Going home after four years in central Pennsylvania

The Digital Collegian (Penn State) ^ | Monday, April 28, 2003 | Kahlil Smith

[P.O.E.]

Sounds like he's bitter about not being invited to any parties - after 4 years of being left out, that would make anyone mopey.

[Willie Green]

You are out of your tree.

No, I'm not.
I'm quite willing to agree that Pennsylvania's liquor laws are in need of some degree of reform.
But if you think that I'm going to endorse some kind of whacknut libertarian laisezz-faire approach, YOU'RE the one who is out of your tree.

First off, despite my disrespect for dumbed-down teenagers, I think Pa's drinking age should be lowered to 18. My sole reason for this position is consistancy with U.S. law requiring registration for military draft. (Yeah, it's not active, but males must still register. I think females should also, but that's a different issue.) As long as that's the law of the land, I think 18 should be the age for ALL adult rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities.

For those younger than 18, well they've always been sufficiently creative to find ways around whatever system is set-up. But I see no reason to make it easy for them by allowing alcohol sales in any and all retail outlets. Keep alcholic beverage sales separate, where they can be monitored more closely.

As far as the State Stores go, I agree that they should be privatized. There is no need for a state monopoly that simply adds more state employees to the state payroll. If privatized, perhaps the specialty wine/liquor shops can add beer to their inventories as well.

One advantage to the consumer of keeping alcohol sales separate from other retail items is that the alcohol specialty outlets usually carry a wider inventory to choose from. Picking up a case of beer at WalMart may (or may not) save a few cents, but that undercuts sales (and availability) of other retailers who would offer a wider selection in their specialized inventory.

[Petronski]

....blah blah blah....

None of this states your original premise: Pennsylvania's system is more convenient.

That is insane.

[Willie Green]

None of this states your original premise: Pennsylvania's system is more convenient.

I thought that was implicit in the greater selection that is available in the specialized outlets, even under the current system.
But please excuse me for attempting to discuss the issue intelligently with somebody who's only interested in a cheap & quick drunk. I should've known better.

[Petronski]

Yes, equating 'greater selection' with 'convenience' is so much more intelligent. You really smoked me.

[Garth Rockett]

A few years ago, during my bookselling career, I got paid to sit in on a lecture by Norman Mailer, who was promoting another new novel, at a theater in downtown Pittsburgh. Near the beginning of his lecture, he made the mistake of referring to Pittsburgh as a "midwestern city". The audience, which paid good money to hear Mailer speak, nearly booed him off of the stage.

I have visited several midwestern cities, and I must agree that Pittsburgh has more in common with Cleveland and Minneapolis than most of us would care to admit. My first time through Cleveland, I thought to myself, "This is Pittsburgh on Lake Erie!"

[Willie Green]

The audience, which paid good money to hear Mailer speak, nearly booed him off of the stage.

Good grief. Most Pittsburghers don't even know who Norman Mailer is.
Sounds to me like you're simply hangin' with the wrong crowd.

[Garth Rockett]

Good grief. Most Pittsburghers don't even know who Norman Mailer is. Sounds to me like you're simply hangin' with the wrong crowd.

My biggest problem with Pittsburgh is that every crowd seems to be the wrong crowd. And as far as Norman Mailer is concerned, he should have hired someone else to read excerpts from his book, because the only thing I got out of listening to Mailer's recitation of his own writing was a half-hour nap.

[martin_fierro]

I saw the movie "Apollo XIII" one summer while in the 'Burgh.

There's a line in that movie about how the networks weren't airing video from the flight because "it's about as exciting as a trip to Pittsburgh."

OUTRAGE erupted in the theater 'n'at!

[martin_fierro]

Pittsburgh has more in common with Cleveland and Minneapolis than most of us would care to admit. My first time through Cleveland, I thought to myself, "This is Pittsburgh on Lake Erie!"

BITE YOUR TONGUE! <|:)~

Cleveland?!?!? Shirley you can't be series!

[xsmommy]

for heaven's SAKE! cleveland is a SUBURB of Pittsburgh!!!

[ScholarWarrior]

Easy. PA has lower income taxes. Ill take that trade all day.

[Freedom4US]

More pressing, though - what is the proper topping for a Cheese steak sam'wich? Cojack, Cheese-Whiz?

[ScholarWarrior]

Whiz is the only answer. Pats beats Jims all day, too.