Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > March > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSonny Perdue’s argument against Sunday sales of beer, wine, and such
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue has just put out an op-ed style piece intended for use by Sunday newspapers across Georgia, on the topic of allowing local communities to decide whether the retail sale of beer, wine, and liquor on the Christian Sabbath should be permitted.
No mention of the governor’s support for the portion of the bill that would permit Sunday beer sales in a Gwinnett Braves minor league stadium, and no “You should plan ahead” argument. The governor emphasizes public safety this time. We hear Sunday sales proponents will argue that the New Mexico data cited by the governor is faulty.
Here’s what has come out of Perdue’s office:
Do no harm. It may sound like a simple concept, but it is one that I am afraid supporters of Sunday alcohol sales may have forgotten.
Above all else, I believe it is the responsibility of the Governor and the General Assembly to reject a piece of legislation that hurts more people than it helps.
Allowing the sale of alcohol in grocery stores as well as liquor stores on Sundays will do far more harm than good. In fact, other than those who profit from those sales, it will not help anyone.
In the 1990’s, the citizens of New Mexico debated the issue of Sunday alcohol sales. On July 1, 1995, most counties in New Mexico began allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded a study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, to uncover the legislation’s long-term effects using data from the first five years that alcohol sales on Sunday were allowed.
The study found that legalizing Sunday packaged alcohol sales “exacts a significant price that is paid by crash victims and their loved ones, health care providers, insurers, law enforcement and the judicial systems.”
The sponsors of the New Mexico legislation hoped that allowing sales for off-premise consumption might encourage more people to buy alcohol and drink at home, thus reducing accidents and deaths. This argument was a tempting trap for the state’s legislators, and many of our own elected officials are chasing the same carrot without seeing the stick.
Now, I have always been a data-driven decision maker, so let me share the numbers with you. The study found that alcohol-related crashes increased by 29 percent on Sundays in counties that allowed sales.
Those additional crashes led to a 42 percent increase in alcohol-related fatalities on Sundays. If we apply these same percentages to Georgia’s highways, using 2006 data from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, we can expect approximate increases of 371 alcohol-related crashes and six alcohol-related fatalities per year.
No other day of the week saw a statistically significant change in the percentage of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities after the enacted legislation, according to the study. Counties that chose not to participate saw their Sunday accident and fatality statistics remain similar to before.
The Republican principle of individual freedom is just as important to me as it is to my colleagues in the legislature, but so is the principle of protecting innocent Georgians.
Click below to continue.
If you have ever comforted the parents or grandparents of a young person lost in a DUI crash, then you know that the cost of this proposal is too great and the damage it stands to inflict is too heavy a burden for innocent families to bear.
I know that Georgians expect me as their Governor to do all that I can to make the people of this state as safe as possible. That’s why I have made creating a Safe Georgia one of the cornerstones of my administration, and that’s why I will continue to argue against this legislation out of concern for the safety of every Georgian.
I urge the members of the General Assembly to heed the warning conveyed in the final sentence of the New Mexico study, “State legislators should consider [the] consequences when deciding on policy that is intended to serve the public well-being.”
We owe it to the citizens of this state to consider the cause-and-effect of our actions. There is no doubt that this legislation will make Georgia roads more dangerous. We cannot afford to jeopardize people’s lives, nor can we stick our heads in the sand pretending that our actions will have no consequences, even under the guise of letting the people choose.
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Comments
By Sarah
March 27, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Ah, SonnyBubba, if you are so concerned that more people will die on Sundays with beer being sold at Publix, maybe it shouldn’t be sold the other six days of the week.
Just one more instance of Republicans trying to control every aspect of a person’s life.
Please people of Georgia, stop electing these idiots.
By Artie
March 27, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Perdue is a commy!!!!
Forcing his teetotaler beliefs on the citizens of GA!!!! Just put it to a vote and let the majority rule. Oh, wait…that would be too much like a democracy…my bad.
By kiljoy
March 27, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Sonny Perdue: Proof positive that in life you often get just what you deserve.
By Tyvon
March 27, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Gov. Sonny Perdue sucks when it comes to the direction of this state especially with the sales of liquor on Sundays. As mentioned by the previous respondant, if Sonny believe that alcohol will contribute to more deaths on Sunday, then what you say about the other six days…..My advise: try learning and living with evolution of change…stop thinking that past policies and laws still apply to today’s living here in Georgia. Good ol fashion confederate thinking i guess….a shame!!!
By The Bee
March 27, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
I’m a Republican. I voted for Sonny. I still (mostly) like and support Sonny.
But, Sonny is DEAD wrong on this issue. Sarah points out the obvious flaw in his position. The fact is, Sonny wants to maintain favor with the Bible-thumper fundamentalists in this state, regardless of how ludicrous of a stand that means he has to take.
Come on, Sonny. The Bible-thumpers won’t abandon you … they have nowhere else to go. Lighten up. Pour yourself a nice frosty one … ah. See? Don’t you feel better already?
As Humphrey Bogart once sagely noted, “The problem with this world is that too many people are a few drinks behind.”
By Chris
March 27, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Sunday Alcohol Sales, Drunk Driving & Underage Drinking
A number of states have abolished their blue laws prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The result? “The states that have enacted Sunday sales laws report increases in revenues but no increases in drunk driving or underage drinking.”
Sunday alcohol sales appear to be a win-win situation. Permitting the sale of alcohol on Sunday, the second busiest shopping day of the week, increases tax revenues, but doesn’t increase either drunk driving or underage drinking.
References:
* MADD criticizes plan to sell booze in convenience stores. 640 Toronto News, February 25, 2005, 6:00AM; www.consumerfreedom.com/oped_detail.cfm?OPED_ID=137/; Rosella, Louie. Sales to minors, drunk driving no issue in Quebec: Booze in corner stores idea angers MADD. The Mississauga News, March 2, 2005.By cady
March 27, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
i think the term “christian sabbath” in reference to sunday is completely inaccurate. yes, most christian religions worship on sunday, but not all do. seventh-day adventists and seventh-day baptists believe that saturday is the sabbath, and that is when they go to church. by using the term “christian sabbath” for worshipping on sunday you are assuming that all christians go to church on that day, which is wrong and offensive.
By Scott
March 27, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
I am not a one-issue voter. However, the Governor’s stance on Sunday sales will drive me to vote on a candidate’s stance on this one issue. Let the people decide. It’s not about the ability to buy on Sunday, it’s about the Governor telling me what I can and cannot do - because of religion. His safety argument doesn’t hold water. If he were so concerned about safety, he would try to outlaw all alcohol sales every day of the week. This one issue makes me so mad.
By Larry Huff
March 27, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Sarah, PLEASE don’t call our Governor a Republican. Sonny is as far left of center as our socialist President and many of us claim neither.
