All Utah industries want to attract and keep out-of-state talent and are harmed by needless, divisive regulations that have no common sense and do not promote any common good. Consider the recently published floor plan of Squatters Restaurant that explained where, what and how customers can eat and drink in various sections to comply with Utah's liquor laws (“How impermeable should those nebulous 'curtains' be?” Tribune, July 4). For example, “a patron can place only 3.2 beer on partition's small railing” but “with spirituous drink, glass must remain in customer's hand.” These inexplicable regulations offend visitors and residents alike.

These regulations do not take away anyone's ability to drink; they take away the individual's sense of freedom and personal dignity. The current proposal to drop the club distinction is good, but these petty indignities are at the heart of the matter and should also be eliminated.

We can all agree on the need to prevent underage drinking and driving while drinking, and for stern consequences for repeat drunken drivers. We should concentrate on the common good, on what we have in common and on common sense.

Pamela Edwards

Salt Lake City