Um, sounds fun, ladies, but won't we all be drunk 24/7? How will I afford the booze when I lose my job?

I love the picture! The barf is such a disgusting shade of green-brown.

Hilarious

Hi, I'm a long-time reader of Feministing and I depend on it for my daily update on women's issues. But something's been bothering me for a while and this post prompted me to write my first comment on the site. I've just noticed among young feminists, and especially on Feministing, a weird focus on drinking. There's often references to nursing a hangover, or getting wasted, et cetera. In the book, "Manifesta!" the two authors talk about how they came up for the idea for the book while getting tipsy over some large glasses of wine. I've noticed it on other sites, and interacting with feminists. I'm not anti-drinking at all; I drink fairly often and enjoy it. But there's something about the flavor of what I see on the sites or in the books that makes me feel uneasy - like there is some sort of bid for legitimacy going on, some sort of proving oneself. I can't put my finger on it...and I feel like I'm just being plain old sexist when I say that these women are trying to "drink like a man" because obviously characteristics that have long been ascribed to men are often just as natural characteristics of women. I know the drinking game post is just in good humor, but I guess I'm just wondering if anybody else has felt this way about the general topic.

Well, we recommend only playing while watching election returns or debates, not during the course of your daily web browsing...

But maybe we should add a disclaimer:

"Please enjoy this drinking game responsibly."

MaggieElisabeth, I hear what you're saying but I think our jokes about drinking are balanced with a healthy dose f posts on the dangers of binge drinking, etc.

Great game. Here are the rules my wife and I came up with for a Republican Debate Drinking Game:

Whenever someone says "terror", "terrorism", or invokes 9/11, she drinks.

Whenever someone mentions God, "the creator", or "the almighty", I drink.

When Rudy Giuliani does that creepy thing with his eyes-- you know, makes them wider to emphasize the point he's making?-- it's a social.

Oh, I'll cheer to drinking to whenever Maureen Dowd writes, especially now that Gail Collins has been serving up much less hair-pulling-inducing fare. Today's "Can Hillary Cry Her Way Back to the White House?"--in its headline at the very least--nearly puts Ms. Dowd right up there with Matthews (or close) on my sexist hit-list.

I've spent the entire day blogging, lamenting, arguing, and being generally upset about the disgusting, disturbing media coverage of HC. To top it all off, our blog got trolled by a bunch of a**holes basically referring to us as joyless, humourless shrews who should go back to the kitchen. My partner sent me an email that said "I can only imagine (after reading those comments) how you must feel angry every day." At times it's all so exhausting...

But you know what? Forget the kitchen, I'm going to the bar for a feminist dance party.

Thank you so much for cheering me up with this hilarity. I applaud you for tirelessly calling the mainstream media out on all its sexist bullsh*t and all the while still keeping so "up beat and so wonderful."

;)

Oh wow. I hope you guys can feel the waves of feminist love I'm sending in your direction now. I'm sensing an excellent friday night coming soon...

On a more general note, I'd just like to thank you wonderful ladies of Feministing for the all of the election '08 coverage. It's sort of difficult to listen to friends, good friends, saying what we all hear everyday, I'm sure: "I hate Hillary, she's such a BITCH!" "But why do you hate her? Like, what exactly?" "She's just a bitch. You can tell." That lovely interaction went down yesterday, and thinking of all the intelligent people who read Feministing helped me not to completely go ballistic. Thanks all! :)

maggieelizabeth--i must admit i feel quite the opposite. the passing references to drinking on this blog counter the notion that only fake-tanned bimbos "looking" to get raped at frat parties drink. also, perhaps this "new" phenomenon you notice is part of the relatively recent social acceptance of young women drinking in the first place. why aren't women allowed to have a good time like the menz? no one's promoting binge drinking here, as jessica points out the authors frequently discuss the negative effects of over-consumption of alcohol. let's not pretend society isn't unduly focused on young women partying--smart, driven young feminist activists enjoying a night on the town now and then is hardly cause for concern.

