tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7813070319305000032024-03-14T05:52:49.943-04:00Immoderate MonkA home for comments prevented from appearing on or removed from the blogs to which I comment, because--while I'm willing to speak to those who moderate for content--I'm not willing to allow anyone else to decide whether my comments deserve to see the light of day. (Yes, another tweaking of this blog's true purpose, made on 4/30/10)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-32426630452703210362011-12-24T06:24:00.000-05:002011-12-24T07:53:45.734-05:00Merry Christmas 2011I became aware of these two videos within 24 hours of each other, and they both make me smile...<br />
<br />
At first I envisioned some kinda east coast <--> west coast chick singin' let it all hang out goofy Christmas song video rivalry, like them rappers used to have... (That is what them rappers used to have, yes?!?)<br />
<br />
But the fact is, I'd much rather see 'em workin' together, sometime, somewhere... I think they're both phenomenal talents, and I urge anyone unfamiliar to get to know these performers better... (Obviously, this isn't their best work, but for what they are, these videos are pretty great...) <br />
<br />
<br />
East Coast: Antigone Rising<br />
<br />
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WIAdt0_oVpI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
West Coast: Francesca Valle<br />
<br />
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g3crJZ0JH54" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
For more info:<br />
<a href="http://antigonerising.com/">Antigone Rising</a><br />
<a href="http://francescavalle.com/fr_home.cfm">Francesca Valle</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Merry happy, everyone... Celebrate, and be joyous.repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-13730213076537105142010-12-24T18:00:00.000-05:002010-12-24T18:00:05.340-05:00Merry Christmas, Happy Winter HolidayAll my best to all who pass this way, and all who love them... May Christmas be as sacred as your faith and reason allow. Whether you find yourselves at midnight mass or going out for Chinese, may you celebrate with friends, family, food, and fun.<br />
<br />
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm letting those I disagree with be just as wrong as they want to be for the next 24 hours or so... Life's too short, and my faith calls for peace, love, and joy 'round now... May everyone reading these words get all of 'em, to overflowing...<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas, and God bless...repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-14058987777829675352010-09-26T09:46:00.003-04:002010-09-27T03:49:47.221-04:00Deleted: Liberty Pundits Blog - Dr. Gottheil's Statement of Concern is now posted at PetitionsOnline.comThe following comment, posted to the Liberty Pundits Blog post <a href="http://libertypundits.net/article/american-academia-condemn-israel-love-muslims/#comment-80880337">American academia: Condemn Israel, love Muslims</a> on Saturday, 09/25/2010 at 04:14 PM (LP blog time) was subsequently deleted (technically "<i>flagged for review</i>") within 12 hours or so of my posting it:<br />
<blockquote>Dr. Gottheil's <i>Statement of Concern</i> is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com, and is accepting signatures from anyone willing to speak out against human rights abuses in the Middle East. As you're obviously interested in the story, I urge you to step up and sign it: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/fmgott/petition.html">Support Regarding Discrimination in the Middle East against Women, Gays, and Lesbians Petition</a><br />
<br />
Obviously, we'll be counting on everyone here to reply to this request.</blockquote>Here's how I made note of it at the <a href="http://whatdisay.blogspot.com/2010/09/dr-gottheils-statement-of-concern-is.html">blog post</a> where I'm tracking these "<i>invitations to stand up against human rights abuses in the Middle East</i>" at the various blogs to which I've posted or submitted them:<br />
<blockquote><i><b>*** 9/26 ***</b> - It seems that Liberty Pundits here flagged my previously posted comment for review. Y'all see what I posted at all these sites... Is a comment asking folks to sign s Statement of Concern about human rights in the Middle East, at a post about that very same Statement, critical of the fact that a whole lotta previous folks <b>didn't</b> sign onto it, somehow off topic or offensive? Or is it that Liberty Pundits hates liberals (and/or muslims) more than they love supporting God given natural rights for all mankind? Hypocrisy? You decide. <b>***</b></i></blockquote>This is the fourth rightwing blog to either remove my posted request to sign the petition, or obviously fail to approve it's appearance (at blogs pre-moderated for content, a practice I find questionable, to begin with.) <br />
<br />
All I can say is, I'm pretty disappointed in these rightwing bloggers. They claim to stand for human rights, and be so indignant when others--folks they disagree with politically, natch--fail to heed the call. And then they fail to heed the same call, themselves. It's pretty sad to see...repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-157930315885025362010-09-26T03:31:00.001-04:002010-09-27T03:48:51.157-04:00Moderated: Thoughts From A Conservative Mom (blog): Dr. Gottheil's 'Statement of Concern is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com...Though I submitted the following comment to the "Thoughts From A Conservative Mom" blog post <br />
<a href="http://www.thoughtsfromaconservativemom.com/?p=12761&cpage=1#comment-6274">Prof calls fellow academics ‘sanctimonious bigots’</a> on 9/25/2010, the fact that other posts and comments were posted there, but my comment never showed up, lead me to believe that my comment was moderated away. A visit to my blog from an administrator at this blog (thanks web traffic counter) later that day pretty much confirmed it. My comment:<br />
<blockquote>Dr. Gottheil's <i>Statement of Concern</i> is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com, and is accepting signatures from anyone willing to speak out against human rights abuses in the Middle East. As you're obviously interested in the story, I urge you to step up and sign it: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/fmgott/petition.html">Support Regarding Discrimination in the Middle East against Women, Gays, and Lesbians Petition</a><br />
<br />
Obviously, we'll be counting on everyone here to reply to this request.</blockquote>Here's how I made note of it at the <a href="http://whatdisay.blogspot.com/2010/09/dr-gottheils-statement-of-concern-is.html">blog post</a> where I'm tracking these "<i>invites to sign the Statement</i>" that I'm posting on rightwing blogs:<br />
<blockquote><i><b>9/25 - ***</b> Rachel at 'Thoughts From A Conservative Mom' here, obviously doesn't really care much about the rights of muslim women or gay folks, because she chose not to allow my comment about signing Dr Gottheil's Statement of Concern to appear. Not only didn't she reply to Dr Gottheil's plea (very much like those "sanctimonious, bigoted" academics failed to do), she doesn't want her readers to reply, either. Let human rights be someone else's problem, I guess... Sanctimony and hypocrisy walk hand in hand, sometimes... <b>***</b></i></blockquote>Needless to say, I'm disappointed in her...repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-81289237723909809512010-09-25T21:34:00.005-04:002010-09-27T02:40:15.561-04:00Moderated: American Power (blog): Dr. Gottheil's 'Statement of Concern is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com...Sometime on Friday, 9/24/2010, I submitted the following comment to the American Power blog post <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/sanctimonious-bigots-leftist-professors.html">'Sanctimonious Bigots' – Leftist Professors and Double Standards</a>. (I can't recall the actual time, except to say it was before 9:30 PM.):<br />
<blockquote>Dr. Gottheil's <i>Statement of Concern</i> is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com, and is accepting signatures from anyone willing to speak out against human rights abuses in the Middle East. As you're obviously interested in the story, I urge you to step up and sign it: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/fmgott/petition.html">Support Regarding Discrimination in the Middle East against Women, Gays, and Lesbians Petition</a><br />
