December 3, 2008
Extending 'Last Call for Alcohol' for Obama Inauguration a Deadly Mistake (Cheri Jacobus)
In what will undoubtedly go down in history as the stupidest and most dangerous move by the D.C. City Council, bars in the nation’s capital will extend "last call" from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. during the Obama inauguration.
Why now? Why for this president-elect? Likely the dollar signs in the eyes of owners of local watering holes have pushed the lawmakers over the edge into this area of irresponsibility. The likelihood of alcohol-related injuries and deaths will skyrocket, arrests for public drunkenness and disorderliness will increase, and the potential for tragedy to mar Barack Obama's celebration will be heightened.
One person losing his or her life due to this greedy excess will be one too many, and will mar the historic event. One alcohol-related death is one too many. Having lost my only sister to a drunk driver, I can attest to that fact. President Bush, President-elect Obama, Congress, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other concerned groups should smack down this ill-fated idea.
Meanwhile, I will not be going out at night that week — not because I am a Republican, but because the City Council's vote to keep the bars open until 5 a.m. for several days surrounding the Obama inauguration makes my city just too damn dangerous.
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Very brave, and worthy stance.
"10% to 12% of the 140 million adult drinkers in the United States have developed alcoholism." -Darryl S. Inaba, Pharm.D.
Comment by RF — December 3, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Cheri;
Thanks for your thoughts but we who live in DC and grownups and can and will do the right thing. There is aq lot of money to be made during the inauguation and bars and resturants want some of the money. Is it not a free market system we are under or do you want us to be a nanny state?
Comment by Mike Coleman — December 3, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
You're right, it's ridiculous. They're just trying to kiss Obama's butt, trying to reach statehood.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 3, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Do you commonly stay out until 5 am?
If not your little hysie- fit statement makes no sense.
Comment by pghremodeler — December 3, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Cheri
A lovely family Mexican Restaurant in my area extended their hours from 2 am to 4 am. In one month they had 2-knifings.
It is not worth the profits. Perhaps the community coud do afternoon teas to honor and celebrate the new administration.
In fact it woud be more of an honor to close the bars at mid-night.
So sorry about your sister.
Comment by JFK-HRC — December 4, 2008 @ 6:22 am
That's a good point, they're using the inauguration as an excuse to turn an already very dangerous city into a half as*ed 1920's open air speakeasy. Expect no arrests during this time while many accidents will occur. Many out of town drunks will be rolled. Let's face it, you have to keep some of the locals employed in what they do best.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 4, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Cheri,
Thanks for the post, but I have to disagree. I'm delighted I'll be able to enjoy the inauguration for a few extra hours that week. It's a celebration that happens once every four years. New York has the same closing hours 365 days of the year.
Also, it probably wouldn't have been a big change for Friday and Saturday, but imagine the queues for taxis at 11:30 PM on Sunday and Monday night when the bars would have closed and the extra million or so guests are stranded as the bars close the door.
Comment by Terence Kane — December 4, 2008 @ 10:20 am
RR and the rest of you chuckleheads;
If you don't want to cometo DC and party then stay home. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and people from across teh country want to enjoy it. You sourgrape people can stay home and nurse your bruised and hurt feeling but we, the one that won, are going to party. Cheers.
Comment by Mike Coleman — December 4, 2008 @ 10:25 am
# 8 Mike
I AM going to the party… but I am staying away from the bars.
Cheri's point is not Political, it is responsible.
Maybe I will see you there! If you see me tip your hat : )
HaHaHa!
Comment by JFK-HRC — December 4, 2008 @ 11:04 am
#8: Are you suggesting Obama will be a one term President? Freudian slip?
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 4, 2008 @ 11:15 am
#10, To clarify, Obama's inauguration would be a "once-in-a-lifetime" event for his supporters drinking heavily that night. That's fine, I have no problems with Darwin's theories.
Comment by Misha — December 4, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
To the neocon chuckleheads;
This is the first time that an man of color has been elected president of the USA. If another is elected then it won't be a once in a life time event. Besides, I haven't heard anyone of you complain about NYC's 24 hour party circuit. Is it because your party lost and you're still bitter, clinging to your guns and god that you don't want to party? Fine, we'll party without you and no, this is Obama's first term. You see, he is putting together a superb cabinet and you neocons really can't compalin about it so you bitch about people having fun in DC. You forget, city life is about partying that why some of the best clubs and resturants are in teh city. If you want your back woods ways, stay in Palin land with the "good americans".
Comment by Mike Coleman — December 4, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
the 1st affirmative action president keeps the bars open later? gee, big suprise. maybe he could show up, drink a cocktail and start handing out food stamps too?
Comment by quantify the pessimism — December 4, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
who cares if obama is black? is that why you voted for him coleman?
Comment by quantify the pessimism — December 4, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Yes, it will become a 24 hour robathon.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 4, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
#13, #14. Do you have a name? Mike does.
Comment by Joyce — December 4, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
#12, we are not complaining, we are fine Mike. Please drink as much as you can with your buddies, then drive home really fast making it a "once-in-a-lifetime" event for all of you people.
Comment by Misha — December 4, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Aww Misha;
Since I live in DC, I can take a cab or the bus. For you folks out in God's Country you may have to drive, I don't.
QTP;
Since we already had a legacy president and you can see how that worked out, don't be mad that Obama beat your boy like a drum.
RR;
Whatever it becomes millions of people will enjoy it. As long as you don't, it is fine by me.
To the rest sitting at home drinking sourgrape kool-ade - Cheers.
Comment by Mike Coleman — December 4, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
18- Mike
You gotta chill a little.
Take the race out of the equation.
PE Obama is our President. Forget about color, it really doesn't matter. This country like hundreds of countries around the world don't think twice about race in leadership.
The world is past you by.
White, Black or Blue - who give a crap?
It makes no difference in any other profession, why should it make a difference with the Presidency?
Emerse yourself in the wake of a new administration, look forward, be unifying instead of divisive with your remarks. Your children will thank you for it. Look forward.
Comment by JFK-HRC — December 4, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Obama won. Why are all his supporters so full of hate and acrimony? No one likes to be fooled, but perhaps that's why all the anger. Obama has run right on three major policy initiatives.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 4, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
JFK;
I wasn't the one that brought color into the equation. I was responding that millions of people were coming to DC to enjoy themselves and celebrate Obama election. What some of our sourgrape friends here have implied that somehow we were fooled, we weren't. We are going to have a good time no matter what RR, Misha and QTP say. They lost and they are still bitter. I'm not and I and millions of other people intend to rub this in their faces and party like it's 1999.
Comment by Mike Coleman — December 5, 2008 @ 9:18 am
#19, I didn't see a reference to race in Mike's answer. Now, Misha, on the other hand is hoping for his death.
Comment by Yvonne — December 5, 2008 @ 9:27 am
I agree with Cheri that the bars and clubs are looking at the potential $$$ that night with the projected hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of people that will jam the Washington DC area during the MLK weekend. Remember folks: it's always about the money! I just hope no major incidents occur due to this time change. Please celebrate responsibly
Comment by Dave Jerrido — December 5, 2008 @ 9:54 am
#21 Mike
Nah. It's time to come together bubba.
Comment by JFK-HRC — December 5, 2008 @ 10:58 am
This will be referred to as the Hiccup Inauguration.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — December 5, 2008 @ 11:51 am