Attention, DC Reasonoids: Happy Hour Next Tuesday, September 11, at 6.30PM

Please join reason staffers Nick Gillespie, Jesse Walker, Ronald Bailey, Radley Balko, Kerry Howley, Michael Moynihan, and David Weigel on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, as we enjoy drink specials and 15-cent wings.

We'll be gathering at the Big Hunt (1345 Connecticut Ave., NW, one block south of Dupont Circle) to celebrate the publication of our October issue, where you can find answers to these timely questions:

* Was the New Deal Fascist?
* Does Industry Ruin Science?
* Will Iran Fall to Armed Exiles?
* Where's My Jetpack Already?

Our special guest star this month is George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan, author of October's cover story, "The 4 Boneheaded Biases of Stupid Voters (and We're All Stupid Voters)" and the hot new book, The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies.

The fun starts at 6.30 and ends whenever you say it does.

Free copies of the October issue and reason stickers, too.

The Big Hunt is located at 1345 Connecticut Ave., NW,
one block south of Dupont Circle.

We'll be gathering at the upstairs bar and spill out onto
the (smoker-friendly!) back patio.

If you would like to be added to our Evite list for DC-based events, please send an email to [e-mail].

And don't be shy about subscribing to the only magazine that's been praised by Rush Limbaugh and the president of the ACLU (go here for those quotes and more). For less than $20 a year, you get 11 issues of the lavishly illustrated reason delivered right to your doorstep.

Comments

Warren | September 5, 2007, 3:43pm | #

Still Looking for a St. Louis Meetup. If interested in meeting Hit and Runners in St. Louis. Click my name and email me your name and contact info. So far I have two people on the list. When I get a couple more I'll send out invites.

mk | September 5, 2007, 3:45pm | #

Where's My Jetpack Already?

It's in the back of my van. Go ahead, I'll just follow you....

Sean | September 5, 2007, 3:48pm | #

Crap. Do something in NYC will ya?

Buffalo Bill | September 5, 2007, 3:57pm | #

It's in the back of my van. Go ahead, I'll just follow you....

Are you about a size fourteen?

Jonathan Hohensee | September 5, 2007, 4:02pm | #

I can't think of any better day for a party then on 9/11!

mk | September 5, 2007, 4:28pm | #

I imagine I'll get a chance to see my favorite Reason writers, faces covered in wing sauce and drunk, running around the bar with their arms outstretched making airplane noises and crashing into each other.

Then I will know that it is time to leave.

Jonathan Hohensee | September 5, 2007, 4:43pm | #

I imagine I'll get a chance to see my favorite Reason writers, faces covered in wing sauce and drunk, running around the bar with their arms outstretched making airplane noises and crashing into each other.

Then I will know that it is time to leave.

That reminds me once when my school's Democrat and Republican club had a party after a debate once, which resulted in about 100 people cramed into a tiny house debating the merits of captial gains tax with slurred speech.

SugarFree | September 5, 2007, 4:51pm | #

Where's My Jetpack Already?

"We are not Jet Boy and Jet Girl, I don't care if I get to be Jet Boy."

heh2k | September 5, 2007, 4:56pm | #

What are these things in freedom-hating anti-gun DC, instead of NoVA? Parking is a pain and the metro takes forever.

Senescent | September 5, 2007, 5:09pm | #

Have a good Patriot Day.

joshua corning | September 5, 2007, 5:54pm | #

I use to have a subscription...I got a few issues then I got letter sent to me in the mail that said they could not find my mailing address.

My guess is that Weigel got pissed at one of comments and told the subscription department to pull a Kafka on me.

joshua corning | September 5, 2007, 5:56pm | #

* Was the New Deal Fascist?
* Does Industry Ruin Science?
* Will Iran Fall to Armed Exiles?
* Where's My Jetpack Already?

Yes
No
Probably not.
They suck and you really don't want one.

Terry | September 5, 2007, 6:38pm | #

When is this going to happen in Los Angeles?

Matthew | September 5, 2007, 8:43pm | #

When in Seattle? Geez, get out of the godforsaken swamp . . .