<br />
Obviously, we'll be counting on everyone here to reply to this request.</blockquote>After waiting about 12 hours, I noted the following at the <a href="http://whatdisay.blogspot.com/2010/09/dr-gottheils-statement-of-concern-is.html">blog post</a> where I've been tracking responses to my "<i>sign the Statement against human rights abuses in the Middle East</i>" commentary on rightwing blogs: <br />
<blockquote><i><b>9/25 - ***</b> Dr. Douglas has added several posts to his blog since I submitted my comment, so I reluctantly have to assume that he has rejected my comment asking he and his readers to step up and sign Dr. Gottheil's Statement of Concern. As he is both a conservative and an academic in the field of political science, I'm most disappointed in his obvious lack of concern for the human rights of women, gays, and lesbians in the Middle East. Given the chance to reply (figuratively, anyway) to Dr Gottheil's e-mail plea--a plea we can be almost certain Dr Douglas received and read--he chose not to step up, just like those "leftist" (and likely "<a href="http://americannihilistblog.blogspot.com/">nihilist</a>" or "demonic," too) professors that he posted about failed to do. Double standard? You decide. <b>***</b></i></blockquote>One has to wonder why Dr Douglas did not allow that comment to post, effectively refusing to reply to the Statement of Concern (or for that matter, allow his readers to do so), just like the professors he criticizes. Could it be that he is exhibiting the same kinda double standards that he's railing about in his post? One has to wonder...repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-3941178333061674102010-09-25T09:20:00.002-04:002010-09-25T09:56:39.075-04:00Deleted: DUFF & NONSENSE! (blog) - Dr. Gottheil's Statement of Concern is now posted at PetitionsOnline.comThe following comment was posted on 9/24/10, at 9:00 PM (or thereabouts), to the blog DUFF & NONSENSE!, at the post <a href="http://duffandnonsense.typepad.com/duff_nonsense/2010/09/humbug-and-humbuggers.html?cid=6a00d8341c5caf53ef0133f4904533970b#comment-6a00d8341c5caf53ef0133f4904533970b">Humbug and humbuggers!</a>, which was harshly critical of liberal academics who had signed a petition critical of the Israeli government, but subsequently failed to reply to a single unsolicited e-mail request from Dr. Fred Gottheil, a fellow professor they had likely never heard of, asking them to sign a statement against human rights abuses in other countries in the Middle East.:<br />
<blockquote>Dr. Gottheil's <i>Statement of Concern</i> is now posted at PetitionsOnline.com, and is accepting signatures from anyone willing to speak out against human rights abuses in the Middle East. As you're obviously interested in the story, I urge you to step up and sign it: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/fmgott/petition.html">Support Regarding Discrimination in the Middle East against Women, Gays, and Lesbians Petition</a><br />
<br />
Obviously, we'll be counting on everyone here to reply to this request.</blockquote>Disappointingly, as of 9:20 AM on 9/25/10 (less than 24 hours later), this blogger seems to've deleted my comment, as well as the backlink to <a href="http://whatdisay.blogspot.com/2010/09/dr-gottheils-statement-of-concern-is.html">a post I'd made at another blog</a> describing my attempts to get folks to sign onto the petition. How should we judge this behavior, when evaluating this conservative's commitment to human rights? Duff sure seemed to care when it was liberal academics who weren't stepping up, but when it's his turn to speak out, he chooses not to do so himself, or to allow any of his readers the opportunity to do so, either. Hypocrisy? You decide.<br />
<br />
All I know is that I'm damned disappointed in him... Humbug and piles of brown, indeed.repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-39210346958688399182010-09-21T17:52:00.003-04:002010-09-22T16:33:34.135-04:00Moderated: In Reply: Donald Douglas tears up and runs for the cover of his moderator "Delete" button.Submitted for approval 9/20/10, 5:52 PM<br />
...and rejected for publication, of course. (As I said below, it's the only way he can legitimately feel like he's "won.")<br />
---<br />
<br />
Rather than post <a href="http://immoderatemonk.blogspot.com/2010/09/moderated-in-reply-douglas-strikes-back.html">my previous comment</a> in full, Dr. Douglas rejects it as unworthy of publication, but then <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/anti-intellectualism-and-marxist-idea.html?showComment=1285018101920#c3473396147874000418">quotes a piece of it</a> for his attempt at rebuttal, safe in the knowledge that I cannot reply where his readers will likely see it...<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Repsac3:<br />
<br />
You're banned, as always. <br />
<br />
That said, this is fail:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"...you pick a definition out of a lexicographer's hat. And again you fail to show with real-world examples..."</blockquote><br />
First you claim no definitions. Then when supplied you reject them. And who's doing the twisting? I've got you guys pinned down. You're done. You got your moment in my comment section. You DON'T get your own milk crate to make a speech. Go back to your shithole of a blog and do what you do best: nihilist hate and demonology with all the other idiots fucks who drag their knuckles over there.</i></blockquote>Classic. <br />
<br />
Just classic...<br />
<br />
I replied, anyway...<br />
---<br />
<br />
Quoting a part of my reply without posting the comment is cowardly. (But you already knew that, didn't you?) <br />
<br />
I'm guessing it's the only way you can feel as though you've "won," however...<br />
<br />
Whatever, Dr. Douglas... Enjoy your "victory..." And come on by, should you ever wish to have a complete (and unfortunate for you, unmoderated) discussion... Your many detractors welcome you to visit their blogs, anytime you wish... ...though we doubt you have the courage to take any of us on without your handy delete button, anymore... It's the only "american power," you have left.repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-52495550985578441142010-09-21T16:01:00.003-04:002010-09-22T16:17:41.286-04:00Moderated: In Reply: The Douglas Strikes BackSubmitted for <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/anti-intellectualism-and-marxist-idea.html?showComment=1284997056200#c5518116649276155202">American Power blog</a> moderator approval Monday, 9/20/10, 4:01 PM (WIS blog time)...<br />
...and (except for one sentence fragment that Donald chose to quote in <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/anti-intellectualism-and-marxist-idea.html?showComment=1285018101920#c3473396147874000418">a comment *he* made</a>) rejected for publication, for reasons I leave for the reader to judge for himself. (I know what *I* think, but each can judge Donald's level of cowardice without my having to tell you what I think...)<br />
---<br />
<br />
After actually approving one of <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/anti-intellectualism-and-marxist-idea.html?showComment=1284993800448#c2359246967326100515">my comments to his blog</a> earlier today, Dr. Douglas <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/anti-intellectualism-and-marxist-idea.html?showComment=1284997056200#c5518116649276155202">replied</a>. This is my next rejoinder... Let's see whether he's brave enough to continue the conversation...<br />
---<br />
<br />
<i>Well, no, actually, Repsac3.</i><br />
<br />
Denial will get you nowhere.<br />
<br />
<i>And why you keep alleging victim status is beyond me.</i><br />
<br />
Some of your posts of late read as though you're whining about how those bad liberal bloggers are being mean to you... Of course, you're free to deny that, as well...<br />
<br />
<i>I'm not supposed to fight back when folks like you launch campaigns of workplace harassment?</i><br />
<br />
Are you alleging workplace harassment, again? Where? (Or are you still whining about those incidents that two other bloggers allegedly did to you over a year ago? And what is this about you writing to SEK's place of employment to harass him, btw...?)<br />
