Tag Archives: beer

Word of the Night

03 Friday Nov 2017

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A lot goes on.

Donna Brazile tells all. The Trump goes to Asia. Ryan releases the Kraken tax plan. Jobs. Plague. Bombs. Etc.

Screw it all.

Maybe it’s tomorrow night’s moon talking early, but the word of the night is …

Tadcaster

As in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, UK.

Where. The. Beer. Comes. From.

The moon or that popple lime sulphate. Ahhhhhh.

ssporter

Sam. Smith’s (from freakin Tadcaster, 1758…).

If you’re down with the popple and the taddy, you know. If not, go [CENSORED] yourselves, you [CENSORED] [CENSORED].

Tadcaster.

The SJWs are even Coming for Your Beer

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

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Vox Day explains the progression of the madness:

In April 2017, the Brewers Association (BA), a trade group that serves the craft beer industry, enacted a set of rules designed to stem the use of sexist and offensive brewery and beer names (see Brewers Association standing up to breweries, beers with offensive names, labels). But, Flying Dog Brewery sees the move by the BA as an overt attempt at censorship. And, to protest the move, Flying Dog CEO Jim Caruso has severed ties with the industry group.

In a letter dated July 14, 2017 and addressed to BA CEO Bob Pease, Caruso says that the policy, “… is an attempt by the BA to censor beer names that offend the sensibilities of some at the BA, primarily by trying to intimidate breweries into censoring themselves.”

In the BA’s policy, a procedure is laid out on how brewers can police their peers — Caruso reads this as competitors — by lodging a formal complaint. Should the offending brewery cease advertising or using a name that is considered offensive by the reporting brewery within 30 days of the complaint, the matter is considered closed. But, if the name and/or advertising is not ceased, a sort of tribunal is convened. The final decision of the tribunal — in reality a group of three BA appointed representatives — is published on the BA’s website for all the world to read. In addition, names found to be offensive will be banned from being spoken at BA sanctioned events like the Great American Beer Festival, Savour and more. If a brewery or beer with a name deemed offensive happens to win a medal in a competition at one of these events, they will not be publicly identified. Winners are also banned from using Brewers Association intellectual property such as identifying a banned beer name as a medal winner in a BA sanctioned event.

Caruso sees all this as forms of censorship, thought policing and just plain creepy.

VD: You have two choices with SJWs. Submit or destroy them. Choose one. Choose wisely.

This may be where Americans draw the line. Freedom yes, jobs maybe, but their beer never.

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Photo by Perrin.

Perrin on Patreon.

Master Brewing Ale in the Ailing South

04 Sunday Jun 2017

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My friend, Graydon Brown, has taken a good concept to new heights in Georgia’s second city. He has Apathy Town’s newest (and only) brewery cranking out some of the coolest and most innovative craft beers in America. Brown, the Texan master with over 30 years experience, knows what he’s going and it shows. He also knows cigars.

Check out Savannah River Brewing

I just sampled a few brews to include the IPA and the Brown Ale. Here is the Savannah River IPA, a cool but stout 7% ABV with an incredible distinctive flavor:

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A lighter beer that pairs surprisingly well with a cigar!

After a few years of dawdling, pre-Graydon, the company is now in full swing. I suspect distribution is their main focus. I can’t really recommend a visit: sure it has to be nice but I won’t tell anyone to enter the deserted industrial zone ‘tween the ghettos in Southern Detroit. Of course, if you’re there, do stop in. I can recommend, however, trying to find these micros at better shops and bars near you. Right now that is limited to GA and SC (and I fear not even the good parts) but I would imagine the range will grow rapidly.

If you enjoy beer with actual taste, then these are right up your alley. They might even convert a few yellow water drinkers.

“Deep South High Hops.” “Bring it on Home.” Please do.

Cheers.

Mary Jane’s Athenian Pot Party

07 Friday Oct 2016

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As sad as it seems I graduated from college nearly 20 years ago. A little education and a lot of experiences. This story involves one of the latter. It is such ancient history that any parts I have forgotten will be creatively embellished for a seamless narrative.

We’ll say it was 1994. Back then I was a right-leaning “conservative”, one of millions about to be suckered in by the Contract ON America. (Remember that?) I still listened to Rush Limbaugh who, at the time, was still entertaining. Per my stance against joining I had never affiliated with any political party.

The previous year I attended one debate between the campus Republicans and Democrats. I should say “debate” because it wasn’t. All I saw were two sides of the same coin arguing over which one was uglier. I being new, they asked me for my opinion once the show was over and I told them something similar to the previous sentence and left. I never went back.

