AJC.com > Opinion > Woman to Woman > Archives > 2008 > June > 20 > Entry
What’s behind the liberal - conservative ideological divide in America?
Shaunti Feldhahn, a right-leaning columnist, writes the commentary this week and Andrea Cornell Sarvady, a left-leaning columnist, responds.
Commentary
The fault for the widening liberal-conservative divide can be laid largely at the feet of an unwitting minority: those liberal intellectual elitist university professors and media leaders who are disproportionately influential in society. They probably have no intention of being agents of intolerance, division or elitism, but they are.
Barack Obama infamously commented that small-town, economically disadvantaged folks, “get bitter [and] cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them … as a way to explain their frustrations.” Hiding in those words are two chilling assumptions held by many a liberal elitist. First, Obama assumes the worst motivation for conservative values — social policy disagreements must be rooted in “antipathy to people who aren’t like them.” Second and more scary, liberal elitists believe no rational person would even hold conservative beliefs unless there was something incredibly wrong in that person’s world - those couldn’t possibly be a sane person’s real values.
As the late television journalist Charles Kuralt once put it, “What on earth did conservatism ever accomplish for our country?” Or as New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger proclaimed at a 2006 graduation, “You weren’t supposed to be graduating into a world where we are still fighting for fundamental human rights, whether it’s …the rights of gays to marry or the rights of women to choose… For that, I’m sorry.” Or actress-activist Janeane Garofalo: “The dumb and the mean find a nice home in the GOP…..What you have now [are] people that are closet racists…[and] homophobes … identifying [themselves] as conservative.”
Most liberals aren’t this elitist and condescending. But the small minority that are tend to have built strongholds in positions to spread their beliefs and influence how others think. For example, a 2007 American Enterprise Institute study found that liberal professors outnumbered conservatives five-to-one in fields like political science, and 20-to-one in fields like sociology. And the volume of bias is staggering. The Institute for Jewish and Community Research found that 3 percent of professors viewed Jews unfavorably, Nine percent viewed non-evangelical Christians unfavorably - but 53 percent viewed evangelical Christians unfavorably.
It is ironic that in their evangelical fervor to spread their beliefs, surrounded by others of like mind, liberal elitists may not even see how dangerous is their own “antipathy to people who aren’t like them.”
Rebuttal
We all come across as patronizing at times. That’s human nature. Yet to suggest in this day and age that “a certain type of liberal intellectual elitist” is responsible for the division between left and right is downright laughable. With daily battles playing out in the media, with commanders like Karl Rove and foot soldiers like Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity, the epicenter of the fault line can be emphatically traced to….political science professors? Charles Kuralt?
Though the left has its share of verbal missteps and deliberate put-downs, it simply can’t compete with the far-right arsenal when it comes to divisive rhetoric. Janeane Garafalo’s Air America is no match for legions of followers addicted to the bellicose braying of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly, the top junkyard dogs of political discourse. I won’t pretend that Democrats lack the stomach for down-and-dirty name-calling — the blogosphere proves otherwise every minute. Yet, for some reason, liberals aren’t drawn to the siren call of major media provocateurs in nearly the numbers that conservatives are. Keith Olbermann’s blistering attacks on the current administration have made his MSNBC show “Countdown” a money-making hit, yet fellow word warrior O’Reilly has more than twice as many viewers.
Rather than keeping score, however, why don’t we look at facts that indicate a new reality? The current election cycle is proving that many of us are putting down the weapons, trying to find a way to work together; it’s why John Edwards’ battle cry of “two Americas” rubbed voters the wrong way. You know that instead we’re looking at a New America when some young evangelicals find themselves drawn to Barack Obama and some older Democrats find a compatriot in Republican John McCain.
I’m as guilty as anyone for engaging in the childish “Mom, she started it!” debate about who created the poisoned atmosphere between liberals and conservatives. So let’s agree that, no matter who widened the divide, we’re all responsible for moving past resentment and blame. I propose the following plan for liberal Democrats and Christian evangelicals alike: We won’t think you’re insane for holding your beliefs if you won’t think we’re going to hell for ours.
Can I get an amen?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Ann Coulter books: “Slander: Liberal Lies about the American Right”, “Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to Terrorism”, “How to talk to a Liberal (If you Must)”, “Godless: The Church of Liberals”, and “If Liberals had any Brains, they’d be Republicans”
Jonah Goldberg “Liberal Fascism” (the question is, is he a Truth wannabe or is Truth a Jonah wannabe??? hrrrmmmmmm.), Mona Charen “Useful Idiots”
Media personalities/pundits/clowns on parade: Pat Buchanon, Dinesh D’Souza, Laura Ingraham, Michelle Malkin, Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Joe Scarborough, Tucker Carlson, Bob “It isn’t treason if it helps a Republican” Novak, George Will, David Brooks, Nicholas Kristoff, Thomas “6-more-months” Friedman, Atlanta’s own Neil Boortz … then there’s Bill O’Reilly and his “War on … ” (fill in the blank, Christmas, Easter, Christians, falafels)
… but, yeah other than those guys … the media is SOOOOO flippin liberal.
and any divide we have in these United States is aaaaalllll the fault of the meanie “liberal elite” - a handful of university professors no one has ever heard of and the media that is SO FLIPPIN COWED by their corporate owners, they don’t dare ask the president any questions in the lead-up to the war in Iraq.
go peddle it elsewhere, Shaunti, we’re not buying your crap.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
I’m as guilty as anyone for engaging in the childish “Mom, she started it!” debate about who created the poisoned atmosphere between liberals and conservatives. So let’s agree that, no matter who widened the divide, we’re all responsible for moving past resentment and blame.
and
I won’t pretend that Democrats lack the stomach for down-and-dirty name-calling — the blogosphere proves otherwise every minute.
Coded message to the blog?
By Truth
June 20, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
I propose the following plan for liberal Democrats and Christian evangelicals alike: We won’t think you’re insane for holding your beliefs if you won’t think we’re going to hell for ours.
That pretty much sums it up. the vast number of conservatives are not Christian evangelists, but Andrea is more than willing to march the goose step in vomiting the same old hate speech. The hate for anything religous is displayed on this forum daily, so that is certainly a good excuse to brand all conservatives as “evangelists”.* Any reason to hate will do just fine, thank you.
And Andrea please be sure to tell us when The current election cycle is proving that many of us are putting down the weapons, trying to find a way to work together;. Right.
Do you ever read the blog that carries your name? Can you point to a single post by anyone claiming to be a progressive that has in any way compromised ANY issue? This week has been post other post claiming that the domineering policies of progressives in forcing their beliefs upon others was first denied, but after one obvious example after another were presented, the discussion often became why that domineering stance was justified.
