The Whiskey Speech
By: Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat, Jr.

 

Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat, Jr. was a judge, law professor, and state representative in the US State of Mississippi. He became notable for his 1952 speech on the floor of the Mississippi State Legislature concerning his position on the prohibition of alcohol which was still in force in the state at that time. Reportedly the speech took Sweat two and a half months to write. The speech is renowned for the grand rhetorical terms in which it seems to come down firmly and decisively on both sides of prohibition. The speech gave rise to the phrase “If by whiskey,” used to illustrate such equivocation of positions in an argument.

Is there a value in being able to argue a position from both sides before you decide? Most tough issues are tough because they do have two sides.

 

The Whisky Speech

My friends, I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, this is how I feel about whiskey:

If when you say whiskey you mean the devil’s brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

But, if when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman’s step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life’s great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.

*

(“Soggy” Sweat, Jr. was born in Alcorn County, entered elementary school at the age of four and graduated Corinth High School in 1939. His nickname was given to him by a classmate who thought his red hair resembled the tassel on a sorghum stalk. He began calling him “Soghum” which later turned into “Soggy”.)

You cannot always make everyone happy,
even therapists have office hours.
Anonymous

 

After Fred Astaire’s first screen test, a 1933 memo from the MGM testing director said, “Can’t act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.” Astaire kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.

When his older brother was killed during WWII, he first withdrew into a shell. Then he began to listen to the radio to ease his pain. Soon he was dreaming about hosting his own radio show. That led Dick Clark to start American Bandstand.

You are the only person on this earth who can use your ability.

Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes softly and sits on your shoulder.

IF THERE’S NO WIND, ROW.

 

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IF SYRIA, JORDAN, LEBANON, AND EGYPT ( Egypt let Hamas build border tunnels) STOP SUPPORTING IN-COUNTRY TERROR GROUPS IT WILL LAST.   IRAN IS A WHAT-EVER.

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2025/10/13/trump-proclaims-peace-in-jerusalem-beginning-of-the-age-of-faith-and-hope/

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THIS IS ONE REASON I WILL NEVER-EVER SUPPORT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

https://redstate.com/bonchie/2025/10/12/unbelievable-antony-blinken-gives-biden-credit-for-gaza-deal-shows-he-is-incapable-of-shame-n2194995

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It is a Democrat Party shut down.

https://www.breitbart.com/border/2025/10/12/schumer-shutdown-halts-tricare-medical-payments-for-military-families-jeopardizes-care/

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https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/10/11/trump-cheered-in-israel-even-cnn-makes-stunning-statements-about-him-and-obama-n2194974

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WITH PEACE IN GAZA WHERE WILL THE VIOLENT JEW HATERS TURN THEIR ATTENTION—-ICE seems the best choice.
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Alternate Super Bowl show.   TPUSA has another show you can watch at halftime if you don’t like Spanish Rap Music.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/10/09/the-all-american-halftime-show-tpusa-to-counter-superbowl-halftime-show-with-their-own-n2664719

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Melania’s documentary has a release date.

https://redstate.com/katie-jerkovich/2025/10/09/first-look-and-theatrical-release-date-drops-for-highly-anticipated-melania-trump-movie-melania-n2194915

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Several shot in South Carolina bar.

https://nypost.com/2025/10/12/us-news/4-dead-after-mass-shooting-at-popular-south-carolina-island-bar/

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POLITICS

This article has a misleading title.   It should read, Tylenol should NOT be given to babies.

https://nypost.com/2025/10/09/us-news/tylenol-used-after-circumcision-highly-likely-linked-to-autism-rfk-jr/

Poor corrupt California.

https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2025/10/11/thirty-california-district-attorneys-are-a-hard-no-on-gavin-newsoms-gerrymandering-scheme-prop-50-n2194954

OTHER

Many women can’t find a mature male.

https://nypost.com/2025/10/10/lifestyle/gen-z-and-millennial-women-are-going-celibate/

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Keith has an Antifa Handbook.   Minnesota, the land of Tampon Tim, Senator Klobuchar, and Ilhan Omar.  They have some wieners.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/10/12/minnesotas-ag-remarks-about-antifa-just-got-obliterated-n2664833

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A prayer helps.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2025/10/12/noem-prayer-before-law-enforcement-meeting-portland-n2664696

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The History Editor:   Were cats around with the dinosaurs, LL ?

The Small Cat:  No, the dinosaurs were before cats.   Here is a little history.

Large asteroids are bad news.

A little cat history.

THE:   Why did some cats remain small, TSC ?

When we saw that early man ( this is for those who believe in evolution of different species )  would kill his brother over a drink of polluted water from a mud hole, the wise cats decided to stay small and not be a threat to the ape people.   We knew they were going places.

Taylor Swift in ‘Cats’.

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As we reported a few days ago, many burgers require a lobster bib to eat.

https://theonion.com/heartbroken-man-realizes-he-only-loved-idea-of-fried-egg-on-burger/

https://www.washingtontimes.com/

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Taylor’s new song isn’t about anyone.

https://babylonbee.com/news/taylor-swift-assures-travis-kelce-that-new-song-dumb-hairy-football-jock-isnt-about-him

https://www.breitbart.com/

He will take care of you, so that you do not fall. The one who keeps you safe will not sleep.