A Thinking Liberally Left-Minded Meditation
by Justin Krebs, Living Liberally
"Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society."
- US Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.
"Stop Whining and Pay Your Taxes"
- Bumper sticker my Dad wanted to print up about 18 years ago.
Congratulations, America. It's April 15th, a day we mark honorably; an annual tradition we've together reached once again. Let's trade some high-fives and puff our chests out in patriotic pride because today is Invest-in-America Day!
You don't hear many people applauding April 15th. Instead you see news stories about long lines at the post office, and businesses try to capitalize on your tax frustration (Dunkin' Donuts offered free donuts as "tax relief" last year). Because it's Tax Day in America...and thanks to an enduring Benjamin Franklin aphorism, many of our fellow citizens are more likely to associate taxes with "death" than with good schools, clean air, a strong military, innovations in health and science and all the other benefits are taxes bring us.
Just try to say "Happy Tax Day" to anyone and see what reactions you get. If you end up in the wrong place, you might even get a teabag thrown at you.
Nora Eisenberg, whose excellent novel about veterans returning from the Gulf War, When You Come Home, will soon be reviewed on this site, recently penned a piece for Alternet on the lost lessons hidden in the way the Gulf Was has been remembered.
We highly recommend it -- as our Reading Liberally "Read of the Day" -- and will bring you more on her novel soon.
With rare exceptions, American politicians seem incapable of opposing an American war without befriending another in a different place or time.
Barack Obama, an early and ardent enemy of the Iraq War, quickly declared his affinity for a war in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan. And like so many Democratic leaders, he has commended Bush 41's Gulf War over Bush 43's, for its justifiable cause, clear goals, quick execution and admirable leadership.
Every battle needs a good villain. Not sure if that's a line out of a comic book, or the advice Matt Stoller has often offered on these pages, but it's true.
There's some healthy debate about whether Rush is the right villain or the wrong target. Brave New Films has done a great job their War on Greed to make the likes of Henry Kravis into a known nemesis. And in New York, the proponents for Fair Share Tax Reform just realized: why create a villain, if the entertainment industry's already done it for them.
Enter Monty Burns from the Simpsons, a no-goodnik we love to hate, and the new face of the plutocrats looking to sink New York's working class.
In anticipation of a major rally on Thursday, the Working Families Party -- leaders of the Fair Share push -- have turned to satire. They've circulated a letter from Homer's boss to his fellow fatcats. Who wants to be on the side of Mr. Burns? Well, except for Smithers, of course.
Each Laughing Liberally show mixes stand-up with musical numbers and political discussion, plus other entertainments. This weekend, the free event includes appearances by comics Rick Perlstein, James Fritz and Carrie Callahan
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Rick, is the march of right-wing institution-building that realigned our country really that funny?
Drinking Liberally is big on our anniversaries. Maybe it comes hand-in-hand with the culture of drinking -- you always want to toast to something.
Now, how about a Weekiversary? May seem silly, but the original chapter of Drinking Liberally measures its life in weeks, not in years...because every week for nearly 6 years we have been meeting at the same time and the same bar.
The values are all there: teamwork; fairplay; a transparent and honest judiciary. By many counts, sports embody liberal values.
So why does it seem like pro sports -- and its apotheosis, last night's Super Bowl -- are the domain of conservative thinking? Is it the martial posturing (although, despite the on-field pre-game presence of David Petraeus, the NFL does claim it's moving away from military metaphors)? Is it the culture of excessive consumerism embodied in the ads? Is it the machismo that sometimes resembles an anti-woman ethos (and has led to Superbowl Sunday having a horrid reputation for spousal abuse)?
Feeding Liberally Food For Thought
by Justin Krebs, Living Liberally
This coming week, as liberals around the country -- and Americans of all stripes -- prepare to celebrate the Inauguration, Drinking Liberally chapters are also Feeding Liberally.
Following the lead of Democrats Work, an organization we've long held a crush on, and inspired by the President-Elect's call to service, our chapters around the country are taking part in a national food drive, donating food or funds to local food pantries and to Feeding America, formerly America's Second Harvest.
In New York, we're gearing for the NYC Inaugural Ball on Sunday, but in true Living Liberally fashion, the best work is being done outside of NYC, where scores of our chapters are hosting their own celebrations to say goodbye to the Bush years, and share their hopes for a more progressive, forward-thinking set of Obama years ahead. And when you have so many chapters on the same page, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the moment for a higher cause.
We will be posting more information on our Feeding Liberally page, which we'll be updating throughout the week - as of right it's just a placeholder, but expect more content as we hear back from more chapters. So join us next week, bring your canned goods along with your dancing shoes, and let's raise a toast to fighting for progressive change, under Bush and Obama alike, and building progressive community - from New York to Nebraska to Alaska.
I've been asked many times since November 4th what Drinking Liberally does now...as though a Democratic President would negate the need for a national network of progressive social gatherings. I respond that political communities -- and the activism and ideas that flow from them -- don't come and go with campaigns...they are needed between elections just as much.
