RAD supports legislation that would require mandatory carding by any retailer selling alcohol - from bars to convenience stores.
 
When convenience stores statewide announced a "self-imposed" carding program this week, we felt it was a good step - until we saw a full-page newspaper ad tied to that announcement pushing for expanded Sunday sales of alcohol.
 
In The Indianapolis Star, for example, the news story on carding is on the front of the metro section and the back of the metro section carries a full page ad asking for support of Senate Bill 189 - an omnibus liquor bill sponsored by a senator who also happens to own convenience stores.
 
In this age of enlightenment and transparency in government, we hope people see this move for what it is.
 
Bill Platt, the newspaper's national advertising sales supervisor, did tell us that the ad (which was paid for by a retailer on behalf of Hoosiers for Beverage Choices) did not meet its "advocacy" guidelines.
 
Platt said the paper should have required the ad to disclose who paid for it. Not only was that disclosure missing, so was the note that runs on an ad identifying it as an actual ad.
 
"We were under a misconception as to what the content was going to be," he said of the Page 20 ad that was published in Wednesday's edition of the newspaper. Platt explained that the ad slipped by without proper review and that the placement was strictly coincidental.
 
What does that kind of ad cost? From $19,000 to $23,000 or more.

 

(Note to readers: A second round of ads appeared this past weekend in both the Indianapolis and Lafayette papers. Disclaimers cited payment by the Alliance for Responsible Retailers, another group closely aligned with supporters of Sunday alcohol sales.)
 
For more on a local take from a Lafayette businessman, click HERE for our video short.

 

For an interesting take on the issue from MinnPost's David Bauer, click HERE.

 

Here's the memo shipped to candidates below. The issue has lit up online posts from bloggers, columnists and readers.

Dear candidate for governor:

Following up on the recent published remarks by former Sen. Mark Dayton about his treatment for depression and alcohol abuse, the Star Tribune is asking each candidate for governor whether he or she has ever received therapy or treatment of any kind for use of alcohol or prescription or non-prescription drugs, or for depression or anxiety.

The response - or the absence of a response - will likely be used in a future news story. The newspaper requests that any response to this inquiry be made by Jan. 8.

Thank you.

 

Pat Doyle
Staff Writer
Minneapolis Star Tribune