It is true what they say...
Mark Twain never refused to take a drink – under any circumstances.
Even with Batman...
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Showing posts with label bar talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bar talk. Show all posts
20211025
I remember him well
-
It is true what they say...
Mark Twain never refused to take a drink – under any circumstances.
Even with Batman...
MORE >
It is true what they say...
Mark Twain never refused to take a drink – under any circumstances.
Even with Batman...
MORE >
20200115
The Problem With Fake News
-
Do you know what your problem is, Zhòngní?
Besides the gentleman's distaste for Aldebaran whiskey, that is.
Once in a while a random visitor, who is apparently having a tough day of one sort or another, stops by and just drops a disparaging comment about the quality of the drinks or the performance of the staff and whatnot, and just walks away without another word. It happens. And, mostly, the people here don’t mind. "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!" and all that sort of thing. It comes with the territory and is all part of the spirit of the place.
I am not judging, I just wish the gentleman could have stayed and hanged around a bit, and shared with the people at the bar what had been eating at him—a wise man of the gentleman’s renown.
I am sorry that my idle prattling—and poking fun at the DNC, was it?—offended the gentleman so.
Does the gentleman know what the problem with Fake News is?
State sponsored propaganda is the main purveyor of Fake News.
It is so now. And it has always been so.
But I am sure that surely such an obvious truism is no news to a wise man of the gentleman’s renown, whom History remembers for his concern over personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.
Me? I have never been much of a team player when it comes to partisan political propaganda.
This is probably the reason why I became one of the bartenders here at the Wulfshead: to get away from it all.
Looking back at the world, one may wonder how it came to be. I mean, for things to devolve into where they are at, now. Not just the sad state of affairs with the kind of unrestrained militarism that passes for American foreign policy under the current POTUS, or his last two predecessors, or amongst the current breed of Neocon-Democrats, but the zeitgeist of an entire nation as a whole.
The USA.
The road not taken.
There are those who say we are not where we are supposed to be, that, somehow, using a familiar metaphor, the Matrix was reset in 2000, or on 911, or in 2016, or, that, if you will, using another familiar metaphor (STNG: Yesterday's Enterprise), ours is a ship of peace, not a ship of war.
But, as I am sure the gentleman knows, this too is State Propaganda—as it is also, at the same time and on the brighter side of the coin, the ingenuous wishful thinking of those who yearn for a better world and who hope in their heart that America is everything it proclaims it is:
"The shining city on the hill."
But America has not changed.
America did not change in 2000.
It did not change on September 11, 2001.
And while it put on a good show at pretending it did at the time, America did not change in 2008, either.
It did not change in 2016.
And it is doubtful whether America will change in 2020, either.
America is staying the course. A course it has been on for a long, long time.
You know how it is:
It remains the case today.
One visitor, someone other than you, asked whatever happened to the peace movement—or, in more recent date, the #Resistance, for that matter.
There was that essay by James F. Moore that tried to capture the 2003 anti-war protest, which went viral: The Second Superpower Rears its Beautiful Head
It took place on February 15, 2003 (way before Obama’s Hope We Can Believe campaign in America), a coordinated day of protests started across the world in which people in more than 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War. Social movement researchers have described the 15 February protest as "the largest protest event in human history." Not so much so in the USA, though. As a point of comparison the 2017 "pussy-hat" march in New York City rallied a greater number of protesters than the Iraq anti-war protest managed to gather in that same city in 2003.
The peace movement is not what it used to be.
And the #Resistance is most certainly not it.
It looks like it is easier (and more safe) nowadays, not to mention, more politically opportunistic to the #Resistance, to mobilize protesters over what was, at the time, some 12 year old recording of Donald Trump talking about women in vulgar terms to the host of Access Hollywood, than it is to make a stance of any kind over disastrous unethical murderous geopolitical military and economic foreign policies—or looming global environmental catastrophe.
In their defense, nothing much of any real significance seems to be happening anywhere else in the world either.
MORE >
Do you know what your problem is, Zhòngní?
Besides the gentleman's distaste for Aldebaran whiskey, that is.
Once in a while a random visitor, who is apparently having a tough day of one sort or another, stops by and just drops a disparaging comment about the quality of the drinks or the performance of the staff and whatnot, and just walks away without another word. It happens. And, mostly, the people here don’t mind. "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!" and all that sort of thing. It comes with the territory and is all part of the spirit of the place.
I am not judging, I just wish the gentleman could have stayed and hanged around a bit, and shared with the people at the bar what had been eating at him—a wise man of the gentleman’s renown.
