV. Audio Here

Nancy Raynor is president of the Delaware chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

She says her group isn't "prohibitionist," but it is is concerned about what teens and childrens take away from seeing the president drinking on TV.

Seriously, this is beyond silly and entering the realms of the ridiculous. First, for assuming that children and teens don't know about beer or something, or that most kids or teens don't already drink beer at least every now and then (if only to look "cool"). And second, for being upset about the President, a Harvard professor and a cop depicted drinking on TV. Seriously, if that's what troubles MADD, they need to stay out of movies. Or pop culture altogether.

Up 'til now, the only thing I've had against MADD – other than the silly name of "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" (what, no fathers, children or friends are allowed or something?*) – is how much I hate their invasive commercials plastered on TV screens every few minutes. Especially the loud or annoying ones (which is, well, all of them – if you want to encourage people to do something, you shouldn't tick them off with annoying commercials. Just a hint). But I hope they aren't wading into the pestilential waters of the self-righteous, waters that so many other groups have fallen into and are unable (or unwilling) to rise out from. I've seen documentaries about MADD and their work; they sound to me like honest, passionate individuals who just want to prevent tragedies. It's all very honorable – as long as their methods remain so as well.

* Yes, that's being facetious.

(via The Agitator)