A Shred More Class
Melissa McEwan of Shakespeare's Sister has followed Amanda Marcotte in resigning from the John Edwards Presidential train wreck:
I don't think I've read enough of her blog to know much about McEwan, but I can say this: she exhibited more class and dignity than Marcotte, even as I find it somewhat ironic that someone who calls my fellow Christians "christofascists" accuses others of unleashing "frightening ugliness, the likes of which anyone with a modicum of respect for responsible discourse would denounce without hesitation." They did denounce the frightening ugliness, Melissa. You should know. You wrote much of it yourself.
I understand that there will be progressive bloggers who feel I am making the wrong decision, and I offer my sincerest apologies to them. One of the hardest parts of this decision was feeling as though I'm letting down my peers, who have been so supportive. There will be some who clamor to claim victory for my resignation, but I caution them that in doing so, they are tacitly accepting responsibility for those who have deluged my blog and my inbox with vitriol and veiled threats. It is not right-wing bloggers, nor people like Bill Donohue or Bill O'Reilly, who prompted nor deserve credit for my resignation, no matter how much they want it, but individuals who used public criticisms of me as an excuse to unleash frightening ugliness, the likes of which anyone with a modicum of respect for responsible discourse would denounce without hesitation. This is a win for no one.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 07:33 PM
Comments
1
Listen, you shouldn't lump Melissa in with Amanda Marcotte. I'm a liberal, and even I can't stand Marcotte's venom-filled writings. McEwan is a completely different type of blogger, and it's not really surprising that she exhibited more class than Amanda.
Posted by: dom at February 13, 2007 08:32 PM (xSn34)
2
Maybe she should read some of Michelle Malkin's mail.
I hear she gets some orc-level ugliness there.
I hear she gets some orc-level ugliness there.
Posted by: Mikey NTH at February 13, 2007 08:51 PM (HX/8J)
Posted by: Jim C. at February 13, 2007 10:04 PM (74BGX)
4
McEwan by herself might have made it but after all the attention the Marcotte thing brought in I think it was clear her days were numbered too. I excerpted and linked at Twisted Sister #2 Resigns.
McEwan by herself might have made it but after all the attention the Marcotte thing brought in I think it was clear her days were numbered too. I excerpted and linked at Twisted Sister #2 Resigns.
Posted by: Bill Faith at February 13, 2007 10:10 PM (n7SaI)
5
I have read many conservative blog sites and have never read crude and ugly stuff as on these liberal sites. Perhaps there are sites I am unaware of, but the ones associated with Michelle Malkin deal with facts and opinions, but not bigoted ugly crude sacreligious language like I have seen on the sites like the girls who just resigned. If anyone conservative posted stuff like that, I would denounce them, too. As would Michelle Malkin.
Posted by: Cindy Anderson at February 13, 2007 10:34 PM (NF0Xt)
6
On that last post, I should not speak for Michelle Malkin, but I feel safe in predicting that she would probably denounce a conservative blogger that posted ugly stuff like the two Edward bloggers who resigned.
Posted by: Cindy Anderson at February 13, 2007 10:40 PM (NF0Xt)
7
Oddly enough, there is not the tiniest bit of opprobrium directed toward the Jew-hating rape apologist Bill Donohue. When is anyone on the right going to have the decency and integrity to denounce and ostracize him? Are you going to cut him loose, or is there no principle you are unwilling to jettison in the pursuit of partisan gain?
Posted by: Tom Hilton at February 13, 2007 11:39 PM (3wl8w)
8
Tom, your ignorance, and basic laziness is not my problem.
Earlier today I said:
Marcotte attempts to shift the blame to Bill Donohue, a bigot in his own right (his views on Judaism turn the stomach), but the reality is that Marcotte and Donohue are flip sides of the same vile coin.
I dedicated a post to Donohue alone, which stated in part:
Considering the apparent shall we say, shared appreciation of the Jewish faith that Donahue and [former Klansman David] Duke seem to have in common, I think he better find a less self-immolating comparison.
Here I simply called Donohue a "right-wing bigot." Here I called him and the Catholic League he represents "bomb-throwers."
If you're going to make stupid comments, don't drop them in the comments section of the very blog that proves you conclusively wrong.
