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Most Salt Lakers want to loosen liquor laws; so do 2 candidates
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With respect to drinking laws, yes, I want us to be like other cities.. So you are saying by loosening the drinking laws, we will somehow lose our identity?
The laws are being set by religious beliefs.
Say hello to the 21st century Utah and come out of the dark ages. People who enjoy alcohol in moderation are not bad people contrary to what some or most of you non drinkers believe. Get a CLUE!!!
If only we could go back to the times when non-Mormons were so tolerant of our religion and way of life. You know, like in Kirtland...no, that's not it. Oh, I know! Jackson County Missouri...nope, not there either. Oh, uh, Nauvoo! No, not there. Oh wait, there has NEVER been a time in history when non-Mormons have been tolerant to the church...
And now that there is a non-Mormon majority in SLC, the games begin again. That's all fine, but don't try to mask reducing the church's influence with the lame "bridging the divide" argument. Lame.
The Word of Wisdom gives direction on how to live healthy lives, it does not say coffee and tea and liquor and tobacco are all evil.
Alcohol in moderation was talked about in old works, and Joe took it a step further.
A density of bars would reduce drunk driving. Bars would be able to be located in areas near Trax stations, reducing it even further.
Conflict is always going to be there. People do stupid and inconsiderate things. We can reduce the problems though. Locating bars nearer one another can do very little wrong, but can add significant nightlife to a few areas in the city while reducing drunk driving.
I hope when you read this it sounds as stupid and ignorant as some of the previous statements written from the opposite perspective - Salt Lake is home to many people different people, not just LDS people. If LDS people have a problem with that then they can just go somewhere else.
"Gentiles" are not asking Mormons to lower their standards. Do you see them saying you should have to drink? Non-mormons are asking that they be allowed a little more freedom to do what is LEGAL, and allowed in most other states.
I love how the MMM isn't supposed to be brought up since it's in the church's past, along with polygamy, but you bring those times up and expect modern-day people to care?
If you want "gentiles" as you call them to be tolerant of your religion and ideals, it must be a 2-way street. Utah, especially SLC, is not Mormon, they are NOT the majority anymore. Learn to live together.
To Bob H: You wrote: Make them miserable so that type of a person won't want to stay here and we can live a safer life because of it.
I am willing to bet that you have never had a drop of alcohol in your life. You (you and whoever your friends are: because you would never associate with "that type of person") have no right to judge those who decide to drink responsibly. I am willing to bet that many of the people who are judgmental of those who drink alcohol have a) never had a drink before and b) have never lived outside of Utah or Idaho.
As someone who just moved here from New Hampshire--one of the most quaint and beautiful states--I am appalled by the elitist attitude of people like you, Bob H. I bet you didn't know that NH consumes the most alcohol per capita in the US and that it also has one of the lowest crime rates over HALF of your beloved Utah in property crime. Do a search for per capita alcohol consumption and per capita crime rate in google�you can�t put urls in here.
You need to travel to other cities, or even live there, and realize that having 20 bars in a square mile area LEADS TO A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN SCENE! Go to Burlington VT and check out their downtown scene. Go to Portland ME. I feel much safer walking the streets there then I do here.
As for the post claiming that you don�t need alcohol to have a good time: you�re right. You don�t need alcohol if you want to go dancing, or sit around and talk with friends with a nice virgin daiquiri in front of you. A vibrant downtown usually is involved with a) things to do, b) places to go, and c) a younger crowd. As far as I can tell, not many young people are going to go to the Zoo (which isn�t downtown) or the museum (how much does that cost) or the opera (not many young peoples cup of tea). They will probably go to a bar though (unless they are mormons). If you don�t like it, move to Bountiful or Toelle�But I�m going to guess you don�t live in Salt Lake City proper anyways unless you live in the mansions above the avenues.
As far as people from out of town thinking our laws are strange goes, I don't care, at least it gives me somthing to talk to them about.
Bars are all about small talk, and strange laws make for great small talk. For example did you know a Tremonton, Utah law states that no woman is allowed to have sex with a man while riding in an ambulance? In addition to normal charges, the woman's name will be published in the local newspaper.The man does not receive any punishment. And you thought drunk driving was dangerous?
The whole point of democracy is not simply "majority rules", but the jealous and vigorous protection of the MINORITY. I am genuineley disappointed at the reaction in this forum of the "majority". Kudos to those of you who recognise that it is Satan's plan to force morality upon the masses.
Oh, and go read the part of the Constitution called the 19th Amendment. Prohibition does not work, even "soft prohibition". What we currently have in this state is a communistic public takeover of an entire industry. We rightfully call Hugo Chavez a tyrant for doing the same.
Texas has the same religious zealot, cultists as Utah. Just not as bad because the so-called Gentiles keep them in check. Gambling is the issue here. Drinking is controlled by county. So one can drive drunk coming back from the neighboring county line that sells the Devils brew miles away instead of at the local bar. Brillant.
Great post.
It's really amazing how some mormons (especially those who were raised here and have never been in a bar or club) view those who drink socially. People who drink are not immoral, reckless heathens who will inevitably do bad things and harm others. Nor do people who drink do so only to get drunk. Those who imbibe are normal people who simply want something that resembles a thriving nightlife downtown. And believe it or not our liquor laws do collectively undercut the nightlife here.
If the MAJORITY of SLC residents want fair alcohol laws and even the eventual mayor wants that then no lawmaker from outside of SLC should have the means to stop it.
