Opinion Talk

By loumar

February 25, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this

It is so ridiculus that we even need to talk about this. What a backward state! Legislators, use this time for something more useful.

By Tom

February 25, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

What better way to decide this issue than to let we, the people, vote on it? Each community can decide for itself. The law shouldn’t exist in the first place, in my opinion. How it stands up to any constitutional scrutiny is beyond me, given it’s origins and purpose. To allow the religious beliefs of one particular group to govern the behavior of the state at large would seem to me to be a clear violation of the intent of separation of church and state. Beyond that, it’s really very simple - if you don’t believe alcohol should be purchased on Sunday, then DON’T BUY IT ON SUNDAY!! But YOUR beliefs can not tell ME what I can/cannot do.

By Jake

February 25, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

I think it is well past time for each community to be able to decide on this issue.
What surprises me is that some of the staunchest opponents to Sunday sales are Package / Liquor stores. Right now, they only have to be open 6 days a week, and have no fear of competition on the day that they are closed. It isn’t just some people’s religious beliefs that are behind the opposition to Sunday sales.

By sane jane

February 25, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

At least this wingnut is honest. She’s worried about the 25% dip in church giving, and 15% drop in attendance that (allegedly) happens because of lifting the Sunday ban.

By Price

February 25, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Last stand for the prohibitionists…..

By Bob

February 25, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this

Ah yes, once again let’s discuss this New Mexico study that has pertty much been determined to be nonsense. Just look up “New Mexico Sunday Sales study debunked” in google and you’ll see that no one should be taking this study as gospel. Alcohol related traffic fatalities decreased in the 10 years after Sunday sales in NM became legal, and per capita alcohol consumption actually declined in the 3 years following the passage of the Sunday dales law.

The idea is just silly. The way I see it, politicians can choose to either vote to allow Sunday sales or create their own bill to either prevent all alcohol sales in GA 7 days/week or at least to prevent Sunday sales in restaurants, bars, adult entertainment establishments, ballparks, etc. To do anything else is completely hypocritical. Oh, but wait…they’re politicians. That means that they’re supposed to be hypocrites.

By Filster

February 25, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this

Sonny objects based on his Baptist beliefs. Not everyone in Georgia is a baptist. The Bible reports Christ turning water into wine, and in light of the historical facts of Christ’s times, that was indeed wine and not grape juice as Baptists preach (without proof mind you). It’s not the drink that does the damage, it’s the drinker. If Sonny beliees we have 6 days in which to buy liquor, then why doesn’t the government have only 6 days in which to collect its revenue. I think we should tell Sonny to “go fish.”

By Eric

February 25, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this

I love how everyone on the ‘con’ side of this argument tries to equate Sunday sales to prostitution (and basically the downfall of the country and the world). There’s no comparison. On one hand, there is something that is legal to purchase in stores 6 days/week, and is legal to purchase in restaurants 7 days/week, and are talking about giving communities the right to vote on allowing it to be sold in stores on a 7th day. On the other hand, you’re talking about taking something that is illegal 7 days/week and making it legal. The argument is so poor, yet people keep raising it in hopes that the feeble-minded will believe them and think that this will cause the downfall of society.

Have to agree with sane jane…Ms. Fields does seem a bit too concerned about the decrease in church donations. Not exactly the best argument for Ms. Fields to make. I guess we know where her concerns lie.

By songbird

February 25, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Thanks Bob for pointing out that the New Mexico study has been discredited. I’m a statistician and I read the entire study. The calculations used in this study were just plain wrong. The study authors had an agenda and they basically twisted the math to get the story they wanted. The data actually disproves their theory if you do the correct analysis.

By BoneHead

February 25, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

I say ban milk sales on Sunday!!!!!

By Scott

February 25, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

I’ve never had a problem remembering to buy Mon-Sat. It’s inconvenient, but in the words of our dear governor, this outdated law has apparently taught me “good planning”.

But it’s time for to allow communities to vote on Sunday sales. It’s time for government to keep their noses out of our business and allow communities to have a say on the matter.

It’s a ridiculous law that is saying that a completely legal product is illegal to purchase one day per week…but only in some cases.

