Celebrating Repeal Day at Rudy's

by: Living Liberally

Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 15:45

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition - or, as some want to celebrate it, Repeal Day. (It's already a semi-official Drinking Liberally holiday.) It's kind of remarkable to realize that our country outlawed booze Constitutionally with the 18th amendment; then, 15 years later, on December 5th, 1933, Constitutionally fixed that mistake by ratifying the 21st amendment.  

It's a small reminder that we really do have the power to form a more perfect union, and to make mistakes along that path and then have the confidence to recognize those mistakes and own up to them. In a much bigger way, progressives face a similar question of confidence as the Bush Years soon give way to the Obama Years. Coming off eight years of disastrous right-wing governance, will we as Americans have the courage to fully admit those errors and do what it takes to undo them? It's going to be hard work - but perhaps we can take a small pill of encouragement from the fact that a new progressive era had the courage in 1933 to do the Constitution right, and undo a mistake from an earlier progressive era, bringing countless underground businesses back into the light.

This is, of course, a special side consequence to that amendment - it means that today is the 75th birthday of many, many beloved pubs, dive bars and alehouses that started as illicit speak-easy establishments during the 20s, and then came to light on this day, 75 years ago. One of those places is the much-beloved Rudy's in New York City, one of our favorite businesses to serve left-leaning clientele, the bar that has served as home and supporter of the original Drinking Liberally since it started in the run-up to the war in Iraq (not to mention home to one of the greater liberal card benefits, free drinks.)

They've spent 75 years quenching the thirst of activist-types and locals, and tonight, this New York institution will be celebrating with $7 pitchers at night and $5 pitchers during the day (7 and 5 for the 75th). Tonight, we lift our glasses to Rudy's...and to a Constitution that can correct our country's errors.

The Right Way To Work A Room

by: Living Liberally

Fri Sep 19, 2008 at 14:29

I'm impressed with Scott Kleeb.  This Nebraskan Senate candidate takes progressive stances, isn't afraid of offering intelligent answers and is giving a real run in a red state.  He also likes to drink liberally.

Scott joined us in New York last night, and demonstrated pitch perfect how a politician can connect with a Drinking Liberally crowd...which also says something about how to connect with people in general.

He didn't give a long speech.  He didn't ask everyone to stop what they were doing to listen to him.  Instead, after a brief introduction, he hung out for 2 hours having real conversations.