Comments on: Breathe into a Paper Bag and Count to Ten, Slowly http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:24:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: pdf23ds http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172898 pdf23ds Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:18:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172898 Walt, if you don't consider it healthy behavior to google claims made by other commenters on the thread in order to confirm or disconfirm them, then I pity you for what your idea of healthy behavior is. Walt, if you don’t consider it healthy behavior to google claims made by other commenters on the thread in order to confirm or disconfirm them, then I pity you for what your idea of healthy behavior is.

]]> By: bi http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172766 bi Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:27:33 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172766 OK, here's the deal: Scott McLemee, by writing the above clarification, you've showed your willingness to kowtow to the evil Forces of gratuitous Political Correctness. This is self-censorship, which is cowardly, and wrong. What you should have done is to handle the issue like a Real Man: "yeah, I say Bush is a pinko, so sue me if you dare! Nyah nyah nyah!" OK, here’s the deal:

Scott McLemee, by writing the above clarification, you’ve showed your willingness to kowtow to the evil Forces of gratuitous Political Correctness. This is self-censorship, which is cowardly, and wrong. What you should have done is to handle the issue like a Real Man: “yeah, I say Bush is a pinko, so sue me if you dare! Nyah nyah nyah!”

]]> By: Walt http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172753 Walt Fri, 22 Sep 2006 03:06:24 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172753 It's not a dodge. I'm actually worried about your mental health. It's just not normal behavior. It’s not a dodge. I’m actually worried about your mental health. It’s just not normal behavior.

]]> By: Nat Whilk http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172728 Nat Whilk Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:40:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172728 Re #27: Typing a Google search takes no longer than typing a message of the length of #27. The "get a life" dodge is one of the oldest and weakest around. Re #27: Typing a Google search takes no longer than typing a message of the length of #27. The “get a life” dodge is one of the oldest and weakest around.

]]> By: pedro http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172726 pedro Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:06:31 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172726 "The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin to some sort of “imbecility”." The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin--insofar as degree of marginality is concerned--to the sort of imbecility Steve denounces on the left. There is no reason to extrapolate parallels when Occam's razor indicates that the speaker is referring to numbers. "You also imply that they are of peripheral importance in the larger scheme of all things rightist. At least as far as the Middle East is concerned, that’s utter tosh." I don't think it is the racism and xenophobia of the fringe right-wing that is of central importance in what's going on in the Middle East. A rather minor degree (comparatively) of racism and xenophobia among the core of right-wingers does more harm than the extreme racism and xenophobia populating the fringe. “The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin to some sort of “imbecility”.”

The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin—insofar as degree of marginality is concerned—to the sort of imbecility Steve denounces on the left. There is no reason to extrapolate parallels when Occam’s razor indicates that the speaker is referring to numbers.

“You also imply that they are of peripheral importance in the larger scheme of all things rightist. At least as far as the Middle East is concerned, that’s utter tosh.”

I don’t think it is the racism and xenophobia of the fringe right-wing that is of central importance in what’s going on in the Middle East. A rather minor degree (comparatively) of racism and xenophobia among the core of right-wingers does more harm than the extreme racism and xenophobia populating the fringe.

]]> By: Walt http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172713 Walt Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:35:33 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172713 Seriously, nat, you're taking time out of your day to investigate internet usage of BusHitlerMcChimpy? You are that psychically identified with Bush that you take it that personally? Dude, he doesn't even know you, or care about you. Seriously, nat, you’re taking time out of your day to investigate internet usage of BusHitlerMcChimpy? You are that psychically identified with Bush that you take it that personally? Dude, he doesn’t even know you, or care about you.

]]> By: Nat Whilk http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172700 Nat Whilk Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:21:18 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172700 Spencer writes: "<i>Um, the only people I’ve ever seen use the term “BusHitlerMcChimpy” (or anything similar) are rightwingers and Republicans who are trying to make liberals look juvenile.</i>" Then, as Google demonstrates, your Internet experience has been atypical. In particular, there have apparently been several parts of The Lumber Room you've avoided. Spencer writes: “Um, the only people I’ve ever seen use the term “BusHitlerMcChimpy” (or anything similar) are rightwingers and Republicans who are trying to make liberals look juvenile.”

Then, as Google demonstrates, your Internet experience has been atypical. In particular, there have apparently been several parts of The Lumber Room you’ve avoided.

]]> By: spencer http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172694 spencer Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:29:39 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172694 <i>Dear Leader is actually civilized compared to BusHitlerMcChimpy, so I give you accolades for improving the level of discourse around here</i> Um, the only people I've ever seen use the term "BusHitlerMcChimpy" (or anything similar) are rightwingers and Republicans who are trying to make liberals look juvenile. Dear Leader is actually civilized compared to BusHitlerMcChimpy, so I give you accolades for improving the level of discourse around here

Um, the only people I’ve ever seen use the term “BusHitlerMcChimpy” (or anything similar) are rightwingers and Republicans who are trying to make liberals look juvenile.

]]> By: Kang de Veroveraar http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172692 Kang de Veroveraar Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:24:48 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172692 <i> (I use ‘imbecile’ and avoid using ‘radical’ because I disassociate myself from people who confuse the two.) </i> I wouldn't like to derail the thread by discussing semantics, but still... <i> So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it. </i> The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin to some sort of "imbecility". You also imply that they are of peripheral importance in the larger scheme of all things rightist. At least as far as the Middle East is concerned, that's utter tosh. Oh well. I guess that your second post clarifies the matter, which I'd regard as settled. (I use ‘imbecile’ and avoid using ‘radical’ because I disassociate myself from people who confuse the two.)

