The Only Progressive Guide to Thanksgiving Political Arguments You'll Need

In the great progressive spirit, here are a few tips on how to talk to -- and morally improve -- your family this Thanksgiving:
1. Your crazy uncle complains in passing that the construction on Redlands Avenue is limiting the flow of traffic to his hardware store, and wonders if the job could be completed more quickly.
This must not be allowed to stand. Ask your uncle if he's an anarchist and if he has heard of Somalia. If you missed Politics 101 at Oberlin, refer to the Fact Cards that you have printed out from Vox.com and explain patiently that the government is the one thing that we all belong to and that the worry that it is "too big" or "too centralized" or "too slow to achieve basic tasks" has a long association with neo-Confederate causes.

Meanwhile there's this:

Excellent New Yorker cover image on #Ferguson: http://t.co/ByANYEvArL
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) November 26, 2014

Which called to mind this article on progressive bullshit I've been wanting to link for two weeks.

"Bullshit" is American English's assertion, maximally succinct and vigorous, that a contention is factually preposterous or logically absurd. According to philosophy professor Harry Frankfurt, however, the "essence of bullshit is not that it is false but that it is phony." His slender volume devoted to the subject, On Bullshit, invites us to think of a Fourth of July orator "who goes on bombastically about 'our great and blessed country, whose Founding Fathers under divine guidance created a new beginning for mankind.'" The speaker’s point is not "to deceive anyone concerning American history." Rather,

what he cares about is what people think of him. He wants them to think of him as a patriot, as someone who has deep thoughts and feelings about the origins and the mission of our country, who appreciates the importance of religion, who is sensitive to our history, whose pride in that history is combined with humility before God, and so on.

It's difficult to banish the glum suspicion that life in the 21st century, for all its economic and technological benefits, necessitates putting up with much more bullshit than our ancestors had to.

What I can't stand is the endless posturing -- it's not that Ezra Klein's statement that this is an "excellent" cover is false, per se. I don't really care one way or the other if it's "excellent."

Though it's not precisely original, if we're going to debate its purported excellence:

@exjon @ezraklein It's also a complete hack job. pic.twitter.com/XEjo184c55
— SlimerTheSpud (@SlimerTheSpud1) November 26, 2014

No, the problem is that the statement does not invite us to decide whether it is true or false. The truth or falsity of the statement itself is not the point.

The statement in fact is a hollowed-out shell inside which is smuggled the real statement:

That Ezra Klein is bien pensant given to Thinking Serious Thoughts About Race and Such.

That is what drives me crazy about modern discourse. So little of it is actually designed to advance a proposition. So much of it is designed to advance The Speaker.

Modern speech is insanely "performative." Modern speech is marked not by its focus on the statement itself but on the act of making the statement, and how that act (allegedly) credits the speaker.

This shit must be called out until it stops.

We live in a Narcissistic Age. This era's defining vice is Vanity.

And we cannot allow these narcissistic headcases to get away with disguising constant self-flattery as alleged "political" speech about ideas external to them.

Posted by: Ace at 03:47 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 The Only Progressive Guide to Thanksgiving Political Arguments You'll Need?

Posted by: Al Sharpton at November 26, 2014 03:49 PM (P1WNR)

2 The Charles C.W. Cooke piece was hilarious.

Posted by: HR needs donuts at November 26, 2014 03:50 PM (ZKzrr)

3 Modern speech is marked not by its focus on the statement itself but on the act of making the statement, and how that act (allegedly) credits the speaker.

It's the Left's version of morality; if you think good thoughts and remind everyone around you, you *are* good.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 26, 2014 03:51 PM (s9AKD)

4 Actually, the gap in the St. Louis arch is between law-breaking liberals and civil society.

Posted by: DeAndre Joshua, 1994-2014 at November 26, 2014 03:51 PM (iAUf+)

5 Why not just say it. Liberals are phony liars.

Posted by: Vic at November 26, 2014 03:52 PM (u9gzs)

6 Speakers posturing? Writers performing? Don't give them an audience. Walk away. Turn your ears off.

Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 03:53 PM (3B+O8)

7 For technical accuracy, the right side of that arch should be on fire, and the left side should be cowering in front of a TV set.

Posted by: Secundus, M.D. at November 26, 2014 03:53 PM (x8rLg)

8 If they really wanted to show the truth about Ferguson they would show a small town surrounded by a gaggle of news media all shouting to incite a riot.

Posted by: Vic at November 26, 2014 03:53 PM (u9gzs)

9 I like how RJ Matson had to tell us it was the St. Louis Gateway Arch.

I know political cartoons can be ham-handed but cripes, we know what it is. And if we didn't, the imagery wouldn't be all that compelling, would it?

Posted by: Al Sharpton at November 26, 2014 03:54 PM (L2xDv)

10 From someone on twitter about The Arch :

That structure doesn't look structurally or epistemologically sound.

Posted by: Dr Spank at November 26, 2014 03:54 PM (P1WNR)

11 What Ezra Klein is actually saying: "I'm a sophisticated cosmopolitan elite; notice that I read The New Yorker, not some low-grade fishwrap that can be purchased for a few scant coins by any commoner."

Posted by: Country Singer at November 26, 2014 03:54 PM (nL0sw)

12
The emptier the head, the bigger the mouth.

If that ain't a Yiddish, Chinese or Cherokee expression, it ought to be.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:55 PM (CMkNk)

13 I can't be responsible for what someone else says or writes, but I sure enough can be responsible as to what I allow into my brain. Filters. I go through a lot of filters.

Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 03:55 PM (3B+O8)

14 >>Posted by Ace at 03:47 PM Comments

Everything that guy just said is bullshit.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 03:55 PM (g1DWB)

15 So "contenty"....

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 03:55 PM (LA7Cm)

16
Old and Busted - Andrew Sullivan
Teh Noo Hotness - Ezra Klein

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:56 PM (CMkNk)

17 A no-good stoned pothead thug is the breaking point for society?

There's your bullshit.

Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 03:56 PM (MMC8r)

18 No one is more certain they know all that ever needs to be known than a first-year college student home for the Holidays.

Posted by: eman at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (mR7Es)

19 13 I can't be responsible for what someone else says or writes, but I sure enough can be responsible as to what I allow into my brain. Filters. I go through a lot of filters.
Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 03:55 PM (3B+O

More filters than the Corleone's had "buffers."

Posted by: Willie Cicci at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (CMkNk)

20 Any thoughtful commentary on the racial dynamics of modern America should be accompanied by illustrations of hot chicks in expensive lingerie.

Posted by: Bizarro World Ezra Klein at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (8ZskC)

21 The "Occupy Wall Street" anarchist communist movement is taking over all this Ferguson bullshit. People we are headed to a civil war. Get a weapon and pick a side

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (nzKvP)

22 You know what, maybe the faux intellectual from the coast could SHUT THE FUCK up for just a few moments about a town he's probably never been to.
Do we got problems? Yeah, but have you seen DC? Or New York (Harlem anyone?)

I posted something earlier on I think it was the news dump about how I had a surprisingly uneventful trip to the grocery store. Why surprisingly uneventful? Because there were people of all races and creeds there, and we were all perfectly polite.
Honestly, given the tension I wouldn't have thought that. But we all just moved about on our day.

Someone can go look it up I'm on the tablet so it'd take me 40 minutes to do it.

Posted by: tsrblke (Tablet) at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (HDwDg)

23 " notice that I read The New Yorker"

The cartoons are still not funny.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (LA7Cm)

24 Button-man sock off.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (CMkNk)

25 Does Ezra Klein get paid for that? For typing "Excellent New Yorker cover image on" plus a hashtag? There is no original thought there.

Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (G891H)

26 I'm just curious as to how these mush for brains spoiled children rise to the point that they feel that they are the spokesperson for an entire generation.

