I've said many of these it seems like a million times, but it seems we always need to be reminded. Some of these are going to hit rather close to home and some will even punch me in the gut. We are all guilty of at least one or two of these general rules. I will try to come up with ten, but I can't make any promises.
1. We all want what is best for America.
This is the golden rule of political discourse. If you stumble over any of the next set of rules then just come back to this. People have mentioned narcissism here and it fits, but we are all narcissists in some form or fashion. In general, we all believe that if WE get what WE want then everyone will be better off. The same is true of our opponents. This is why we talk so much about people voting THEIR interests. If everyone did then America probably would be better off.
2. Isms are generally not helpful
This goes in both directions. If I am called an ist (as in socialist, capitalist, communist, fascists) it generally will not describe me. The use of the ism is an attempt to put people in a box. It violates rule number one because it assumes that anyone that is a particular ism does not want what is best for America. This becomes more problematic when people do not know what an ism is.
3. All opinions are valid even if they are not accurate
I admit that I am guilty of this one on both sides. Most people go with the general philosophy that they should follow their lying eyes over facts and figures. Most of political thought exist in the feeling realm. Someone might say I feel that welfare is a problem or I feel that illegal immigration is a problem. Whether the facts say these are true or not is largely irrelevant. When people accuse progressives of not being patriots it normally turns progressives off. When people accuse tea parties of being ignorant or uninformed it turns them off as well. It's tough to reach out to people that can't back an opinion up with facts, but we have to try.
4. Free speech isn't free
We have been talking about violence and violence has no place in politics or expression, but free speech is not free. So many people think free speech means they can say anything they want without a rebuttal. I call it the Dixie Chicks syndrome. You can say what you want, but people have the right to respond. There are so many misunderstandings that arise from this single point.
5. People are not an ideology
This closely refers to point number two but extends to the terms conservative and liberal (or progressive). I spend absolutely zero time labeling myself. I do it for two reasons. First, I don't want a label because it immediately limits the discussion on any particular issue. Secondly, I don't know if progressives (or liberals) even want me calling myself one. Discussions would go a lot further if we worried about the issue and not the ideology of the people attacking the issue. I represent me and not any group. We should respond to all in the same manner.
6. Leave emotion where it is
We cannot and should not take emotion out of politics, but we also should not play on it to get what we want. Pitting us against them does not accomplish what we want. I know this will largely fall on deaf ears, but it needs to be said.
7. Imagine America like a beer
It looks like I will stop at seven, but I think this is a good one. A lot has been made of Barack Obama's sharing of beer to gloss over big issues. Maybe gloss over isn't the right phrase, but I'm sick and delirious. Most of us like beer. Most of us like America. Some people like what I would affectionately call "cheap ass beer". This would be Miller Light, Bud Light, Natural Light, Lonestar, or any other cheap beer. Cheap beer has its place. Think of a cheap beer like taxes. Some of us want to pay less, but we understand that the quality may not be great. Yet, if I can drink three of those for the price of an expensive beer then I can get three times the buzz. I prefer premium beer. Most of it is German in nature, but hey, we do what we can. This might mean higher taxes yet I enjoy more for the higher rate. Quality or quantity. Heck, maybe I'm not making sense, but the point is why having a pissing match when at the end of the day we are all drinking beer?
One beer that I forgot is Tsingtao, Chinese beer. Very good.
IMO stay away from Beck's. Several of the St Arnold's brand are pretty good. In England, ask for a "bitter" by the pint and look for Watney's Red Barrel. Usually available on draught almost anywhere across the pond.
It took me awhile to get that joke...but it's funny.
#3)
But tea partiers are ignorant and uninformed. I had a reunion with a long lost older brother. He thinks I'm crazy (the nerve of that guy). He's been sending me the right wing political message of the day...they're stupid.
He might be a millionaire (self-made, of course). He has always been considered near genius in intellect (so he says...he is very intelligent) BUT, and this is a big butt, he dropped out of school in the 10th grade to pursue 'money'. He is essentially uneducated despite his native very respectable 'smarts'. He is blinded by his opinionated nature.
