Open Letter to MADD On Their Fear of Zombie Alcohol Kids
AN OPEN LETTER TO MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING FROM AMERICA:
Dear Mothers Against Drunk Driving:
First, thank you for all you do.
Second, can we agree that at this moment Americans don’t need any more monsters (imaginary or real) with which to be concerned? Can we agree that at this moment the Fear Quotient that Americans are forced to confront has risen to levels not seen in decades and that there probably isn’t any room in our hearts and minds to welcome one more fear (real or imagined)?
With this in mind, you might want to put a pin in your campaign to try to scare the hell out of Americans (and Kentuckians in particular) with your claim that the new bill that will allow direct shipment of beer, wine and spirits from out-of-state will cause havoc in Kentucky and create an army of Zombie Alcohol Kids. In particular, I’m thinking about this statement from Lois Windhorst, your compatriot in Kentucky:
“Frankfort is rushing to make it easier for potentially untracked and unlicensed alcohol to be shipped into our communities under the guise of consumer convenience at the same time when our capacity to manage the public health and safety risks associated with these products is diminished…A Kentuckian can order, every month, from every individual producer, up to 10 liters of spirits, 10 cases of wine, and 10 cases of beer. While those may not seem like huge amounts by themselves, understand that each individual manufacturer can ship more than two-and-a-half gallons of hard liquor, 23 gallons of wine and 22 gallons of beer, every month, to any consumer…Considering that there are thousands of manufacturers across the country, it stands to reason Kentucky communities could be drowning in alcohol. These volume limits, combined with the lack of critical oversight provided by carrier reporting, make one thing abundantly clear: If passed, this bill will make it easier for minors to access alcohol and particularly the most dangerous kind for their cohort – hard liquor.”
As everyone in the country is shutting themselves in their homes and taking protective measures from the recently emerged CoronaMonster, MADD’s attempt to return our attention to its Fever Dream creature known as the “Minor-Buying-Wine-Online Monster” probably isn’t going to work. And if it does work and causes some Kentuckians to despair even further, to fear even further, you must know that it’s a fear without any reasonable basis in reality.
You may have noticed that more than 80% of the other states allow direct shipment of alcohol and have done so for decades and in not a single state have we seen the “Minor-Buying-Wine-Online Monster” attack the children in those states.
So, again, with respect and with an appreciation for your previous work, I wonder if you might consider postponing the unfounded scary monster tactics, at least until the real scary monster has been chased back into the sea and the villagers can emerge from their homes. Then, if you still want to draw scary pictures, point to imaginary monsters, or warn of the invasion of Alcohol Zombie Kids overrunning our communities, please have at it.
Sincerely,
America.
Tom,
Where is that photo from. Is it one the Kentucky MADD people are actually using?
There is nothing in this post that “stands to reason.”
With Mitch McConnell as a Senator in his sixth term, the citizens from Kentucky have been acting like zombies for a long time…
Mr. Wark,
Thank you for highlighting this. As a Kentucky resident, I am continually confounded as to how a State (Commonwealth) with its roots firmly planted in the alcohol trade is so quick to place barriers. But then I remember the politicians pockets being lined by the distributors. That ‘smack in the face’ of reality brings me back to my senses.
Then, we have this tirad by someone I’d argue is not really fear mongering, but is more so, just plain ignorant.
Let’s think this through from the mind of a say, a person less than 21 years old. I was a kid once and under 21 once, so I speak from some first hand experience:
1) Most kids don’t plan, in advance, to order alcohol. It’s a spur of the moment, instant need. So why would I be ordering alcohol in the first place.
2) Most kids will be opportunistic and will pilfer the parents stash before looking elsewhere. Easy opportunity and it’s easy to add water to a bottle of hard liquor (since that seems to be Ms. Windhorst’s major concern) and ‘top the bottle off.’ (note: I NEVER did that… :))
3) Rarely will a kid, under the age of 18, have a credit card to enable them to even buy alcohol. Sure, I guess they could take cash to the store and buy a pre-paid visa/MC and use that. But again, we’re expecting our kids to be this planful.
