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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Free For All Open Thread

Free For All Open Thread

by Tom in Texas|  March 1, 20085:30 pm| 137 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Eyes on the prize, guys. Play nice.

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Reader Interactions

137Comments

  1. 1.

    Tom in Texas

    March 1, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    By the way I’ve got two open spots in a 6 man keeper fantasy baseball league if anyone is interested. $20 and you get an expansion team. Draft day/time TBD (sometime in mid March).

  2. 2.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    I’m surprised the Brown Squirts aren’t pissing their pants over the ricin in Vegas thing.

    Maybe they think that what goes in Vegas really does stay in Vegas.

  3. 3.

    Incertus

    March 1, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    If there’s one thing that the Bush administration has taught me, it’s that consistency is not necessarily a virtue.

  4. 4.

    Incertus

    March 1, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    jake, I’m guessing that since the guy’s name is Bergendorff, they’d rather the story just disappeared.

  5. 5.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    Bergendorff would be a great name for a stealth Islahomobamafascist.

  6. 6.

    Wilfred

    March 1, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    So how come McCain gets a free pass after accepting the endorsement of Catholic bashing, end of times nut job Hagee while Obama gets the tortures of the damned over Farrakhan?

  7. 7.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    Seeing as how McCain hasn’t gotten a free pass so far, I’d guess that he’ll eventually have to repudiate Hagee.

  8. 8.

    bootlegger

    March 1, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    Xtian privilege means never having to say your sorry…much less “reject and denounce” a member of the Christ Cult.

  9. 9.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    Jake, I’m assuming that the members of the 101st Chairborne are waiting to see how the Democrats caused this outrage.

  10. 10.

    Incertus

    March 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    Seeing as how McCain hasn’t gotten a free pass so far, I’d guess that he’ll eventually have to repudiate Hagee.

    I’ve seen precious little coverage of the discussion outside of blogs. Has it gotten play in the media? Where?

  11. 11.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 6:26 pm

    It’s already on _Time_’s blog, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t break into the dead tree edition.

  12. 12.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    So how come McCain gets a free pass after accepting the endorsement of Catholic bashing, end of times nut job Hagee while Obama gets the tortures of the damned over Farrakhan?

    This is Louis Farrakhan.

    And this is John Hagee.

    What was your question?

    Jake, I’m assuming that the members of the 101st Chairborne are waiting to see how the Democrats ^IslamObama caused this outrage.

    Stay on message please.

  13. 13.

    SteveinSC

    March 1, 2008 at 6:43 pm

    My question is why John McCain would accept Hagee’s endorsement? Is it to nail Huch once and for all? The damage to Insane McCain has already been way out of proportion to any good he can get from Hagee.

  14. 14.

    Gus

    March 1, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    Wow, that Hagee dude looks like a stereotypical Southern sheriff.

  15. 15.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Just got in. Is there coffee?

  16. 16.

    Wilfred

    March 1, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    I’d guess that he’ll eventually have to repudiate Hagee.

    Nope. McCain said: “Yesterday, Pastor John Hagee endorsed my candidacy for president in San Antonio, Texas. However, in no way did I intend for his endorsement to suggest that I in turn agree with all of Pastor Hagee’s views, which I obviously do not.”

    That last bit seems sensible enough…if the endorsement comes from an overfed white cult leader who also hates Muslims and is keen to get Armageddon going as soon as possible.

    But if you’re black and have a Muslim name you better start shufflin’ and pawing the ground if Louis Farrakhan’s name comes up.

  17. 17.

    Dennis - SGMM

    March 1, 2008 at 7:02 pm

    A couple of quotes from McCain’s new BFF, John Hagee (Courtesy Wikipedia):

    “Most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews.” – Jerusalem Countdown (revised edition, 2007, p. 114)

    “All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that.”

    “Christians don’t steal or lie, they don’t get divorced or have abortions. If the Ten Commandments were followed by everyone we would be able to fire half the police force and in six months the prisons would be all half empty.” “The Fish Gate” 9/2/07

  18. 18.

    Incertus

    March 1, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    “All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that.”

    And yet I’d bet that McCain could campaign in New Orleans with Hagee by his side and he’d still win Louisiana by 8 points in November.

  19. 19.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    John Hagee is that rare combination of lunatic, sociopath and huckster that makes the American right so fascinating and so dangerous.

    This guy is a gen-u-wine sicko.

  20. 20.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    Just got in. Is there coffee?

    /passes TZ a cup.

    Here you go. I just got in as well — was cutting trees and hauling brush all afternoon, and now it’s effing snowing again.

  21. 21.

    D-Chance.

