Comments on: Bidet of the Locust http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:42:59 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Crooked Timber » 2007 » October » 08 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-213109 Crooked Timber » 2007 » October » 08 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 07:52:08 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-213109 [...] fanatical “fact-checking” copy-editors edited my copy into unreadable sludge.” (John H has a little bit more fun with Tim’s debunking here) Permanent Link · Posted in [...] [...] fanatical “fact-checking” copy-editors edited my copy into unreadable sludge.” (John H has a little bit more fun with Tim’s debunking here) Permanent Link · Posted in [...]

]]> By: bad Jim http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212945 bad Jim Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:51:43 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212945 I'm another Californian. I don't have a five-speed toilet myself, but my sister up in Marin County does. Flush front or back, temperature control ... I've never used it, I can't comment. My brother retrofitted his toilet with a butt spritzer. I suppose it keeps his jeans cleaner, since he insists on going commando. His faucet dispenses blue water, too, thanks to an LED illuminator. Maybe, for Christmas, I'll get him the new one that changes color with the temperature of the water. I’m another Californian. I don’t have a five-speed toilet myself, but my sister up in Marin County does. Flush front or back, temperature control … I’ve never used it, I can’t comment. My brother retrofitted his toilet with a butt spritzer. I suppose it keeps his jeans cleaner, since he insists on going commando.

His faucet dispenses blue water, too, thanks to an LED illuminator. Maybe, for Christmas, I’ll get him the new one that changes color with the temperature of the water.

]]> By: Lee A. Arnold http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212931 Lee A. Arnold Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:33:24 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212931 Being a plumber on the westside of Los Angeles, I can tell you all about it... To begin with, most people who have bidets don't use them. I know one that is used as a planter. The new "bidet seats" take a special toilet -- they don't go on any toilet. They are very expensive. You have to have an electrical outlet installed within 12 inches of the toilet. This alone makes me think it is about the stupidest idea on earth. All the plumbers just roll their eyes at that one. The seat contraption is all plastic, very complicated, no repair parts or any apparent way to take the thing apart, if and when it breaks. I'll have to get back to you on that. The thing has a retractable wand which pokes out and sprays in different directions, fore and aft. They get a little dirty. The housekeeper is going to love it. There are operating buttons on the side of the toilet you can't see while sitting, but there is a handheld remote with buttons to do all the operations too. So you are sitting on the john with a battery-operated remote in your hand. It has a clip to hang on the wall next to you. Next to the five-line phone and house intercom. You can set the thing so the seat automatically goes up when you approach it. I always laugh at that, but then, I am a plumber. Infrared actuation. Then you pee and the seat automatically goes down when you leave. This will save some arguments. Being a plumber on the westside of Los Angeles, I can tell you all about it… To begin with, most people who have bidets don’t use them. I know one that is used as a planter. The new “bidet seats” take a special toilet—they don’t go on any toilet. They are very expensive. You have to have an electrical outlet installed within 12 inches of the toilet. This alone makes me think it is about the stupidest idea on earth. All the plumbers just roll their eyes at that one. The seat contraption is all plastic, very complicated, no repair parts or any apparent way to take the thing apart, if and when it breaks. I’ll have to get back to you on that. The thing has a retractable wand which pokes out and sprays in different directions, fore and aft. They get a little dirty. The housekeeper is going to love it. There are operating buttons on the side of the toilet you can’t see while sitting, but there is a handheld remote with buttons to do all the operations too. So you are sitting on the john with a battery-operated remote in your hand. It has a clip to hang on the wall next to you. Next to the five-line phone and house intercom. You can set the thing so the seat automatically goes up when you approach it. I always laugh at that, but then, I am a plumber. Infrared actuation. Then you pee and the seat automatically goes down when you leave. This will save some arguments.

