Sandra Neish
Jack Manhattan
Harvey Wallbanger
This week we watched as the EU’s banking practices are being tested. The crisis in Greece, an EU member state, has highlighted the consequences of a unified European economy. Each member state fights tooth and nail to keep as much sovereignty as possible, while pointing the finger at other member states about their lack of international cooperation. I am particularly prejudiced against the Germans, just because they have proven themselves to be mass murdering fuckheads. But I like Angela Merkle. She is a hardcore bitch (in every good sense of the word, and if you do not know what that means, find you a fag quickly and he will explain it), and takes no shit from anyone.
February 25, 2010
Patience is a Virtue, And I Lost Mine A Long Time Ago…
We are, slowly, moving forward. We are, slowly, moving the movement forward. But, there are still hurtles to overcome. Unfortunately, the greatest hurtle to overcome seems to be the largest gay lobby group, The Human Rights Campaign. HRC, for years, has taken the lead in pushing for gay rights. They now, sadly, stand behind the President. I say sadly because President Obama talks a good game, and it got him elected. He has yet to actually DO anything on the issue of gay rights.
February 24, 2010
Tea Bag This!
I was raised to consistently believe:
There were only two places where tea came from:
1. My Mama’s Sweet Tea
2. Long Island
February 22, 2010
Spicy Martini (In Honour of the Spicy Cat!)
12 oz (375ml) vodka
1/2 jalapeno, sliced
1/2 inch piece of ginger, finely sliced
1 inch piece lemongrass
ice
slice of jalapeno, to garnish
Spicy Martini Directions
Into a glass jug, combine all ingredients (except the ice).
Cover with plastic wrap/ cling film (ie, Saran, Glad etc) and refrigerate overnight to allow flavours to infuse the vodka.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
Add infused martini to the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass and serve with with a slice of jalapeno either on the side of the glass or sitting in the bottom of the glass (where the olive usually is!
February 19, 2010
Liquid Panty Dropper
- 1/2 oz. Gin
- 1/2 oz. Rum, coconut
- 1/2 oz. Schnapps, peach
- 1/4 oz. Triple Sec
- 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 2 splashes Cranberry Juice
- 3/4 glass Orange Juice
- 2 splashes Pineapple Juice
Mixing Instructions
Combine all alcoholic ingredients except peach schnapps. Fill most of the way with orange juice, leaving room for a few splashes of cranberry and pineapple juice and a float of peach schnapps on top. Garnish with two cherries
February 19, 2010
Ignorance and Hope
First, as we end this week, let us raise a toast for the complete ignorance and disunity of the bigots in Uganda. Many of you are familiar with the “Kill the Gays Bill” proposed in Uganda that put a death penalty and severe prison terms on homosexuals and even their families and friends for not turning them into authorities. After rather scathing international attention, they have toned down the language, but the ringleaders, especially Rick Warren’s (you remember the bigot that got booed at the Inauguration of President Obama) man in Uganda Martin Ssempa is still pushing for it.
February 18, 2010
Golden Fizz
- 2 oz Gin
- juice of 1 lemon or lime
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp superfine sugar
- seltzer water
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake very well. Strain and top off with seltzer water
February 18, 2010
Tonic Thursday (With A Splash of Gin)
This week we have seen some very promising movement in the issues of same-sex rights. Though the last few years have seen bigoted and purposefully misleading groups advance their agenda against the LGBT community, most notably with passages of state constitutional amendments that either ban same-sex marriage (rather overkill as far as this writer is concerned, considering these states all had laws against it already), they are slowly being pushed back.
February 14, 2010
The Enemy Within.
Well, it seems that people are afraid of the word “homosexual”. (or homosexical as I like to say) When asked in separate polls, Americans were all for “gays and lesbians” in the military, just not “homosexuals”. It is very interesting that a word is so visceral.
February 12, 2010
World Week in Review
Happy Friday, Bar Flies. We have survived another week, and deserve a drink. A large one. There have been several developments throughout the world this week.
Iran has continued their nuclear program, despite international pressure and condemnation. Russia and China, in their quest to become more dominant powers in world politics, have continually blocked serious sanctions against Iran. This week, they got a little nervous. Perhaps because they realized that Iran is a hell of alot closer to them than to the United States.
In Greece, the worsening financial situation has increased the xenophobia that was already present. The thousands of undocumented workers from Africa and the Middle East are treated terribly. Before the crisis, the left leaning government wanted to extend further right to them. The right, though, is using fascist and racist arguments and rallies to persecute not just those there illegally, but those who are legal residents. They do not want anyone but a “born” Greek to be able to hold office or even vote.
China, in their great wisdom, has asked that Obama call off a meeting with the Dalai Lama. The illegal and brutal takeover of Tibet in the 1950s is not going to fade away, and they need to get it through their skulls that the West still believes in freedom.
And, finally, on a lighter note, several economists have said that if Queen Elizabeth II would become more active in the reports of the various ministers, especially on economic issues, the present crisis could have been averted, and can be avoided in the future. Because the Queen receives reports from all government ministries, she is in the unique position to communicate between them without red tape and politics getting in the way. I find it interesting that economists are advocating a stronger monarchy.
