The Original Drinking Liberally

(Drinking Liberally will be meeting tonight
-- same time, same place, details below --
but first a special holiday message)

A Visit from St. Barack
(with thanks to Clement Clark Moore)

'Twas the night before Elections, when through the US
Americas were nervous...we're in such a mess.
Our dreams we had hung on an election with care,
In hopes a new President soon would be there.

The bankers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of bailouts danced in the heads;
But for most of the country, it's not quite a snap
Surviving the economy's long winter's nap.

When slowly all over, there arose such a clatter,
We sprang up & realized our vote really did matter.
Into campaigning, we flew like a flash,
And one night in November, we made a big splash.

Now through the darkness, the war & the woe,
We see new directions our country can go.
And what to our wondering eyes should appear?
A sleigh pulled by Change, that soars over the fear.

With a lean & young driver, & smart - what a shock!
I knew in a moment, must be St. Barack!
With speed & with purpose, his Cabinet came,
His strong Team of Rivals, he called the by name:

"Now Daschle! now, Geithner! Now, Holder, Richardson!
On Solis! Napolitano! And of course Hillary Clinton!
Stimulus! Reform! Accountability! All!
Fast out of the gate, no time to stall!"

As tax revenue in the Bush years did fly,
into CEO pockets, far from public eye,
So fast into action the Cabinet flew,
With 8 years of madness to work to undo.

Then, on TV, we heard the applause,
And entered a man who, despite flaws,
Helps us believe we'll turn it around --
On stage, St. Barack leaped with a bound.

With a serious look he breaks every while,
With a quick little joke, & infections bright smile,
He looks Presidential, what can we say?
...As long as he puts that Blackberry away.

At one side his family, beautiful, hopeful,
Warms all our souls, to the most mopeful.
On the other a helper we all take such pride in;
Who doesn't feel good about VP Joe Biden?

Things aren't great, that's plain to see
And in this transition, we don't always agree,
But when he grins like a kindly & generous elf,
We laugh & we hope, in spite of ourself.

With his personal story & charisma unending,
He helps set us back on course to be mending
Rips here at home & our ties abroad --
That he inspires, we happily laud.

He's ready to dig in and get straight to work,
And we can be done with that other jerk...
While we may be a bit down & times are tough,
as one nation we say, Enough is Enough.

He won't fix it all -- there just isn't a way --
It will take ALL of us pulling this sleigh.
But at least now with courage, exclaim we might:
"Happy Christmas to all, let's set America right!"

Share the holidays, your hopes & a drink or two
with your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Tonight - and every Thursday
7:30pm onward
Rudy's - 9th Ave btw 44th & 45th
[in the back of the bar]
Questions: nyc@drinkingliberally.org

Uh-Oh - Forget to buy your holiday gifts?
Get the gift the keeps on giving
Liberal Pride, Liberal Community & Liberal Discounts.
THE LIBERAL CARD - http://theliberalcard.org

And save the date - Sunday January 18th
THE LIVING LIBERALLY NYC INAUGURAL BALL
Get your tix today:
http://livingliberally.org/inauguralball

(Join tonight's holiday party
& for the first hour, we'll pour you
a first drink free -- details at the bottom)

While we may be facing the worst economy in decades,
it's also the chance to push a massive investment
in public infrastructure & green jobs.

While a teetering auto industry puts us in peril,
a loan to stabilize it is an opportunity
to create reforms & promote fuel efficiency.

While Grinches like Madoff & banking execs
threaten Americans' holiday cheer,
we also now have the impetus to re-regulate
the excesses of the financial sector.

And while the last 8 years hurt our country,
maybe that era revealed the Conservative con
& will give us a shot at a progressive future.

Bush's buddies filled our stocking with coal
...can new leadership turn it into diamonds?

That would be a Christmas miracle.

Raise your revelry, raise a ruckus,
raise hopes, fears & a glass or two
with your local progressive social club.

THE DRINKING LIBERALLY HOLIDAY PARTY
Tonight - 7:30pm onward
First hour: we'll pour your 1st beer on us
Rudy's - 9th Ave btw 44th & 45th
[Backyard in the heated tent]
Questions: nyc@drinkingliberally.org

Get your last-minute holiday gift:
THE LIBERAL CARD - http://theliberalcard.org
For $25, it's the perfect present --
a personalized, wallet-sized card
that declares the bearer a "Card Carrying Liberal"
and earns benefits at local & national partners.
Available now: http://theliberalcard.org

Coming Soon:

- Tuesday, Dec 23 - 7:30pm
HA-HA-HANNUKAH - a transdenominational night
of comedy, religion & politics
featuring the Laughing Liberally comedians
of all faiths & no faith at all.
The Tank @ chashama - http://thetanknyc.org
217 E 42nd St - btw 2nd & 3rd Avenues

- THE INAUGURAL BALL: Sunday, Jan 18th
Get your tickets today --
http://livingliberally.org/inauguralball

Liberals -

Celebrate 2008 by filling your final weeks
with liberal love, laughter & libations.

