By MPM

February 28, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

We’ll, we see where the priority is; Sonny would rather let people drive drunk and endanger themselves and others than give up the funds that the tickets generate. Not very Christian-sounding.

By Mark

February 28, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t drink, but if it doesn’t endanger highway funding, (and why should it if 34 other states do it) 1 less impaired driver is worth it. Pass it this time.

By KatyWatts

February 28, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

I can appreciate that Gov. Perdue is a Christian who does not drink. However, his views regarding alcohol should not be forced upon those of us who do imbibe. If the bottle is resealed at the restuarant, the open container law doesn’t apply. Read the fine print Mr. Perdue!

By Angela

February 28, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Finally a bill that actually makes sense and applies to me (not a special interest group)! Buying by the bottle is much cheaper than by the glass - it would be nice to take the bottle home. I suggest the resturant/bar place some sort of seal over the top and if you get pulled over by the cops and the seal is broken - busted. No broken seal - no problem.

By Georgia

February 28, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Oh, this makes so much sense. I can now take an opened bottle of wine home with me, but I still can’t purchase alcohol on Sunday. Will I be able to take the opened bottle of wine home on Sunday?

And this is my tax dollars at work?

Welcome to the south. We are only 50 years behind the rest of the nation. And we wonder why Georgia is the laughing stock of the U.S.

By jamie

February 28, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Isn’t this considered open container? We already have strict laws on this subject. I sure don’t like the idea of more dui’s on the road. Especially since I don’t even drink……..what happened to safety first??

By Lore

February 28, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Jamie- Did you read this article at all? Its intended to REDUCE dui’s….people will no longer suck down an entire bottle of wine and then hit the road home in order to feel they got their moneys worth. I hope this passes this time.

By tspec

February 28, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Jamie, I’ll just finish my bottle of wine at the restaurant as opposed to drinking 1 Glass, then I’ll DRIVE home! Sarcasm Intended!

By Tray

February 28, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Jaime, this bill is being passed to reduce the # of DUI’s…if you buy a bottle of wine at a restaurant and can’t take it home, you are going to finish it to get your money’s worth, then get behind a wheel and drive with a bottle of wine in your system. With this bill you can have a glass or two and take it with you, that’s how it is reducing drunk drivers. Also—Georgia had a good thought- can i buy this bottle of wine on Sunday at a restaurant (which is legal) and then take it home?? If that’s the case, then they need to ok Sunday sales, too!

By Greg

February 28, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Jamie, did you even read the article? Let me point some things out to you.

By Eldon

February 28, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

The real reason is that now the criminals with badges will have another reasonable cause to search your car and give you a BAT. Come to Centerville and watch them at work. “Sir, I see an unfinished bottle of wine in your car please step out and walk this line while my partner searches the trunk”

By David

February 28, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

I am a wine drinker but my wife is not. This law would allow me to order a bottle of wine with dinner and have one or two glasses and take the rest home. It makes sense.

Most folks aren’t going to take their half bottle of $75 Chateauneuf du Pape from dinner and start swigging away once they get in the car. However, they might be more inclined to finish the whole bottle before they leave if they can’t take the rest home…

Georgia does have some antiquated laws on the books regarding alcohol and it seems the legislature is finally trying to remedy that. Let’s hope the Governor will go along with them. But I think the comments about Georgia being a laughingstock or backwards are way off-base. Georgia’s a great state and if you think it’s so bad, then, as Lewis Grizzard said, “Delta’s ready when you are.”

By Furman

February 28, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

David I am so glad that you addressed that. I think it is ridiculous to talk about GA being backwards. This is a great state, and Atlanta is a great City. That is not to say that both are not without their faults but if you don’t like it here, please don’t let us keep you please move back from whence you came! I think that this law is a great idea, I also think that the purchase of Alchol on Sunday is a great idea. I don’t see any reason not to pass both of them. But I am not a law maker.

By So

February 28, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Can’t buy liquor on Sunday… but you can go to your favorite restaurant, purchase a bottle of wine, and hit Peachtree Street with a few bottles of Merlot.

Wow.

By shannon

February 28, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

how stupid!

what a great law for all the rich people of georgia!

what if someone is at a bar and doesn’t want to chug their last tall boy? can they take that home with them, too?

is this class based or race based or both?

By Wine-o

February 28, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Shannon - where on earth are you coming from? How does drinking wine put you in a “class” or “race”?

