Michelle moved us, Castro connected,
Warren whipped us up & Bill blew us away,
but after a series of inspiring addresses,
it's ultimately Barack Obama on the ballot.

The President & VP will take the stage
to stand by their first term and seek a second,
yet it's not just if the past four were good,
but convincing us the next four can be better.

We know the President's orations can inspire
but also that his actions at times inspire less.
Can tonight's words renew our hope for change,
as well as prove these are more than just words?

Mr. President, you'll preach us and teach us,
but in the end, will your speech truly reach us?

And set your bar higher than Mitt's speech.
In the competition for best address,
it's the First Lady who is your main rival.

Your convention of neighborhood liberals awaits you
so come out for a night of good company
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find a local convention watch party
or start a chapter near your.

Many of our chapters will be hosting watch parties this week for the Democratic Convention. Check out your local chapter's page to see what they are up to. Don't have a local chapter? Now could be a great time to start one.

If you are in Charlotte for the Convention, there are special Drinking Liberally events each night.

Tuesday night from 9:30 on, DL will be at Dandelion Market at 118 West 5th Street.

Wednesday night, the local DL chapter will move its regular meeting to Big Ben British Pub at 2000 South Blvd

And Thursday, we'll be back at Dandelion Market for convention watch and after party.

If you want more details, email justin [at] drinkingliberally [dot] org or mark [at] drinkingliberally [dot] org

Chris Christie announced he'd speak blunt truths!
...then repeated common conservative canards,
tired baseless attacks & predictable outright lies.

Paul Ryan promised fresh ideas for America!
...then recycled reworded trickle-down rhetoric
and found fresh ways to choose fiction over fact.

Next, Mitt Romney will think outside the box!
...but really will speak out both sides of his mouth
while remaining trapped in a right-wing corner.

This management consultant candidate promised
his party would bring an unconventional approach,
but with misleading myths & feisty falsehoods,
this GOP Convention's been, well, conventional.

Share an unconventional perspective
an inclusive night & enjoyable company
as you raise a glass and raise your voice
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.

The GOP thought they'd be flyin'
high on the boost of Paul Ryan,
but instead they find themselves brakin'
to avoid the disaster that's Akin.

Just when they thought we'd get misty
at the excitement of keynote Chris Christie,
their convention plans all started quakin'
as they try to shake free of Todd Akin.

Republicans are assailin' and wailin'
from Scott Brown to old Sarah Palin,
but they're failin' to drive the last stake in
to the heart of their candidate Akin.

Their House hopes are already insaner
as voters flee from the caucus of Boehner,
and now Senate dreams may be foresaken
thanks to the likes of Todd Akin.

The truth is Mitt's whole party all over is achin'
because his party all over is a lot like Todd Akin.

Awaken! No flakin'! Your night now is taken
and your thirst for a drink you'll be slackin' --
there are pints to raise and shoulders to rub
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.

Mitt Romney used to be moderate on abortion
until he spent the primary attacking choice.
Now he picks a running mate who co-sponsored
a bill to declare personhood for fertilized eggs.

Romney once ran on a bipartisan path on healthcare
until he ran from Romneycare to please the Tea Party.
He now runs with a man who has led the House GOP
on symbolic votes to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

Romney used to be a centrist on social programs
until he had to please a "let them die" right-wing base.
He now shares a ticket with a rep who'll cut-and-gut
Medicare, Social Security, food stamps & Headstart.

Romney looked more moderate before he ran for President.
Now, compared to Paul Ryan, he looks more moderate again.

...yet tapping Ryan to be a heartbeat from the Oval Office
shows just how "severely conservative" Romney has become.

Talk Liberally about the new GOP ticket,
Anticipate Liberally what the Conventions will hold
and Share Liberally -- a drink, a thought, an evening
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.

Another devastating, fatal, senseless shooting.
Another self-deceiving reply: "Who could have predicted?!"
Another set of excuses not to talk about sensible gun laws.

Another scandal as banks behave badly in brand new ways.
Another series of surprised reactions: "How could they?!"
Another round of ignoring repeated, systemic problems.

Another month of record heat and widespread drought.
Another set of climate change denials.
Another decision to wait and see what happens next
before fighting for real climate and energy policy.

Another quarter of a sluggish economy.
Another half-hearted effort for the American Jobs Act
…and another GOP House vote to repeal healthcare.

When television is full of summer reruns,
at least you know the fall will bring new programming.

But when our news & politics are full of reruns,
and we have a cautious incumbent & callow challenger,
it's unlikely we'll be seeing many new programs this fall.

Where's the Policy Sweeps Week when you need it?

Share new ideas with new friends & new conversations
or enjoy familiar faces over a cool drink on a hot night
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.

Some competitors are caught doping,
some are expelled for throwing matches,
but at least none are going after each other
with drone attacks or car bombs.

Some of the players forget to have fun,
some seem more like machines than athletes,
yet they showcase the desire of all nations
to be seen with and respected by one another.

The expense of it all may be excessive,
the commercialism at times repulsive,
however this global pageant envisions a world
where everyone has food, health & a team.

As we groan at what's worst about the Olympics,
we can still dream a world that embodies
what's best about the Olympics.

After all, we're used to cheating & commercialism.
It's the hope, peace & prosperity we'd like more of.
Though we all know real world divisions --
can we be inspired by Olympic-sized visions?

Share your stories, Olympic-sized or otherwise,
as you share a few drinks & a summer night
at your local political social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.

Politicians avoid talking gun control
and get away with it when it's not an issue.
Then a terrible act occurs, guns are an issue,
and pols say it's the wrong time to talk about it.

The Aurora killer used an assault weapon
that used to be banned and is now legal.
Yet the people running to represent us
talk about anything except changing laws.

"Guns don't kill people; people kill people"
is the common defense we hear from the right.
Guns did kill people; yet people let guns live.

Candidates speechify with nothing to say.
They feel, they "heal" but won't act for real.
When guns attack, we don't fight back --
time to face violence with more than silence.

We'll face our fears, share our tears,
search for cheer & hoist a beer
at your local progressive social club.

DRINKING LIBERALLY
Find - or start - a chapter near you.