Comments on: The Unpunkables

By: Seth Gordon

Seth Gordon — Thu, 08 Apr 2004 18:22:47 +0000

It’s interesting that the original “Punk the NR” message attracted dozens of comments from conservatives who insisted that you were holding the NR to an unfairly high standard, because of course everybody understands that when they read an anonymous smear in the Corner it may or may not be true, so shame on you for trying to flood them with untrue anonymous smears, and liberals have cooties. And yet the NR itself responded to your challenge by … well … raising their standards, if only by a few inches, for what they’re willing to print on their site. Is this what the economists call a “revealed preference”?

By: Ted Barlow

Ted Barlow — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 17:02:47 +0000

I emailed Jonah (and the general “The Corner” address) last week to gave them a chance to pick a charity. They didn’t respond, so I just went with Habitat. I know what you mean, though; I didn’t donate the money to Kerry or something because I thought that Jonah would (reasonably) see that as a slap in the face.

By: jdw

jdw — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 16:35:28 +0000

What’s the proper etiquette for making a charitable donation in somebody else’s name? Shouldn’t you give to a charity that that person might approve of? I’m sure the Jimmy Carter connection alone would be enough to make Goldberg bristle. And letting somebody else build you a house seems an awful lot like freeloading. The only way those damn Hondurans are ever going to get off welfare and start working for a living is if people like Jimmy Carter stop giving them houses. If anyone’s unaware, btw, Goldberg’s writing a book about how Fascism is leftist. I assume the Clintons are involved, somehow.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 15:37:36 +0000

I’m amused by the comment below the successful entry, Derbyshire saying, “I practically AM Arthur C. Clarke.”

By: Ted Barlow

Ted Barlow — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 14:44:37 +0000

Doh! Thanks, Chris. Digamma, I don’t know who that guy is; he didn’t email me.

By: digamma

digamma — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 14:21:19 +0000

I thought this guy won the contest.

By: Chris Bertram

Chris Bertram — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 08:52:31 +0000

I’ve fixed the posting date: hope that’s ok.

By: John Quiggin

John Quiggin — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 08:16:04 +0000

Ted, I’ve been known to fiddle with posting times myself, but June 1 seems a long way in the future. Congratulations on the success of your contest. I’m sure Jonah will be pleased.