Earlier today I said:
Marcotte attempts to shift the blame to Bill Donohue, a bigot in his own right (his views on Judaism turn the stomach), but the reality is that Marcotte and Donohue are flip sides of the same vile coin.
I dedicated a post to Donohue alone, which stated in part:
Considering the apparent shall we say, shared appreciation of the Jewish faith that Donahue and [former Klansman David] Duke seem to have in common, I think he better find a less self-immolating comparison.
Here I simply called Donohue a "right-wing bigot." Here I called him and the Catholic League he represents "bomb-throwers."
If you're going to make stupid comments, don't drop them in the comments section of the very blog that proves you conclusively wrong.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at February 13, 2007 11:55 PM (HcgFD)
9
Okay, fair enough; all I caught was this post, not the preceeding one. I stand corrected. Even though you buy into the completely dishonest pseudo-outrage of vermin like Donohue, good for you for denouncing Donohue himself.
Posted by: Tom Hilton at February 14, 2007 12:02 AM (3wl8w)
10
Tom said " are you going to cut him (Bill Donahue - is that Phil's brother?)loose, or is there no principle you are unwilling to jettison in the persuit of partisan gain? _ (that's a double negative but never mind - I get your point)
I can't speak for everyone on the right but I never heard of Phil Donahue's brother until this Amanda thing came up. Do we have a club with membership cards and a rollcall for the rightwing? If so nobody sent me the list.
Don't have a card either.
I can't possibly denounce every self avowed member of the Republican party for every comment they have made. I won't apologize for them either. I will say I am not in favor of demonizing anybody for their religion, including muslims. The way I figure it even if Islam killed a hundred thousand a year every year since Mohammad, the pile still wouldn't stack up to the millions killed by athiesm.
SO God bless and I hope if you are a Muslim you survive until after the reformation.
I can't speak for everyone on the right but I never heard of Phil Donahue's brother until this Amanda thing came up. Do we have a club with membership cards and a rollcall for the rightwing? If so nobody sent me the list.
Don't have a card either.
I can't possibly denounce every self avowed member of the Republican party for every comment they have made. I won't apologize for them either. I will say I am not in favor of demonizing anybody for their religion, including muslims. The way I figure it even if Islam killed a hundred thousand a year every year since Mohammad, the pile still wouldn't stack up to the millions killed by athiesm.
SO God bless and I hope if you are a Muslim you survive until after the reformation.
Posted by: papertiger at February 14, 2007 12:02 AM (jnEb9)
11
"I don't think I've read enough of her blog to know much about McEwan, but I can say this: she exhibited more class and dignity than Marcotte, even as I find it somewhat ironic that someone who calls my fellow Christians "christofascists" accuses others of unleashing "frightening ugliness, the likes of which anyone with a modicum of respect for responsible discourse would denounce without hesitation." "
Does the term "christo-fascists" bother you because you identify yourself with Christianity, since you are Christian and many of your friends are Christians? Or does the term bother you because, in and of itself it is "frighteningly ugly"?
Because with all due respect, Bob, it just rings a little bit hollow, when people who don't hesitate to insult the religious faith of two billion Muslims with the term "Islamofascists" get so incredibly bent out of shape when the shoe is on the other foot.
Does the term "christo-fascists" bother you because you identify yourself with Christianity, since you are Christian and many of your friends are Christians? Or does the term bother you because, in and of itself it is "frighteningly ugly"?
Because with all due respect, Bob, it just rings a little bit hollow, when people who don't hesitate to insult the religious faith of two billion Muslims with the term "Islamofascists" get so incredibly bent out of shape when the shoe is on the other foot.
Posted by: Kathy at February 14, 2007 12:31 AM (wWPI1)
12
"On that last post, I should not speak for Michelle Malkin, but I feel safe in predicting that she would probably denounce a conservative blogger that posted ugly stuff like the two Edward bloggers who resigned."
You mean like Allahpundit who works for her?
You don't get around much do you Cindy?
You mean like Allahpundit who works for her?
You don't get around much do you Cindy?
Posted by: tbogg at February 14, 2007 01:02 AM (d7Sqx)
13
The term "Islamo-fascists" refers to a subset of Muslims who wish to reestablish the Caliphate by force and who wish to impose Sharia law on everyone. As used by Marcotte, et al, the term "Christo-fascists" generally referred to Christians in general. If Marcotte said that there were some Christians who acted like fascists, that would be different -- extreme, but different. But, if you read the body of her work, she just hates Christians with a deep and abiding passion. Hate, hate, hate.