That next year I found myself still interested in political comradery. A decent, seemingly informed classmate told me about the UGA Libertarians and implied I should visit a meeting. I knew my views were much more inclined to those of the LP than the GOP but I saw the former as too weak to make a difference. They still have the same problem. But, then, I decided to plunge in and take a look.

I don’t even remember what season or quarter it was but it seems like the event was held in the evening. (Maybe it was 4:20…) Intrepidly I ventured to the Tate Student Center, home of the pool tables and the corn-dog. I reported, as instructed, to room 107.

There I waited patiently as the room filled up. It filled with women. I was the only man present. Oddly, I didn’t feel all that lucky. These women were pleasant enough. There was a semi-wide variety. Some were overtly attractive. Most wore black and all of them exuded a strangeness that, at the time, I couldn’t comprehend.

Their leader arrived and commenced some sort of weird, hypnotic, arms-waving chant. The group responded in like fashion. I grew slightly nervous. I asked the black-clad, chanting young lady beside me if this was the UGA LP. She said, “No, sweetie. We’re the UGA Witches. This is room 107. You want 207.” Not wanting to be turned into a frog or something, I excused myself politely.

On my way up the stairs something told me to abandon the night. Somewhere in Athens a beer was waiting for me. I shook it off. I was no quitter. Liberty needed me. Uggghhh…

In room 207 I found a gathering crowd of pleasant, normal-looking, seemingly okay people. No chanting. No black. I confirmed with the first man I saw that this was in fact the campus chapter of the LP. I took a seat near the middle of one side of the large table which occupied the room’s center.

Very soon thereafter a large group was present. I still detected no unusual activity and I began to relax. That beer could wait.

The president or chairman or whatever took his place at the head of the table. He called the meeting to order, made some perfunctory remarks, and welcomed any newbies. Very orderly, efficient and polite. I felt genuinely welcome.

He then said the best way to kick off the affair was to have everyone state the main issue which attracted them to the LP. He started; his issue was the legalization of marijuana. The comments moved clockwise, to his left and towards me. By coincidence the next person’s main issue was marijuana. As was the next’s. And the next’s. Pot, pot, pot, pot, green, and weed.

The process came to me and I, looking around thoughtfully, said that I thought Americans paid too much in taxes. Taxes, I said, should be cut – dramatically. These remarks caused a stir in the room with many heads nodding affirmatively. In fact, the dude to my left, next in the rotation, acknowledged my sentiments. He said that if taxes were cut, then we would all have more money to buy pot. Pot was his central issue. The discussion rounded the table.

Pot, pot, reefer, green, pot, weed, pot, pot, MJ, pot, whacky-tobacky, pot… At last the floor again belonged to the leader. He seemed pleased with the direction of the discussion and avowed to keep it going. We should all, he said, explain our second issue of attraction. His was still marijuana. Pot, pot, pot, pot, pot and back to me.

Now, somewhat flustered, I thought hard. At the time I really didn’t care one way or the other about pot. I still don’t. Yes, I agree it should be legal. I had no problem with the opinions of my fellows, only with their redundancy. I thought for a second and said, “I like guns.”

More murmuring and many a nodding head. The man next to me became animated with delight. He declared that they had long needed “this guy”, meaning me. He said we would definitely need guns in order to protect our … pot…

Pot, pot, pot, pot, pot, pot …

I then knew this was an exercise in the futile. I asked the animated character to my left where the restroom was. He got even more excited. Leaning in, with a half-crazed look in his glazed eyes, he asked, “You going to smoke a joint?”

No I said. Gotta…number two. Big. One… I … I have to run. And I did.

I left and headed downtown. I did use the restroom – at a bar, though mainly to ask the mirror what the hell I had just been through. The beer and I finally connected. It turned out to be a good night.

And that was my defining experience with the LP. And with the witches of America.

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I still like and admire the Libertarians. Thereafter I went on to (lazily) support Harry Browne’s 2000 presidential campaign. He, you might recall, did not make it. I also paid for a dinner for a Georgia LP congressional candidate and his senior staff. He also failed to win office.

I no longer associate with politicians (or witches) – at least not in the formal, supportive sense. As I noted yesterday, the Pot Party is still the party of pot. Whatever else they may be, they are consistent on that issue.

They still want to toke and I still like guns. There is a constant in the universe.

