Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Crusaders in the legislative branch...

Laws that are "Anti-" something are usually written by people who hate or fear that something, and are therefore clueless about it. This leads to the classic example of laws that criminalize bayonet lugs and shoulder things that go up, and which specifically ban the AR-15 by name, but make no mention of the XM-15...

It would therefore not surprise me to find out that Pennsylvania's liquor laws were written by some Carrie Nation type who had never run a business more complicated than a lemonade stand. How else to explain this tidbit from Sebastian?
There is even a Mexican restaurant I know in the area that gives out margaritas as a scheme for filling tables. If you do not have a liquor license as a restaurant, it’s perfectly lawful in Pennsylvania to give liquor away. You only need a license to sell it.
Come to think of it, this theory goes a long way towards explaining the prudery exhibited in some of the bedroom regulatory legislation out there.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

At the NRA convention, at the Firearms Law seminar, buying a beer involved three people: a cashier who took my money and gave me a ticket, an assistant bartender who opened the beer after I ordered, and a bartender who handed me the beer for my ticket.

Shootin' Buddy

Ann said...

Personally, I don't mind being protected from the bedroom thing which goes up.

kerrys said...

In Pennsylvania you can buy liquor at the state liquor store, but no beer. To buy beer you have to go to the beer store. At the beer store the smallest quantity you can buy is a case. If you want a six pack you have to go to a bar that sells six packs.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I get the feeling that our elected leaders aren't actually the best and brightest.

DaddyBear said...

I've come to the point that when someone in the media or politics comes out at against something, I'm at least curious about finding out what 'it' really is.

And remember, most of these laws are in place because some people just can't stand the thought of people enjoying their lives with it being a pain in the rear. They lay awake at night fretting that somewhere, someone is having fun and not feeling guilty for it.

Robert said...

When visiting PA to see some friends, we wanted to buy a bottle of wine to have with dinner.

I eventually gave up and drove south into Maryland to get the wine, then drove back.

SpeakerTweaker said...

Tam, this same thing occurs in TX. I went to a new restaurant (a chain that had not yet obtained their booze license). When I got to checkout, the manager told me that I could not buy beer there because they don't have a license. He then gave me a beer, because no license is required to do so.

Also, Ann? AAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!



tweaker

Ken said...

Make your own. Wine's easier than beer, albeit slower.

Shrimp said...

PA is a state that relishes the fact that they are at least ten years behind everyone else in everything except raising taxes and loss of freedoms.

When practically every other state in the union raised their speed limit to 65 (or higher), PA erected signs at the borders informing drivers that the speed limit was still only 55, and they were proud of themselves for staying on the .gov highway funds dole.

I left in '96, and don't miss the humidity, the bugs, the inane liquor laws, the endless 40 MPH construction zones or the potholes.

Just My 2¢ said...

When I was in college in PA in the late 1970's, my driver's license was paper. My PA Liquor Control Board LCB) card was a laminated photo ID. Think about the priorities. Bars could refuse any ID except the LCB card, a US passport, or a military ID.

I'm glad I live in a state that doesn't meddle in my ability to buy microbrew beer or the bottle of wine that I like. God bless Wyoming and keep her free!

Stuart the Viking said...

Ann: "Personally, I don't mind being protected from the bedroom thing which goes up."

Yes, but would you really want the gov to outlaw them?

Well, I guess if we can't make any more children, then all the children will be safe (at least once the ones we already have grow up). Guess it makes sense if you don't think about it.

s

Fuzzy Curmudgeon said...

Free margaritas?

Gee. And here I thought the balloon animal guy at Applebees was a great idea to bring traffic in.

wv: goyped. A moped for non-Jews.

Spud said...

Ah, but If one were to include the mention of Marijuana ?
Most likely you'd get a fundamentalist taliban type reaction.
When in fact the effects are quite similar if not more benign than alcohol. Wonder why this is...

Propaganda and control

Lobbyists and big business

We are a nation of hypocrites

Tam said...

Spud,

Sure about that, are we?

Spud said...

Not really,

Jes throwin grenades lol