We should be very concerned that any one man has so much power that he can over rule the will of the people because he just doesn’t agree with what they want. We should be very concerned that our legislators and senators, who are sent to the capital to represent, have no voice if it goes against the will of the Governor. Sunday sales are a symptom of a grave problem we all have with each government of which we have become subjects.
I agree about one thing. We should not be letting the counties decide who will sell alcohol on Sunday. It should be decided by the state. By allowing counties to decide, we are forcing normally law abiding citizens from one county to drive to another county for Sunday alcohol purchases. Remember those McDonalds french fries which couldn’t make it home without being consumed? They just made dumb people fat. People in Georgia should be able to go to the corner store and buy a six pack anytime they wish, bring it home and enjoy it in the comfort of their own home.
Sonny, please don’t evangelize from our Governor’s office!!
By Mike K.
March 27, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
What Sonny doesn’t mention is that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a pro-prohibition organization. I’m shocked - SHOCKED - that their study would be anti-alcohol drinking.
By DYJ
March 27, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
I grew up in New Mexico and I know for a fact the data Sonny references is faulty. I’m have conservative beliefs and I attend church on Sunday and I still think it’s commie-like for the governor to impose his internal beliefs on an entire state. He won’t even let it come up for a vote! I’m hoping the next would be governor of GA won’t be such a nazi.
By College Studen
March 27, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Of course statistics are going to change when you allow something that was previously not allowed. That is common sense. Come on Sonny, bring it to a vote!
By Stan
March 27, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I buy beer once a week. I drink once a week. I support beer/liquor sales on Sunday. I vote.
Stan
By College Student
March 27, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Of course statistics are going to change when you allow something that was previously not allowed. That is common sense. Come on Sonny, bring it to a vote!
By Doug
March 27, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Lol, Mike K at 2:39. Yeah, that is a minor detail he failed to divulge!
By Fed Up
March 27, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
You know what’s funny? I used to live in north Florida. You know what’s directly across the state line between Georgia and Florida? A Jax package store. On Sunday, the parking lot is full to overflowing with cars sporting GA plates… all day long.
By Willxxssi
March 27, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Daddy Sonny knows what’s best for his chillen. But what about us grown-ups who like to make our own decisions? Like so many things in this backward state, the politicians and preachers call the shots because most people are simply too lazy to vote on the real issues, like individual liberty. Praise the lawd we have Daddy Sonny looking out for us.
By Winfield
March 27, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
So by that logic….why doesn’t sonny ban automobiles? I think we can get some statistics that show that when cars are banned car crashes drop significantly as well!
By Chris
March 27, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Sunday Sales & Crime
The idea that greater availability of alcohol leads to greater abuse simply cannot be backed up. The thought that by simply extending Sunday sales to include 12:30pm to midnight will increase alcohol related crime is a falsehood backed up by studies right here in Georgia.
* Rome I have a 3 year study recently completed by the Rome Police Department which shows that overall not only did alcohol related crime, which is underage possession, DUI, open container, and public drunkeness, not increase but actually saw a decrease of just over 7.5% in the 1 year and 7 months after Sunday sales were voted in compared to the same period prior to Sunday sales. According to Capt. Burnett of the Rome Police Dept Office of Professional Standards who confimed the findings stated, "There has been no extra enforcement action necessary." * Remerton In another Georgia city, Remerton City Manager, Biran McDougal has seen similar statics in Remerton. McDougal stated that Sunday alcohol sales have not affected crime in the city. There are limited cases of any activity related to alcohol and drinking on Sundays, according to McDougal. Mayor Peggi Siefert deemed crime relating to Sunday Alcohol sales a "non-existant issue" and stated that there is no parallel between the two. * Valdosta Now in Valdosta, GA, Sheriff Ashley Paulk and Capt. J.D. Yeager of the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office stated they do not believe Sunday alcohol sales will affect crime one way or another. They added that it is an issue that they believe should be left up to the citizens to vote on. * Macon In Macon, where residents voted to allow Sunday sales in 1986, alcohol related incidents didn't increase, according to Macon Police Sgt. Anthony Hubbard.By Ima Believer
March 27, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
yankees, Please go back up north where Satan loves you.
You are NOT wanted here.
By It's the 21st century
March 27, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
They want to lower taxes but Sonny is afraid about what it will do to health care and other horrible programs for babies-mommas, the illegals, and minorities. Here’s a plan for Sonny: charge a Sunday or SONday tax on alcohol. The State will make a killing.
These idiots need to remember that they would not be in power if it were not for the voters. As a voter, I’d like to be able to run to Publix on Sunday for wine that I forgot to buy on Saturday for a huge Republican dinner party on Monday. Does that make sense Sonny?
The world is insane. I no longer understand things.
By PCW
March 27, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
It’s so strange to me that the public was allowed to vote to amend our state constitution to ‘ban’ same sex marraige but we can’t vote on Sunday alcohol sales. Sounds to me as if someone is afraid of how the vote will go and it won’t make his religious supporters happy.
By SonnyGoAway
March 27, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Sonny is not only a Rethuglicon, he’s a fat azz, red necked, greedy, liar!!!!! If this proposed bill would fatten his pockets (more), he’d be all for it. Since he’s so concerened with the welfare of the people, why not close all the strip clubs and sex shops on Sundays too!!!! Sonny’s an idiot!!!!!!!!!
By InTownGal
March 27, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Bottom Line: He is ruling this state by his PERSONAL RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS, which is cleary not what Separation of Church and State is about. The people of the State of Georgia should be able to decide!
By Welll...
March 27, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
According to the ajc, as long as your driving/riding in a limo you can now have a drink and get tore up…law was just passed!
Idiots…yeah, this makes a lot of sense, rent a limo get drunk and then get in your car to drive
or simply go to Gwinnett County ball park!
Duh, Sonny boy, let it go already…folks are getting drunk regardless, purchasing it by 11pm on Saturday night and partying on Sundays regardless!
By OpinionsMatter
March 27, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
I had to laugh when I came across this line: “Now, I have always been a data-driven decision maker …” Except when it comes to other issues like, for example, gay marriage. Then he’s totally “faith-based” rather than “data-driven.” He put that issue up to the voters. Why not this one, too? The level of hypocrisy is unbelievable.
By Gigi
March 27, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
To those individuals who feel they just cannot get through life without being able to drink and buy booze seven days a week:
You apparently do not care about anyone or anything but yourselves and your boozing. Can we not have one day without liquour sales. Changing the laws to allow alcohol sales on Sunday indeeds helps no one and offends the few good and decent citizens who uphold the law and appreciate the value of it. If you are so desperate to have a drink on Sunday, buy it on SATURDAY and enjoy yourself! We’ll be OK with that.