    March 1, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Althouse is hitting the wine bottle again.

    It was stupid when the Dems purportedly found a frame or two of “rats” in the word “beaurocrats” in 2000; it’s no less stupid to interpret the “nig” on a child’s “good night” pajamas top as anything but an innocent shot of a child sleeping in his bed.

    But, it’s a slow day, and Ann has been lonely, ignored, and overly sober lately…

  22. 22.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Eyes on the prize, guys. Play nice.

    In it to win it. Nice guys finish last. Show me a “good loser” and I’ll show you a loser.

    Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere else to the White House.

    That’s enough cliche for today.

  23. 23.

    RSA

    March 1, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    I was thinking of the Althouse analysis, too. Do people still go stir-crazy in the northern states during winter? I guess so.

  24. 24.

    Perry Como

    March 1, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    That last bit seems sensible enough…if the endorsement comes from an overfed white cult leader who also hates Muslims and is keen to get Armageddon going as soon as possible.

    In all fairness, Hagee also said teh j00s brought the Holocaust on themselves.

  25. 25.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    From C&L:

    The need for a renewed focus on transformational politics is obvious when we compare the success of the conservative movement over the past thirty years with the collapse of the American progressive coalition. The important thing about contemporary conservatives is not just that they won elections–it’s how they won. They didn’t win by changing their positions or rhetoric to move toward the voters–or where polls told them the voters were. They won by moving the voters closer to them, paving the way for the last decade of conservative hegemony.

    The conservatives won by turning the GOP into the party of televangelists, hucksters, carnival barkers and snake-oil salesmen. No true ideology, just say anything to win.

    BTW – Nicole Belle thinks transformational politics is what Obama does.

  26. 26.

    Wilfred

    March 1, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    In all fairness, Hagee also said teh j00s brought the Holocaust on themselves.

    He more than made up for it; he practically invented Christian Zionism

  27. 27.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    It was stupid when the Dems purportedly found a frame or two of “rats” in the word “beaurocrats” in 2000; it’s no less stupid to interpret the “nig” on a child’s “good night” pajamas top as anything but an innocent shot of a child sleeping in his bed.

    I remember when there was a big hysteria about “backwards masking” of subliminal messaging on LP’s.

    The backwoods Bible-thumpers and the trailer park Baptists were convinced that if you played records backwards you could hear instructions to worship Satan.

    I think that it was Robert Plant who said that if backwards masking actually worked the subliminal message would be “Buy this album.”

  28. 28.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    “All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that.”

    Didn’t Jon Stewart do a show where he showed that all the major hurricanes that hit Florida since 2000 tracked through counties that voted for Bush?

    I know that epidemic of tornados on Super Duper Tuesday beat the shit out of some red states.

  29. 29.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    Hey, this is thin beer. Where is the knock-down drag-out verbal abuse that a good political donnybrook brings?

    I blame you…p.luk.

  30. 30.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    I know that epidemic of tornados on Super Duper Tuesday beat the shit out of some red states.

    Yes, just too bad they didn’t finish the job.

  31. 31.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    Where is the knock-down drag-out verbal abuse that a good political donnybrook brings?

    “Who are you calling a “cootie queen” you lint licker?”

  32. 32.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    Well, I’ll give p.luk credit for this much, he never seemed to get nasty and tended to ignore insults and focused on debating his points. He brought to the table, with a straight face, some of the more idiotic arguments I’ve ever heard, but he did it courteously. I kind of doubt he convinced anyone of much of anything, but I admire the effort. He didn’t have a lot to work with.

  33. 33.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    BTW, TZ, I have no clue what this means

    two open spots in a 6 man keeper fantasy baseball league

    it sounds faintly homoerotic…

  34. 34.

    jcricket

    March 1, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    Hey, this is thin beer. Where is the knock-down drag-out verbal abuse that a good political donnybrook brings?

    TZ’s back on his meds, so no Spartan-esque (“tonight we blog in HELL!”) stands in this blog post.

  35. 35.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    He didn’t have a lot to work with.

    Pearls before swine.

  36. 36.

    jcricket

    March 1, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    it sounds faintly homoerotic…

    like nearly all sports, except NASCAR, which is just lame.

  37. 37.

    jcricket

    March 1, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Pearls before swine.

    Now that’s a good comic strip.

    Zeeba-Zeeba-Eata.

  38. 38.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    Now that’s a good comic strip.

    I love the homocidal duck

  39. 39.

    Dennis - SGMM

    March 1, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    Pearls before swine.

