Alabama vote.

[CGVT]

Senator Del Marsh
Senate President Pro Tempore

Current Office: Alabama Senate District 12
Party: Republican
State House: (334) 242-7877
Home: (256) 237-1931
Work: (256) 237-8647
Fax: (256) 237-1579

Our Current Legislative Goals
Based on our lobbying efforts, we believe Senator Marsh...
Supports raising the container size restriction.
Supports homebrew legalization.

 

[CGVT]

We definitely need to contact Senators Waggoner and Marsh on Monday

 

[aubiecat]

I have already emailed them and I will be calling them Monday morning.

 

[wailingguitar]

I have called them both as well as called and emailed my local senator. I will email Waggoner and Marsh as well. Posted phone numbers for all three on my facebook page and asked all my friends to call. I have gotten some promises, hope they follow through.

 

[dford]

Got this email from senator Holtzclaw this afternoon that gives me hope. Especially the fact that he says there is no opposition to this bill. It is as follows:

I apologize for the delay in thanking you for supporting HB354. I’m happy to support you and Representative McCutcheon to get this bill passed.

I won’t sugarcoat this – we are literally down to the wire with one legislative day remaining; Wednesday the 16th of May. This bill has simply come too far to not get it’s fair shot on the Senate floor. I requested that it be placed on the Special Order Calendar last week but was unable to have it pushed through the log jam of bills.

I have a couple of “silver bullets” left and will use one this week, hopefully ensuring HB354 is placed on the Calendar. You can visit this page to see what bills are placed on the calendar for next Wednesday - http://www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senaterules/senaterulescommspecialordercalendar.html

I have also been at work talking with colleagues on both sides of the isle to uncover any opposition and am happy to report that no one has shown any opposition…hopefully that will continue hold true. Wednesday will be a wild and wooly day! Thanks again for your support.

Semper Fi

Bill

I received this exact same email after I had emailed him earlier today. I hope one of his "silver bullets" work.

 

[aubiecat]

They are hearing us. Just got this email from Philip Bryan.



Appreciate the email Blake, i assure you that Senator Marsh supports this bill. We'll do what we can to bring this up on wednesday - thanks again - pb


--
Philip Bryan
Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro Tempore
[email protected]
334.242.7877
334.300.8540 (cell)

 

[Orthobrewsky]

They are hearing us. Just got this email from Philip Bryan.



Appreciate the email Blake, i assure you that Senator Marsh supports this bill. We'll do what we can to bring this up on wednesday - thanks again - pb


--
Philip Bryan
Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro Tempore
[email protected]
334.242.7877
334.300.8540 (cell)

Mine was actually a little different, but positive:

Ed, thanks for your email. I'll pass along your email to Senator Marsh. It's our hope that we can get to HB354 on Wednesday - thanks again. pb

--
Philip Bryan
Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro Tempore

I'm acquainted with Del Marsh from some years ago and had written:


Dear Del,

You and I were members of Grace Episcopal some years ago and our rector got me into homebrewing. Please see that the Homebrew Legalization Bill is brought to a vote Wednesday.....etc.

 

[Accidic]

I agree. Any bill that gets through committee should be required to be voted on. However, unlike the real world... In politics you can apparently leave jobs incomplete because....... Well, I got nothing but they do.

That said, I got a reply from our delegate (whose name I will not repeat so I do not create backlash on them) and he wholeheartedly supports the bill.


Edit - Adding email text:
Thank you for contacting our office. Senator >***< is a supporter of this bill and intends to vote favorably for it if/when it comes before the Senate for a vote. Please let me know if our office can be of assistance to you in the future.

 

[Accidic]

If we get this through, I think we should have a huge party and invite Mac, Holtzclaw, Irons and the others that have worked for us!

Would that be a conflict of interest? Also we would need at least a month to make some....

 

[aubiecat]

Would that be a conflict of interest? Also we would need at least a month to make some....

If it passes through we should have a huge bash somewhere in Alabama to celebrate. I'm sure the AHA would be all for that.
If the politicians just happen to show up then all the better.

 

[DocBrown]

Since the question of thanking these guys has come up, a quick note on Mac McCutcheon: The ALCAP people (neo-prohibitionist religious right) are pissed at him for pushing the homebrew bill so hard. He's worked his tail off for us for 3 years now, and he's taking some heat for it. The word is that ALCAP is planning to run someone against him in the primary election in 2 years. Now, the bill hasn't passed yet (crossing fingers for a senate vote on Wednesday!), and Mac can't take and campaign contributions until June 2013. But if you're happy with the work he's done for us, you might consider sending his campaign a check next year.