Ruthless | September 5, 2007, 10:17pm | #

I've been waiting patiently for this thread to pop up (I'm a subscriber to the actual magazine.) so I could pounce on it like a duck on a june bug.
In the asterisk on the cover page is the phrase "and we are all stupid voters."
I just wanted to add that "stupid voters" is redundant.

(Don't be votin'.)

David T | September 6, 2007, 12:36am | #

Was the New Deal Fascist?

No. (Not that I'm a great fan of it.)

People who say "yes" should try living in an actual fascist state.

joshua corning | September 6, 2007, 1:52pm | #

People who say "yes" should try living in an actual fascist state.

So Japanese Americans put into concentration camps where victims of classic liberalism?

Not to mention price controls, labor market controls, the formation of government sponsored media...the list goes on.

dhex | September 6, 2007, 2:19pm | #

ok now this makes sense:

joshua is joe's joke account.

lunchstealer | September 6, 2007, 4:23pm | #

We'll be gathering at the upstairs bar and spill out onto the (smoker-friendly!) back patio.

Shouldn't you, in true libertarian fashion, be voting with your feet and hold your happy hour in some municipality which allows bars to choose to be wholly smoker friendly?

joshua corning | September 6, 2007, 10:25pm | #

ok now this makes sense:

joshua is joe's joke account.

An FDR apologist as well....the statism continues.

Joe does not have the guts to put his full name here...neither do you by the way.

dhex | September 7, 2007, 12:30am | #

oh joshua you so crazy.

or should i say JOE?!?!?!?

(ps i used a GOVERNMENT POST OFFICE today. HIT ME AGAIN DADDY!)

Tagore Smith | September 7, 2007, 4:01am | #

J corning scribbles:

* Was the New Deal Fascist? ... Yes.

Some of the iconography was similar- strapping young men communing with nature, etc... but if the New Deal was fascist it was definitely in the shallow end of the pool, where the trains are late, but no-one gets gassed.

The internment of the Japanese (and, to a lesser degree, the forgotten measures against some european immigrants in the East) is another matter, but I don't see an easy connection between that and the New Deal.

Jake Boone | September 7, 2007, 8:47am | #

Joe does not have the guts to put his full name here...

Are you sure about that? Ever moused-over his name and taken a gander at his email address?

Seriously, as someone who actually uses his full name online, I fully support those who choose not to do so. As long as folks avoid sockpuppetry, and stick with the same name, I don't see the difference between calling oneself "Larry Smith" and calling oneself "Atomic Fruitbat."

Damn. I should have called myself "Atomic Fruitbat."

Jennifer | September 7, 2007, 8:52am | #

There's still time to change the road you're on, Jake.

Jake Boone | September 7, 2007, 9:00am | #

There's still time to change the road you're on, Jake.

Jennifer, we are one nation. We can't be divided. We have to be one nation, under god. That means if we make a mistake choosing my name, we make it as a single country: the United States of America, not the divided states of America.

Jennifer | September 7, 2007, 9:07am | #

Yes, dear, but "one nation under god" isn't necessarily synonymous with "one nation containing a Jake Boone."

Jennifer | September 7, 2007, 9:08am | #

It CAN be synonymous, of course; it just doesn't HAVE to be.

Atomic Fruitbat | September 7, 2007, 9:13am | #

Too late! BWA HA HA HA!

Jake Boone | September 7, 2007, 9:21am | #

You make good points, even though Giuliani won't stop laughing whenever you talk.

If I do this thing, do I get to wear a cape and fight crime?

Will you and Smacky be my wisecracking sidekicks, wearing unrealistically revealing spandex outfits?

Do I get a Fruitbatmobile?!

Jake "Almost the Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 7, 2007, 9:22am | #

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Atomic Fruitbat | September 7, 2007, 9:22am | #

I'm Atomic Fruitbatman!

Stevo Darkly | September 7, 2007, 9:24am | #

Jake, I happen to know the owner of the name "Atomic Fruitbat." I also happen to know he will sell it to you for a reasonable price.