Cheap trick linking to your own bizarre site under the Allahpundit name. But, the ends justify the means for the Left. Anything is acceptable to advance the agenda.
Cheap trick linking to your own bizarre site under the Allahpundit name. But, the ends justify the means for the Left. Anything is acceptable to advance the agenda.
Posted by: Watergate at February 14, 2007 01:19 AM (BC1Xw)
14
I only linked to my blog (not like I want your type to infest it) because CY's spam filter wouldn't let me link to Allah's archives. Having said that, you quite nimbly avoided what Allahpundit had to say about Catholics. Therefore I will assume that you agree with him.
And I liked you parsing of "Islamo-fascists" being a subset, while "Christo-fascists" is the whole enchilada, so to speak. Maybe when Jesus doesn't talk to you tonight, you'll have that to keep you warm.
And I liked you parsing of "Islamo-fascists" being a subset, while "Christo-fascists" is the whole enchilada, so to speak. Maybe when Jesus doesn't talk to you tonight, you'll have that to keep you warm.
Posted by: tbogg at February 14, 2007 01:37 AM (d7Sqx)
15
Therefore I will assume that you agree with him.
Snark really is lost on you people isn't it? If that's the best example you have, its way WAY lame dood.
Snark really is lost on you people isn't it? If that's the best example you have, its way WAY lame dood.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at February 14, 2007 01:56 AM (HDpFt)
16
Sorry, tbogg, that dog won't hunt.
Let's have a tale of the tape, shall we?
Allah: posted snarky, foul-mouthed essays on a blog that was entirely satirical
Amanda: posted snarky, foul-mouthed essays on a blog which had (evidently) both satirical and non-satirical elements, within which it was difficult to tell the difference (if there even was one)
Allah: abandoned said website for months before resurfacing with a completely nonsatirical (though occasionally snarky) blog, then leaving that blog to co-host a website with another blogger
Amanda: abandoned said website immediately to take a job blogging for someone who was campaigning to be the President of the United States
Allah: within the last, oh, couple of months or so, has not written anything blatantly inflammatory or hateful (as evidenced by the fact that someone had to dig back nearly 3½ years to find anything, and that was weak)
Amanda: has routinely written posts which are blatantly inflammatory and hateful, up until and following the time when she was employed by a Presidential aspirant.
Sorry, tbogg. This runs a little deeper than your silly little claims of a double standard. When you guys get standards in the first place, we can talk about double standards.
Let's have a tale of the tape, shall we?
Allah: posted snarky, foul-mouthed essays on a blog that was entirely satirical
Amanda: posted snarky, foul-mouthed essays on a blog which had (evidently) both satirical and non-satirical elements, within which it was difficult to tell the difference (if there even was one)
Allah: abandoned said website for months before resurfacing with a completely nonsatirical (though occasionally snarky) blog, then leaving that blog to co-host a website with another blogger
Amanda: abandoned said website immediately to take a job blogging for someone who was campaigning to be the President of the United States
Allah: within the last, oh, couple of months or so, has not written anything blatantly inflammatory or hateful (as evidenced by the fact that someone had to dig back nearly 3½ years to find anything, and that was weak)
Amanda: has routinely written posts which are blatantly inflammatory and hateful, up until and following the time when she was employed by a Presidential aspirant.
Sorry, tbogg. This runs a little deeper than your silly little claims of a double standard. When you guys get standards in the first place, we can talk about double standards.
Posted by: marchand chronicles at February 14, 2007 02:43 AM (/l8fq)
17
'Kay, the comment garbled up my post.
Allah's old site, which I attempted to link to, is linkmecca.blogspot.com.
Allah's old site, which I attempted to link to, is linkmecca.blogspot.com.
Posted by: mc at February 14, 2007 02:49 AM (/l8fq)
18
Right. I'm sure Edwards would have been very comfortable introducing Amanda to say...the queen of England.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at February 14, 2007 06:22 AM (HDpFt)
19
Thanks for reminding me, tbogg, that the term "independent thought" is still non-existent on the left. My goodness, all you people think exactly alike and take the same marching orders. Izzat why you need the gov't for your every whim?