I am sorry that my idle prattling—and poking fun at the DNC, was it?—offended the gentleman so.
Does the gentleman know what the problem with Fake News is?
State sponsored propaganda is the main purveyor of Fake News.
It is so now. And it has always been so.
But I am sure that surely such an obvious truism is no news to a wise man of the gentleman’s renown, whom History remembers for his concern over personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.
Me? I have never been much of a team player when it comes to partisan political propaganda.
This is probably the reason why I became one of the bartenders here at the Wulfshead: to get away from it all.
Looking back at the world, one may wonder how it came to be. I mean, for things to devolve into where they are at, now. Not just the sad state of affairs with the kind of unrestrained militarism that passes for American foreign policy under the current POTUS, or his last two predecessors, or amongst the current breed of Neocon-Democrats, but the zeitgeist of an entire nation as a whole.
The USA.
The road not taken.
There are those who say we are not where we are supposed to be, that, somehow, using a familiar metaphor, the Matrix was reset in 2000, or on 911, or in 2016, or, that, if you will, using another familiar metaphor (STNG: Yesterday's Enterprise), ours is a ship of peace, not a ship of war.
But, as I am sure the gentleman knows, this too is State Propaganda—as it is also, at the same time and on the brighter side of the coin, the ingenuous wishful thinking of those who yearn for a better world and who hope in their heart that America is everything it proclaims it is:
"The shining city on the hill."
But America has not changed.
America did not change in 2000.
It did not change on September 11, 2001.
And while it put on a good show at pretending it did at the time, America did not change in 2008, either.
It did not change in 2016.
And it is doubtful whether America will change in 2020, either.
America is staying the course. A course it has been on for a long, long time.
You know how it is:
It remains the case today.
One visitor, someone other than you, asked whatever happened to the peace movement—or, in more recent date, the #Resistance, for that matter.
There was that essay by James F. Moore that tried to capture the 2003 anti-war protest, which went viral: The Second Superpower Rears its Beautiful Head
It took place on February 15, 2003 (way before Obama’s Hope We Can Believe campaign in America), a coordinated day of protests started across the world in which people in more than 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War. Social movement researchers have described the 15 February protest as "the largest protest event in human history." Not so much so in the USA, though. As a point of comparison the 2017 "pussy-hat" march in New York City rallied a greater number of protesters than the Iraq anti-war protest managed to gather in that same city in 2003.
The peace movement is not what it used to be.
And the #Resistance is most certainly not it.
It looks like it is easier (and more safe) nowadays, not to mention, more politically opportunistic to the #Resistance, to mobilize protesters over what was, at the time, some 12 year old recording of Donald Trump talking about women in vulgar terms to the host of Access Hollywood, than it is to make a stance of any kind over disastrous unethical murderous geopolitical military and economic foreign policies—or looming global environmental catastrophe.
In their defense, nothing much of any real significance seems to be happening anywhere else in the world either.
MORE >
20200103
For, isn't it the truth though?
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The unique character of the place does not lie so much in detail as in broad effects.
It's all part of the charm—the all-inclusive quality and unwitting self-reflective veracity of a random comment like this one:
For, isn't it true though?
People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
MORE >
The unique character of the place does not lie so much in detail as in broad effects.
It's all part of the charm—the all-inclusive quality and unwitting self-reflective veracity of a random comment like this one:
For, isn't it true though?
People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
MORE >
20110827
20110105
20101028
Not only does excercise increase one overall feeling of wellbeing but...
it also has been known to reduce snoring.
Now, what was it the gentleman was saying about his downstairs' neighbor?
MORE >
20100406
20100324
20100306
Eat, Drink, Rock, Raise Hell
Quite a charming find by the Gentleman from Seattle.
And right up the alley of the Gentleman from Ohio.
A mere one hour and a half drive from Athens.
What does the gentleman say?
Head east on W Washington St. toward N Court St.
Take the 1st left onto N Court St.
Take the 2nd right onto Fern St.
Turn left at E State St.
Turn right at W Stimson Ave.
Take the ramp to US-33 W
Keep left at the fork to continue toward US-33 W and merge onto US-33 W
Slight right to merge onto I-70 W toward Downtown
Take exit 101A to merge onto I-71 N toward US-40/Broad St/Cleveland
Take the exit on the left onto I-670 W
Take exit 3 to merge onto W Goodale St. (a portentous name , sir)
Turn right at Neil Ave.
