Semantics

Wines & Vines, Sept, 2001

At least once a year, we (I) rail about improper usage of language when it comes to licensed beverages.

We have tried to point out the there is NO "alcohol industry."

There is the wine industry, the beer industry, the spirits industry and the industrial, denatured industry.

But here comes the CLE International with its Annual Conference on Wine Beer & Spirits Law.

I cringed when I read the topics of some speakers; they should know better.

How about "Constitutional History of the Alcohol Industry"? Or "Alcohol 201"?

How's this breezy title: "Direct Marketing and Sale of Alcohol Over The Internet"? And "Intersection of Alcohol Beverage Law and Land Use Law"?

These are, no doubt, riveting topics, if you're a lawyer.

A better endeavor would be to remove wine from the federal language regarding spirituous or intoxicating beverages.

This issue could be addressed in a lawsuit to the Supreme Court.

Will it?

Nah.

Oh, when and where will this conference be held?

Don't know, the CLE mailer just plumb evaded me.