Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“woke” is the new caravan.

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

The press swings at every pitch, we don’t have to.

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

Second rate reporter says what?

Reality always gets a vote in the end.

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Hey hey, RFK, how many kids did you kill today?

Bad people in a position to do bad things will do bad things because they are bad people. End of story.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

We are learning that “working class” means “white” for way too many people.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

Prediction: the gop will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

“In the future, this lab will be a museum. do not touch it.”

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

People really shouldn’t expect the government to help after they watched the GOP drown it in a bathtub.

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Madison Meet-Up

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I will be in the People’s Republic of Madison from Tuesday night until Saturday. I was thinking a hump-day meet-up would be kind of cool, that way, in the off chance we got along we could schedule something else in the following nights. So, where do you want to go? I know a bunch of you are going to suggest The Old Fashioned, but think outside the box.

Also, my mom is pissed at me because I told her I was going to go buy denim bib overalls and attach a Flying WV to the front for the meet-up, and she gasped and said “But you’ll look like a total hillbilly hick!”

If the shoe fits….

Reader Interactions

84Comments

  1. 1.

    Yatsuno

    Also, my mom is pissed at me because I told her I was going to go buy denim bib overalls and attach a Flying WV to the front for the meet-up

    You know the drill…

  5. 5.

    Comrade Mary

    I was thinking a hump-day meet-up would be kind of cool

    Well, y’all play safe now, you hear?

  6. 6.

    The Reverend Lowdown

    Heck yeah. Coming out of the wilds of North Woods for this. Name the time and place.

  8. 8.

    Just Some Fuckhead, Thought Leader

    @Redshirt: Can we ever be our true selves if we’re pseudonymous? That’s a question for the philosophers.

  9. 9.

    trollhattan

    I was going to go buy denim bib overalls and attach a Flying WV to the front

    Bringin’ that dancin’ raccoon, too? Because that video last night was awesome. Also awesome, the rhubarb “lady.”

    nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/rhubarb-lady-video-transcript.html

    Speaking of awesome, free streaming of the new Civil Wars album right now at the itunes store. Didn’t work for me in Firefox for some reason, but Chrome does.

    search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?path=TheCivilWars

  19. 19.

    Just Some Fuckhead, Thought Leader

    @Suzanne: I don’t know if that’s inside or outside the new rules of conduct because I can only guess at what normal people would consider insulting but it seems pretty close. I’d hate to see you get in trouble when you were just trying to be funny.

  20. 20.

    Just Some Fuckhead, Thought Leader

    Has anyone seen the awesome Aaron Eckhart flick, Erased, available on FIOS HD OnDemand for as low as 7.99?

  24. 24.

    Jim C

    I was going to go buy denim bib overalls

    Denim bib overalls.

    Maybe they call them that in Madison, in the big city, but out in the country they’re usually just called “overalls” or possibly “bibbies.” Maybe it’s just the farmers I knew, but they called non-bib overalls “coveralls.”

    I do like the idea of a tweed bib overall, or a linen bib overall … you know, for the professor at the small, midwestern college who farms on the weekends.

  27. 27.

    John O

    It’s 2-3 hours away, but it remains tempting. Details as they come, John.

    Madison is a lot of fun, and I have an aunt to crash with there…

  30. 30.

    The Reverend Lowdown

    What do you guys mean by ” meet-up”? I’m thinking of pounding a few drinks then hunting down scott walker and wedgie-ing the mf’er. After that, of course…more drinks, eventually being arrested, calling people for bail money, Ed Schultz coming back to WI and protesting our incarceration, etc. Fun times. We could live blog the whole thing. Just throwing that out there. Or we could just talk. Either way, count me in.

  31. 31.

    angelfoot

    OshKosh B’Gosh!

    I haven’t been to Madison in ages, but I remember the Crystal Corner Bar on Willy and Baldwin as a great hangout, oh fifteen or twenty years ago.

  33. 33.

    Rebecca

    Awesome things about Madison: they take Halloween seriously (as they damn well should), very good hippy food co-ops (and the multiple types of vegi-brats that implies), and the lesbian owned sex toy store that was down the street from my house (but I had to read about in the back of a magazine before I knew it was there).

