The liquor laws in Utah are really strange. They seem to be constantly changing and when you ask someone for details, even someone who works in a bar, no one ever seems to be able to give a straight answer.
There appears to be some potential change with the liquor laws that would end private clubs. To drink in a bar here you either have to pay a yearly membership fee, or be the guest of a member. Doesn’t seem that bad, huh? Well, it’s annoying as FUCK. I’m afraid the people running everything (the Mormons) have no idea that their stupid laws which are supposed to make drinking more difficult do NOTHING to reduce alcohol consumption. In fact, making everything so difficult only makes drinking MORE appealing. I never felt the need to own a flask until I moved to Utah.
This sentence from a Salt Lake Tribune article about these changes struck me knocked me the fuck over:
“Representatives of the House, the Senate, bar owners, restaurants, the governor’s office and the LDS Church hammered out the framework during intense closed-door negotiations this week.”
To see the LDS Church specifically mentioned in the article annoyed me to my very core. I realize the LDS Church influences EVERYTHING here, after all, this is their state. But to see it so plainly stated that they are working out legal details as representatives of a religion just seems wrong.
My favorite part of this annoying mess: changes to the liquor laws are happening as a result of a study in which 40 companies who relocated or expanded within Utah found “perceptions of Utah’s complicated liquor laws were an obstacle to economic development in the state.”
Money makes the world go round, eh?
Please accept this virtual bottle of wine as my housewarming gift to your new location, as well as a hedge against the total eradication of alcohol sales in the Mormon State of Utah (succession immanent)
Money AND liquor make the world go ’round, obviously.
And trust me: you can find uses for a flask in any state.
Here in Kentucky, they just passed a liquor tax to support all of the poor counties that don’t even allow the sale of alcohol. Things are tough all over.
I feel your frustration. And I don’t drink very much. I lived in CA and few other places where Gambling was easily accesible. When I was in CA for two years I bought one lottery ticket. Move to Utah and all of a sudden I get the urge to drive two hours every six weeks for a ticket.
Why can’t they see here that when you forbid people from things it makes it more appealing?
When things like drinking and lottery tickets are within reach it takes away the appeal.
I don’t understand their reasoning.
What I don’t understand is why the paper would even mention that the church had a hand in the legislation, unless they’re just trying to piss people off. And doesn’t the LDS Church own many, many businesses? This is why I would completely support taxing profit-generating businesses owned by churches, but again, separation of church and state.
I’m not commenting on your post but had to tell you about a bizarre dream I had concerning you! You called me up and I was telling you how I was thinking of you and hoped you were healing quickly. You were trying to get me to help you – apparently you were held captive in some other country and couldn’t get out and needed me to make a few phone calls to help. I somehow got you out, but when you found me, you didn’t thank me, but were trying to promote your new beauty product line.
It was one of those ‘right before you wake up subconscious purging dreams’.
I know what you mean about carrying a flask. I drink less now that I don’t live there, probably for a variety of reasons including I can go buy a bottle of wine (COLD) on Sunday if I WANT TO. So there.
There is no separation of church and state in Utah. Someone should sue. Except it wouldn’t make it out of the state legal system.
Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God that I don’t have to put up with that whack anymore.
But you can buy beer in Albertson’s right? Or is that not the case? (no pun intended). It does seem like there should be more division.
P.S. congrats on the vanity domain. Blogging lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvPugOWeZiA
If anything makes the world go ’round it is money and Satan/Bullet proof bras and panties!
Two good friends just moved to SF from Salt Lake City and I’ve heard such odd/interesting stories. One complaint I hear is the one which you’re addressing. …odd rules around drink! …and, from what I’ve been told, drinks are really watered down at bars/clubs.
Come back to GayTown, Pants!
Wow. I could not survive in Utah.