“We will stand up for our right to force our beliefs upon others.” Many constantly referred to that domineering as being “freedom”. It is a matter of “freedom” that Americans are now relegated to specific geographic or property boundaries before they can practice their right to worship how they please. Not exeacly laying down weapons.
When I first heard about Obama, I was impressed with his stance that he wanted to bring America together. He even had stated positive remarks about conservatives and Ronald Reagan. That didn’t last long. As soon as the liberal media started grilling him on those statement, he folded like a piece of paper.
My liberal friends are sending me the same propaganda that is being spread by e-mails on a daily basis. It is ALWAYS unsubstantiated garbage, put out by sites that are sponsored by the likes of George Soros, certainly not someone that has this country’s betterment in mind. But you would rather talk about a political opinion show like Limbaugh or Bill O’Rielly. which are all open to criticism by the dozens of liberal “political watch” foundations.
Look at the reaction I get for bringing up one of the most powerful, anti-American billionaires in the world, but go back and search and see how many times Rush Limbaugh is mentioned: a radio talk show hosts that is usually relegated to AM as held up as such a strong voice. In fact, you brought him up, just today. What a surprise.
Obama just folded (yet again) so he could collect over half a billion in campaign funds. How noble!! Folding a main point for the sake of the almighty dollar: Something that most anti-capitalistic progressives can really embrace. So it looks like Obama is anybody’s man. It’s just a matter of having a big enough bankroll. How much do you think he would charge to become a Republican?
By PreacherMan
June 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
AMEN
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
That pretty much sums it up. the vast number of conservatives are not Christian evangelists,
You simply choose to read it that way. She is pretty specific in addressing “Christian evangelists” in that statement and does not address all of the conservative or republican party.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Hooray!!! Just in time for Truth … from today’s WaPo
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061902197.html?hpid=sec-religion
A group that advocates separation of church and state filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to prevent South Carolina from becoming the first state to create “I Believe” license plates.
wait! wait! here’s the kicker …
Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed the lawsuit on behalf of two Christian pastors, a humanist pastor and a rabbi in South Carolina, along with the Hindu American Foundation.
but, wait! there’s more!!
But a Methodist pastor who joined the lawsuit, the retired Rev. Thomas Summers of Columbia, said the plate provokes discrimination.
“I think this license plate really is divisive and creates the type of religious discord I’ve devoted my life to healing,” he said.
Another of the ministers, the Rev. Robert Knight of Charleston, said the plates cheapen the Christian message.
“As an evangelical Christian, I don’t think civil religion enhances the Christian religion. It compromises it,” Knight said. “That’s the fundamental irony. It’s very shallow from a Christian standpoint.”
<<< waiting for Truth’s head to e’splode >>>
By Truth
June 20, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
“liberal elite” - a handful of university professors no one has ever heard of
But they have heard of Caralt and the certainly have heard of Dan Rather and Kary Couric all as politically biased as Ann Coulter, but hiding behind accepted media outlets while they spread their propaganda. Of course that’s OK. After all they are spreading the only real truth, right? They are justified in spreading stories that were not true because the end result is FREEDOM. Right?
Ahhh Freedom. Now pardon me while I go into the back room of the house to say my morning prayer. Don’t worry. I’ll keep it quiet. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Your freedom is in tact.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
“As an evangelical Christian, I don’t think civil religion enhances the Christian religion. It compromises it,” Knight said. “That’s the fundamental irony. It’s very shallow from a Christian standpoint.”
hrmmmm … now what quote does that remind me of??? Oh, I know:
Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government James Madison
<<< poking the bear >>>
<<< poke >>>
<<< poke >>>
<<< poke >>>
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
But they have heard of Caralt and the certainly have heard of Dan Rather and Kary Couric all as politically biased as Ann Coulter
If the best you can do is a guy who died in the mid-1990s, another guy who hasn’t been on the air in 8 years and a dimwit (“Airborn RAWKS!!!”) that nobody watches, then I think you prove my point for me.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
USinUK,
Nice find! Although the with us or against us policy dictates that they are now double-agents in the liberal agenda to tie every americans hands to the facets of freedom for all!
Damn us for limiting everyone to limitlessness unless it tramples on others freedoms!
I also like how the liberal side once again offers an olive branch and even THAT is offensive to THE TRUTH.
How goes your day sweetness? (hope you do not mind the casual address)
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Jokesy -
How goes your day sweetness? (hope you do not mind the casual address)
are you kidding??? 1) it’s Friday. 2) it isn’t raining (always a good thing in London). 3) talk about fun fodder!! between Shaunti and Truth today, it’s like a birthday TREAT with all the pinatas to bash around!! Life is GOOD, my friend!!
:-)
And you?? How’s my favorite dicto-fascist-islamo-terror-symp-elitist??
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
And you?? How’s my favorite dicto-fascist-islamo-terror-symp-elitist??
Doing darn well. Won all three of my pool games this week and also $40 off a total a$$ that always causes crap;)
Have work to do for a bit…so posting will be in spurts.
By MB
June 20, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Puritanism
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Jokesy -
don’t know if you were in Atlanta back in the 1980s/early 1990s, but my fav place to play pool USED to be Aunt Charley’s. Although it was right in the heart of Buckhead (blech), it was one of the most UN-Buckhead-y bars around! The staff was cool as were most of the customers (weekends were a toss-up) … Pool table inside, Bacci court outside.
aaahhhh … good times.
By MB
June 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Greed vs. altruism
By MB
June 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Greed vs. altruism
By MB
June 20, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Greed vs. altruism
By Truth
June 20, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
USinUK
LOL!! So you found two Christians, a humanist, a Rabbi and some Hindus who support your point. Oh yea. You are really bringing out the big guns to poke the bear. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I only had Dan Rather and Katy Couric, people that are hardly known by anyone.
I was just reading about the policies of sharia that is being practiced in many parts of the world. Now those guys really follow your brand of freedom. if what liberals do to Christians in this country is freedom, what they do is nirvana.
You guys should really look into that. Four Muslims are killed by Israeli rockets and it is the headlines for days. 1,000 Christians are slaughtered in the name of freedom and it is never mentioned in the news. It’s the perfect combination of hate and media control that is the “ideal environment” for progressive information systems. It is the perfect separation of church and state. And like America, it only goes after the Christian Church.
Now we are talking about REAL progressive freedom. Let’s strip down and have a parade!!!
By Mara
June 20, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
“You weren’t supposed to be graduating into a world where we are still fighting for fundamental human rights, whether it’s …the rights of gays to marry or the rights of women to choose… For that, I’m sorry.”
I’m confused…what exactly is Shaunti saying when she accuses a professor of being divisive (and maligning conservatives) because he admits he was wrong for thinking equality, freedom, and fundamental human rights would be secured for everyone by 2006 and apologizing for not having done more to ensure those freedoms for all people? How, exactly, is that an attack on conservatives?