Jake Boone | September 7, 2007, 9:25am | #

Really? Great! I'll come see you at Stately Darko Manor and we can discuss the terms.

JBinMO | September 7, 2007, 10:31am | #

You should have one here in Missouri. For most of you thats about half way across flyover country.

Jennifer | September 7, 2007, 10:58am | #

Will you and Smacky be my wisecracking sidekicks, wearing unrealistically revealing spandex outfits?

Of course. The ability to wear unrealistically revealing spandex outfits is the main benefit to sidekickery.

Jake Boone | September 7, 2007, 12:12pm | #

As of an hour ago, I own www.atomicfruitbat.com - Stevo's mysterious friend came through!

Now I need an awesome logo and some crimefighting tips to post, I guess.

And I still need an Atomic Fruitbatmobile. I suppose I'll have to email Kim Jong-Il and see if he can spot me some fissionables.

Dan T. | September 7, 2007, 2:13pm | #

Shouldn't you, in true libertarian fashion, be voting with your feet and hold your happy hour in some municipality which allows bars to choose to be wholly smoker friendly?

Hey now, I've pointed out many times that the liberty-lovin' Reason staffers mostly prefer to live in some of the most oppressive, high-tax, nannyish areas on the country. For some reason life just seems to be better there, I guess.

ed | September 7, 2007, 2:42pm | #

the (smoker-friendly!) back patio

They still allow you to smoke outdoors in DC?

The Artist Formerly Known as Atomic Fruitbat | September 7, 2007, 2:43pm | #

Jake, the time has come to discuss payment.

What I want: The rights to your #1 and #2 Internet wives, when they are not actively acting as your spandex-clad crimefighting sidekicks. Duties would include lounging decoratively around my stately manor. Spandex optional. Are you prepared to sign them over?

ed | September 7, 2007, 3:00pm | #

When this conversation turns to banana hammocks I'm outa here.

Taktix® | September 7, 2007, 3:17pm | #

What about a Florida thing? We could use a nice dose of sanity down here, if only for one night.

ed | September 7, 2007, 3:22pm | #

What part of Florida, Taktix?

Taktix® | September 7, 2007, 4:16pm | #

Fort Lauderdale, but my brother lives in St. Pete. If I recall from my resin addled brain cells, a bunch of posters are from the West Coast of New Cuba... err, Florida.

Jake "The Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 7, 2007, 5:02pm | #

What I want: The rights to your #1 and #2 Internet wives, when they are not actively acting as your spandex-clad crimefighting sidekicks. Duties would include lounging decoratively around my stately manor. Spandex optional. Are you prepared to sign them over?

Note that when my spandex-clad Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives are not performing various sidekick-related duties, it is generally because they are being held captive by a supervillain, who imprisons them in his stately manor. Therefore, you must indemnify me from any damage resulting to stately [REDACTED] Manor from my undoubtedly successful rescues of my lovely and talented Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives. Also, it is likely you will fall into a giant pool of acid or something and become disfigured, thus causing you to develop a psychotic hatred of me.

Perhaps a more appropriate compensation deal:

You may use the Atomic Fruitbatmobile to pick up chicks on days and weekends (evenings it is reserved for crimefighting), provided it is returned in the same condition in which you received it.

You may use the Fruitbatboat at any time (because seriously, if I ever need to use a boat for crimefighting, I'll just call that pathetic dork Aquaman and let him handle it instead).

Portions of the Fruitbatcave will be made available to you for storage of household goods.

Two (2) samples of each licensed merchandising item produced, including, but not limited to, posters, Halloween costumes, pajamas, action figures, DVDs, graphic novels, haircare products, and/or LEGO playsets.

My Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives will be available for poolside lounging on alternate Thursdays, plus one Saturday per month. No conduct will take place which could jeopardize our good standing with the Comics Code Authority. This portion of the agreement is subject to the approval of the Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives in question (if I'm going to be a superhero, I'm going to be a libertarian one, by gum!).