Posted by: Old Blue at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (vVSOO)

27 21 The "Occupy Wall Street" anarchist communist movement is taking over all this Ferguson bullshit. People we are headed to a civil war. Get a weapon and pick a side
Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (nzKvP)

So, okay. They get to rob, rape, steal and burn things down. What do we get?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:58 PM (CMkNk)

28 21 The "Occupy Wall Street" anarchist communist movement is taking over all this Ferguson bullshit. People we are headed to a civil war. Get a weapon and pick a side
Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (nzKvP)

_____________________________

I've picked a side, but I'll hang back a little thank you.
Too PC still.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at November 26, 2014 03:58 PM (WNERA)

29 So the New yorker cover is a rip-off of a cartoon?

Posted by: Dr Spank at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (P1WNR)

30 So praising heroics and heroism is vanity? Because it is the speaker's intent to ingratiate himself with his audience, and there is no possibility the speaker might actually be trying to inspire his audience to acts of heroism?

Posted by: Idly Obscurtia at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (aOAmR)

31 23 " notice that I read The New Yorker"

The cartoons are still not funny.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (LA7Cm)

They make me want to kill myself.

(what was the meme we had going?)

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (CMkNk)

32 I'm just curious as to how these mush for brains spoiled children rise to the point that they feel that they are the spokesperson for an entire generation.

We wouldn't wish that on anybody, man.

Posted by: The Monkees at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (8ZskC)

33 This shit will stop when parents say "No, work your way through college and pick something practical. Your Father and I are going shopping for a nice cabin on the lake."

Posted by: eman at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (U31F7)

34 You know what, maybe the faux intellectual from the coast could SHUT THE FUCK up for just a few moments about a town he's probably never been to.

Yes, please. I'm tired of being lectured by people who only know what they see through MSNBC or CNN. It's like WILD KINGDOM to them.

Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (MMC8r)

35 Was it here that I read about making your own captions for the seriously unfunny New Yorker cartoons?

Posted by: Chupacabras at November 26, 2014 03:59 PM (+hPIb)

36 I just commented about this in the last thread. You want to see the divide? Go to Natalie DuBose's Gofundme sight and you will see the best of America. Compare and contrast to our little pissy president. The best and the worst. I side with the best. I look for the good.... and I am Thankful. The fund is now up to almost $140,000.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:00 PM (32Ze2)

37 21
The "Occupy Wall Street" anarchist communist movement is taking over all
this Ferguson bullshit. People we are headed to a civil war. Get a
weapon and pick a side

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (nzKvP)

If the people in and around St Louis want to vote in Democrats who condone this shit they deserve what they get.

Posted by: Vic at November 26, 2014 04:00 PM (u9gzs)

38 Not only is that cover image excellent, but I think I'm going to take a selfie of my ass crack with one cheek white and one cheek black to illustrate my diversity, and demonstrate my keen depth of provocative thought.

Posted by: Barry Kardashian of the White House Kardashians at November 26, 2014 04:00 PM (UzPAd)

39 Basically I've taken to telling any liberal that tries pulling shit like, root cause, historical injustices, deeply rooted..., institutionalized..., etc.

To go fuck themselves.

It's over.

My store of gives a fuck is depleted.

Robbing stores, beating up clerks and assaulting police officers tends to be fatal.

Mike Brown, as the Grail Knight says, Chose Poorly!

Posted by: Kreplach at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (bKSy7)

40 Would you write, post or say it if you knew people you admire would disagree? I wish I could say "always and unfailingly Yes".

Maybe the trick is to build up some credibility before you challenge your friends to disagree and stay friends.

Posted by: spongeworthy at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (YLZjm)

41 The fund is now up to almost $140,000.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:00 PM (32Ze2)

That's wonderful.

Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (3B+O8)

42 Yes, it was. Go ahead and make up a caption, Chup.
We need some fun in this thread.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (bRm4u)

43 37 If the people in and around St Louis want to vote in Democrats who condone this shit they deserve what they get.
Posted by: Vic at November 26, 2014 04:00 PM (u9gzs)

Cancer has a tendency to spread. Just saying.

Happy Thanksgiving, Vic. Hope it's a good one!

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (CMkNk)

44 "Has it ever occurred to you, Ms. College Freshman, that your professors are imbeciles?"

Posted by: AmishDude at November 26, 2014 04:01 PM (L2xDv)

45 Ezra Klein is a fucking cocksucker and a douchebag. He can go Vox himself.

Posted by: Al Swearengen at November 26, 2014 04:02 PM (vn2RY)

46 The white part of the arch should be shooting the black part while a grand jury on the white part laughs and reloads magazines for the white parts gun.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at November 26, 2014 04:02 PM (+lsX1)

47 A Ferguson story I did not see reported.
There was one shopping center on West Florissant that was not looted or burned in Ferguson. One of the shops was the St Louis Ink. The owner and about twenty of his friends armed up and kept watch in the parking lot. Lots of cars drove by to check out the shopping center. No one stopped.

Posted by: rd at November 26, 2014 04:02 PM (J7NUM)

48 Ask a Liberal what is the root cause of their idiocy.

Posted by: eman at November 26, 2014 04:02 PM (mR7Es)

49
Time to feed los gatos.

Be back soon . . .

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 04:02 PM (CMkNk)

50 Ezra Klein--the bridge to no where.

Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (RJMhd)

51 Both Trayvon and Mike Brown decided to turn to violence.

The final bad choice in a series of bad choices.

Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (MMC8r)

52 43 Cancer has a tendency to spread. Just saying.

Happy Thanksgiving, Vic. Hope it's a good one!

If it spreads to here some people will get dead. And Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Posted by: Vic at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (u9gzs)

53 here is the story link. Scroll to the bottom of the story.

http://tinyurl.com/mro8pn5

Posted by: rd at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (J7NUM)

54 @Kreplach

The only three responses I give anymore are:

Go fuck yourself.

Get a bath and a job, hippie.

See you at the Constitutional Convention; until then, shut the fuck up.

Posted by: Chupacabras at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (RQDhf)

55 So, okay. They get to rob, rape, steal and burn things down. What do we get?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:58 PM (CMkNk)

Take target practice

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (nzKvP)

56 You know what, maybe the faux intellectual from the coast could SHUT THE
FUCK up for just a few moments about a town he's probably never been
to.

Wouldn't that break the sixth seal?

Posted by: HR needs donuts at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (ZKzrr)

57 "He can go Vox himself.

Posted by: Al Swearengen"

Cocksucka!

Posted by: Wu at November 26, 2014 04:04 PM (LA7Cm)

58 Message: I care!!

Posted by: Ezra Klein at November 26, 2014 04:04 PM (ABcz/)

59 "That Ezra Klein is bien pensant given to Thinking Serious Thoughts About Race and Such."

I realize that "bien pensant" is French for a "good thinker" but I kind of think that it would be fun if all future references to Ezra Klein referred to him as the "bean peasant". Kind of like how Krugman is usually referred to as a former Enron consultant.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 26, 2014 04:04 PM (PD6iL)

60 I think titling the unfunny NY'er cartoons was something like "I feel like killing myself" for every single cartoon.

But I'll go with for this cover :"They wanted to go with golden arches but the stimulus money got diverted to Al Sharpton's lap band surgery,

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:05 PM (bRm4u)

61 Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 26, 2014 04:04 PM (PD6iL)

I like "bean peasant" very much.

Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 04:06 PM (3B+O8)

62 Wouldn't that break the sixth seal?

Posted by: HR needs donuts at November 26, 2014 04:03 PM (ZKzrr)
***********
Why yes..... Yes it would.

Posted by: The 13th Imam at November 26, 2014 04:06 PM (32Ze2)

63 Iowahawk, via Ace.

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/337972.php

"Iowahawk proposed that every New Yorker cartoon -- every one -- could be made funnier by replacing its caption with:

"I'm going to kill myself.""

Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 04:07 PM (G891H)

64 If I suggest that somebody crack Ezra Klein in the nutz until there's enough for 12 pecan pies will I be banned?

Posted by: Adriane, agent provocateur for Big Cookbook ... at November 26, 2014 04:07 PM (P+IZm)

65 Ezra Klein is sucker of cock. And, an asshole.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at November 26, 2014 04:08 PM (ucDmr)

66 I walk into Ezra Klein's office, whip out my pud and piss on his laptop.

I shake twice.

True or false?

Posted by: Thin veneer of civility at November 26, 2014 04:08 PM (XzRw1)

67 Basically The Left and others like Ezra are --afraid of the underclass.

They can't be reasoned with, they can't be talked to, so the response is--to double lecture you.

Obama, Sharpton, and Jackson cannot control them--they can only stir them up.

Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:08 PM (RJMhd)

68 Tomorrow:

Shovel, sweat, shower, pick up mother at old people's center, go to cousin's house, drink, drink heavy, fight with left wing sister, walk out and leave early, stop at Boston Chicken, get home and watch Football.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:08 PM (nzKvP)

69 >>I realize that "bien pensant" is French for a "good thinker" but I kind of think that it would be fun if all future references to Ezra Klein referred to him as the "bean peasant". Kind of like how Krugman is usually referred to as a former Enron consultant.

Nice. But I'm sticking with douchebag.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (g1DWB)

70 What I can do, myself, is as openly as possible say "bullshit" to any writings of the Left. And use a broad brush while tarring these liars and deceivers. This is my version of carpet bombing. They deserve it.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (5+mPY)

71 it's old

Posted by: Commissioner Bele at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (KHo8t)

72 That's Ezra Klein, the former WasPost blogger, self-appointed healthcare expert who was Grubered by Obama, right?

Posted by: Lizzy at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (ABcz/)

73 If I suggest that somebody crack Ezra Klein in the nutz until there's enough for 12 pecan pies will I be banned?
------------
Why do you presume that Ezra has any nuts?

Posted by: Old Blue at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (vVSOO)

74 Didn't the Greeks also have a low opinion of Orators without substance.

Posted by: Blame Whom at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (7wyDO)

75 Here's what I said to Sven this morning:

I'll be safe, riots tend to be in relatively small areas, especially in a place as spread out as St. Louis.
The key is to just stay on this side of the highway, know your exit routes in case things get hairy and keep an eye out for "lone wolves" (or roving groups of idiots) that stumble into your area.

I'll say this: I live in a surprisingly diverse area. Sure it's a majority white by a huge margin, so is the country. (The local elementary school is statistically more diverse than the nation. And I don't think that has to do with private schooling because the private school down the road isn't all that big.)

So I had to go to Aldi's last night to get some Milk and bread to tide us over until the end of the holidays.
I saw, whites, blacks, Hispanics, a few yarmulke wearing Jewish kids, all being perfectly polite. Carts colliding with "excuse me" being bandied about. Honestly, I didn't expect that, I expected tension, and anger. What there was was people just trying to get on with their day.

As I said, we're far from perfect, but I'm tired of being compared to Nazi Germany.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) And father to be in 6 (short) weeks! at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (HDwDg)

76 68 Tomorrow:

Shovel, sweat, shower, pick up mother at old people's center, go to cousin's house, drink, drink heavy, fight with left wing sister, walk out and leave early, stop at Boston Chicken, get home and watch Football.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:08 PM (nzKvP)

Fun!

Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (G891H)

77 Is there a way you could break with tradition and not fight with your left wing sister?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (bRm4u)

78 I really miss my copy of On Bullshit.

Lost it a couple of moves ago and now that people are quoting it, I want to pick it back up. It's a great read.

The fact that it's intentionally in the dry and academic style of philosophical writing makes it that much better. I still remember lol'ing when he built up to the explanation of Bullshit Artist.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (xSCb6)

79 "The black side of the Arch is like this *do-ba-doo, doo-bah, doo-doo-doo*
But the white side of the Arch is like this *a-dee-di-dee, a-dee-di-dee* "

"AHAHAA, It's true! We're so lame!"

Posted by: Simpson's scene at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (s9AKD)

80 Sweet Fancy Elvis! When did Cavuto become such a porker? Wow!

OK, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (yxw0r)

81 Uptwinkles and interpretive dances of Deep Thoughts.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (VjL9S)

82 "I'm going to kill myself."

Finally. Something funny.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (LA7Cm)

83 Idiots shutting down freeways here in Los Angeles. How to win friends and influence people. First chapter shut down a freeway and inconvenience people. Making me late puts me in your camp. Heh.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (WNERA)

84
The Only Progressive Guide to Thanksgiving Political Arguments You'll Need

Whip out the new iPhone you bought with this semester's Pell grant check.

Show Uncle the hilarious Vine clip on inequality you did for your Media and Politics class.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (kdS6q)

85 63 Iowahawk, via Ace.

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/337972.php

"Iowahawk proposed that every New Yorker cartoon -- every one -- could be made funnier by replacing its caption with:

"I'm going to kill myself.""
Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 04:07 PM (G891H)

*************

A commenter here had an improvement on that--

"I'm going to shit myself!"

( he thought maybe we should avoid the suicide theme--and he is probably right. Holidays and all that.)

Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (RJMhd)

86 The final bad choice in a series of bad choices.

They started out slightly disadvantaged in that the people who accidentally fucked them into being made a lot of bad choices before they were in a position to make their own bad choices. But I'm tired of excusing people's deliberate bad choices on grounds someone else made a bad choice first. You know?

Posted by: HR needs donuts at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (ZKzrr)

87 Dave Pell @davepell
The turkey pardoned by Obama just broke a shop window and lit a sedan on fire.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (zwdxl)

88 yeah, I'd like to lie about an event, then extrapolate from that lie and criticize your fact checking because of your privilege.

xxoo,
white lib on twitter with me last night

Posted by: joe-impeachin44 at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (N///B)

89 And that Ezra Klein's opinion is the sine qua non answer to any thinking person's question. (thinking person as defined by Ezra Klein et al)

He delivers the penultimate question and answer simultaneously.

And is without doubt or question more qualified to do so than anyone in the history of mankind.

And all at such young age. But it is a life that has been filled with experiences that qualifies him to be THE ONE.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (KK+mC)

90 My guess is that Ezra Klein has roughly zero interactions with black people in the course of the average day that does not involve paying for espresso.

Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (MMC8r)

91 87. LOL.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (bRm4u)

92 "I shake twice.

True or false?"

Ummmmmmmm. True?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (LA7Cm)

93 "stop at Boston Chicken, get home and watch Football."
Provided, NGU, that hasn't been sacked.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (5+mPY)

94 Why do you presume that Ezra has any nuts?

cause he's not named Elle?

Posted by: Adriane, agent provocateur for Big Cookbook ... at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (P+IZm)

95 Is there a way you could break with tradition and not fight with your left wing sister?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (bRm4u)

Yeah like she will not bring up Ferguson?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (nzKvP)

96 "The statement in fact is a hollowed-out shell inside which is smuggled the real statement..."

It's like the Obamacare Tactic (TM). So did Teletubbies For Internet News get it from the Senate or did the Senate get it from Teletubbies For Internet News?

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at November 26, 2014 04:13 PM (1CroS)

97 82 "I'm going to kill myself."

Finally. Something funny.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (LA7Cm)

Its only funny until a Lib kills himself.
Then its hysterical.

Posted by: Viv Savage at November 26, 2014 04:13 PM (HRo7B)

98 82 "I'm going to kill myself."

Finally. Something funny.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:10 PM (LA7Cm)

Yeah, I thought it was kind of dark.

Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 04:14 PM (G891H)

99 "That is what drives me crazy about modern discourse. So little of it is actually designed to advance a proposition. So much of it is designed to advance The Speaker."

