How Could Alcohol Prohibition Possibly Be Relevant Today?

New York Times TV critic Neil Genzlinger opens his review of Ken Burns' new documentary about Prohibition by suggesting that "flappers in speakeasies and biddies beating temperance drums" do not seem like "a recipe for modern-day relevance." But Genzlinger wants those inclined to dismiss Burns' subject as quaint to know that in Prohibition "you can hear history talking directly to the Americans of 2011." Indeed, the documentary calls to mind "Santayana's phrase about learning from the past or being condemned to repeat it." And what is the obvious lesson that Genzlinger draws from the story of Prohibition? He concludes that "the noble experiment" was an example of "extremism that sabotages itself by refusing to compromise," which "sounds like tomorrow's headlines." I'm pretty sure he is referring to the budget cuts favored by the Tea Party movement. After all, how else could a disastrous attempt to stop people from altering their consciousness with a politically disfavored intoxicant possibly be relevant in this day and age?

Reason.tv interviewed Burns about his new documentary, which began last night and continues tonight on PBS: