Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
The time for nonsense alcohol regulations is over. It’s done. If the American alcohol industry is going to get back on its feet and flourish after the unprecedented economic downturn caused by the shutdown of commercial activity then things are going to need to change. Flourishing commerce in alcohol must be the aim and deregulation of the alcohol industry is really the only way to achieve that aim quickly. REMOVE THE STATE-MANDATED MIDDLEMAN The one regulation that harms the alcohol…
Today marks the 86th anniversary of the official Repeal of Prohibition—that 13 year period during which it was illegal to produce and consumer alcohol in the United States of America. It was this constitutional measure that turned the first few years of the Great Depression into the Great Dystopia. Nevertheless, today we are free still, after 86 years, to consume our favorite beverage. One thing, however, of real interest to me was the spin that different folks put on #RepealDay….
It’s been seven months since Kathy, Henry and I carried ourselves out of Napa and up to The-Great-State-of-Oregon (I’m told that’s the correct pronunciation). I am still regularly questioned in emails and otherwise as to how we like it up here and how it’s going. Here’s my impression. The Wine Industry There’s very serious winemaking going on in these parts and there have been for some time. One interesting thing is that despite the centrality of Oregon winemaking being here…
There is a political spectrum within the alcohol industry. However, it’s not much like the ideological extremes of American political culture. The American polity is divided; polarized in a way I can’t recall before. It’s as though the electorate will root for their team, no matter how absurd or radical the deeds, desires or words attributed to the leadership of their tribe. The middle of the American political spectrum is a wasteland—a bowed middle and top-heavy on the ends. While…
Why in the past 100 years have we never witnessed a breakdown or a safety-related tragedy related to Santa’s sleigh? There’s a reason. And I’m here to admit I’ve continually downplayed the real circumstances that have kept that sleigh in the air and children smiling: America’s Three Tier System of alcohol distribution Today I was finally and embarrassingly brought to my senses and shown the error of my ways. My long, myopic and misplaced disdain for the Three Tier System…
