wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Jo from Westchester September 18, 2007 - 10:07AM

  I belong to a daytime News Discussion Group run as part of the continuing education programme in Mamaroneck. There's a mixture of locals and expats from different countries - it is impossible to discuss news issues around the world without talking politics and we get into some "lively" debates. Love it but call it the weekly dose of depression.

  
  
• [2] Fred Gooltz from Hell's Kitchen September 18, 2007 - 11:05AM

  My third space (outside of work and home) to talk politics is at Drinking Liberally.

  There's a few chapters in NYC, the one I go to is every Thursday at Rudy's in Hell's Kitchen.

  It's a low-key social club and political hang-out. The regulars range from professional politicos, staffers, bloggers, but mostly we're just interested citizens.

  You can check it out at

  http://drinkingliberally.org/

  
  
• [3] mike connery from Brooklyn, NY September 18, 2007 - 11:35AM

  Drinking Liberally is the place I go to talk politics. You meet people from all over the city adn all walks of life - publishing, journalism, lawyers, etc. You also tend to meet political professionals. It's a great way to actually talk to someone in the system if you are on the outside, and a great place to debate, argue, rant or have a friendly chat about politics over a couple drinks with your fellow New Yorkers.

  Plus, it's national. So when you travel, you can always find a DL near you adn some friendly faces.

  
  
• [4] Josh September 18, 2007 - 11:42AM

  Drinking Liberally really is the best group out there at creating this kind of space where politics can be discussed. Title aside, it's not just for liberals - I've met plenty of moderates and conservatives at meetings - but for people who both like to have a good time and are concerned about the state of our country. Not only does Drinking Liberally have a alternate version for comedy fans (check out Laughing Liberally), but the national network just had a convention in Des Moines, right before the Tom Harkin Steak Fry.

  
  
• [5] Chris from brooklyn September 18, 2007 - 11:47AM

  I talk politics with people at work all time. Also with friends and family, wherever I may be with them.

  
  
• [6] Daniel Bavolack from Manhattan - Talking Politics September 18, 2007 - 11:48AM

  Monkey Room 4:00pm Ft. Washington at 187th Street

  
  
• [7] ab from nyc September 18, 2007 - 11:48AM

  Brian,

  Yikes...you must NOT be a liberal then...

  Liberals, are not like conservatives...WE argue with each other about everything!

  
  
• [8] Matt from Brooklyn September 18, 2007 - 11:48AM

  Much of my political talk happens during off-leash hours in Prospect Park in the morning. There is not a big variety of positions expressed, but my group of dog-owner friends and I often take time to think through the events of recent days.

  
  
• [9] Trevor from LIC September 18, 2007 - 11:49AM

  I used to work in a smoke shop in my old city where politics was discussed (mostly conservative and reactionary, lamentably), but I haven't found a congenial place yet in NY.

  
  
• [10] Carol from Hoboken, NJ September 18, 2007 - 11:49AM

  We talk politics almost every day in our local cafe. It's not a formally scheduled discussion, just one of the topics that come up. There can be a group of 2 to 20 people, most of whom know each other, but strangers are often drawn in as well.

  
  
• [11] eav from Eizabeth NJ September 18, 2007 - 11:51AM

  When I'm at college there winds up being talk of politics (conflicting and agreeing opinions)all over campus, but the campus center usually winds up being the most common place for these exchanges. And this applies to many different colleges. Often non student politically active groups would set up tables or hand out flyers in this area.

  
  
• [12] Joe Corrao from Brooklyn September 18, 2007 - 11:52AM

  Union Square is a great place to just show up when something is going on and engage in a spontaneous political talk...sched. talks are too tame...

  
  
• [13] Michael Penn from Washington Heights September 18, 2007 - 11:53AM

  I grew up near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in an extremely conservative rural area. There are some, but I'm one of the few liberals from the area.

  I travel back there regularly and always meet with a polar opposite conservative friend at TGI Friday's bar. It's great. We disagree on nearly everything but appreciated the informed, educated discussion as opposed to empty rhetoric we often hear even from our like-minded friends.

  
  
• [14] Brinton P. Baker from Accord, NY September 18, 2007 - 11:53AM

  I am a potter and talk politics in my studio with my customers all the time. Mostly local politics, but also national and international.

  I also battle, wasting much too much time, with my conservative family members via email.

  
  
• [15] Eliza from Buenos Aires September 18, 2007 - 11:54AM

  My favorite place to talk politics is in my Aunt Barbara's car. When I lived in New York City (the past 11 years), a few times a year we would meet up in Long Island and drive 6 hours north to visit my parents in Maine. I always looked forward to political discussions during the drive. My Aunt Barbara is one of the most informed, thoughtful, and passionate political thinkers in my life. I almost always agree with her opinions, but I find that she does give me new perspectives on issues because she's older and wiser than I am, and brings her many life experiences to the conversation. I know she listens to The Brian Lehrer show sometimes, so Aunt Barbara, if you're out there, hello!

  I also love to talk politics with anyone else who will take the time to talk to me. Friends, co-workers, teachers, students, family. We can talk politics in bars, kitchens, classrooms, buses, restaurants, anywhere. I love talking to people who agree with me, so it can be more like a pep rally than a debate. But I find that even if I am in a group of self-described liberals, we can find things to disagree about or things to question.

  
  
• [16] Chris from Queens September 18, 2007 - 12:08PM

  I'm a comic and Wednesdays at 8:00 at The Tank in Tribeca, 279 Church - comics try out their political material at what's called Laughing Liberally Laboratories.

  These stand ups tend to be independent to liberal on the scale. Some of the material is really good but the crowd is very well informed and Tank is so chill that you get to chat with everybody, crowd and comics about the jokes. Then over beers and smokes we tend to keep talking politics until late.

  
  
• [17] Shirley from North Jersey September 19, 2007 - 01:40PM

  A group of us in Northern New Jersey meet on the third Friday of every month to discuss many topics of general interest, and these very often involve politics. The group is called Socrates Cafe, and it is one of many chapters of this community discussion group founded by Chris Phillips. We meet in a conference room provided by St Mary's Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ, but it is a truly community group with Jews, Christians, agnostics, nonbelievers, and others contributing their opinions/experiences. All views are welcome but must be presented in a calm and respectful manner. The moderator ensures this. We discuss a topic for about 45 minutes, we take a 'cafe break' and then (usually) discuss another topic. At the end of the meeting, topics are proposed for the next meeting but often are replaced when we meet again. We vote on all discussion topics. Proposed topics for the meeting this Friday are "How should misrepresentations in history be corrected?" and "Is the space program worth the risks?"

  Anyone interested in joining us, please call 973-835-2694.