I wouldn’t like to derail the thread by discussing semantics, but still…

So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it.

The implication is that the radicalism entailed by xenophobia and racism is akin to some sort of “imbecility”. You also imply that they are of peripheral importance in the larger scheme of all things rightist. At least as far as the Middle East is concerned, that’s utter tosh.

Oh well. I guess that your second post clarifies the matter, which I’d regard as settled.

]]> By: pedro http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172681 pedro Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:12:26 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172681 kang de veroveraar: my remarks do not imply that there is a balance between the excesses of the right and the left in this country, nor are they the product of such an assumption on my part. Irrespective of degree and relative preponderance of the different kind of excesses left and right, to constantly ascribe to one's political opponents the caricaturesque views of the imbeciles among them is not precisely an intelligent way to conduct oneself. (I use 'imbecile' and avoid using 'radical' because I disassociate myself from people who confuse the two.) "In your opinion, is Venezuela’s president one of them?" Not only is he an idiot, he is also a dangerous and profoundly irresponsible idiot. But if you think saying this makes me somehow a 'moderate' Democrat, you are quite wrong. I am to the left of most Democrats in this country. kang de veroveraar: my remarks do not imply that there is a balance between the excesses of the right and the left in this country, nor are they the product of such an assumption on my part. Irrespective of degree and relative preponderance of the different kind of excesses left and right, to constantly ascribe to one’s political opponents the caricaturesque views of the imbeciles among them is not precisely an intelligent way to conduct oneself. (I use ‘imbecile’ and avoid using ‘radical’ because I disassociate myself from people who confuse the two.)

“In your opinion, is Venezuela’s president one of them?”

Not only is he an idiot, he is also a dangerous and profoundly irresponsible idiot. But if you think saying this makes me somehow a ‘moderate’ Democrat, you are quite wrong. I am to the left of most Democrats in this country.

]]> By: abb1 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172679 abb1 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:08:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172679 On the positive note, <a href="http://www.stupidityawards.com/images/5.jpg" rel="nofollow">president Bush</a> has won special <a href="http://www.stupidityawards.com/winners.html" rel="nofollow">DISINFORMATION STUPIDITY AWARD FOR BEING MOST OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY</a> in 2006. Kim Jong Il was nominated for STUPIDEST MAN OF THE YEAR and lost to Donald Thompson, Oklahoma Penis Pump Judge. Loser. And last year, Mr. Bush won Stupidest Statement of the Year award with memorable <i>"They never stop thinking of new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."</i> On the positive note, president Bush has won special DISINFORMATION STUPIDITY AWARD FOR BEING MOST OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY in 2006.

Kim Jong Il was nominated for STUPIDEST MAN OF THE YEAR and lost to Donald Thompson, Oklahoma Penis Pump Judge. Loser.

And last year, Mr. Bush won Stupidest Statement of the Year award with memorable “They never stop thinking of new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

]]> By: Nat Whilk http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172672 Nat Whilk Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:58:08 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172672 Pedro writes: "<i>So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there.</i>" In your opinion, is Venezuela's president one of them? Pedro writes: “So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there.”

In your opinion, is Venezuela’s president one of them?

]]> By: Kang de Veroveraar http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172669 Kang de Veroveraar Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:35:59 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172669 <i> So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it. </i> You appear to assume that there is some sort of symmetry between the excesses of "the" right and "the" left these days. That's clearly not the case. It is not hard to argue that the attitude of the Bush administration and its supporters towards Arabs is tinged with racism. Read for instance Raphael Patai's "The Arab Mind", and then get your mouse over to <a href="http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=235" rel="nofollow"> one of the many sites that treat it as a serious work of scholarship. </a> On the other hand, given that the Dems do not appear to take their role as an opposition party too seriously, one has to wonder whether their attitude is really informed by radical leftist imbecility... So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it.

You appear to assume that there is some sort of symmetry between the excesses of “the” right and “the” left these days. That’s clearly not the case.

It is not hard to argue that the attitude of the Bush administration and its supporters towards Arabs is tinged with racism. Read for instance Raphael Patai’s “The Arab Mind”, and then get your mouse over to one of the many sites that treat it as a serious work of scholarship.

On the other hand, given that the Dems do not appear to take their role as an opposition party too seriously, one has to wonder whether their attitude is really informed by radical leftist imbecility…

]]> By: Randy Paul http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172634 Randy Paul Thu, 21 Sep 2006 01:39:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172634 <i>Thoughtful criticism? Civil disagreement? Nah. Incendiary nonsense, for sure.</i> Or the inability to distinguish between a trckback and a comment. Thoughtful criticism? Civil disagreement? Nah. Incendiary nonsense, for sure.

Or the inability to distinguish between a trckback and a comment.

]]> By: pedro http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/comment-page-1/#comment-172630 pedro Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:13:52 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/09/20/breath-into-a-paper-bag-and-count-to-ten-slowly/#comment-172630 Just yesterday, I had occasion to witness, during a reception for new faculty at my place of employment, an insufferable rant by a rather outspoken Bush-hating leftist colleague. So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it. But what is one to expect from Steve? Thoughtful criticism? Civil disagreement? Nah. Incendiary nonsense, for sure. Just yesterday, I had occasion to witness, during a reception for new faculty at my place of employment, an insufferable rant by a rather outspoken Bush-hating leftist colleague. So yes, there are leftist imbeciles out there. But Steve likes to suggest that those people are representative of the views on the left, which is the equivalent of suggesting that the right is represented by the fringe xenophobes and racists that inhabit it. But what is one to expect from Steve? Thoughtful criticism? Civil disagreement? Nah. Incendiary nonsense, for sure.

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