Happy Friday, all.

The Fall of the House of Ale

07 Wednesday Sep 2016

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I used to consume a generous quantity of ale. And porters, stouts, Scotch, and rum. They gave me my own little storage section at the liquor store. That was 80 pounds and a lot of stress ago. The fact is I do not drink like I used to. I’m not against drinking. Some of my best posts were conceived over alcohol. I’m having one beer right now. I just don’t need it that much. And I cannot under any circumstances handle it like I used to.

Somewhere in those lost pounds went my inebriation reserve. Fat Perrin = good all night for any number of any drinks. Fit Perrin = 2 good beers and fast asleep. Dear Lord, I hope it’s the pounds and not the age thing.

Anyway, where was I going with this? Ah, yes. I was thinking of those wonderful seasonal ales that come out this time of year. First they start with the pumpkins. So many pumpkins – shandys, ales, ciders, you name it. Then come the deep, dark and delicious stouts and porters of the holiday season.

This evening being what it is, I got a hankering for some of those tastes of the season. I’m a week or two early but the heck with it. Then I started thinking about re-posting an old article on autumn ales or seasonal ales. Then I rudely discovered I had never made one. This was perplexing even for the sober.

I know I talked about them. I remember a Christmas ales post. But I wanted autumn seasonal. Hmmm.

The closest I have is a list of fun fall activities from last year. This one:

Happy first day of fall!

From today until the end of December is my favorite time of year.  I’ve heard more than a few of you agree from time to time.  Here is a short list of things that makes the fall incredible:

  1. Cooler weather.  Down South it’s nice not to sweat as much.
  2. Scenery.  How great is it to take a drive or a hike and look at the colorful fall foliage?
  3. Football.  In person, on TV or on the radio.
  4. Fall brews.  Oktoberfests.  Pumpkin this.  Spice that.  Christmas ales around the corner.
  5. Fall cigars.  Beyond a few (Oktoberfest by Quesada) maybe there aren’t too many fall specific sticks.  But, try combining No. 5 here with No. 4 and No. 8 one evening – you’re welcome.
  6. Hunting.  I don’t get out as often as I used to or much as I should but I never regret waiting in a blind or walking in the woods.  Fall can also be a great fishing season (stripers anyone?).  The proceeds of this entry go well with No. 4.
  7. Sleeping with the windows open.  See also: driving windows down.  Give the AC a rest.
  8. Sitting by a fire.  Outside.  With a beer.  In that cool weather.  Ahhh…
  9. Holidays.  Brings out the kid in all … most … of us.
  10. Raking leaves.  Maybe not as much as the others…

I’m sure you can think of many more to add.

Cheers!

See, number four was “fall beers”. That’s not quite what I had in mind but it will have to do for now.

And some pictures. Here ya go:

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I have never had this one before. As I said, they always start pumpkinish this time of year.

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Now, Founder’s I know. This one used to be semi-seasonal though I think it has gone year-round. Still a great brew. And a tad stronger than the pumpkin stuff.

Yeah. If you’ve made it this far, this is kind of a weak one… Maybe this isn’t just some fancy. Maybe it will lead to a recommendation guide of sorts. Knowing me, you mat expect that around Autumn, 2019.

Cheers!

Fall Fever

02 Tuesday Aug 2016

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The fever is officially here even though the actual season is a month and a half away. Autumn is my favorite time of year and I’m ready for it to hurry up and arrive. I particularly like late fall and early winter.

This year it’s a little bittersweet for me as I’m in the process of moving to a place where fall doesn’t come until December and goes again in March when summer returns. Blah. I think I’m subconsciously prolonging the move in a vain attempt to feel cooler temps. That and I’m not fond of moving stuff in the heat.

I’m developing a seven-year plan to eventually and permanently relocate to a locale where fall lasts a while and the air is always cooler.

Looking Glass Falls Autumn

Deborah Scannell. Taken in fall 2011 Looking Glass Falls

You can keep yer gnats and sand spurs. Deborah Scannell/Blueridgeparkwaydaily.