And she brings up “Bitter-gate”? Again? Where, and when, did Obama say that bitterness and religiosity in the face of poverty and abandonment by government is a bad thing? As you all probably know, I grew up in a teeny tiny middle-of-nowhere town and when the one large employer moved out, people DID get angry and bitter (“19 years of loyalty and all they give me is a pink slip?”) and the church services WERE better attended. So? How is that an insult to ANYONE, let alone a conservative?
Bah-humbug. For every liberal you name who’s said something divisive, I bet I can name two or three conservatives who’ve said worse.
By Question
June 20, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Let’s strip down and have a parade
going to be any nice bodies there or just old uglies?
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Truth -
I only had Dan Rather and Katy Couric, people that are hardly known by anyone.
yep - someone no longer on the air and someone no one watches.
It’s another Count Floyd moment “ooooo … scary”
re: sharia and liberalism - yep, forcing women to wear a burkha, honor killings, and forced separation of the sexes is exactly like removing a nativity scene from the Capitol grounds. you just keep making those arguments, Truth. I just KNOW Harvard will be calling you to lead their debate team any. day. now.
By Gandalf, the Grey
June 20, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
EXPAT: I take it you don’t like Ann Coulter. She is very funny, you should read her books. That Jean Garafalo woman is pretty brutal in her own right. Have you listened to her? She is mean Jean. Don’t forget that little guys book, “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them”. That was pretty mean spirited… Air America is a failure because of it’s content and the fact that it has no substance. Conservative talk radio is successful because it’s entertaining, at least to a large enough group to make a profitable venture.
I had a revelation yesterday: Successful people who are liberal are guilty about something. They feel they don’t deserve the wealth they have received, and want to help people who made bad choices. Not help them make better choices, just help them stay down. Liberalism truly is a mental disorder. Why not help them make good choices? That is what will keep America great. People need to be coming together, not pushing apart.
Anyone in hear know any Afroamericans? Are you an Afroamerican if you come here legally from Africa and become a citizen? What about someone from Jamaica? Are the Jamerican? Am I a Euroamerican? What is an Asianamerican? Someone of asian descent or someone who came from Asia and became a citizen?
Divisiveness is the root of many of our problems. I want everyone reading this to declare that they are AMERICAN today.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
GtG -
hey buddy!! my father is a very proud Italian American (first generation born here) - he loves this country, but also loves his heritage. (oh, and he’s a republican - socially liberal but very fiscally conservative republican). I do like Jamerican, though - especially the strawberry kind. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t see that saying one person is a Polish American and another is an Italian American or Irish American or whatever is really that divisive - for better or for worse, we ARE a country of immigrants who share a common link that our forebears came here for a better life.
Well, most of our forebears - some were brought here so OTHER people could have a better life, but that’s a different discussion.
Successful people who are liberal are guilty about something. They feel they don’t deserve the wealth they have received, and want to help people who made bad choices. Not help them make better choices, just help them stay down
Well, you’re close, but not quite correct. I think you’re right on the liberal guilt - while I can’t speak for others, I do believe there’s an element of “there but for the grace of god go I” when we think of others who are less fortunate.
However, I disagree with the “help them stay down” part - that’s why we believe that education is key to help people have options in their life, so that they can make healthy/positive decisions.
As for the radio bit - I don’t listen to any of it - life’s too danged short. As for Ann Coulter being “funny” - I disagree with you there - she’s a one-trick harpy. But, that’s just my opinion, YMMV
By Archie
June 20, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
JokesOn, are you in a pool league??? Won all three of my pool games this week and also $40 off a total a$$ that always causes crap;) Now, I want to meet you and RF.
My response to the topic question is that money is behind the liberal conservative divide. Hell, Limbaugh and Hannity couldn’t make the money they make if they didn’t make outrageous statements. Coulter is a sharp lawyer and she is smart enough to see two guys that just graduated from high school make a ton of money talking s..t, so Coulter says I am smarter than them so I’ll just talk even more s..t. Oreilly sees the formula and now he’s a multimillionaire. Basically these people throw out a few facts and a whole lot of prejudice to keep reeling in their audience like suckers. You don’t have to be prejudiced to be a conservative for example see Colin Powell,Jack Kemp, and others. But if you want to make big bucks you have to bash a minority every now and then. Hell, bash Mexicans even though it’s mostly the rich,white guys illegally hiring them because most get angrier at the Mexicans than they do at the guy violating the law by hiring them. Fools that don’t understand this ride with shotguns to the border.
As for Democrats and the money they kinda steer certain contracts towards their friends. See former mayor Campbell or the mayor of Detroit or some ex-members of the Obama and Clinton campaigns. Some, some, I said some democrats really want to help all people but some just want to keep power amongst folk that look like them. They hate Bush but if it means giving up the power to control the money they’ll vote another Bush into office.
By Mara
June 20, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Examples of Coulters side splitting humor -
“If I’m going to say anything about John Edwards in the future, I’ll just wish he had been killed in a terrorist assassination plot.”
I have never seen people enjoying their husband’s deaths so much.” - on 9/11 widows who have been critical of the Bush administration
“We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens’ creme brulee.”
“Liberals love America like O.J. loved Nicole.”
“There are a lot of bad republicans; there are no good democrats.”
“We need to execute people like (John Walker Lindh) in order to physically intimidate liberals.”
“Whether they are defending the Soviet Union or bleating for Saddam Hussein, liberals are always against America. They are either traitors or idiots.”
“My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times Building.”
“Not exactly smashing stereotypes of liberals as mincing pantywaists, the left’s entire contribution to the war effort thus far has been to whine.”
“Liberals become indignant when you question their patriotism, but simultaneously work overtime to give terrorists a cushion for the next attack and laugh at dumb Americans who love their country and hate the enemy.”
“While the form of treachery varies slightly from case to case, liberals always manage to take the position that most undermines American security.”
~~ HA. HA. HA. ~~
By Truth
June 20, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
USinUk CBS evening news 5.23 million viewers, nightly during April. The worst showing ever for CBS News.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/30/nielsens.ap/index.html
The O’Reilly Factor Averaged 412,000 viewers nightly for April.
http://www.newshounds.us/2006/05/10/oreillylyingabouthisratings.php
O’Reilly is the top rated political opinion show on Cable and it draws 1/10th the viewership of Couric’s failing program on her worst week.
But nobody watches Couric.
that’s why we believe that education is key to help people have options in their life, so that they can make healthy/positive decisions.
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha
Do you mind if I take my laptop down the the housing projects that the democrats built and talk to the kids down there that the democrats have ran their education since the 60s and see what they think?
Man. What you need to believe in order to be a liberal.
By Gandalf, the Grey
June 20, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
MARA: glad to see you enjoy her humor too! She is one funny lady!
