TEQUILA !

(TEQUILA !)

Happy Cinco de Mayo or May 5th. One can hope that a lot of you out there are awash in inebriation, seeking to mainline tequila shots or enjoying a nice margarita on the patio. Or, in other words, relax. Take a breath. De-compress. May 5th as it happens is the anniversary of Mexico's victory over French "occupation" of Mexico by Emperor Maximillian, brother to Austrian monarch Maria Theresa in what has been called the Battle of Puebla.

The reason France was in Mexico in the first place was that Mexico, after the Mexican-American War and a more civil conflict called the Reform War, had bankrupted Mexico City. Mexican President at the time was Benito Juarez, who repudiated all foreign debt, of which France, Spain, and the United Kingdom were all major holders. A naval expedition was dispatched to Veracruz and France's Napoleon III thought it would be a good idea to establish a French "empire" in Mexico. But, on May 5th, 1862, in the aforementioned Battle of Puebla, the French presence was removed. That might call for a Party.

So, Party ! Of course, these days, that is better said than done. All things being equal, all the colleges in the news of late, students normally would be up to their ears in beer, a keg for every floor. At least, that is what normal and on a Cinco de Mayo occasion ? But that can't happen now as the intensity and anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian feelings have become overwhelming.

But not all colleges are the same. Not all college protests are the same. While one sees the Marxist-inspired activity at Columbia and elsewhere, there is a great contrast in the south. At the University of North Carolin at Chapel Hill, instead of a Palestinian flag, hoisted an American Flag and sang the Star Spangled Banner. The scene was repeated at LSU and also the University of Mississippi where would be pro-Palestinian protesters were met by more conservative members of the various student bodies.

In time, things will return to normal, they have to. The truth is that most of the guys are out in these protests because they want to get laid. If one can recognize that basic reality that has been a fact of college life long before October 7th, then one will be able to get back to a simpler way of seeing things. So, party. Pop a keg, or several. And also look to a lime and salt and that shot. Taken.