Smacky Sez (Attn: DC Area Hit & Runners)

The following is a public service announcement for Hit & Run readers planning to get together next Friday (Oct. 14) in DC at 7PM:

Hey everyone,
I finally figured out where we can meet, thanks to help from Sandy. Ireland's Four Courts is a traditional Irish pub in the Arlington Courthouse area. Here is a link to to their website, which will give you all the information you need about the place, including directions: http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com/ If can't access their website or need help with directions, I can send them to you via email if neccessary. The pub seems to be easily accessible from the Metro Orange line (Courthouse Stop, towards Vienna). They serve food in addition to alcohol, in case you want to have dinner there. I think there is a chance that there will be live music, too, although I'm not sure about that. I will reserve some tables that should accommodate 10-12 people, in case any of you want to bring a friend or spouse (or whoever you want to bring). I wasn't sure if any of you are smokers, so I just erred on the Libertarian side and put us in the smoking section. If this is a big problem for anyone, let me know. Also, I moved the gathering later to *7pm* so that everyone can relax or at least stop home after work before heading to the pub. I will try to be there a little before 7 in case any of you arrive early. I put the reservations under "Patricia" (my real name). If anyone has questions or if I left out important details, please contact me. Hopefully, I'll see some of you next Friday at 7!
~ smacky

Comments

[mk]

On friday the 14th. Correct?

[smacky]

Thank you, Nick.

By the way the gathering is on Friday October 14th, not tomorrow. (thanks for pointing that out, mk).

[linguist]

I have waited so long to see the headline "Smacky Sez"!

Have fun in DC y'all.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

As a half-mick meself, I'll be ready to sing those filthy pub songs.

[thoreau]

Sadly, I will have family obligations that evening.

The November 12 gathering is still on. Place TBA soon.

[Stevo Darkly]

After having the pleasure myself of seeing two "darkly" H&R headlines, I am pleased to see smacky enjoy even more personalized attention.

I think there should be a "Smacky Sez" H&R post as weekly regular feature.

Have fun, all, in that distant imperial city, and watch yourselves.

PS: I just realized that the first sentence of my post, besides being rather awkward in construction, also includes the phrase "pleasure myself." However, I am too lazy to fix it.

[David]

That looks like a nice pub, and I love my Guinness, but, I have a wedding that weekend, too. I just hope I don't have a Constanza moment during the toast.

Maybe next time, Pat... I mean Smacky:)

[David]

Too lazy, or worn out?

[independent worm]

Are "Hit & Runners" different from "Reasonoids"?

[mk]

As a half-mick meself, I'll be ready to sing those filthy pub songs

Come for the Reasonoids, stay for the Bog-trodders.

[smacky]

independent worm,

Good question. I think there probably is a difference. In fact, I am of the "free minds, free markets, free lunch (empty pockets)" contingent (a non-subscriber), so I would actually fall into the category of "Hit-and-Runner", and not "Reasonoid".

thoreau,

Sad to hear you can't make it. I'll drink an extra beer for you.

I think there should be a "Smacky Sez" H&R post as weekly regular feature.

Or better yet, just post a cheezy head shot of me with a crappy libertarian catchphrase in a speech bubble in the corner of H&R, near one of the ads (but not by the carpet-humper).

[David]

Reasonoids sound like something you'd need a cream for. Think about it, how many words that in -oid are pleasant?

[Stevo Darkly]

Too lazy, or worn out?

Um, both. Been a busy couple of weeks.

Oh, you mean .... Ah, you kid!

By the way, here I learned that the Japanese have a word specifically for male masturbation -- "senzuri" -- that literally means "a hundred rubs." There is also a specific term for female masturbation -- "shiko shiko manzuri" -- that literally means "ten thousand rubs." Insightful.

Er, but I didn't mean to hijack smacky's thread.

Have fun, guys, and if Bill Clinton stops in, don't let him hit on our girl.

[Stevo Darkly]

Or better yet, just post a cheezy head shot of me with a crappy libertarian catchphrase in a speech bubble in the corner of H&R

Hmm. I think I might have a fuzzy phonecam pic that could serve.

1st week: "Smacky sez: 'War is the health of the state!' "

Yeah, I could see that.

