How The Left Abandoned Traditional Notions of Restraint, Reserve, and Self-Mastery In Favor Of Righteous Rage, And How The Right Has Sadly Followed Them<br>And: The Blog Policy On Anger

How The Left Abandoned Traditional Notions of Restraint, Reserve, and Self-Mastery In Favor Of Righteous Rage, And How The Right Has Sadly Followed Them
And: The Blog Policy On Anger

In 2004, the left fully embraced anger and hatred, calling it justified and righteous.

In 2007, a guy named Peter Wood wrote a book called A Bee In The Mouth, documenting the "New Anger," an anger no longer ashamed, but now an angry proud and preening.

He warned, presciently, that this same New Anger was a poison beginning to infect the body politic of the right.

I doubt that even Barack Obama can save us from our anger now. That’s because the anger that lately pervades our politics is more than just an aftereffect of six years of Democratic setbacks (although the strikingly angry Democratic response to their six bad years does call for an explanation). Our political anger is only the most impressive expression of a much wider cultural transformation. In politics, in music, in sports, on the web, in our families, and in the relations between the sexes, American anger has come into its own. Wood says we’re living in an era of “New Anger,” and regardless of who becomes our next president, New Anger isn’t going away anytime soon.
Anger Old and New
What exactly is New Anger? Let’s find out by first having a look at Old Anger. Before we lionized all those angry anti-heroes — from Jack Nicholson in the movies, to John McEnroe on the tennis court — Americans admired the strong silent type: slow to boil, reluctant to fight unless sorely provoked, and disinclined to show anger even then. Gary Cooper in Sargent York comes to mind. Old Anger was held in check by ideals of self-mastery and reserve. As Wood puts it, “Dignity, manliness, and wisdom called for self-control and coolness of temper.” The angry man, Wood reminds us, was once thought a weak-minded zealot, bereft of good judgment and prey to false clarity. Above all, Americans (especially women) kept anger at bay “lest it overwhelm the relations on which family life depends.”
On behalf of this ideal of reserve, anger was not merely checked, but was even partially defeated (today we’d say “repressed”). There was a time when Americans strove to train themselves away from actually being angry — a time when even the private, inner experience of rage felt shameful and was shunned. Yet in compensation for the inner sacrifice and discipline demanded by the art of self-mastery, Americans experienced a mature pride in “character” achieved. In what Wood calls that “now largely invisible culture” of Old Anger, refusal to be provoked was its own reward.
That was then. America’s New Anger exchanges the modest heroism of Gary Cooper’s Sargent York for something much closer to the Incredible Hulk. New Anger is everything that Old Anger was not: flamboyant, self-righteous, and proud. As a way to “empowerment” for ethnic groups, women, political parties, and children, New Anger serves as a mark of identity and a badge of authenticity. The Civil War, and America’s past political campaigns, may have witnessed plenty of anger, yet not until recently, says Wood, have Americans actually congratulated themselves for getting angry. Anger has turned into a coping mechanism, something to get in touch with, a prize to exhibit in public, and a proof of righteous sincerity.
BLogging Anger
New Anger is nowhere more at home than in the blogosphere, where so far from being held in check, look-at-me performance anger is the path to quick success. Wood’s section on the “proud maliciousness” of bloggers (titled “Insta-Anger”) will stir debate, yet it’s far from a blanket indictment. The Insta-Pundit himself is off the hook, for example. “[Glenn] Reynolds’ comments are often sardonic but seldom angry,” says Wood. On the other hand, Atrios explaining “Why We Say ‘F***’ a Lot” (expurgation most definitely not in the original) fares far less well at Wood’s hands.
...
No False Symmetry
...
“For the first time in our political history, declaring absolute hatred for one’s opponent has become a sign not of sad excess but of good character.” That, Wood says, is why our political anger is now New Anger. For Wood (a conservative who’s written for National Review Online) New Anger is a phenomenon of both Left and Right. Yet Wood eschews false symmetry, and one of the fascinations of A Bee in the Mouth is following Wood’s attempt to make sense of New Anger’s long, slow, and decidedly incomplete seepage from the Left to the Right side of the political spectrum.

