Ralph Steadman and the beer that outraged the US

[n2doc]

By Cahal Milmo
Saturday, 2 April 2011



Cartoonist Ralph Steadman's design for 'Raging Bitch' beer was banned

With his inky caricatures, Ralph Steadman has made a distinguished career out of pricking the pomposity of the establishment. But the British cartoonist is unlikely to have imagined that it would be his design for a beer label that would see his work banned on grounds of public health and the subject of a censorship battle now raging in the American courts.

The 74-year-old, whose work has featured frequently in The Independent, is at the heart of a legal case against an unlikely foe in the shape of the Michigan Liquor Commission, after it decided to ban a luridly named pale ale called Raging Bitch, on the grounds that his cartoon label and accompanying slogan was "detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare".

A claim for damages was this week brought by the US-based producer of the beer, which sells 900,000 cases worldwide – including in Britain – on the grounds that the decision violates the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of expression under the American Constitution and unfairly besmirches Steadman's right to produce eye-catching art.

more
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ralph-steadman-and-the-beer-that-outraged-the-us-2260116.html

[hlthe2b]

1. I have to say I'd feel sorry for female bartenders & waitresses....

who would undoubtedly be inundated with a few childish men, making much of telling her to bring them a "raging bitch" with all the silly asides. :eyes:

It would get real old in about 2 seconds.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. One reason I would never survive as a bartender/waitress

A customer would ask me for that just one time, and I'd hit him over the head with the bottle.




See, it's "artistic license" to make lewd and denigrating fun of women and then feel all wounded and hurt when someone points out you're an ass.



Go fuck yourself, Steadman, because no real woman would touch your drippy tool.



Tansy Gold, militant radical feminist b****

[some guy]

3. I'll disagree

and guess you didn't actually read the linked article.

" But officials in Michigan took against Steadman's creation, which consisted of an image of a slathering dog and a marketing blurb written by the cartoonist, who helped develop the notion of "Gonzo" with Thompson as writing in which the author's experience is at the heart of any story. "

You self-identify in your post as a b**** and make the assumption that Steadman is denigrating women. In fact, according to the article, the image is of a dog, presumably female, and therefore, accurately called a bitch.

If you're going to be President, you really should avail yourself of the known facts before you get all indignant.



some guy, who would likely vote for Tansy Gold despite her occasional gaffes. :)

[Tansy_Gold]

4. Actually, I DID read the linked article, partly because

i wanted to see if it had a clearer image of the label. It doesn't.

And I stand by what I said.

Using the "symbol" of the female dog in estrus as "raging" and "slathering" is indeed a denigration of The Female. Having owned several un-spayed female dogs -- all four canines in the current pack are neutered -- I can assure you that estrus does not turn them into "raging bitches."

Would you be so eager to defend artistic license if the name of the beer were "Happy N****r" with appropriate (?) Steadman cartoon?



Tansy Gold

[some guy]

32. No I wouldn't.

I think the root of our disagreement is in the combination of words.

Raging doesn't offend me.
Happy doesn't offend me.

B**** I avoid.
N***** I avoid.

The accepted term for a female dog is bitch,so since the label includes a drawing of a dog, I am willing to accept that. I'm not applauding the choice of name, nor am I offended. I understand it's marketing, and marketing like to be controversial and talked about.

I don't think there is any accepted usage for n*****.

You seem to be offended by both Raging and B****.

Suit yourself. In the end, I doubt either of us will be buying that particular beer. I know I won't, but not because of the name.

[some guy]

34. So, I'll come back to this

just for the humor aspect.

You are all indignant about the name of the beer. Apparently, you'd be fine with having it banned.

The focal point of the article is that it has been banned.

" A claim for damages was this week brought by the US-based producer of the beer, which sells 900,000 cases worldwide – including in Britain – on the grounds that the decision violates the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of expression under the American Constitution and unfairly besmirches Steadman's right to produce eye-catching art. "

So, you're all angry and upset - for what reason? You wrote, "Go fuck yourself, Steadman . . ."
and yet, he already got paid. He's not the one filing suit. Other than being a better-known name than Flying Dog Brewery, and having drawn the beer label, he doesn't seem to be actually involved.

If the headline had been "Flying Dog Brewery opposed to censorship of Michigan Liquor Commission"
what position would you take on this vital issue?

My thought would have been, "Flying Dog Brewery? Never heard of 'em." I might have read the article for the censorship perspective, I might have not even bothered.

I'm thinking you got used by the brewer, and the headline writer. But you haven't realized it yet.

I know President's are busy, but please, if you want my vote, be more attentive. :)

[hlthe2b]

9. It seems "some guys"...

just don't get it. :eyes:

FAIL big time.

[some guy]

33. Correct.

I fail to be outraged. :)

[some guy]

35. And I'll come back to you as well.

The subject of the article is that the beer has been banned, based on the label, not the content of the bottle.

