Jerry Summers
The ability of manufacturers to put a positive spin on a research project that just happened to suggest that they support their advertising message of positive health and medicinal benefits is a popular advertising tactic.
Ex: The advantages of smoking cigarettes was so healthful that soldiers in a major WWII were provided packs of the toxic weed products until it was eventually proved that they were cause of deadly lung cancer.
For decades it was publicly announced and supported by medical authorities that a small amount of alcohol was better for you than complete abstinence from the Devil’s Brew.
To the chagrin of many teetotaling Baptists and Methodists, etc. this position allowed back sliders to adopt the philosophy of “moderation” was good for you and the rule of “two drinks for a man and one drink for the fairer sex” was proper.
However a recent study from the University of Victoria in British Columbia refutes that contention and rejected the data in 107 previously published medical journals that compared alcohol intake and longevity.
A further review of the numerous studies revealed that most of them had made a comparison of drinkers with non-drinkers that invalidated the earlier results and refuted the alcohol industry’s profit motive that a “little booze was better,” contention.
(Whether further research by the distillers of Jack Daniels, Budweiser, Hennessy, etc. will correct the error of the academic findings from north of the border is beyond the scope of this article.
PS: After Gig City leaders approved the 2029 heir apparent for the top spots’ request for more liquor stores in the Scenic City on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 without discussion the item was passed on the agenda to an always heavily attended public meeting. Pursuant to the “Chattanooga version” of the New York City taxi cab medallion purchases it is anticipated that aspirants (or relatives or friends or agent) for a booze selling location will become generous contributors in the 2025 municipal elections.
With some infallible surveys showing a decline in the local complete abstinence population coming into the soon-to-be former Scenic City the potential for new DUI clients and traffic accident cases for the public minded members of the legal community has new unlimited possibilities? What ever happened to RID?
----
If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com)