And the Republican Party still can’t figure out why they keep losing elections…
For some time, the national libertarian community has been paying attention to the Free the Hops movement in Alabama. A brief overview provides:
Of the Top 100 beers of the World at BeerAdvocate.com, a renowned beer review site, 98 cannot be sold in this state. Why is our choice so limited?
Currently, 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 ounces).
Free The Hops drafted the Gourmet Beer Bill to modify existing laws to allow more specialty and gourmet beers in Alabama. Specifically, the Gourmet Beer Bill would raise the limit on ABV in beer to just below that of wine. Free The Hops presented the Gourmet Beer Bill to the Alabama Legislature in 2006 and 2007 and has presented it again for 2008.
Right now, the bill is being held up by one authoritarian imbecile in the State Senate. Here’s the scoop:
Republican State Senator Hank Erwin has been an outspoken opponent of this bill. Instead of letting it go to a vote, he places his moral code above the legislative process. Erwin has been filibustering the bill and plans to continue until this legislative season ends.
Erwin’s strange views on morality have already placed him in the national spotlight.
“New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have always been known for gambling, sin and wickedness,” wrote Erwin about why Hurricane Katrina hit. “It is the kind of behavior that ultimately brings the judgment of God.”
According to stories I’m hearing today, Senator Morality doesn’t mind breaking his word when it gives him political leverage. Two reliable sources close to the Free the Hops effort have relayed pretty much the same story to me. According to them, a Free the Hops lobbyist approached Erwin about not filibustering the bill. Erwin had a gun rights bill he was pushing and a deal was cut: Erwin wouldn’t filibuster the gourmet beer bill if the lobbyist would support the gun bill.
As I hear it, the lobbyist did push hard for the gun bill, but it failed anyway. Now Erwin isn’t holding up to his end of the bargain.
Not that I’m suggesting that anyone give Senator Erwin a call at his home number of (205) 620-0116 or pop him an e-mail at [email protected], but I just did. While I’m still riled up over the issue, I do feel a bit calmer after completing the call.
Erwin is such a joke that I reserved a special place for him in my recent lineup of dumbass Alabama politicians. However, the joke could be on Alabama, as Erwin has recently announced his intention to run for Lt. Governor in 2010. I don’t think he’ll win, as I know too many Republicans who’d cross party lines to vote against him. This video clearly indicates how loved he is even in his home district.
Photo courtesy of The Birmingham Free Press
