The day….the liquor died

Today is one of those dark days in American history. 

On this day, Jan 29 1919, the 18th Amendment was enacted.

Through groups such the Prohibition Policy and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (to name a few), and posters such as the one below, several states began going “dry” leading up to the 65th Congress of 1917.  It was there that  the dries outnumbered the wets by 140 to 64 in the Democratic party and 138 to 62 among Republicans, paving the way for an amendment to be ratified by 36 of the 48 states.

So began 14 years of misery, corruption and crime that (IMO) mar the historical landscape of the United States as much as other travesties.

In fact, many of our social problems have been attributed to the Prohibition era.

Mafia groups originally limited their activities to gambling and theft until  the “Roaring 20’s”, when organized bootlegging manifested in response to the effect of Prohibition.

A profitable, often violent, black market for alcohol flourished. Powerful gangs corrupted law enforcement agencies, leading to racketeering. Stronger liquor surged in popularity because its potency made it more profitable to smuggle.

This also brought about what we now today know as NASCAR in the late 30’s, when out of work “Moonshine Runners” migrated to the Daytona Beach.

It further had an impact on breweries, when only 1/2 of the pre-Prohibition Breweries reopened upon ratification of the 21st Amendment.

When will the government learn you cannot invade so deeply into people private lives and try to enforce their values and morals upon them?

It continues today with the “War on Drugs”, a monumental failure that encourages crime, abuse, corruption and strain on federal/state coffers.  Sound familiar?

So, tonight and lift a pint for the poor souls who had to live through this hell.  Luckily, it was repealed and we could go back to being the drunkards we are.

 

PS – as a side note.  I did learn that Laphroig was one of the few scotches that was allowed to be imported.  Due to it’s high peat content, it was thought unpalatable and was prescribed for medicinal purposes.

Some of the best Commercials

With the Super Bowl coming up, I thought I would hit on some great commercials to get us all in the mood.

Some of these are fricken HI-LAR-I-OUS:

Smirnoff Vodka

Guinness

Tuborg Beer

William Lawson Scotch

Jameson Irish Whiskey

 

BudLight

Carlton Dry Cider

 

Which one is your favorite?

State of the Union Drinking Game

Come on everyone….play along.

Obama says "let me be clear"	Do one shot
Obama says "change isn't easy"	Do one shot
Obama says "make no mistake"	Do one shot
Obama says "Let me be clear, change isn't easy, make no mistake."	He's screwing with you to get you drunk, so five shots
Joe Wilson yells something	Do two shots
Obama yells back	Finish the bottle
Obama says "jobs"	Do one shot, two if you're unemployed
Obama says "health care"	Do not drink, you will not be given a replacement liver
Nancy Pelosi claps like a seal	Do one shot
Nancy Pelosi becomes a seal	STOP DRINKING FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
Obama mentions Bo	Put beer in your dog's water bowl
Michelle Obama wears a slinky dress	Go immediately to the HuffPost Style page for close-ups
Joe Biden nods-off/laughs inappropriately/starts talking before the speech is over	Do three shots
Obama uses the term "Congressional leadership"	Do two shots carefully as all that laughing will make it difficult to swallow
Obama says he's "fighting for you"	Do one shot, two if you believe him
Obama mentions Haiti	Text “Haiti” to the number 90999 and donate $10 to the Red Cross

 

As taken from the Huffington Post

I’m Here

 

Lately, Beer and Liquor producers have been several things to get their name out into the market.  From making mini-movies to tell their story to appearances on the History Channel.

I’ve already posted Johnny Walker’s story (very excellent) and “How they make scotch (from Laphroig)…but Absolute Vodka has really stepped it up in this medium.

Partnering with Spike Jonze, the vodka manufacturer wants to bring us “A Love Story in an Absolute World”.

This is not Spike’s first first foray into shorts sponsored by alcohol distributors.  In 2006, he did a series of shorts called the “Miller Auditions”, the most famous being PENGUIN (found HERE), so this should be an interesting matchup….especially after his work on “Where the Wild Things Are”.

As for “A Love Story in an Absolute World”…WTF does that mean?

The movie appears to be a 30 Minute Love Story between Robots.  Yes ROBOTS.

The trailer looks interesting, with great representations of the “bots”, far better than “ I  Robot” IMO, and has some pretty seamless CGI.  I like the fact that the main male role has a head that looks like a 486.

Overall, the Robots look cool (and a little creepy…which I like)…and I am still trying to figure out the rats around the coffee table.  It is definitely not a film I would normally check out, but it’s got a booze sponsor and is about Computers/Robots….so I am intrigued. 

To Glenn…this does not make me an Artsy Fartsy guy, no matter what you think.

Here is the trailer.

A better copy can be found the movies Website (HERE), although I am still trying to figure out why you need age verification for that…..because the Absolute Brand is being used in the name?  Give me a break.