Turn right at W 5th Ave.
Turn right at N High St.
And Ta-Da, there you are, sir.
The Surly Girl will be on the gentleman's left!
MORE >
20090817
20090705
Dear God
Sarah McLachlan's cover of an XTC song.
I think the lyrics were written by Colin Moulding, XTC's front man and singer It was written by Andy Partidge; their original video can be seen here. Just one problem with the lyrics, though overall brilliant: while it wouldn't make me any more religious, I sure wouldn't mind a big reduction in the price of beer.
MORE >
MORE >
20090624
It is 10:00 p.m. Do you know where your congressmen are?
Obama's got a point:
"If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality health care, if they tell us that they’re offering a good deal, then why is it that the government, which they say can’t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business?"
So then, who is afraid of the public option?
Not the people; not according to this New York Times - CBS News poll:
So who is it exactly that our representatives are representing in Congress?
I am wondering what the Democrats have to say?
Ah! don't look now but here is one, just walking in.
(Hushed voice.) This is Max Sieben Baucus, a Democrat and the senior Senator from Montana.
He is the current chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance and a central figure in the current policy debates over health care reform---which includes his opposition to HR 676.
What is he up to?
(Whispering.) Let's not disturb him. Maybe we can find more online about him.
(Excitedly.) Ah, here it is:
Ain't Wikipedia great?
Senate finance committee
Recently Baucus, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, caused controversy when calling the first Senate meeting of interested parties before the committee to discuss health care reform, which included representatives from pharmaceutical groups, insurance companies, and HMOs and hospital management companies, but did not include representatives from groups calling for single-payer health care which is the reform idea that has the most support amongst medical doctors[18], nurses, and the population at large. Advocate groups attended the hearing to protest their exclusion as well as statements by Baucus that "single payer was not an option on the table." Baucus later had eight protesters (among them physicians and nurses), removed by police who arrested them for disrupting the hearing. Many of the single-payer advocates claimed it was a "pay to play" event. At the next meeting on health care reform of the Senate Finance Committee, Baucus had five more doctors and nurses removed and arrested.
Opposition to single payer health care
Baucus has used the term "uniquely American solution" to describe the end point of current health reform and has said that he believes America is not ready yet for any form of single payer health care. This is the same term the insurance trade association, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), is using. AHIP has launched the Campaign for an American Solution, which argues for the use of private health insurance instead of a government backed program. It has been pointed out that America already has a "uniquely American solution" that is a single payer health care system, it is Medicare.
Conflict of interest perceptions
Some have pointed out that Baucus has been one of the biggest Senate beneficiaries of campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries. From 2003 to 2008, Baucus received about $3 million from the health sector, including $852,813 from pharmaceutical companies, $851,141 from health professionals, $784,185 from the insurance industry and $465,750 from HMOs/health services, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The only senators who received more campaign contributions from the health sector than he did in that period were three major Presidential contenders during the same period, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Baucus tops the list of recipients from business PACs. A 2006 study by Public Citizen found that between 1999 and 2005 Baucus, along with former Senate majority leader Bill Frist, took in the most special-interest money of any senator.
Only three senators have more former staffers working as lobbyists on K Street, at least two dozen in Baucus's case. Several of Baucus' ex-staffers with whom he is still close, among them, former chief of staff David Castagnetti, are now working for the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries. Castagnetti co-founded the lobbying firm of Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, which represents "America’s Health Insurance Plans Inc.," the national trade group of health insurance companies, the Medicare Cost Contractors Alliance, as well as Amgen, AstraZeneca PLC and Merck & Co. Another former chief of staff, Jeff Forbes, went on to open his own lobbying shop and to represent the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Advanced Medical Technology Association, among other groups.
Commentator Ed Schultz stated on his MSNBC TV show that Baucus has received "more money from pharmaceutical companies and insurance industry folks than any other Democrat in the Congress. Baucus got $183,000 from health insurance companies and $229,900 from drug companies", and contrasting the presence of representatives from these groups with the absence of representatives from Single payer advocates he added wryly "May I remind you, they were at the table."
Tax policy
Baucus voted for the Bush tax cuts in 2001. He has usually voted against repealing portions of that bill and against repealing more recent tax cut bills that benefit upper income taxpayers. In 2008, he voted in favor of permanently repealing the estate tax.
Tort reform
He was one of 26 senators to vote against the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005
MORE >
20090531
Listen to My Heartbeat...
