The Standard-Examiner Proposes Treating Tourists as Grownups

Even Don Porter would appreciate a quick "pop" now and then, we guess

Three cheers for the Standard-Examiner for today's editorial, entitled, "Liquor laws up for reform." Here's the lede:

When you think about it, it's sort of amazing it's taken this long to have a serious discussion about Utah doing away with its peculiar liquor laws -- especially the private club rules.
But that's exactly what's happening. Gov. Jon Huntsman has thrown his full support behind the Utah Hospitality Association's effort to do away with the statute that requires patrons at liquor-serving Utah taverns to be members of a private club before being served. This involves filling out paperwork and paying a fee to join before being allowed to buy a drink. Or, "guests" must be "sponsored" by current members and pay a fee to have a drink on a temporary basis.
It's theater of the absurd -- squared -- and has always been. Tourists are turned off, and the practice has long branded the Beehive State as a backwater for casual imbibers. Adults could always get a drink, but the cumbersome process guaranteed irritation.

It's time, we think, that Utahns ceased being perceived by tourists and imbibing state residents as "the Amish with more money."

And what say you, gentle readers?