    I hated it at the time, but have lived in far, far worse places since.

  38. 38.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    Be sure to blacken a few teeth for good effect. ;) Tote an old moonshine XXX -branded jug along to complete the package…lol!

    OT: Why am I hearing (what sounds like) the sound of a sheep in the soundtrack of the latest Mercedes commercial? It makes me chuckle every time I hear it.

  39. 39.

    ? Martin

    @trollhattan:

    A man who said he is the girl’s grandfather said Wednesday that his son had a permit to carry guns, but perhaps not a grenade.

    Well, the NRA has done their job well. Apparently people believe you can get a carry permit for grenades.

    Also, Thursday, the Department of Children and Families has to do a home study to see who will get custody of the girl. Her mother was at a custody hearing but the girl had been with Bianchi after the mother had said last year that she couldn’t financially take care of her. There is another hearing set for Friday.

    So, no money for the kid, but money for an AK-47 and a grenade. How is this possible? I thought only black people were financially irresponsible?

  40. 40.

    Just Some Fuckhead, Thought Leader

    When Martin shows up applauding the NRA and disrespecting people of color, I know it’s time for me to go to bed.

    Night all!

  43. 43.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    I’ve only been in Madison once, but I recommend the Old Fashioned Tavern. 200 beers on tap to wash down the mac & cheese and fried cheese curds.

  44. 44.

    Charles Coats

    Proud long-time resident of downtown Madison here. Hard to fully understand what it means to be downtown in Madison and ask, “Where is a good place for a drink?” Presuming your staying just off of the Capital, and presuming you’re not interested in driving somewhere, there are literally 30+ bars (I stopped counting at 30) in easy walking distance of the Capital. And that’s NOT including such favorites as the Malt House and Crystal Corner. So figuring walking distance, good space for a gathering of 10+, and good beer, my opinion of the top contenders:

    Memorial Union, UW Campus – Not even close to outside of the box, but in the very brief Wisconsin summer, possibly the prettiest place in the State. Assuming good weather, outdoors, world-class view, solid beer selection, great people watching, burgers and locally picked corn-on-the-cob from the grill, and starting at 8pm Wednesday, live music. (union.wisc.edu/wud/event.asp?event_id=24403)

    I was planning on listing some more, but honestly everything else clumps together. Old Fashioned does have best breaded cheese curds I’ve ever had, but it’s not a great space for larger groups. Awesome beer list though, with 99 Wisconsin beers available and 1 import beer listed, St Pauli’s Girl from Minnesota. Essen Haus is another standard, with plenty of space and Hofbrau on tap, with pretzels and schnitzels plentiful. And a dozen more beloved locations after those. But for the rare visit to Madison in the Summer, I think the Union Terrace is obvious choice.

    PS: in a rare non-beer related thought, on the south-west side of Capital Square is a cheese shop called Fromagination (right next to Inn on the Park). If you love food in any fashion, you owe yourself a visit there, if only to smell. Artisan cheeses, heavily sourced from Wisconsin, with actual cheese mongers that know things and a generous sampling policy – at the very least try the Bandged Chedder from Blue Mont dairy, it does not suck…

  45. 45.

    Buckyblue

    I’m with the reverend, tho all we’d have to do is break out into song and scooter will have us arrested. What an f-ing fascist. Oh, and also, The Great Dane is a great meetup spot. Lots of protestors stopped for a few before and after marching round the square.

  46. 46.

    Niobe

    Brickhouse BBQ rooftop deck. http://www.thebrickhousebbq.com

    Impeccable view of the Capitol, a block from State Street, respectable tap list, and next door to the biggest downtown liquor store. Hits many of the same beats as the Old Fashioned or Dane, but juuuust a bit outside the box.

  47. 47.