By Truth
June 20, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Mara
Some of her things aren’t meant to be funny, but almost all of it is true. But some of it is world class funny.
This is my favorite:
“Liberals love America like O.J. loved Nicole.”
I love that. It is so true.
I am hated on here because I say a lot of things that are true. Liberals don’t like to hear that Obama just folded one of his greatest stances and he did it purely for the money. It is like the old joke:
Man asked a woman if she will have sex with him for a million bucks. Without giving it a second thought, the woman said: For a million bucks? Yes I will. The man then says, OK. Will you have sex with me for 5 bucks. The woman instantly said: Hell no. What do you think I am? The man said: Oh we have established what you are. We are just negotiating a price. Obama now has a price. And I was wondering why Soros loves him so much.
Humor is always in the eye of the beholder. You thought the 1957-2007 post yesterday was about liberals. It was about America as a whole.
Conservatives have listened to most comedians since Johnny Carson attacking conservatives. If we were as closed minded and as thin skinned as most liberals, non of us would have laughed since 1968.
By Gandalf, the Grey
June 20, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
EXPAT: You missed my point about the use of the hyphenated American monikers. I have nothing against celebrating the culture of you ancestors. Was your dad born in Italy? Then he may claim to be an Apennine-American. It would be un-PC to use the name of a country, he must relate to the geographical location in which from he or his ancestors emigrate, but I digress.
Honor you ancestors, but live in the here and now. American is the word we should use to describe what we are, not some hyphenated b******* of American. Identifying with and normalizing to the current version of American society is what immigrants have done for centuries. The Irish, the Germans, the Italians were all hated when they came over; the Chinese had to build our railways, the poor Africans were traded by their own people into that horrible institution of slavery. An institution the REPUBLICANS put an end to by the way. But they all are better off today living in this great country of ours, yes even the descendents of Africans. We should strive to become a part of the whole, not a piece of it. Unite for a stronger America!
By Truth
June 20, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Gandalf
She’s fuuny in the “you need an open mind” kind of funny. You know, the way we laugh at Robyn Williams, George Carlin and Steve Harvey when they launch into one of their anti-conservative rants. You know, how Johnny Carson staged a personal vendetta against Dan Quaile. But his jokes were very funny. I once saw a Carson show that had Mel Brooks on the show. The Nixon jokes were as funny as anything I have ever seen. And of course this was during the Carter administration.
Comedians understand that liberals will not laugh at anything anti-liberal but conservatives have had to live with it for years so we usually have a much better sense of humor. (Or at least a much thicker skin)
There are a few comedians that go the other way, but they are banned from the mainstream media.
I like Seinfield. Larry David is a screaming liberal and it shows in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (perfect name for a liberal show) but the old Sienfield Show was pretty balanced.
By Jeez Louise & Criminy too!
June 20, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Does this f#%$&^%$#&(&^ moron have an off switch? What does he call himself? “Truth?” Wouldn’t that be kind of like James Carville calling himself “Pretty,” Jessica Simpson calling herself “Brainy,” Brittney Spears calling herself “Modest” or George W. Bush calling himself “The Pronouncer?”
You want to know why America is divided? Scrotumheads like this “Truth” fellow and finger-pointing WHINERS like Miz Feldhahn (“Ooooo, professers are librul and they’re supposed to be teaching patriotic, one-religion-specific values to my children! Wah wah wah!” No they’re not, Ditz. Professors tend to be smart, and are supposed to teach higher learning, which is why they make the likes of YOU uncomfortable.)
Let’s drop this “Truth” loser and his kind down a deep, deep well and put the lid back on. Then Americans will finally be able to talk to each other with some measure of respect and cooperation needed to solve our problems — WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED by Scrotumhead! “STFU, go have your kool-aid and arsenic cookies, so the grown ups who actually care about this country can have a conversation!”
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Archie,
JokesOn, are you in a pool league??? Won all three of my pool games this week and also $40 off a total a$$ that always causes crap;) Now, I want to meet you and RF.
Yep. Pretty good too.
By Mara
June 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
“I love that. It is so true”
uh, no it’s not. You believe it’s true, but that doesn’t make it so.
“I am hated on here because I say a lot of things that are true”
uh, no you aren’t. You’re “hated” because you are rude, insulting, apt to misquote and mischaracterize other people’s words, and represent your opinion as fact.
“Conservatives have listened to most comedians since Johnny Carson attacking conservatives”
the difference is that a comedian’s job is to make jokes. Coulter doesn’t even represent herself as a comedian. She refers to herself as a polemicist. If you can’t see a difference between someone who is paid to make fun of something and someone who makes money representing the thoughts of a particular group…well…buy a dictionary.
(BTW, Johnny Carson was an equal-opportunity mocker. He commented on the news. Who ever was in the news was who was getting skewered. Since you are still so p.o.’d at Carter, this one’s for you - “On Jimmy Carter: Carson as Carnac the Magnificent held up the envelope to his head, divined the answer — “Yes and no, pro and con, for and against” — opened the envelope and said, “Describe Jimmy Carter’s position on three major issues.”)
“There are a few comedians that go the other way, but they are banned from the mainstream media”
Yeah, nobody ever gets to see Drew Carey. Nobody’s heard of Dennis Miller. Cheryl Underwood isn’t on Comedy Central. Brad Stine has never been on “Nite at the Improv” and the Right Stuff comedy troup doesn’t get booked in any mainstream venues. Sheesh.
And those are just names this little liberal knows from memory. Had I decided to google “conservative comedians”, I don’t doubt I’d have found more…
maybe the problem isn’t a dearth of conservative comedians, it’s a shortage if funny conservatives comedians.
By screamitbrother
June 20, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
A poster with a semi-clever name appears with nothing to say but line after line of one personal attack after another against the poster called truth. And strangely enough, JokesOn appears as the next poster, being cool, calm and above the fray. Now that’s funny.
Why JokesOn must have an abusive little cowardly dim witted twit of a “bot” that follows him around and automatically knows when he is about to appear. That’s even funnier.
By Archie
June 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Yep. Pretty good too. Is it a 8-ball or is it a 9-ball league? I was in an 8-ball league more than 8 years ago. I don’t like 9-ball but when you see me blogging about my hanging out in bars and the stories I tell about women and their choice of dress, I am out shooting pool primarily 8-ball. It does feel good when you beat a jerk. JokesON, you probably understood a lot of stuff I blogged about women in those bars and you probably understand I never meant my words to apply to all women. Now I understand even more why you defended me. I visited Atlanta about 5 months ago and I didn’t hang out because of parental responsibility but please let these ladies know that most things I blog about may not apply to them and I will point out that I had several ladies on my first pool team. They didn’t win much but the guys on the other teams liked them and I had the most diverse team at the time.
