10 Things I think I do NOT believe in

1. Obama's promise that I'll get to keep my current health plan and doctor if Obamacare passes
2. The doctrine of predestination
3. Capital punishment
4. Joining AARP 
5. Speed limits 
6. Atheism 
7. Alien abduction 
8. Veganism 
9. Temperance 
10. Moderation in defense of liberty 

Comments

[Mark in Spokane]

A good list, except for the part about the death penalty.

As longas you are talking about things you don't believe in, let me ask you a respectful question: when did you embrace gas for your barbeque grill? I mean, c'mon! Put the gas away and step up to real, serious grilling. Go for natural charcoal.

Someone with your sophistication when it comes to food and wine shouldn't need any convincing here. You can do it. You mastered corporate law. You made it to the top of the ivory tower rat race. You are an acknowledge expert on the law, a known authority. You can handle charcoal...

[Steve ("Professor") Bainbridge]

Mark: I like gas better than charcoal. It heats up faster. That's important for middle of the week meals. You can get very precise temperature control. A big grill can cook two different items at two different heat levels at the same time. With a natural gas line, I never have to worry about adding charcoal during a long grilling session. My grill has a side burner on which you can heat sauces in a pan or whatever. With wood chips, I get lots of smoke flavor. It's cheaper per BTU/hour. No ashes to dispose of, just a little foil pouch for the chips. Less fire risk. I can get my gas gill to over 700 degrees, which for things like pizza on a stone is ideal. All in all, charcoal is just snobbery. And, unlike wine, I am never snobbish about food.
Speaking of wine snobbery, I'm sort of proud of this post:
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2004/03/leiter-the-common-man-and-wine-snobbery.html

[Toe Cracker]

Yep, although I would save #3 for people who violate your list of rules (they must do so egregiously of course).

[sam]

Speed limits

You know, Steve, after having been reading you for years, I've become convinced that there's a very real war in your soul between the libertarian imps and the conservative angels.

[Toe Cracker]

I agree with gas for convienence, but natural charcoal for flavor. You also might want to try vine clippings (which I am sure you can pick up for nothing if you time your next California winery tour correctly). What I do is cut them into bundles, dry them out and then add them to charcoal fires as you would hickory or other wood chips. The French think wine vines make the best for grilling meats and it may be superior to even apple or cherry.

[save_the_rustbelt]

Obama has no intention of taking away your health plan.

The Democrats in Congress have very intention of destroying your health plan through the back door - destroying the economic viability over time.

[Mark in Spokane]

Professor,

As pointed out, I agree with you completely when it comes to convenience -- there is no question that gas is easier to use. But charcoal does add better flavor (without the gassy aftertaste!) and it allows for more inventive experimentation with woods. A simple Weber egg can produce amazing BBQ with charcoal and the right combination of wood.

My approach to this is the opposite of yours. I am more than willing to fiddle with charcoal and wood on my grill, but I am not much of a wine guy. I actually like two-buck Chuck!

Cheers!

[C.E. Petit]

You left two very, very important items off your list:

* The Dallas Cowboys
* Putting "amateur" and "USC athletics" in the same paragraph, let alone sentence (having grown up in Pac-8 country, I'm even more entitled to that objection than you are!)

[Chris]

No predestination?

[wcz]

What about instant replay or the DH?

[Drtaxsacto]

10 for 10!

[Joe]

Dallas Cowboys definitely count, but it makes sense to leave them off the list. They love to be hated.

Ironically though, Dallas Cowboys fans are gracious and polite. They are like Mormons taking on Evangelicals. As an opposing fan visiting Cowboy Stadium, you will always be treated with respect. It almost makes you feel bad for hating the Cowboys.

[Bababooey]

Of course you would say you don't believe in predestination.