<br />
Yeah, by all means fight back... The more you do, the more you expose yourself for who you really are and what values you do and do not represent.<br />
<br />
<i>When I'm slurred for all kinds of shit, old, fat, stupid -- you name it?. Is that what you call "getting his ass kicked"?</i><br />
<br />
No, much of that stuff is as foolish and as ultimately meaningless as your own calls of "butt-freaks" "nihilists" or your penchant for creating grade-school style fake names for those you oppose ("hatemaster," "bonejobkeefe"). <br />
<br />
Getting your ass kicked is the more subjective stuff that makes up the bulk of the replies to you on those blogs you attack... You know, the stuff you dismiss with a quoted line or two from a friendly source, if you bother to address it at all... (But of course, you already know all that, which is why you're stepping up the attacks on the ephemera, instead...)<br />
<br />
<i>You showing up here again proves there are no rules, norms, or standards you will abide, because you're nihilist.</i><br />
<br />
We've been over this, and I've expressed what my rules, norms, and standards are on this subject many times over. It's a public blog that accepts comments (albeit moderated). You don't have to print those comments with which you disagree (or cannot argue), but you cannot stop me or anyone else from offering them. (And if this is an example of your practical, real-world definition of nihilism, I really do feel sorry for those students who end up in your classes...)<br />
<br />
<i>For what? Misreading? Kinda hypocritical, no?</i><br />
<br />
No. I specifically said that misreading the sign (at least initially) isn't much of an offense. What you did is make up a pretty vicious lie based on your misreading, and then attribute that lie to a whole group of people in an effort to smear them. <br />
<br />
<i>I stand by it.</i><br />
<br />
You stand by what? The mistake? The vicious lie?<br />
<br />
<i> Unlike you.</i><br />
<br />
No idea what you mean by that. Doubt you do, either, though perhaps whatever you make up to explain it (if you do indeed post this/reply at all) will be entertaining...<br />
<br />
<i>Nice try on the "evil" thing.</i><br />
<br />
Pretty much nailed it, I think. But those who read my charge and your excuses can decide for themselves...<br />
<br />
<i>You must feel pretty stupid adopting nihilism as your handle.</i><br />
<br />
We never did... Your constant misuse of the word as an epithet for your many enemies a few years ago--which you've replaced with variants of the term "demonology" of late, according to other bloggers--kind of <i>bestowed</i> it on us.<br />
<br />
<i>And Brendan doesn't offer a definition. Neither do you.</i><br />
<br />
Well, we're not the ones making the charge. You are... Since you're the one saying we're nihilists, you're the one who should be making your case by defining your terms and then showing how the definitions apply... And for years now, you've failed to even try, let alone actually do so.<br />
<br />
<i>try this.</i><br />
<br />
Again you pick a definition out of a lexicographer's hat. And again you fail to show with real-world examples (quotes, for example...) how I or anyone else you label a nihilist fits that definition.<br />
<br />
Another failure. (It's always that second part that seems to trip you up... It's easy to just toss out labels against folks with whom you disagree... It's a whole other thing trying to convince anyone aside yourself that they actually apply... But by all means, keep trying, Dr Douglas... Keep trying...)<br />
<br />
(The Marxist-Leninist stuff similarly doesn't apply... ...though you're welcome to attempt offering real world examples of my believing in any of that, should you wish to... In the meantime, what's freely offered may be freely denied.)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-17073304671758452562010-07-17T07:08:00.001-04:002010-07-19T07:23:41.724-04:00Moderated: In reply: American (power) Tits and Ass: (Grandma Moses' tits, Norman Rockwell's ass) ((points))Submitted for moderator approval 7/16/10, 7:08 AM, AmPow blog time... <br />
...and (as of 24 or so hours later) apparently <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/hotness-gap-just-too-much-for.html">rejected for publication</a>, for reasons known only to Donald Douglas, the moderator in question. (What is he afraid of?)<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/hotness-gap-just-too-much-for.html">American Power: The 'Hotness Gap' Just Too Much for Illiterate English Professor Scott Eric Kaufman!</a>, and in particular JBW's <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/hotness-gap-just-too-much-for.html?showComment=1279233460857#c2832123809972006106">observation</a> about the disconnect between Donald's (& Cons,' in general) disparagement of the "lib'rul" hedonism of Hollywood and their claim that all of the "hot" babes reside on the Con side of the proverbial aisle.<br />
---<br />
<br />
Dopey cherry picking notwithstanding, almost all of these "Rule 5" bait and switch T&A "tease" posts (and a whole lot of the music blogging at AmPow, as well) would pretty quickly come to a standstill if the blogger(s) who write/post them actually required that their subjects express, in word or deed, fealty to the (neo)con (or even worse for them, <i>traditional</i>) political and social values that Con rule 5 bloggers claim to advocate...<br />
<br />
Besides... While many of our smart gals are quite pretty, (and our actresses, songstresses and other show biz gals are very smart, as well) the most important attribute for our female policy wonks and politicians isn't how good they look in a skirt or whether we can use them as props to draw people to our blogs under false pretenses for the vanity of inflating the hit numbers, but how good they are at being policy wonks and politicians.<br />
<br />
Sorry, Don... Once again, it's a fail...<br />
<br />
(Title (<a href="http://whatdisay.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-reply-american-power-tits-and-ass.html">American (power) Tits and Ass: (Grandma Moses' tits, Norman Rockwell's ass)</a>) lifted from one of my all time favorite Lenny Bruce riffs...)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-14231153535732801752010-04-30T12:58:00.001-04:002010-05-02T02:03:46.130-04:00Moderated: In reply/X-Post: Immigration: Apply the rules of the country of origin...Submitted for moderator approval April 29, 2010 9:58 AM (AmPow blog time)...<br />
...and <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/illegal-alien-superhighway.html">rejected for publication</a>, for reasons known only to the American Power blog moderator. (Though it could be <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/repsac3-banned-from-american-power.html">the banning</a>...)<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to the following <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/illegal-alien-superhighway.html?showComment=1272464771798#c6986017681512288258">American Power blog</a> comment:<br />
<blockquote><i>There is an easy solution to the problems inherent in immigration. We apply the rules of the country of origin to all immigrants seeking citizenship in this country. Say, whatever Mexico required for one seeking citizenship there it would be applied across the board to Mexicans seeking citizenship in this country.<br />
It would be fair to all involved and would ensure that people in this country would be conversant with how other countries control immigration. Whereas a person seeking work would have a green card or what ever the equivalent paperwork required in other countries. It removes political considerations from the equation.<br />
We could take other actions for those seeking political asylum, et al.</i> - <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/illegal-alien-superhighway.html?showComment=1272464771798#c6986017681512288258">Dennis - April 28, 2010, 7:26 AM comment at the post "American Power: Illegal Alien Superhighway"</a></blockquote>Dennis: It's a neat rhetorical trick--and one with which I'd agree, believe it or don't--except that I wouldn't want American law to be determined by and at the mercy of the whims of the lawmaking of foreign countries.<br />
