Great Friends, Clear Voices

The rowdy pack of San Diego tea party-leaning bloggers better known as the SLOB’s have become very dear friends. Enough so that they helped me ring in my 40th last night with the classic pairing of pizza and beer while exchanging the latest in political and cultural gossip. Every time we get together I’m reminded of how amazing each of them is and why I love them so.

One moment was especially memorable. Charles at Doo Doo Economics brought his parents who are visiting from the Mid-West. At one point his lovely mother commented that is was a surprise and refreshing to listen to all of these varied Californians speak openly about their conservative and libertarian principles. And that really is a lesson we have all had to learn: that it’s ok to be overheard being conservative. The Tea Party helped us all come out of the conservative closet, and we will never be shamed back in due to false stereotypes or ugly generalizations. If the rest of the world never sees or hears us, how do they even know we exist?

So, in the spirit of Liberator Today, who gave me this beautiful bottle of “The Federalist Visionary,” freely share a toast with friends who bring out the best of who you are and who you know you should be.

And besides, it's 2012, you know you need a drink!