For now I’ll settle for making a little list of why autumn is such a great time. I covered some of this last year in Awesome Autumn Activities. As they say, familiarity breeds contempt. Wait, that’s bad… Say it enough and it will come true! There. Much better. Here goes:

  1. Cool temperatures. Around here that’s anything south of 90.
  2. Cold. 90 days of 90 degrees is a drain. Cold air is refreshing.
  3. Better exercising. Summer is great in that one can easily keep excess weight off. It kills energy though. Cool weather means more energy, better recovery, and a return of a little strength, if any.
  4. Snow. Every once in a blue moon we see a deep fall snowflake or two. For the next few falls I’ll be giving them up completely. In seven years, they’ll be more common. Ahhhh…
  5. College football. If you grew up in the South, you can relate. Yes, there’s the SEC and then there’s the rest.
  6. Non-college football. For me that means the Patriots and the occasional thought of a high school game (never acted on).
  7. The mountains. Mountains, for me, have always meant escaping lowland heat and the city people. I love a beach vacation too but, with the mountains, I never want to leave and I think about them until I return. Something about trees and free-falling water.
  8. Doesn’t in seem like things slow down just a little in the fall?
  9. Ales, stouts and porters. Enough said.
  10. Relaxing in the evening by an open fire outside. Maybe with one of those snowflakes falling. Maybe with a pint of bitter.
  11. An end to yard and garden work. Don’t get me wrong; I love my plants. The best thing for any garden or gardener is a period of dormancy.
  12. A New England road trip. 81 up to 84 then on north till the leaves fall. I haven’t done one in a couple of years.
  13. Visiting. I always seem to see friends and relatives more during this season (maybe it’s the holidays). I’m usually more open to conversation when I’m cool and relaxed too. Old friends by a fire with beer. Yes.
  14. The beach. Yes, I said I like a beach trip. Some of my best beach memories have been from late in the year. I have literally had the whole place to myself a few times and I can handle the water too. But I don’t miss it like I do the hills.
  15. I just feel more alive. This ties in closely with number three, A friend said the other day the heat had him in a depressive state. I get that. Everyday here too.
  16. The coming of winter with its promise of Masters’ fever, another summer, and more fall fever…

That seems like enough for now. If you’ll excuse me I need to take an ice bath … I have a fever.

Quesada Oktoberfest

21 Thursday Jul 2016

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Oktoberfest, in Munich, actually cranks up in September. The great German celebration has become synonymous with Bavarian culture and beer. Quesada mixes a mighty cigar into that already awesome equation. Thanks to Manuel and Company my Oktoberfest observation started in July.

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This all-Dominican beauty is a big (6 ½ x 56) cigar. It’s big, dark, oily and exceedingly well constructed. As large and firmly built as she is, the draw is exceedingly easy and smooth. The body is solidly medium. Perhaps something about the smooth, easy-going nature of the smoke made me want to say it was even on the lighter side of medium (for me, for me). Admittedly, that thought is surprising given the look of the stick. It looks as strong as it is attractive but ends up having very good table manners. Another thought is that many might consider what I find “solidly” medium to be a little fuller than most. I’ll leave it at medium. If one likes anything between purely mild and super heavy, this experience will not disappoint.

The burn was even and clean. A long, pale gray ash held on for up to two inches before the obligatory tapping. If you’re looking for an ash contest entry, this is one to consider.

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Not surprising for the size was the abundance of smoke, hearty in volume and in flavor. As I noted, it’s an all Dominican affair – wrapper (Cibao), binder, and filler (Criollo, Viso, and Ligero, all long).

The flavors were full and complex but were well synthesized rather than a hodge-podge. They were also remarkably consistent throughout the long smoking. Underlying everything were generous notes of light earth, gentle cedar, and a little mild leather – all to be expected from the D.R. resume. This is not a “spicy” cigar per se though spice notes did develop and hold on, mixed with splashes of coffee and cocoa. The menu was uniform from start to finish, ending dry, happy, and still very smooth.

Like the festival after which it is named this cigar might, just might, be best in a slightly cooler clime. Of course, air conditioning will suffice to bring in autumn all year round. I got lucky as a freak and breezy evening thunderstorm lowered the temperature to an almost unnatural fall-like level.

Regardless of the weather, this stick was expressly made to be paired with beer. I took mine with a good brown ale. I know from experience that it goes well with many of the traditional, explicitly named Oktoberfest brews as well as with many fall and holiday-season special brews. It even excels when complimenting something a little crazy like Samuel Adams’s Fat Jack pumpkin ale (all 8.5% ABV of it). If one is feeling particularly strong and adventurous, then a bout of Stone’s Imperial Russian or something similar might even be in order.

This is making me thirsty … now I almost long for cooler temps. Luckily, one doesn’t have to wait for crisp fall evenings. Quesada’s Oktoberfest is smooth enough for warmer times and I imagine it would nicely accompany most beers of lighter or milder quality.

