Lively politics lively luncheon
News, Political, Work ·Friday January 22, 2010 @ 22:04 EST (link)
(Not from the Tap House)
Today was the "Lively Politics Discussion Forum" (short name in the internal AutoGroup list manager tool: "politics") luncheon—the second one—also at the Tap House Grill in Bellevue (near 106th and 8th); they make a pretty good BBQ burger (and they offer a Prime Card discount: second entree is free). It went about 1230-1430.
And like last time, only four people showed up. We had others interested but unable to come due to meetings. And it's possible that some of the liberals were scared that if the discussion got heated the gun rights folks would turn the place into the O.K. Corral, or something. I gave Paul (founder of the group) a ride since he'd ridden the connector in, and Brian and Tony showed up. Brian had been at the last one; Tony I hadn't met before. I'd say Paul's a moderate conservative (Republican), Brian a moderate liberal (Democrat), and Tony and I hold more libertarian views (with me moving toward anarchism due in part to Stefan Molyneux's persuasive arguments; recommended reading: his book Practical Anarchy).
The discussion was animated but not heated. In fact, as much as I'd like to see more people attend, I think four people is a good number for a conversation; when a group gets too much bigger people are left out or splinter off multiple discussions. Let's see… some of the topics: Sarah Palin (too bad Kevin missed it), property rights, the military and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Brown, the administration, etc.
It's great to be able to put faces to names, and to know the kinds of people one is "talking" with in the forum (especially in regards to "not sure if serious" wonders, which are easier to resolve after meeting someone).
Books finished: Eclipse, A Farewell To Alms, The Dream Catcher, Rogue, Going Rogue.