By Scott
March 27, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
I am a Republican and agree with Sonny on the Republican principle of individual freedom…so let’s bring it to a vote! Republicans have always been about individual freedom and personal accountibility…that would be the part of the Republican party that does not try and impose their evangelical beliefs on everyone (like Sonny). As an aside, I hope that John McCain does not even consider Sonny as a VP.
By Mississippi
March 27, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Good thing we can go out to eat and still get trashed on a Sunday and then drive home…
By Chris
March 27, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I pulled those statistics by “Googling” Sunday alcohol sales studies. Only one result comes back stating that deaths and injuries increased from Sunday sales.
I agree with PCW that I think the reason the governor will not allow this to come to a vote is because it may not come out as he wants, just like the whole flag issue.
I am a conservative libertarian and think that the gov’t should have a hands off approach to our everyday personal lives, like Sunday sales and even same sex marriage for that matter, since it was brought up!
LET THE PEOPLE VOTE
By Churchill
March 27, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Sell booze on Sunday. Tax the godless liberals, for crying out loud. They love taxes.
By Dave
March 27, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
As usual, the commenters here are showing their ignorance and prejudices.
Sunday alcohol sales is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue. Nor is it Religious vs. Secular issue.
I’m both a Republican and a fundamentalist Bible-thumper, yet I support Sunday alcohol sales. If alcohol is bad, it should be outlawed altogether. If it’s not bad enough to outlaw, then it should be available every day.
Contrary to what Sarah, The Bee, and many of you wish to believe, neither Republicans nor fundamentalist Bible-thumpers want to control every (or any) aspect of your lives. The last time I checked, we are the ones trying to wrest control from the government and put it back in the hands of the people.
By nick
March 27, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
no mr good man
By Gigi
March 27, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Read the comment by “Mississippi” and get the whole reason behind the protest. Oh, we get it alright. Thank you, “Mississippi” for shedding light on the subject. Now we have the plain unvarnished truth. There are still a few honest people left in the world.
By Deborah
March 27, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
There is no photo opportunity for this. If he can’t put on a Falcons football uniform and pads (not that he needs them) or can’t squeeze his fat you know what into a race car and do laps around the Dome, he’s against it!
By Jeff
March 27, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
InTownGal:
And when a liberal runs this state/nation by their PERSONAL RELGIGIOUS CONVICTIONS (atheism, moral relativism, secular humanism, and darwinism are ALL RELIGIONS), will you be crying ‘Separation of Church and State’ just as loudly?
By The Bee
March 27, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Changing the laws to allow alcohol sales on Sunday indeed … offends the few good and decent citizens who uphold the law and appreciate the value of it.
Uh, Gigi, your statement makes NO logical sense. If the law is changed, those of us who purchase alcohol on Sunday ARE obeying the law. That’s the whole point of changing the law. I promise to be “good and decent” all day, especially while I sip a cold one on my deck.
Remember the words of the great patriot, Benjamin Franklin: “Beer is PROOF that God loves us, and wants us to be happy.” You wouldn’t argue with Benjamin Franklin, would you? Why, that would be downright un-patriotic and un-America and all.
By PCW
March 27, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Gigi, I don’t drink but I have no problem with those who drink responsibly. If you can go to a restaurant (or a stadium) and have a couple of beers, a glass of wine, or a margarita on Sunday then why can’t you go to Kroger and buy a bottle of wine or a six pack on Sunday? People do tend to have impromptu gatherings and just might want a beer to go with that pizza! I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar on Sunday, March 9, at the Cobb Energy Center and guess which concession line was the longest? It wasn’t the one selling Coke!
By Happy to be a Georgian
March 27, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Hooray Governor Perdue!
Good to see you are not afraid of the quik-i-mart lobbyists who write the majority of these comments. They are a bigger joke than the “Punt-Perdue” flaggers who claimed they would throw you out of office. (how did that go again?) I have yet to meet one person who wants Sunday sales that was not either paid to do so, a fraternity kid, or a Ron Paul disciple.
We have done enough to strip Sunday of its traditionally special place and we don’t need more fatalities on our roads just so convenience stores can make more money. Republicans are too smart to throw away traditions for a quick buck.
Thank you Governor for not being for sale.
By The Bee
March 27, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Well geez, Dave, then you are downright okay in my book.
By Grady
March 27, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
I for one support Sonny’s refusal to allow the vote. Everyone who thinks otherwise should go to Florida and watch the winos line up at 9am on any sunday for the door to open. It’s pathetic and we don’t need that in Georgia. However, that being said I would like to buy an O’Doul’s on sunday to watch the Falcons lose. Would the sale of NON-alcoholic beverages on sunday increase traffic fatalities? Allthough the law doesn’t prohibit this sale, the stores don’t want to be the ones policing the difference. When this law was written, there was no non-alcohol wine or beer. But tax revenue isn’t everything and it’s okay to plan ahead or wait ‘til monday.
By Lissa
March 27, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Can I pretty please buy my alcohol if I promise to take it straight home?
By Jeff
March 27, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I usually dont drink on sundays, but that is a personal choice, however not being allowed to VOTE on it, when the people of georgia voted him in? Sounds a little commie to me. So the solution is simple. Let him run out his turn, next person to be voted in, make sure they support the idea, and vote for them. Oh By The Way…Sonny, your BBQ SUCKS!
By JoJo
March 27, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
So Gigi, in your 3:08 comment you wrote that you’re okay with people drinking on Sunday as long as they buy it on Saturday.
So it’s not drinking on the Sabbath that you oppose, it’s commerce on the Sabbath.
Is that accurate? Come to think of it, I do remember back in the day when most stores were closed on Sundays. That was before convenience.
By Now ain't that sumthin'
March 27, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Gigi, you are as big of an imbecile as that washed up, fat crook of a gub’ner of yours! You stupid bible thumpin’ (I would bet, hypocrite!)church lady. And guess what….I am not drunk….YET! Why don’t you go busy yourself getting your children to hate you more.
By hagood
March 27, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
i say we throw a sunday kegger on the gov’s front lawn in protest of his stupid bias stance…who’s with me?!?
By JohnM
March 27, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
And the laughing fat man has his say again. It’s time to get a re-call petition going. Hell, at least the Lt. Governor has a FEW progressive ideas. We would all be better off with Sonny-Bubba back home in Perry tending his hogs……
By Jesus H. Christ
March 27, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Sonny, I know you’ve been praying about this with your pollsters. My answer is I couldn’t care less if there were alcohol sales on Sunday in Georgia. The sell it in most every state and nation on Sundays and I don’t love those people any less. Back in my day I picked up a bottle or two of vino on the Sabbath, which some believe is Saturday. But I don’t consider it a sin and when you worship is OK, too. Hope this helped.
