Comments on: Booze Chief Sensitive To LDS Polygamy

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:18:37 +0000

The State of Idaho has no business regulating alcoholic beverages in any way. Same goes for cities and counties.

By: Karen Ragland

Karen Ragland — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:07:33 +0000

Ya just gotta love Mormons. I suggest a Geneology Gin. It can be put on the shelf beside the Five Wives vodka.

By: bikeboy

bikeboy — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:50:07 +0000

I see that now the 5 Wives guy (the distiller down Utah way) is threatening to sue the state because his rights to free expression have supposedly been violated.

While the notion of a lawsuit is ludicrous, he should thank his lucky stars for all this free publicity.

(He also said his “vodka” is made from wheat and corn. No spuds. So even if it was sold in the state-run liquor store, I’d hope people in the Famous Potato State would choose authentic potato vodka instead!)

By: Ronnie

Ronnie — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:21:32 +0000

JJ, You are probably right. But whatever their reasoning I feel their actions are misguided. Whether through political correctness, ignorance or prejudice doesn’t matter. It’s important we give them the feedback they so obviously require.
I also sent an email to his boss Jeff.Anderson@liquor.idaho.gov

By: JJ

JJ — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:59:22 +0000

Keep in mind Ronnie that the state employee assumed mormons would be offended, there have been mormon posts on this and Idaho Statesman in favor of the beverage.

What I think we have here is a case of a state employee, encouraged by a government system, to be overly politicaly correct.

Good intentions gone a bit over-board.

By: Ronnie

Ronnie — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:52:54 +0000

My letter to the Deputy Director Procurement,Distribution & Retail
howard.wasserstein@liquor.idaho.gov
Mr Wasserstein,

As an Idahoan, I find your rejection of 5 Wives Vodka to be offensive. The country sees this kind of stuff and Idaho once again becomes the backward state.

5 Wives Vodka is a fine regional product that a prominent segment of our population would be proud to have on our shelves.

By: Ronnie

Ronnie — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:35:13 +0000

An obvious case of state sponsored censorship of free speech. If the Mormons are so F-ing offended maybe they should stay out of the liquor stores.

Look for Ustick Brewing’s next brew either “Moroni’s golden pale ale” or “Mountain Meadow Massacre IPA”

By: JJ

JJ — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:20:02 +0000

Yes we should privatize liquor sales in Idaho, there is no argument other than lucrative economics for the state to run alcohol sales.

Last time I was in Vegas (for a bible study conference) Costco was selling liquor for about half what it sells for in Idaho (on a per ounce basis for buying in bulk the costco way) plus Costco had highly ranked store brands of Vodka and Tequila.

Google Grey Goose Costco lawsuit, a lot of controversy that the Costco Kirkland Vodka is made by the same manufacturer of Grey Goose (Same plant, same equipment, same water source, same process, but a slight change in formula to legally differentiate) but sold for about half the cost.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:19:44 +0000

Polygamy is very common in the world, just look at the President’s family. Perhaps we Americans are not tolerant enough.

Perhaps this is not about the label/name and more about a lobby effort which fell short? More sniffing and digging please!

By: bikeboy

bikeboy — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:25:18 +0000

I’m a practicing “Mormon” – my 2 cents:
– I’m not offended by liquor in general, although I don’t imbibe. I AM offended when people get liquored up and hurt other people… happens all the time.
– I’m amused about the “5 Wives” brand. Never would’ve even known about it, if it weren’t for the “controversy.” Can you imagine the nagging if some guy with five wives was sittin’ around drinkin’ vodka?

For the record – although polygamy is indeed part of Mormon history and lore, it has been grounds for excommunication for more than 100 years. (Offshoots of the Mormon Church still practice it.)

Some might be offended by a brand name. We choose to be offended; some folks’ primary mission in life seems to be taking offense at as many things as possible. I feel bad for them.