The latest criticism of Free the Hops goes something like this – Congratulations on passing the bill. Maybe next time you guys can focus on something important. A less complimentary example is, I can’t believe you guys are spending all this time on beer while there are so many more important things to worry about in Alabama.
The first bad assumption in this argument is that all the members and leadership of Free the Hops would have started some other political campaign if we weren’t currently focused on beer. I highly doubt that is true. It’s not like Free the Hops was started by a group of mercenary grassroots activists searching for a cause. It was started by beer geeks who wanted a wider selection in Alabama. Most of us got political because of one motivation – freeing the hops.
From my observations, I would be surprised if 25% of the Alabama population could name either of their state legislators. A lot of Alabamians don’t even have a clear concept that there is a state legislature. In contrast, I bet most members of Free the Hops can tell you both their state senator and state representative. Many of them have probably talked to them on the phone or via email several times.
We’re not competing with other legislation and we’re not “stealing” concerned citizens for any cause. If anything, we’re providing a doorway for people to become interested in local government. One of our successes (and a personal goal of mine) was to have maximum participation of our membership in the political process. I didn’t think it was enough for Danner, Stuart, or a lobbyist to advocate for our bill. We had hundreds and later thousands of interested members and supporters who wanted to help how they could. At first, we directed them to the legislature’s own website to find the contact information for their elected representatives. Eventually, we built our own tool where people could learn everything they wanted to know about their legislators and their record with Free the Hops. Here are my guys. We have also never given our supporters a form letter or prepared statement to use when contacting their legislators. They called and emailed anyway and really went above and beyond.
Many of our members are passionate. They don’t just wait to hear if we pass or not, they follow our bill. Our members know to ask if our bill is “on the calendar.” If there’s a filibuster, they know who it is and why they’re filibustering. They know who is going to speak against our bill when it reaches the floor. They know a veto override in Alabama requires a simple majority, and they have an opinion about it. Some of us even listen to the live audio of the session. From my experience, I think Free the Hops members are some of the most knowledgeable and sophisticated activists in the state. There are literally thousands of new Alabamians interested in state government, and it’s all because of beer.
We got involved, and we made a difference. In the Hops Community, one of our most active members recently wrote, “The last three years have really opened my eyes. It’s clear to me that there is so much more at stake for the future of Alabama than just the FTH stuff.”
So if you think there is some political issue more important than beer, start your own organization. I might even join, and Free the Hops has thousands of knowledgable citizens who have become interested in local issues.
20 Comments
The criticism stems from jealousy, plain and simple. Grassroots efforts like FTH get results. Critics want the same results for their cause, without putting in the considerable effort that our FTH fearless leaders have.
Freeing the hops may not have been the most important issue in front of the legislature this year, but I dare say it was the tastiest.
Seconded.
excellent post. and, so very true: “There are literally thousands of new Alabamians interested in state government, and it’s all because of beer.”
I knew nothing about our state government, but since I joined in ’05 (?), I’ve gone to my neighborhood community center more than a few times to vote local and state elections.
FTH may be directly about changing beer laws, and bettering the state’s understanding of beer, but indirectly, it’s about a whole lot more than that.
Keep yourself busy getting things done (as FTH has done) and there’s little time to listen to trolls.
This is so true. I knew nothing about Alabama politics until I started listening to the mind-numbing audio sessions last year. FTH has sparked my curiosity of the legislative process but I doubt I’ll be listening to Senate audio again anytime soon….unless we have another bill!!
Dan, you hit the nail on the head, but you already knew that didn’t you. As Brian said above, grassroots is where its at, and this rings no truer than at the local level. What people with agendas or issues needs is that motivation to bring out activism in people. I appreciate you writing about this and I think you all did excellent, commendable work.
Free The Hops got me informed about, and interested in, Alabama politics. More so than that it proved to me that grass roots efforts, phone calls, and direct action actually can make a difference. Hopefully some of the people who say there are more important issues now have the hope, confidence and knowledge to stand up and fight for what they believe in. We owe these guys thanks for helping bring better beer to Alabama. However, all of Alabama owes them thanks for educating a large group of people about Alabama politics.
When people say something like, “Maybe now you guys could work on getting ethics reform passed,” I don’t think it’s because they don’t think that FTH was important or worthy of your time. I think that it’s actually a compliment on the amazing work you guys did.
As in, I can’t believe you managed to organize a grassroots effort and successfully get a bill signed in 4-5 years–what if ethics reform/the grocery tax/post conviction DNA testing/whatever had that kind of organization.
Anyway, you guys did an amazing thing.
For that particular comment, you may be correct. When explaining FTH to others, however, I have often gotten responses along the lines of, “As if there’s nothing better for our Congress to be working on? Why would you waste their time when there are more important things to get passed.”
I also recall hearing one of the state reps in a recording during the House vote chastising the other members for spending their time on the beer issue when they should be working on civil rights issues instead, or something like that.
This blog entry is spot on. FTH educated me in the legislative process in Alabama and got me involved in politics on a greater level than just voting. This kind of effort should be commended by all instead of condemned because it didn’t tackle a more noble cause. In fact I feel like I’d be more likely to email my legislators about an issue like health care now then I would have 6 months ago because of this organization. Now I see that voices can be heard when enough speak in unison.
Cheers to FTH for the political education, the bill victory, and for future bill victories.
There are several points, but I’ll be brief. First, I agree that I have learned more about the legislative process in these 2-3 years than I ever did in a pathetic Alabama school. We learn by doing. Second, a nice thing about this effort was that it did not cost nor did it ask for money from the State. The only thing to fight was political stances. Most “activists” want government to “fix” everything by throwing money at it and that opens up officials to all kinds of scrutiny. We simply wanted the government to get out of the way, and thankfully they have.
Beautifully said, Dan.
Hey, you guys (and gals) did great!
Anytime Alabama citizens get involved with the Alabama Legislative swamp and see firsthand how things operate, it’s a great thing.
I don’t drink beer (wine is my alcohol of choice), but I salute your accomplishment. And made a couple of phone calls on behalf of FTH too….
If these trolls were so concerned about the other things that need to be done, why were they wasting their time cutting people down online when they could have been out enacting change of their own? Pathetic.
I’m certainly a lot more involved in politics now than I was before FTH, and I’m sure it’s true for others. Beer isn’t as important as education funding or tax code reform, but we have proven that a committed group of citizens who care about an issue can indeed enact change, and that’s a powerful example to set for our state. Way to go, everyone!
I should point out that I’m not talking about random blog comments around the Internet or emails. We’re getting those too, but criticism from people online isn’t anything new and wouldn’t spur me to write a rebuttal.
I’ve been hearing this from local people, including some folks involved in local special elections in the Huntsville area, random people I work and socialize with, and stuff like that.
Honestly, if someone ever tried to give me slack about it, I would first mention that what I choose to do with my time is really none of anyone’s business but my own…
…and then I would also bring up that there are several causes one human mind can take on at one time. These people can set up an organization just like this, with a wonderful website and cultural following…but it’s easier to bitch.
Can’t wait to pour for Brewfest on Saturday!!!
Saturday, June 6th, right? Not this Saturday
haha, yes.
Also, this isn’t just about the beer. It’s about freedom of choice and the right to pursue happiness unencumbered by outdated, arbitrary legislation. Never mind the overall economic stimulus that this could provide many areas.
This was such a great example of how our democracy can work well, if the common folk get up off their butts and actually get engaged.
Plus I can now move to my new job in AL, and celebrate with great beer.
Negativity? Why can’t people just be happy for other peoples success? If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say any thing at all.