The only thing I feel about it is envy. I miss my drinking days--if I could handle the alcohol like I did when I was a teenager, I'd be knocking back shots with the best of 'em.

Ben (About Dr. Katz): "He seems to be drinking a little bit more than usual, you know, the booze, you know, liquor."

Laura: "Ben, don't let your hypochondria extend to your father."
Ben: "It's not hypochondria, is it: liquor? That's alcoholism."

Laura: "Well, if you think that you're an alcoholic and you're not, that's hypochondria."

Ben: "I thought that was denial."

Laura: "No, denial is when you are an alcoholic and you don't think you are."

Ben: "Okay, so what's hypochondria again?"

Laura: "It's when you don't have it, but you think you do. You don't have it, you think you do; your father has it even less, and you think he does."

Ben: "God, I could use a drink."

"Take a shot when a pundit refers to Clinton as (or implies she is) a nagging bitch or cackling witch."

Those pundits seem to think men can't cackle too. Listen to this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1cIrOZzusM

"I know the drinking game post is just in good humor, but I guess I'm just wondering if anybody else has felt this way about the general topic."

Meanwhile, has anyone else noticed that you can play drinking games with caffeine instead of alcohol and risk getting wired instead of drunk? ;)

I must admit I was braced for a storm of bullshit on the night of the New Hampshire primary, particularly given how the CNN group was composed of Bill Bennett, Lou Dobbs, another white guy, and a black guy...

...and then they were all strikingly not making the points that piss me off.

The closest they came was their seeming mild surprise at how authentic and real and emotional and, y'know, human Clinton had sounded, how Obama seemed completely unfazed (as it should have been, since he only lost by three points), the only thing in his speech that hinted he hadn't won being his words of concession at the very start of it, and Bill Bennett's comment of grudging admiration that you "can never count a Clinton out" (backhanded though it was as it referenced their reputation as calculating, inhuman political machines).

I think Dobbs, as a sort of moderator for the panel, was the reason for it, because he kept, almost delightedly, bringing the pundits back to the point of how wrong all the mainstream commentatrs been in their predictions, perhaps infusing a bit of temporary humility into the pundits and making them consider their words more carefully.

As long as the campaign keeps surprising the pundits, I think they might stop being such douches, at least with regards to Obama's race and Hillary's sex. Except Chris Dodd. He's got a terminal case of douchebaggery.

CUTE DRESS!!!!
and awesome post. reminds me of the drinking game a friend and I made up, "drink every time there's a black guy on The Flinstones". It turned out to be a stay sober game.

...Chris Matthews.

Is there a Chris Dodd in politics? The surname, at least, is familiar.

reminds me of the superbowl drinking game that my friends and i made up last year...

everytime a problematic commercial comes on, the first person who points it out and explains why gets to pass out drinks...

very educational...

I'm constantly amazed by the hatred of Maureen Dowd in the left-blogosphere. Sure, she is not fond of the Clintons; but shouldn't she get some cred for columns like this one?

http://www.pekingduck.org/archives/003468.php

As for Chris Matthews, he is pretty annoying and often says sexist things. But though I'm not fond of Hardball, his weekend pundit roundtable show is the best one on the air. And he is a strong Obama supporter, and did write one of the best presidential speeches ever (which, sadly, was too sophisticated for the average voter):

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/filmmore/ps_crisis.html

As a college student home for break with absolutely NOTHING to do except get depressed over the ongoing racist/sexist coverage, you guys have just made my night.... my MOTHER (who has not been drunk...ever) just agreed to play this with me.

Well then, I certainly should've been drinking some this morning. I was listening to my mother's Laura Ingraham and Rush Limbaugh shows, in which Laura kept implying that Hillary used to be too shrill but now sounds like a robot, and that young people shouldn't vote because we don't know anything and all we care about is Facebook (even after a 25-year-old conservative Facebook user called in), and then Rush made some comment comparing Hillary to the Wicked Witch of the East. There was also a comment about how Romney "looks presidential" (of course he does, he's a semi-attractive somewhat-tall middle-aged white male). And then my mom starts talking about how "men have better, deeper voices than women"--thank you for making this drinking game.