It's complete now. I think we can fairly state that seepage is complete now.

Anger is not a virtue, and hatred is not courage.

Screaming and ranting does not improve morale, and does not stiffen spines.

There is a word I love: "unmanned." Bereft of manhood; sent into an emotional tizzy; screaming like a child.

It is not manly to become unmanned.

Let it be known:

Most of us are pretty angry.

But yet it must be kept in check.

Anger is sinful; but to indulge in anger, to make excuses for it, to call anger prudent and wise, is pathetic.

It is narcissistic to claim flaws and indulgences are really virtues in disguise.

I am angry. I'm often angry. Sometimes I mask it with humor.

I am also a reasoning human being who knows what most people have known since age six: Anger does not produce good decisions, nor good results.

Anger is an indulgence. A soft, callow indulgence. An indulgence of emotion, and indulgence -- like all indulgences -- that feels good.

I indulge in it too. We all do. But make no mistake, every time we do, it is an indulgence, and not a badge of righteousness.

For over a year I have been inveighing against unchecked anger, exhibitionist anger. I have cautioned against mistaking this indulgent state with actual virtue -- virtues alleged, most frequently, to consist of "courage," "integrity," and "principle."

I don't think that's what it is.

I know the left thought that their anger gave them "courage," "integrity," and "principle" when they indulged it unashamedly in 2004 (through the present), and never once did I think, "All that angry, emotional talk of theirs really shows their courage, integrity, and principle."

What I thought was: "They sound like clown-babies."

This precise same angry talk does not suddenly sound any more elevated or noble simply because it emanates from the right. A swap in political branding does not transform a fundamentally childlike, indulgent state into a noble one.

What people who are truly, unapologetically, unashamedly angry need is need less politics, not more.

Politics is not the reason for their anger; deep-seated emotional turmoil and private tribulations are their real problems.

"Politics" is simply the convenient, "socially-acceptable" outlet for it. Some are too afraid to confront their real problems, too cowardly, so they talk about "politics."

It is primal screaming, and it ought to be done in a more suitable, more productive venue.

I have always suggested productive ways to channel anger. How many of people who feel enraged and voiceless have joined their local party and attempted to take it over?

Or contacted FreedomWorks to learn how to grassroots-organize?

Taken any positive step, at all, to doing something about the alleged source of their rage?

A blog's comment area is not a good vehicle for changing the world.

The world gets changed in the one place it's always been changed: Out in the world.

Anyone filled with anger ought to try something like that. He might find his anger largely dissipated, as he would feel empowered, actively doing instead of merely emoting, and not reduced to impotent shrieking.

These utterances do not help anything, except the personal need for catharsis. Unhinged ranting is embarrassing for the entire movement, and does not, as is often alleged, somehow, in some unexplained manner, "help the cause."

Ever watch Ed Schultz and his red-faced raging? Does he seem attractive, even to people who lean to the left? Does it seem likely his impotent fury is gathering supporters beneath his flag?

Or do you think he's repulsing people?

The comments section of this blog is for intelligent conversation, interesting tips, unexplored points, fun snark, bustin' chops, running riffs, inside jokes, sockpuppet gags, making friends, flirting, talk of boobs, and of course praising me, and if you must, even praising the cobloggers.

It is expressly not a forum for rage or running other commenters down (except for trolls, and I do mean trolls, not someone you disagree with).

People often -- usually -- hide their unhappiness and fear in anger.

Anger feels like a "safe" emotion; it feels empowering, it feels like you're not expressing vulnerability.

Whereas confessing unhappiness and personal problems feels vulnerable, like a show of weakness, and people don't want to do that.

People never want to do that.

Here's the thing, though: It may seem that way, but in fact admitting problems is a far, far more courageous -- a far more manly -- thing than to hide them behind anger.

Anger is vulnerability. It's just vulnerability in the form of shouting.

People think the anger disguises that, but it does not. It's the most vulnerable vulnerability there is -- the vulnerability that's so raw it doesn't even dare confess itself.