By hillbilly ragger
June 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Andrea, just let me take this opportunity for me to express my deep appreciation of your incredible patience.
If I were handed a piece of bomb-throwing claptrap like Shaunti’s composed, I’d have simply typed “That sh!t’s retarded! GFY!” in response.
But I guess that’s why they pay ya the big bux…
Mara @ 11:24, I’ve been wondering the same thing about this stupid “Bitter-gate,” which has really turned into more of a right wing dogwhistle than a serious club to use against us. Why is what Obama said even remotely offensive to anyone? What is wrong about pointing out that people do cling to stuff that they find comforting when they’ve been treated like crap? What’s wrong with identifying those sources of comfort?
More to the point, what evidence is there that actual Americans who’d have even a slight inclination to vote for Obama, would take serious offense to those comments?
By Truth
June 20, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
screamitbrother
I think you are way out of line, Pal. JokesOn is a good guy. We have our differences, but he has ALWAYS been very fair to me. And his honesty is beyond reproach.
No. You are very wrong. JokesOn would never pretend to be someone that would be so abusive. After all, he likes watching children on the internet. He has talked about it dozens of times. How bad could he be if he likes watching children.
Now pardon me. I need to go and care for a crippled kitten, and maybe a butterfly.
By Dana Carvey
June 20, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
I totally skewer Al Gore in my latest HBO special for at least six minutes, and believe me, I throw in oodles of sexist humor about Hillary while wink wink nudge nudge understanding why Bill strays. I did a brief snicker at they way Bush’s eyebrows go up when he actually gets a sentence out right, and a good har-dee-har about Cheney blasting buckshot all over an elderly lawyer and getting respected for it instead of chastized. All in all, I’d say money has made me favor the Republicans and give them special treatment. Like Dennis Miller. Like Tim Russert. I’m going to miss that guy.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
By Mara
“I love that. It is so true”
uh, no it’s not. You believe it’s true, but that doesn’t make it so.
It’s not to you, but I see it everyday. OJ loved Nicole and it cost her her life. I see a very strong parallel.
uh, no you aren’t. You’re “hated” because you are rude, insulting, apt to misquote and mischaracterize other people’s words, and represent your opinion as fact.
That would be the exact same way you address myself and other conservatives. So does USinUK, Copyleft, JustaJew and of course the big joke. I am responding in kind. We could take any week and break down the posts and you would clearly (well anyone with an open mind) see that I answer civility in kind and I answer rudeness in kind. You and others just don’t like to be treated like you treat everyone else. Hell, the big joke even tries to hide under other names so he can be like the rest of you guys, but at least he realizes that he should be ashamed of what he does.
the difference is that a comedian’s job is to make jokes. Coulter doesn’t even represent herself as a comedian. She refers to herself as a polemicist. If you can’t see a difference between someone who is paid to make fun of something and someone who makes money representing the thoughts of a particular group…well…buy a dictionary.
Do you get out much? Have you seen any of the Film Makers Michael Moore’s films. It is one laugh after the next. People use laughter to prove their points. You may want to demand that Coulter isn’t a comedian and because of that, she isn’t allowed to be funny, but I disagree. I think it is funny that you think that way.
(BTW, Johnny Carson was an equal-opportunity mocker. He commented on the news. Who ever was in the news was who was getting skewered.
Not true. He did occasionally tell a joke about Carter, but they were so sad that few people laughed. Nixon, Reagan and Quaile were his favorite targets.
Since you are still so p.o.’d at Carter, this one’s for you - “On Jimmy Carter:
Carter? When have I ever been PO’ed at Carter? He knows me by name. I’ve worked with him several times, including traveling to Mexico for a job with habitat. I have spent the weekend in his and Rosalyn’s B&B in plains. Carter is one of the few democratic leaders that I like and respect. I said that Carson made fun of Nixon during the Carter administration because I was pointing out how far back Carson was reaching to find a republican to make fun of. If you spent half the time that you spend looking for things to attack me about, reading what I actually write, you might find that I am actually pretty fair.
Carson as Carnac the Magnificent held up the envelope to his head, divined the answer — “Yes and no, pro and con, for and against” — opened the envelope and said, “Describe Jimmy Carter’s position on three major issues.”)
Funny Stuff. Not exactly like the 8 minute diatribe against Dan Quaile that dominated the monologue on his final show, but funny stuff. (The diatribe was actually pretty sad. Most TV critics even pointed it out)
Yeah, nobody ever gets to see Drew Carey.
Nobody gets to see Carry making anti-liberal jokes. He is fine as long as he doesn’t attack liberals.
Nobody’s heard of Dennis Miller.
Not since he became a Republican. When he was on SNL, he was a rabid liberal.
Cheryl Underwood isn’t on Comedy Central. Brad Stine has never been on “Nite at the Improv” and the Right Stuff comedy troup doesn’t get booked in any mainstream venues. Sheesh.
Never heard of them.
And those are just names this little liberal knows from memory. Had I decided to google “conservative comedians”, I don’t doubt I’d have found more…
You should. And then I should google liberal comedians. Who do you think would find more? Who do you think would find many, many more that are allowed on the mainstream?
maybe the problem isn’t a dearth of conservative comedians, it’s a shortage if funny conservatives comedians.
We will never know. They usually aren’t allowed on TV.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
A poster with a semi-clever name appears with nothing to say but line after line of one personal attack after another against the poster called truth. And strangely enough, JokesOn appears as the next poster, being cool, calm and above the fray. Now that’s funny.
Why JokesOn must have an abusive little cowardly dim witted twit of a “bot” that follows him around and automatically knows when he is about to appear. That’s even funnier.
I actually and cool and calm, but I like to call out THE TRUTH since conversation is impossible with him. And for the rest of your comments: as my niece says, Whaaaat-evvvvvver.
I respect those who respect themselves. And people posting under bs names obviously are ashamed (as they should be). That includes the one liners from the various lurkers - even though I agree with their ribbing;)
Archie,
Now I understand even more why you defended me.
More that that, although I do believe we would see eye to eye, is that it is quite obvious who here means well but occasionally mis-speaks when trying to convey a subtle point in a hostile area of the subject.
My league shoots 8-ball BCA rules, which I really enjoy. And yes, the things you witness in a pool hall are trends worth speaking about, even if they are not the “norm” (if a norm exists).
By screamitbrother
June 20, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
JokesOn
He took up for you. Guess that kind of character isn’t in you.
What a stupid little twit.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
screamitbrother
Pal, you are out of line. Even though all these new posters have appeared since JokesOn has shown up and they all have the same diction and sentence structure, not to mention the exact same political stance and all have a unified attack against me, JOKESON SAYS IT ISN’T HIM AND WE SHOULD BELIEVE HIM.
I do and I’m sure everyone her does.