<br />
If we were to get serious about enacting/enforcing laws and penalties against hiring illegal workers--against the people hiring them, along with the workers, themselves--I suspect that a whole lotta people who lack proper documentation would self-deport. (I'm a big fan of the E-Verify system, and would like to see it become mandatory for all US employees, perhaps under the tax code.)<br />
<br />
Because I'm a liberal though, I'm opposed to denying health and safety benefits and protections to illegal aliens, or criminalizing the act of being undocumented in the US--the AZ law goes too far, in that regard--and I wouldn't be opposed to helping those countries from which we receive the largest number of illegal immigrants to improve their economies, so that there's less financial impetus for leaving one's family and home country in the first place.repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-3725516010821915902010-04-25T06:15:00.002-04:002010-04-30T18:37:16.885-04:00Deleted: In reply: Donald Douglas is a liar, and he proves it oftenComment below posted to American Power blog <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/andrew-breitbart-blocks-racist-repsac3.html?showComment=1272104141358#c1084356019620558687">April 24, 2010 3:15 AM</a> (AmPow blog time)...<br />
...and subsequently moderated away, for expressing facts and other content that contradicted the blog owner's chosen meme.<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to: <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/andrew-breitbart-blocks-racist-repsac3.html">American Power: Andrew Breitbart Blocks Racist Repsac3 on Twitter!</a><br />
-----<br />
<br />
Well... <a href="http://americannihilistblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/continued-lies-of-donald-douglas-andrew.html">Not exactly</a>...<br />
<br />
<i>"And as for Donald Douglas... Well, if he saw the twitter statuses above, he also saw the ones below that show that it was a conservative "friend" of Breitbart who sent the bigoted photo to me... ...but that didn't fit the dishonest story Donald wanted to tell, so he just ignored those tweets, once again proving what a liar he can be..."</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/repsac3/status/12720564105">repsac3</a>: <i>1) @TrappedRoom - Supporter of @andrewbreitbart - <a href="http://twitter.com/TrappedRoom/status/12710471674">http://bit.ly/c3rwLi</a> (and check his history of harassing Breitbart's "enemies")</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/repsac3/status/12720627651">repsac3</a>: <i>2) @TrappedRoom - Sender of bigoted photo (even @andrewbreitbart thinks so-but blames me: <a href="http://twitter.com/andrewbreitbart/statuses/12718202854">http://bit.ly/9PNdeK</a> ) - <a href="http://twitter.com/TrappedRoom/status/12717393017">http://bit.ly/90hWKJ</a></i>repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-74584116529906684342010-04-24T12:19:00.000-04:002010-04-30T16:55:54.723-04:00Deleted POST: In reply: Military Expenditures - 19% of total budget (2010), 59% of discretionary spending (2011)Posted <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html?showComment=1272039579718#c7818719832500397348">April 23, 2010 9:19 AM</a> (AmPow blog time) <b>And</b> subsequently (4/27/10, I think) deleted, along with the whole damned post. (See 4/29 update, appended)<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to: <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story</a> [<b>UPDATE 4/29/10 -</b> Apparently that post--and thus all links to it--have fallen down the memory hole. Here's a link to a cached version from April 27th, 2010: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Jz6zBnvwKy0J:americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html+%22American+Power:+Long+Beach+City+College+Premier+of+Michael+Moore's+Capitalism:+A+Love+Story%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story (cached version)</a>. Please use that link, instead.], and in particular, this passage:<br />
<blockquote><i>"Notice this banner at the table, showing defense spending as percentage share of federal expenditures. Communist demonstrators had the same banner at the March 20 ANSWER protest in Hollywood (and of course it's pure propaganda, since military expenditures for 2010 are expected to total 19 percent of budgetary outlays)"</i><br />
---</blockquote>While I can't read the fine print in the photos to be sure, I suspect that 59% refers to the amount of <b>discretionary</b> spending devoted to military expenditures, as proposed in the <b>2011</b> budget -- (though I believe I also read that that was the amount of discretionary spending devoted to the military in the 2008 budget, as well).:<br />
<blockquote><i>"59% is the percentage of the proposed 2011 discretionary budget targeted for military spending. This does not include all the budgeted spending, just the programs that get approved every year. Some groups argue if you look through the fine print of the budget that figure could be pushed even higher. It’s likely they are right.<br />
***<br />
This Federal Budget Pie Chart for 2011 uses figures from the proposal that President Obama presented to Congress in February 2010. You can see the plan online at <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/">www.whitehouse.gov/omb</a>."</i> - <a href="http://www.oneminuteforpeace.org/budget">Budget Details : One Minute for Peace</a><br />
---</blockquote><b>UPDATE - 4/29/10</b> - Not only was the comment to American Power removed, the whole post was deleted, which is some serious moderation for content.<br />
<br />
While I'd like to think Professor Douglas made it go bye-bye on my account--the result of my thrashing and trashing his dishonest bullshit about the military budget in this comment, perhaps--I have a feeling it had to do with his nasty treatment of his cow-orkers in this one... I'd think there'd be some rule against doing that kinda thing, regardless of where one works... ...but especially anyplace that relies on folks believing the "employees"--the faculty of LBCC--is competent and open to intelligently discussing and debating a variety of political and social ideas and ideals, including those with which they personally don't agree. Whether one agrees with Donald Douglas's political biases and observations or not, it doesn't project a good image of any of the professors named (including Dr. Douglas) or of the college itself to have a professor calling his colleagues "communists" and "lesbians" and "far left indoctrinators," for all the world to see.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the reason, it was moderated away, and can only be found at that cache link posted above (and on the screencaps of it that I'll post, should I ever notice that the cache link is dead, as well...)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-45757504488993510182010-04-24T10:51:00.004-04:002010-04-30T19:04:40.464-04:00Moderated: In reply: "Marxists and Fornicators Indoctrinators Everywhere!!"Submitted for moderator approval 4/23/10, 10:51 AM (IM blog time) - And subsequently (4/25, I think) rejected and moderated away without ever being posted... (Two things... <b>1)</b> I understand... Were I in any way associated with the school--and I suspect this club has a faculty advisor and whatnot, so they are--I wouldn't want this comment posted, either. You'll note above the Dr. Douglas' original post making some of these charges was disappeared, too... One can draw their own conclusions, but I know what I think... and <b>2)</b> on the other hand, the "moderated comment" link made it look like mine was the third comment submitted, so maybe they're just not accepting ANY comments at this blog... (although they did, at their initial post.)<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to/in support of: <a href="http://simlbcc.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/capitalism-a-love-story/#comment-3">Capitalism: A Love Story - STUDENTS FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA</a><br />
---<br />
<br />
