California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Thanks in part to yours truly, the continued insanity of the state of California has become something of a perennial pinata here at Ricochet. There's good reason that those of us who love the place are incensed. As the nation's most populous state comes to look more and more like the liberal id set free, there are two prevalent reactions: apathetic acceptance or picking up and moving. That leaves the ranks of those willing to fight for a better California ever-thinner. And when those dispirited few congregate, it's usually only a matter of minutes before the inevitable question is asked: "What will it take to get people agitated?"
In further testimony to the peculiar character of the arthritic colossus on the Pacific, we now have an answer: banning foie gras. As I'll be detailing in a forthcoming column for City Journal California, the ban -- which began July 1 -- has occasioned some remarkable acts of culinary civil disobedience.
At the Presidio Social Club in San Francisco, management defiantly left foie gras on the menu, declaring that the state law was inoperative because the club is located on federal land (they've since -- officially, at least -- knuckled under). At one restaurant in Orange County, they're serving a "complimentary" helping of the dish (the law prevents its sale, but not its distribution) if you buy a round of beers for the kitchen, a practice that -- in various permutations -- is taking place throughout the state. Other establishments have been more than willing to serve up foie gras if you bring the meat in yourself.
This is California as I'd like to see it: chippy in the face of stupidity. Yes, it took the prohibition of a chichi entree to get us there, but it's still progress. Now if only we can work up the same pique for taxes, spending, regulation, public-sector unions, bullet trains, and the transportation tar pits we (ironically) call freeways, we'll be getting somewhere. I'm not holding my breath quite yet.
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Comments:
Nov '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Somebody once told me that the reason there should be a ban on AK-47s is that nobody needs them. Well just to show that I am philosophically consistent, I'll say this: I don't think anyone needs fois gras. I didn't even know what it was until I just now googled it. I'll go so far as to say that I don't anyone should eat the stuff! But I'll defend to the death your right to eat it. I hope Jonah reads that bit right there!
Nov '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
I've now decided I'm going to start learning French. If Western Civ is going down, which it is (sorry, "happy warriors"), then I'd rather go down with silky French women and culinary magnificence. At least French socialists (A) are honest about being socialist. (B) they fully "get" the importance of nuclear power. And (C) they've got no problem force-feading stupid ducks and geese!
It's actually done -- or can be done -- very humanely -- a Rick Steves travel episode on the Dordogne demonstrated it.
Edited on July 27, 2012 at 12:53amMay '11
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
I ate foie gras once just to see what a liver fatter than mine tasted like. I don't think it was worthy of civil disobedience but then again I probably would't have gotten all worked up over a tax on tea.
Aug '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Having schooled in Cal for a couple years and happily visiting frequently, my numerous friends that live out there ( and uniformly appreciate foie gras ) all appear to wear their politics like so much makeup .Grazing the feminist makeup meme , I am sorry for my reception of these falsehoods impacting me as superficialities .Talk about tortured metaphors-
May '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Troy, I'm sure it doesn't taste nearly as good as fried chicken in Tennessee.
May '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Maybe hospitals can get around Obamacare by offering free surgery with a purchase of onion rings.
May '11
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
People getting riled up about a ban on foie gras also reminds me of the late sixties when Dick Gregory said that the war in Vietnam would be over in a minute if the government would draft poodles instead of America's sons.
Dec '11
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
Je suis bien d'accord.
Jun '12
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
When I get down, it is helpful for me to think, "Well, at least I don't live in California."
Dec '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
We should all be thinking about how much civil disobedience we are willing to participate in. It's coming.
Oct '11
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
May '10
Re: California Develops Some Spleen ... Over Liver
$360B in State debt, and the legislature is more concerned with geese livers than their own trade in Pork Barrels.