Reasonoids sound like something you'd need a cream for. Think about it, how many words that in -oid are pleasant?

"Funny, I don't mind the swelling -- but I can't stand the itching!"

(Credit: Failed David Letterman catchphrase.)

[thoreau]

I think the "Smacky sez" slogans should be a frothy mixture of fortune cookie predictions, quotes from the Founding Fathers, and lines from Lord of the Rings.

You could throw in some Hunter S. Thompson stuff too.

Smacky sez: "We were on 495, driving to the H&R gathering, when the drugs took effect."

Smacky sez: "There are many who live that deserve death, and many who die that deserve life. Are you wise enough to give it to them?"

[The Noid]

Reasonoids sound like something you'd need a cream for. Think about it, how many words that in -oid are pleasant?

Hey, watch it, buster.

[Number 6]

I hope someone will post pics so those of us out here in Bubbaville can live vicariously.

[linguist]

Re: pics from Chicago. It occurs to me that I may have given the impression that they could not be posted.

Those of you who were there have received the (approved) photos that came out of my camera that night. You may distribute to whomever, and if they should reach someone who has the time and the web space to post them, go for it.

-The Official Word of the Linguist

[Stevo Darkly]

Re: pics from Chicago

Just in case, I hereby I give permission to post any of the pics that have my mug in them, if there are any. (Or I can just save everyone a lot of trouble and say, "Visualize Fred Flinstone [the original cartoon character] with a goatee.")

By the way, if anyone among the Chicagoids still has my real e-mail address, I can get JPEGs through my firewall again ("again" or "for now"), and if you are in the mood to forward any Chicago pix to me, I would be grateful and think good thoughts about you.

[smacky]

linguist,

Wait, not all of the Chicago pictures are ok to disseminate! Remember the ones of me with my eyes half-closed? Tell everyone not to share those two -- I look awful in them. The last picture of me was ok, though.

[Phil]

I *might* be able to make it, but I can't promise anything. On the plus side, Four Courts is literally almost across the street from my office. On the minus side, I have some other plans still coming together that would prevent me from attending.

Next up: A debate on whether choosing the smoking section by default is "the Libertarian solution."

[andy]

"I wasn't sure if any of you are smokers, so I just erred on the Libertarian side and put us in the smoking section."

What the hell does that mean? I wasn't aware that one of the "Libertarian" positions was "All people shall sit in the smoking section at all times."

[Tom Crick]

Are "Hit & Runners" different from "Reasonoids"?

I think they call you a "reasonoid" if your comments are consistently intelligent, insightful and interesting. ...but I dunno.

[Douglas Fletcher]

Will that be smoking or non-smoking?

[smacky]

"I wasn't sure if any of you are smokers, so I just erred on the Libertarian side and put us in the smoking section." -smacky

What the hell does that mean? I wasn't aware that one of the "Libertarian" positions was "All people shall sit in the smoking section at all times." -andy

Andy,

Sorry, sometimes my train of thought is obscured or convoluted (or totally off track!). What I meant by that is, since I wasn't sure if people smoked or not, I figured that I would err on the side of giving people the freedom of choice to either smoke if they want to, or else move out of the smoking section if it bothered them. I guess I figured that my decision erred on the side of libertarianism because it allows one more option (smoking), as opposed to sitting in the non-smoking section, which is a section with one extra prohibitive rule.

-- smacky, The People's Front of Judea

[cspanjunky]

Saw Nick G on C-SPAN 's 25 hour marathon and have loved your visits over the years, like most C-SPAN Junkies...

Don't mean to be too far off topic, just had to "hit and Run" and will continues to return, as I am just finding this SPACE...

Hope to see you on C-SPAN for years to come...
*****************************************

To: U.S. Congress and the FCC

We, the undersigned, while believing in the importance of a Free Market and Freedom of Speech, also believe in the importance of The Public Airwaves to be used as mandated by the FCC "...In the Public Interest, Necessity, and Convenience." We believe the use of The Public Airwaves is crucial to spread knowledge, culture, and civics. We therefore write to petition you to consider major changes in the allocation of the Broadcast Spectrum.

The Public Airwaves are a Vast Toxic Wasteland.
Congress needs to hold hearing on THE STATE OF THE AIRWAVES.
They would find:

1) That the Broadcast and Cable companies have not lived up to using the Public Airwaves, as the FCC mandated "... in the spirit of Public Interest, Necessity, and Convenience."