Read about the showing on Professor Donald Douglas’ blog (<a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story</a>). [<b>UPDATE 4/29/10 -</b> Apparently that post--and thus all links to it--have fallen down the memory hole. Here's a link to a cached version from April 27th, 2010: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Jz6zBnvwKy0J:americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html+%22American+Power:+Long+Beach+City+College+Premier+of+Michael+Moore's+Capitalism:+A+Love+Story%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story (cached version)</a>] I noticed he didn’t seem to enjoy the film or the discussion that followed, and that he sees Marxists, lesbians, “leftist indoctrinators” and other assorted enemies to his own narrow world view throughout the whole LBCC faculty and student population.<br />
<br />
As a blogger who has repeatedly engaged him and found him to be far more concerned with massaging his own ego and verbally bullying those with whom he does not agree–he has an extensive “enemies list” that he regularly attacks on his blog the same way he did SIM and the professors who took part in the premiere event–the remaining faculty, staff, and student body (commies all, I’m sure) has my utmost sympathies.<br />
<br />
Given the attack–and the degree to which I dislike bullies of any stripe–I just wanted to drop by and offer my support and encouragement. While I’m not as down on the corporate media as your flier suggests you folks are–the way I see it, every source of information is biased one way or another, and it’s up to us to recognize the kernels of truth among the intentionally and unintentionally slanted/biased chaff–I’m all for increasing one’s media diet, and including as many different perspectives as possible (which might explain why I stop by professor Douglas’ blog once a day or so… It’s important to know what those who disagree with you are saying, too… especially when it’s about you, directly or indirectly.)<br />
<br />
Anyway… Good luck with all your future SIM discussions and presentations. As long as you’re getting under the skin of reactionaries like Professor Douglas, you’re probably on the right track.<br />
---<br />
<br />
UPDATE: I was doing some research for another post, and stumbled across this comment from Dr. Douglas: <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/political-science-at-lbcc-training-next.html"><i>"I'm also proud to be teaching at Long Beach City College. I'm proud of the work that I do. And I'm proud of my dedicated colleagues."</i></a> One presumes that he's not including those Long Beach City College colleagues he attacks in the post linked above among those he's proud of. At least, one hopes not...<br />
---<br />
<br />
4/29/10 - Not only was the comment to American Power removed, the whole post was deleted, which is some serious moderation for content.<br />
<br />
While I'd like to think Professor Douglas made it go bye-bye on my account--something about thrashing and trashing his dishonest bullshit about the military budget, perhaps--I have a feeling it had to do with his nasty treatment of his cow-orkers... I'd think there'd be some rule against doing that kinda thing, regardless of where one works... ...but especially anyplace that relies on folks believing the "employees"--the faculty of LBCC--is competent and open to intelligently discussing and debating a variety of political and social ideas and ideals, including those with which they personally don't agree. Whether one agrees with Donald Douglas's political biases and observations or not, it doesn't project a good image of any of the professors named (including Dr. Douglas) or of the college itself to have a professor calling his colleagues "communists" and "lesbians" and "far left indoctrinators," for all the world to see.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the reason, it was moderated away, and can only be found at that cache link posted above (and on the screencaps of it that I'll post, should I ever notice that the cache link is dead, as well...)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-49340515210008434072010-04-23T09:06:00.015-04:002010-04-30T13:02:16.351-04:00Deleted POST: In reply: Is Marxist the new "nihilist?"4/29/10 - Not only was this comment removed, the whole post was deleted, which is some serious moderation for content.<br />
<br />
While I'd like to think Professor Douglas made it go bye-bye on my account--something about thrashing and trashing his dishonest bullshit about the military budget, perhaps--I have a feeling it had to do with his nasty treatment of his cow-orkers... I'd think there'd be some rule against doing that kinda thing, regardless of where one works... ...but especially anyplace that relies on folks believing the "employees"--the faculty of LBCC--is competent and open to intelligently discussing and debating a variety of political and social ideas and ideals, including those with which they personally don't agree. Whether one agrees with Donald Douglas's political biases and observations or not, it doesn't project a good image of any of the professors named (including Dr. Douglas) or of the college itself to have a professor calling his colleagues "communists" and "lesbians" and "far left indoctrinators," for all the world to see.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the reason, it was moderated away, and can only be found at that cache link posted above (and on the screencaps of it that I'll post, should I ever notice that the cache link is dead, as well...)<br />
---<br />
<br />
In reply to: <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story</a>, -- [<b>UPDATE 4/29/10 -</b> Apparently that post--and thus all links to it--have fallen down the memory hole. Here's a link to a cached version from April 27th, 2010: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Jz6zBnvwKy0J:americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html+%22American+Power:+Long+Beach+City+College+Premier+of+Michael+Moore's+Capitalism:+A+Love+Story%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari">American Power: Long Beach City College Premier of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story (cached version)</a>. Please use that link, instead.] -- and particularly <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html?showComment=1271912916978#c5795717454744922260">this comment</a>:<br />
<blockquote><i>"Yay! Thanks for coming, Prof. Douglass! I must say, it's long been a dream of mine to be mentioned in your blog as a Marxist."</i> - Richard Booth - April 21, 2010, 10:08 PM</blockquote>(I assume this is the former student, though given the number of folks Dr. Douglas smacks that Marxist label on in the post, it could be any number of people):<br />
---<br />
<br />
Richard, even Dr Douglas' "nihilists" are Marxists, now... (Any slur in a storm... It's not like these words have actual, y'know, definitions that a political scientist might be expected to understand and adhere to, or anything...)<br />
<br />
Congrats on the formal denunciation, though... From what I've seen over the last several years, you're in good company... (if I do say so myself.) - <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/long-beach-city-college-premier-of.html?showComment=1271941591926#c4452404818413626389">repsac3 - April 22, 2010, 6:06 AM</a>repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-85084910561789941272010-04-04T09:24:00.000-04:002010-04-04T09:24:04.085-04:00Donald Douglas: "Halfrican" a bigoted comment, but only when said by a liberal (and regardless of his point for doing so)In reply to:<br />
<blockquote><i>Repsac3: You can quit with the racist allegations. First, nothing Swash Zone alleges is true, so forget that. And what I've written on my own blog IS politically correct, but in no way bigoted. <br />
<br />
As you know damned well, I love all people of all colors, races, religions, etc. I attack people on ideologocically grounds. <br />
<br />
Finally, to keep attacking me as "Halfrican" IS racist. Show me where I've endorsed Rush Limbaugh's use of "Halfican," or where I've ever attacked Obama as "Halfican."<br />
<br />
In sum, the bigotry is found in your desperation to get the goods on me. And you and your SWASH ZONE hordes are all about hate, as I've shown in this post on TNLib.</i> - <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270310146652#c4595646743669436789">American Power: TNLib at The Swash Zone: Prototypical Leftist Hatemonger, April 3, 2010 8:55 AM comment by Donald Douglas</a></blockquote>(Donald's comment was, in turn, a non-responsive reply to my <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270303175028#c6031538424854296359">April 3, 2010 6:59 AM</a> comment, which is also quoted in a post below.)<br />