But it's one thing to say that -- it's another to actually live it. And honestly, many of our chapters are in a little bit of a post-election hangover / holiday daze. We continue to meet, enjoy holidays and plan for the Inauguration, but it feels a little bit like we're waiting for our next moment.
However, one movement that isn't waiting is the marriage equality movement. Obviously Prop 8 served as a jolt that required the movement not to rest -- but at a time when I don't witness as much direct activism taking place, folks like Join the Impact are delivering creative, social, passionate opportunities -- from national rallies to vigils to guerilla activism.
In New York, we're hosting a screening tonight of the Oscar-winning documentary Freeheld. Its story -- about a dying police officer whose same-sex partner is denied pension rights -- resonates with the the chilling results of Prop 8. We're using it to prompt a conversation about how New Yorkers can promote the marriage equality fight in our state, which has a chance of passing it legislatively.
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.
Central Park's been home to a lot of celebrations -- so why not an Inauguration Watch Party? Council Member Eric Gioia -- one of the more dynamic, progressive members of the NY City Council -- suggested setting up giant screens in the Park for the public to enjoy on January 20th.
As he quipped: "If it's good enough for Bon Jovi, it should be good enough for the inauguration."
Gioia is by no means alone in believing we should find ways to create shared, public experiences, even when there isn't a tradition in place or a day off from work. Living Liberally has already begun planning an Inaugural Ball in New York (because DC shouldn't have all the fun) for Sunday the 18th, and Netroots Nation is working with an array of progressive blogs and communities to throw an event on Monday the 19th in DC. We hear that DC is planning for millions of Americans to descend on the Mall...but how should the rest of the country mark January 20th?
Even the most joyous election nights are never unqualified successes, and last week's was no different. One of the biggest disappointments on election night, of course, was the result of Proposition 8 - no matter your sexual orientation, writing discrimination into the law is a great way to put a damper on an otherwise sterling night.
So isn't it good that the end-point of politics isn't Election Night? While we might have lost a battle for equal rights for a day, the protests around the country (including outside the Mormon Temple in our headquarters in New York City), not to mention the celebration of the start of legal same-sex marriages in the great state of Connecticut, make it clear that the war is not over. People are clearly energized on this issue, and politics is, of course, something in which people can engage beyond the ballot box.
In fact, Join The Impact, an online coalition that rose from the ashes of Prop 8 to fight for LGBT rights, is boasting of a coordinated day of protest tomorrow with cities in all 50 states. (It took Living Liberally 5 years to reach every state in the Union - it took Join The Impact two weeks, which strongly speaks both to the energy out there on this issue and their effectiveness as online organizers.)
Following a day in which Bush expressed regret over "Mission Accomplished" and "Dead or Alive," it seemed plausible that Condi Rice was trying to protect her legacy too.
A prank...except that wasn't really tricking anybody (we generally knew the war wasn't over, universal healthcare hadn't yet happened and Bush wasn't standing trial for war crimes).
A satire...except it wasn't really funny. The reactions on the subway weren't laughter.
Election Day is almost upon us...and after that, election night.
Where will you be?
An increasing number of articles have detailed the desire to share the evening with others...suggesting that like the moon landing, a world series game, or a season finale, this is the type of moment -- profound or absurd -- you want to remember.
And in each city, like here in New York, I'm sure there are listings telling you what's going on.
Edie and Michael weren't planning on getting married. Together almost a decade, they just hadn't seen the need. They believed that marriage, historically, had often been used to make women subservient to men. And they were uncomfortable being able to enjoy a right denied to their gay friends.
The opportunity for same sex couples to marry in Massachusetts didn't change their intentions, nor did the events in California. What did change their minds was expecting a baby. In February, they'll become parents...and as they began investigating Washington State law, they realized it would be easier raising their child if they were married. The way the state, the schools, the courts are structured expect couples that are living together with children to be husband and wife.
Washington doesn't allow civil unions for heterosexual couples (except for senior citizens), so Edie and Michael were in a bind. Fortunately, it's not a long drive to California.
We at Drinking Liberally like to talk -- that's why we do it over beers every week. We think talking is a pretty powerful way to connect to people.
So naturally, we smile when a telephone company figures out yet another way to be an awesome progressive partner.
CREDO is giving its customers free Election Day calling. So, don't worry about burning your minutes as you call everyone you know to remind them to vote, or phonebank with a campaign calling voters, or work in the field and need to check in with fellow canvassers.
It's all free. You could call it, ahem, Talking Liberally.
This is on top of their "Text Out the Vote" plan which allows you to set up text GOTV reminders to friends that will be sent on November 4th. Plus their newly-launched Go Vote which confirms registration and gives you polling location. And their totally rocking voter registration widget.
Oh, also they don't censor pro-choice texting and they didn't help the government spy on you.
In past years, I burned through my minutes in the months leading up to elections, so much so that I invested in bigger plans, earlier evening hours and unlimited texting. I don't know other people's plans for Election Day, but I hope it involves talking -- constantly -- in person, at doors, online, and on the phone.
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