]]> By: JP Stormcrow http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212872 JP Stormcrow Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:49:55 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212872 I believe the essential "WTF is that?" re: a bidet, is from Crocodile Dundee. David Brooks will surely drive out to a small town and investigate whether the Red Lobster has bidets. I believe the essential “WTF is that?” re: a bidet, is from Crocodile Dundee. David Brooks will surely drive out to a small town and investigate whether the Red Lobster has bidets.

]]> By: nnyhav http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212869 nnyhav Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:59:28 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212869 Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/latest_idea_for.php" rel="nofollow">Tom's travel kit</a>. Meanwhile, Tom’s travel kit.

]]> By: nnyhav http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212868 nnyhav Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:56:07 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212868 Taking it from the <a href="http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/002279.html" rel="nofollow">other end</a>, desperately seeking synthesis. Taking it from the other end, desperately seeking synthesis.

]]> By: Kieran Healy http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212864 Kieran Healy Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:11:40 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212864 "Bowling Alone" would be a good title just by itself. “Bowling Alone” would be a good title just by itself.

]]> By: Grand Moff Texan http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212861 Grand Moff Texan Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:57:42 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212861 <i>a microtrendy David Brooks column. Something wise and telling about bidet liberals vs. flyover country, do-it-yourself sons of the soil</i> If Brooks does, in fact, ring the changes on his usual "liberals are hypocrites because they use _____, which no one who works for a living would use" spew machine, we could take up a collection to send him to a working-class neighborhood in Ankara ... with no toilet paper. . a microtrendy David Brooks column. Something wise and telling about bidet liberals vs. flyover country, do-it-yourself sons of the soil

If Brooks does, in fact, ring the changes on his usual “liberals are hypocrites because they use _, which no one who works for a living would use” spew machine, we could take up a collection to send him to a working-class neighborhood in Ankara … with no toilet paper.
.

]]> By: MattF http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212860 MattF Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:57:29 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212860 Fine with me, as long as no one makes a comment about 'long tail' marketing. Fine with me, as long as no one makes a comment about ‘long tail’ marketing.

]]> By: Grand Moff Texan http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212858 Grand Moff Texan Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:53:36 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212858 <i>Tom Friedman’s new book: “The Bowl Is Flat”</i> More like "the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedman_(unit)" rel="nofollow">next six bidets will be critical</a>, so <a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/13/tom-friedman-suck-on-this-iraq/" rel="nofollow">suck on this</a>." . Tom Friedman’s new book: “The Bowl Is Flat”

More like “the next six bidets will be critical, so suck on this.”
.

]]> By: Stanford Matthews http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212853 Stanford Matthews Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:12:14 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212853 Let's see, one square of toilet paper per Cheryl Crow or a bidet. Perhaps we should stop eating. Let’s see, one square of toilet paper per Cheryl Crow or a bidet. Perhaps we should stop eating.

]]> By: acb http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212851 acb Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:06:29 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212851 I think the troubled period of Franco-German relations between 1939 and 1945 might qualify. (yes, I know it's a joke, but if I weren't writing this I'd be working) I think the troubled period of Franco-German relations between 1939 and 1945 might qualify. (yes, I know it’s a joke, but if I weren’t writing this I’d be working)

]]> By: tom s. http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212848 tom s. Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:46:27 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212848 Has there ever been a war between two countries in which bidet use is widespread? Has there ever been a war between two countries in which bidet use is widespread?

]]> By: John Holbo http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212846 John Holbo Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:41:43 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212846 Tom Friedman's new book: "The Bowl Is Flat" Tom Friedman’s new book: “The Bowl Is Flat”

]]> By: almostinfamous http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/comment-page-1/#comment-212845 almostinfamous Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:38:25 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/10/04/bidet-of-the-locust/#comment-212845 i think tom friedman ought to come up with a relationship between the relative merits of bidets and the war in iraq. would make about as much sense as his latest. i think tom friedman ought to come up with a relationship between the relative merits of bidets and the war in iraq. would make about as much sense as his latest.

]]>