And yet it does. "Issues," people short-hand it-- "That guy has issues." What is intended to be hidden by anger is not in fact hidden at all. It's plain-sight. Everyone immediately knows, "This guy is not just talking about politics."

It is often the case that the steps we take to conceal ourselves reveal us most of all.

This blog is a home, of sorts. People want to come here for interesting and fun banter.

It is not intended to be a hostile environment. If anger makes you hostile, you will have to check that, or check out.

Although I would strongly urge fixing the problem that drives unthinking anger in the first place. Or find a productive channel by which you can feel empowered by really doing something to change the circumstances you despise.

Anger is hard on the heart and makes life poorer. I don't think some people understand a basic fact: No one is "comfortable" with someone else's angry outbursts. The person engaging in those angry outbursts may be comfortable with his anger (a little too comfortable, by my lights), but others are not.

Of course you don't have to listen to me. Just free advice. Free, but in this case, valuable.

And in this case, also, mandatory.

I heard Dennis Praeger say something to Adam Carolla that I thought was stupid and sappy when I heard it, but then Adam Carolla agreed, and then I realized they were both right.

He said it is a selfish indulgence to be unhappy, and that it is a moral necessity to be happy and cheerful.

Not for yourself, he clarified-- for others. For the sake of others in our lives, we should project good cheer and warm spirits, even if we do not exactly feel that inside.

I've been trying this for a while. About, I don't know, a couple of months. My whole life I had done what Praeger called moral cowardice, or selfish indulgence -- I had frowned, I had shown a lack of interest or enthusiasm, I had been stingy with kind words and compliments.

I was, in short, a real piece of shit. Still am.

But I am trying. I am trying to take Praeger's counsel and remind myself that to be unhappy, and to project unhappiness out into the world, makes other people's lives poorer, other people's lives unhappier.

So far, at least in my personal life, it's working. I'm still depressive, but I feel good on occasion by just being nice.

So I'm faking it. Fake it 'till you make it. To do otherwise is to simply indulge oneself. Yes, my natural state is phlegmatic, unenthused, unengaged, reserved, lazy, and depressive; but then, my natural state is also to be fat, and beat off twice a day. And I've done something about those (1, Adkins, 2, "Rawdog Aversion Therapy").

I began this post much angrier myself, in the beginning; I've tried, in successive drafting passes, to soften it, and add some lightness to it.

But the people I mean -- not many, but a few -- know who they are. You have to lighten it up, you have to keep in mind that it's not just your own emotional state, but those of your would-be comrades.

I will enable comments for just this post. I imagine some will want to argue about this. That's fine; that's why I'm enabling comments, so you can express that, so you can argue back.

But the policy is the policy and will be the policy. I will enable comments, so you can express your disapproval, and suggest I'm taking away your right to free speech, or whatever other grievance you might have; but in the end, I think this is the right policy, and the policy that will make these comments better for 95% of all commenters. 5% it might make it worse for, but it's a numbers game.

It's also my very strong preference.

There is always a dispute about noise in a building or neighborhood-- the noisy guy thinks the Neighborhood Standard should be set to "Noisy" and the quiet guy thinks the Standard should be Quiet.

Neither one really has any objective proof that his preferences should prevail. Nevertheless, between the two, someone must prevail, and that always seems unfair to the losing side.

But it is every bit as unfair to the other side, should that side lose.

It's a question without an answer you can "prove." And yet, a standard must exist. Either the guy is going to have to turn down his stereo, or the bookworm is going to have to wear uncomfortable earmuffs; two purported rights are in conflict, and someone is going to lose what he purports to be his "rights" (which will be found, in the end, not to be "rights" at all, but merely preferences which have been disfavored by official policy).

I'm setting the standard as lower hostility, and lower anger. Arguments are fine; attacking other commenters, unprovoked (and the expression of a disfavored idea is not "provocation") isn't.

Some people will object to this, but most, I believe, will welcome it.

Anyway, comment away. I have attempted to scrub some of the first-draft angry talk out of this, but I probably missed some. For that, I apologize in advance.

