I actually have part a receipt scotch taped to the magnetic strip on my card; works like a champ.

shudda thrown 5 hour energy in there... its only caffeine, nothing else

Nonsense. I don't know who this Klein guy is but he's either way behind the times or deliberately misleading.

Under Bush phone calls and emails were routinely monitered without a court order. They even proudly admitted to this once it was reported on and said that it was necessary to keep us all safe, and threw out all sorts of specious legalistic arguments to claim that they had the legal right to do this, even though these arguments were all laughably rediculous (the gist being that during "wartime", the president basically has dictatorial-like powers, something that even the right-leaning Supreme Court repeatedly rejected).

And ever since the revised FISA law was passed last summer (which Obama voted for despite having initially promised not to), it has been legal (but still of dubious constitutional legitimacy) for the government to spy on Americans without a warrant (provided that they're communicating with someone abroad). There are supposedly safeguards in this law, but they're very lenient and hard to enforce.

No, I'm not saying that "Big Brother" is spying on all of us. It has no reason to do this and the manpower and computational resources that would be necessary to do this effectively would be unimaginable. But it has the ability, both technological and legal, to do this selectively, and I don't doubt that it does do this, when it feels the need, whether or not it's justifiable on its face (i.e. to keep us safe).

You are so wrong. http://www.5hourenergy.com/ingredients.asp

You are so wrong. http://www.5hourenergy.com/ingredients.asp

William!!!

You must try "Rockstar Juiced Mango". http://www.rockstar69.com/product.php?pdt=4

It's like a freaking orgasm in your mouth. You'll be hooked once you try it, the energy drink connoisseur that you are

Evergreen 64, YOU are the one 'behind the times' Bush was caught doing something VERY illegal and shut down for it, it didn't happen all during his administration as you claim.

Nice job William, how about an article about the myth that drinking alcohol kills brain cells. Saw something about that on TV last week (an 'expert' said it just didn't happen no matter how much you drank), but haven't chased down the research that proves it is a lie.

Actually, kakkoii, Rockstar ANYTHING is a sugar bomb waiting to completely obliterate your energy levels once it wears off. I've been sorting through energy drinks for at least 4 years now, and have finally settled on 2 1/2 that I will regularly drink.

Red Bull tastes funny and zingy in a strange way; too much sugar,
not down with fake sweeteners like Aspartame and Glucosamine either.

Rock Star, same deal. Read the friggin ingredients on any Rock Star, a ridiculous boatload of sugar.

The 2 that I regularly drink are:

Bing, made in Denver, CO. 40 calories per can, very little sugar, made with real bing cherry juice, and has all sorts of awesome herbs, vitamins, and minerals.

Go Fast, also made in Denver. Sweetened with natural Australian honey. Tastes like watermelon. Pure awesomeness in a can. Go Fast lite has 30 calories. Less sodium and sugar than most other energy drinks.

William, I'll definitely check out Vigor if it's available in CO.

Actually, kakkoii, Rockstar ANYTHING is a sugar bomb waiting to completely obliterate your energy levels once it wears off. I've been sorting through energy drinks for at least 4 years now, and have finally settled on 2 1/2 that I will regularly drink.

Red Bull tastes funny and zingy in a strange way; too much sugar,
not down with fake sweeteners like Aspartame and Glucosamine either.

Rock Star, same deal. Read the friggin ingredients on any Rock Star, a ridiculous boatload of sugar.

The 2 that I regularly drink are:

Bing, made in Denver, CO. 40 calories per can, very little sugar, made with real bing cherry juice, and has all sorts of awesome herbs, vitamins, and minerals.

Go Fast, also made in Denver. Sweetened with natural Australian honey. Tastes like watermelon. Pure awesomeness in a can. Go Fast lite has 30 calories. Less sodium and sugar than most other energy drinks.

William, I'll definitely check out Vigor if it's available in CO.

@Jakemo136:

Lol, it's hardly a "sugar bomb". It has almost half the sugar of most cans of pop. It only has 22g.

Ingredients for the Rockstar Juiced flavor I'm talking about:
http://www.rockstar69.com/productIngredients.php?pdt=4

It also a ton of good vitamins and nutrients in there. And I absolutely love the taste. And yes it is funny and zingy, but in a nice way. And you really got swish it around and taste it's flavor, its amazing lol.

..lightweight

I walk into to world of large blackeye's and quad shots.

But I have been looking for an alternative, the excessive amount of caffeine is taking its toll. Monster is the only energy drink that I like (for now). Tried Red Bull, Rockstar, No Fear and didn't like em.

Sobe Adrenaline Rush, Full Throttle (yes these have tons of sugar), and Xyience Xenergy (no sugar). For the Xenergy, grab the Apple (tastes like a Sour Apple Jolly Rancher).

Monsters used to be my daily thing, or at least every other day. Then i realized they were great for a 3 to 5 hour stretch, but once your off it, you just crash and burn and become miserable. So i went to 5 hours energy drinks with 0 calories but the same effect. I now drink Redlines anytime i pull a 24 or just gaming really hard. Best drink ever made, 0 calories, same effect. Though i will say i still love all the monster flavors except the purple can.

My advice, stay off of 5 hour energy shots. The second one I ever tried (only 'energy drink' I drank for the day) poisoned me. I was in bed for 3 full days, every breath I took made my lungs feel on fire.

Thanks for the article, it was most excellent! I agree completely that different people will receive different results from energy drinks. For instance: Bawls energy drink gave me no energy at all, it tastes good but actually made me sleepy. NOS on the other hand always seems to keep me going, but I only drink it when I need that kinda energy. I wish I could try that Vigor you were talking about, maybe I'll have to shop online.
Also, thank you for stressing the point: "Everything in Moderation". I am glad that I'm not the only one who understands energy drinks are beneficial when used properly.

OK - its a tangent, but it's one that the article introduced and I have to comment on it.

The EFF is "knee-jerk" and, in context "illegitimate". But the ACLU is "legitimate" ? What makes an advocacy group "legitimate"? What loaded words. The ACLU has advocated for a bunch of crap over the years, hitting the right mark so infrequently that one could mistake it for an accident. What has the EFF done that is so whacked out it merits the designation "illegitimate" ?

Lionelhutz, as the editor of this article, I, too, chafed at William's description of the EFF as "knee jerk" in contrast to the ACLU, but since this is a column, I deferred to William's right to editorialize with his own opinion. Perhaps he will weigh in here with an explanation. In my opinion, both organizations are legitimate advocacy groups (as in, they have the right to exist and attempt to do the work they do).

This was not my verbiage; it was Klein's quotation. I chose to let his words and opinion stand as I try not to get too much in the way of my interviewees. I've interviewed the head of the EFF before, and I think it's a worthy organization.

Also, to all of the above, I do like the occasional Rockstar Juiced and plain ol' Rockstar, but the calories...well, you know my stance there. I don't know how people drink Monster , but the No Fear is a middle ground for me. It's always an effort to decide between milligrams of caffeine and total caloric intake. Those mochas I describe are either triples or quads, and I like mine with raspberry or caramel. Yes, indeed, if a little is good, more just might kill you. Slowly. :-\

My apologies--you're absolutely right--it is a direct quote. Mr. Klein is entitled to his opinion, and I doubt we're going to get any clarification from him, but if we do--great!