The American Politics Appreciation Society
The American Politics Appreciaton Society is the good idea of James Coyle (former President, Young Labour) with some support from myself.
We realised that there was precious little for the average fan of American politics here in NZ. Hence the purpose of the Society is to provide the exchange of ideas, enthusiasm, knowledge and opinion (however ill-informed) among all people here in NZ who consider themselves fans of the American political system in all its convoluted, yet fascinating glory. Preferably our exchanges will always take place over pints and will involve fun and convivial debate.
Our aim to hold occassional or semi-regular meetings of the Society. Each meeting will involve a guest speaker of some repute who will deliver a talk on an aspect of American politics that they have considerable experience or knowledge of, followed by questions and discussion. The intention of the Society is to secure regular American-based speakers who work in the American political system and are out here on visits to NZ for some reason or another.
Meetings will also typically involve a quiz (devised by the Society’s founders) in order to establish the current reigning New Zealand ‘American Politics Nerd Champion’. The title is challengeable every time the Society meets and a fresh quiz held.
Meetings are held upstairs at the Backbencher on Molesworth St inside Wellington’s beltway, on Tuesday or Wednesday nights, circa 6-7.30 pm while the House breaks for dinner.
The Society is a strictly bi-partisan organisation and therefore welcomes fans of all political hue – welcomes fans of all political hue – from East Coast liberals, to the foreign policy hawks of DC; from the Reagan Democrats, to the Southern State Republican who decided to give Obama a go this time. The key membership requirement is enthusiasm for the topic.
You can get news of TAPAS events and speakers in three ways:
- Follow or subscribe to our TAPAS blog.
- Register your e-mail address with out Yahoo Groups mailing list.
- Join our TAPAS group on Facebook.
The first event is likely to be in June/July with an expert commentator from the United States talking about Obama’s first 100 days.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Meetings will also typically involve a quiz (devised by the Society’s founders) in order to establish the current reigning New Zealand ‘American Politics Nerd Champion’. The title is challengeable every time the Society meets and a fresh quiz held.
Or you could just hand over the award to Edgeler now and stay at home.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Sounds good but the magic negro’s disdain for capitalism puts me off American politics. Couldn’t stand being in the same room with any Obama lover…..Lord knows there are just too many of them. LOL
May 12th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Great idea! I’ll register but Wellington meetings may be out of the question. Good luck with it.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I applaud the intention – but a bi-partizan political fan club that chills the f*ck out and discusses things over a pint? I’ll believe that when I see it! See Dazzaman @ 11:46am for why.
….Oh and pop into Arty Bees’ bookshop for an hour and browse some of the US political paperback polemics – over there, political zealots hate each other hard enough to make Nicky Hagar look moderate.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I am sure Ratbiter that you find it hard to believe people can enjoy a beer with people whose politics they disagree with. Us adults don’t have any such problem and have been doing it for years.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
If this club is for “fans” of the American political system it may be quite small. Sure it is fascinating, sure it is entertaining, sure it is important, but “fan” implies approval. This I am personally unable to give.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
“I am sure Ratbiter that you find it hard to believe people can enjoy a beer with people whose politics they disagree with.”
True, but then I’ve seen so often how any dissention from the Nat/Act view gets shouted/shut down here, that I guess I just can’t imagine things being any different! More fool me…
May 12th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Hell that’s like having a smelly fart appreciation society. These people need hobbies.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
A society where members are fans of the walking dead who call themselves US senators.
A society where we would see people stating Palin is the next Thatcher.
It would be bloody funny watching Palin trying to handle PM’s question time in the Brit parliament.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Ratbiter, personal interaction changes the dynamic a bit, unsurprisingly.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
stephen – you’re a bigger man than me, then!
While I respect d4j inasmuch as he actually has a cause, and he stands for it unflinchingly (as opposed to much of the general flock of silver-spoon-gnawing Act worshippers, who masturbate one another endlessly with their anti-left catchphrases) there is just a bit too much venom among kiwibloggers, and too few hours in the day for this pundit to be interested in meeting up and taking all of the same screaming and abuse in real life…
I agree though Sol square is superb. Chch is a beautiful city in the summer; but in wintertime it is helpful to have a bunch of bars hunkered together like that to keep the cold out.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Well, I take Ryan’s word for it. That is, when talking to someone in person people somehow remember their manners. I suppose he has the advantage over most in that on KB he mostly just discusses ideas rather than pushing or condemning them, esp in the manner of afore mentioned Act worshippers which would otherwise make things a bit awkward perhaps.