Posted by: RW at February 14, 2007 07:04 AM (vnNjd)
20
It is untrue that Shakespeare's Sister ever used the term "Christofascist" to refer to Christians in general. People may not like the term regardless. Fine. But it was never applied to all Christians. If people would actually read her blog, rather than just assume that whatever was written about her is true, they might actually know this.
Posted by: LS at February 14, 2007 08:05 AM (n4O5C)
21
LS,
Is that similar to someone saying "I didn't mean that n*$$er referred to all blacks"? Mind you (and I speak as a Christian) that I'm not trying to innoculate fundamentalists from criticism, especially those who seek to foment a burgeoning theocracy (all 12 of them, or as Andrew Sullivan would say "all 30 million of them"), just pointing out that the phrase is sorta, kinda, all-encompassing on the surface. However, if there's a legitimate definition, that would make things a lot clearer.
Kinda like how the left accepts that Limbaugh's "femanazi" only refers to the ultra-feminist leadership & not a good chunk of the female population as a whole, right?
Is that similar to someone saying "I didn't mean that n*$$er referred to all blacks"? Mind you (and I speak as a Christian) that I'm not trying to innoculate fundamentalists from criticism, especially those who seek to foment a burgeoning theocracy (all 12 of them, or as Andrew Sullivan would say "all 30 million of them"), just pointing out that the phrase is sorta, kinda, all-encompassing on the surface. However, if there's a legitimate definition, that would make things a lot clearer.
Kinda like how the left accepts that Limbaugh's "femanazi" only refers to the ultra-feminist leadership & not a good chunk of the female population as a whole, right?
Posted by: RW at February 14, 2007 08:31 AM (nr2qO)
22
McEwan's blog, Shakespeare's Sister, is pretty much your standard mediocre leftygrrl snark fare, which is to say it's still head and shoulders above Marcotte's drivel. You're not missing anything.
Having said that, Edwards blew this event in every conceivable way. He should never have hired either of them, even as a "technical advisor" (as McEwan says she was) every word she's ever posted on her blog becomes the official Edwards Campaign Platform by simple implication.
Edwards, taking the standard Democrat triangulation way out so he could have his bloggers and his credibility at the same time, now is left with nothing. Every single step of his involvement with this has been marred by taking the worst possible choice, then double backing on it, then double backing on it again.
The last week or so has proved that Edwards is nothing more than a shifty Clintonian trial lawyer that lacks any and all charisma and political savvy.
He's done.
Having said that, Edwards blew this event in every conceivable way. He should never have hired either of them, even as a "technical advisor" (as McEwan says she was) every word she's ever posted on her blog becomes the official Edwards Campaign Platform by simple implication.
Edwards, taking the standard Democrat triangulation way out so he could have his bloggers and his credibility at the same time, now is left with nothing. Every single step of his involvement with this has been marred by taking the worst possible choice, then double backing on it, then double backing on it again.
The last week or so has proved that Edwards is nothing more than a shifty Clintonian trial lawyer that lacks any and all charisma and political savvy.
He's done.
Posted by: Jared at February 14, 2007 10:34 AM (1Hmzb)
23
"Allah: abandoned said website for months before resurfacing with a completely nonsatirical (though occasionally snarky) blog, then leaving that blog to co-host a website with another blogger"
Claiming satire: the last refuge of the busted.
Hey look, if Malkin wants to employ someone who thinks that Catholics are CHUD's I have no problem with that and it in no way influences my opinion of her.
I'm fair that way.
Claiming satire: the last refuge of the busted.
Hey look, if Malkin wants to employ someone who thinks that Catholics are CHUD's I have no problem with that and it in no way influences my opinion of her.
I'm fair that way.
Posted by: tbogg at February 14, 2007 11:37 AM (d7Sqx)
24
That drivle works only amongst the idiotic kossack-phere, tbogg. Granted, it goes over like buttah there (they're lemmings, so it goes to reason) but nowhere else.
No.
Where.
Else.
You're taking pisses into a hurricane. Find a new rap, preferrably an original one.
No.
Where.
Else.
You're taking pisses into a hurricane. Find a new rap, preferrably an original one.
Posted by: RW at February 14, 2007 12:16 PM (vnNjd)
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