Just back off.
By Adam
June 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
as in ribless ribber, get it? hahahahaha
this is sticking up for someone? More delusions it seems.
JokesOn would never pretend to be someone that would be so abusive. After all, he likes watching children on the internet. He has talked about it dozens of times. How bad could he be if he likes watching children
this from someone who equates all porn with child porn.
kinda like blaming GM for auto-accidents.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
He took up for you. Guess that kind of character isn’t in you.
What a stupid little twit.
Maybe after his 3:05 post you will realize what I knew: Sarcasm. It is THE TRUTHs favorite way to be condescending.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
That would be the exact same way you address myself and other conservatives. So does USinUK, Copyleft, JustaJew and of course the big joke. I am responding in kind
I’m such a meanie. grrrrrrr …
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Mara
I’m sure you are going to run away because of the lack of tact in my last post to you. In the beginning of your post, you staged a personal attack against me. For that, there was the same kind of lack of civility in the return post.
THAT IS HOW IT WORKS. I have answered you taking a lot of care in being very tactful in the past because you didn’t attack me. Of course you don’t answer those posts.
If you and others really want this blog to become civil where people can actually exchange ideas, try being civil to people who disagree with you. RF was civil to me and we had a great conversation earlier in the week. USinUK and I used to have great conversations.
But DO NOT expect civility after you go out of your way to launch a personal attack. That is the way life works. I know you don’t like it, but it is the way it works.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Adam
Who mentioned Porn?
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
JokesOn
Just trying to help.
Sounds like you may be a little paranoid. Is everybody really against you?
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Truth -
your idea of civility is to accuse people of supporting child pornography, of conflating liberalism with the shia sect of the muslim religion, of saying that liberals have caused religious people to go into hiding
nobody here hates you, but, man, your condescension and sanctimony can be a pain in the patoot
you want to calmly discuss ideas, then great. put the hyperbole down and nobody gets hurt.
By Archie
June 20, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
My league shoots 8-ball BCA rules, which I really enjoy. And yes, the things you witness in a pool hall are trends worth speaking about, even if they are not the “norm” (if a norm exists). I am thinking about going out tonight. I am older than most of the people that hang out so I can observe certain things. 8-ball is a strategy game as well as a skill game as you know but I am tickled that we have that in common. I am trying to get you,JokesOn to vote for Obama. As for experience he’s going to have an experienced general and a good secretary of defense so as the old saying goes “no man’s an island”.
By Mara
June 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
personal attack?!! What personal attack?
Is saying that your opinion that something is true doesn’t make it true feel like a “personal attack”?
Is listing the reasons people don’t like you an “attack”, especially when it’s a correction of what you cite as a fact (i.e. - I am hated on here because I say a lot of things that are true)?
Hmmph. I can’t think of any topic where you weren’t the one to start the insults and name calling.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
USinUK
I don’t think you are a meanie, but you have very thin skin. And if you cannot prove me wrong, you get pretty insulting, which I return. Because of that, we don’t have civil discussions anymore.
You know how abusive the big joke has been while hiding behind other names, but he is your big buddy because he agrees with your politics. it doesn’t matter what he does, how unfair he is or how many unwarranted attacks he stages, nothing matters but the fact that he agrees with your politics.
I had a lot of respect for you and your opinions before you started doing that. I really used to look forward to talking to you, but you lay down with rats and you will soon be infested with fleas. The big joke is a coward and an idiot. You chose your side. And it certainly wasn’t the side of civility.
By Gandalf, the Grey
June 20, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
No one will be able to afford pool if Nobama is elected. No one will be able to afford gas if Nobama is elected. No one will be able to afford food if Nobama is elected.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Truth -
And if you cannot prove me wrong, you get pretty insulting, which I return. Because of that, we don’t have civil discussions anymore.
please. show me one insult. show me one personal attack. show me one time I’ve called you a name.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
USinUk
You said it. I accuse people. Did I accuse you? Do you understand what a personal attack even is? If you want to see a personal attack, read anything the big joke has written toward me in the last 6 months.
Yes, anyone who claims that “Yes occasionally some 17 year old might be involved in pornography” is like me saying that just because I had sex with a 17 year old, why am I going to jail?
the big joke is an abusive idiot, That’s not name calling. That’s a fact. He has brought more discourse to this forum than I ever could. Don’t believe me? Go back two weeks when I ignored him all week. Look at the dozens of personal attacks even though I wasn’t even answering.
Have you ever said one damned word to him about the constant string of attacks that he obviously can’t live without posting. EVEN ONE SINGLE WORD?
Don’t preach at me about anything I have said until you are ready to preach to the most abusive poster on the blog that just happens to believe in your brand of politics.
By Adam
June 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Adam Who mentioned Porn?
Thank you. By playing ignorant about what YOU had posted, you have supported and verified what people here are saying.
Thank you.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Sounds like you may be a little paranoid. Is everybody really against you?
Pro-jec-tion;)
Regarding the comments:
I can’t think of any topic where you weren’t the one to start the insults and name calling.
I’m sure you are going to run away because of the lack of tact in my last post to you. In the beginning of your post, you staged a personal attack against me.
You know what everyone? I do not agree with the notion of treating others how you are treated. A adult should (as hard as it is with THE TRUTH) have integrity in acting how the want to be perceived no matter what insults get thrown their way. So, in that light, I am going to stop any name calling even if some of those around are unable to do so also.
I know THE TRUTH will think I am also the posters ridiculing him under various names, but that cannot be helped.
Archie,
I am voting for Obama. I was simply looking at McCain seriously for what seemed like 2 months of him distancing himself from Bush. That was a tactic to get a few of us over and he has fell right into party lines after that brief period.
People can say what they wish, but I do look at everyone as an individual - it is just that sooo many people want others to label them and put them in a box. After they prove that, who am I to try to explain that they are more than a label?
By Adam
June 20, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Adam Who mentioned Porn
Thank you. By playing the ignoramus about what you yourself had posted(and we know what you meant), you verify and support exactly what is being said about you currently.
Thank You.!
By Truth
June 20, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Mara:
Hmmph. I can’t think of any topic where you weren’t the one to start the insults and name calling.
You don’t remember an hour ago?
You’re “hated” because you are rude, insulting, apt to misquote and mischaracterize other people’s words, and represent your opinion as fact.
Now what did I say about you personally that was an insult that spurrec that respones? Not what I said about liberals, but about you personally, because there is no doubt about who you are addressing when you are saying what you said.
You never remember any conversation that I didn’t start being rude just like you didn’t see what you did as a personal attack, even though you were attacking me personally.
The standards for you are the same as for me. You are no better than I am. If I am not addressing you personally, you have no reason to attack me personally.
If you take the things I or anyone else says about members of your political party as being personal, you don’t have the temprement to be on a political blog.