---<br />
<br />
When I allege that you have made a bigoted comment, I also quote the comment, explain why I believe it expresses bigoted thought, and allow others to decide for themselves.<br />
<br />
In this case, I did none of that, and expressly said that whether you is or you ain't is irrelevant to the point I intended to make, which was that--contrary to the idea that in order for you (or anyone of mixed heritage) to express bigotry you would have to tie a noose around your own neck--anyone can think, speak, or act like a bigot, no matter their heritage. (Interestingly, you neglected to address that point in your reply, either in agreement or in opposition. I'd still be interested in reading replies to the point I was actually positing, on the off chance that you or anyone else here wishes to offer one...)<br />
<br />
I have mixed feelings about the term "Halfrican," but figured that if it was good enough for Rush, it was good enough for Rush's listeners... (True, you haven't endorsed his using it, but you haven't objected to it, either...) If you believe it is a bigoted term that Rush was using, I shall refrain from referring to you in that way again. (Hopefully, Rush will do the same.)<br />
<br />
You are, of course, welcome to answer by again alleging that I am a bigot if you wish, though I'd appreciate it if you would be so kind as to provide examples of my bigotry, if you intend to do so. If you do not, I reserve the right to cheerfully ignore your unsubstantiated charges as unworthy of consideration...<br />
----<br />
<br />
<a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270314936794#c532107077069107451">American Power: TNLib at The Swash Zone: Prototypical Leftist Hatemonger, comment posted April 3, 2010 10:15 AM </a>repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-61988743388714863532010-04-03T11:43:00.000-04:002010-04-03T11:43:42.201-04:00"name-calling and vitriol" and blogs we visit regularly (Do we like 'em a little or a lot, LOT?)In reply to: The disconnect between <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270263137645#c2805568291269009215">this comment</a> at an American Power post about Parsley's Pics, and <a href="http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/04/dont-speak-english-speak-teabonics.html?showComment=1270251932310#c3253832243318383392">this comment</a> by the same person at Parsley's Pics. (Comment posted at latter link/blog.)<br />
---<br />
<br />
@LOT:<br />
<br />
Perhaps I shouldn't bring this up, but I'm surprised you didn't speak up in defense of our evil, hateful, jihadi, "seething toxic dump of leftist hatred," tnlib over at Don's place...<br />
<br />
While you didn't exactly toss tnlib under Don's bus, it might've been nice had you made it more clear that those sites with the <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270263137645#c2805568291269009215">name-calling and vitriol</a> didn't include Parsley's Pics, in your opinion...<br />
<br />
I'm sorry if you think this query rude, but after reading your generally reasonable replies on sites like this one-- Douglas labeled "hate site" The Swash Zone and Truth101's place come to mind, immediately--I've taken to wondering how you walk that fine line between Donald Douglas considering you a blog buddy and he and his thinking you an evil nihilist collaborator for actually treating folks with whom you disagree with common decency and respect.<br />
<br />
While I disagree with your politics, I for the most part think you a fine fellow, but I do kinda wish you'd speak your mind more clearly when Donald engages in these attacks on the individuals and blogs you visit pretty regularly, whether in agreement with him or otherwise... <br />
<br />
(Two bits well spent, after waiting entirely too long... Unless there's a comment in need of reply, that itch is scratched, and I'll say no more on the subject...)<br />
---<br />
<br />
<a href="http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/04/dont-speak-english-speak-teabonics.html?showComment=1270308430385#c3535968720816349492">PARSLEY'S PICS: Don't speak English, speak "Teabonics" - comment posted 4/3/10, 10:27 AM</a> (PP blog time)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-26163696589098887062010-04-03T10:08:00.001-04:002010-04-07T10:20:08.956-04:00Can a person of mixed heritage be a bigot?In reply to: American Power: TNLib at The Swash Zone: Prototypical Leftist Hatemonger<br />
<blockquote><i>Donald, I believe you are half black and half white, am I right? Funny how the leftist twerps imply you are a bigot and a racist. Do you spend time socking yourself? Ridiculous.</i> - <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270267251094#c6534166049896332412">Stogie, April 2, 2010, 9:00 PM comment</a></blockquote>Leaving all the ego and personal vitriol of post and comment aside, I wonder whether the folks who believe that Dr. Douglas cannot speak or act in racist or bigoted ways because of his heritage also feel the same about "full blood" minorities (Jesse Jackson, Sharpton, Farrakhan), or even others of mixed heritage, such as President Obama... <br />
<br />
And even if one does believe that no black man or a "halfrican" (thanks, Rush) can be a bigot toward other black folks, what is it that prevents such a man from behaving as a bigot toward hispanics, Muslims, Christians, gay folks, Jews, or women?<br />
<br />
Dr Douglas may or may not actually be a bigot--folks can read his words, and decide for themselves--but the argument that he <b>can't</b> be, because he himself has minority blood--whether made by him, or by those who would defend him--doesn't hold water, at least as far as I'm concerned...<br />
---<br />
<br />
<a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/tnlib-at-swash-zone-prototypical.html?showComment=1270303175028#c6031538424854296359">American Power: TNLib at The Swash Zone: Prototypical Leftist Hatemonger - Comment posted April 3, 2010 6:59 AM</a>repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-28537994315573675152010-04-02T10:30:00.001-04:002010-04-02T10:31:36.501-04:00"Oh, he's a MORON... That explains everything..." Ad hom, anyone?In reply to: <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/04/if-i-hear-one-more-stupid-politicianim.html?showComment=1270212071910#c7632121424292427539">The Oracular Opinion: If I Hear One More Stupid Politician—I’m Going To Lose My Mind!, April 2, 2010 8:41 AM comment</a><br />
---<br />
Clearly I was mistaken... <br />
<br />
BPB's brilliant tactic of calling the guy a moron (and doing the same to his predecessor--which made the argument airtight) is clearly the more well thought out position. <br />
<br />
I stand corrected.<br />
<br />
(If you don't use that sense of humor you're gonna lose it, and people will continue to wonder why so many conservatives fail to comprehend irony, sarcasm, and other humor-related rhetorical tools folks use to persuade each other. Tin ears are not a good look on anyone...)<br />
<br />
---<br />
Posted: <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/04/if-i-hear-one-more-stupid-politicianim.html?showComment=1270218138924#c1085269747060317113">April 2, 2010 10:22 AM comment</a>repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-11698652662630515112010-04-02T09:31:00.001-04:002010-04-03T10:30:36.953-04:00"But... both sides do it... Check out the video"In reply to: <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/anarchists-to-crash-april-15th-tea.html?showComment=1270214589137#c6032484501544974745">American Power: Anarchists to Crash April 15th Tea Parties!</a><br />
---<br />
<br />
For all the whining here, it strikes me that it's folks like Dr Douglas, who're responding to bad behavior on their own side by posting videos of and otherwise pointing out the bad behavior on the other who're pretty clearly saying "both sides do it."<br />
<br />
And it's not just that both sides do do it, either... It's that, rather than condemn the bad behavior regardless of where it originates, some point to the bad behavior over there, as though the fact that they're not the only ones engaging in bigoted, violent behavior and eliminationist rhetoric somehow morally absolves them...<br />
