this mongoose-eat-cobra world

Ladies and Gents,

As if it weren't enough for corporations and government to decide which soda flavors, for example, we want to drink, music we want to hear, wars we want to start, and so forth, we, additionally, as you know, need to suffer through the concept of "naming rights." It is the Verizon Center where The Whiz, I mean, Wiz play. Or The State of Washington, brought to you by Boeing. Or The Minimum Wage, brought to you by Wal-Mart. Rabbis in Israel are debating whether or not the name of the Israeli state-run airline, El Al, should appear on the Ten Commandments ("Thou shalt not bring strange aircraft before the Lord thy God or I shall smite thy deluxe falafel platter!") and authorities around the world are wondering whether the Pythagorean Theorem should be brought to us by Westinghouse; or whether manic depression should be sponsored by Glaxo Smithkline; or whether Bad Hair Days should be sponsored by Suave. Indeed, shouldn't Global Warming be brought to us, courtesy of GM, or the Tennessee Valley Authority? I mean, pin the label on the donkey's arse, damn it.

We haven't sold out at Drink & Walk, which is brought to you by Dan Gutstein, Rod Smith, and Star Emeritus Mel (Melissa) Nichols. We are not corporations, but two men and one woman who know the value of an empty barstool, a drink in the hand, and our friends beside us, for hearty conversation. Should you want to write "Dan Gutstein," nevertheless, on your T-shirt, or "Beer," in thick, black ink, on your forehead, or decide that your System Of Likes And Dislikes should be brought to us by The Bio-Rhythm Machine On The New Jersey Turnpike, we will applaud your individuality in this mongoose-eat-cobra world we live in. You will always be welcome at Drink & Walk, which resumes this Thursday at 6:00.