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Truth -
I accuse people. Did I accuse you? Do you understand what a personal attack even is? If you want to see a personal attack, read anything the big joke has written toward me in the last 6 months
I stay out of the fray between posters here on the board - you and Jokesy or Copy want to go after each other? then that’s between you guys.
However, when you say things like try being civil to people who disagree with you to Mara, it does sound a little like the pot. solly cholly, but that’s the way I see it.
I have never been rude to you or made a personal attack on you - nor have you on me. That’s the way I’d like for it to stay. We can argue like les chats et les chiens (and usually do) - but I attack your arguments and your logic, not YOU.
And, yes, 2 weeks ago in the Great Porn Bust-Up (no pun intended), you did accuse Jokesy of being pro kiddie porn when all of us said REPEATEDLY that our discussion was strictly about legal pornography (no kids, no pets). You decided to mischaracterize what we were saying - YOU did. So stop projecting.
So, I stand by my earlier post: your idea of civility is to accuse people of supporting child pornography, of conflating liberalism with the shia sect of the muslim religion, of saying that liberals have caused religious people to go into hiding
nobody here hates you, but, man, your condescension and sanctimony can be a pain in the patoot
you want to calmly discuss ideas, then great. put the hyperbole down and nobody gets hurt.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Look at what is happening right now. No two or three people can carry on a conversation with him going f*cking crazy. Post after post after post that is nothing but a long string of the most insulting string of personal attacks and everyone here sees it, but I am the villain.
We can be having a good day of just simple discussions, and he shows up with his troop of tag along sigs and you have what we are seeing right now. No one is answering what he is saying but literally dozens of posts, directed at me while you and the other self-righteous ones set and hold me in judgment.
I would respect what any of you said about me if you weren’t so damned blind at your own kind. It would be easy to just be mean. I would just need to sign on as a liberal and you clowns would back up whatever I said to anybody, as long asd they didn’t think like you.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Do you understand what a personal attack even is?
You’re “hated” because you are rude, insulting, apt to misquote and mischaracterize other people’s words, and represent your opinion as fact.
Now what did I say about you personally that was an insult that spurrec that respones?
Maybe she simply believes that to be the truth, not an attack.
Before you call the kettle anyting…the big joke is an abusive idiot, That’s not name calling. That’s a fact.
So, no matter your ignorance to how condescending and abusive you are (is that a personal attack? I am going to need a handbook for your squirreliness); I am no longer going to expect you to be able to tell the difference.
That by no means states that I will not address your incredible posts and generalizations.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Look at what is happening right now. No two or three people can carry on a conversation with him going fcking crazy. Post after post after post that is nothing but a long string of the most insulting string of personal attacks and everyone here sees it, but I am the villain.*
Simply not true. Sigh….
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
“No two or three people can carry on a conversation with him going fcking crazy. Post after post after post that is nothing but a long string of the most insulting string of personal attacks and everyone here sees it, but I am the villain”*
this is going effing crazy: (???)
I actually and cool and calm, but I like to call out THE TRUTH since conversation is impossible with him. And for the rest of your comments: as my niece says, Whaaaat-evvvvvver.
and this: (???)
You know what everyone? I do not agree with the notion of treating others how you are treated. A adult should (as hard as it is with THE TRUTH) have integrity in acting how the want to be perceived no matter what insults get thrown their way. So, in that light, I am going to stop any name calling even if some of those around are unable to do so also.
man. I wish the drunk people on the Tube would go that kind of crazy. it’d be a much nicer world.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
By USinUK
I stay out of the fray between posters here on the board - you and Jokesy or Copy want to go after each other? then that’s between you guys.
I call BS on that. You are defending the idiot right now, so don’t say you are staying out of the fray.
However, when you say things like try being civil to people who disagree with you to Mara, it does sound a little like the pot. solly cholly, but that’s the way I see it.
If I say bad things about liberals on a political forum, you think it is personal. I don’t. If what In say doesn’t apply to you, ignore it. Do you even know that I am not even a Christian? But I take the side of Christians because I don’t like how they are treated.
I have never been rude to you or made a personal attack on you - nor have you on me. That’s the way I’d like for it to stay. We can argue like les chats et les chiens (and usually do) - but I attack your arguments and your logic, not YOU.
I’d like it to stay that way too, but if you continue to take the side off an idiot, don’t expect the respect for your opinion,
And, yes, 2 weeks ago in the Great Porn Bust-Up (no pun intended), you did accuse Jokesy of being pro kiddie porn when all of us said REPEATEDLY that our discussion was strictly about legal pornography (no kids, no pets). You decided to mischaracterize what we were saying - YOU did. So stop projecting.
The question is why was it a great bust up?
If you go back and read my posts, I spent a lot of time explaining how porn shot in illegal states is sold as legal porn. Those videos have underage children in them, and that is according to every police pornography enforcement website you will visit. That was the only point I was trying to make. The screaming idiot would not allow civil discourse so getting that simple idea across to you was obviously impossible. You still didn’t know what the hell I was saying.
So, I stand by my earlier post: your idea of civility is to accuse people of supporting child pornography, of conflating liberalism with the shia sect of the muslim religion, of saying that liberals have caused religious people to go into hiding
nobody here hates you, but, man, your condescension and sanctimony can be a pain in the patoot
And so can yours and everyone else’s here. The problem is the problem we are having right now, at this very moment. You are a great person to discuss issues with until you start considering the side of the big joke. Did you even understand what I was trying to say about the porn industry or do you disagree with every law enforcement officer in the country?
When I first got here, I tried to talk about how religion played a part in ancient governments. Who in hell could disagree with that? But because of the screaming idiot, I was NEVER able to get that idea across and I would guarantee that you STILL don’t know what I was saying.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Even now you are out of control.
Chill out.
If you go back and read my posts, I spent a lot of time explaining how porn shot in illegal states is sold as legal porn. Those videos have underage children in them, and that is according to every police pornography enforcement website you will visit.
Yet you could not provide a single link backing up what you stated. It was a fine conversation until you did in fact state liberals advocated kiddie-porn.
You used the word “liberals” to address us specifically yet want us to believe that at other times when you name call “liberals” it does not apply to us?
You double talk constantly and knowingly misrepresent what we post. I seriously do not think you can see that.
And god forbid any of us use the same tactics you have applied so liberally on this blog!
By USinUK
June 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Truth -
You are defending the idiot right now, so don’t say you are staying out of the fray.
well when you say things that are blatantly untrue (such as the effing crazy comment above) I step in to correct the statement. It’s not in defense of anyone - it’s to correct a misstatement.