Anywhoo, have a safe and sober weekend. Okay, it is Chinese New Year, so lets get lit!
February 11, 2010
New Orleans Jazz
In honour of the Saints winning the Superbowl:
•1 1/2 parts Absolut New Orleans vodka
•1 part sour mix
•splash of club soda
•lime wedge for garnish
Preparation:
1.Build the ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice.
2.Garnish with a lime wedge.
February 11, 2010
The Truth Goes Marching On!
Tonic Thursdays are designed to give us a moment to reflect on all that is going right in our world. This week we have a good deal for which to be thankful. Bigotry has been given a nod to the back of the bus, so to speak, across this great nation of ours.
February 8, 2010
Planter’s Punch
- 2oz dark rum
- 1/4 oz grenadine
- equal parts sour mix and either pineapple or orange juice to fill
- club soda (optional)
- maraschino cherry for garnish
- lemon or orange slice for garnish
Preparation:
- Pour the rum, grenadine and juice mix into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
- Top with club soda if you want.
- Garnish with the lemon slice and cherry.
February 8, 2010
Who Dat…? Oh, Just John McCain…
Who Dat?! First off, congrats to the New Orleans Saints. You all played a great game. In honour of that game, and the fact that I actually stayed up to watch it all, I will be brief.
February 5, 2010
Bahama Mama
• 1 1/2 oz. Dark Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. Gold Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. Light Rum
• 1 Dash of Grenadine
• 2 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 2 oz. Sour Mix
• Collins Glass
• Cracked Ice
• Stirrer
Put the dash of grenadine in the bottom of the glass.
Fill the glass with the cracked ice then add your ingredients.
Stir the mixture gently before you serve it. Enjoy!
February 5, 2010
WTF?!
Set up the fucking shots, because the Baptists are at it again! I mean, I don’t personally have anything against the Baptist (yes I do) but the stealing of children from their families after a devastating earthquake that has killed tens of thousands is fucking absurd. I heard on one report of one man who lost five children. FIVE CHILDREN!!! But this White, Baptists cult wants to take these children from their parents. Admittedly, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Admittedly, Haiti is in a state of disrepair. But tearing children from their families is not the Christlike thing to do.
February 2, 2010
Robert Gates, This is Your Boss Talking!
There is clearly no love lost between the Presidency of Barack Obama and the Defense Department. The Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, is a holdover from the Dubya administration. This was a smart move in the sense that we have two wars on our hands, and such a change in leadership and policy at the top would have clearly hurt our troops.
January 31, 2010
Flan – Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- Pinch salt
Directions
read more »
January 31, 2010
Time Is Up!
TERM LIMITS!!!!
This is the Gospel of the Drunk, today. Grab your flask, fill up with the sweet, sweet nectar, and head over to the polling booth and vote those bastards out. Far too long have we elected career politicians. Too long have we allowed their re-election campaigns to dictate our nations policies. When our elected officials spend more time pandering to special interests and PACs rather than sitting down and actually governing.
Too many times this past year, equality has been put on the back burner by legislatures in New Jersey and Hawaii put off marriage equality on hold because they do not want to make waves during the upcoming election year. Heaven forbid the welfare of the people they were elected to represent take precedence over their jobs.
We must have accountability. The Constitution was amended to limit the president to two terms. Why can we not amend it to keep our Congress and our state legislatures free of career politicians? Let us have a true democracy. If not, then let us send a message to our elected officials. Forget your alliances to Democrat or Republican. Just vote against the incumbent.
For those on the Right, that want an Evangelical Christian America, the Republicans have not really helped with that, have they? Oh, they talk a good game, but they have accomplished very little in the thirty years since Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell sent their loyal minions into the heart of the Republican Party.
And on the Left. What have they done? I am on the left, and I am sick of the infighting. We are way too disorganized. I’d vote Right just to send the message that they need to get their shit together on the Left so we can actually make some lasting and important changes in this country!
January 30, 2010
Cojones for President
Okay, so Obama has finally realized that he has to begin keeping his promises. For a year he has been bashed from the Left and the Right for his actions and inactions. His Progressive message on the campaign trail made him almost a folk-hero. He could do no wrong.
Then he gets in office. Now, I am fully aware that the economic crisis was of utmost importance. I understand that he did not create it, and inherited it from an unscrupulous financial culture. I understand that jobs and financial security tend to take preference over social activism.
However, this is no reason for him to completely and totally ignore the LGBT community. First off, he sent his wife to address the gay Democratic caucus. Then he promised an end to Dont Ask Don’t Tell. A year in, and he has done nothing on either, and even DEFENDED the Defence of Marriage Act. This discriminatory policy was incanted under the George W. Bush administration. The Obama administration uses language such as “incest” and “bestiality” to defend it.
You, Mr. Obama, are an Executive. Execute! I understand why you need to work with Congress, and not just ram legislation down the throats of Congress, especially after the neo-fascist regime of Dubya. Finally, on the anniversary of his historic election, he finds his cojones and pulls them out. Fuck being the nice guy, you are a president. You are there to lead, not do PR for wimpy liberal policies that always end up with the Right up in arms and the Left divided because some say it’s too far, and others not far enough.
Congratulations Mr. Obama. May you keep this momentum.