By Jim
March 27, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
This is a very simple problem to solve. Let the grocery lobby pay off the crooked politicians like the restaurant lobby did and everyone is happy, especially Sonny.
By Conga
March 27, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Let the educated public decide if they want to drink! I can’t believe this baffoon got elected twice, what a crock!
By Bourbon Street
March 27, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Drinks on Sonny! I wonder what people around our country think of people from Georgia, that their politicans won’t let let them decide for themselves when to purchase alcohol. WHAT A DISGRACE! Sonny you really are a piece of work!
By Will Adams
March 27, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
What people don’t understand is the fact that the people who may pose a threat in terms of driving under the influence have already been doing so because they’re determined to drink on Sundays anyway. The state of Georgia needs to catch up with the rest of the world. For those people who don’t want to drink on Sundays, it’s that simple don’t. But don’t impose your personal beliefs and opinions upon other people. It’s not about religion or conservatism, it’s about having and respecting someone’s right to choose. The government should never be allowed to tell its citizens what days someone can and cannot drink something that’s perfectly legal.
By Grady
March 27, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Lissa, Honey, sure you can have your sunday booze. You just have to go to Tennessee to buy it.:)
By Analchord
March 27, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
do no harm…. I like that…. I like that real good.
i luv the guv’nah. You should luv the guv’nah 2
By Tommy
March 27, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
…what does “sunday” have to do with anything? That day has more to do with pagans than with christians. F* the law. And Sunday, too….
By Gene Hoke
March 27, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
OK, so it compromises the safety of citizens to let them buy beer or liquor at a store and drink it at home …. yet it’s perfectly OK for them to drive to a bar or restaurant and drink there and then drive home after drinking? I don’t get it. Seems to me that it would be a whole lot safer to let people drink at home. The laws regarding alcohol sales on Sunday in this state are outdated and I’m personally really tired of Perdue and his thinly veiled attempts to legislate morality. Not everyone shares the same religious beliefs, and its not fair to act as if they do.
By Brian Nichols
March 27, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
when I get off I am getting a beer.
By GatorGuy
March 27, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Hey Sonny, what were the OVERALL alcohol related deaths in New Mexico? Of course the numbers will go up on Sunday if it was not sold previously. How could it not. If we stop selling on Saturdays too, I bet the Saturday numbers will go down!
Are there any other decisions that you think that you need to make for me? Even though I am a grown adult, you, as governor, know better than me?
No beer on Sunday unless you go to a Braves game ($$$$$). Get of your high horse. The is business as usual politics here.
By Greg Leathers
March 27, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Sonny you are so full of it. Stop trying to shovel it on us, we don’t buy it. Even if we take this lame study as fact, which I dispute its methods and conclusions, why did you pick Sunday to ban store sales of beer and wine? Sounds suspicious, like you are playing up to your right wing bible thumping friends. I bet data will show more accidents on Friday or Saturday, so why not ban it then. Why not ban all alcohol sales althogether to be safer? It is not the government’s job to ban the sale of legal products because some people misuse it or break the law.
By debg45
March 27, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Sonny likened Sunday sales to prostitution…that’s how far off the wall he is. I saw the soundbite twice on the news last Sunday (I think it was Sunday) and found the quote in the AJC: “We live in a republic, and the people of Georgia send us here to make decisions. I’m very concerned about a lot of the efforts I hear this year, about ‘Well, we’ll just let people vote on it.’ I mean, do we want to let the people vote to choose to allow prostitution and those kinds of things? Where are we going to draw the line?” - Gov. Sonny Perdue
By Jason
March 27, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
“Now, I have always been a data-driven decision maker…”
Of course you have. Like when you had us pray for rain on the steps of the Capitol.
By ron
March 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
I’ve lived through this before in another state.I can tell you one thing that happens when Sunday sales are allowed:The Sunday selling,bible thumping, bootleggers go out of business.Do you have any ideas how nmany bootleggers there are in Georgia?Every area has at least one.
By MartinG
March 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Maybe that’s why Sonny Let them close Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem because they sell alcohol on Sundays!
By Grady
March 27, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
There’s another group that will benefit from sunday sales…remember the lawyers…think of all those extra traffic accidents and DUI cases. They’ll be rolling in money. To will adams, I was born here 58 years ago and that’s been the law since before then. I do not want to impose my beliefs on anyone. If you don’t like the law in Georgia, you are free to move to Texas, Tennessee, Florida or another state where you can buy sunday booze are you not?
By MartinG
March 27, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Maybe that’s why Sonny let Fort McPherson and Ft. Gillem be closed. They sell alcohol on Sunday!
By zz
March 27, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Sonny doesn’t want to restrict smoking for fear of moving towards a nanny state. Hmmmmm.
By Jesus H. Christ
March 27, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Sonny, I have forgiven you for lying and saying you didn’t know in advance about the secret, just-for-you tax break. But you really should admit your lie to the people of Georgia. They deserve that. If you’d take care of that for me, I’d appreciate it. OK?
By jabster
March 27, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Mike K is right. The Robert Wood Johnson foundation (did I just say something dirty?) IS a prohibitionist organization. See http://www.consumerfreedom.com/article_detail.cfm/article/133?nd=1
Don’t read any of their propaganda if you’re on a low-sodium diet, because you’re gonna need many grains of salt.
Sunni Perdue—KNOCK IT OFF!
By Jackson
March 27, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
I have lived in GA all of my life, and I have voted Republican and Democrat over the years. When I voted Republican - it was primarily because of fiscal matters and not generally for support of the causes of the religious right. This issue of Sunday booze sales typifies my issue with the Republicans. Instead of being the party of less taxes and government intrusion, this group cannot help but get tangled in these issues of personal choice primarily on traditional religious grounds. I will not even get into matters like Jesus and the miracle of turning water into wine or whether the Sabbath is historically Saturday or Sunday. To me this is not a moral or even a “planning” issue but one of convenience and adult choice. I do not plan to have a glass of wine, but decide in a given evening that I would like a glass of wine - just like I do not plan my trips to the grocery store around my wine cellar’s needs and Georgia’s Sunday prohibition. It seems preposterous that we are debating this issue in the 21st Century. I worry that the Republicans, and primarily Sonny, are taking us backward instead of forward. From ongoing cuts in education spending to this kind of nonsense, I will probably be voting with the Democrats again soon. Why not let the good people of Georgia decide this issue - probably because that would encourage the wrong kind of turnout for the Sonny supporters in the fall.
By Stan
March 27, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
This should not be brought to a vote before the public!!! I should just be set into law that adults are legally able to buy alcohol on any day of the week they freakin choose to. I’d say from the hours of somewhere from 12 midnight - oh about 12 midnight or so, Monday - when freakin ever.
It used to bug me to no end that when I got off work from 3rd shift I had to wait a bit to buy. Or when I was on second shift I had to take a break from work to run to the store if I wanted beer.