    Aha! Dog-whistle posting if I’ve ever seen it. Say something about blacks, gays. or women and you catch hell. Make fun of fat people and everyone just laughs along. Shame on you, myiq2xu! You guys owe me a “Harrumph!”

  40. 40.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    myiq, one thing that occurs to me as weird about this election season is that I am the ultimate pragmatist. I never had a thing for Howard Dean, and I actually liked John Kerry. I thought he was stable, and competent, and honorable. I knew he was pretty dull, but I didn’t really care. I’m one of those Consumer Reports, “this brand of jeans fits me pretty well so I don’t see any need to shop for any other kind”, kinda girls. And I am a total Obama fangyrl, and HRC has always left me cold. I laugh out loud at the current Doonesbury strips. I guess that doesn’t really merit any particular response, I just think it’s interesting.

    I might even shop for a new pair of jeans to wear to his inauguration.

  41. 41.

    tBone

    March 1, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    I was thinking of the Althouse analysis, too. Do crazy people still go stir-crazy even crazier in the northern states during winter? I guess so.

    It is all Althouse, after all.

    Hey, this is thin beer. Where is the knock-down drag-out verbal abuse that a good political donnybrook brings?

    What would a plaid-draped Pacific Coast fishlicker like you know about good political donnybrooks?

  42. 42.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    I love the homocidal duck

    “homocidal”? Are you intimating that gay men are mass murderers?

  43. 43.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    What would a plaid-draped Pacific Coast fishlicker like you know about good political donnybrooks?

    Oh, we have them, you know. Why, last year, I actually heard a political candidate suggest that his opponent would actually not do the job as well as he would!

    I did have to administer CPR to one woman who fainted in the back row after that comment, but, really, we’re not the super-polite sensitive fish-loving ninnies you think we are.

  44. 44.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    homocidal

    I think he’s intimating that he’s not a criminal defense lawyer after all…

  45. 45.

    John S.

    March 1, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Are you intimating that gay men are mass murderers?

    No, but they are responsible for the immigration problem. All that wasted sperm which never found an egg to fertilize translates into millions of American workers that we were short on when the Mexicans replaced them.

    /Limbaugh

  46. 46.

    TheFountainHead

    March 1, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Evenin’ all.

    I was told today that Angelina Jolie is onvinced the surge is working and we need to stay the course. I’m sold. How ’bout y’all?

    Don’t these celebrities know better? First Jack Nicholson slumming for Hillary and now Jolie is for the war? Down with the intolerant, conservative Hollywood!

  47. 47.

    tBone

    March 1, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    really, we’re not the super-polite sensitive fish-loving ninnies you think we are.

    Oh yeah. I keep forgetting you’re not Canadian.

    In the interests of getting a good argument going, I’d also like to issue a blanket insult to the following: grown men in fantasy sports leagues, engineers, programmers, people who live in Arizona, college professors, researchers, World of Warcraft players, lawyers, the Duke lacrosse team, the Steelers, Hillary, Obama, puppies, kittens, and the Beatles.

  48. 48.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    lawyers

    Like Obama, we feed on your insults and they make us stronger, especially when they come from people named after yummy cuts of meat….mmmm…your insults taste like A1.

  49. 49.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    I’d also like to issue a blanket insult to the following: grown men in fantasy sports leagues, engineers, programmers, people who live in Arizona, college professors, researchers, World of Warcraft players, lawyers, the Duke lacrosse team, the Steelers, Hillary, Obama, puppies, kittens, and the Beatles.

    “Paul L.”

  50. 50.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    Apropos of nothing, as this is an open thread, I think Saoirse is the prettiest name. I would’ve named my daughter that if anyone on this continent would’ve had any idea how to pronounce it. As it is, I’m just going to have to enroll her in those Irish dancing classes.

    Now, TZ is going to come back and talk about how obviously male I am and I’m just playing the “baby name card”.

  51. 51.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Kind of interesting TX early voting statistics

  52. 52.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Say something about blacks, gays. or women and you catch hell. Make fun of fat people and everyone just laughs along.

    Nice try you insensitive jackaloper. Everyone knows the reference to two non-Kosher foods is a swipe at Jewish people.

  53. 53.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    TZ is going to come back and talk about how obviously male I am and I’m just playing the “baby name card”.

    Here’s a hint, Jen.

    If you want bullies to stop teasing you about your name, don’t let them know that they’re getting to you. Now, I think there’s something more-than-vaguely-creepy about making claims about your gender, but, hey, that’s TZ, and he’s sort of the more-than-vaguely-creepy creepy old uncle of the comments section. (Me? I’m the more-than-vaguely-disturbing geeky nephew who keeps trying to…hey! No fair!)

  54. 54.

