Comments on: Bartlett, Zombies, Disraeli, Anarchism, Dr. Horrible

By: jtm

jtm — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:09:04 +0000

come now…let’s be serious. the best hands Captain Hammer line, hands down, among the multitude of incredible lines (many of which are mentioned above) is clearly having him return into the frame to clarify, “The hammer is my penis.” I did a spit take when I heard that, and I wasn’t even drinking anything.

::insert something relevant about the political discussion here as well and remember to do it BEFORE you post this time. otherwise, you’ll just look like a fool::

By: bartkid

bartkid — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:37:52 +0000

>I don’t remember you or any other liberal saying at the time that this was irrelevant old news.

With a steel-strong memory like that, I foresee a future for this person in a Republican Justice Department.

By: Jacob T. Levy

Jacob T. Levy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:16:48 +0000

“bash in minds” is the funniest line, but “It’s a great day to be homeless!” is a special treat for people who are interested in politics and the press…

By: Jeff Rubard

Jeff Rubard — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:58:05 +0000

Just incredible danger, and in the middle of it, me!

Could happen if you talk too much about dead Presidents.

By: ajay

ajay — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:42:28 +0000

Move along folks, there’s nothing here to see,
Just incredible danger, and in the middle of it, me!

By: lemuel pitkin

lemuel pitkin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:59:40 +0000

when liberals try to adopt as their own radicals like the Black Panthers or the Haymarket Martyrs

Sorry, which liberals are these?

By: roac

roac — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:44:34 +0000

A word to the owners of this site: Keep an eye on this TLB person.

By: sg

sg — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:39:53 +0000

I liked all of Bad Horse’s letters to Dr Horrible. Particularly the brief pause when he says he will make Dr. Horrible his mare.

By: josh

josh — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:41:18 +0000

A few stray thoughts, for what they’re worth:
The Bartlett piece: yeah, what everyone else said.
National Review: it’s amazing how perceptions can differ. I tend to think that the reminder of how little we know is the best part of conservatism (and one of those rare things that David Brooks rightly emphasises, albeit sometimes in perverse ways). On the other hand, there’s nothing conservative, properly speaking, about market dogmatism (which doesn’t mean its wrong—though I tend to think it is; but it sure ain’t conservative). (And—Brooks writes gorgeously? Eh. He’s a bit too cutesy for my taste—but maybe it’s too much time cohabiting a page with Tom Friedman.)
I don’t think that Brooks is a Rockefeller Republican—at least, not if he’s serious about, and properly understands, the Disraeli reference (and with Brooks, who knows). Disraeli, at least as I understand him, basically contributes to Toryism a combination of willingness to adopt moderate reform for political purposes; a certain concern for the disadvantaged based on a combination of noblesse oblige and nationalism; and an expansionist, jingoistic foreign policy. ‘Compassionate conservatism’ and plus imperialism—it’s like a competent (actually, very competent) version of Bush (or, someone who actually delivered what Bush promised). In other words, in his admiration for Disraeli (and TR) Brooks is still basically a neo-con, albeit a chastened one.
I’m happy to agree with my good buddy Jacob that liberals shouldn’t embrace the Panthers or the Haymarket Martyrs—though from the other side of the fence, as it were.
Dr. Horrible: I liked the whole Bad Horse conceit, with its attendant lines (‘His terrible death-whinny’ was great—though much of its greatness was in the delivery.) And yes, ‘you’ve also got to bash in minds’ was the best of many fine Captain Hammer lines.

By: John Holbo

John Holbo — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:09:15 +0000

OK, but I’m a philosopher, so I like jokes that remind me of Russell’s (and others) theories of proper names. What do YOU think was the funniest line.

I thought “Home is where the heart is/So your true home’s in your chest” was pretty funny. Also, “It’s not enough to bash in heads, you’ve also got to bash in minds.”

By: Jacob T. Levy

Jacob T. Levy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:34:11 +0000

I don’t even think that was in the top ten funniest lines.

By: sg

sg — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:01:39 +0000

I think it’s funny how the analysis doesn’t include any recognition that as members of a polity black people should be represented by both major parties, and the Republicans ought to be pursuing black votes because they ought to care about black voters. No, that idea’s completely missing from the equation. It’s just that the Republicans will lose votes if they don’t fake sincerity, and black voters are missing out on using their awesome (vote) consuming power.

Whether this is just another case of pundits getting so obsessed with the political battle that they miss the wood for the trees, or whether it’s what this chap really thinks… either way it’s sad.

By: TLB

TLB — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:34:07 +0000

Based on the previous comments, we're playing a game where we're supposed to just ignore lots of things that have happened, right? I hate to not play along, but this seems relevant to the "natural competitors" quote. Bear in mind that was a Bush scheme aided and abetted by the Dem leadership; when local Dems complained, they were told to hush up in various ways.

By: JP Stormcrow

JP Stormcrow — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:22:21 +0000

It’s interesting that even granting the most charitable interpretation of Bartlett’s column (that Repubs should reach out to blacks so they can join evangelicals as constituencies that vote against their best interests), Bartlett observes rule #1 when talking to the conservative “leadership”—Thou shalt not say anything bad about their actions because then they will not even listen to you. They really do act like the world’s most spoiled children (see also Gerson’s recent column lecturing global warning activists). It’s like an intervention with an alcoholic where you play Raffi songs and talk about how much fun it used to be drinking apple juice.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:49:03 +0000

Good to see that the really BIG steaming crock of shit in that “argument” is obvious to all and sundry…