Note to anyone still reading this post: I do not drink everynight. I speak ONLY of the times that I happened to want a beer after work.
By Not everyone is Christian
March 27, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Again, Perdue is shoving HIS backwards beliefs down the citizens’ throats. Because the preachers don’t want it, we can’t have it. Are we now a theocracy?
By Curt
March 27, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Just let us vote. It’s the easiest way to solve this problem once and for all! I think the majority of people in Georgia believe that they should be able to purchase whatever they want any day of the week! This whole bible thumper v. liberal argument is pointless. LET US VOTE!!!
By PCW
March 27, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Grady, Or we can work to change the law where we live. God created each of us with free will. It is not for you to decide what I should be able to do or not do. When I stand before my maker, I will be held accountable for my actions, not you.
By Stephanie
March 27, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
There is supposed to be a separation of Church and State in this country, yet Sonny insists on legislating (or dictating) with his “conservative Christian values”. Hey Sonny, let the people have their say already!! The citizens of Georgia deserve to have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
BTW Sarah, before you start bashing Republicans, perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the Georgia legislature. If you had, you would realize that Glenn Richardson, one of the biggest proponents of this legislation is, in fact, a Republican!
By Larry
March 27, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Seems most of us want Sunday sales. All “quik-i-mart lobbists” (sic) raise your right hand so we can throw away your comments.
Anyway, some really funny stuff here, but the funniest was by Happy to be a Georgian when he/she said “Thank you Governor for not being for sale.” I hope that was an attempt at sarcasm, but unfortunately it failed. If it was supposed to be sarcasm, stick to wit because it takes a great deal of brain power to make sarcasm work.
By RamblinLonghorn
March 27, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Sorry Sonny, you’re going the wrong way do the street of Logic. Your other argument was better.
You obviously don’t care to make Georgia safer. If that were the case, you would ban sales altogether. You would re-enact prohibition. There is one reason, and one reason only, that Sunday is the day that sales are banned, and that is that it is the traditional sabbath for most Christian denominations.
So how about this. We’ll take accept your argument, and shift the day we can’t buy alcohol on to Friday. There are far more people out and about, your plan could save that many more lives.
By ???!!!
March 27, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
I love these idiots who have let their preachers and religious fundy leaders convince them that anything that someone believes in is a religion.
They aren’t, Jeffie. Secular Humanism, whatever you think that means, might be a philosophy, or a world-view, but neither it nor any of the other things you mentioned are religions. But please - continue to believe they are so you can justify your own desire to shove your religion down people’s throats.
By kyaneEast??
March 27, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Obama’s black preacher hates white people. Holla!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By So frustrated!
March 27, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Gigi…”Mississippi” is right unfortunately. It is what it is. If people want an alcoholic beverage on a Sunday and don’t already have it at home, the only option you are giving them is to drink and drive.
Happy to be a Georgian…you should try leaving that fraternity house or whatever rock you’re living under because apparently you missed the petition with over 50,000 signatures supporting Sunday alcohol sales. Sunday might be a “traditionally special place” to you but it’s just another day to me and thousands of other Georgians, and I want my right to buy beer and take it to the comfort and safety of my own home!
By Joe Ga
March 27, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
Sonny is an idiot. There are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Notice how he dosent give the raw numbers, just percentage increases? That’s because the numbers are low in the first place, and just a small addition in raw number of accidents makes the percentage increase look artificially huge. True politician he is, he chooses the data he uses to support a weak position. What about population increases factored in, or did the population of New Mexico not increase over the 10 years of the study? Or how about in real numbers, there was LESS THAN ONE ADDITIONAL alcohol related crash per Sunday for the whole state! or other cities that have allowed slaes and report no significant increase in problems… I too am embarassed he claims to be a Republican…
By WACKOLIBAHACK
March 27, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that Sonny don’t get his drink on. On sunday!!!!!!!! I hate Bush!!
By Fat Tony
March 27, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Kooks are suppose to live on the political fringes, not in the Governor’s mansion. As one guilty of voting for Gov. Perdue I am quite disappointed. We the people living in a constitutional Republic try to put the best qualified and most rational people into office, usually. Sometimes we miss the mark as evident by Gov Perdue’s on-going position on alcohol sales and other matters of interest to Georgia citizens.
The Governor’s shifting arguments on the topic at hand fail to stand up to even the most basic logical tests. Let’s explore this a bit:
I don’t feel 1/7th safer driving on Sunday considering all the bars are still serving. I do feel safe in the bar since I can keep an eye on those drinking.
Maybe we should outlaw all guns one day a week to be 1/7th safer there as well. Thursday would be good for that. I like to buy my Sunday wine on Thursday. No guns would make that safer, unless a criminal with a gun robs me. Then I may need to go to the bar on Sunday.
Monday could be no cars day. That should help protect me from the evils of I-285. Of course, getting to work would be tough. At least I’d be safe.
Wednesday is no chicken day. You know, an undercooked piece of chicken can really make you sick. Not worth the risk on Wednesdays.
Friday is no soccer day. You can really twist your ankle playing soccer on Friday. Too dangerous. That also makes it hard to drive to the bar on Sunday in the event you forgot to buy alcohol on no-gun Thursday or got robbed by a gun-toting Merlot thief.
Let’s get everyone involved. AJC readers, finish the days of the week for me. If you are feeling frisky, maybe we should ban stuff by the month as well. Seasonal bannings anyone??
By Tomb
March 27, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Jackson’s comments are the most logical I have seen. I hope Sonny will read it. I wonder how many invited guests go to the Governor’s Mansion with a flask in their back pocket so they can slip outside from time to time (maybe with a cigarette to boot). Yes, we live in a Republic rather than a Democracy and we vote to have those we elect to make the decisions, rather than the majority as in a Democracy.The weakness of a Republic is that it allows hypocrites like Sonny to foist his beliefs, through his power in office, over the desires of the majority of his constituents. If Sonny could prove to me that “God made me do it”, I’ll take back calling him a hypocrite.
By comp133xi7y
March 27, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
There are so many ignorant people in the world…and I use that word in its correct context. To suggest that someone is ignorant does not mean that he is stupid, only that he lacks knowledge of whatever subject is in question.
Please, understand that most of us who are in favor of sunday alcohol sales are not raging alcoholics. We aren’t people who lack “time management” skills.
No - we’re people who believe that in a free society - one that claims to be the greatest in the world - we should have the right to conduct our lives as we see fit. Not as how a particular religious group sees fit, but as WE see fit.
Here’s a little truth for you. World-wide, the number of self-proclaimed Christians who consume alcohol vastly outnumber those who do not. It is only in the Bible Belt, where the ultra-Puritan types are concentrated, that the belief that alcohol is somehow anti-Christian endures.