1. The Drinking Liberally Holiday Party
Thursday, Dec 18th - 7:30 onward

2. The Laughing Liberally Year-in-Review
Tues, Dec 16th - 8pm

3. The Liberal Card! and other Holiday Fun.

4. Upcoming Events to end '08 strong
& start '09 off on the Left foot.

1. Raise a glass to the year that was
in a holiday season worth celebrating:
THE 6th ANNUAL DRINKING LIBERALLY HOLIDAY PARTY

We'll sneak past those recession blues
by pouring your first beer on us
for the first hour of the party: 7:30-8:30.

Bring a food or financial donation
which will go to local food pantries
so others can Eat Liberally this holiday

Special friends, snacks & gifts
& good old fashion Drinking Liberally Fun.

The Drinking Liberally Holiday Party
Thursday, Dec 18th
7:30pm onward
(1st beer free 7:30-8:30)
Rudy's - 9th btw 44th & 45th
[taking over the heated backyard tent]
Questions: nyc@drinkingliberally.org

2. Join us for an evening of liberal laughter,
as we celebrate the end of a year, and of an era.

THE LAUGHING LIEBRALLY YEAR IN REVIEW
Tuesday, Dec 16th
Doors 7:30; Show 8pm
The Tank @ chashama - thetanknyc.org
217 East 42nd between 2nd & 3rd Aves
Tix: $10 (only $5 for DL members)

Featuring: Baratunde Thurston, Jamie Kilstein,
Myq Kaplan, Harry Terjanian, Katie Halper,
Lee Camp & Elon James White.

3. Get the Perfect Holiday Gift...
Show off your liberal pride & get liberal discounts
with THE LIBERAL CARD - http://theliberalcard.org

Who doesn't want a personalized, wallet card
declaring them a "Card Carrying Liberal"?
Plus it gets you free drinks, tickets
& benefits at dozens of liberal businesses.

Only $25: http://theliberalcard.org

4. And coming soon...

Tues Dec 23rd - Ha-Ha-Hannukah
A Laughing Liberally night on religion, politics
& other things you're not supposed to find funny.
The Tank @ chashama - 217 E 42nd Street.

Thurs Dec 25th & Thurs Jan 1 - Drinking Liberally
We will be meeting at our regular time and place
on both Christmas & New Year's:
Rudy's - 9th & 44th - 7:30pm onward

And save the date: THE INAUGURAL BALL
Sunday, Jan 18th. Tickets now available.
http://www.livingliberally.org/inauguralball

At a time when our nation needs to focus
on the economy's impact on regular Americas,
Blagojevich' s get-rich-quick scheme
now dominates our headlines & our attention.

This crisis could cost millions of jobs,
if American automakers go bankrupt,
but Blago's bankrupt morals now consume us.

At a moment when the election results
enriched our national spirit,
Blago sought only to enrich himself.

His venal corruption makes us ill --
& his timing, in crisis, just annoys.
I guess, Ill + Annoys = Illinois.

But hey, at least it brought
Patrick Fitzgerald back into the news.

Share your thoughts as your share a pitcher
with like-minded lefties over a liberal libation
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Tonight - and every Thursday
7:30pm onward
Rudy's - 9th btw 44th & 45th
[backyard in the heated tent!]
Questions: nyc@drinkingliberally.org

First Drink FREE with your Liberal Card!
Get yours today: http://theliberalcard.org
....the perfect gift for the holidays.

And next Thursday, Dec 18th --
The Drinking Liberally Holiday Party.

Upcoming Events...

Tues 12/16 - LAUGHING LIBERALLY LAB
A Year in Review - 8pm show
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
thetanknyc.org / laughingliberally.org

Thurs 12/18 - DRINKING LIBERALLY HOLIDAY PARTY
Rudy's - 9th btw 44th & 45th - 7:30pm

Tues 12/23 - HA-HA-HANNUKAH
a night of comedy, politics & religion.
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
thetanknyc.org/laughingliberally.org

Wed 1/14 - READING LIBERALLY
Learn more by joining their mailing list:
livingliberally.org/reading/chapters/NY/nycclassics

and THE INAUGURAL BALL
Sunday, January 18th
Get your tickets today:
http://www.livingliberally.org/inauguralball

Obama crafts a cabinet crossing aisles & ideologies,
while Senate Republicans revel in their Georgia win
as they intend to tyrannize from a 41-seat minority.