However, I do like your idea about beer? What if I can’t finish that pitcher, and I paid for it? Are they going to put it in a sealed container and let me walk out of there with it? What if I choose to have a gin & tonic? Why is it limited to wine????

By Elliott

February 28, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Shannon, sounds like class envy…. I pity you

By jeff

February 28, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Come on, Shannon - “doesn’t want to chug their last tall boy?”

I can’t recall the last time I saw someone leave a non-empty beer bottle on the bar.

And it’s not class-based - you can have the restaurant reseal your bottle of Boone’s Ferry, too.

By joe

February 28, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Now wait a minute…I’m sure the new law applies to Ripple as well; just not Malt liquor. More interesting is, how is a cop gonna be able to tell if the bottle came from a restaurant & wasn’t purchased at Discount Liquors? A special type seal? And why should alcohol(wine) purchased at a restaurant enjoy “special” treatment in a motor vehicle? I do drink but never while driving; it’s a stupid law. Keep the ban on ALL open containers no matter where they came from.

By tspec

February 28, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

As an African-American Male living in Atlanta, I agree with Shannon, just yesterday a $45 bottle of Merlot called me a racial slur because I didn’t purchase it at dinner with my wife! The nerve of that Racist Bottle of Wine….

Sarcasm Intended :)

By Wine-O

February 28, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Tspec very funny. I bet if it was a $100 bottle of Merlot or maybe a fine cabernet, it wouldn’t have said anything racist……but those cheaper wines, you really gotta watch em….they can get mean……ha ha ha ha… too funny!!!!

By david

February 28, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Let’s repeal open container laws and let this law apply to beer and hard liquor also! Bring back the 60’s and 70’s!

By Ian

February 28, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Georgia has proudly taken the lead in being behind. Yes, some Christians seem to feel drinking is somehow wrong in all cases and found a way to enshrine their odd heterodox beliefs into the law. It is long past time for this law and it is longer past time to relax the Sunday blue laws. My family has been in this state since the late 1700’s and I don’t understand some of these oddities. The rest of the nation must laugh and wonder.

By Eric Weidner

February 28, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

I think this is a terrible law. People should not be allowed to grossly indulge themselves on alcohol, a drug, and then just bottle it up to take home on the public streets. If you can afford the bottle, you can afford to leave it at the restaurant.

By jt

February 28, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

I’m delighted to hear this. I would also like to see the citizens of Georgia be able to order wine from a winery as other states allow their citizens. Wonder if that will ever be allowed…..

For some reason Christians (and I am one) feel the need to force their religious beliefs on others. The Jewish sabbath is Saturday not Sunday and yet we have no law against drinking on Saturday. It would seem to me that Christianity is in charge of the government…and isn’t that against the law?

By Michael Jackson

February 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Right on my homeboy Eric! You and I think alike!

By jt

February 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

To Eric Weidner - so what you’re saying is that because you don’t drink no one else should, right? I kneel in my church, but the Baptists don’t….shouldn’t they be forced to do so since my church does? Southern Baptists believe that dancing is a sin, so shouldn’t it be a law that no one can dance? Quakers believe that they should have no machinery or modern conveniences in the home, so shouldn’t everyone in this country be forced to do as they do?

By Michael Jackson

February 28, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

I agree with Shannon. I am sick of people with money just getting laws made to benifit them. As if they haven’t gotten enough brakes in life already. This is nothing but a class based law. We all know african-americans can’t afford wine.

By jt

February 28, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Shannon - if wine is a high class drink then I’m Royalty!

However, I would encourage you to visit Trader Joe’s where you’ll find a large selection of bottles of wine for $2.49 - hardly a rich man’s drink at that price….

By JOe

February 28, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Eric: who said anyone was “grossly indulging themselves”? Sounds to me like your a Christian just trying to force your beliefs on everyone else.

By JOe

February 28, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Michael Jackson - seems to me you gotten more than your share of “brakes” (seems your lack of education is showing) in life, what with being found not guilty of child molestation.

However, hard work and intelligent investment is hardly a “brake”. Maybe you should get a real job instead of messing around with little boys, then you too can afford $2.49 wine at Trader Joes.

By Lori

February 28, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Go, all you christians who somehow magically make the chapters in the bible where Jesus made wine disappear and say it’s wrong to drink. Wait, maybe my bible is different…

By Michael Jackson

February 28, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Oh, I get it. I have the same name as the “king of pop.” Really, that is a good one, I have never heard that before. I think Joe needs to go back to the kiddy page where childish insults go over a little better. He is probably sitting in his mansion drinking wine right now while he oppresses some of us working class.

