Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Religion

Idaho Bans “Five Wives Vodka” As Insulting To Mormons

As we put the finishing touches on the summary judgment motion and brief in the Sister Wives case, a friend sent me this story out of Idaho. Five Wives Vodka has been told by the state of Idaho that it will ban the booze as insulting to the large Mormon population.

The vodka is produced by Ogden’s Own Distillery in Utah. However, Idaho State Liquor Division administrator Jeff Anderson said the brand is offensive to Mormons. The decision limits the speech rights of the distillery to satisfy a powerful group in the state — Mormons make up more than a quarter of Idaho’s population. What is striking is not just the first amendment violation but the question of equal protection and due process. There is a Utah beer named Polygamy Porter that is available in Idaho.

Source: Spokesman

42 thoughts on “Idaho Bans “Five Wives Vodka” As Insulting To Mormons”

  1. If i were a Mormon, I would save my anger for “Five Twelve-Year-Old Wives With The Same Child Molesting Mormon Husband” Brand Vodka and its companion brand “You Catholic Priests Need Not Look So Smug About This” Brand Vodka.

  3. There seems to be a lot of stepping on citizen’s toes and rights being done by states and the Federal Government.

    Here is an example. I get my insulin at a 80% cost reduction from Canada. Same Insulin, same manufacturer. And now this… will I have to move to Canada to keep living?

    “Don’t let the government destroy imported meds!
    posted Wed, 30 May 2012

    Our ability to import prescription drugs is under attack yet again. Recently, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved H.R.5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act. What most people don’t realize, is that a provision buried in this bill’s 294 pages would jeopardize the right of Americans to import affordable medicine from international online pharmacies.

    Section 805 authorizes Customs and Border Protection to destroy shipments of prescription drugs valued at $2,000 or less. Clearly, this provision protects the interests of big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of the tens of thousands of Americans who rely on importation to for access to their needed medicines.

    We expect that the bill will be up for a full House vote sometime very soon. House rules don’t allow floor amendments and so ultimately, the good fight is going to have to be fought in conference committee.

    In the meantime, we’re calling on you to educate your representatives. Tell them Section 805 should be thrown out. It is an unnecessary and damaging provision that puts American lives at risk!”

  7. matt 1, May 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    But I wonder how the federal trademark law can prohibit the trademarking of offensive words/names? Is it that the first amendment permits the product name, but doesn’t require the federal government to give it a trademark?
    ==========================================================
    Is that you, Anonymous?

  8. Dennis: I also recall the joke that JFK had prepared a one-word telegram to be sent to the Pope only in the event Nixon won the election. It read, “Unpack.”

  10. I bought a bottle of wine once that was named “Fat Bastard.”
    I can’t remember whether it was red or white.

  12. i’m going to begin marketing my “southern baptists suck ass” pale ale.

    (i sold some in the 70’s under the name “billy beer”)

  13. leejcaroll: “Although JFK had to jump thru hoops to prove being a catholic did not mean he would be a pope pimp.”

    I remember:

    Save your bowling balls, so Kennedy can build a rosary for the Statue of Liberty.

    The Statue of Liberty will become Our Lady of the Harbor.

    Build more bird houses – the Cardinals are coming.

  14. matt 1, May 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    But I wonder how the federal trademark law can prohibit the trademarking of offensive words/names? Is it that the first amendment permits the product name, but doesn’t require the federal government to give it a trademark?
    ===========================
    I’m diggin’ that. Sorta like the head taking a look at the tail, but can’t recognize it is an extension of the head.

    It’s all body baby!

  17. We had a nice lady working the dog bar called Ida Hoe. She was married and divorced five times. The last husband was a mormon and he had five wives, Ida was the fifth. The mormon used to come into the bar, in fact that is how he met Ida. He only came in when he said he was “lapsed”. He usually left pretty lapsed too, and when he divorced Ida she took back her maiden name which is Hoe. We dogs asked her about this article and she says that despite her ex husband’s abuse of vodka and women, it was not her idea and that she is not a state of mind to object. We think that the article might be some sort of prank on Ida.

  18. But I wonder how the federal trademark law can prohibit the trademarking of offensive words/names? Is it that the first amendment permits the product name, but doesn’t require the federal government to give it a trademark?

  20. Matt Johnson 1, May 30, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Dredd,

    Idaho State Motto: “We have the widest public restroom stalls.”
    ==================================================
    It’s unfortunate the restroom stalls at the Minneapolis airport aren’t as wide.
    ***************************************************************
    Bingo.

    Some, like Gene H, picked up on the link to Idaho Senator Larry “Wide Stance” Craig.

    BTW, I imbibe in Arrogant Bastard Ale, not simply because it has also been denigrated by Idaho State Liquor Division administrator Jeff Anderson, although that would be reason enough.

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