    Niobe

    Old Fashioned only has 60 beers on tap, though there are easily 200 available if you count bottles. Problem there, aside from the hour-plus wait if you put in at any time after 6 p.m. every night, is that there’s no good place for a large group, unless you get them to put you in the top floor in the addition. They’d probably want extra money for that, and that’s better spent on beer. The Dane is nice and their beer is good, but they only have a dozen or so of their own taps. You need at least 30 for a bonafide Madison party.

  48. 48.

    sparky

    Uh, people, John is making a meta-joke here. While the stereotype of a West Virginnian may include bib overalls, that article of clothing was invented (and made by union labor) in Wisconsin.

    I had to surf like a white boy at Huntington Beach ’til I found this link, but I got ‘er done.

    And, of course, you all have gone to bed.

  49. 49.

    sparky

    @Corner Stone: Hey, shit fer brains, this ain’t an AL thread. You can be as abusive as you want! ‘Sides, Cole is petting his pussy.

    Fuckhead left just when the party was getting started.
    (Actually, I decided months ago to refrain from internet invective unless it involved the letters ‘t’ and/or ‘h.’

  50. 50.

    Niobe

    Yes, the Terrace can’t be beat for setting, and the new beer stands are up and running. Plus, there’s no better place for a group with people coming and going. Save Brickhouse for the afterparty.

  55. 55.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    @Charles Coats: Union Terrace sounded awesome for all the reasons you describe, but we didn’t make it there on my brief visit, unfortunately.

  56. 56.

    Anne Laurie

    @trollhattan:

    I’m beginning to think we need to coax Betty C out of that craphole of a state.

    Scott Meyer (Basic Instructions.net) recently said “Many Floridians are the result of generations of breeding by people who were tough enough to survive in Florida, but dumb enough to stay.”

    I sent the cartoon to Betty. She thought it was funny.

    Don’t mess with Betty Cracker, would be my advice.

  57. 57.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    @Niobe: Yeah, there were only four of us at the Old Fashioned that night and I see your point. Not a lot of space.

    Regarding the 200 on tap? Oops. My recollection was clouded by a Totally Naked lager. Or two.

  58. 58.

    Anne Laurie

    @Redshirt:

    What are the core Hillbilly band instruments? Jug, Washboard, I’m blanking…

    Fiddle, of course! As many fiddles as possible!

    Plus banjo, and maybe spoons, if you’ve got enough hands.

  60. 60.

    rda909

    Bizarre. My employer just sent me the flight info for me to be in Madison this Monday through Saturday. May have to swing by, if I’m not already too busy freebasing.

  63. 63.

    dance around in your bones

    Hesu Crisco, John Cole is going to de-lurk and possibly meet some of his commentariat? I wish I was within spitting distance of Madison…(I’m not)…and maybe some of the women who have offered to marry him will show up. THAT would make for some awesome photos!

    I’m gobsmacked.

  64. 64.

    lojasmo

    I hate Chardonay. Also, the wife is going to be home, as she has been ordered to VT three weeks later. Might not make it. Frightened stalker bitches Cornerstone and Pokeyblow are now free to fearlessly attend.

    Good luck WI commentariat.

  65. 65.

    pkdz

    I’m a lurker that lives in Madison. I have two young kids, so I don’t know that I can get away. But I vote for the Memorial Union terrace. I remember our blogger looking for Madison suggestions last year, but making it clear that he was looking to dine alone. Cheers!

  66. 66.

    Mnemosyne

    I will be in the general area (northeast Illinois) but we’re already scheduled so tightly that there’s no way we can find the time. I’m sure all are disappointed. ;-)

    (We’ll be trying to get rush tickets to “Book of Mormon” sometime during the week. It’s my reward for getting through this goddamned memorial and (hopefully) repairing a few of the cracks in my family.)

  68. 68.

    Omnes Omnibus

    The Union Terrace is great, but it limits beer sales to members and university ID holders. It might not be the best idea. In addition, while it is open, significant construction/renovation is being done to the Memorial Union buildings right now. The Malthouse is cool but is is well over on the east side and might not be convenient for everyone. I would say it should be on the Isthmus somewhere. That way everyone is equally inconvenienced. The Great Dane isn’t all that out of the box, but it is roomy and finding a table or tables should be easy.