Hence all the leftist SJW bullshit about giving people "a voice".

Fuck making a point, just so long as you can run your mouth - that's all that matters.

Ezra's little project was aptly named.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:14 PM (xSCb6)

100
Idiots shutting down freeways here in Los Angeles.
Posted by: Bob from table9

Seems to be mostly around the Staples Center, because that's the only part of the city they're familiar with.

Primary inconveniencing government workers in the area and Downtown urban loft hipsters.

An own goal, really.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at November 26, 2014 04:14 PM (kdS6q)

101 Ran across this video on a humor site, but it is a REALLY powerful take on the Ferguson riots...

http://tinyurl.com/lmpcbqh

Posted by: 18-1 at November 26, 2014 04:14 PM (5DM9u)

102 I'd bet money that the racial segregation map of New York City has a clearer demarcation than that of St. Lewis.

A white Statue of Liberty standing on top of a black base, that would be my Deep Thought on Race if I saw the racial make-up map of New York City.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:14 PM (VjL9S)

103 87 Dave Pell @davepell
The turkey pardoned by Obama just broke a shop window and lit a sedan on fire.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (zwdxl)

damn, I'd just cleaned that screen! Now cawfee!

Posted by: Viv Savage at November 26, 2014 04:15 PM (HRo7B)

104 85 63 Iowahawk, via Ace.

*************
A commenter here had an improvement on that--

"I'm going to shit myself!"

( he thought maybe we should avoid the suicide theme--and he is probably right. Holidays and all that.)
Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:11 PM (RJMhd)

Maybe @#$%^ etc.

Posted by: m at November 26, 2014 04:15 PM (G891H)

105 The interesting thing about all the calls for justice is that it's obvious that since they don't believe justice has been served that they have a preconceived notion of what justice would appear to be.

And we all know what they would perceive to be justice. And it would have little to do with any facts or witnesses or testimony or evidence.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at November 26, 2014 04:16 PM (KK+mC)

106 Hero unarmed woman stands up to looters trying to burn Papa Johns amid Ferguson riots

OK now here is one, and maybe the only one, where I stand with the looters. I eat pizza from a Papa John's once and it deserves to burn baby burn.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:16 PM (nzKvP)

107 I hate that they assume every old person in the family is conservative, everyone that is young is a prog. I have a way older relative who won't shut the hell up about how great LBJ was.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invsible Pimp Hand at November 26, 2014 04:16 PM (JjJUC)

108 I loved the cooke peice

Posted by: ThunderB at November 26, 2014 04:17 PM (zOTsN)

109 90 My guess is that Ezra Klein has roughly zero interactions with black people in the course of the average day that does not involve paying for espresso.
Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (MMC8r)

___________

There's probably 1 black writer at Vox who is there specifically for the purpose of refuting these types of allegations. What? Us? Non-diverse? Nonsense. Why just 2 hours ago I walked by LeSheawun's cube and said wuzup.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 26, 2014 04:17 PM (0LHZx)

110 LifeNews: 981 Missouri Black Babies Aborted Since Michael Brown's Death, No Riots | Truth Revolt
http://tinyurl.com/mznh2kx

Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 26, 2014 04:17 PM (zwdxl)

111 "Nice. But I'm sticking with douchebag.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 04:09 PM (g1DWB)"
Certainly accurate and it would also not surprise me that he is familiar with the taste of penis. However, these are not things that one can say in polite company, whereas if a stupid phrase like "bean peasant" were to attach to him, it would allow mockery anywhere and everywhere. Part of the appeal is that it makes fun of his aspirations to be taken seriously with a goofy mispronunciation.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 26, 2014 04:18 PM (PD6iL)

112 Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:12 PM (nzKvP)

Could you just make up some snarky/funny reply to everything she says about it and then plead a hangover?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:18 PM (bRm4u)

113 THe people of Brattleboro are proud to say we are not racist becuase we all voted for President Obama twice.

Posted by: Jenny Stienam-Jones-Carter at November 26, 2014 04:18 PM (Sd++4)

114 >>>The turkey pardoned by Obama just broke a shop window and lit a sedan on fire.<<<

On the bright side, at least it didn't join ISIS and kill and rape a bunch of innocent Kurdish children, so there's that.

Posted by: Fritz at November 26, 2014 04:18 PM (UzPAd)

115 102 I'd bet money that the racial segregation map of New York City has a clearer demarcation than that of St. Lewis.

__________

I think you can literally count the number of black families who live on the upper east side on your fingers.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (0LHZx)

116 Could you just make up some snarky/funny reply to everything she says about it and then plead a hangover?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:18 PM (bRm4u)

Nah, "Fuck you and shove it up your ass. I'm outa here" is really much more satisfying.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (nzKvP)

117 The interesting thing about all the calls for justice is that it's obvious that since they don't believe justice has been served that they have a preconceived notion of what justice would appear to be.

They keep using that word. I do not think it means what they think it means.

Posted by: Diego Montoya at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (MMC8r)

118 The leftists are not merely content to employ the reductio ad absudum to conservative positions. No, they must make the insanely absurd counter.

Thinks high school students should be able to voluntarily pray before or after a football game?

YOU'D LOVE IT IN IRAN, WHERE EVERYONE IS FORCED TO PRAY EVERY DAY!!!

Think that maybe fuel taxes ought to go to fixing the roads, instead of the general fund?

YOU'D LOVE IT IN SOMALIA, WHERE NO ONE PAYS FUEL TAXES!!!

And on and on and on . . . .

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (VjL9S)

119 I hate that they assume every old person in the family is conservative, everyone that is young is a prog. I have a way older relative who won't shut the hell up about how great LBJ was.
***
no shit, there's always an old fart reliving the dream of FDR or spouting the NYT.

Posted by: joe-impeachin44 at November 26, 2014 04:20 PM (N///B)

120 I loved the cooke peice
Posted by: ThunderB at November 26, 2014 04:17 PM (zOTsN)
***********
I LOVE Cookies too..... Hey, you wanna go swimmin'?

Posted by: Joey Biden at November 26, 2014 04:20 PM (32Ze2)

121 Posted by: Diego Montoya at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (MMC8r)

I know, someone should do a whole book about that.

Posted by: Alasdair MacIntyre at November 26, 2014 04:20 PM (HDwDg)

122 So all the assholes want to boycott "Black Friday". Gee are they promising that? I mean that would be so great, that i might even go shopping that day!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:20 PM (nzKvP)

123 Seriously though, nothing proves MacIntyre's basic thesis more than what's happening now.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) And father to be in 6 (short) weeks! at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (HDwDg)

124 Justice, to the FSA, really means vengeance.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (5+mPY)

125
i've been saying "It's All Bullshit" here for a long time

Posted by: Please Don't Squeeze The Soothsayer at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (Knv95)

126 Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (nzKvP)

Tradition! Tradition! ;^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (bRm4u)

127 106: That's what Eli Manning said.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (ucDmr)

128 The dark humor concerning Furgeuson while we shot everything today, would have made the NYT cry.

Posted by: Jean at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (lJu9x)

129 "Nah, "Fuck you and shove it up your ass. I'm outa here" is really much more satisfying."

Ahhhh, Thanksgiving........

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (LA7Cm)

130 I suggest, in the spirit of diversity, that Mr. Klein purchase a second home in East St. Louis.

Posted by: ever at November 26, 2014 04:22 PM (hRV3r)

131 Does the St. Louis skyline actually have a building that looks like a state capitol building?

Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:23 PM (xSCb6)

132 129 "Nah, "Fuck you and shove it up your ass. I'm outa here" is really much more satisfying."

