Outside the Beltway

After three days of buildup to a “mystery speaker,” the closing night of the Republican convention featured a rambling performance by Clint Eastwood and an empty chair.

The cover of Patrick Wensink’s novel Broken Piano for President bore a striking resemblence to the label of a certain quality Tennessee sour mash whiskey. So, Jack Daniel’s’ lawyer sent him a nice note.

Scotch consumption is a leading economic indicator.

Despite the opposition of the SECDEF and Joint Chiefs, the latter expanded yesterday.

“It’s Time to Switch to Whiskey” by Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans

This is looking less crazy, less sudden, and less an exercise in presidential whimsy than it seemed.

Palin has some odd things to say about US history.

Even libertarians aren’t all that impressed with the effort to bring Ayn Rand’s magnum opus to the big screen.

Sarah Deming has a longish column “Against Mixology,” decrying both the use of that title by barkeeps and, more importantly, the snootiness which often attends those who do.

Experts say 80% of all alcohol sales go to people with drinking problems. The mathematics of that are staggering.