Laurels & lances: Reaction and consequence

Tribune-Review | Friday, May 5, 2023 5:01 a.m.

Tony LaRussa | Tribune-Review

Bud Light is typically one of the three top-selling beers at Myrna’s Brewery Outlet on Carl Avenue in New Kensington, according to manager Keith Brancato. But sales are down sharply since conservatives called for a boycott of the brand over Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.

Laurel: To a quick response. For several weeks, we have had the unfortunate duty to chastise people for hoaxes.

These involved reports of active shooters that were made up. They targeted Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic high schools in Pittsburgh, Laurel Highlands High School in Fayette County, Mt. Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High School and the University of Pittsburgh. They came after The Covenant School shooting in Tennessee and in the lead-up to the Robert Bowers trial in connection with the 2018 Squirrel Hill synagogue shooting.

Now police say we have another hoax. This time, we focus on the positive.

The search for Chloe Stein, 23, of Jeannette appears not to be the abduction it seemed on Monday. Authorities have charged the former Penn State student with misdemeanor counts of false alarm, false reports, obstruction and disorderly conduct. Police are talking to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office about potential restitution for the manpower and expense involved in searching for Stein.

But let’s consider that response and what it says about our community. A young woman was missing, and the people — and the system — jumped into action. Dogs, fire departments and a helicopter were part of the search. There was a need and an immediate response.

Unlike the other hoaxes, this wasn’t a threat to the area or a fear for anyone other than Stein.

Let’s be clear, any false report should be handled firmly. But the fact that a cry for help was answered so instinctively speaks well of the people who stepped forward.

Lance: To collateral damage. When Bud Light made a partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Anheuser-Busch likely never expected the backlash it has received. The ensuing controversy has seen sales fall 17% nationwide within two weeks.

Locally, those numbers might be higher. Myrna’s Brewery Outlet in New Kensington reports that the 200 cases generally sold weekly have dropped to about 40.

Buyers can spend their money wherever they want, exercising their economic power at the cash register the same way Anheuser-Busch used its freedom of choice to make the Mulvaney deal.

But what is unfortunate is the impact on a cause close to home. The beer company had another promotion going on. It was giving $1 from every 18-pack sold at Myrna’s to the family of slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire.

It seems unlikely that most people making a choice not to purchase Bud Light at the store did so knowing it would affect the family of an officer killed in the line of duty.