Funny how Sonny was all for allowing Sunday sales at the Gwinnett ballpark, so that people could drink a few beers at a game and then drive home.

People keep arguing driver safety. I don’t know whether that’s true or not. I’ve heard that the quoted New Mexico study is junk. Personally it seems to me that it would make more sense to buy alcohol to be consumed at home than to buy it in a restaurant and then have to drive home. But, any statistics can be bent to say whatever you want, so who knows what the truth is.

One thing that I do know is true…the people against this are a less concerned about traffic safety and are a lot more concerned about either forcing their religous beliefs on others (in the case of Christians) or about not wanting to pay their workers for another day of work (in the case of package stores). There’s a reason why you hear these arguments from the Georgia Christian Alliance and the package store owners instead of from MADD.

I’m Catholic, but I may want to have a beer while watching a game on Sunday. And I certainly don’t want to force my beliefs on others. Unfortunately, others do not feel the same way.

By dw

February 25, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

Tom@8:30,

You are being a little naive. Everyday, people’s beliefs tell you and me what to do. They are called “laws” and many laws have been derived from religious, moral, or ethical grounds. Oh how terrible (sarcasm). As for the Sunday sales, I don’t particularly care one way or the other. Go ahead and get your booze whenever! But you are responsible to pay the price if your actions effect others negatively. Lastly, if I worked at a liquor store I might care, because it might be nice to get one day off a week.

By Jerome

February 25, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

The arguement that if there are Sunday package sales that there will be more accidents is assinine. All the people I know that got DUI’s were NOT drinking at home but coming from a bar or club.

By Brock

February 25, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this

I don’t much care whether alcohol can be sold on Sunday or not, and may actually support the ban so small liquor stores are not injured financially by having to open in order to compete w/ the grocers.

What I would like to know is where does the bible say drinking is a sin to begin with? And I know about the one that says be not filled w/ too much wine. So some must be AOK or it would have said be not filled w/ ANY wine.

As to keeping the sabbath, I see alot of folks going out to brunch after church. Seems they have no problem encouraging their servers to not take a day of rest.

By Tomahawk Matt

February 25, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

For a true separation of church and state, any law that is based on religious beliefs should be repealed as unconstitutional.

In other words, KEEP YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS & FAITH OUT OF MY PERSONAL RIGHTS AS GRANTED UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND U.S. CONSTITUTION.

By Trig

February 25, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

I am originally from Georgia but now I reside in North Carolina. I can’t believe that this is still an issue in Georgia. Here in Charlotte, NC alcohol is available on all seven days except the heavy stuff of course. Sundays are still the same lazy day that it is in Georgia without the Alcohol sales. Allowing alcohol sales will not bring about the end of the world. Think, more tax dollars!

By LOLO

February 25, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

I don’t always plan ahead for evey occasion. If I want to throw an impromptu Sunday afternoon cookout with my friends and family, then I should be able to run to the store to grab a case of beer or wine along with my burgers and such. And maybe I don’t want to stockpile excess beverages for such asn occasion. Who comes over determines what kind of fodd/beverage I buy.

Thanks for making critical life choices for me Sonny.

By Luren

February 25, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

We are one of three states that’s dry on Sunday. Common sense would tell you to SALE!!! And hopefully good ole Sonny boy will let us decide. After that we need to legalize casinos. We need all the revenue we can get otherwise boardering states like Alabama and S.Carolina will just soar right pass us and we’ll be left with an even deeper deficit than we have right now.

By JohnF

February 25, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

Ok..something stinks about this study showing alcohol leads to back sliding at the church. The conclusion there is less church attendance because people are drinking instead.
They also mention going to the mall as a reason church attendance goes down…so let’s close all the malls on Sunday also.

Don’t most people go to church on Sunday morning, before the liquor stores would even be open.?

Seems like the problem is having alcohol available the day before Sunday..on Saturday. Let’s see the baptist try and get alcohol sales banned on Saturdays.

And if people are getting drunk in the morning it seems like they have a bigger problem then their church attendance.

But finally, if I don’t go to church then why should I care?! I can’t go buy a bottle of wine on Sunday because some church can’t keep its attendance up…that’s a load of crap and a completely weak argument.

