More NPR Coverage of Drinking

God, I've been such a bad blogger lately. I'm just reduced to linking to NPR stories.

Nonetheless, this is a great listen: On Fresh Air, Terri Gross interviews author Daniel Okrent about his study of Prohibition titled Last Call. As a political journalist, the political dynamics of that movement are fascinating to me – the women's suffrage movement, which otherwise I greatly admire, was a leading force in the wrongheaded drive to take away Americans' right to enjoy a drink. And thusly, America's brewers, which I *hic* otherwise greatly admire, became a leading force against women's suffrage. And there was a strong racist/xenophobic element to the prohibitionist movement – many of the leading brewers were German immigrants, and as World War I raged, the Germans became The Enemy and easy targets.

And that's only the tip of the iceberg of this really interesting interview. Check it out.

Me too!

I'm assuming this picture is public domain and okay for me to post. I love it.

I also assume it's from that idiotic time known as Prohibition — a bit of stupidity that's been on my mind a lot the past couple of days as Michael Phelps keeps getting beaten up over his pot "scandal." When are we going to quit legislating morality, and when are we going to stop having a double standard for alcohol and other recreational drugs?

Hooray for Beer!

Clark just sent me this link noting that this is the 75th anniversary of the relegalization of beer in the United States.

Also, I just got this message from the good folks at St. Arnold's:

It was 75 years ago today,
FDR thought we'd gone astray.
The economy was at a nadir,
And nobody could enjoy a beer.
So he modified the Volstead Act,
Prohibition shall not remain intact,
"Beer must be allowed!"
The cheers in response were loud.
Away with the legacy of Carrie Nation,
Toasted people with their favorite libation.

On April 7, 1933, beer was again legalized.  It was not until 8 months later that the entire Volstead Act was repealed allowing for the sale of wine and liquor.

So raise a Saint Arnold this evening and toast to the 75th anniversary of beer being legalized again!

MONDAY, APRIL 7, Ginger Man, 6pm- Saint Arnold Pint Night! Stop in to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition, have a cold Saint Arnold Spring Bock, and get a free pint glass (while they last). BONUS: I will be giving away two(2) prime seats for Ray Romano' show tomorrow night at The Austin Music Hall at this promo-there will be a trivia question, so know your Saint Arnold history!