    SGEW

    March 1, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    I’d also like to issue a blanket insult to the following: grown men in fantasy sports leagues, engineers, programmers, people who live in Arizona, college professors, researchers, World of Warcraft players, lawyers, the Duke lacrosse team, the Steelers, Hillary, Obama, puppies, kittens, and the Beatles.

    Kittens? KITTENS?!? Have you no decency?

  55. 55.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    If you want bullies to stop teasing you about your name, don’t let them know that they’re getting to you.

    Nah, I think it’s funny. I like to think about how everything I say would be interpreted by someone who is convinced that I’m a guy. So sometimes I include that interpretation. He said I played the “knitting card” once. Have *you* ever heard of a “knitting card”? So I like to think about all the other girly cards I might have.

    I admit that I did not care for his unsupported characterization that I am “dishonest”. You can tell, ’cause I don’t joke about it, see?

  56. 56.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    I think Saoirse is the prettiest name. I would’ve named my daughter that if anyone on this continent would’ve had any idea how to pronounce it. As it is, I’m just going to have to enroll her in those Irish dancing classes.

    There is something to be said for having a name that doesn’t require multiple repetitions and corrections to everybody. My maiden name is of French descent, and it’s been mangled six ways to Sunday by most everybody.

    Could be worse. At least my folks put some thought into how my first name would sound with my last name, unlike the parents of a fellow from my hometown. Their last name is Good. They named him Purdy.

  57. 57.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Have you ever heard of a “knitting card”?

    There are more things here in the comments section than were dreamed of in my college philosophy. That was, I admit, one of them.

    OTOH — FDDD and I named all of our kids jointly, so the “baby naming” card is not, by any means, female.

  58. 58.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    BTW, the creepy part wasn’t really the claims about my gender. The creepy part was that he wanted me to PROVE I’m a woman. And that seemed to involve deciphering Ovaltine decoder ring hints as to his email address, or identity, or something, scattered through BJ over the last 2.5 years.

    Yep. I’ll get right on that, creepy ol’ dude.

  59. 59.

    Tax Analyst

    March 1, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    SGEW Says:

    I’d also like to issue a blanket insult to the following: grown men in fantasy sports leagues, engineers, programmers, people who live in Arizona, college professors, researchers, World of Warcraft players, lawyers, the Duke lacrosse team, the Steelers, Hillary, Obama, puppies, kittens, and the Beatles.

    Well, that’s just plain silly…EVERYONE knows you don’t insult kittens…you Scull-Fuck them…

    …Jesus…come on, people – get with the program.

  60. 60.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    There is something to be said for having a name that doesn’t require multiple repetitions and corrections to everybody.

    Yeah, I know. What can I say, when you grow up one of three “Jennifers” in a class of 25, when no one, ever, asks you how to spell your name, you dream weirdo.

    Our kids are named jointly, too, but I don’t think men go online to baby naming forums, as I did when I was pregnant. They slant heavily towards the cutesy, I found out.

  61. 61.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    I might even shop for a new pair of jeans to wear to his inauguration.

    More proof you’re a guy – You didn’t ask if they make your butt look big.

    “homocidal”? Are you intimating that gay men are mass murderers?

    I’m not intimating with gay men and isn’t mass murder something Hagee would advocate?

    I caught my typo a split second after I hit submit. I think that momentary hang-time is God’s way of laughing at us.

  62. 62.

    scrutinizer

    March 1, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    EVERYONE knows you don’t insult kittens…you Scull-Fuck them…

    There is a special hell for creatures like you.

  63. 63.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    He said I played the “knitting card” once.

    Is that like the knitting wheel? ‘Cause I had one of those when I was 8, and made tube dresses for my Barbies. :)

  64. 64.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Is that like the knitting wheel? ‘Cause I had one of those when I was 8, and made tube dresses for my Barbies.

    Some friends of mine had four kids – all girls.

    I’ve never seen so many naked Barbies in my life.

  65. 65.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    Yeah, I know. What can I say, when you grow up one of three “Jennifers” in a class of 25, when no one, ever, asks you how to spell your name, you dream weirdo.

    Only three? You did well. We had four in our class, and our school was just lousy with Jennifers, as well as with Jasons, Robbies and Lisas.

    Right now, my friend’s kid is one of three Hayleys in her class. Plus ça change…

  66. 66.

    Wilfred

    March 1, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    They named him Purdy.

    Did they name him after Al Purdy, my favorite Canadian poet?

  67. 67.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    No one could have possibly foreseen that handing out money when the economy is on life support would … Oh fuck it.