By 10 Commandments

February 25, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this

I really don’t care about Sonny Perdue’s personal beliefs, as I am sure he doesn’t care about mine.

If fundamentalist leaders from my religion had any say in the matter, everything would be closed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, but booze would be fine any time.

If fundamentalist Muslims had their say, stuff would be closed from Thursday night to Friday night and there wouldn’t be booze at all.

And let’s not forget the 7th Day Adventists who don’t drink, or the Catholics who do, or the Lutherans who probably don’t care, or the Buddhists and Hindus who think whatever they think.

It’s because we’re all different that we don’t allow our individual religious beliefs to legislate on other people. Sorry, Sonny. We’re not all Christians, and most of us who are don’t share your form of fundamentalism.

But we are all Georgians, and as Georgians most of us want the freedom to buy a 6 pack whenever our lord permits… not Sonny’s, not anyone else’s.

By Brill

February 25, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

I agree with the very first post, this whole thing is sad and embarrassing. We are one of only 3 states that don’t allow Sunday sales. And this is just to see if we can be allowed to vote on Sunday sales, this isn’t to legalize Sunday sales.

By Brock

February 25, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

Wow, I just read Ms Field’s con arguments. So now we should legislate issues so more people go to church? Let’s just go all the way and say jail time for anyone who does not go to church? That ought to get attendance up!

We can buy unlimited amounts of alcohol 6 out of 7 days and go to bars 7 of 7. And guess what, the alcohol does not go stale before Sunday. All this accomplishes is to inconvenience people who do their grocery shopping on Sunday (like me-when you’re at church, I’m running errands).

By Dan

February 25, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

I love the ignorant folks, claiming the constitution, ensures the separation of church and state, first of all it is the first amendment in the bill of rights and it states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” Pretty sure congress did not create that law and in any case it is neither an establishment of a religion or prohibiting the free excercise of one. (yes the 14th amendment extends those provisions to the state level but only for free speech and due process) The alcohol sales laws while having their origins based on religious convictions, have long since moved to being driven by the wish to control lucrative tax and sales licenses, Sunday sales would provide the krogers with a big advantage over the mom and pops putting some out of business, and potentially hurt the restaurant bus, so it is more about money (although they use a loud religious minority to mask that fact) This is important to know because to fix a problem you have to know the cause, and money and control are the cause not religion Having said that I vote YES for the sunday sales,

By Melody Dareing

February 25, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

As a fundamentalist Christian, it would be nice if we all observed the Sabbath. I have, in recent years, become a big believer in the 7th day of rest for a variety of reasons. In my faith, I made a decision not to support sales of any kind on Sunday. That includes grocery shopping, mall shopping, movies and other things. I can’t say I have completely fulfilled that commitment—-convenience is such a temptation—-but I am working on it.

Yet, even with that type of faith, I cannot justify the governor’s response on this topic. For one, if as conservatives, we really believe the government shouldn’t be involved in local politics, then it would make sense to support a local vote on this issue.

Second, it is inconsistent law to allow some alcohol sales on Sunday and not others. It is inconsistent law to allow alcohol sales six days a week but not on Sunday. It is inconsistent to allow sales of other things on Sunday, but not alcohol. Governmentally, it is unsound policy.

As a Christian, I feel Sunday sales will hurt this state. That’s not because of statistics or facts about drunk drivers but because it shows of where our—as a citizenry—-values are these days. A loss of values will amount to a decline of a quality of life.

However, I also believe in free will. I cannot force anyone to accept my values even though they might be good for all. That is also true for the government.

I feel that sometimes the church spends too much time and effort on the wrong things. The church’s response should be proactive helping those around us instead of playing defensive against the bill. Understanding that this will amount to numerous social ills, we need to find ways to address those ills. We need to work hard—-and maybe even harder if this bill passes—-to get people in church and meet their needs spiritual and otherwise. If we did, then the issue of Sunday alcohol sales wouldn’t have any effect at all.

By Tamika

February 25, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

I hope Booze is free on Sundays!!

I like to drink Wine— And I need to drink more butt i cant on sundays!