If it weren't so damn cold and wet outside, I'd march down to the supermarket and pick up some booze right now.

Ugh, I just want it to be over.

That's amazing. I heart Feministing!!

In reference to MaggieElisabeth's comment, I would like to respectfully disagree. I think it's great that the women on Feministing are REAL people, with real lives, and interests... it comforts me to know that there are other feminists out there like me who are real people and not just figments of my imagination or deities or something with no existence outside of their amazing posts that they bring to us so frequently.[Though sometimes I think the Feministing women are definitely deity-like!]
Real people, women and men, drink socially, and I think Feminism does a great job covering awareness of unhealthy alcohol consumption.

This might replace beer pong as the new house party drinking game. Given the assholery of the MSM, people will certainly have ample opportunities to play.

MissMay12, I am glad I am not the only one whos day was ruined by the misogyny re: Clinton.

All day I've felt positively defeated. I have never been more aware of women's second class status in this country.

I often feel so alone (I know - I have made mention of this before) among all the sexism. Especially when so many other women run circles denying sexism's existance and actively participating in it.

Thanks for this. So MFing hilarious. I was starting to get really irritated at the pundits too, but this makes the night much funnier!

Long time reader, first time poster here. The sexism in the past few weeks has disgusted me to no end.

Thanks for this game! It made my night... although I may not be sober for the next 11 months till November's elections :P

And to Bradley on Republican drinking games, don't forget the classic "evil-doers"

Cheers to all you wonderful feminists, this site and other blogs like it have really made it easier to get through the day... it's so comforting to know I'm not alone and there are others out there to connect with who are intelligent and progressive!

'Meanwhile, has anyone else noticed that you can play drinking games with caffeine instead of alcohol and risk getting wired instead of drunk? ;)'

I was wondering if anyone else did that. You can still get 'drunk' off of caffeine and end up hacking up your bowels though.

'All day I've felt positively defeated. I have never been more aware of women's second class status in this country.

I often feel so alone (I know - I have made mention of this before) among all the sexism. Especially when so many other women run circles denying sexism's existance and actively participating in it.'

During a political discussion in a journalism class I remember a women raising her hand and wondering whether Hillary, as a woman, would be able to emotionally handle all the pressure of being a president. Her outdated anxiety shocked me. Since when is a women more emotionally fragile than a man? How can a 21st century university educated women still have that assumption?
Publicly airing evidence of sexism in society allows sexism to be pin-pointed so it doesnt end up subconsciously saturating womens minds and affect the way that they live their lives, without them even knowing it. I think the way that Hillary has been treated by the media will serve as a wake-up call to many young women that sexism and the distorted perception about them still exist and hopefully will make it harder to deny and be complacent about.

i am looooooooooving the hating on chris matthews that i see popping up all over lately. in comments on pandagon, in this post, just now on the daily show, and even olbermann looked like he wanted to throttle him a few times during the primary coverage.

that man makes me want to jab out my eyes and ears. guh.

Drinking games aside, I heard Chris Matthews referred to as "practically a professional Hillary Clinton basher" on NPR this evening... though I forgot which person said it, it was one of their regulars though.

SarahMC: You're so not alone in the fury. By the end of the day I was so angry and ranting I had to be talked down and calmed by friends - it always amazes me how surprised I am by reality.

I hate to get all warm and fuzzy, but sometimes coming here and reading posts and comments is the only thing that keeps me "fightin' the good fight." When you put yourself out there and get told to go "back in the kitchen," it is hard to stay optimistic that things can get and will be better.

bethora--have you seen Gail Collins' most recent op-ed? it's worse than Dowd's. Saying women gave Hillary a sympathy vote in NH--yeah, cuz we're so simple like that. uhg.

I love this post!
Thank you!

I love this post!
Thank you!

Nothing against feminists having fun -- I probably didn't make my point very articulately. But thanks to all who responded to/disagreed with my comment so respectfully! I appreciate it.