 

[CGVT]

I guess according to ALCAP there is no room in Alabama politics for anyone that is not a narrow minded, judgmental prick.

 

[Accidic]

And here I thought it was a "You didn't follow us blindly so we are going to punish you you bastard!" situation.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

When homebrew is outlawed only outlaws homebrew.

Oh, and normal family men who hold down a job, pay taxes, and contribute to society.

 

[aubiecat]

ALCAP wants to get Mac McCutcheon out of office because he actually did what his constituents wanted?

ALCAP needs to feel the wrath of the people.

Jesus Christ would not be welcomed by the "moral compass" because he turned water into wine.

 

[Gduck]

ALCAP wants to get Mac McCutcheon out of office because he actually did what his constituents wanted?

ALCAP needs to feel the wrath of the people.

Jesus Christ would not be welcomed by the "moral compass" because he turned water into wine.

He hung out with a prostitute too. Plus I'm pretty sure he wasn't born in America.. So Jesus is right out.

 

[wailingguitar]

He hung out with a prostitute too. Plus I'm pretty sure he wasn't born in America.. So Jesus is right out.

For that matter, God himself too...

Numbers 28:7-

The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary.


Sacrifices of food and drink were believed consumed by Yahweh, so God was having a little nip too. To bad he didn't have ALCAP to keep him in line...

 

[Gduck]

For that matter, God himself too...

Numbers 28:7-

The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary.


Sacrifices of food and drink were believed consumed by Yahweh, so God was having a little nip too. To bad he didn't have ALCAP to keep him in line...

Wow, if every single person poured a little for God that has to be one loaded diety! Because all that fermented goodness adds up!

 

[bernerbrau]

Wow, if every single person poured a little for God that has to be one loaded diety! Because all that fermented goodness adds up!

Of course, having been around for billions of years, I'd imagine the dude has one hell of a tolerance.

 

[homebrewdad]

Why bother using facts? True Fundies don't care about facts, even if you point them out in the Bible.

 

[DocBrown]

ALCAP wants to get Mac McCutcheon out of office because he actually did what his constituents wanted?

ALCAP needs to feel the wrath of the people.

Jesus Christ would not be welcomed by the "moral compass" because he turned water into wine.

It's kind of funny. ALCAP cites a book on alcohol in the Bible (full disclosure: I'm a pretty conservative Christian myself and am very familiar with the Bible). I found the book online a while back and skimmed through it. They spend a good bit of time addressing Jesus' first miracle: The turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

The basic argument is as follows:
1) In those days they had the ability to make non-alcoholic beverages from grapes and other fruits.
2) Since drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate, Jesus couldn't have made alcoholic drinks available to the people at Cana (especially since there were probably children at the wedding - it's inconceivable to think that Jesus would put alcoholic drinks in front of them!).
3) Therefore the "wine" Jesus made at Cana was more of a non-alcoholic grape juice.
4) Since the beverages were non-alcoholic, this passage is not justification for drinking.
5) As a result, it's clear that drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate.

The actual argument in the book was much more detailed and extensive, and the author probably wouldn't agree that this is a fair synopsis, but this is really what it boiled down to.

 

[wailingguitar]

It's kind of funny. ALCAP cites a book on alcohol in the Bible (full disclosure: I'm a pretty conservative Christian myself and am very familiar with the Bible). I found the book online a while back and skimmed through it. They spend a good bit of time addressing Jesus' first miracle: The turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

The basic argument is as follows:
1) In those days they had the ability to make non-alcoholic beverages from grapes and other fruits.
2) Since drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate, Jesus couldn't have made alcoholic drinks available to the people at Cana (especially since there were probably children at the wedding - it's inconceivable to think that Jesus would put alcoholic drinks in front of them!).
3) Therefore the "wine" Jesus made at Cana was more of a non-alcoholic grape juice.
4) Since the beverages were non-alcoholic, this passage is not justification for drinking.
5) As a result, it's clear that drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate.

The actual argument in the book was much more detailed and extensive, and the author probably wouldn't agree that this is a fair synopsis, but this is really what it boiled down to.