LET FREEDOM BE FREEE

By Tamika

February 25, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this

Christians are so Lame— Always telling other show to live their life. If you hate drinks then dont Drink DUHHHHHHHH

By Tamika

February 25, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

Freedome shloud be free

vote obama 2012 And lets buy beer on sundays!!

By Tamika

February 25, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this

VOTE to Free Bud Light on Sundays!!

By Tamika

February 25, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this

Sunday Keg parties forever!!

By songbird

February 25, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this

Melody -

Why can’t fundamentalist christians learn to respect other religions. You talk about getting people into church. Not everyone goes to religious services on Sunday morning. Some choose not to have any religion, that’s their choice, which is protected under the Bill of Rights.

I’m tired of Christians trying to force their religion down everyone’s throat. Enjoy your religion/beliefs and leave everyone else alone. We will all get along so much better if we just respect each other’s rights/beliefs. That includes legislating what I can and can’t buy on Sunday. I often do my weekly grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon and would prefer to pick up some wine while I’m there and not have to make another trip on a different day. That’s not an efficient use of my time.

By Melody Dareing

February 25, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this

Songbird, I have enormous respect for other religions. The last I have heard, freedom of speech still exists in this country so I have the freedom to speak to anyone I want about my faith. I can, under my freedom, invite them to church, give them some information on what the Bible says about substance abuse, and ask if I can pray for them. It is their choice whether or not to accept what I have to say or whether to accept any help.

As I stated, I don’t believe we can legislate alcohol sales on Sundays even though it might be a good thing to do so. The law is just too inconsistent.

It seems to me you would like to deny the rights of Christians to live out their faith because, somehow, it might offend you. Well, everyone is offended sometime. I am offended at things also but that is the price you pay for living in a free society so I deal with it and take the high road. You must also.

By songbird

February 25, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this

Melody,

I don’t want to deny anyone the right to live out their faith. I just don’t like how so many Christians, like Sadie Fields, like to force their beliefs on others. I think it’s perfectly ok for you to invite someone to your church or to pray for them as long as they are free to choose not to come, etc. You have every right to celebrate your faith as do Jews, Hindus, Muslims. I say live and let live.

By Dan

February 25, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this

Fundamentalist Christians respect other religions as much as any other belief system (and by the way sociologically speaking, agnosticism (sp?) and atheism are religious type belief systems as well) and like any other type there are orthodox versions, that tend to be less tolerant.
Seems to me the atheists are among the least tolerant, certainly in the last 150 yrs or so. it would take 10,000 crusades to reproduce the carnage Hitler Stalin and Mao (atheists all) did We just happen to live in a time where society is bending to every ideology but christianity.
Oh and while I was raised Catholic I don’t practice these are simple objective observations

By radiowxman

February 25, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

I am a conservative, evangelical Christian. So it would seem that I am completely for a ban on Sunday alcohol sales.

Not in the least. A state ban on Sunday alcohol sales is so indefensible, so illogical, so inane, it flabbergasts me that anyone can say it’s a good idea.

Seriously. If public safety is so important, then let’s have a law banning driving on Tuesday. Since driving is inherently dangerous, if we close the roads one day a week, just think how many lives we can save!

If it’s a religious thing, then why don’t we close down everything in the state Sunday? No restaurants, no Wal Mart, no gas stations, nothing. After all, the Sabbath is a day of rest.

At the very least, this is an issue for local communities to decide. Let cities and counties determine what’s best for their community, not the state.

By ATLCitizen

February 25, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this

The Bottom Line: GA CHRISTIAN COALITION AND GOV PERDUE do not have the right to tell the STATE OF GA that we cannot buy alcohol on Sundays—what gives you the right to impose your personal religious beliefs on all the citizens of GA? This law is unconstitutional and should be challenged. And all you politicians who did not show up to vote for Sunday sales because you are a bunch of cowards—we will watch and record how you vote and keep a score card just like Ms. Sallie Fields. This is a PERSONAL FREEDOM AND RIGHTS ISSUE, A SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE ISSUE. Tell your politicians to do the right thing and not be a bunch of wusses to the Christian Coalition.