<br />
Two wrongs don't make a right, period.<br />
<br />
My favorite part of this post, though? The "counter-protest is eeeeevil" message at play here, which is so very quickly contradicted by the "counter-protest is just jolly good fun" message of the <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/pushback-against-move-on-race-baiting.html">very next post</a>.<br />
<br />
Hypocrisy? You decide...<br />
---<br />
<br />
Currently unmoderated blog. <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/anarchists-to-crash-april-15th-tea.html?showComment=1270214589137#c6032484501544974745">American Power: Anarchists to Crash April 15th Tea Parties!, April 2, 2010 6:23 AM comment</a> (AM blog time)<br />
---<br />
<br />
4/3/10 - Added to Immoderate Monk Hall of Shame (Comment apparently moderated away for ideological content by Donald Douglas, AmPow blog owner - What was he afraid of?)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-36147044478686904432010-04-02T03:17:00.000-04:002010-04-02T03:17:38.664-04:00Are Republicans too serious for their own good?In reply to: <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/04/if-i-hear-one-more-stupid-politicianim.html">The Oracular Opinion: If I Hear One More Stupid Politician—I’m Going To Lose My Mind!</a><br />
---<br />
<br />
I'll admit to not being up on the names of literary devices, but watching the video, I got the distinct impression that his intent was to make a point--though I didn't pick up on the "island tipping over = ecological tipping point" analogy until I read the statement here--and at no time did I get the impression that the man actually thought an island could or would tip over. (It's things like the fact that so many conservative bloggers are writing about this exchange believing he was serious that lead the rest of us to believe the right as a whole lacks much in the way of a sense of humor. Of course, FoxNews' dear departed "half hour comedy hour" and it's replacement, "Red Eye," certainly don't help...)<br />
<br />
Asking for the dimensions of the island (rather than having them handy and quoting them himself) was almost certainly a device designed to further his point, as well. It's always better when you can have the words and concepts you want expressed publicly come out of a nonpartisan or oppositional mouth. Lawyers and politicians routinely ask questions they already know the answers to, for just that purpose...<br />
<br />
And by the by, I'm pretty certain that all 12 million immigrants were never all on Ellis Island at the same time, which is likely what kept that one from tipping... ...or sinking, either...<br />
---<br />
<br />
Unmoderated blog. Comment appeared <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/04/if-i-hear-one-more-stupid-politicianim.html?showComment=1270191926284#c7297188338399222944">April 2, 2010 3:05 AM </a> (OR blog time)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-46258682718636453872010-04-01T17:33:00.001-04:002010-04-01T17:35:02.945-04:00Baby simple: Two wrongs don't make a right, no matter what "side" of the political spectrum you're onIn reply to: <a href="http://www.foundingbloggers.com/wordpress/2010/03/evan-coyne-maloneys-trip-down-memory-lane/comment-page-1/#comment-99507">Evan Coyne Maloney’s Trip Down Memory Lane : Founding Bloggers</a><br />
----<br />
<br />
<i>Yes, people are making that claim.</i><br />
<br />
I having trouble finding much of anyone, but--as I said in my original comment--I will grant you that there probably are a few somewhere...<br />
<br />
<i>Moreover, they make excuses just like you are doing.</i><br />
<br />
Excuses? <br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure I said that anyone who holds up signs with bigoted or eliminationist rhetoric is wrong, no matter what political side they claim to be sympathetic towards.<br />
<br />
I also said that there is a degree of hypocrisy among those who stay more quiet when their own side engages in such behavior than they are when the other side does.<br />
<br />
<i>but I, just yesterday, heard someone on the left suggest that if there is any violence precipitated by the tea party ralliers, that certain people (mostly affiliated with Fox News) should be held accountable – that they would be to blame.</i><br />
<br />
It's kinda hard to comment, because I didn't hear what you heard, but I would say that when elected or media personalities--who because of their position in life, have a bigger megaphone and more folks who trust what they say--engage in exaggerated eleiminationist rhetoric, they do bear some moral responsibility when individual citizens act on what they hear. That's a whole other thing than suggesting they should bear legal responsibility... (I'd be most vehemently against that, and if that's what the person you heard was suggesting s/he's a loon.) That's true whether the megaphone/violent act happens on the left or on the right...<br />
<br />
<i>Sorry you don’t like the reminder, but I am not at all surprised.</i><br />
<br />
I have no problem seeing and condemning those liberals who are violent, vandals, or bigots (in fact, I posted the very same video at my own blog, and linked back to this post, as well), and I'm kinda surprised that TeaTime believes I said anything of the kind in my prior comment.<br />
<br />
My position is, the initial response to bad acts are to condemn them, not to point out that the other side also commits similar bad acts... In baby-simple kid's terms, two wrongs don't make a right. If Hitler signs are wrong, they're wrong, no matter what the politics of the person getting the splinters from the signpost are. I'm sorry if I was in any way unclear the first time, but I hope I've clarified my position in this second comment...<br />
---<br />
<br />
Not sure whether I'm still moderated on FB (some blogs only moderate you the first time, I hear, and I didn't see the "this comment is awaiting moderation" notice I saw yesterday), but then, I'm also thinkin' I may start to post all my commentary here, and this'll make a nice transition post, if I decide to do so... 8>)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-65837892291441462272010-03-31T15:47:00.005-04:002010-03-31T16:10:19.905-04:00No thank you please (LGF as liberal website)In reply to: <a href="http://republicanheretic.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/tea-party-derangement-syndrome-tennessee-flag-is-neo-nazi-symbol/#comment-311">Tea Party Derangement Syndrome: Tennessee Flag Is Neo-Nazi Symbol � The Republican Heretic</a><br />
<br />
I'm sorry, but on behalf of the vast leftwing conspiracy, I'm authorized to inform you that we want no part of Charles Johnson or LGF, no matter what political group he wishes to align himself with these days... (I remember something about him renouncing his years as a rightwing blogger, but has he actually tried to claim he's a liberal now, or are conservatives trying to lessen the stink in the wingnut war room he used to occupy by claiming he's a lib yourselves?) He made his bones as a conservative, and while we understand he's no longer acting like one of them either, that doesn't make him one of ours...<br />
<br />
Thanks, but no thanks...<br />
<br />
The left<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Submitted for approval 3/31/10, 3:47 PM (IM blog time)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-88695424413592281072010-03-31T12:14:00.005-04:002010-03-31T12:20:02.907-04:00Protesting as racist, violent, and unpatriotic... Say what?In reply to: <a href="http://www.foundingbloggers.com/wordpress/2010/03/evan-coyne-maloneys-trip-down-memory-lane/comment-page-1/#comment-99180">Evan Coyne Maloney’s Trip Down Memory Lane : Founding Bloggers</a><br />
--------<br />
<br />
So, is the argument that two wrongs make the latter bad actors more right, somehow?<br />
<br />
Because so far, I haven't seen much of anyone denying that individuals on the left also behaved poorly, or that anyone who held a Bushitler sign is coming out against those carrying Hitlerbama signs.<br />
<br />