Dang, apart from the fact that the pressed grapes would become wine whether they wanted to or not, even the rest is hogwash. Talk about revisionist mumbo-jumbo

 

[CreamyGoodness]

It's kind of funny. ALCAP cites a book on alcohol in the Bible (full disclosure: I'm a pretty conservative Christian myself and am very familiar with the Bible). I found the book online a while back and skimmed through it. They spend a good bit of time addressing Jesus' first miracle: The turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

The basic argument is as follows:
1) In those days they had the ability to make non-alcoholic beverages from grapes and other fruits.
2) Since drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate, Jesus couldn't have made alcoholic drinks available to the people at Cana (especially since there were probably children at the wedding - it's inconceivable to think that Jesus would put alcoholic drinks in front of them!).
3) Therefore the "wine" Jesus made at Cana was more of a non-alcoholic grape juice.
4) Since the beverages were non-alcoholic, this passage is not justification for drinking.
5) As a result, it's clear that drinking wine with alcohol is inappropriate.

The actual argument in the book was much more detailed and extensive, and the author probably wouldn't agree that this is a fair synopsis, but this is really what it boiled down to.

I just read that argument, and went in to see my fiancee. I needed a hug. WTHeck?

 

[Orthobrewsky]

Dang, apart from the fact that the pressed grapes would become wine whether they wanted to or not, even the rest is hogwash. Talk about revisionist mumbo-jumbo

Yes, they seem to forget that the first century Jews didn't pasteurize, vacuum pack, and refrigerate after opening.



"Every man serves the good wine first and then, after men have drunk freely, that which is poorer. But you have saved the good wine until last."--The head waiter

 

[aubiecat]

I grew up in a southern Baptist church so I have heard that argument my whole life.
It's convenient that Jesus made grape juice from water and convenient that grape juice used to be called wine.

Which version of the bible did that come from?
King James Version
New International Version
Revised Standard Version
The Living Bible
New Living Translation
World English Bible
New King James Version
New International Readers Editions
American Standard Version
New American Standard Version
Young's Literal Translation
Plain English Bible
New English Bible
Amplified Bible
Basic English Bible
Translator's NT
20th Century Bible
Modern King James Version
The Message
Hebrew Names Version of World English Bible
Contemporary English Version
English Version for the Death
Good News Version
New Century Version
New Revised Standard Version
J. B. Phillips New Testament, modern English

 

[Orthobrewsky]

Obviously, it's wine.

 

[aubiecat]

Here is the bible verse in question.
New International Version

John 2:1-11

New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The master of the banquet is saying the wine Jesus made was high quality wine, not Welches sparkling grape juice.
Here is one of the times when the bible says what it says.

 

[Orthobrewsky]

"It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers; Mohammedanism, not Christianity, is the teetotal religion."

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

 

[GTengineer10]

What part of brewing is currently the felony in Alabama? Is it the mash? Is it the sparge? Is it the boil? Is it the cooling? Is it the fermenting? Is it the bottling?

I imagine it would probably not be a felony until the fermenting. I know it is not practical but someone should go through a brew day in front of the clowns. Show that brewing requires patience, time, and money. That the vast majority of homebrewers are people that appreciate the taste of their hobby and the challenge of perfecting it. It is not just a way of getting drunk.

I really would like to know at what point brewing becomes a felony.

 

[homebrewdad]

Here is the bible verse in question.
New International Version

John 2:1-11

New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus&#8217; mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus&#8217; mother said to him, &#8220;They have no more wine.&#8221;

4 &#8220;Woman,[a] why do you involve me?&#8221; Jesus replied. &#8220;My hour has not yet come.&#8221;

5 His mother said to the servants, &#8220;Do whatever he tells you.&#8221;

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, &#8220;Fill the jars with water&#8221;; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, &#8220;Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.&#8221;

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, &#8220;Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.&#8221;

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The master of the banquet is saying the wine Jesus made was high quality wine, not Welches sparkling grape juice.
Here is one of the times when the bible says what it says.

Which shows how completely ridiculous the book referenced above (as well as the way that some teetotalers choose to believe) really is. "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink..."

Friend, they aren't referencing "too much to drink" by meaning that the guests were full, and thus didn't care if the "grape juice" was good.

Incidentally, this argument is quite academic. The original word used in the New Testament is the Greek word pronounced "oy-nos". This word SPECIFICALLY means fermented wine, not juice. The same word is used by Paul in Ephesians (among other epistles) to warn against drunkenness.

Drunkenness is frowned upon by God. Alcohol use is not.

We can pull the Hebrew word used throughout the Old Testament when God talks about His blessings for His people (hint: wine is among them).... but we're just talking about Caanan right now.

Jesus definitively made actual, alcoholic, wine - and it was of excellent quality.