This is hilarious. I'm posting it to my blog/journal and crediting you, Jessica.

even olbermann looked like he wanted to throttle him a few times during the primary coverage.

I was watching MSNBC (hate Tweety, love Olbermann) Tuesday night and the way Tweety faded into the background as Clinton ascended was hilarious.

maggieelisabeth:

funny, i've been thinking something similar. i've read this site pretty regularly for quite a bit. i've seen quite a few references to drinking, and actually, not as many to the consequences of binge drinking.
i'm a young feminist who doesn't drink, and i do feel like there's an emphasis on drinking thats a bit off putting...especially with the meet ups at the bars/clubs.
anywhoo, thats my 2 cents, take it or leave it.

I've never joined blogs before, but I don't think I'm going to make it through the next eleven months without support. I've watched the Clintons for seventeen years now, and I have never seen the vituperation, vilification, demonization and just plain meanness that I have had to endure around Hillary Clinton. I take that back. Eleanor Roosevelt was also an instrument of the devil for those who study history or are youth challenged. Thank God for blogs like this where I can blow off steam.

On an equally sober note. (Sorry) I just put a 64 year old husband in the ground because he was an alcoholic and died of liver cancer. I'm not an abolitionist; that would be foolish. But every junior high student, male and female, should be required to take a course on how drugs affect the developing brain. Alcohol is perhaps the most lethal in the neurological deficits even moderate use can produce. So remember, minors are reading this blog. Alcohol is a horrible way to lose your mind and soul.

Awesome game, and it will help numb the pain of watching all the asshat pundits. A new rule that may need adding: Drink when the Democratic Party is referred to as the "mommy party" because ya know it HRC and Nancy Pelosi. This is a new one I heard from a pundit on Lou Dobbs last night.

My liver is already crying a little. I'll pretty much have to be drunk constantly. I mean, come on, I'm not in college anymore.

By the by, I'm copying this into an email and sending it to most of the people I know.

I've already been avoiding Matthews. The risk of aneurysm is too great.

i agree with maggie. i think the authors are role models to a lot of people. i also agree with jessica, but i think that sacrificing a little bit of humor is worth it. there does seem to be more drinking posts lately. i think it's really important to at least bring it up. maggie, i dont know how old you are, but i give you mad props for bringing this up. if i brought this up in my social circle i would get treated like a buzz kill that needs to either join the party or leave.

Another alternative to using booze is to use foul-tasting (but still safe) liquids- pickle juice, tobasco sauce, soy sauce, etc.

"these women are trying to "drink like a man" "

Well, if you examine the picture a little more closely, you'll notice their pinky fingers are out, so clearly they're drinking like women.

"Take a drink for every "magical negro" reference to Obama."

The article that was linked with this continues to get the story wrong. Rush did not refer to Obama as the "magic negro". It was an editorial writer from the LA Times. Rush quoted that writer and made up a parody song to spotlight how ridiculous it all was.

"During a political discussion in a journalism class I remember a women raising her hand and wondering whether Hillary, as a woman, would be able to emotionally handle all the pressure of being a president. Her outdated anxiety shocked me. Since when is a women more emotionally fragile than a man?"

I think that same idea carried over to the lady that asked Senator Clinton "How do you do it?" This led to Clinton becoming emotional and almost teary-eyed. She may have just been trying to gain sympathy, but she definitely gave power to the idea that women are more emotionally fragile.

This has made it onto my blog as well...with due credit, of course. However, I gave the game a secondary title. "The Privileged Political Pundit Drinking Game
(or, How to Get Shit-Faced in Minutes During Election Season)"

Love you guys.

Has anyone read "America: The Book" by Jon Stewart? This post kind of reminds me of his "C-Span Drnking Games."

Great, the only thing that I can think of when I see that first picture is, "Don't you know that drinking will make you vulnerable to rape?!?" I blame that article from last week.

Take two shots whenever someone implies that women only vote with their vaginas.
It was great. I got to sleep late while my vagina was at the polls last election day. Too bad a man's penis isn't as talented. (LOL)