Maybe the local chapter should be called The FDR chapter since he repealed the drinking laws.

Ha ha...FDR did repeal the drinking laws :-)

Drinking Liberally is such a great event! We have so-far had three meet-ups with about 10 people at each. We have a great time talking about politics over a pint, and this upcoming Thursday will be *extra* fun as it is a Special Drinking and KARAOKE Liberally!

We hope to see everyone there!

Is it just liberals drinking or is there some political organization going on at the same time? I would hate to think that liberals are chugging beers while Republicans are running to attempt a takeover of the government.

Here is an opportunity to vent, rant, collaborate and have fun. Age is not noticed and (except for the noise) there is no telltale notice of it. Great time for all. helen

Once again we have the juveniles on this site who feel the need to mislead others by impersonating me. Is it too much to ask that others don't post using my pen name? Apparently so. You guys need to grow up.

Republicans have social clubs and they are not necessarily a way of organizing; however, they are a venue for their volunteers and organizers to get amped up and speak their minds. Drinking Liberally is similar, although it is *technically* non-partisan.

NO this is not just a bunch of liberals getting wasted! Very few of the people that come to Drinking Liberally actually "drink" and we have had great discussions on local elections, issues such as the war in Iraq and education, and we have even spawned other similar discussion groups, like the Young Progressive Democrat's Ventura Discussion Group (meets at Pete's Coffee 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 pm) from this concept.

I'm sorry...the neo-cons (especially the current Administration) don't exactly have a great track record for SOBER organizing...

...props to Drinking Liberally for figuring out how to get people involved!

Oh, come on now!

After all, it was the far right that invented the three martini lunch, not liberals...

As noted elsewhere, these events focus on discussion not drinking, per se, and include non-drinkers. Everyone else has the good sense and maturity to keep within the limits of their own legal blood-alchohol levels.

Cheers!

I think it is great that you all are making an effort to open political organizing to the masses who can;t stand another meeting about social security in a library side room.

Cheers...THANK YOU VERY MUCH! When Andrew and I decided to start a Drinking Liberally chapter here, that was one of the main reasons! We figured that there HAS to be a better way to discuss the issues--whether they be social security or immigration reform, the war in Iraq or health care coverage!

I wanted to make one other very brief comment and that is that in the interest of proving that Democrats and Progressives DO NOT Drink and Drive, we have a designated driver system in place so that anyone who does drink too much does not risk their political future.

For more info on Drinking Liberally (and to join our mailing list), please go to http://drinkingliberally.org or email us at ventura@drinkingliberally.org

This Bubba Kidd guy sounds like a real cry baby. A real party pooper.

Stick and Stones. You guys must be frustrated that juvenile personal attacks and impersonations won't make me go away. Darn that whole freedom of speech thing.

Oh Bubba, quit being a baby. I don't want you to go away, your stupid comments make me laugh!

I'm glad to be of service.

Brian,
You should do a blog on the stock market crash today and how the policies of the Bush Administration caused it.

Remember:

"Beer does more than Milton can to justify God's ways to man."

Brian you should do a blog on how Ventura County Board member Ron Matthews is trying to stop the adoption of a seventh grade science book that talks about evolution, he of course wants one that only talks about creationism. I did a google on Matthews and he was quoted as saying he is good with charter schools only if kids carry bibles and can pray.

Do you have a source I can link to for a to a story like that? How many science textbooks does the county board buy every year anyways? I also thought he would need to choose from a list approved by the state.

I think you should start a thread on Greg Stratton's claim that SVUSD is shorchanging eighth grade students by not requiring a full year of science.

Brian,
The Star has a front page story on this today and they also have an editorial calling for the removal of both Matthews and Valenzano in the next election. I could not agree more! Valenzano and Matthews both need to be kicked out of office, they are a disgrace! Matthews actually said he would like to have the Ventura County Board of Education sued in Court over this. That way the taxpayers would be stuck with the bill so he could stand on his soapbox. Why is Matthews and Valenzano trying to take away the rights of parents to teach religion to their children in the privacy of their homes and religous houses of their choosing? Matthews and Valenzano have to go!!!!!

Their proposal would in no way take away the "rights of parents to teach religion...."

I disagree. If a child of a Buddhist couple is told the world began based on the Christian belief that the world is only 6,000 years old, and that cavemen and dinorsaurs were planted by Satan to fool people, then I say you are teaching that child religion, not science. Evolution is based on scientific theory.

Any links to this story?

According to the way you've set up the arguement, teaching evolution in the classroom would "take away the rights of parents to teach" Christianity. I'm betting that in Simi there are a lot more Christians than Buddhists. Whose rights are you willing to take away?

"Why is Machivelli trying to take away the rights of parents to teach religion to their children in the privacy of their homes and religous houses of their choosing? Machivelli has to go!!!!!"

Owen,

The correct answer is you take away neither of their rights.

This is not a theocracy. You can teach science without disproving any religion. In fact, Darwin was a man who believed in God. Is it possible that God created a big bang? Was the big bang God? Did he make man or did he create the environment for man to evolve? See I did both (science and many religions). Whereas creationism relates simply to one particular religion and ignores science.