If I say bad things about liberals on a political forum, you think it is personal.
fercryingoutloud. Personal is saying someone supports kiddie porn and saying that all they want to do is look at kids on the internet. Personal is name-calling (such as “screaming idiot”). You have a problem with liberals - we all get that - but you take it WAAYYY beyond the political/socialogical sphere and you attack the people on this board.
Those videos have underage children in them, and that is according to every police pornography enforcement website you will visit <<>> Truth - ALL porn with kids in it is illegal, regardless of what state or, indeed, country it’s shot in.
As for why it was a bust-up - that was because you accused us all (but primarily Jokesy) of supporing child porn.
By Jeez Louise & Criminy too!
June 20, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
nobody here hates you, but, man, your condescension and sanctimony can be a pain in the patoot
I do. I hate him. So what? He’s what’s wrong with America. There it is: the elephant in the room. I can point to it if I want to. I love my country, and he’s what’s wrong with it. Deal.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
When I first got here, I tried to talk about how religion played a part in ancient governments. Who in hell could disagree with that? But because of the screaming idiot, I was NEVER able to get that idea across and I would guarantee that you STILL don’t know what I was saying.
I agreed with you that it did in the PAST, but then you went on to say that it should in the present. The same argument of government sponsored religion that you made this week. That is when everyone argued against you.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
USinUk
I really mean it when I say to have a good week next week. I’ll be in Virginia.
By JokesOn
June 20, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Honestly, I did not refer to you as anything else but “truth” until I got sick of your name calling. BigJoke this and dimwitted that….and not just to me. I can take it, and laugh at the childish nature of these things (including my own contribution to it, fyi). But, as soon as anyone confronts you directly, you call them halfwit or such and when they reply in kind, you state they cannot post without name calling.
Facts are facts. We can own up to ours, but can you do the same?
Either way… No name calling from me; if for no other reason than personal integrity.
By Truth
June 20, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
USinUK
I never accused anyone of supporting child porn except the person who was saying that the porn industry never exploits women or children. Did you say that? No you didn’t. I know what you said. Does it even matter what I said? You are going to believe what you want to believe and that is why I really couldn’t care less what you think about me.
Good luck with the big joke. You guys seem to have a lot in common. (snicker)
By William L. Fell
June 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
When are the republicans going to admit they know why so many more academics are left? It’s because the profs are mentally brighter and can see the better way to form a good society. The right is made up of a small number of smart people who know how to push the buttons of their slow witted dupes and gain the power to enrich the rich and widen the wealth gap. That’s what it’s all about folks.
By USinUK
June 23, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Truth -
I really mean it when I say to have a good week next week. I’ll be in Virginia.
on the off-chance you check in, see if the band Carbon Leaf is playing anywhere near your location - great local group!
By lovelyliz
June 23, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
What’s behind the liberal - conservative ideological divide in America?
Could it be that Democrats don’t look at a person who works hard but is struggling financially and blames it on said person not being blessed by God? Now, the Democrats love $$$ as much as the next person, but that isn’t their ultimate standard of a person’s success/worth.
By Truth
June 23, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
USinUk
I’m driving out at noon. I will be in the Southwest part of the state, down in the coal mining towns. Probably not going to be eating Sushi, but some really good brown beans and cornbread. The area is known for it’s apple orchards, country ham and home-made corn liquor. (When in Rome … )
Looks like this is going to be a lively week here. I didn’t realize that we blamed poor people for not being blessed by God. LOL!! See? If you would just vote Republican, you could be rich, like all those people living in mobile home parks that now vote Republican.
Sad news about old George Carlin. As soon as I woke to the alarm clock, they were telling he had died. Before they even mentioned it, I said the 7 words you can never say on television. I bought his and Bill Cosby’s albums. I think I still have most of them.
Have a good week. I am looking forward to getting out from behind the editors and breathing some fresh air.
By USinUK
June 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Truth -
Carbon Leaf is a UVA band (I think) - I know you’re there on a ghost shoot, but if you have an evening free, see if they’re around (they do a mean accoustic cover of Ozzy’s Crazy Train - on the mandolin, no less). Cool band - hint of bluegrass, but only a hint.
Enjoy the good eats - corn bread is proof of a kind and loving god, if you ask me.
Safe travels. Watch out for the ghosties.
By Archie
June 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
I am voting for Obama. I was simply looking at McCain seriously for what seemed like 2 months of him distancing himself from Bush. That was a tactic to get a few of us over and he has fell right into party lines after that brief period. Alright JokesON, If you played 8-ball this weekend I hope you did well. I didn’t play this weekend,I just kinda hungout and watched the female bar fights. It was incredible the amount of trouble females got into this past weekend and in protecting them the men started fighting as well.
As for the topic it’s all about the money and I sorta agree with the poster named William Fell. If there were a way to stop people from earning any money from these silly books attacking liberals or conservatives I guarantee you people would look at the facts closer and I believe we would have universal healthcare with a single payer and I believe the war would end and I believe college tuition would be cheaper. Basically you would have liberal people recommending marriage because once you take money out of politics you’re left with proposing common sense solutions and people don’t dig in to protect their precious politicians who manipulate them so easily.
By Victoria Eiland
June 23, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
“Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has no heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains.”
—Francois Guisot (1787-1874), later cribbed by (and mistakenly attributed to) Winston Churchill
Andrea won this argument. After all, the comments shows here illustrate her point that we all contribute to the problem.
By USinUK
June 23, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Re: George Carlin - While the 7 Deadly Words routine is funny, the thing that still gets me into a kink is Baseball vs. Football:
Baseball is a nineteenth-century pastoral game. Football is a twentieth-century technological struggle.
Baseball is played on a diamond, in a park.The baseball park! Football is played on a gridiron, in a stadium, sometimes called Soldier Field or War Memorial Stadium.
Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything’s dying.
In football you wear a helmet. In baseball you wear a cap.
Football is concerned with downs - what down is it? Baseball is concerned with ups - who’s up?
In football you receive a penalty. In baseball you make an error.
In football the specialist comes in to kick. In baseball the specialist comes in to relieve somebody.
Football has hitting, clipping, spearing, piling on, personal fouls, late hitting and unnecessary roughness. Baseball has the sacrifice.
Football is played in any kind of weather: rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog… In baseball, if it rains, we don’t go out to play.
Baseball has the seventh inning stretch. Football has the two minute warning.
Baseball has no time limit: we don’t know when it’s gonna end - might have extra innings. Football is rigidly timed, and it will end even if we’ve got to go to sudden death.
In baseball, during the game, in the stands, there’s kind of a picnic feeling; emotions may run high or low, but there’s not too much unpleasantness. In football, during the game in the stands, you can be sure that at least twenty-seven times you’re capable of taking the life of a fellow human being.
And finally, the objectives of the two games are completely different:
In football the object is for the quarterback, also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy’s defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! - I hope I’ll be safe at home!
RIP George!! you will be missed
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