Here’s more truth for you. It doesn’t matter whether Christian orthodoxy embraces drinking (it does) or not - laws based on religious convictions are simply wrong.
Here’s a final bit of truth for you. There are a LOT of us out there who consume alcohol responsibly We want and DESERVE the freedom to decide to invite our friends over for dinner on Sunday, or to cook a meal for ourselves on Sunday without the INANE requirement ofo “thinking ahead”. So, if I want to make a dish that requires red wine on Sunday, or even to serve a dish that demands a particular kind of wine or beer to be served with it, I should HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO.
I don’t give a damn about the religious sensibilities of some Taliban-like evangelical. This is AMERICA, damnit, the land of the FREE. It’s not the land of the SELF-RIGHTEOUS PURITANICAL JERKS who think that they should tell others how to live.
God bless America. God bless GOD-DAMNED FREEDOM. Don’t like FREEDOM? Move to fricking SAUDI ARABIA where religious facists JUST LIKE YOU make laws that prevent citizens from enjoying their basic rights.
God Bless Freedom. God D A M N ignorant facists who would deny it. You all can rot in H E L L as far as I’m concerned.
By Obama 08
March 27, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Pretty soon the GA GOP will be pushing to teach Georgia’s children that the world is 6,000 years old.
By dave
March 27, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Yes yes….our “talibangelical” govna’ wants to keep as much of “his” religion running this state as possible…by force. Giving no option if one does NOT follow “his” religion. If it’s about making one day a week “alcohol free” (which it’s not because I can get sh$tfaced at a bar all afternoon if I want)…how about we change it to Wednesday? Tell me again how this has nothing to do with religious beliefs…in fact…it’s ILLEGAL!
By c-bear
March 27, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
(http://www.atlantapd.org/index.asp?nav=map) a data-driven site for sonny. dont forget to check box “all crimes” shows a 14 day crime streak. real proud of that now thanks sonny! sonny get your priorities straight. this sunday sales crap should be a non issue. maybe you can get your goons to pray for less crime. f-you
By c-bear
March 27, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
[http://www.atlantapd.org/index.asp?nav=map] a data-driven site for sonny. dont forget to check box “all crimes” shows a 14 day crime streak. real proud of that now thanks sonny! sonny get your priorities straight. this sunday sales crap should be a non issue. maybe you can get your goons to pray for less crime. f-you
By momof4
March 27, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
If Sonny really loves freedom, he’d let the people decide this one. Who is he to decide when beer and wine can be purchased? Is he too ignorant to realize that people just stock up on Saturdays? Just another power-hungry politician. Hey Sonny, to make everyone happy, why not sell alcohol on Sunday, but add another 1% sales tax to it and give that 1% to fund early intervention in our state since it is so under-funded and kids that need help can’t get it. Makes sense to me!
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 27, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Drunk-driving accidents won’t go up in Georgia if Sunday sales are legalized. Sonny can just pray for those to go away too, right?
By Babs Babaloni
March 27, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Bring back Happy Hour. I don’t care personally about Sunday sales. I’ll sit in a bar and stare at young chicks all day long. However, just becaue I don’t buy on Sunday doesn’t mean other drunks should be denied. Stay out of the Jesus juice.
By Just The Facts
March 27, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
www.votesundaysales.com
There is still time to be heard
By comp133xi7y
March 27, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Sadly, we can “be heard” all we want, but Purdue, like “W”, will exercise his veto pen NOT to ensure the will of the people, but to ensure that his own personal beliefs are upheld.
Wake up, folks. George W. Bush has no more right to veto stem cell research when the majority of the nation wants it than Purdue does to veto Sunday alcohol sales when the majority of the state wants it.
We do not elect KINGS - we elect officials who are supposed to LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.
Down with facists! Down with monarchs!
By Greg Leathers
March 27, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
I’m fed up with this government intrusion. I am going to have my own brewing kit and wine making barrels as well as still and stop letting the government dictate when I can purchase alcohol. I will also stop letting them put a huge tax on alcohol. That is the solution people, make your own alcohol and tell the government to screw off and stop being our nannies.
By Matt
March 27, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
As much as they deny it, Sonny and Co. are trying as hard as they can to make this state into a theocracy. They get all of their advice from the Baptist preachers, and try to force age-old rules down our throats. One thing they always fail to realize is that Sunday isn’t the Sabbath for everyone (i.e. Jews, Muslims, and me). Therefore, they should not be able to tell me not to buy beer on Sunday just because it’s THEIR Sabbath. Sadly, the people of this state will never drop the issue of religion, and they proved it in February by voting in overwhelming numbers for Mike Huckabee, who publicly stated that he would change the Constitution to reflect God’s law, blatantly defying everything the Founding Fathers stood for. They are as good as Puritans. It’s a shame we can’t kick them out like the English did.
By Your Neighbor
March 27, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
Free the weed, Sonny. Be bold and allow grass to be smoked on Sunday’s in Georgia. We claim to be a free society but our jail cells beg to differ. Lighten up, toke up, have fun.
By Don Birnam
March 28, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
It’s funny to see all you alcoholics get so lathered up over this silly issue. Of course, it just goes to prove what weak-minded addicts will do to satisfy their pathetic craving for liquid courage/charm. Newsflash: booze doesn’t make you funny, attractive or suave. It just makes you stinking drunk. You know what is at the core of a guzzler? Not a heart — but a SPONGE.
By Don Birnam wears panties
March 28, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
Hiccup. Hiccup. I’m Don Birnam and I wear ladies underwear while drinking the nectar of the Gods.
By Deltatina
March 28, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
Sir, please put up your trey.
By What a twit
March 28, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this
Perdue is a bafoon. Why don’t they stick that chimp from the movie Bedtime For Bonzo in office? We wouldn’t see any difference in performance.
By Good Golly
March 28, 2008 6:13 AM | Link to this
Why and how in the world does this boob keep getting reelected?
By Data Driven Idiot
March 28, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
Was Sonny displaying how he is data driven when his solution for dealing with the drought was praying for rain?
By Chris
March 28, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this
Another conservative who drinks. Get the politics out of it, let US decide.
By Katie
March 28, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
Sonny, it’s 2008 not 1808. Get your head out of your bumm. Let the people decide.
By lovelyliz
March 28, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
False conservatives show their true political, opportunistic tendencies that are anything but classic conservative when matters such as this come up.
By TJW
March 28, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Help, Help, I’m being Repressed!
Seriously, My religious beliefs have nothing against alcohol on Sunday, and find it interesting the Sonny feels that he can push his religious beliefs on me by not allowing this to go to vote.