    Bet: Before the summer ends there will be a surge in “Humiliate Yourself for Instant $$” TeeVee programming.

  68. 68.

    jake

    March 1, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    I’ve never seen so many naked Barbies in my life.

    Now that’s creepy.

    Plus, Bill Donohue told me looking at naked Barbies(R) leaves you hung like Ken(R).

  69. 69.

    SGEW

    March 1, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Scull-Fuck

    Is that anything like weak beer/sex in a canoe? (i.e., fucking close to water?)

    That’s what I think of, anyway.

  70. 70.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Did they name him after Al Purdy, my favorite Canadian poet?

    Probably not, as this guy’s quite elderly, so Al Purdy would have published well after this guy was born.

    Can you imagine the conversation, though?

    “What’s your name?”
    “Purdy Good”
    “No, I didn’t ask how you were, I asked what your name is.”
    “Purdy Good”

    And it would just go downhill from there.

  71. 71.

    myiq2xu

    March 1, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    Now that’s creepy.

    Anyone who has a daughter learns that if you buy her a Barbie she’ll strip it naked and leave it laying around.

    It’s a chick thing. It’s called “humiliate your rivals.”

    It appears to be hard-wired.

  72. 72.

    Some guy named Matt

    March 1, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Perfect Open thread just when i needed one.

    So i’m watching Woody Allen’s 1971 movie Bananas for the 1st time in like 15 years. About 10 minutes into the movie,
    Fielding Melish (Woody) is perusing the porn magazines at an outdoor magazine kiosk. And right in the middle of all the dirty mags, is a copy of The National Review…… Which for some reason, i didn’t get the joke when i was in high school, but now found it extremely funny.

    Howard Cossell calling an Assassination like a boxing match. is always funny.

  73. 73.

    Wilfred

    March 1, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    AVONDALE, La. – The USS New York, an amphibious assault ship built with scrap steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center, was christened Saturday as a source of strength and inspiration for the nation.

    You know, they could have built a hospital, or a school, or even a fucking bridge maybe, in some lame attempt at bringing people together, but no. “I hereby christen you as a source of strength and inspiration for the nation”. Now go help kill some brown people, you big inspirational lug.

  74. 74.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    Anyone who has a daughter learns that if you buy her a Barbie she’ll strip it naked and leave it laying around.

    It’s a chick thing. It’s called “humiliate your rivals.”

    It appears to be hard-wired.

    Yeah, most of mine, when not wearing fetching knitted tube dresses, were laying around naked. And I was also a budding hairstylist, so unfortunately, most of my Barbies wound up looking like Anne Heche circa 1997.

  75. 75.

    tBone

    March 1, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    Yeah, most of mine, when not wearing fetching knitted tube dresses, were laying around naked. And I was also a budding hairstylist, so unfortunately, most of my Barbies wound up looking like Anne Heche circa 1997.

    I love the scene in Toy Story 2 when the Prospector gets jammed in the backpack with the freaky Barbies: “You’ll like Amy. She’s an artist.”

  76. 76.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    TZ is going to come back and talk about how obviously male I am

    Really? Is that because having a daughter makes you a particular gender?

    For example, if I had a daughter, would that make me a female?

    I am interested in how you think this works.

  77. 77.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    I’ve seen those knitting wheels in craft stores before, Krista, but I didn’t really know how they worked. I had a polyester-band potholder maker myself. Tube dresses for Barbies, huh? Truly, we are children of the ’70s.

  78. 78.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Yep. I’ll get right on that, creepy ol’ dude.

    Really? If you think it’s creepy, and supposedly don’t like it, why do you keep bringing it up?

    Why did you bring it up to this thread?

  79. 79.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    I have a daughter and a son.

    ZOMG HERMAPHRODITE!!

  80. 80.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    I have a daughter and a son.

    So if I have only one offspring, then I am the gender of that offpsring?

    This seems not to correlate to my college genetics class material. But, I suppose things have changed in that science since I took the class.

  81. 81.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    . I had a polyester-band potholder maker myself.

    Oh my freaking god, I totally remember those now. I had completely forgotten about them, but can now picture one plain as day.

    Ha — found them!

  82. 82.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    Yep! Except my “loom” was metal. And the potholders shrunk up. And they were really scoogy to the touch. And no one would actually want to use them, not even your mom.

  83. 83.

    Krista

    March 1, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    Plus, that loom made the potholders so small — I think they might have been about 3″x3″. A nice, safe size for a potholder.

    This was my favourite toy for years and years.

  84. 84.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    And they were really scoogy to the touch

    Scoogy is not a word.

  85. 85.

