Category Archives: Alcohol

Nothing silly or embarrassing about Utah’s liquor laws

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

Tweet With what can only be described as noble indifference – the new political posture of politically correct and “tolerant” Republicans – many otherwise thoughtful Utahns have gone just plain goofy over Utah liquor laws, especially the “Zion Curtain.” Whenever … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Children and the culture of drinking

Posted on April 12, 2013 by

Tweet In the recently concluded legislative session, a bill was introduced and passed by the Utah House of Representatives on a 63-11 vote that would have done away with the so-called “Zion Curtain.” Wisely, the Senate stopped such poor public … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

‘Zion Curtain’ is a matter of culture

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Tweet The following post is a transcript of a 4-minute weekly radio commentary aired on several Utah radio stations: If you were to take a tour of my home, you would immediately notice the symbols of my family’s culture. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Large sodas, liquor and a free society

Posted on March 13, 2013 by

Tweet The following post is a transcript of a 4-minute weekly radio commentary aired on several Utah radio stations: If you’ve ever searched for an infamous example of government overreaching its proper bounds, you need look no further than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Limited Government | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

We regulate alcohol to protect innocent lives

Posted on September 10, 2012 by

Tweet We often hear the question, “Why does Utah regulate and restrict the ability to sell and purchase alcoholic drinks so much?” A practical answer to that question, based on empirical research and analysis, is because doing so is good for … Continue reading →

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Research backs up Utah’s alcohol laws, part 2: CDC recommendations

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

Tweet   It turns out Utah’s “backward” alcohol laws are not so backward – they’re right in line with recommendations issued by a task force newly formed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the fall, … Continue reading →

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Drug legalization and ‘victimless crimes’

Posted on December 22, 2011 by

Tweet   Before I’m willing to sit down and discuss innovative ways we can reform the criminalization of drugs (and any related alcohol issues in Utah), I need to make clear a fundamental perspective about human action and free will … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Drugs | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Hanging out with the ‘legalize it’ crowd

Posted on November 8, 2011 by

Tweet   “I’m surprised you’re here … actually, I’m shocked,” was the candid response when I bumped into David Nott, president of the Reason Foundation, last week at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Los Angeles. (Actually, it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Drugs | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Research backs up Utah’s alcohol laws

Posted on October 31, 2011 by

Tweet   Recently, a colleague of mine wrote a blog post about the flaws in the thinking of a group that opposes one of Utah’s alcohol laws. That blog post started an interesting dialogue on our comment board about whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Looser alcohol laws: a losing proposition

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

Tweet   Take a moment and go through a quick thought experiment with me. Let’s say the Utah Association of Snake Oil Businesses came to your community and asked that you loosen regulations on selling legal forms of snake oil. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Regulation | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

So what was the DABC drinking, anyway?

Posted on October 20, 2011 by

Tweet   If recent media reports surrounding the performance of the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) have left you scratching your head, you’re not alone. Information from the media over the past few months has ranged from singing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Ethics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Confused Mormons whine about ‘Zion curtain’

Posted on September 2, 2011 by

Tweet   A new Facebook group has popped up: Utah Mormons Against the Zion Curtain. The “Zion curtain” is what Utah’s pro-liquor lobby – and now, it seems, confused Latter-day Saints – calls the physical partition in some eating establishments … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Religion | Tagged , , , | 50 Comments

Utah tax dollars used to treat drunken drivers

Posted on May 24, 2011 by

Tweet By law, DUI offenders in Utah must complete an assessment to determine whether they need substance abuse treatment. In many cases, Assessment & Referral Services (ARS) at the University of Utah provides this evaluation free of charge, at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Personal Responsibility, Welfare | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Is this really a $40 million problem?

Posted on May 23, 2011 by

Tweet The Salt Lake Tribune reported yesterday that Salt Lake County is considering building a “‘community corrections center’ designed to help convicted wrongdoers who wrestle with drug addictions or mental health problems break free from their criminal past,” a kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Budget, Criminal Justice, Drugs | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Fighting Addiction: The Individual, Family, Community and Government

Posted on May 3, 2011 by

Tweet A recent tragedy in my extended family has spurred some thoughts regarding addiction. A relative of ours overdosed on drugs. It’s not clear whether it was intentional or if it was a “hot” batch of drugs that took his … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Family, Personal Responsibility | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments