Alcohol has wreaked havoc on many, its impact leaving a stain throughout generations. Because of its impact on me personally, I talk very openly about it at home, in the hopes that my children will learn that alcohol should be consumed with caution. Because of this, my fifteen-year-old has approached me to say that she finds the nonchalant depiction of problematic drinking on television sad. I can’t imagine how she would feel if she had heard the way that it was depicted in the hearings yesterday and by many on the internet in the past week.

As many defended Judge Kavanaugh by saying things like, “He was in high school. We all did stupid things in high school,” my heart ached.

• It ached for those who experimented with alcohol in high school and fell into addiction.
• It ached for those who have been affected by drunk driving.
• It ached for those who have lost a loved one to suicide while he or she was under the influence of alcohol.
• It ached for our children.

Our children are listening. And we need to do better.