All this German excitement doesn’t require a travel agent or any great effort to enjoy. Simply click over to the great folks at Cigars City and order up your Oktoberfest today.

**Note: Beers are not included.**

Merry Mischief

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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I tried to get this one out for Christmas 2013 and failed. Then I missed 2014. Now I see that 2015 slipped by me too. This past Christmas I had a good excuse. The entire month of December where I live was exactly 70 degrees day and night. It rained every day. It felt more like spring monsoon season than the holidays.

No more excuses. Let’s pretend it’s still Christmas. In less than twelve months it will be. It will be holiday beer time. You can still cash in with January.

I classify the seasons in terms of ale. Spring ramps up to summer with cool, refreshing beers like Founder’s All Day IPA and Sweetwater 420. A trip to the beach or a round of yard work calls for Coronas – with or without the lime. Autumn brings in the darker, stronger stuff and those pumpkiny delights like Sam Adams Fat Jack.

Then the holidays come. Christmas specials carry over into winter. Festive ales with jolly names give way to stout, fireside ready brews – draughts to keep the chill at bay.

I recommend the following holiday beers in no particular order. Just get ye to a decent liquor store and investigate the possibilities. Those of the pilsner swilling school, please stop reading here (if you’ve made it this far). This article is about taste not low quality and high quantity. Here goes:

My title here was once the name of Sam Adams’s outstanding Gingerbread Stout.  After the 2012 inauguration they renamed the stuff Merry Maker. Same beer. And what a beer! It’s a holiday seasonal but at 9% ABV this excellent stout will easily store until summer.   The awesome taste – sweet, malty, and spiced – is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (many Sams need to be ice-cold for proper enjoyment). Try it next season.  Stock up.

Merry Mischief Maker

See what they did here?

Sam Adams also offers their Holiday Porter and Old Fezziwig Ale as part of their limited-time holiday variety pack. Both are incredible and make perfect companions for a good cigar.

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The SA Winter Lager is an old favorite too.

Lest this become a Samuel Adams commercial, let me recommend a few others: R.J. Rocker’s First Snow Ale, Blue Point Brewing’s Winter Ale, Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve, New Belgium’s Snow Day (name subject to change year by year), Abita Christmas Ale, Blue Moon Winter and many, many others.

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Some of these fantastic brews are light. Some are dark beauties. Some are stronger, higher gravity than others. Most are sweet with hints of yummy holiday spices. All are delicious. Halfway through one the mind second guesses the wisdom of their limited release nature. Why not all year? Everyday? There’s a reason for this. Imagine a 95 degree Florida day with a sweet malt instead of the lime bottle. It wouldn’t be the same. And perish the thought these masterpieces should ever become mundane. It’s all about moderation. It’s about the season.

The outside air is bitterly cold. Maybe snow lies upon the ground. The children are playing with abandon. The women folk chatter away. Another good steak or shepard’s pie or some other solid fare has been consumed. A roaring fire crackles in defiance of the deathly chill evening. An overworked gentleman counts his blessings. He peruses the humidor for the right smoke. He needs only the right ale or porter to perfect the night. Holiday cheer with a holiday beer.

Merry mischief to all and to all a good ale!

Beer_Fire2

Yes.

Awesome Autumn Activities

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Happy first day of fall!

From today until the end of December is my favorite time of year.  I’ve heard more than a few of you agree from time to time.  Here is a short list of things that makes the fall incredible:

  1. Cooler weather.  Down South it’s nice not to sweat as much.
  2. Scenery.  How great is it to take a drive or a hike and look at the colorful fall foliage?
  3. Football.  In person, on TV or on the radio.
  4. Fall brews.  Oktoberfests.  Pumpkin this.  Spice that.  Christmas ales around the corner.
  5. Fall cigars.  Beyond a few (Oktoberfest by Quesada) maybe there aren’t too many fall specific sticks.  But, try combining No. 5 here with No. 4 and No. 8 one evening – you’re welcome.
  6. Hunting.  I don’t get out as often as I used to or much as I should but I never regret waiting in a blind or walking in the woods.  Fall can also be a great fishing season (stripers anyone?).  The proceeds of this entry go well with No. 4.
  7. Sleeping with the windows open.  See also: driving windows down.  Give the AC a rest.
  8. Sitting by a fire.  Outside.  With a beer.  In that cool weather.  Ahhh…
  9. Holidays.  Brings out the kid in all … most … of us.
  10. Raking leaves.  Maybe not as much as the others…

I’m sure you can think of many more to add.