Posted by: Ace at 06:22 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 FIRST!

Posted by: Hobo from Heck at June 09, 2012 06:24 PM (QE/BE)

2 WOW! Welcome Back!

Posted by: Hobo from Heck at June 09, 2012 06:24 PM (QE/BE)

3 Yeah, I think everybody went to see what it would be like to have a life.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at June 09, 2012 06:25 PM (Qxdfp)

4 Well, if I can't say anything not nice, then what can I say? It would be nice if we can be civil while disagreeing. Perhaps a shading of comments so we can see the "unmanned" ones?

Posted by: Roger Anderson at June 09, 2012 06:27 PM (4Zfqx)

5 New Anger? Never heard of it..

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at June 09, 2012 06:28 PM (Mrdk1)

6 Yay!!!! Thanks, Ace, for all you do and sorry about the shitbirds who put a bump in your road today.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 06:28 PM (kpCLl)

7

Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya;

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 09, 2012 06:28 PM (zEyl6)

8 Thanks Ace!

Posted by: Hobo from Heck at June 09, 2012 06:28 PM (QE/BE)

9 Aw, I miss my avatar, but I'm keeping the new name.

Posted by: Maltese Dragon at June 09, 2012 06:29 PM (QGwv0)

10 So good to be home! Thanks for opening the door Ace!

Posted by: macintx at June 09, 2012 06:29 PM (ucs8Y)

11 I was just getting the hang of WP.

Posted by: dick cheese at June 09, 2012 06:30 PM (QupBk)

12 My secret is the same as the Hulk's...

...I'm always angry.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 06:30 PM (pqW4Y)

13 Thanks Ace.

The progressive socialist gravy-train is going off the rails. Instead of reducing speed or trying the break, they shoot the brakeman for saying 'We going too fast."

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 06:30 PM (JaB4T)

14 Thing is - they're literally teaching anger in schools. It's pervaded pop-culture and has gone mainstream. Everybody goes around being pissed and screaming H8er!

I agree with Wood on one point - it really started moving to the next level in the 2000 election - I kept a diary of the crap that was going down then it seemed so crazy.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at June 09, 2012 06:30 PM (Qxdfp)

15 Is saying that Barack Obama is a Stuttering Clusterf**k of a Miserable Failure too angry?

Posted by: Tim at June 09, 2012 06:31 PM (pvEwU)

16 Thanks for this. Wordpress has some things going for it, but this is still the easiest format to read and react to everybody in.

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 06:31 PM (LnQhT)

17 I am still scratching my head at the pure assholishness of some of last nights commenters. I hope we can comment without somebody shitting the bed this time.

Posted by: The Drizzle at June 09, 2012 06:32 PM (ysCLj)

18 Thanks for the high ground approach, Ace - it ain't easy; if it were, everyone would do it.

Posted by: sithkhan at June 09, 2012 06:32 PM (HDmID)

19 In space, no one can hear you scream.

Posted by: Pro-Me Theus at June 09, 2012 06:32 PM (9s74/)

20 I cite 2004 as the start because that's when the left asserted it was a moral virtue to be angry. I think that was the year of Jonathan Chait's "In Defense of Hate," or Bush-Hate, or whatever.

Yes, they'd been very very angry before then. But everyone's always angry.

The mark of decline is when you start asserting that what your dad and clergy always taught you was a sinful indulgence is in fact a mark of virtue.

That's the problem-- not the anger (a standard human emotion) but the EMBRACE of it, the justification of it.

Defining deviancy down, in other words.

