John Huntsman Bridges The Cultural Divide
July 15th, 2009
How Utah Governor John Huntsman has proven that not all Utah politicians need be puppets of the special interests they serve.
by Richard Markosian
Black sheep," "outcast," or worst, "apostate," are all words that could have once been used to describe Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. after he chose to drop out of high school and try to make it as a rock star.
Although politics is about as far from rock and roll as you can get, there are those of us in Utah who see Huntsman as something of a rock star for his bold decision to tear down the "Zion Curtain" and let us get a beer without having to sign away our firstborn.
I stopped going to church when I was 12 and, subsequently, grew up among a flock of so-called black sheep. We all came from Mormon families, but were willing to mix and hang out with anyone and everyone. Although my Mormon friends never told me I was going to hell, when it became clear I wasn't "celestial bound" an invisible barrier sprung up between them and me.
Over the years I have become close with many Mormons; I've especially appreciated those of the LDS faith who have reached out to me to become my friend. Mormons are great people and I've always felt regret when people inaccurately condemn Utah because of the LDS Church's power in politics.
Governor Hunstman seems to be one of those who is willing to reach out and break down barriers. By eliminating private club laws and tearing down the Zion curtain (in everyday Utah lexicon the Zion curtain meant the glass barrier that restaurant patrons were forbidden to reach over to be served alcoholic beverages) he sent a message that there may be hope for separation of church and state in Utah after all. But there has been another Zion curtain -- one less tangible and more difficult to identify -- that has caused many LDS members to want nothing to do with non-Mormons and vice-versa.
The Zion curtain I speak of was around my friends in high school who saw I was never going to go on a mission or be married in the temple. This curtain seems to be wrapped around the likes of Michael Waddoups and Chris Buttars, who want to further perpetuate an "us vs. them" society and shun all advice from Utah economic advisors and the Utah Travel Council, whom Huntsman decided to listen to.
Huntsman learned at a young age that non-Mormons were worth hanging out with. He was in a rock band -- he may have felt some shame from his family -- but at the same time he was likely introduced into a world of people and ideas that many in the LDS community never have the good fortune to understand. Mainly, that not all counter-cultural movements are evil, and most non-Mormons don't behaveTelestial-bound (meaning the lowest kingdom of God, aka: hell bound) -- drinking, partying and being stupid are not characteristics of all non-Mormons.
Living on the other side of the curtain can be about learning from people from different walks of life and being able to respect differing world ideologies.
Redefining the Cultural Divide
Probably nobody knows the cultural divide in Utah better than Wasatch Beers owner Greg Schirf. A long time opponent of Utah's liquor laws -- and laws limiting free speech in terms of liquor advertising -- Schirf has always pushed the limits of his first amendment rights to advertise his beer.
Many Utahans remember the marketing campaign for Saint Provo Girl beer: billboards all over the valley featuring a buxom young lady wearing a low-cut European-style dress, with the caption "nice cans." Some LDS leaders viewed these billboards as a disgrace, while anyone with a sense of humor (Mormon or non-Mormon) likely got a chuckle. These billboards, and the new Polygamy Porter beer commercials featuring Schirf in a hot tub with several women, became an issue that stirred up interest in the international press during the 2002 Olympics.
Waddoups fought back by announcing he wanted to implement a special tax that only applied to Wasatch Beers. Some of Waddoups more long-term colleagues had to remind him that targeting an individual company with additional tax was not allowed by either the US Constitution or Utah's State Constitution. (This story is according to Greg Schirf, Utah Stories has been unable to verify with Waddoups' office)
Waddoups didn't attempt to amend the sate constitution; however, he did manage to put an excise tax on ALL Utah beer. It's an unfortunate that Utah beer makers now pay $12.83 in state tax for every barrel of beer produced in Utah.
Schirf also riled up the most sensitive Mormons by running his controversial campaign for Polygamy Porter. Schirf says that this beer and his continued ads have lead to further frustrations by LDS leaders who wish that he -- and his Polygamy Porter beer would disappear.
It's clear that Huntsman has now changed the notion that the only good fromliquor and beer in Utah comes from the LDS leaders' ability to tax it. What Huntsman has come to understand -- likely from his extensive world travels -- is that perhaps our founding fathers were right. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Beer captures the essence of wheat and hops in a nourishing, refreshing drink. It is an ancient drink that provides nutrients and sustenance in a bottle. To pass laws that attempt to condemn beer, is the equivalent of passing laws to condemn humanity. Beer was important not just to our founding fathers but to the Roman Empire, the Egyptians, the Huns and the Sumerians. Were they all wrong in their practices of drinking beer?
Prozac and Paxil are no substitute for beer in raising the spirits or calming the nerves after a long, hot day. But it's clear that some members of the LDS church believe they can try using these meds as a substitute. It's partially for this reason that Utah has more residents being treated for depression than any other state. This is an entirely different subject -- but with all good will towards Mormons, I say stop taking Paxil and start drinking just one beer with your dinner. Your sorrows will melt away. Good beer -- not Schlitz or Pabst or Natural Lite -- but one, good Utah beer a day will surely keep the doctor away and help you remain healthy, wealthy and wise. Benjamin Franklin didn't put it quite this way but I'm sure he would agree.
of Utah Stories July issue
Beer is, indeed, proof that God loves us and Wasatch Beers and Bohemian Brewery are proof that humans can fulfill God's love in a bottle. It's not beer to drink to get drunk; it's beer to drink to feel happy that you're alive.
As a Utahan, and proud to have 3/4ths of my stock from Mormon Pioneers, I can evangelize about the beauty and wonders of beer because I have traveled the world and tasted the cultures of Europe bottled in beer. I feel as if I truly know Belgium because I've drunk many of their varieties of beer -- just as I know Utah because I know her beers. It's time for more Utahans to realize the wonderful nuances of great beer.
In closing, I offer a toast -- long live Governor Jon Huntsman; make the Chinese proud just as you made all Utahans proud to have you as our Governor!
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Reader Comments
Paul Smith
Yeh we know what side the writer if this article is on. MSNBC is left of center, and Fox is right wing according to the writer. Yeh right MSNBC is far left wing hate. Closed minded Liberals that shut down opposing ideas. Fox has the highest ratings because informed Conservatives actually watch news. Democrats rely on propagandizing the ignorant. Conservative are much more intelligent than liberals.