Hopefully this will release near CoMo so I can see it, otherwise I will just have to revisit later and catch it on HULU or YouTUBE.

Haiti and Whiskey

I knew I could get your attention.

We all know of the events on January 12 , when an earthquake rattled Haiti and quite literally destroyed their country.

Now, I do not subscribe to the belief of the Italian Disaster Chief  (HERE) that the US hasn’t done enough, or is reacting wrongly by sending troops in.  In fact, this is probably one area I think the US has excelled, far more than any other country in the world…..but that is getting political, and that is something I try to avoid here.

In addition to the bad press that Italy is giving, there even has been a spate of Facebook status’ calling for America to look inward:

Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations.and major cable stations, movie channels. 99% of people won't have the guts to copy and...... repost this.

Again, I’m not an advocate here (probably to the shock of many of you), but instead saying that we (as Freemasons, Americans, Christians or just being good people) should be helping anyone, in any way we can. 

Be it through the local Food Bank (here is ours in Columbia MO), to the Red Cross (many of you have heard my Elisabeth Dole rant), to just chucking your change in the Fireman’s Boot.  It all adds up and helps someone, somewhere.

Please give.

Now I know you are wondering….how does this tie to Smokes and Booze.

Well, first…just creating awareness can go a long way to helping.  But today, I was further inspired by a news article (HERE). 

In it, we learn of Wismond Exantus, the 24-year-old Haitian man who survived being trapped, for 11 days, when when a 4 story building collapsed upon him.

How did he survive you ask?  Through the only thing he could reach:  A bottle of whiskey, some beers and a few bags of chips and candy.

People, that is a determination to live. 

Myself, I would have abandoned hope….drank the whiskey in one night and given up.

Instead, Wismond rationed his meager supplies (using the whiskey to help him sleep), stayed calm and dreamed of riding horses and swimming in the ocean.

How could I not speak out for this guy…..he survived on what we take for granted.

Tonight I raise a toast to you Wismond…I pray that you are doing well, and that your country is soon rebuilt.  I know I will do my part.

Happy 75th Birthday Beer can

As I noted in an earlier post, today is the 75th Anniversary of the Beer can.

Here are a few videos of what Beer Can tricks to commemorate the event.

RIP Connie

Well tonight is one of those nights. 

You know how it is…up late, drink in hand (Old Masters) and searching on the internet.

Tonight I was attempting to track down some old friends when I lived in Augsburg…only to find an OBIT for one of them, Mrs Connie Smith Christiansen.

I first met Connie in 1992.  I had just transferred to Project Trojan in Augsburg and was awaiting my security clearance to transfer over.

Her husband Mike was also assigned to the TRISA as our Electrician.

This was following the “living on the streets” days, and I think Connie and Mike both filled those parental roles for me in Germany.  They both took me (and to a slighter extent G & J) under their wing, providing a bit of home and comfort in a country that at times could be a bit odd.

How does this relate to Smokes and Booze?  Because these two did just that.  As I started to say, the first time I met Connie….it was 8:00AM and she was drinking a screwdriver and had a hip flask ready to pass around to everyone. 

I later learned that going to lunch over at their house in Gersthofen meant AT LEAST 3 or 4 Cocktails. 

If you went anywhere with them, Connie always had your favorite drink in a plastic cup for the roadtrip (she was against traveling with glass in the call….something that has stuck with me to this day). 

Multiple excursions to Weisbaden had us spending many a night in the bar (see my article HERE referencing that Hotel Bar), and at no time did I feel I was being spoke down to because of my age (at the time, I was the youngest person working for MANTECH).

To give people an idea of how much they consumed, if you were ever in Europe with the Military….you recall Ration Cards (dont ask if you dont get it…stupid rule).  They would go through BOTH of their monthly allotments in Cigarettes and Hard Liquor a month.  G & J at the Shoppette wouldn't even mark theirs because they were always out and bumming from others.

But don’t get me wrong….they were great drunkards and awesome people.  I contend that there has never been a more caring woman that walked the face of the earth (and ment it) than Connie.  Her and Mike would do anything for you and there was never a negative moment with them.

Under their watchful eye, I went from Minor League drinking to the Pros…..and I would gladly thank them for it today.

Connie passed away in 2003, I’m assuming off the disease/illness she contracted in Germany back in 1996.  It appears that Mike was later stationed at Harrogate (in England) and they both spent some time there….with Connie continuing her love for fishing.

In 2005, Mike returned to England to create a legacy in Connie’s name with the Nidderdale Angling Club.  Even in death, she wanted to give back.

Connie……you were definitely one of the best.  I owe you and Mike so much for making me who I am today.  I pray that you found peace and rest at last….and tonight, I’m having a drink for you.

RIP “Ma”