Stevo Darkly | September 7, 2007, 6:43pm | #

No, actually, I'm kinda perversely digging the other deal more:

Note that when my spandex-clad Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives are not performing various sidekick-related duties, it is generally because they are being held captive by a supervillain, who imprisons them in his stately manor. Therefore, you must indemnify me from any damage resulting to stately [REDACTED] Manor from my undoubtedly successful rescues of my lovely and talented Atomic Sidekicks/Internet wives. Also, it is likely you will fall into a giant pool of acid or something and become disfigured, thus causing you to develop a psychotic hatred of me.

With the following modifications:

1) When you break into the Stately Manor, you burst in through the west wall, which will be made of styrafoam with the convincing appearance of concrete.

2) Instead of falling into a giant pool of acid, I will fall into a kiddie pool of chocolate pudding, then shake my fist and say, "Curses!" while a trombone goes "wha wha wha waaaaaa."

And by "me" and "I" I mean my associate, the Artist Formerly Named Atomic Fruitbat.

Jake "The Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 7, 2007, 9:34pm | #

I accept your terms. You will, of course, wish to select an appropriate supervillain name, so I can burst through the wall shouting, "Not this time, ___________!"

Stevo Darkly | September 8, 2007, 6:38pm | #

I tried to think of a nemesis name that would be like the opposite of "Atomic Fruitbat" but all I came up with was "Organic Veggie-Ball" and that lacks a certain pizzaz.

I shall consult a thesaurus and other sources and be back later.

The Arch-Nemesis of the Atomic Fruitbat | September 8, 2007, 6:55pm | #

Hmmm. Superheroes and their sidekicks are a weakminded, superstitious lot. I must choose an identity that will strike fear into their hearts. Something black ... terrible ... a creature of the night ...

* a curious passing binturong looks in through the window *

What's that? An omen!

That's it! I shall become ...

The Hooded Binturong!!!!

AH HA HA HA HA!

Keith | September 9, 2007, 11:00am | #

15 cent wings with my hero Radley Balko and I'm stuck here in the hottest goddamn city in the country. (Yea, it's 96 degrees at 8 a.m. here in lovely PHX.)

Weatherman Tom Skilling | September 9, 2007, 12:17pm | #

yeah - but it's a dry heat.

Jennifer | September 9, 2007, 12:53pm | #

I tried to think of a nemesis name that would be like the opposite of "Atomic Fruitbat" but all I came up with was "Organic Veggie-Ball" and that lacks a certain pizzaz.

"Molecular Bloodsucker?"

Jennifer | September 9, 2007, 1:00pm | #

Or "Subatomic Veggie Platter."

AC | September 9, 2007, 2:40pm | #

yeah - but it's a dry heat.

You didn't accompany that with the proper eye-roll.

Jennifer | September 9, 2007, 3:02pm | #

HELP ME! I have been imprisoned in the stately abandoned-volcano manor of supervillain Molecular Bloodsucker, who keeps staring at me in a manner most lascivious. What's worse, so much of my super-power has been channeled into being able to look good in my supersuit without the use of support undergarments that I have no powers left with which to regain my freedom.

In retrospect, maybe I'd be a free woman today, if I hadn't foolishly worn the thigh-high boots with stiletto heels. It's hard to run fast when you can't really bend your knees.

slirred speecjhwriter | September 9, 2007, 5:19pm | #

blockqupThe internment of the Japanese,?blpcquoy,

That;s >b.INTERNET of the Jaoanese>?b.

The Hooded Binturong | September 9, 2007, 7:12pm | #

HELP ME! I have been imprisoned in the stately abandoned-volcano manor of supervillain Molecular Bloodsucker, the Hooded Binturong, who keeps staring at me in a manner most lascivious. What's worse, so much of my super-power has been channeled into being able to look good in my supersuit without the use of support undergarments that I have no powers left with which to regain my freedom.

In retrospect, maybe I'd be a free woman today, if I hadn't foolishly worn the thigh-high boots with stiletto heels. It's hard to run fast when you can't really bend your knees.

