I never cease to be amazed by the odd little rules around the drink that are laying around waiting to trip people up:
A constitutional battle is brewing over a holiday beer that state officials are trying to ban because they say its label might entice children to drink. The state believes it would be really awful for kids to see the label on the British import Seriously Bad Elf. It shows a mean-looking elf with a slingshot firing Christmas ornaments at Santa's sleigh as it flies overhead. State liquor regulations bar alcohol advertising with images that might appeal to children. The regulations specifically mention Santa...Shelton has enlisted the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut and demanded a hearing before the Liquor Control Commission. At that hearing this week, ACLU attorney Annette Lamoreaux argued that the regulation has serious constitutional flaws. Not only does it violate Shelton's free speech rights, she said, but protecting Santa Claus is a violation of the Constitution's establishment clause, which prohibits government endorsement or disapproval of religion.Errr...and exactly what "religion" is Santa part of? Maybe some sort of cult of an obscure Norwegian backwater. No never mind. Connecticut stands tall saving the youth of the state from the temptation of beer labelling and protecting their faith in Santa!






Comments
Knut - October 29, 2005 7:34 pm
Obscure Norwegian backwater, eh? I think we'll support the Danes on the Hans Island issue!
Alan - October 29, 2005 8:17 pm
I wasn't saying Norway was a backwater but there must be the boonies even in Norway.
Alan - November 8, 2005 7:52 pm
Sanity reigns:<blockquote class="smalltext">Connecticut residents will be able to toast to their health this holiday season with a bottle of Seriously Bad Elf. The state Department of Consumer Protection announced Tuesday it would approve the sale of Seriously Bad Elf ale in Connecticut despite earlier concerns that the beer's label might appeal to children. The department determined that although state regulations bar alcohol advertising with images that might entice kids, including images associated with Santa Claus, the regulations do not apply to beer labels.</blockquote>
Knut - November 9, 2005 6:40 am
They have banned Christmas Delirium over here, as beer is not supposed to be fun. Or something.