Althouse: Chicago.

December 13, 2006

Chicago.

I'm here at a conference... the theme is political.

20 comments:

Sean Hackbarth said...: That's the best picture I've seen here.; 12/13/06, 5:38 PM
kentuckyliz said...: Hanging out with political movers and shakers in smoky back rooms?

Conducting voter registration drives in local cemeteries?

Jes' kiddin.; 12/13/06, 5:54 PM
Anonymous said...: It is a great pic. What's the cool old building? I used to live there--I should know! Although I didn't ever look at the city from that angle.; 12/13/06, 6:18 PM
Joe Giles said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 12/13/06, 6:54 PM
Revenant said...: Conducting voter registration drives in local cemeteries?

Hey, wait a second...

First, Althouse fell to second place in the Weblog Awards polls. The next thing we know, Ann's in the Windy City, having nebulous secret "discussions" about "politics". I think we can all see where this is going.; 12/13/06, 9:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Ah, Chicago. Love that town. If you get a chance, grab a bite to eat at Frontera Grill, especially if you like Mexican food.; 12/13/06, 10:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Mexican food? In Chicago? As a native San Antonian, the thought intrigues me.; 12/13/06, 10:49 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Yeah, I am here with Jonah Goldberg and a bunch of other conservatives... talking about conservatism. If you've ever really wanted proof that your humble blogger is not particularly conservative, you should see me in this context!; 12/13/06, 11:06 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks, Karl. If I ever get up to Chicago, I'll keep Topolobampo in mind. But, I have to admit, I'm quite partial to the hole-in-the-wall variety of Mexican food found all over the place in San Antonio. It would have to be a pretty good taco plate to prompt me to spend a pretty penny on it.; 12/13/06, 11:32 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm here at a conference... the theme is political.

What? I'm sure when you get close to any group of people, the theme becomes...avoidance.

..by the way, a tenured law professor in her late fifties really should know a bit more about hair colour.; 12/14/06, 1:43 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: Ann,

I have never quite understood why you were considered conservative. I remember your post about who you were going to vote for in 2004. You gave Kerry much more credit than did any real conservative I know.

But that analysis is what convinced me that you were one of the few real moderates I see anymore. For almost everyone else, it seems like their decisions were much more cut and dried: one candidate was ok/good and the other horrible.; 12/14/06, 6:24 AM
Anonymous said...: One more food suggestion, if I may: Garrett's Popcorn. Surely no one who loves caramel corn will disagree with me on that...

I was at Frontera Grill 2 weeks ago today, and the mahi-mahi was delicious. Our margaritas were near-perfect. We waited only a few minutes for a seat, although it was a Thursday.

Seven Machos: if there is usually an "absurd wait," it would seem many people disagree with you about the "Frontera Grill has gone down hill" idea.; 12/14/06, 7:03 AM
Ruth Anne Adams said...: I second the nomination for Garrett's popcorn. Even better: get a half-and-half mix of their cheese popcorn and caramel corn. Your fingers will be discolored, but your tummy will love it.

There was a pic of Siskel and Ebert getting their popcorn at Garrett's in the shop. That was a million years ago, so I don't know if they still have that photo up. But those guys know/knew their popcorn.; 12/14/06, 7:44 AM
Simon said...: Ann Althouse said...
"I am here with Jonah Goldberg and a bunch of other conservatives... talking about conservatism. If you've ever really wanted proof that your humble blogger is not particularly conservative, you should see me in this context!"

Ah, but I suppose the crucial question must be: are you open to persuasion on the point? ;); 12/14/06, 9:10 AM
Joe Giles said...: Careful with that Garrett's corn. There must be crack in it. Very addicting.; 12/14/06, 10:14 AM
Simon said...: Neil,
Maybe I missed something. Where was it said that Ann was an invited speaker at this conference, rather than just an attendee?; 12/14/06, 11:31 AM
Ann Althouse said...: This is a Liberty Fund conference, where the idea is to invite a diverse group of people -- 16 of us -- to sit around a table talking about a set of readings. There's a discussion leader and there's no audience. There are no presentations or prepared remarks. We just gab about the readings, in 6 sessions, each an hour and a half long. And we eat meals together and hang out in a hospitality room at the hotel. It's really cool.; 12/14/06, 4:30 PM
Simon said...: Ann - what were the readings?; 12/14/06, 4:36 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Simon: The subject is "Frank S. Meyer and the Fusion of Freedom and Tradition," that is the fusion of the libertarianism and conservatism. The main book is Meyer's "In Defense of Freedom." There are lots of articles on the subject as well, about 450 pages of reading.

I attended because I was invited by someone I respect, was interested in the other attendees, and I wanted to learn about the subject. I wasn't trying to prove anything about my politics.; 12/14/06, 4:43 PM
Simon said...: I'm faintly ashamed to say I've never read it, but from the Amazon reviews, it looks interesting.

"I wasn't trying to prove anything about my politics."

It seems that the only people who think that you were are the people who decided some time ago that they know all about your politics... In any event, merely to read conservative thought is not to be persuaded by it. It's a good start, though.;); 12/14/06, 5:17 PM