If the Christian faith does not allow sale of alcohol on Sunday, then DON’T BUY AHCOHOL ON SUNDAY! If so many of you believe in it, then obviously the liquor stores will not do enough sales on Sunday to be worth being open…
Also, Can someone please explain where this whole ‘can’t buy alcohol on Sundays’ rule originated? I don’t remember anything in the Bible about it. Keep Holy the Sabbath doesn’t cover it. You might point to Jesus throwing the money-lenders out of the temple, but that would be all commerse, not just alcohol. Plus, since Wine is typically used as part of the service (donominational dependant), doesn’t that imply that they had no issue with alcohol on Sunday? Can anyone clear this up?
Prepares to duck Flaming Poo
By Julie
March 28, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
After reading comments like this from our “leader” it makes me proud to know I didn’t vote for this man.
By Red Forman
March 28, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Perdoofus can shove his Christian Sabbath prohibition mentality where the Good Lord Sho’ nuff split him.
By PPH
March 28, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
Sonny was elected to be Governor, not babysitter. I am ashamed that I voted for him and will not make that mistake again! It’s not just the Sunday sales that makes me feel that way but it does show me where his priorities are and that is not on laws, taxes and education, it is on being a self righteous horses butt! I am a tax paying adult with children of my own and I do not need to be told when or where to have a drink. And for all of you that are saying we are all just a bunch of alcoholics…give me a break. It is not about wanting to drink all the time, it is about a law that only a select religious few even believe in and it in no way shape or form supports how “the people” feel. For those that do not want to drink on Sunday it is VERY simple…..don’t! And yes, there is the argument that it can be bought on Saturday but is that really the point? I think not!
By Greg Leathers
March 28, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
TJW,
You are so right. There is no specific prohibition on drinking or buying alcohol on Sundays. I guess Sonny thinks he knows more than Jesus or the bible. He thinks he is the Messiah and that is dangerous. Also, Jesus and his disciples did drink wine. He and his diciples probably drank it on Sunday too. Damn alcoholic Jesus. Also this pseudoscience Sonny is trying to voimt on us won’t work. First of all I dispute the methods and conclusions of the New Mexico study. Second, why did he just happen to pick Sunday to ban sales of beer and wine in stores, but not restaurants? Sounds like he is playing up to his right wing bible banging backers. I bet that Fridays and Saturdays see a lot more dui related accidents and deaths, but you don’t see him pushing a sales ban on Friday or Saturday? Why not? Also, Sonny, if you are really concerned about deaths and accidents, and one is too many, why not ban the sale of alcohol in stores and restaurants 7 days a week? Why don’t you try that and see what happens to your political career? One last thing, why is there a small number of people who think that if you are against the ban on Sunday sales that you are an alcoholic? Most of us are not alcoholics, but don’t want an instrusive nanny government trying to play up to bible bangers for political points.
By Jerry K. Jackson
March 28, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Sonny, This is America. Let the people decide the Sunday alcohol sales. Put it on the ballot. Your not the dictator of Georgia. Keep your beliefs to yourself and not push them on us!
By LDW
March 28, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Wanna do something really useful, Sonny? Quit pontificating your religious beliefs about alcohol use and focus on improving the safety of GA’s driving habits. I bet you could cement your reputation as a leader who cares about the lives of Georgians if you would find ways to remove reckless (and feckless) drivers off our roadways. I, for one, would then applaud your efforts for doing something truly useful.
By John
March 28, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
How long will it be before the “How to properly worship Jesus law” is enacted?
By Darrel
March 28, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
To use Sonny’s logic and thinking that if alcohol is not sold on Sundays then there will be fewer DUI’s and traffic deaths. OKAY! Then to carry it further, if it were illegal to sell cars on Sunday, then no one should die in traffic accidents on Sunday……..RIGHT? No car sales on Sunday: plan ahead and buy your vehicles on the other six days of the week! Damn, Sonny! Yours is such a weak, stupid argument.
By JD
March 28, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
How many times have we been through this? Bill introduced, stalls in committee, Sonny threatens to veto. Think of the countless hours wasted. Logic and rational thought has never been used to support the continued ban on Sunday sales.
Sonny can’t run for re-election, so shelve it until a new governor is elected. Just like Sonny was elected based on the state flag issue, the next governor to be elected will run on a pltform to support Sunday sales.
By Will Jones
March 28, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Purdue: “Now, I have always been a data-driven decision maker” Try being a “principles-driven” statesman, instead! By Motto, America is the New Secular Order.
Violating Our Mottoes is spiritual treason against our civil religion of Americanism. The corrupt sectarian faction which has supported the 9-11-committing, homosexual draft-dodger’s being cheated into the White House by the Roman Catholic Supremes…who pulled the wool by claiming “Jesus” was his favorite political philosopher…needs to be brought to account by the sovereign People.
Here in Georgia that means taking Sonny and his fellow pandering hypocrites down. “Beer’s OK at the ballpark, but not at the store” is a transparent hypocrisy aimed at currying favor with his fellow secret drunks, and must be stopped.
Did his cheeks look like that when he was sober?
By Rhubarb Jones
March 28, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Tennessee you better give me my water, yea here, yeah come-on.
By Mark
March 28, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
LET THE PEOPLE VOTE! IT’S YOUR DUTY AS A SERVENT OF THE PEOPLE
By the speaker rules!!
March 28, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
doesn’t really matter what sonny perdue or jim beck or sadie-i disowned my daughter because she is gay- fields wnats or says. he can write all the letters to the paper he wants. he once said the legislation would have a hard time getting the final vote. meaning he would veto it. we’ll to show you just how simple this man is i give you this. if he vetos this then house speaker glen richardson has already said in january he will get the general assembly together and overide his veto which i think is outstanding. gov.purdue opposes sunday sales for obvious reasons as well as jim beck and saide fields. those reason are “moral grounds”. we’ll if you approve alcohol sales at a ball park on sunday and in the back of a limo on sunday in gwinnett county and not in a grocery store in fulton county then you have no “moral ground” to quote house speaker richardson its more like quicksand ground. people remember these names because these are the people who are trying to keep you from your right to vote. sonny purdue,jim beck.sadie fields and casey cagle. jim beck and sadie fields are with the georgia christian coalition and the georgia christian alliance. go to their websites and let them have it and also support house speaker richardson for what he is trying to do. go to vote sunday sales on google and you can keep an eye on these hillbillys there.as far as the new mexico study. unless you catch the drunk driver in the car with the empty beer bottles and the receipt for which indicates he bought the beer that very sunday you have nothing and the whole argument is just silly. like i said earlier him writint this letter shows you exactly how simple he really is. if sitting in the middle of the street praying for rain didn’t prove to anyone that this guy is as deep as a puddle then this should.
By the speaker rules!!