By rita

February 28, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

What the hell. Since when did Sonny ever care about federal highway funding? If he really does care, then he should push for a law to require seatbelts in pick -up trucks.

Hypocrite.

By Eric

February 28, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Sonny is a big fat sweaty redneck Christian retard

By Not Again

February 28, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Well if the radical right wingers ain’t gonna let us buy beer and wine on Sunday, they sure as hell ain’t gonna let us “carry-out”!!! God I hate Georgia sometimes…the most a$$-backwards state in the nation. And to think we actually hosted something as worldly as the Olympics. No wonder this venue was named worst ever in the history of the Olympics!!!! Southern Baptists rule the state of Georgia with hell and brimstone and expect others to kowtow!!!

By Jim Ivie

February 28, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

I support Michael Jackson and Eric Weidner completely. With a name like Michael Jackson he has endured enough shame and ridicule in his life. I think I may break up with my girlfriend Mary if this continues on.

By cy

February 28, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

this is a great move. it will allows people who enjoy wine a way to oder wines that are distributed only to restaurants and rarely sold by the glass. i noticed that was not mentioned but what a great opertunity to try something great instead of the slim selection offered.

as to helping cutting back on drunks on the road…not so sure. i think that if you are going to drive drunk you have already lost you ability to save some for tomorrow. i do think it will help cut down on the d.u.i. that would have fallen into the old d.w.i. groups…of course, i have never figured out why they got rid of the dwi.

By jim ivie

February 28, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we all focus on the real issue here, stopping illegal immigration.

By jim ivie

February 28, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Go back to the 60’s you dirty hippies. Your long hair peace and love crap has no place in my beloved Georgia. Support the minute men and help us keep Georgia a law abiding state that still believes in the holy power above. P.S. He isn’t Allah either.

By marc christopher

February 28, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Shut up CY. Your a lush that will never amount to anything. Start drinking the Jesus Juice instead. This forum is starting to suck.

By ChrisD

February 28, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

The state called Georgia is fantastic. The poster named Georgia is a south-bashing idiot.

By louis & martin

February 28, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

We think you are all shallow little children that need to grow up. You go CY bring back the DWI vs. DUI debate. Go back to work you slackers. Peace, love, and happiness.

By Amanda

February 28, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Why is everything is this damn state about race? So you can’t afford a bottle of wine? I bet you couldn’t before this law came up either. So why do you care?

And the poor African-American comment is another attempt to stir up a race fight. There are poor white, Hispanic, and Asian people who can’t afford wine either. No one brought them up?

Oh and since I’m not 21 and can drink, this law doesn’t benefit me so I hope it gets vetoed. I’m outraged

By Michael

February 28, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve never finished a keg. Can I take it too?

By Amanda

February 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I ment : Since I’m not 21 and can’t drink…

By Josh

February 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t trust people of any religion who would enforce their beliefs upon others (especially using the police power of government), and I don’t trust people who never drink.

I can’t believe I voted for Purdue.

By woodie

February 28, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

I’ve seen the damage of drinking and driving. They should stop selling booze at restaurants and bars. You want to get drunk, go to the package store, buy it, drive home and get drunk. Any other scenario is unacceptable risk to the public at large.

By John

February 28, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

I like the way you think Michael

By jim l

February 28, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

If you really desire to become educated on the subject of drinking and driving….Go to The CATO Institute website and read how Neo- prohibitionists are trying to return us to the days when liquor was illegal! It didn’t work then and won’t now. Check the stats from NTSB that show that cell phone use and having a child in the backseat is more dangerous than a “DRUNK” who is .080- .10 BAC. Or that cops who gave 100 people who had each had NOTHING to drink, the “field sobriety test”, found that one ONE OUT OF THREE of these non-drinkers were “drunk” and should be hauled in for dui. No, I’m not a drunk, but do think the cops and prosecutors and MADD (wants .04 drunk threshold) have all gotton out of hand rather than studying the facts. And yes, I believe that one innocent killed by a drunk is one too many; but these alcohol laws don’t address the real factual problems and give in to hysteria and PC thinking.

By shanaynay

March 1, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

What kind of wussie candy-asses can’t finish a bottle of wine?