And while we laughed at the left for doing this in 2004, the right has done the exact same thing, and goes through the exact same contortions to claim that anger is just and good.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:33 PM (aw5Tx)

21 We kan haz werds now?

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:33 PM (P6QsQ)

22 Thank you, Ace. This blog wouldn't be the same. What Prager said really hits home.

Posted by: auscolpyr at June 09, 2012 06:33 PM (BwDfs)

23
Should have put the comment link first - because you know we are going there before reading the piece!

going to read, now

Posted by: 1000th at June 09, 2012 06:33 PM (HOOye)

24
Ace, honey....I hope you've gotten some sleep.
{{{hugs}}}

Posted by: wheatie at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (eFqqI)

25 This is great, Ace. Thanks so much. For everything.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (P6QsQ)

26 Is it safe to come out again? I missed the melt down and I think I am glad I did!!!!

Posted by: OldDog at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (Y/eZ2)

27 >> I know the left thought that their anger gave them "courage," "integrity," and "principle" when they indulged it unashamedly in 2004 (through the present), and never once did I think, "All that angry, emotional talk of theirs really shows their courage, integrity, and principle."

Further to your point, I thought, "what a bunch of pussies".

Posted by: Andy at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (ZSnCv)

28 Testing one two three... hey where's my avatar?

Posted by: grease monkey at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (VSWPU)

29 Back?

Posted by: nickless at June 09, 2012 06:34 PM (MMC8r)

30 Pixy needs to add avatars to minx 2.1

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:35 PM (QupBk)

31 And TinyURL to rule the links again.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 06:35 PM (JaB4T)

32 Folks who live in blue states / blue cities will often hear the argument "wow, he's really angry ... he really feels that way ... he must be RIGHT."

Ugh.

Ace, it's not only weak, it's being turned into a *technique.*

Posted by: Steck at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (RL7U1)

33 Okay, now I have to go read the post.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (P6QsQ)

34 or Ace could just move to WP.

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (QupBk)

35 I read this web journal multiple times a day, but rarely, i.e. once or twice a year, comment.

I love it. great stuff.

Yet this post is by a long shot the best post ever.

Emotion without action is worthless. Vitriol for vitriol's sake is unseemly. It is the product of a weak mind, much like using the F-bomb as every part of speech.

It had to be said.

Well done.

Posted by: RDS at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (YAGV/)

36 Anger is camouflage for fear.

Fear is the little mind killer.

Posted by: Dune Buggery at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (9s74/)

37 Welcome back, Ace-- and happy Caturday!

Posted by: Basement Cat at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (MweTY)

38
No hate?

I'm meeeellllting... Meeellllting..

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (JPrdt)

39 Now what are we doing? All back up and back to normal?

Posted by: Pecos, at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (2Gb0y)

40 Good post. Anger is a useful emotion when your outnumbered, out of ammo, and have to fix bayonets; otherwise not so much.

Posted by: Mike at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (tDLJA)

41 Hello everybody! Yes, the left is angry and irrational. Like overgrown 3 year olds.

Posted by: Dr Behrndt Bahlzach at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (jucos)

42 Calling Obama angry is a code word for black.

Posted by: Michael Eric Dyson at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (wUFaM)

43 Back!

Posted by: SouthTexas at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (GFg0E)

44 Screw you!

[Kidding! Great post. Great advice. I resolve to be a happy warrior.]

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (celt+)

45 I have to admit I didn't read the whole thing. brb

Posted by: Pecos, at June 09, 2012 06:37 PM (2Gb0y)

46 Ace, I don't comment often. Something about "And remove all doubts", or something like that.
I agree with what you say about the effects of unchecked anger, both on the individual, and on the perceived value of their opinions.
But, here is the.most important part. It really doesn' t matter if I agree or not.
In blogging, it comes down to one simple rule, " He who owns the blog......makes the rules". Simple as that.
keep up the good fight, and sorry for.some of the crap you have.to put up with, from our own side.

Posted by: VIA on the tiny keyboard at June 09, 2012 06:38 PM (YqPUz)

47 OK I went to sleep early on Friday because I am on duty all Weekend. So what went on Friday night that I missed?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:38 PM (F7GPD)

48 30

No, I'd rather see the socks comments - that's half the fun. Joke can't work if you know somebody's avatar.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at June 09, 2012 06:38 PM (Qxdfp)

49 OK I was able to post so I guess I am not banned?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (F7GPD)

50 Ok, coming out of perma-lurk status for the second time today to say I love this blog. Thank you Ace and the cob-loggers for your excellent posts and for fostering an excellent community of morons. Also, CAC and mama winger- thanks for all the hard work on the WI race- Tuesday was a great night thanks to you all.