4) So then let’s say that I pull off the miracle and order my alcohol, now when it arrives, I need a 21+ aged person to sign for it. Yes, I know the argument, that they can get a friend to sign for it. Well, then couldn’t they just get that same friend to buy the alcohol locally for them? The other argument is that the common carriers don’t check ID. Well, sometimes stores don’t check ID either and yes, that is a problem, but we are also assuming that multiple planful hoops have been jumped through by a devious under age kid.
On the wine front, specifically, I don’t think there are many people, under 21, that are out to order wine for the sake of underage drinking. It’s most often cost prohibitive if you are out for merely getting drunk (not the bang for the buck).
This whole thing is such a joke and they keep rehashing the same red herrings.
Bill–
Thanks for chiming in with your observations. They are too correct.
FedEx and the other carriers will deliver wine, and they make the same lame excuses for a 21 and over signature. But please consider that demanding a signature COSTS the shipper an additional $3.50-4.50 per parcel.
Imagine what a great boost to revenue that is for an additional 20 seconds of a driver’s time. And if they have to return for a second delivery, that is another 40 seconds for the extra trip and walk to the door.
Profit is driving that support for boneheaded policy.
And on a general note, Kentuckhy is unfortunately one of the poorest states. Because it is dominated by Republican politicians like McConnell, who did not allow an expansion of Medicare to citizens sorely in need there.
People are dying because of decisions like these driven by spite, profit and political donations.
Kentucky is also one of those states that receives more from the Federal government than it receives. I am fine with that because the people really need the assistance. Too bad McConnell and others do not support their constituents.
More of Republican intellectual dishonesty,
Good news is that HB 415 finally passed the Senate and is on Governor Beshear’s desk. He’s got a lot going on right now, but I’m hopeful this bill is signed into law shortly!
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/20rs/hb415.html#amendments
Jim –
I’m a ‘mostly’ reasonably guy. I don’t mind having to pay for the signature. I do feel that it is mostly unnecessary, but if it provides needed peace of mind, I’m OK with that.
McConnell is a walking train wreck. Talks out both sides of his chins constantly. Hope McGrath can get him out on November!
Thank you! Absolutely agree, and in fact making wine/beer/liquor the forbidden fruit, it does not allow growing adolescents to develop a normal healthy relationship with adult beverages. In France, booze is no big deal for the kids because it’s around everywhere and therefore not a novelty.
Mary–
Significant research was conducted on binge drinking in college across many campuses. The findings showed without doubt that college students who were raised in a home where their parents enjoyed alcohol responsibly. did not binge drink or drink to getr drunk as much as students who came from non-drinking homes.
The allure of alcohol was mostly that it was forbidden and off limits to them was undeniable, leading them to dangerous practices. The college age deaths from alcohol poisoning are still being recorded, especially in the fall, when fraternities engage in alcohol related hazing.
It’s another tragic story of how our culture gets things so wrong sometimes. The puritanical spirit has unintended consequences.,
Good News in Kentucky, wineries & Retailers can ship direct now! House Bill 415:
Last Action 04/08/20: became law without Governor’s Signature
Kentucky can now have Wine shipped direct to consumers!
Bill,
No retailers included in this bill. They were originally, but were stripped out of the bill. the language reads this way:
A direct shipper license shall authorize the holder to ship alcoholic beverages toconsumers. The department shall issue a direct shipper license to a successfulapplicant that:(a) Is a manufacturer located in this state or any other state or an alcoholicbeverage supplier licensed under KRS 243.212 or 243.215. A manufacturerapplicant shall:1. Hold a current license, permit, or other authorization to manufacturealcoholic beverages in the state where the manufacturer is located”
Tom – You’re right. I was looking at the original bill. I had both open side by side. Progress. At least I can have my Shafer shipped to me and get back on the Nickel and Nickel club! I have Total Wine here, so they cover pretty well. I wonder if they would be able to ship between stores now. Hmmmm….
Tom – Curious on your thoughts. Do you think that the Kentucky bill meets the underlying ‘directive’ of the TN case that started this massive change? If I recall correctly, that challenge in TN was about retailers, specifically (Total Wine). Since the KY bill does not address retailers (excludes them, actually), would there be potential legal ramifications to challenge the KY law, even further?