Free the Hops


Diary

By scoop
Posted on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 6:48 PM EST

This is an example of a diary entry, but it hopefully has some useful content.   Free the Hops is a great example of the "low hanging fruit" that Libertarians need to be better about finding.

Over the past several months I've gotten more familiar with an Alabama activist organization called Free the Hops.    While the specific issue at hand is only relevant a few places -- those states with similarly or more restrictive beer laws than AL, such at Utah -- the organization is an example of how we need to be reaching out to like-minded folks.

From their site:

Alabama is one of only three states in the country that limits alcohol by volume (ABV) for beer to only 6%, and the only  state that limits beer containers to a size of no more than 1 pint (16 American ounces).

As statewide Prohibition came to end in Alabama, the only politically viable avenue open to those who wanted the sale of alcohol to once again be legal in the state was to place heavy restrictions on that sale. What, when, where, and how alcohol could be sold were all strictly controlled by the legislation which legalized alcohol sales in Alabama--four years after National Prohibition was repealed.

At any rate, now we're one of the least free states in this regard, which is sad but represents a great opportunity for Libertarians to take a stand for a "slam dunk" issue.   (Slam dunk not because the laws are easy to change -- so far the repeal efforts have run aground -- but because it ought to be a slam dunk for beer advocates to get Libertarians on their side!)

I plan to reach out to FtH, with the idea that it's a win-win.   Maybe we get to know freedom-minded people who are ready to join a broader political movement.   Maybe not.   But in any case, the WORST that can happen is that we collaborate with people on an issue where they really do deserve our assistance.

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Poll

Free the hops?
Yes, free the hops
No, the Nanny State needs to keep me sober. At least reasonably so.
I don't care. I don't live in Alabama.

Votes: 2
Results | Other Polls

Related Links

+ Free the Hops
+ scoop's Diary