I was up at the BYU store this weekend, buying my annual coaches shirt. On the way out, I stopped to buy something to drink. I really wanted a Coke, but ended up buying a Sprite--an acceptable substitute . Any kind of decaffeinated soda is just plain horrible!

I was in a good mood that day (I am usually not these last several years), and so I felt like chatting up the cashier. As I was paying for the Sprite, I offered up my two cents regarding the BYU ban on caffeinated soda. I told the gal that I really wanted a Coke, but can't stand decaffeinated Coke. I told her I really hope they sell regular Coke someday. She agreed, and said it was really strange, but the tradition is so deeply engrained in the "culture" that she doubts it will ever happen.

She said the caffeine ban is something that it makes us stand out, and not in a good way! That made me remember that great evening when, we lucky fans in Provo, found ourselves huddled up at LES, with several thousand Texas fans, because of that remarkable storm. The several that were near me said they were freezing, but understood why they couldn't buy coffee. They said they knew it was against our "rules". They were surprised that they couldn't get a "real" Coke though.

The days of "Mormon Plus" should end ASAP. Mormon Plus foists cultural traditions like caffeine free soda onto those that enjoy an ice cold Dr Pepper. Plenty of the Mormon Plus crowd in power at BYU. It is a foolish tradition, followed by large enough population in the Mountain West, that soda bottlers will sell Barqs root beer, and Sunkist soda without caffeine.

The tradition was started by those that believe, with no doctrine behind it at all, that you are living the word of wisdom at a higher level by abstaining from caffeine.

I lived in Alpine for 10 years; the epicenter of the Mormon plus crowd. I was the guy that always brought Coke, along with my chili, to the ward activity. It amused me to see the startled looks, and even some disdain. I smiled to myself as the regular Coke disappeared within a few minutes, all the while the caffeine free crap sat there, reaching room temperature.

"No demand for it" is a flat out lie.

That is all.