He's a very unusual character. He is a mixed-Hispanic (American Indian, mexican, Irish) that has a history of self-employment. He currently works as a contractor for Homeland Security in a California prison, as does his Hispanic wife (they are diametric opposites...she as soft as he is hard). He sometimes subs on border patrol. He seriously dislikes 'illegals' and talks about the "glowing prideful" smile of immigrants when they take their citizenship vows...He is completely fooled by right-wing propaganda.
He talks about the vacation he got when he shot and killed someone trying to breach security (I guess I believe him)
His wife talks about the dressing down she got from a superior for NOT firing under a similar situation that resulted in no one being hurt.
It's very very crazy sh*t!
Say what!?!?
Anyone have any non-beer thoughts? Although it does remind me of a joke: the makers of Shiner took their beer to Texas A&M to be tested. The school responded with the following: "we are sorry to inform you that your horse has diabetes."
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout...
I read the top 50 site and hadn't heard of a single one. Top beers I've had include
Becks
Westephenal (can't spell German)
Beer with Monk label (see German)
St. Arnolds
Sedona (Inibriator)
Abita
Ziegenboch
Several websites list the following widely sold beers as best:
(In no particular order)
Corona Extra
Heineken
Labatt Blue
Tecate
Fosters
Modelo Especial
Dos Equis
Shiner Bock
In a taste test at a family reunion, some years ago, Fosters was the run away winner.
yes, I agree...It's very frustrating to be pigeon-holed as a sheeple by the mindless, clueless opposition.
Coors was the champagne of beers in Kansas. But I certainly remember some of the others. Old Milwaukee in particular. A dollar a six-pack (a bargain at any price).
When I newly graduated from Texas Tech, I and a friend were spending an evening of celebration in one of the local hoochie bars and we noticed we weren't getting much attention compared to the other losers there. It eventually hit me that we were drinking Milwaukee's Best while everyone else was drinking 'Heineken', 'Lowenbrau', 'Negra Modelo', etc. We never made that mistake again.
I haven't read any of the comments yet, but...As much as I despise Rupert Murdoch and his philosophy I do like one of his country's beers...Foster's.
Here's a remote control to you...
My first sip of beer was likely Old Dutch, brewed in Findlay, Ohio.
The brewery had two colors of bottle caps, a blue one and a red one. Generally, the brewery capped their bottles with blue caps.
However, as the weekend neared, they were required (by the state) to produce 2%-alcohol beer, a lesser beer than their weekday product. And retailers had to have the 2% beer to sell on Sundays. They were not permitted to sell regular beer on Sundays.
But my dad, who ran a carry-out with my mom, frequently picked up orders at the brewery, said he never saw them bottle a 2% beer, but he did see them change the caps in their bottling machine -- perhaps a brewer's way of sticking it to the man.
I need to add that most of the "lites" mentioned are not as light as Pearl Lite, a beer so very light it's green. So few calories, it was a staple of my runner's low-cal food plan.
And from a couple of decades ago in California, I recall a light beer so good that it's never lost its place in my memory: imported from Mexico, Las Brisas.
While I do detour to single malt scotch and a white blended wine called Obsession, right this moment I'm drinking Modelo Especial. Over ice, an affront to real beer lovers.
Scott is right, this beer talk is so American.
My wife sent me the same list. I have to agree with most.
As a public service, I am taking the extensive list of "worst beers" from chron.com and ratebeers.com and giving you guys the "Readers Digest" version.
Pretty much stay AWAY from any beer with the name "Ice" in its name no matter whose.
Several "light" beers made the "worst" list and I agree to avoid Coors Light, Icehouse Light, Corona Light, Busch Light, Keystone Light, MIlwaukee's Best Light, Old Milwaukee Light, Michelob Ultra, MGD Light and MGD LIght 64, and Bud Select 55. Miller Lite made the list as did Bud Light, but, IMO Bud Light is OK "on draught" just not in the bottle or the can.