  69. 69.

    Embir

    I don’t believe the Terrace limits sales to UW folks – hasn’t been my experience over there. And yes – mid summer that is the place to be. Hope it comes off.

    BTW re Overalls – glad to know that as a West Virginian our proprietor is embracing Big Cole.

  70. 70.

    Embir

    I don’t believe the Terrace limits sales to UW folks – hasn’t been my experience over there. And yes – mid summer that is the place to be. Hope it comes off. BTW re Overalls – glad to know that as a West Virginian our proprietor is embracing Big Cole.

  71. 71.

    J R in WV

    @Redshirt:

    No, not at all. Redneck refers to working class folks who live in a lowland flat place suitable for farming.

    Hillbilly refers to someone who lives where it is too steep to farm much.

  72. 72.

    pat

    Hm, Madison. Sounds doable, but what happens if someone doesn’t like beer. Can I get a decent red wine in any of those locations?

  75. 75.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Embir: it is the official policy and concession folks do occasionally check. Also, I don’t think Cole is a beer guy and they don’t serve hard alcohol.

  76. 76.

    Chris

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    Madison lurker who hopes he can come out and join the fun. The Terrace does restrict sales as you say, but they sell 1 day memberships to let people drink beer. Depending on how many folks show, you really only need 1 or 2 of those passes and then someone comes back with 4 pitchers at a time.

    If not the Terrace or Old Fashioned, I’d vote for The Vintage on Whitney simply because I think John needs to be introduced to the Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger. Oh, and tasty beer.

  77. 77.

    Jonas

    I will be in Madison for a conference at that time and would love to meet up. Mostly a lurker here but would be great meeting folks.

  78. 78.

    I Zimbra

    Another Madisonian lurker here. My 2 alternate suggestions:

    Coopers Tavern – Right on the square, has a good (if not overwhelming) tap list plus a nice selection of harder and softer stuff. Plus they have a hamburger with a braised pork belly on it. There’s a large room up stairs that shouldn’t be terribly crowded on a Wednesday.

    The Mason – About a mile from the Capitol, but has a great rotating selection of taps and a nice, neighborhood feel. Probably not as accommodating for large groups, but we could likely take over the patio by force majeure.

    I look forward to meeting the misanthrope-in-chief.

  79. 79.

    Erin

    Longtime lurker here.

    The terrace would be great, but it isn’t the most convenient to get to with all the construction. I have to second or third the Crystal Corner – enough space, 15 minute walk from downtown, and on the isthmus. If food is a must, then Harmony Bar, at the other end of the isthmus. They have a whole back room for big groups.

  81. 81.

    dance around in your bones

    @Redshirt:

    @dance around in your bones: I’m thinking some large panties are going to be thrown Cole’s way.

    Just saw this but must say I find it really lolworthy. Pics of Cole with large panties on his head would be an extra bonus :)

  82. 82.

    kideni

    I’m up for a Madison get-together. Even if I get arrested again for singing at the Capitol, they release you pretty quickly (see this article if you’re wondering what I’m talking about).

    I would really rather not go to the Old Fashioned, since it’s crazy busy. The Fountain has a lot of space, good beer, decent food, and isn’t as crowded. Bandung (Indonesian) can handle decent-sized groups if given notice.

    I’m really looking forward to this!

  83. 83.

    Singing Truth to Power

    As a long-time lurker, I would love to have you join the Solidarity Sing Along at the Capitol when you are in Madison, noon to 1:00. We have been protesting our scum-bag governor for 2 1/2 years – he has recently set his Capitol Police force on us – over 120 citations ($200.50 each) in the last two weeks alone. I have earned two by continuing to sing when they tell us to stop and leave. Come see us, come sing (you don’t have to have a good voice – trust me). We sing inside in the rotunda Monday – Thursday (great acoustics) and outside near the State Street corner under what we call the Solidaritree. Come and be with us! I’d love to come to the meet-up too –

  84. 84.

    Singing Truth to Power

    Regarding the Old Fashioned, the food is great, but in addition to being crazy busy, it is loud – hard to have a conversation there.

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