WSWA is going strong

You have to admit: Juanita has a good speech writer.

http://www.wswa.org/public/media/20060405.html

Yep, that was a pretty good speech. The thought that kept running through my head, though, was, "If distributors are so effective and essential, why do they need the government to force people to do business with them?" If they're that good, they can thrive in a free market.

Isaac,

That was my thought exactly. Plus, I used to work for a distributor--building brands is not their priority--moving boxes is.

John,

I stood before Kelly when I applied for a wine shop license. He exuded arrogance, not to mention fealty to wholesalers. Glad to know my suspicions were right on.

I find it interesting that an ex-police chief is in line for the job. NY State is still in the mindset that alcohol is a criminal activity that needs corrections and police people to oversee it, and I think that mindset is because criminal activity prevails, but it is not the licensees.

I'll never forget the day an armed SLA guy came to my small winery to inspect it before I could receive my license. He knocked on my door and when I opened it I stepped back a little at the sight of his uniform and gun. He said he was from the SLA to inspect. And I asked him, "if I fail are you going to shoot me?"

And because wine and spirits wholesale licenses are restricted to persons of the highest moral character, confirmed by investigation, they are placed in a position of trust by the state.

Anyone who has ever attended WSWA knows there is nobody there in the fine wine business. It is populated with beverage wine hustlers, spirits box movers and lots of guys with gold chains and big glasses of Scotch in their hands and every hooker in the area knows they're in for a big weekend.

Did she used to work for the tobacco industry?

[Robin Garr]

Did she used to work for the tobacco industry?

Even better! Juanita was once a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. I am not kidding about this.

Even better! Juanita was once a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. I am not kidding about this.

Well there you go -- everyone has at least one positive aspect.

[Robin Garr]

Well there you go -- everyone has at least one positive aspect.

Senile old coot ... I got your message, by the way ...

Senile old coot ... I got your message, by the way ...

Those folks seem very nice and sincere. I don't know how smart they are, since they said a couple of nice things about you.

You have to admit: Juanita has a good speech writer.

http://www.wswa.org/public/media/20060405.html

This speech really should come with the same warning I used to get at camp about going swimming too soon after lunch. I just ate, and this made me a mite queasy.

Joe,

You are so sensitive. Juanita isn't all bad--well, let me think a little more on that...

There's another way to read the speech: as a sign of desperation. Something to hold onto.