    Jen

    March 1, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Aigh! I had one of those, too, and forgot about it! Oh yes, Fashion Plates.

    One word: Spirograph.

    I could go all night, but the husband beckons to watch the Wire. If it’s good enough for Obama…

  86. 86.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    the husband beckons to watch the Wire.

    Really? Is that on now?

    What channel?

  87. 87.

    Pb

    March 1, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    Is that because having a daughter makes you a particular gender?

    Until men figure out how to give birth, yes.

  88. 88.

    misc

    March 1, 2008 at 10:58 pm

    Why does Jen’s gender matter?

  89. 89.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 11:09 pm

    Why does Jen’s gender matter?

    Why does that matter to you?

  90. 90.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Until men figure out how to give birth, yes.

    Ah, so let me see if I follow. “Having” a daughter means “giving birth” to a daughter?

    So if I have a son, then I am a woman?

    Is that the rule?

  91. 91.

    Pb

    March 1, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    Ah, so let me see if I follow. “Having” a daughter means “giving birth” to a daughter?

    So if I have a son, then I am a woman?

    Is that the rule?

    Indeed, if you give birth to a son, then my expectation would be that you are a woman.

  92. 92.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 11:37 pm

    Indeed, if you give birth to a son, then my expectation would be that you are a woman.

    Uh huh. That is quite brilliant, have you considered publishing a paper on that?

  93. 93.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    [brrr] Sure is cold out there. Anything interesting going on in here?

    Shove over, TZ, give an old man a place to sit down. Anybody got some hot tea?

  94. 94.

    Liberal Masochist

    March 1, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    Jen not “knowing” about fantasy baseball was too obvious. You can’t be on the internet as obsessively as all of us and be ignorant of fantasy sports. She’s a man baby! Fake gender troll alert! JK! : )

    myiq is still a woman and Tom in Texas, if you are in Houston I might be interested. Bigger stakes if possible.

  95. 95.

    ThymeZone

    March 1, 2008 at 11:49 pm

    Anybody got some hot tea?

    Got some green tea brewing over here.

    Anybody besides me thing that Dana Bash is the biggest horse’s ass in cable news today?

    She is apparently either married or engaged to John King.

    I can’t find that the two of them together have a brain.

  96. 96.

    demimondian

    March 1, 2008 at 11:54 pm

    Ahhh…excellent. Fingers get creaky in the winter, you know.

    I don’t have a TV — want to post some links? I wouldn’t be surprised if she were hereditarily decorticate; I only know one anchor/TV reporter type who isn’t, and he married my wife’s sister and left the business, so he isn’t John King.

  97. 97.

    misc

    March 2, 2008 at 12:03 am

    “Why does that matter to you?”

    It doesn’t… which was kinda my point.

  98. 98.

    tBone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:05 am

    Anyone catch the opening of SNL? When did myiq get a writing gig there?

  99. 99.

    demimondian

    March 2, 2008 at 12:08 am

    myiq has a writing gig for SNL? Wow — when did they stop performing in English?

  100. 100.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:09 am

    which was kinda my point.

    So, you spot a sub sub thread on an obscure blog that doesn’t matter to you, and you feel the need to make a point of that?

    Can you remember back to the first time something made you feel that way?

  101. 101.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:16 am

    myiq has a writing gig for SNL? Wow—when did they stop performing in English?

    And when did they go in the tank for HRC?

  102. 102.

    tBone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:27 am

    And when did they go in the tank for HRC?

    Last week, but it wasn’t confirmed until tonight. Hillary even did a bit with Amy Poehler after the opening debate, and held her own.

    They did jab her a little on healthcare at the beginning of the debate sketch, but then it turned into a rehash of last week, making fun of the media for handling Obama with kid gloves. I was hoping they’d do something with Russert’s bizarre hypotheticals instead.

  103. 103.

    demimondian

    March 2, 2008 at 12:33 am

    Hey, don’t post spoilers, you overage East Coaster! SNL isn’t on yet out here.

    Of course, I wouldn’t be able to see it either way…so who cares?

  104. 104.

    empty

    March 2, 2008 at 12:35 am

    Can you remember back to the first time something made you feel that way?

    I have to really hand it to you TZ. It has to be amazingly difficult to stay in character almost all the time.

  105. 105.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:35 am

    Speaking of Russert’s hypotheticals … I saw his show today. He was patting himself on the back for his performance in the debate the other night.

    He was very proud of the ‘successor to Putin’ gotca question to which Hillary couldn’t get his name right, and Obama basically said “what she said.”

    It never occurs to Russert that a real conversation about foreign affairs might require something more than a stupid gotcha question. He thinks getting the candidates to stumble IS the informaton we want. Har har, she didn’t know the guy’s name!