Is there some hypocrisy, in that the more mainstream people on the left back then said less about BusHitler signs than they do Hitlerbama signs, while the better behaved folks on the Right back then complained more about BusHitler signs than they do Hitlerbama signs? Sure... It's wrong, but it's also to be expected... Part of the reason for having an "other" is how it unites the group attacking that "other," even when the attacks sometimes go too far...<br />
<br />
But by and large, I think the video is answering a charge that very few are making, because I've not seen many people claiming that these signs didn't exist...<br />
<br />
In the cool light of day, the real question is whether or not one believes such rhetoric is appropriate, and whether their answer depends on whose hands are holding the signposts.<br />
---<br />
<br />
Submitted for moderator approval 3/31/10, 12:14 PM (IM blog time)repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-46545323814478985392010-03-31T04:44:00.006-04:002010-04-01T20:19:28.917-04:00"Last time I looked, wanting to start a civil war (insane as it is) was not a crime..."In reply to: <a href="http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/2010/03/local_news_that.html">Classical Values: Local news that's not local news yet?</a><br />
-----------<br />
<br />
I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and say that, compared to some of the others mentioned in the more leftward leaning blog posts-- Ex: <a href="http://firedoglake.com/2010/03/29/in-the-wake-of-arrests-in-three-states-right-wingers-rush-to-defend-terror-suspects-criticize-fbi/">In the Wake of Arrests in Three States, Right-Wingers Rush to Defend Terror Suspects, Criticize FBI | Firedoglake</a>, or my favorite bigoted bloggers, who saw the word "Christian" and immediately jumped to speculating as to why why they weren't arresting the "muzzies," instead... Actual facts/charges be damned... <a href="http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/truth-about-american-muslims.html">Donald Douglas</a> and <a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/03/despite-record-levels-of-islamic-terrors-in-us-fbi-raids-christian-groups-.html">Pam Geller</a> spring to mind...) --you got a raw deal on this one...<br />
<br />
As you (along with we "commies" who support the ACLU) have learned, it ain't easy speaking up for the right to express dangerous, bigoted, hurtful, hateful thoughts... You're right... It isn't a crime to want to start a civil war, or even to say so... That isn't to say that we citizens, and law enforcement too, ought not pay close attention to the crackpots who express views like this, so that expressing that opinion never reaches the stage that these asses got to (with rights come responsibilities), but no, there is no crime in thinkin' it, or even saying it... <br />
<br />
Except for the last lines--I do think there's something special about US citizenship, and I do think it ought to afford those who have it special privileges not offered to non-citizens--I agree with the anonymous fellow above (3/30/10, 12:40 PM, just in case). The way I read the Constitution, it's "all men, not all citizens," and I do believe that because our legal system is the best in the world, we ought to use it whenever we detain or put anyone, citizen or otherwise, on trial... I'm not opposed to military trials, but I don't believe in this "not enemy soldiers subject to Geneva, not citizens subject to US protections" limbo we put them in at the start of this conflict... We're America, and we should abide by the ideals for which we fight, or amend them so that we once again can... (It's like civil commitment for pedophiles... Increase the legal penalties for the crime, but don't create some kind of civil fiction to continue detaining people who've served their prison time...) We're a nation ruled by laws and ideals, not by the things we want, short term... No one said it was supposed to be easy living up to our values... YMMV...<br />
---<br />
Submitted for blog owner approval 3/31/10, 4:44 AM (IM blog time)<br />
----<br />
Added to the "hall of shame" list of bloggers who moderate for content with which they disagree, 4/1/10repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781307031930500003.post-23007372459144630002010-03-30T18:48:00.003-04:002010-03-30T21:08:18.087-04:00Did Occam's Razor cut that Democrat's gas line?In reply to <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/03/violence-isnt-answer-neither-are-false.html">The Oracular Opinion: Innocent Until Proven Guilty—The American Way Gone Astray</a>, and in particular <a href="http://theoracularopinion.blogspot.com/2010/03/violence-isnt-answer-neither-are-false.html?showComment=1269985597338#c3696698928880141021">bluepitbull's March 30, 2010 5:46 PM</a> comment, reproduced in full here. My moderator-removed reply follows:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Fair enough, I will explain my point.<br />
<br />
When you control the message, you control the perceptions. Ergo, the simplest explanation is that Tea Party members are all crazed, mind numbed zombies who are mostly white and republican (your media definition). Don't deny it. If you control the media you can say anything you want and make alot out of nothing.<br />
<br />
I still believe that if there were any concrete proof, it would have come out by now. And I think that you and I both know that Pelosi wouldn't have waited to stand up with her giant gavel and tell all about it since it would have furthered her cause, which was to ram a pos legislation down the throats of those who don't support it. And yes, it all does come back to the healthcare debate. That still seems to be the one polarizing argument in front of all of us.</i></blockquote>-----------------<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Ergo, the simplest explanation is that Tea Party members are all crazed, mind numbed zombies who are mostly white and republican (your media definition).</i></blockquote><br />
I don't know who you're talking to, but I've neither said or suggested anything of the kind (and for my money, neither has much of the media... though, I'm open to reviewing quotes from said media proving otherwise.)<br />
<br />
The simplest explanation to which <b>I</b> was referring says that the windows that were broken out at Dem offices, the nasty messages critical of health care votes that were left on Dem answering machines, the cut gas line at the Dem rep's brother's house (after his home address was posted on a Tea Party "patriot's" website, rather than the rep's home address), and the bigoted comments that were alleged to've come from the middle of the Tea Party crowd a week or so ago were most likely done by people critical of those Democrats, rather than by false flag agent provocateur Democrats looking to frame the Tea Party, which is a far more convoluted, conspiracy-minded theory (both on the part of the provocateurs committing the acts, and the right wingers who're now claiming--with no more proof than they're demanding of those who say they know those acts were committed by the right--that that's what happened...)<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Don't deny it.</i></blockquote><br />
I have no need to deny anything... I hold to the idea that the onus is on the individual(s) making the charge to back it up with whatever evidence (or speculation) they have... That's why you'll never hear me say that I know John Lewis was in fact called anything by anyone last week... I do find him credible and I do believe his story, but I also agree with you folks that so far, there is no concrete proof...<br />
<br />
As far as these things go, I find Occam's Razor and plain old common sense to be persuasive... But that doesn't prove that I'm right, or that you're wrong, or much of anything else... As I said in a previous comment, unless/until someone offers something more concrete, folks'll just have to weigh what little evidence and "testimony" there is, put it together with common sense and human nature, and draw their own conclusions...<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
Posted by repsac3 to The Oracular Opinion at March 30, 2010 6:48 PM, OO time (and apparently removed by the moderator sometime later, for reasons that are so far unclear to me... ...though I do intend to ask for clarification...repsac3http://www.blogger.com/profile/15458282944035344707noreply@blogger.com0