Hey Bartender! Is there a way to sign up to hear (read) all the great conversations (comments) here at my favorite watering hole (just not my favorite coffee shop)? I wander by from time to time and read up (and I read every post), but I do feel like I might be missing some. Just askin'.
To be, or not to be. Those are the parameters.
MORE >
To be, or not to be. Those are the parameters.
MORE >
20090415
Black is the color
We have always been a little wary of religious zealots. You know, like Saint Gorgeous or the Holy Rollers.
Or The Really Righteous Atheist Brothers.
The Atheist Brothers can be downright boring, actually. If nothing else, there is some measure of entertainment value to Saint Gorgeous or the Holy Rollers. As I always say, if you're going to get religious on me, at least make it fun! I don't know, use your imagination. Ride a funny cubicle car, like the Pope does. Or go skyclad like The Sisters of La Vecchia Religione.
Kali Mystics are alright. As a matter of fact, the bartender fixed one for me, just last night.
I mean, the real thing. None of that Amaretto/Rum/7-up crap they serve in some places.
The bartender actually used black vodka. And while I do usually prefer my drinks on the dry side, I thought the hint of black raspberry liqueur was a nice touch.
This Martini comes with a black olive, of course! No maraschino cherry at The Wulfshead. No, sir.
Black will always be the color that defines style and sophistication. There is an undeniable mystic allure to it. As the bartender put it: "it definitely has a place in the world of spirits."
MORE >
20090405
No Parking on the Dance Floor
Excuse me, madamYou're standing still in a no parking zone
You don't get a move on that body
I'll be forced to give you a ticket
So get with it
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Shake it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Rock it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}
MORE >
20090403
20090402
Don't spread my wealth, spread my work ethic
Drat! I've been tagged.
I hate it when that happens!
And I am not even sure what it is exactly that I am supposed to be doing.
Anyone's guess is as good as mine, but by the look of it, it would appear that I am expected to partake into some sort of a $@#* neo-libertarian ghost dance to help revive the waning spirit of Milton Friedman or some nonsense of the sort. Why would anyone want to do that? Don't ask me, ask Ben. It's all quite doolally. I think Lockwood put him up to it [link]. Unless it was Tom [link].
I have been told that particularly elaborate rain dances could inspire the participants, as well as audience, to partake in unusual and extreme acts of worship. But I confess my ignorance as to what kind of ritual the worshipers of the "invisible hand" of the market require to appease their god when "the hand" is upset.
I don't know. Perhaps this will get me off the hook for now:
I am not sure how that song holds in terms of "work ethic," but the legend of the tribe holds that the trickle-down rain summoned by the tribe contains the spirits of past Republican chiefs (like Ronald Reagan), who, when falling, battle evil market spirits in the transitional plane between our reality and the ethereal plane of Libertarian dogmas.
MORE >
I hate it when that happens!
And I am not even sure what it is exactly that I am supposed to be doing.
Anyone's guess is as good as mine, but by the look of it, it would appear that I am expected to partake into some sort of a $@#* neo-libertarian ghost dance to help revive the waning spirit of Milton Friedman or some nonsense of the sort. Why would anyone want to do that? Don't ask me, ask Ben. It's all quite doolally. I think Lockwood put him up to it [link]. Unless it was Tom [link].
I have been told that particularly elaborate rain dances could inspire the participants, as well as audience, to partake in unusual and extreme acts of worship. But I confess my ignorance as to what kind of ritual the worshipers of the "invisible hand" of the market require to appease their god when "the hand" is upset.
I don't know. Perhaps this will get me off the hook for now:
I am not sure how that song holds in terms of "work ethic," but the legend of the tribe holds that the trickle-down rain summoned by the tribe contains the spirits of past Republican chiefs (like Ronald Reagan), who, when falling, battle evil market spirits in the transitional plane between our reality and the ethereal plane of Libertarian dogmas.
MORE >
20090401
Joe the Plumber's Ethic meme makes it to Britannia!
.
Tally-ho! All hail the Grand Old Party...
And all hail Britannia!
One must devour it all, whether it be other humans, wealth, power, or the world itself!
Good traditional Christian Ethic and Family Values Jesus would be proud of.
All rise now...
MORE >
Tally-ho! All hail the Grand Old Party...
And all hail Britannia!
Good traditional Christian Ethic and Family Values Jesus would be proud of.
All rise now...
MORE >
20090325
Rising to the challenge of our uncertain world
Take heart!
Help is on the way................
Now revised and updated for the 21st century!
MORE >
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