Would you actually bring up those questions in class? That is theology, and I'm pretty sure it'd be challenged by the ACLU.

Would you actually bring up those questions in class? That is theology, and I'm pretty sure it'd be challenged by the ACLU.

I guess Owen does not understand the difference between science and religion.

Machiavelli, you have it all pretty well done in your mind. Ever think about getting into politics and doing some good for our community?

Your question assumes I do no good for the community now. Is not paying my taxes, buying locally, obeying the law, etc, good for the community? Do all politicians do good for their community? Could I win when the powers that be have made it so I can put up no signs, except on private property?

My deepest apologies Owen, I assumed you had the intellect to make the jump that science would teach the big bang theory or evolution. And then when you get home mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa, or some other family member could talk about how God created the world in whatever religion they like - or no religion at all.

Versus doing it your way, which would be to say God created the world in 6 days 6,000 years ago. He put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but they wanted to eat from the forbidden fruit. So he cast them from the garden and that is how life started.

One of these ways of teaching science puts our students behind the 8-ball in terms of being educated scientifically in the world. You could learn both by being taught evolution/science and religious theory or you could just learn the religious theory....

Mach, it was meant to be a compliment. Your a cool dude who sums it up quite accurately. Bet your pretty fair at ballet as well.

Tony, please point to where I said that was what I wanted taught.

Point taken: Instead of "Versus doing it your way" it should read "Versus doing it Matthews way". Until you come out one way or the other I shouldn't have assumed you thought Matthews way was the correct way. My apologies.

No worries, I was just trying to point out that Machiavelli's reasoning was absurd. I actually support the teaching of evolution in classrooms. Though not completely convinced that we have the full mechanics worked out, our students need to have at least a basic understanding of the predominant scientific theories of the day.

But what about creationism? That seems to be the sticking point here.

I don't think the ACLU would mind if a science teacher explained how evolution doesn't undermine faith. It is a simply history to say the setting and beliefs of the people that created such theories.

I think high school and school districts should have classes on world philosophies, of which Christianity is one. Creationism is not a science and therefore, shouldn't be taught as such. In this era of globalization it will become more and more important to understand what the different groups believe.

I am not sure how the ACLU or the Christian Coalition would feel about that, but let's just discount them immediately as radical groups. Instead we should ask ourselves does it make sense for our kids to learn what Buddhism is? Or Hinduism? Or what Islam, Judaism and Atheism believe in order to function in the world developing? We already ask them to learn another language, why not the other belief systems?

I haven't been to high school in awhile. Is that already required or would this be something new?

"Oh lord, you gave them eyes and a brain, why cannot they think and see?"

I hope those of you that are in Matthews and Valenzano's District's are working towards identifying a better qualified candidate that will not break laws and cost taxpayers dollars.

We have seen what happens when a School Board becomes all about partisan politics, extreme views and self-righteousness.

When a Trustee takes the Oath of Office they swear to uphold the Constitution. Matthews knows this and he blatantly chooses to ignore it. If he knows his Bible he would know that it says in Romans 13 (NIV) Everyone must submit themselves to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established... which means uphold the laws of government.

Matthews should not take an oath to uphold the constitution and act contrary to that oath. If Matthews does not uphold the Constitution he is guilty of Malfaesance of Office and can be removed.

If Matthews wants to lobby to change the laws so that Creationism is taught that is perfectly OK and his right. He can even lobby in is his capacity as a Trustee to teach creationism. If he is honest with the constituents that he represents he should let them know that this is his platform and agenda when he asks for them to vote for him to be his representative. In his present capacity he has no authority to change the laws, he is usurping Democratic due process and taking the laws into his own hands outside of his jurisdiction or authority.

If the legislation is shot down to teach evolution rather than creationism as it has been done, Matthews must submit to authority.

Ron Matthews and Chris Valenzano are both puppets of the VCRCC. They both need to be kicked out of office. I will give money to any qualified candidate who runs against them, I'm sure Dennert will keep us notified as to who is going to run against them.

I am also prepared to put my money where my mouth is.

Leading conservative blogger calls conservative movement crap.

http://socalpundit.com/blog/index.php/category/politics-as-usual/

http://johnedwards.com/

BLAH BLAH, I HATE F**GOTS, BLAH BLAH BLAH, HATE HATE HATE.

Wow, you guys are nuts =)

Drinking Liberally loves to have people come and voice their political opinions and ideas on anything you would like!

Join us THIS Thursday!

We hope to see you all there!

Hello Drinking Liberally Friends!

This is to remind everyone that we have an EXCITING Drinking Liberally this Thursday, March 8th in Thousand Oaks!

Crown and Anchor
2891 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, California

8:00 PM

DL Starts

9:30 PM

In anticipation of the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Conejo Valley Resident and Activist, Chris Rigali, will be leading a discussion on the war in Iraq, followed by political trivia about the Middle East.

11:00 PM

The party begins! Join us in wishing a happy HAPPY birthday to one of our regular Liberal Drinkers, Reggie Matta...we won't tell you how old he's turning ;-)

We hope to see you all there for this very special Drinking Liberally!

In Peace,

Heather and Andrew

ventura@drinkingliberally.org

Cool site. Thanks!!!