So, yeah, I'm not afarid to stand on the liberal side of free speech (and shitty marketing) - as opposed to wanting to side with your seeming nanny-state position.

:D

[Warren DeMontague]

5. How is that any worse than drinks called "Sex on the beach" or "Screaming Orgasm"?

Look, if you're going to tend bar, you need sort of a thick skin IMHO.

[hlthe2b]

7. Neither of the examples you cite are sexist... Can you not see that?

Good gawd.... :banghead:

[Warren DeMontague]

8. Your example was that female bartenders and waitresses might be asked for a "raging bitch"

You don't think it might be uncomfortable for them to be asked for "Sex on the beach" or a "Screaming orgasm", too?

[hlthe2b]

10. It isn't the crude name, it is the misogynistically crude slur

You seem to be clueless to an infinite degree...:eyes:

[demmiblue]

11. He is not clueless, he knows exactly what he is doing. n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

23. If it makes you feel better, I promise I won't be drinking that beer any time soon.

Okay?

[Arctic Dave]

12. You haven't been to a bar lately.

Some of the names of drinks would make a salor blush. This would be in the PG section.

[hlthe2b]

14. FOR the umpteenth time, it isn't the crudity, it is the misogyny...

I guess the RW doesn't have the market on clueless misogyny.... sigh.....

[Sonoman]

15. Agreed. The millenials have drink names that surprise even me.

And I am one profane motherfucker.

Sonoman

[Cid_B]

20. Lets see...

Sex on the beach...

Blowjob...

9143 other sexually suggestive alcohol names...

[Warren DeMontague]

6. So nice that we don't have any actual problems on this planet

we have time to get outraged over a Ralph Steadman drawing on a fucking BEER.

[Tansy_Gold]

13. And exactly why are you not out solving the world's problems. . .

instead of posting on a stupid message board about a Ralph Steadman cartoon on a beer bottle?


Maybe Ralph Steadman IS part of a world-wide problem, namely the denigration of women, and particularly of women's sexuality.


TG

[Warren DeMontague]

21. Or, maybe it's just another excuse to get outraged about nonsense.

I *am* solving the world's problems- by fighting what I consider to be a major, global issue- the inability of many members of the human species to cease their constricted navel-gazing and narrow focus axe grinding long enough to put things into some perspective. That, and my cold fusion research.



And isn't there also a beer called "Arrogant Prick"? Where was the outrage over that??

[GReedDiamond]

27. Never heard of "Arrogant Prick" beer...

...but there is one called "Arrogant Bastard," and it's quite good, I highly recommend it.

[Warren DeMontague]

36. Ah. Maybe that's what I was thinking of.

:shrug:

[flvegan]

16. Flying Dog's Doggie Style is one of my favorites.

Tire Bite is quite good as well.

[hlthe2b]

18. Please don't tell me, flvegan that you can't see that the issue is not

sexually explicit and crude drink names. It is those that are sexist, stereotypical, misogynistic, and derisional towards women. I could care less if they call drinks by any sexual slang term you wish but I would be equally dismayed if they called a beer " I'm a limp prick" as one example. Funny how that latter one wouldn't be likely to sell but those that degrade women, will.

[flvegan]

19. Not in the least.

I was simply commenting that I liked one of their beers in particular while trying to draw attention to the idea that Flying Dog uses some sort of canine terminology in all their beers and are involved in canine related charities, etc. I don't care for the name because it's controversial enough to offend folks, while I think that Flying Dog was once again acting tongue-in-cheek (I suppose)in their naming process. I can certainly understand why people will find it derogatory towards women, and I'm not being an apologist for them. As a rescuer and all around dog person, I think I'm desensitized to the word "bitch" when used in any way, shape or form around a dog-related item or topic. I hope you don't think me to be misogynistic because of that. I would be up in arms if it were slut, whore, or any other hateful term for females, and honestly I should be with this one as well.

And you're absolutely right. If they made a non-alcoholic beer and called it "Neutered Male" or "Stud No More" it wouldn't sell, even to someone wanting non-alcoholic beer, just because of the name.

[hlthe2b]

22. No... that's why I asked...

You reassured me. Thanks... And, no I have no problem with that microbrewery's other beers and have enjoyed several in their lineup...Still a "fat tire" fan, myself, but they are local for me. ;)

[flvegan]

24. Love Fat Tire.

Can't get it here. At all.

[GodDamLiberal]

17. Here's a better pic

of the label

[Egnever]

25. Thats banned?

Why?


From peoples reactions on this thread I assumed it showed a woman.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. Clearly they won't be selling it at the Michigan Womyn's Festival. nt

[Egnever]

28. LOL

Clearly

[AtomicKitten]

29. .

oops - wrong place

[eShirl]

31. wow!

8.3% alcohol and 60 IBU

I'm personally not offended by the name/label, but I can certainly understand how others might be

[AtomicKitten]

30. Competition is fierce in the beer market, ergo the eye-popping name.

Most India-esque beers are waaaaay too hoppy for my discriminating palate.