Hi Everybody! Just a reminder that the Nashua chapter of DL meets tonight!

Since last time:

Who thinks violence against women is ok? Thirty-one Republican Senators! While the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 passed the Senate last week, a bunch of guys didn’t like it. The VAWA was the first piece of legislation to acknowledge domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes. And people say the GOP is waging a “war on women”? What are they thinking?

Got a Facebook account? Twitter? Google +? Flickr? Linked In? Want to give your passwords to your employer so they can browse your posts? It seems every House Republican likes that idea. An amendment to the FCC Reform Act that would have prevented employers from demanding social networking passwords was defeated 236-185 along party lines.

Occupy Wall Street has planned it’s first major action of 2012. The “May Day Strike” calls for the 99% to not shop, go to work, or go to school; not to buy, produce or otherwise participate in the system on May 1st. Events are planned in 135 American cities, including Dover and Portsmouth, NH. Will you join in?

So much to talk about, and we'll do it tonight, 5/1, 7:30pm at Thousand Crane 116 West Pearl St. in Nashua! Please join us! As always, non-drinkers are warmly welcomed. It's all about the conversation!

When it comes to taxes, they say, "Who knows how to spend your money better, you or the bureaucrats in Washington?" but when it comes to a woman's vagina, none of that applies, presumably because women aren't smart enough to make their own decisions.
--Bartcop

Hi Everybody! Nashua Drinking Liberally meets tonight – 4/3, 7:30pm at Thousand Crane, 116 W. Pearl St.

Since Last Time:

Incredibly, the GOP’s “war on women” continues! Mitt Romney said he’d “get rid of” Planned Parenthood if he’s elected! Aside from the fact that he’d have no authority to do such a thing, why would he want to? For 95 years PP has provided women education, breast exams, PAP, HPV, and STD tests, and prenatal care. Abortion accounts for just 3% of their services, and no federal dollars fund the operation. One in five American women has visited PP at least once in her life. Even (yes) MEN’S health services are offered! Testicular, colon and prostate cancer screenings are offered and male infertility issues are addressed. Mitt says it has to go.

The Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). There are many positive aspects of the law, including the elimination of “preexisting conditions” for children, more preventive services free of charge, the elimination of gender discrimination in pricing, and the banning of lifetime “caps” on coverage. Opponents claim the mandate – the requirement that all Americans must carry health insurance or face a fine – is unconstitutional. The Obama administration says the mandate is essential to fund the system, and that “only 1 percent of all Americans, those who can afford coverage but choose not to purchase it, are expected to owe a fine—which offsets the medical costs they are passing on to others. People who get insurance through their employer, through Medicare, or who cannot afford insurance are exempt from the rule.” What do you think? Who wouldn’t want affordable health insurance?

The nation has focused massive media attention on the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a man in Florida. Seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed during an altercation with neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. According to various news reports, the high school student was pursued by Zimmerman through a gated community, confronted, and shot. Deeply unsettling details have emerged, strongly suggesting racism as a factor in the killing, and of a blatant cover-up by the local police. The shooter has not been charged because Florida (NH, too) has the macho-sounding “Stand Your Ground” law. Under the law, deadly force may be used in self-defense when there is “reasonable belief” of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first. New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney said “…in Florida the number of civilians killed through justified homicides tripled” since the law passed. Some suggest the SYG laws easily facilitate legal murder. Do you agree?

As usual, so much to talk about, and we’ll do it tonight at Thousand Crane! Come and say what’s on your mind. As always, no need to drink to join us!

On an altar of prejudice we crucify our own, yet the blood of all children is the color of God."
-- Don Williams, Jr.

Hi Everybody! The Nashua chapter of Drinking Liberally meets Tuesday, 3/6, 7:30pm at Thousand Crane II, 116 West Pearl Street. Come join the fun with your liberal friends!

Since Last time,

A month ago it would have seemed impossible, but the front runners in the GOP primary have been saying even stupider things. Romney disclosed that his wife has “a couple of Cadillacs”, and while he’s not a huge fan of the race itself, “I have some friends who are NASCAR team owners”. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum isn’t so sure about the separation of church & state, and said JFKs 1960 speech on the issue “makes me want to throw up”. He also believes President Obama is “a snob” for wanting all Americans to go to college. Internet rumors say Republicans are so distraught over these two turkeys that Jeb Bush may leap into the race. Is it possible?

Anyone who saw him shrieking and gnashing at Occupy protestors may have predicted he’d meet an early demise, and he did. Mercurial right wing propagandist Andrew Breitbart died of a heart attack at 43. The conservative blogs lit up with conspiracy theories – including that President Obama had the man executed. What do you think? Who “nose”?

Rush Limbaugh called young Georgetown University student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute” after she testified before Congress about the need for health insurers to cover contraceptives. Fluke has a friend who lost an ovary (which one would think would have the pro-lifers outraged) after being denied contraceptives for polycystic ovarian syndrome. At least six advertisers promptly yanked their ads from his show causing El Rushbo to hastily (flaccidly) apologize, leaving little doubt who the real whore is. President Obama weighed in, calling Sandra in support. Will this help the Democrats in November?

So much to talk about, and we’ll do it Tuesday 3/6, 7:30pm, at Thousand Crane II! As always, non-drinkers are warmly invited!

"Don't give up, Rush! It's a WAR ON WOMEN & you're the Supreme Leader. Keep reminding voters how hate & violence drives the Republican agenda"
--Michael Moore, in a tweet

Hi Everybody!

Just a reminder that the next Nashua Drinking Liberally meets this Tuesday, 2/7, 7:30pm.

What a bash the SOTU Address party was! Thanks to everyone who joined us to pack the place! It was great to see so many new faces!

Since last time:

Mitt Romney (Rawmoney) pulled another horrible gaffe by saying he’s “not concerned about the very poor”. Should he be vilified for a cruel point of view, or commended for telling the truth? Willard defended his position for several days…and then said he “misspoke”. Why don’t people trust this guy?

The circus that is the GOP primary continues, albeit with fewer clowns. The front runners, Romney & Gingrich, continue to cut each other up by telling the truth about each other. Romney has long been predicted the likely nominee, and considering how much cash the 1% have been shoveling at him, there’s no reason to believe otherwise.

The Susan G Komen Foundation cut funding to Planned Parenthood, citing a congressional investigation into claims of PP’s use of tax dollars to fund abortion. A ferocious backlash led to a reversal of the decision, and left Komen scrambling with a PR debacle. After nearly 40 years since Roe v. Wade, will the right wing ever abandon their war on women’s reproductive rights?

As usual, so much to talk about, and we’ll do it Tuesday, 2/7, 7:30pm at Thousand Crane, 116 West Pearl St, Nashua! Please join us! As always, non-drinkers are warmly welcomed!

Liberalism is, I think, resurgent. One reason is that more and more people are so painfully aware of the alternative.
--John Kenneth Galbraith

Hi Everyone! We're having an extra DL get together this month to watch President Obama's State of the Union address. It will be Tuesday, 1/24, at our wonderful, recently adopted new place - Thousand Crane II, 116 West Pearl St, in Nashua. The event will start at 7:30, but the address isn't expected to begin until 9, so come when you can!

This obviously will be an important address. It's sure to be Obama's opening shot in his battle for reelection. Come watch it on the big screen, and discuss it with your liberal friends!

As always, non-drinkers are warmly welcomed!

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
--Plato