BWA HA HA HA HA! But please note name change. I'm already working on a costume/avatar and everything. It's sort of like the Wolverine, only bushier.

When I get a chance, The Adventures of the Atomic Fruitbat and His Hot Sidekicks Shiksabelle and Smacktacular Girl - vs. - the Hooded Binturong might get posted somewhere familiar. I'm working on plots and everything. You guys can just contribute witty banter and input at key decision points, if you want to -- otherwise I'll go with default options.

But first I have to get through the current rush at work. It'll be at least a week.

Also, before Adventure #1, I have to work on the backstory, and construct the following in the basement of my stately hidden-volcano-manor stronghold:

1) A Doomsday Device that threatens the Entire World -- and no one can stop me!!!

2) A diabolically cruel infernal machine I call the "Bouncy-Bouncy-Bouncinator," which ... oh, you'll know soon enough.

I have plans! Evil plans!

Soon I'll be rid of that cursed Atomic Fruitbat and his spandex-clad supercompanions once and for all!!!

Randolph Carter | September 9, 2007, 10:54pm | #

Eew, some girl threw up on my shoes at The Big Hunt one time.

Jake "The Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 10, 2007, 8:53am | #

Dammit, I thought the north wall was supposed to be made of styrofoam! That really hurt!

dhex | September 10, 2007, 9:23am | #

Eew, some girl threw up on my shoes at The Big Hunt one time.

did you get her number?

Jennifer | September 10, 2007, 11:33am | #

If it were made of styrofoam I wouldn't NEED to be rescued, Jake.

Jake "The Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 10, 2007, 12:43pm | #

Y'know, if you don't mind, Jennifer, perhaps I should wait to untie you until after the vile Hooded Binturong unveils his fiendish "Bouncy-Bouncy-Bouncinator" device. This would be strictly for intelligence purposes, you see; we must fully understand its capabilities before we can be certain that the threat has been truly neutralized.

Guy Montag | September 11, 2007, 3:57pm | #

"Attention, DC Reasonoids: Happy Hour Next Tuesday, September 11, at 6.30PM"

Um, today is Tuesday, 11 September, 2007. :) You know, the 6th anniversary of the "inside job" on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that Democrats and other Leftists keep reminding us about?

And in other news: The investigating officer of PV1 Beauchamp has been interviewed by Pajamas media. Wondering what the folks at TNR are saying about it?

TrickyVic | September 11, 2007, 4:30pm | #

"""Shouldn't you, in true libertarian fashion, be voting with your feet and hold your happy hour in some municipality which allows bars to choose to be wholly smoker friendly?"""

Does such a place exist anymore? This isn't your grandfather's America.

Guy Montag | September 11, 2007, 5:27pm | #

Does such a place exist anymore?

Yes and it is a place called Virginia.

Others: Good luck between showers on that smoking deck!

Jake | September 12, 2007, 8:12am | #

If you're not John McCain, how come I never see the two of you together?

Restraining order.

Jake "The Atomic Fruitbat" Boone | September 12, 2007, 8:15am | #

Anybody else having trouble getting names to show up correctly? When I hit "preview," the system appears to truncate my name to just "Jake," so unless I once again type in "'The Atomic Fruitbat' Boone," only my first name shows up when I hit "Submit Content."

Damn these new squirrels and their insolent familiarity! This has the stink of the Hooded Binturong all over it!

Christine | September 12, 2007, 10:53am | #

The announcement of a Reason Happy Hour in Seattle would make me giddy! I keep hoping. :-)

Jennifer | September 12, 2007, 11:17am | #

Anybody else having trouble getting names to show up correctly?

No, but I wonder if maybe it's your use of quotation marks that's causing the problem?

The Hooded Binturong | September 12, 2007, 12:35pm | #

Jake and Jennifer -- yes, in the past, come to think of it, whenever I've tried to put quotation marks in the "name" box, the stuff in quote marks disappears. It has ruined a joke or two for me.

Apparently you're able to make the stuff in quote marks appear if you retype it after "preview" cuts it off though, huh?