The Direct shipment issue

[amshih]

Well, you wanted to talk about the direct shipment issue, so let's talk...

Here's a post from the CEO of the WSWA (wholesalers' lobby) on the WineToday.com board. Comments? Rebuttals? And as always, don't just post your comments here -- write your reps. Just posting here is "preaching to the choir" and doesn't do a whole lotta good.

“When WSWA first aired its concern about underage access to alcohol via direct shipments more than two years ago, our detractors called it a “red herring.” While we have known all along that underage persons would exploit this uncontrolled access, it was difficult to offer proof of this clandestine problem. That is no longer the case, and anyone who claims that kids aren’t using direct shipments as an easy way to get alcohol are putting short-term business interests ahead of their common sense and social responsibility.
In recent weeks, the following unsolicited examples have come to light, independent of any stings by news media or attorneys general:
 In Philadelphia, a high school student had two cases of liquor alcohol direct shipped to her, just in time for her to host an “all you can drink” party.
 In Alabama, the parents of a 17-year-old are suing a direct shipper for shipping beer to their underage son.
 In Columbus Ohio, a high school freshman said in a television interview that his classmates frequently order alcohol direct shipped to them.
 In Maryland, a University of Maryland dormitory Resident Assistant testified before a State Assembly committee that on-campus residents order alcohol direct shipped to their dorms.
Considering the explosive growth of Internet access and catalogue sales, these examples are the tip of a significant trend that, left unchecked, will raise the public’s ire and obliterate awareness of our successful efforts to reduce drunk driving and underage drinking. It is shortsighted, to say the least, to pretend that direct shipments are not being exploited by teens. These deliveries to kids play directly into the hands of those who want to ban alcohol marketing over the Internet, a medium that we believe has tremendous potential to reach new consumers and significantly expand overall sales - and to do it legally and in compliance with state law.
To preserve Internet marketing of alcohol beverages, we must self-police the activities that occur in cyberspace and at the same time vigorously promote legal ways to fulfill orders made through catalogues or the Internet.
We wholesalers are committed to legal fulfillment of orders generated through the Internet, catalogues or toll-free numbers. We believe working within state laws, and giving attorneys general the ability to enforce those laws, is in the best interest of all tiers of the industry. That is why we are, and will continue to be, strong supporters of the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act, which has been adopted by the U.S. Senate and is pending in the House.
Denying that young people do exploit this unregulated delivery system will blacken the eye of our industry, and will leave it to others to devise new regulations that none of us may want to work within.
I challenge those members of Wine Institute, the American Vintners Association and others who have spoken in support of responsible business practices to join with us in supporting efforts to prevent underage access and tax avoidance via direct shipment.

Sincerely,
Juanita D. Duggan
WSWA CEO”