HA-HA LOL that is the funniest quote I have ever read...I seriously think that deserves the quote of the year award...Very Nice Sacto...very nice!
Burn-
I wonder what the favorable percentage would have been if the question had mentioned that both Ralph Becker AND Dave Buhler favor more progressive laws that would allow more bars per block and make it easier for tourists to "get a drink" in SLC. Probably another 5-10% in the "favor" column would be my guess.
I heard a study that stated that young people sometimes just want to buy liquor to make a statement. In some other countries the allure isn't as much there because it's used for special occasions and dinners (of course not exclusively), but still I don't think it's as much of an issue. If the example was there for alcohol to be used sparingly (for cooking or special occasions) I would guess it wouldn't be as much of a problem. Prohibition was an example of going too far with alchol control and didn't work at all. Possibly, we're going too close to that.
Which by the way banned the production of alcohol not the consumption.
Seriously yes many people can drink and do so responsibly. That having been said many people DO NOT drink responsibily. I am of the opinion that if you never open the door then there's no chance of coming in. Likewise if you don't drink there is a zero chance that you will do something foolish.
Drinking should be banned for the weakest of the weak of them that can be called Citizens of the US. Or in other words, just because you can drink responsibly how about you stop drinking and support a ban of drinking to help those that CAN NOT , WILL NOT and DO NOT drink responsibly.
Is it too much to ask yall to give up something that hurts you and has the potential to make you hurt others physically,emotionally etc?
I don't think so.
That having been said- I am very saddened that Buhler would want to loosen Liquor laws.
It doesn't hurt me. And it will only make me hurt others if I give my own power and control over to it, just like prescription drugs can do to a person.
Listen, no, I will not support such a ban because, once again, prohibition would happen (and probably this time be much worse), and you can't control the morons out there who screw this type of stuff up. Great, take away their booze, but there are plenty of other things they can take, are you going to outlaw those? Painkillers, antidepressants, even MOUTHWASH? The problem is with the individual.
Plus having a nice cold beer or glass of wine after a bad day at work or with some old friends is a great part of my life. I refuse to let you take it away from me. Want me to take away your hot cocoa and jello salads?
There is no redeeming benefit to drinking, none.
If you need booze to bolster you personality and increase your "fun", you need a new personality, not more booze.
But maybe we can reach a compromise. If the Mormons want to restrict our right to "evil" alcohol, maybe we can restrict their right to evil overpopulation.
But seriously- not even the Mormon Jesus believes in forcing people to obay the Word of Wisdom. It is simply a recomendation if you were to ever read it and think for yourself.
Salt Lake NEEDS an entertainment district to support the conventioneering business, which puts money/tithing in a lot of Mormon pockets. The currant laws are hampering the development of our city. Most of you clones live in the suburbs where this is of no concearn anyway.
stay here. Why should we worry about what the "rest" of the world or country thinks. Frankly, we have lots of non-LDS friends from outside this country and state visit here and they all have said that they wish their home state or country was more like Utah.
Did ANY of you consider what I said before, about Non-mo's leaving Utah? LDS is no longer the majority and if even half of the residents of Utah left you'd be in SUCH a recession.
Many moving in recently aren't LDS because more and more companies are building offices out here and transferring workers in. This is part of your current "thriving" economy.
It doesn't matter if YOU moved here to get away from "it all," everyone has the right to move to and live wherever they want, just like you do.
If YOU don't like it, and you're all for people having to leave somewhere if they don't like it, why don't YOU move? =)
Some people are going to drink. It's fine if others don't like it. But because some people will drink we need to make laws that work the best for that situation.
Prohibition didn't work and there's no indication that it would work again. People can wish it would work, but that probably will not change.
People will not leave the state of Utah simply so they can have more rights in other states. Maybe a few will, but mostly you will have to live with people who have as many rights as you.
Time will tell if the laws in Utah are more effective at cutting down drinking abuse. As I understand it now, it has not.
Has the church ever had a time in their history of being tolerant? I would submit, that tolerance is not in their teachings.
There is nothing more dividing in Utah than the church. The believers group together and quake at the "imbibers" of alcohol worrying that they will destroy their values. The non-believers worry about if their children will be made fun of because they were not in primary.
Let me ask another question. So if we members are so worried about people who want to drink moving to Vegas, why do we always assign "friendshippers" and missionaries to go over to the homes of the people we want to move to Vegas?
I hope you can share your testimony about this stuff in the next meeting utahkeith. I think your strong testimony of the gospel and that people who drink should move to Vegas will really bring your ward members together. Uplifting them with every fiber of your being.
Not all non-mormons are evil... try making some new friends.
The request above to do it for others is not outrageous. I think it very socially selfish to want to continue in a "habit" that damages your brain and liver among other things and is proven to cause you to have a higher chance of making stupid decisions that may affect others.
Drinking is a self destructive action in slow motion. Some people speed it up by drinking more however. Do your health and wallet a big favor and switch over to water.
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Laws are not set in stone, and if people who belong to a community wish to change them, it can happen. Whether or not you like it, non-mormons are moving into Utah, they are part of your economy (especially right now) and if they were to leave the state Utah would be in more trouble than it already is. These laws would not make more people want to drink, people already do! And most drinkers are moderate and can have just a few drinks and be fine. It's laughable that you say that alcohol and drugs are the root to all evil, especially when spousal abuse and depression are EXTREMELY high in Utah...and most are LDS....