Dems step up to bailout the GOP's banking buddies,
while the GOP balks at loans to the Big Three,
& spreads lies about how much auto workers make.

The new Prez pledges to first push legislation
with bipartisan consensus like children's healthcare,
& hedges on oil windfall tax & Bush taxcut rollback,
while the Right calls him a radical socialist.

And in it all, Dems let Lieberman keep his gavel.

When Dems offer conservatives compromise & comity,
& the GOP digs in to defy progressive promise,
the debate wrongly shifts Rightward
& Liberals are left standing to the side.

Even after an Election, the Right is still wrong
...the real question: will the Left be left behind?

Share your hopes as your share a few pitchers,
& raise your concerns as you raise your glass
and toast this momentous month of transition
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Tonight - and every Thursday
7:30pm onward
Rudy's - 9th Ave btw 44th & 45th
[backyard -- the tent is up!]
Questions: nyc@drinkingliberally.org

GET THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT TODAY:
Become a proud card-carrying liberal,
receive your attractive, personalized card,
and get free drinks and movies,
discounts at shops, theaters & more...
THE LIBERAL CARD - http://www.theliberalcard.org

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENT:

Tues, Dec 9th - SCREENING LIBERALLY: FREEHELD
& a discussion of Prop 8 & Marriage Equality.

FREEHELD - Academy-Award winning documentary
on a dying police officer whose partner
is denied benefits...because they're the same sex.

Following the film, a discussion on marriage equality,
from Prop 8 in California to the battle in NY.

Tues, Dec 9th - 7pm Doors; 7:30 Film; Forum After
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd btw 2nd & 3rd
FREE ADMISSION; Suggested donation: $7
to cover costs & support the cause
www.thetanknyc.org

...and coming soon:

Tues 12/16 - LAUGHING LIBERALLY LAB
A Year in Review - 8pm show
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
thetanknyc.org / laughingliberally.org

Thurs 12/18 - DRINKING LIBERALLY HOLIDAY PARTY
Rudy's - 9th btw 44th & 45th - 7:30pm

Tues 12/23 - HA-HA-HANNUKAH
a night of comedy, politics & religion.
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
thetanknyc.org / laughingliberally.org

and THE INAUGURAL BALL
Sunday, January 18th
Get your tickets today:
http://www.livingliberally.org/inauguralball

'Tis the season to be Liberal...

As we turn from giving thanks to giving gifts,
we invite you to give your loved ones
(or your most lovable enemies) a gift of
liberal pride, liberal community & liberal discounts.

THE LIBERAL CARD -- http://www.theliberalcard.org
...with more benefits for New Yorkers all the time

Howard Dean has one. Ed Asner has one.
And you can see adorable photos of them here...
http://livingliberally.org/drinking/blog/Howard-Dean-Ed-Asner-and-You

The real question is: why don't you?

You know your loves ones want to show off
their attractive, personalized wallet card
that makes them a "Card-Carrying Liberal."

That's fun enough: but there's more.

Liberal Card members in NYC got invited
to a free advance screening of Milk last week.

Just today, card-holders were offered
discount tix to two Off-Broadway plays.

There are bars with free drinks,
shops with discounts & more goodies all the time,
because we have local partner businesses
that are also proud to be Liberal.

So treat yourself, your friend or your colleague
to a gift of drinks, films, special offers
& membership into an inclusive club of Liberals.

Order now -- and your holiday shopping is over:
http://theliberalcard.org/product/the-liberal-card

And other upcoming Living Liberally events:

Tues 12/2 - LAUGHING LIBERALLY
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
7:30 Doors / 8pm Show
$10 Admission / only $5 for DL list members!
www.thetanknyc.org / www.laughingliberally.org
Featuring Baratunde Thurston, Lee Camp, Myq Kaplan,
Harry Terjanian, Katie Halper & Elon James White

Tues 12/2 - Drinking Liberally Greenwich Village
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St
(between Thompson and Sullivan) - 6pm
livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/NY/greenwichvillage

Tues 12/9 - SCREENING LIBERALLY: Freeheld
& a discussion of Prop 8 & Marriage Equality in NY
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
Doors 7pm; Film 7:30; Discussion 8:30
www.thetanknyc.org / www.screeningliberally.org

Tues 12/16 - LAUGHING LIBERALLY
The Tank @ chashama - 217 East 42nd
7:30 Doors / 8pm Show
$10 Admission / only $5 for DL list members!
www.thetanknyc.org / www.laughingliberally.org

Thurs 12/18 - DRINKING LIBERALLY HOLIDAY PARTY
Rudy's - 9th btw 44th & 45th - 7:30pm onward

Sun 1/18 - THE INAUGURAL BALL
http://www.livingliberally.org/inauguralball