'Sober bar' must sell Booze to allow smokers

Edmonton Journal ^ | Friday, August 15, 2003 | Jason Markusoff

[Ronin]

This is one of those stories that just make me want to beat my head against the wall and scream. Words utterly fail me.

Yes, this is Canada, but I can easily imagine this kind of insanity coming to America in the near future.

[nickcarraway]

What would be the harm in allowing people to smoke without drinking?

[Gilbo_3]

i just cant believe they refuse to issue a liscence, for money, because he admitted to not wanting to serve it

[thegreatbeast]

F* Canada. This is genuinely one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
We've got to keep a close eye on these retards.

[Ronin]

This is the part that makes me want to weep...

However, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission refused to issue them a licence Thursday, because they weren't planning to actually sell liquor. "They weren't looking for a liquor licence, they were looking for a smoking licence," said Alberta Gaming spokeswoman Marilyn Carlyle-Helms.

Isn't this just soo typical of the leftist do-gooders? The fact that they are dealing with a group of people who are engaged in a bitter and continious struggle against an insidious, debilitating addiction means nothing to them.

Yes, I know, smoking is an addiction too. But it causes a heck of a lot less damage than alcholism does.

[TheCrusader]

How easy it is to pick on recovering alcoholics. Like they don't have enough problems, their government has to force them to be around booze if they want to smoke cigarettes. The world is truly topsy turvy, upside down and inside out.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Idiotic law. So here's the solution: get the license and then be very low on supply....say, order a six pack per week. Sell it to the first paying customer of the week. "Sorry buddy, we're outta beer."

Bingo. Problem solved.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Idiotic law. So here's the solution: get the license and then be very low on supply....say, order a six pack per week. Sell it to the first paying customer of the week. "Sorry buddy, we're outta beer."

Bingo. Problem solved.

[auntdot]

Except there is probably a law against that also.

Why in the heck didn't the oversight agency just not get around to examining the place?

No one would have cared and the world would have been a better place.

There are times that reasonable people must make exceptions, and those need not be codified.

Oh, sorry, Canada, right.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

The city might as well demand that they gamble while they're at it.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[battlegearboat]

Whats it take to get a drink around here?

[Drammach]

So here's the solution: get the license and then .....

Sorry, wrong move.

No need to go the the Alberta Provincial Authority for a liquor license, they don't sell liquor.

It's the City that requires liqour to be sold in order for smoking to be allowed.
A simple amendment or exception to the city's code would allow smoking in this establishment.

If you want to bash someone, go after the city council.
They are the true idiots in this situation.

[DonQ]

The closest American analogy that I can think of already happened, starting well over 50 years ago. I am speaking of "gay bars". In an effort to assure the general public that they were not interested in children, the gays made a point of congregating in liquor establishments, from which minors were positively excluded. The drawback was that a very considerable number developed drinking problems. And, of course, it's very very likely that anyone socializing for hours in a bar was going to leave that bar with his judgment impaired, even though he might have to drive a considerable distance, and even though on his way home he might encounter someone below voting age.

[gridlock]

What would be the harm in allowing people to smoke without drinking?

There's no harm in that. The problem is that somebody doesn't have the right box checked on some permit form. There is no form for a non-drinking bar, so a non-drinking bar cannot be allowed to exist. All establishments must be formed to conform to the form.

Maybe if they introduced nude dancing girls and hookers, that would make the city officials happy...

[Chewbacca]

Get the license but don't sell the alcohol.

[Publius6961]

"The city is forcing us to promote alcohol as the only way we can keep smoking," co-owner Tom Charbonneau said. "Other restaurants and bars have that option, but we don't."

George Orwell could have a field day with this one.

New phenomenon: the quagmire of unintended consequences.

[John O]

The worst part of this is that it's a members only private club. Why can't a private clun have it's own rules.

The canucks have definitely gone off the deep end.

[Madame Dufarge]

Get the license but don't sell the alcohol

Control Freaks 'R Us got it covered:

However, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission refused to issue them a licence Thursday, because they weren't planning to actually sell liquor.

This goes beyond Orwellian.