Ahhhh, Thanksgiving........
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:21 PM (LA7Cm)

Yeah. I bet Christmas is awesome.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:23 PM (5+mPY)

133 Elite proggies all have an internalized douchey professor that they write for, expecting a pat on the head.

Posted by: @votermom at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (cbfNE)

134 Shouldn't the Left side of the arch be Black and the Right side White? I knock off a star for Misapplication of Aura of Subtlety.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (1CroS)

135 Does the St. Louis skyline actually have a building that looks like a state capitol building?
Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:23 PM (xSCb6)
**********
Yes. I think it is the City Hall Building

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (32Ze2)

136 Nevermind, Bing images is a friend.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (xSCb6)

137

incidentally, my T-Day movie will be Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp)

never seen it

looking for movies...

Posted by: Please Don't Squeeze The Soothsayer at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (Knv95)

138 131 Does the St. Louis skyline actually have a building that looks like a state capitol building?
Posted by: Burn the Witch at November 26, 2014 04:23 PM (xSCb6)

Nah, but they do have one that's a dead ringer for a 40 oz.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (5+mPY)

139 >>>Yeah. I bet Christmas is awesome.<<<

Adds new meaning to, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care."

Posted by: Fritz at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (UzPAd)

140 Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (32Ze

It's the old courthouse. Where the Dredd Scot case happened.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) And father to be in 6 (short) weeks! at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (HDwDg)

141 Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:19 PM (VjL9S)

___________

I made the mistake recently of engaging a lib on facebook about education. My basic point was education sucks because the govt runs it and whatever the govt touches turns to shit.

His reply: why don't you move to Somalia?

Because of course, wanting LESS govt is the same thing as wanting absolutely no functioning government.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (0LHZx)

142 OBAMA USES TURKEY PARDON TO MOCK CONCERNS OVER EXECUTIVE AMNESTY

There is not a bone in that prick's body that is not an asshole bone

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (nzKvP)

143
If y'all have a chance, see Predestination.

It's weird. It's perfect science fiction, though.

Posted by: Please Don't Squeeze The Soothsayer at November 26, 2014 04:25 PM (Knv95)

144 It's easier to give people a voice with a false sense of consequence than to actually address the issue(s). Like any of the new dysfunctional org theories and practices of identifying/selecting the agents of change (also known as scapegoats) from the rank and file. Doomed to failure but feel good moments and individual aggrandizement are bountiful.

Don't you feel special? Kumbaya bitchez kum-fn-baya

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 26, 2014 04:26 PM (zPNX5)

145 Why the hell was that pizza lady unarmed?

Posted by: Jean at November 26, 2014 04:26 PM (lJu9x)

146 137

incidentally, my T-Day movie will be Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp)

never seen it

looking for movies...
Posted by: Please Don't Squeeze The Soothsayer at November 26, 2014 04:24 PM (Knv95)

If you like Depp, that's what you get. Depp. Lots and lots of Depp.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:26 PM (5+mPY)

147 Going to try having a kid table and a progressive table this year. No veggies on the kid table and only turkeys at the other table gabbling.
Main table peace in our time.

Posted by: Man from Wazzustan at November 26, 2014 04:26 PM (0atFl)

148 Does the St. Louis skyline actually have a building that looks like a state capitol building?

That's the Old Courthouse. It's where the Dred Scot Case was heard.

Posted by: Diego Montoya at November 26, 2014 04:27 PM (MMC8r)

149 And we cannot allow these narcissistic headcases to get away with disguising constant self-flattery as alleged "political" speech about ideas ~~external~~ alien to them.

Fixed.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 26, 2014 04:27 PM (SgnWh)

150 "That is what drives me crazy about modern discourse. So little of it is actually designed to advance a proposition. So much of it is designed to advance The Speaker. "

Some years back, the book, "Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus" advanced the proposition that when women talk, particularly when women complain, they are not looking for solutions. They just want somebody to listen and sympathize. Maybe it has to do with public discourse becoming more feminized.

I told you no good would come of the 19th Amendment. Or horseless carriages. Now get off my lawn.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at November 26, 2014 04:27 PM (PD6iL)

151 Sorry it is the Old Courthouse Building.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:27 PM (32Ze2)

152 Yes. I think it is the City Hall Building

Old Courthouse.

Posted by: --- at November 26, 2014 04:28 PM (MMC8r)

153 107 I hate that they assume every old person in the family is conservative, everyone that is young is a prog. I have a way older relative who won't shut the hell up about how great LBJ was.
Posted by: Adam Smith's Invsible Pimp Hand at November 26, 2014 04:16 PM (JjJUC)

*********

Sort of before my time but I recently became interested in The Pentagon Papers--I think it was spurred by someone here asking why Richard Nixon was so paranoid and essentially Watergate happened.

I knew the election had basically been stolen from Nixon and I had vaguely heard about The Pentagon Papers. Seems like those papers reveal lies told to the American public by JFK and LBJ--but of course they wait until a Republican is in power and leak it to the NYT.

Ellsburg now attends parades in San Fran so--might be a liberal.

Anyways --found this interesting quote from Goldwater and it goes to the The Left and projection. Anything they accuse The Right of doing they are plotting to do double time.

Here is the quote:

Barry Goldwater: "During the campaign, President Johnson kept reiterating that he would never send American boys to fight in Vietnam. As I say, he knew at the time that American boys were going to be sent. In fact, I knew about ten days before the Republican Convention. You see I was being called a trigger-happy, warmonger, bomb happy, and all the time Johnson was saying, he would never sent American boys. I knew damn well he would." upi.com

Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:28 PM (RJMhd)

154 St. Louis is in Jesusland. Why the fuck do those Hebes from Hymietown give a fuck?

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at November 26, 2014 04:28 PM (ucDmr)

155 BUT WHO IS DICK CAKE?

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 26, 2014 04:29 PM (2cS/G)

156 *Ellsberg*

Posted by: Your Friendly Danube River Guide at November 26, 2014 04:30 PM (RJMhd)

157 huh

wut Ed Morrissey @EdMorrissey 6h
wut RT @OKnox: RT @saftergood DoD: "unlawful enemy combatants" are now to be termed "unprivileged enemy belligerents" http://bit.ly/1viS38j

Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 26, 2014 04:30 PM (zwdxl)

158 An observation on lib Thanksgiving cheat sheets:

You know how when you were a kid (also applicable to "adult" libs) and when you told a fanciful lie, you'd have to tell more and more fanciful lies to the point that you couldn't keep all the lies straight and your entire story unraveled?

That's the reason for lib Thanksgiving cheat sheets.

Posted by: Country Singer at November 26, 2014 04:30 PM (nL0sw)

159 Fuck Ezra Klein.

He's been trying to stir up a riot since the no bill was handed down. He's been "interpreting" the news to say that Wilson lied and it's all a big conspiracy.

Posted by: Lauren at November 26, 2014 04:31 PM (BPMYx)

160 Posted by: Man from Wazzustan at November 26, 2014 04:26 PM (0atFl)

Sounds like a good plan.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 26, 2014 04:31 PM (bRm4u)

161 There's an entire Chapter about this in 'Liberal Fascism' by Jonah Goldberg.

Posted by: garrett at November 26, 2014 04:32 PM (Aj6v8)

162 Given that an 18-year-old high school graduate attacked a cop in Ferguson, Missouri in August and was killed, and a 12-year-old student in Ohio refused police orders to show his hands while carrying a replica of a semi-automatic pistol in November, and both are now dead, MAYBE it's time schools stop teaching about GLOBAL WARMING and teach students HOW TO FOLLOW POLICE ORDERS when they have a weapon drawn.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at November 26, 2014 04:32 PM (iAUf+)

163 Everything, and I mean everything, is simply an excercise in "I'm better that you".

And I'm better than you for saying that ...

Posted by: Joe at November 26, 2014 04:33 PM (iwdV3)

164 WHO IS DICK CAKE?

He's the guy who puts the crème filling in Twinkies.