    Russert is just a complete fucking buffoon. We do not have a competant new media in this country.

  106. 106.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:39 am

    It has to be amazingly difficult to stay in character almost all the time.

    Do you think so? What makes you think that way? In particular, what makes you think that you can tell the difference between ordinary conversation here, and what you call “staying in character?”

    Be specific, cite examples, and explain your references.

    Also, what evidence do you have that I am not actually a woman, and posing as a man? Again, examples, and explanations please.

    Also, can you explain why you think your comment has merit here, how it contributes to the thread, the blog, or the particular dialogue?

    In addition, can you provide biographical information what will help me put your answers into the proper context?

    Thanks.

  107. 107.

    empty

    March 2, 2008 at 12:45 am

    Do you think so? What makes you think that way? In particular, what makes you think that you can tell the difference between ordinary conversation here, and what you call “staying in character?”

    ,
    I did say almost always. See here you are slipping out of character.

  108. 108.

    Conservatively Liberal

    March 2, 2008 at 12:49 am

    Found an interesting link someone posted at TPM Election Central that links to MSNBC. It is about how the Clinton campaign will not return a $170,000.00 contribution from a company involved in a big sexual harassment suit (EEOC claims that just over 100 women were harassed).

    Shorter Hillary: If they are convicted, I will return the money.

    Shorter Me: She does not have the money on hand to refund it right now.

  109. 109.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:53 am

    See here you are slipping out of character.

    Since I am a persona, an entirely fictional character, how could I slip out of character? Do you suppose that I have a fixed character? My creator thinks that he can shape me into whatever is needed at any time, and then do it again, and again, as necessary.

    I am interested in your views, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

  110. 110.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 12:56 am

    empty, does your handle describe you?

    If so, can you provide an empty explanation?

    Are you related to full? What is your relationship to that character? Is it fulfilling, or draining?

  111. 111.

    misc

    March 2, 2008 at 12:56 am

    “So, you spot a sub sub thread on an obscure blog that doesn’t matter to you, and you feel the need to make a point of that?

    Can you remember back to the first time something made you feel that way?”

    Your presumptions are confusing me. I’m a daily reader of this “obscure blog.” I realize teh internets are serious business, but not to the extent that someone must provide proof of their genitalia.

  112. 112.

    empty

    March 2, 2008 at 12:57 am

    Do you suppose that I have a fixed character?

    Or maybe its the meds. That’s always been my excuse.

  113. 113.

    empty

    March 2, 2008 at 12:59 am

    empty, does your handle describe you?

    Yes.

    If so, can you provide an empty explanation?

  114. 114.

    empty

    March 2, 2008 at 1:01 am

    I realize teh internets are serious business, but not to the extent that someone must provide proof of their genitalia.

    And, why not?

  115. 115.

    jake

    March 2, 2008 at 1:02 am

    Since I am a persona, an entirely fictional character, how could I slip out of character?

    But can you slip into something more comfortable?

  116. 116.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:04 am

    but not to the extent that someone must provide proof of their genitalia.

    Uh, yes, I see. You claim to be a “daily reader” but apparently have no knowledge of the extensive and exhaustive discussions we have had on the subject you raise.

    Rather than explore that in depth, however, let me give you a short synopsis:

    The jen character spends a lot of time trying establish cred as a female character, but to my reading, is a fake. Therefore, I question the credentials frequently.

    In a related context, I find that just about every word spoken here by this persona strikes me as being dishonest or disingenuous in one way or another. I just don’t believe a single word this person says — frank expression of opinion excepted, since opinion is entirely subjective, any of it could be real or fake, there is no way to judge.

    Considering that around 25-35 percent of the posters here are spoofs, personas, trolls or some combination thereof, I think the question is relevant for everyone who posts here.

    You, for example, should be asking why you would accept my assertion that I am at 61+ year old male. Do you have any direct evidence that I am? Do you tend to believe it? Not believe it? That’s up to you, your grip on this is up to you, and mine, in that same way, is up to me.

  117. 117.

    misc

    March 2, 2008 at 1:07 am

    “And, why not?”

    because authorship of downloadable jpgs is easily falsified.

  118. 118.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:10 am

    Well said, sir or madam. Thank you.

    rubato, at its best.

  119. 119.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:11 am

    But can you slip into something more comfortable?

    Please send me a picture.

  120. 120.

    misc

    March 2, 2008 at 1:13 am

    “You, for example, should be asking why you would accept my assertion that I am at 61+ year old male”

    I do not question that a 61-year-old (or older) male would demand proof that a woman demonstrate that she is indeed a woman online. Maybe it’s a generational thing.