Old Milwaukee, Milwaukee's Best, Busch, and Keystone regular (lager) also came up short and I agree.
As a public service, I am taking the extensive list of "worst beers" from chron.com and ratebeers.com and giving you guys the "Readers Digest" version.
Pretty much stay AWAY from any beer with the name "Ice" in its name no matter whose.
Several "light" beers made the "worst" list and I agree to avoid Coors Light, Icehouse Light, Corona Light, Busch Light, Keystone Light, MIlwaukee's Best Light, Old Milwaukee Light, Michelob Ultra, MGD Light and MGD LIght 64, and Bud Select 55. Miller Lite made the list as did Bud Light, but, IMO Bud Light is OK "on draught" just not in the bottle or the can.
Old Milwaukee, Milwaukee's Best, Busch, and Keystone regular (lager) also came up short and I agree.
Beer has so many wonderful jumping off points. I'm a microbrewery fan myself. Beer and America go hand in hand. We can argue over beer tastes, categories, and presentations but we all still love beer in the end. Shouldn't it be the same with America.
What you say is very true. The hard part is separating the opinion (which is valid) from the "facts" (which are not valid). Gets back to my point that facts are not as important to some people as they are to others. In terms of emotion, I was alluding to Sharon Angle's attempt to pit Latinos against Anglos. Every politician must walk a thin line when dealing with emotional issues. She jumped over the line and spit on it while she was in mid-air. We have our own issues on our side. Social security and Medicare are similar for seniors. We have to be careful not to overly exploit their fear.
1. We all want what is best for America
The greater good! This also means that we each have to accept the fact that EVERY vote and decision by any Administration does NOT (and should NOT) always have to go OUR WAY because:
a) we're not ALONE around here
b) we're not always RIGHT
As far as #3 goes....everyone is entitled to their own OPINION.
However, they are not entitled to their own facts.
Personally, I am sick of "the (formerly loyal) opposition" claiming that "all liberals are anti-God, anti-American, yada yada yada...." when most of those...people...don't have a clue what most liberals think or believe. (see CC2 for an example). I don't even know many liberals who totally believe the exact same thing or how to get to where we want the country to be. Even among my closest friends...we may all have similar political leanings and beliefs, but there have been enough - fervent, shall we say? - discussions among us to prove that. We liberals are not all cut from the same cookie cutter. Nor are we (for the most part) socialists, communists, Marxists, atheist, fascist haters of the world.
As for leaving emotion out of it....um, at the end of the day, I still want to slap the stupid off of them. :-)
I can be quite the historian, sometimes.
P.S. Almost everybody was EITHER a Schlitz drinker or a Bud man. There was absolutely NO cross-brand drinking in those days.
The first "light beer" was called Kreuger Pilsner. It was brewed by an independent brewery up north and never took off. Not until Miller Lite was introduced did "light" beers (pilsners) become popular. Shortly after that, EVERYBODY had a "light" beer. Miller and Anheuser-Busch seperated themselves from the pack. Schlitz changed their formula and lost their audience. Jax and Falstaff died. Coors eventually went "nationwide" with good success.
"Dixie Chicks Syndrome".....that's hilarious!!
I almost NEVER argue with you. BUT, Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Natural Light are not cheap beers. They are merely "light" beers. Pilsner is the proper name. That brewing process makes them have less alcohol and fewer calories than a "lager". I'll go along with Lone Star. The other cheap beers (and I consulted a friend who is an expert on ALL things CHEAP) are Busch, Pearl, and Old Milwaukee. All three come in light (pilsner) or regular (lager).
FYI, back in the ol' days, There were three grades of domestic beer in Texas. Shall we say the least expensive were Busch, Pearl, Lone Star, Jax, and Falstaff. Middle grade and most popular were Bud and Schlitz. Coors, but only in northern Texas. Top of the line were Miller High Life and Michelob.
Best beer in a "pissing match"....Pearl.