Posted by: garrett at November 26, 2014 04:33 PM (Aj6v8)

165 I don't break bread with the animals who voted to end the health insurance of pediatric cancer patients.

Posted by: Man with a Conscience at November 26, 2014 04:33 PM (uqV2n)

166 I still don't see what the big deal is about a guy who just went to Soon.

Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at November 26, 2014 04:34 PM (Y7ieA)

167 wut Ed Morrissey @EdMorrissey 6h
wut RT @OKnox: RT @saftergood DoD: "unlawful enemy combatants" are now to be termed "unprivileged enemy belligerents" http://bit.ly/1viS38j
Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 26, 2014 04:30 PM (zwdxl)

Yeah I saw that. An age old liberal trick: Change the English language.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:34 PM (nzKvP)

168
LOOK, I just don't have the time to wade through all these news things, having Ezra tell me what's going on is great, and because he has a nice looking website and his glasses are awesome, I'm going to believe him.

I need to. It saves me time!!!

But, have you noticed that these people are true simlpetons when it comes to thinking through things? it's gotten worse, it's blindness on par with that dude who cried about Pro Wrasslin.

In fact, Obama is behaving just like a wrassler.

Wrasslers, bad and good, need each other to both be successful. The bad guy needs to be very good at being a bad guy in order for the scam to go over. The good guy needs to work off the bad guy's story, to help him "get over".

If you apply these WWF principles to Obama and all the shit happening now, it's all the same script.

Ezra should accept he is no better than Tony Schiavone or Mean Gene Okerlund. And those guys were at least honest and sometimes could let the curtain slip.

Posted by: Rev. Dr. E Buzz Miller at November 26, 2014 04:35 PM (jzdfJ)

169 So, okay. They get to rob, rape, steal and burn things down. What do we get?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at November 26, 2014 03:58 PM (CMkNk)

the bill

Posted by: FCF at November 26, 2014 04:35 PM (kejii)

170 I worked with Dick Cake on Ass Blasters 7.

Posted by: Buck Naked at November 26, 2014 04:35 PM (Aj6v8)

171 Lincontf - not who but what? Ewwwww

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 26, 2014 04:36 PM (zPNX5)

172 164 WHO IS DICK CAKE?

He's the guy who puts the cream filling in Twinkies.
Posted by: garrett at November 26, 2014 04:33 PM (Aj6v

Little Debbie has been after him for years.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:36 PM (5+mPY)

173 164 WHO IS DICK CAKE?

He's the guy who puts the cream filling in Twinkies.
Posted by: garrett at November 26, 2014 04:33 PM (Aj6v

Little Debbie has been after him for years.
Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:36 PM (5+mPY)
*********
I heard he likes to hang out with the Ho Ho's.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:38 PM (32Ze2)

174
To really piss progs off, make them realize how simple they are.

That gets them, it burns them badly, they won't talk to you, and your relationship will be permanently affected...they could even passive/aggro go after you.

But you have to be honest.

Posted by: Rev. Dr. E Buzz Miller at November 26, 2014 04:38 PM (jzdfJ)

175 >>>>Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp)<<<<<

It is okayish.

Other than having a headless horseman and using some of the names from the story it really has nothing to do with the Washington Irving work. But then again, from what I have seen on TV, nobody in Hollywood has ever actually read the freakin' book anyway.

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at November 26, 2014 04:39 PM (M6Vhk)

176 My county's executive sent this memo to all employees yesterday, entitled "LEARNING FROM FERGUSON:"
"Today, as we continue to mourn the loss of a young man's life, we also ask what we can do today -- to move America farther from the shame of slavery, Jim Crow, and institutionalized racism, and toward fulfillment of our founding ideal that all are created equal and entitled to equal justice under law.

I look forward to continuing our examination of how each of us can consciously pursue the values of equity and justice as we serve the public in our daily work, and how our collective effort can create the long-term, systemic changes our nation needs to fulfill its destiny."

I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??

Posted by: fly gal at November 26, 2014 04:39 PM (8TdcF)

177 So I'm sitting here, waiting for Gabe's Bourbon Cranberry Sauce to get baked. You're not supposed to add the bourbon till the end. I think I
better get the bottle open and ready. Wouldn't want to wait till the
last minute. I might have to taste it just to make sure the bourbon
hasn't gone bad .

Posted by: grammie winger at November 26, 2014 04:40 PM (3B+O8)

178 If anyone wants to feel a bit better about everything go read Benjamin Watson's thoughts on this whole situation. Pretty insightful and heartfelt.

Posted by: Lauren at November 26, 2014 04:40 PM (BPMYx)

179 I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??
-------
Don't charge at an officer who has drawn his weapon?

Posted by: Old Blue at November 26, 2014 04:40 PM (vVSOO)

180 Ezra should accept he is no better than Tony
Schiavone or Mean Gene Okerlund. And those guys were at least honest and
sometimes could let the curtain slip.

Posted by: Rev. Dr. E Buzz Miller at November 26, 2014 04:35 PM (jzdfJ)

Ezra couldn't hold Lance Russell's jock.

Posted by: Country Singer at November 26, 2014 04:41 PM (nL0sw)

181 What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??
-------

Armed>Unarmed

Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at November 26, 2014 04:41 PM (Y7ieA)

182 "I might have to taste it just to make sure the bourbon
hasn't gone bad ."

That's good thinkin', Grammie.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:41 PM (LA7Cm)

183 >>I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??

Well you learned something about your county.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 04:42 PM (g1DWB)

184 I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??
Posted by: fly gal at November 26, 2014 04:39 PM (8TdcF)

My takeaway from Ferguson is: don't steal shit, when the cops talk to you, act civilized, and don't bum rush a guy with a gun when you're only packing cigars.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:42 PM (5+mPY)

185 I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??
Posted by: fly gal at November 26, 2014 04:39 PM (8TdcF)
*************
That when a cop asks you to do ANYTHING.... you do it. ALso, trying to take the cops gun is a bad idea..... oh, and once rounds are fired you should submit instead of charge the officer...... and don't steal stuff...... and rough up shop owners..... also, don't walk down the middle of the road.... ummmm i think that's it.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:44 PM (32Ze2)

186 Can there be anyone, anyone at all, anywhere who thinks the left have good intentions for America? The left are my enemy. Their allies are my enemies.

Posted by: Erowmero at November 26, 2014 04:44 PM (go5uR)

187 Also, walking in the middle of the road minutes after robbing a store isn't the smartest thing to do.

Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at November 26, 2014 04:45 PM (Y7ieA)

188 176
My county's executive sent this memo to all employees yesterday, entitled "LEARNING FROM FERGUSON:"

==============

I'd file a report that he's creating a hostile work environment by perpetuating the lie that America is racist and, specifically, that all white people are racists.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:45 PM (VjL9S)

189 "That when a cop asks you to do ANYTHING.... you do it. ALso, trying to take the cops gun is a bad idea..... oh, and once rounds are fired you should submit instead of charge the officer...... and don't steal stuff...... and rough up shop owners..... also, don't walk down the middle of the road.... ummmm i think that's it."

Man, Truck, that's a lot to remember. How are today's urban "yutes" supposed to recall all of that?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (LA7Cm)

190 Help! I clicked on that bit.ly link and it took me to VOX.
bit.ly/1xHhQ8I

I feel dirty.

Posted by: flounder at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (sDapq)

191 Also, walking in the middle of the road minutes after robbing a store isn't the smartest thing to do.
Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at November 26, 2014 04:45 PM (Y7ieA)
***********
I think that's called Walking while black. These youth don't ever catch a break.

Posted by: Sheffield Oliver Carrington Kittridge at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (32Ze2)

192 Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:44 PM (32Ze2

Yeah, see not comfortable with that level of police power. Just the first part, the rest of it is just common sense.

A better thing to say would be "don't assault a cop."

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) And father to be in 6 (short) weeks! at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (HDwDg)

193 "Nah, "Fuck you and shove it up your ass. I'm outa here" is really much more satisfying."

I think I heard Boy in that statement.