Cheers!

B1HFT1 Lake Chocorua, New Hampshire in autumn splendour.

UK DailyMail.

 

The People Appreciate a Benevolent Dictator

18 Monday Mar 2013

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The title here is a quote from a Georgia Power Company lobbyist, made to the Georgia House Judiciary Committee in session, 2003.  The remark resulted in outrage from the audience and the committee.  I was present and among the most taken-aback members of the peanut gallery.

Eminent Domain is the process by which a government forcible condemns a piece of private property in order to make public use thereof.  The usual reasons for the practice include road, bridge, or other infrastructure projects.  The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states that no such “taking” shall occur without proper compensation.

The subject of the particular committee meeting was a review of Georgia’s unconscionable Constitutional provision allowing for eminent domain actions by private utility companies.  Such companies need not have the government condemn your land for power lines or plants, they can do it directly.  Yes, we actually have that here.  A resolution was before the General Assembly which called for a new Amendment to end the practice.  The hearing was a natural result.

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(Madness under the Gold Dome.  CBS Atlanta.)

The hearing was chaired by the Hon. Tom Bordeaux of Savannah.  Tom is a capable attorney and a good politician though his tenure as chair was short-lived.  I was working as a legal intern at the State Administrative Office of the Courts at the time and covered the issue, one of the biggest of the 2003 session.  Anyway, representatives from various utility companies were on hand to defend the procedure as vitally necessary to the State’s economy and the well-being of the citizens.  Rowdy protesters and opposition speakers voiced other opinions. 

The general mood of the entire committee seemed dead set against the policy.  Tom remarked that if a new Constitution were drafted in 2003, it would certainly not entertain such legalized theft and trespass.  The existing provision dated from the early 20th Century when telephone and electric services were relatively new.  I suppose the ticks of the day deemed it necessary to modernize the Empire State of the South.  The issue in general was receiving major attention nationwide. 

Two years later the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Kelo v. The City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005), said it was okay for the City to condemn land via eminent domain solely for the purpose of turning the land over to another private party – a developer.  The theory was that the older houses condemned would not generate as much tax revenue for the City as the proposed redevelopment complex would.  Thus, there existed a “public need” sufficient to justify the takings.  The plan went forward.  The homes were taken and leveled.  Then, fate delivered the City an ironic blow.  The developer failed to find financing for the redevelopment and abandoned the project.  The lots sat empty.  The land is now a dump.  I wonder how much revenue that generates, in addition to lovely odors?

Back in Georgia, the lobbyists gave their best explanations for keeping the Constitutional provision the way it was.  Essentially they said the people did not realize that they actually believed having electricity, etc. (not to mention corporate profits) were more valuable to them than the homes they reside in; silly people.  Their final argument was, “The people appreciate a benevolent dictator.”  When the fellow uttered those words the room grew silent.  Based on the dropped jaws and red faces of the committee members one would have suspected the lobbyist had just tried to rationalize child rape.

A hurricane of angry comments followed, a verbal lynching of the lobbyist.  I thought it was great.  He began to back-peddle immediately in stammering, apologetic fashion.  I have come to realize though his Freudian slip was, in fact, completely accurate.  Most (not all, but most) people DO appreciate a benevolent dictator.  I refer once again to my ancient friend, Sallust: “Only a few prefer Liberty, the majority seek nothing more than fair masters.”

People might get upset if a company or the government tells them to move out of their homes.  But, the odds are tremendous a taking will only happen to someone else.  In that case, the people could care less.  They are more than willing to sit by as their neighbors lose their homes so long as the loss results in more creature comforts in their own homes.  Cables and wires and such power televisions which display football, basketball, Nascar, reality shows, and pornos.  They allow for the refrigeration of cheap beer and processed food – staples of the Amerikan diet.  Air conditioning, internet, blabbing on the phone – the benefits are too numerous to list.

It is interesting to note the great debate over this subject has died down recently.  Not enough people care, not enough prefer Liberty.  In the end, the General Assembly did what it does best – nothing.  The provision is still there ten years later.  Poor Aunt Matilda may be very sympathetic when the bulldozers approach her house but she never contributes to political campaigns.  Arrogant utility companies and their lobbyists give away millions of dollars a year to the ticks.  They put their money where their foul mouths are.  They also get their way.

This is just a little something to consider when contemplating representative republicanism.  Okay, you can go watch March madness now.