March 28, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
doesn’t really matter what sonny perdue or jim beck or sadie-i disowned my daughter because she is gay- fields wnats or says. he can write all the letters to the paper he wants. he once said the legislation would have a hard time getting the final vote. meaning he would veto it. we’ll to show you just how simple this man is i give you this. if he vetos this then house speaker glen richardson has already said in january he will get the general assembly together and overide his veto which i think is outstanding. gov.purdue opposes sunday sales for obvious reasons as well as jim beck and saide fields. those reason are “moral grounds”. we’ll if you approve alcohol sales at a ball park on sunday and in the back of a limo on sunday in gwinnett county and not in a grocery store in fulton county then you have no “moral ground” to quote house speaker richardson its more like quicksand ground. people remember these names because these are the people who are trying to keep you from your right to vote. sonny purdue,jim beck.sadie fields and casey cagle. jim beck and sadie fields are with the georgia christian coalition and the georgia christian alliance. go to their websites and let them have it and also support house speaker richardson for what he is trying to do. go to vote sunday sales on google and you can keep an eye on these hillbillys there.as far as the new mexico study. unless you catch the drunk driver in the car with the empty beer bottles and the receipt for which indicates he bought the beer that very sunday you have nothing and the whole argument is just silly. like i said earlier him writint this letter shows you exactly how simple he really is. if sitting in the middle of the street praying for rain didn’t prove to anyone that this guy is as deep as a puddle then this should.
By the speaker rules!!
March 28, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
oops…sorry
By Greg Leathers
March 28, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
You know who else is lobbying against this? An unlikely ally. Liquor store owners. They will not be allowed to be open on Sunday, only grocery stores. So, this is also in a little way also about money. Why should hard liquor sales be banned in stores on Sundays? Also, why does the current bill allow sales only after noon? Again throwing a fricking bone to the bible bangers. Stop pandering to them and tell them to get the hell out of the state and country if they don’t like people drinking or purchasing alcohol on Sundays at stores.
By Just The Facts
March 29, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
Greg,
Liquor sales are not banned under the bill. Liquor sales would be allowed on Sunday in areas where it is currently allowed the other six days of the week.
By The BlogFather
March 29, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Cant you deduce how no booze sundays started?
Long ago, when drunken sloths were the new metrosexuals, church goers would walk home from church, and notice that this day was like any other day for drunken sloths. These christians were feeling pretty good about their souls and seeing drunken ne’er do wells at 10am motivated their appearance at town hall meetings where they vented and roared their righteous condemnation.
It’s obvious to me how no booze 4 youze sundays got started long ago.
I read one christian woman’s diary from 1920’s: “I was walking home from church when a drunken sailor grabbed me so we got a hotel room and I could smell the whiskey on his breath and feel the dirt of his filthy paws all over me….and I LIKED IT! I LIKED IT!”
Well, I dont think any of us need to know any more than that about no booze for youze sundays.
By Atlantaguy
March 30, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry but it’s like someone voted for moron of the year here. How exactly did this guy get in office? Oh yeah- that FLAG thing. See what you got?? The flag stayed changed and you still can’t get a beer on Sunday.
This is a perfect example of what happens when you mix religion with politics. It’s fine for Sonny to misuse taxpayer vehicles (helecopter) to take his son to sporting events, but oh, it’s a sin to drink on Sunday so he won’t allow people to vote on Sunday sales?
For the record, he’s courting John McCain to run as V.P. with him this year. Think hard about all of this before you vote if he gets picked to run.
By Give It To Me Now
March 30, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Please Sonny, it’s the only thing I have left after working for the award winning GA state government all these years. It was either drink heavily or give in to the insanity of the administration.
By Tobacco Road
March 30, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
Sonny, Here’s a thought, since you are such a “data driven decision-maker”:
Why don’t you provide support through the billions of dollars given to the state for tobacco prevention and cessation through the Master Settlement Agreement (Tobacco MSA) due to the fact that Smoking kills more people worldwide and in Georgia—than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined — and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes — such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use. You quoted Robert Wood Johnson- an organization long known for its data supporting the fact above. Dig a little deeper. Until you took office, Georgia had an award winning tobacco control program- the best in the south. I guess the industry began to line your pockets and convinced you to do more cancer research on what actually causes lung cancer (of course, it isn’t SMOKING…) Why don’t you provide support for the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line instead of opting to become the only state in the nation without one (you remember, tobacco is sold 24-7) to help people kick the legal drug addiction, and is more addictive than heroin and cocaine. What about the thousands of kids becoming addicted each day? But, I guess people need SOMETHING to do on Sundays when they can’t drink (unless of course, they remembered to stock up at the store the day before).
People, get all your shopping done on Saturday because all that’s allowed on Sunday is smoking.
By lovelyliz
March 30, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Since college footbal is sacred in these parts, why don’t we bann alcohol sales on Saturdays from August through January?
By lovelyliz
March 30, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Since college football is sacred in these parts, why don’t we bann alcohol sales on Saturdays from August through January?
By Greg Leathers
March 30, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Just the Facts,
You are wrong. Only wine and beer sales would be allowed on Sundays according to the bill and only after noon, another give away to the bible bangers. Please read it before you comment. Sunday sales including hard liquor are allowed already at restaurants. Maybe that is what you are thinking of. The liquor lobby is against this because liquor stores can not remain open with this legilation to compete with grocery stores and gas stations selling beer and wine.
By Just The Facts
March 30, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Greg,
Read the correct bill. The bill that was added to the Gwinnett stadium allows liqour. The original bill was only a beer/wine bill, but after the liquor folks complained it was amended to include them.
Just the facts.
By Greg Leathers
April 5, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Just the Facts,
I just looked at Senate Bill 138 and it mentions malt beverages and wine. I believe that means beer and wine. I could be wrong, but let me know if I am looking at the wrong bill. Give me a specific link or name to look at if I am incorrect. Thanks.
By Jeff Yoder
April 25, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Here is the ultimate in hypocricy! Sonny boy says No to Sunday sales and jet sets over to Communist China to work business deals. Sonny sounds like a communist. Not a Christian? Yet he has the audacity to thump the Bible and say he is a Christian.. So God would approve making deals with the biggest human rights violator and Anti-Christ govt? I’m sure God makes exceptions when $ is involved! What a usless, shamless hypocrit Sonny is!
By Michael
June 3, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
“I have yet to meet one person who wants Sunday sales that was not either paid to do so, a fraternity kid, or a Ron Paul disciple.”
Hey there captain. I’m not sure what bubble you live in but I can’t even count the amount of decent people that have been inconvenienced for no real reason due to this law. An example, when my dear father would travel to entertain customers abroad, he’d have to be wary not to forget to buy his customers a fine bottle of craft brandy a day or two in advance and hope not to forget and find himself on sunday the day before his flight empty handed. Not all of us are raving college frat boys. In fact, most of us are decent law obeying people, but this law is just ridiculous.