Posted by: Al Sharpton at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (XzRw1)

194 My takeaway from Ferguson is: don't steal shit, when the cops talk to you, act civilized, and don't bum rush a guy with a gun when you're only packing cigars.

I learned that 40+ years ago.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (SgnWh)

195 Sort of before my time but I recently became interested in The Pentagon
Papers--I think it was spurred by someone here asking why Richard Nixon
was so paranoid and essentially Watergate happened.

He was paranoid because he'd nailed liberal pin-up boy Alger Hiss, whose primary supporters had been the NYT and WaPo, both of which strongly in his corner. (We now could take a pretty shrewd guess as to why.)

Both the NYT and WaPo detested Nixon for that, among other things, and never missed an opportunity to crap on him: he was not only conservative, and a Quaker, but from California, then like Texas or Arizona now.

That's why he was paranoid. And they finally got him. Both the NYT and WaPo beat the drums incessantly for a year before the whole thing blew up, as did the alphabet networks. (Oftentimes they would have a news story that there were "no new developments in the Watergate scandal surrounding President Nixon." (I remember this era clearly, being in grad school then.) Finally they got him.

If they put in 1% as much effort investigating Obongo, he'd have been frogmarched out of the White Hut long ago, and if they'd done any of that before Nov. 2008, he wouldn't have had a dog's chance of being elected.

Nixon was a patriot, and he paid the price.

PS: we now know from the VENONA decrypts that that cocksucker Hiss was in fact a traitor.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 26, 2014 04:47 PM (oKE6c)

196 I might have to taste it just to make sure the bourbon
hasn't gone bad .

Seems prudent.

Posted by: HR needs donuts at November 26, 2014 04:47 PM (ZKzrr)

197
"Ezra couldn't hold Lance Russell's jock."

You are correct sir.

Posted by: Rev. Dr. E Buzz Miller at November 26, 2014 04:48 PM (jzdfJ)

198 You know how we always say....the Democrat coalition will fall apart some day. No it won't. There will always be some Ferguson to keep it together fighting against the evil white man (aka Republicans).

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 26, 2014 04:48 PM (0LHZx)

199 Man, Truck, that's a lot to remember. How are today's urban "yutes" supposed to recall all of that?

Simple. Tell them their lives depend on remembering that.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 26, 2014 04:48 PM (SgnWh)

200 My takeaway from Ferguson is: don't steal shit, when the cops talk to you, act civilized, and don't bum rush a guy with a gun when you're only packing cigars.

I learned that 40+ years ago.
Posted by: rickb223 at November 26, 2014 04:46 PM (SgnWh)

That's why you are +40 year olds and Brown is taking a dirt nap

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (nzKvP)

201 The racial divide is that one group of citizens, black Americans, has been fed a steady diet by leftist media that they are victims and all their outcomes are decided by a malicious white power structure, and they act accordingly. Instead of working their way out of poverty, as virtually every other minority group in the country, including Hispanics and Asians has done, they wallow in victimization and recrimination. Not all blacks, just the ones who buy the leftist propaganda. Religious and socially conservative blacks are much more successful. Religious leftist blacks, per Rev. Wright and his well-to-do congregation, seem to have figured out how to financially exploit the leftist tropes, but are not necessarily less bitter and resentful and full of misdirected anger. Perhaps it's just in their financial interest to keep up the myth, just as it is for leftist politicians and media types.

Posted by: docweasel at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (5Z4Wf)

202 I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??

Posted by: fly gal at November 26, 2014 04:39 PM (8TdcF)

That the bruthas are too stupid to learn from experience, or to evince a modicum of common sense?

Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (oKE6c)

203 Happy Thanksgiving to the horde and families. May you be blessed with family, friends, and lots of liquor and point elbows.

Posted by: flounder at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (sDapq)

204 Well, for better or for worse Youngest Son is at his birth fathers house. Fifteen years ago the same fellow stood in the hospital and declared the boy wasn't his, that he hadn't touched "that cripple girl" (his birth mother has cerebral palsy and that's why he is with me) and you can't hang this on me, blah blah blah bullshit. Now all of a sudden he's ALWAYS wanted to be a part of the kids life.

Youngest Son knows it's a bullshit story, but he wants to know the guy and make his own opinions.

I want to go to the liquor store...but I'm going to be sober when he calls for a ride home.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (V22Sh)

205 203 Happy Thanksgiving to the horde and families. May you be blessed with family, friends, and lots of liquor and point elbows.
Posted by: flounder at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (sDapq)

And, apparently, no Lib sisters.

Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:50 PM (5+mPY)

206 Clicking on Vox will make you go blind. Unless they're splaining KK's big butt while helping to break the interwebz.

Click, click, click, click, click...

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 26, 2014 04:51 PM (zPNX5)

207 >>I want to go to the liquor store...but I'm going to be sober when he calls for a ride home.

You're a good man.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 04:51 PM (g1DWB)

208 Damn, GGE. Suddenly I don't have a problem in the world. That sounds a little rough.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 26, 2014 04:52 PM (LA7Cm)

209
Marshall McLuhan once said that the youth of the day (i.e., the boomers, my generation) "want roles, not goals". We certainly were into dress-up and posturing; and being well-thought-of was more important than any actual doing.

Social media has amplified this trend enormously. The only value, the only currency, in social media is to be well-thought-of. Being disdained, ignored, ridiculed, is death itself in the social-media environment.

To be continually seeking to be well-thought-of means being continually attendant to the whims of fashion. So, what had been a politics of achievement, has degenerated into a politics of continually seeking the fashionable, in order to remain fashionable.

Small wonder we're all up to our necks in bullshit.

Posted by: Brown Line at November 26, 2014 04:52 PM (zcbZo)

210 What Jack said.

Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at November 26, 2014 04:52 PM (Y7ieA)

211 NOOD WE MUCH

Posted by: Al Sharpton at November 26, 2014 04:52 PM (2Ayux)

212 I want to go to the liquor store...but I'm going to be sober when he calls for a ride home.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 26, 2014 04:49 PM (V22Sh)
*************
He knows who his Dad is GGE. The Sperm Donor, I am sure, has not changed his stripes and YOUR son will see right through it.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Aiming His Torpedo at November 26, 2014 04:53 PM (32Ze2)

213
And, apparently, no Lib sisters.
Posted by: kraken at November 26, 2014 04:50 PM (5+mPY)

_________

Wish I could say the same. Not sure what happened to my sister. She used to be so normal. But over the past 5-6 years she's turned batshit crazy. I thought having a kid of her own would snap her back to normalcy again...nope, I think she's gotten even worse.

Her husband, who I used to think was a far left loon, now is the voice of reason in that marriage.

Oh well.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 26, 2014 04:53 PM (0LHZx)

214 fly gal: "I am so tired of this b.s. What exactly were we supposed to learn from Ferguson??"

Not every life is worth mourning.

There. I said it.

The young man was a punk. He graduated from "kid" years before his documented crime. He was built like a linebacker and acted it on the street where he could exploit it. Does anyone believe his assault and robbery at that store was his first? Does his now documented response to the LEO for merely being told to get out of the street indicate a naive, gentle soul? Did anyone notice his stepfather's incitement and wonder if any of that might have reflected the young man's real persona?

That punk might have been rehabilitated with time and wisdom, but not likely in the poisoned environment in which he lived. He was a developing (or developed) timebomb. No one will know if he was going to be a smoke bomb or a crate of C4, but he wasn't a Gentle Giant.

It's time to quit lamenting the loss of street bullies. That minority store owner would certainly have been better served if that "kid" never entered his life. Let's worry ourselves about his life a bit more.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at November 26, 2014 04:54 PM (1CroS)

215 The Only Progressive Guide to Thanksgiving Political Arguments You'll Need

Got any family that are unabashedly liberal? Avoid 'em.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at November 26, 2014 04:54 PM (9srI4)

216 You're a good man.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 26, 2014 04:51 PM (g1DWB)

Not really. I want to go to the ammo store, too. Lotsa gators here in Florida.