  121. 121.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:17 am

    male would demand proof that a woman

    I dont recommend this hobby for you, I think you are in over your head.

    I didn’t demand anything, I asked for it. There is no mechanism here for making or enforcing demands.

    I asked nothing of a “woman.” I asked it of an anonymous persona who has no established gender, or any other established characteristics whatever.

    I could be talking to an eighth grader, or a mental patient, or a student of John Cole’s. As could you.

  122. 122.

    misc

    March 2, 2008 at 1:19 am

    Whatever. I’m drunk and ornery

    What’s your excuse?

  123. 123.

    tBone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:20 am

    I could be talking to an eighth grader, or a mental patient, or a student of John Cole’s.

    Darrell, in other words?

  124. 124.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:22 am

    Whatever. I’m drunk and ornery

    What’s your excuse?

    Hmm. Well, I don’t drink and am seldom ornery.

    I don’t need an excuse.

    My advice would be for you to talk to empty. I think he will be better able to help you.

    Or, she, as you prefer.

  125. 125.

    ThymeZone

    March 2, 2008 at 1:23 am

    Darrell, in other words?

    I like to think that Darrell was a figment of our imaginations.

  126. 126.

    myiq2xu

    March 2, 2008 at 2:04 am

    myiq is still a woman

    Where did that come from?

  127. 127.

    myiq2xu

    March 2, 2008 at 2:18 am

    I realize teh internets are serious business, but not to the extent that someone must provide proof of their genitalia.

    Jenitalia is a bad name for a child. Of either jender.

  128. 128.

    srv

    March 2, 2008 at 2:39 am

    The jen character spends a lot of time trying establish cred as a female character, but to my reading, is a fake. Therefore, I question the credentials frequently.

    Jen has always been too stupid to be a guy, and ppGaz has always been too stupid to be a woman. Ergo, they are the same person.

  129. 129.

    SGEW

    March 2, 2008 at 8:45 am

    . . . provide proof of their genitalia.

    Fer th’ love of all that is good, please (I beg of you) do not provide this proof. I am uneasy about clicking on links in message threads already.

    And besides . . . it is everyone’s personal right to define their own gender identity. If someone wants to self-identify as “male” or “female,” or use certain gender-specific pronouns, we should not question their decision, no matter what their biological anatomy was at birth, or whether they are pre- or post-op.

    (Not saying that anyone here’s trans, or anything. Just making a general point.)

  130. 130.

    D-Chance.

    March 2, 2008 at 8:55 am

    Teh st00pid burns… if she’s EXPECTED to be there, then it’s not a SURPRISE appearance, CNN!

  131. 131.

    RSA

    March 2, 2008 at 9:14 am

    Going back a bit. . .

    My maiden name is of French descent, and it’s been mangled six ways to Sunday by most everybody.

    I know what you mean, Krista. My last name is French, and sometimes when I’m filling out an online form, I press the submit button and it comes back telling me a field has an invalid entry, and it’s flagging my actual last name. Fuck you, Web programmer.

  132. 132.

    Cain

    March 2, 2008 at 10:19 am

    I support trans-internet-gender roles in our society.

    cain

  133. 133.

    demimondian

    March 2, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    Jenitalia

    That sounds like the stage name of some southern-european-looking porn star, appearing in such gems as “JenItalia does Milan”, “Vesuvius of Lust”, “PompeiDay” and the like.

  134. 134.

    jcricket

    March 2, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    And that seemed to involve deciphering Ovaltine decoder ring hints as to his email address, or identity, or something, scattered through BJ over the last 2.5 years.

    IOW, TZ seems to believe he is JJ Abrams. For example:

    The jen character spends a lot of time trying establish cred as a female character, but to my reading, is a fake. Therefore, I question the credentials frequently.

    TZ, master of the comment threads, arbiter of all that is real and right ™. Never over the top or out-of-control to the point where he gets banned, right?

  135. 135.

    jcricket

    March 2, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    Have you ever heard of a “knitting card”?

    I’m going to accuse you of playing the “I’m not playing the card” soon enough.

  136. 136.

    demimondian

    March 2, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    I just wanted to point out that Hagee is now a topic being covered on CNN. So, Wilfred, d’you want to keep up your race-baiting antics?

  137. 137.

    Asti

    March 2, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    BTW, TZ, I have no clue what this means

    TZ didn’t write it so why are you asking him? Why don’t you ask Tom in Texas instead?

    Homoerotic? TZ is a heterosexual man Jen, but, of course you wouldn’t know that… ;)

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