2) That the FCC and Congress have " given away, rent free", the Public Airwaves.

3) That the Broadcast and Cable companies have "... made so much money doing IT'S worst, IT can't afford to do better."

In the 1990's the FCC, with much support from the Congress, auctioned off portions of the Broadcast Spectrum. One portion of the Spectrum that was being auctioned would potentially reach 16 million customers (citizens). Almost as many people as the population of the state of Texas.

That particular portion sold for $3.00. Three dollars! When former FCC chairman Reed was asked to comment, he said "...I wish I had three dollars".

This cavalier policy and stewardship of the Public Airwaves has been good for the Broadcast and Cable companies, and their stock holders. And absolutely hideous for Civics, Public Affairs, and Democracy.

Before 2009, the FCC will give away more of the Public Airwaves, worth between 80-100 billion dollars. Once again, the Public will be outside, looking in, as the Broadcast Spectrum goes to the highest campaign contributors.

What does the Public receive from the License holders, for their use of the Broadcast Spectrum? Inexpensive Cable and Satellite packages? Intellectually stimulating programs broadcast into our homes at no charge? Choices and Diversity? Event coverage and programming with redeemable qualities? Or is it "...500 channels and still there's nothing worth watching".

There are many Independent, Grassroots, and Localized ways to use the Broadcast Spectrum. But on the National level, the Country needs more Public affairs, more Civics. The unedited, undefiled paradigm C-SPAN has perfected, is the only thing We can all agree on. It promotes Democracy and Participation. Not even the corporate media conglomerates can be against Democracy.

We therefore call on the Congress, and the FCC, to hold hearings on the benefits of more C-SPAN. And to take steps to move forward with the endeavor of creating more C-SPAN Companion Networks. When there is more than enough Broadcast Spectrum to dedicate to Civics, Culture, History and Democracy, We should not allow greed to get in the way of the Public Interest, Necessity and Convenience.

Put the Public back in the Public Airwaves.

http://www.thecccn.org/

[Smokehater]

Sorry, this makes no sense. If we met in the nonsmoking section, people who wanted to smoke could move to the other side of the room. (As if a room with a "nonsmoking" section makes any sense.) Libertarians are not pro-smoking, they're pro-choice. And then you have to MAKE a choice. You made one; I'd have made the other. But neither is a libertarian choice.

[smacky]

If we met in the nonsmoking section, people who wanted to smoke could move to the other side of the room. (As if a room with a "nonsmoking" section makes any sense.)

Smokehater,

I guess that was my logic for choosing to sit in the "smoking section". Seeing as how any bar that allows smoking doesn't really have a "non-smoking section" (as the smoke doesn't know to stay out of that section), I figured one less restriction would be appreciated by libertarians. Sorry if I mistakenly characterized smoking as a libertarian persuasion. Please don't let that stop you from joining our party; hopefully (and presumably) the smokers present will be polite and considerate about their smoking.

[Stevo Darkly]

Oh Jesus fuck, guys. The poor lass had to make choice: Either make a reservation in the smoking section, or make one in the non-smoking section.

A non-smoker herself (if I recall correctly), she chose the most tolerant (and therefore libertarian) option.

It was either that or decide, "I am a nonsmoker and I'll make a reservation in the nonsmoking section. If any smokers attend, tough, they can't smoke. I promise to never live my life for the sake of another person, or ask that another do the same for me. Get out of my way. Get the hell out of my way." I guess that would be Objectivist solution. Or would that necessarily entail the "smoking with a cigarette holder" section?

Remember that organizing something like this takes a bit of effort, at best, and is a bit of a pain in the ass, at worst. I guess the truly most libertarian option would be: "If you don't like the choice offered, get off your ass and establish your own competing solution. Set up another reservation, same time and same place, in the non-smoking section, and let attendants decide where they prefer to congregate."

Rather a bit of a smoke-hater myself, and I can't attend anyway, but Jeez,

[Stevo Darkly]

Oops, I should not have said anything before smacky had a chance to respond more ably (and more politely).

Never mind me.

PS: Hate the smoke ... love the smoker.