That boy has been a constant pain in my ass for fifteen years, ever since Laura brought him home...but he's been MY pain in the ass, and I don't like it when anyone fucks with my kids.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at November 26, 2014 04:54 PM (V22Sh)

217 GGE, do you have bail money sitting in your sock drawer?

Posted by: Jean at November 26, 2014 05:15 PM (aS7LQ)

218 I'd file a report that he's creating a hostile work environment by perpetuating the lie that America is racist and, specifically, that all white people are racists.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 26, 2014 04:45 PM (VjL9S)
______
I'd love to. However, I've already had one run-in with HR over the same topic here, so...

Posted by: fly gal at November 26, 2014 05:21 PM (8TdcF)

219 From Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain":
"For vanity is not on the grand scale, nor is greatness vain."
That quote has always stuck in my mind since I read it years ago, but I never really understood the deeper meaning. Thanks for clarifying, Ace.

Posted by: Barney Offal at November 26, 2014 06:00 PM (CDFXa)

220 Your intellectually superior liberals, who see the world in all its shades of grey that you rubes overlook, want you to know that Ferguson is a starkly black-vs-white issue and nothing more.

Posted by: Socratease at November 26, 2014 06:03 PM (82qVG)

221 I missed this thread completely. I was actually working at work. But I read some of the previous thread about liberals at Thanksgiving, and it was hilarious. Great job, ace and everyone.

Posted by: rickl at November 26, 2014 06:14 PM (sdi6R)

222 So you can sit around, getting fatter and developing Type II diabetes, while trying to save your stupid sister-fucking redneck relatives from their own ignorance. You can finally accept our historic first multiracial President Barack Obama and the cause of progress into your hearts. It might be a really good time if the parole board let all your relatives out.

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein from Brattleboro, Vermont at November 26, 2014 06:16 PM (kgEaX)

223 Ezra Klein is everything that's wrong with this country in one meat sack. He needs to be shunned, stoned to within an inch of death by class "D" batteries, dunked repeatedly in ice cold water, hung upside down and eviscerated by an angry mob of his own kind. And Yglesias should be made to watch while video of him wetting himself is broadcast worldwide. But, Happy Thanksgiving anyway.

Posted by: Sherlockzz at November 26, 2014 06:18 PM (7dDxZ)

224 Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: Half of writing history is hiding the truth.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at November 26, 2014 06:19 PM (e8kgV)

225 The Operative: Do you know what your sin is, Doctor?
Dr. Mathias: I wonder if...
The Operative: It's pride.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at November 26, 2014 06:21 PM (e8kgV)

226 21 The "Occupy Wall Street" anarchist communist movement is taking over all this Ferguson bullshit. People we are headed to a civil war. Get a weapon and pick a side

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 26, 2014 03:57 PM (nzKvP)

"Taking over"? They've been involved almost from the beginning.

The actual shooting incident was not racial at all. I'm white, and if I assaulted a police officer and tried to grab his gun, I would be just as dead as Mike Brown, and rightfully so. The race of the cop wouldn't even matter.

But Obama, Holder, Sharpton, the media, and the communist groups have been working 24/7 for months to whip up racial hatred.

Posted by: rickl at November 26, 2014 06:29 PM (sdi6R)

227 118 RoyalOil

"The leftists are not merely content to employ the reductio ad absudum to conservative positions. No, they must make the insanely absurd counter."

Thats was always a curious tid-bit I would point out to them. If my POV doesn't correspond to their talking points (won't call them opinions), they accuse you of holidng the (supposed) extreme counter view.

Once mentioned, "why is it always A or B with you people? That child like logic. The topic your breeching is bit more complex than you know and there are more than only 2 points of view."

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at November 26, 2014 06:38 PM (0nzIx)

228 Flames. Those black/white divide illustrations need more flames, and cowbell.

Posted by: Speller at November 26, 2014 06:56 PM (J74Py)

229 "I'm just curious as to how these mush for brains spoiled children
rise to the point that they feel that they are the spokesperson for an
entire generation.

Not just an entire generation. The whole nation. We are the voice and conscience of the whole nation.

Posted by: Mush Brained Spoiled Children at November 26, 2014 07:05 PM (oG53/)

230 Very few people in the contemporary world are paid to do the hard and serious work of constructing sound arguments. Reporters and commentators might once have been in that small group, but they are decreasingly expected by their bosses to put out such material. Instead their job is to produce material that is rhetorically successful, and often that means nothing more than being one of those to make the speech act itself (retweets sometimes matter more than the original tweet, just as a strategic 60th vote is sometimes more important than authoring a bill).

As the man once said: "welcome to the desert of the real."

Posted by: Fabio Escobar at November 26, 2014 07:17 PM (KHtMe)

231 My standard response for when the progressive arguments come up at the Turkey Day table - "Lighten up Francis!"...thanks Sgt. Hucka.

Posted by: RGallegis at November 26, 2014 07:19 PM (AVODN)

232 My mindthoughts are like bottomless reflecting pools of brilliance. My headface is like a cherub's.

Posted by: Ezra the Almighty at November 26, 2014 07:27 PM (lG2E3)

233 No no no, crackas. The lesson of Ferguson....and Trayvon....is if you are a white Caucasian or Hispanic, and a hopped-up but "unarmed" minority youth gets the jump on you, you must take your beating and if you die, you die.

Posted by: Tyrone Shoelaces at November 26, 2014 07:39 PM (Q3tFF)

234 Re: Harry Frankfurt

Describes just about everything Rod Dreher has written, is writing, or ever will write. This school of Frankfurt-bullshit writing dissolves conservative, liberal, and just about everything else into a post-modern goo we could just indiscriminately call Drehery to save us all time.

Posted by: Peter at November 26, 2014 08:03 PM (dpB1C)

235 That is just a great insight, Ace. I'm going to watch others, and myself, more closely from now on because of what you have pointed out. For now, I'll just go ahead and plead guilty. But not tomorrow, not any more. Thanks.

Posted by: goon at November 27, 2014 01:05 AM (gNTQS)

236 And we cannot allow these narcissistic headcases to get away with
disguising constant self-flattery as alleged "political" speech about
ideas external to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No, we elect 'em. Right 52%? Asshosers?

Posted by: eureka! at November 27, 2014 01:39 AM (Zbknu)

237
As an Oberlin grad, I heartily concur with the first part of this post.
Four years there was like going through a time-warp to an alien collectivist utopia where everyone actually still believes this crap.
Visit and observe every leftist stereotype come to life.
All that and 45 minutes out of Cleveland.
The closest you'll get to North Korea stateside.

Posted by: henry gray at November 27, 2014 09:33 AM (zCB6O)

238 Yeah, the divide is that there is a segment of the African American community that has absolutely no respect for authority, thinks that "no one can tell me what to do," and that if some authority figure DOES dare to tell them what to do, well, said authority figure is being "disrespectful." There is a segment of the African American population that has no manners, no respect, no consideration for anyone, let alone a police officer. The divide here is that no one dare point out that there is a problem with a segment of the African American community, and instead said segement of the black community instead blames their lack of employment, education, and rate of run ins with authority figures on some nebulous cloud of whiteness, as if just acting like a decent human being and doing what you are supposed to do is somehow "white" and oppressive or something. It should be noted that this motley bunch is a small percentage of the black community, but they are the source of a lot of problems where ever they go. Decent people, black and white, are getting tired of it. Period.

Posted by: BLondo at November 28, 2014 10:33 PM (2/oBD)

239 ...oh yeah, and if you hit a cop and try to grab his gun, you've just committed a felony, and you are going to go to jail for that.

Posted by: BLondo at November 28, 2014 10:35 PM (2/oBD)

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