Posted on 06/12/2007 5:40:19 AM PDT by frogbreath
Group into drinking, thinking
A liberal dose
June 11, 2007
Kathleen Thompson said she wants to promote heavy thinking and maybe a little drinking.
So the 30-year-old local organizer for the Democratic Party has helped open a local chapter of Drinking Liberally, a nationwide network of left-leaning types who gather to drink and talk politics.
'A lot of people are politically engaged, but they don't want to go to a meeting; they don't want to go through an agenda,' said Thompson, of Grapevine, who is president of the Colleyville Grapevine Southlake Democratic Club.
While she spoke, small groups of people were showing up at Esparza's Tequila Factory and Grill in Bedford for the chapter's first get-together Wednesday.
They met at the Mexican restaurant's bar. After a few introductions and drinks, they got into conversations about Iraq, Texas toll roads, gas prices and healthcare costs.
Some said they came for the very reason Thompson described: They're attracted to liberal ideas and socializing, not the minutiae of structured meetings.
'I like the informal atmosphere about it,' said Jon Snow, 27, of Grand Prairie. 'I like more the discussion as opposed to the nitty-gritty organizing.'
A growing group
Drinking Liberally started in New York City about two months after the invasion of Iraq 'when it was felt as though the politicians, press and public were giving conservative cons a free pass,' according to the group's Web site.
The organization now has more than 200 chapters nationwide.
'We think by the 2008 election we're going to have 435 chapters, the same as there are members of Congress. So that's one goal,' said Justin Krebs, a founder and national director of Drinking Liberally. 'The other goal is to make people confident and proud to use the word liberal again. Yes it's a play on words, yes it's a joke, but it's an attempt to get people to use the word liberal again.'
At Esparza's in Bedford, Snow, a self-described 'political junkie,' sat across from Anthony Shull, 24, of Arlington, who wore a T-shirt that said 'Team Marx.'
Shull said he's getting more and more active in political organizing but believes socializing is an important ingredient.
'I think socializing has to be a necessary aspect of any movement,' he said.
Shull and Snow said their interest in politics started with their opposition to the war.
The get-togethers can help pump new life into politics, according to Patty Dreyer, who said she has been involved in politics since the 1960s and is now treasurer of the Mid-Cities Democrats.
'This is where people get to share ideas,' she said. 'It helps to understand people's views.'
Drinking Liberally
How to join: Just show up.
Cost: None (other than your drinks).
When they meet: 6:30 p.m., the first and third Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be June 20.
Where they meet: Esparza's Tequila Factory and Grill, 3314 Harwood Road, Bedford.
What they do: Drink, socialize and talk politics. The goal is to help liberals swap ideas and make contacts.
Sources: drinkingliberally.org and Drinking Liberally local organizers
Copyright © 2007 A liberal dose, All Rights Reserved.
With a title like that, I expect the Teddy pics very shortly.
Liberals love to talk about problems but never work for solutions. They always start with “I don’t have the answer but...”
Let’s see umm politics, alcohol....any mention of religion or sidearms? They could broadcast it on C-Span. I’d watch it.
And we’ll be able to tell the difference between their sober ramblings and their drunk ones how?
Don't these people usually hide their true allegience?
(Maybe it was Harpo Marks?)
Most liberals aren’t supposed to drink ...
...when taking meds for being bi-polar.
I don’t like them sober. I doubt that killing more brain cells will make them anymore agreeable to me.
Still living in the days of the “Keggers”. Grow up libs!
Oh they believe them because they are unable to think clearly in the first place.
I think they are onto something. What do I get out of belonging to a party that just sees me as a source of cash?
I've had a number of "discussions" with drunken, ranting leftists over the years, and they are just precious - especially when they start talking religion.
Here's a fun fact: if you put alcohol into almost any leftist, they let their guard down and expose themselves as paranoid conspiracy fantasists.
The Ron Paul people should start one of these - I'd attend every meeting for the inevitable comedy.
Probably a very small group. Grapevine/Colleyville are very conservative suburbs of Dallas/Fort Worth. Also, I’ve spent a lot of time at Esparza’s over the years (great margaritas!) and I can guarantee you that 90% of the people in that restaurant would have a serious problem with their twisted viewpoints!
When drunk, their hate speech is a little slower.
And they chant differently:
No vodka for oil!
Bush Lied, People Cried...in their beer!
Conservatives hate Margiritas!
Now we can look forward to our very own Beer Hall Putsch.
If they really thought that they might have already been hitting the sauce pretty hard.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.