Posted by: Kate at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (omz1H)

51 People who let their anger take control of them often make stupid mistakes.
The Right gains nothing when we make stupid mistakes.
The Right gains much when the Left makes stupid mistakes.
Let's leave stupidity to the professionals.

Posted by: Glen at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (0NwXV)

52 We have to praise Ace now? At least you can't always tell sarcasm with the written word.

Great job, Ace!

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (xUI0P)

53
At some point, you've made enough anger.
Did you know that Romney put his dog anger on top of his car? I ate mine.

Posted by: Barack Obama at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (wUFaM)

54 Oh no....EoJ....your magnificent hash has been changed.

But now, it's a J-prod.

Posted by: wheatie at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (eFqqI)

55 via,

no, it doesn't matter, and this is the policy, which I am now better empowered to enforce.

however, it is best to explain why, one last time, and perhaps persuade someone, or at least put him on warning.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (aw5Tx)

56 Ugh.

Reading the post I recognized that I, too, have on a couple of occasions allowed my anger to get the best of me. And, the relative anonymity of the internet makes it that much easier.

I will strive to do better.

And, thanks for leaving the light on.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 06:40 PM (piMMO)

57
47 OK I went to sleep early on Friday because I am on duty all Weekend. So what went on Friday night that I missed?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:38 PM (F7GPD)

Ever had to deal with a kid and you go "I don't want to hear one more word out of you," and so the little twerp goes "one more word?" Yeah pretty much that.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 06:40 PM (GULKT)

58 Testing comments please ignore

Tho you ALWAYS ignore me <sniff>

Posted by: Evil_Bun_Bun at June 09, 2012 06:40 PM (8qoUN)

59 Thanks Ace! Dennis Prager has some excellent insights and his book of a few years ago on Happiness is a Serious Problem really is a good, thoughtful book.

The Corolla and Prager show is excellent and can be bought at Corolla's site. Very funny interaction and they're on tour this summer with the show.

Posted by: Yip in Texas at June 09, 2012 06:40 PM (Mrdk1)

60 >>>Hello everybody! Yes, the left is angry and irrational. Like overgrown 3 year olds.

i think you missed the main point of the post.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (aw5Tx)

61 So for years I've been saying "Ace---you're a
contender! There are things you could do---
SHOULD do---in the "real" world.
I guess I sorta thought---well---that this blog was
kinda small for you, for your talents.
But this blog isn't small.
You---and quite a few others---make it big.
YOU MORONS!

Posted by: Love Ya, Ace at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (wnR7e)

62 it is best to explain why, one last time, and perhaps persuade someone, or at least put him on warning.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:39 PM (aw5Tx)

So it's guy your pissed at, or this a Biblical "Him" which could mean either a man or woman?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (F7GPD)

63 One final test from Evil_Bun_Bun

Posted by: sockpuppettest at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (8qoUN)

64 Anger IS terrible. And yes, I have a wicked temper if aroused. Thankfully that rarely happens because I have learned to recognize the situations where that is likely to occur and to avoid them.

Unfortunately I had one of those occasions a few weeks ago at my MIL's house. Libtard SIL was there and wanted to talk politics. I tried to avoid it but she kept getting in my face and spewing Democrap talking points.

I finally told her that her hero Obama was a lying communist and then she really got in my face and called me a racist. Also said she wanted Republicans to stay out of her vagina.

I told her then that she knew nothing but Democrat lies and she was dumber than a bag of hammers. I came close to telling her that only her stupid husband was dumb enough to want in her vagina but I managed to refrain from that and collected my wife and we left.

But ace, we all here support you in this fight. And I hope that I haven't caused you any grief in the past.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (YdQQY)

65 Joke can't work if you know somebody's avatar.

I know people's hashes. It's my curse.

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (QupBk)

66 And their off

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (F7GPD)

67 I just set up a blog at wordpress: Unredeemed Sh*t-head,worpress.

if the shoe fits....

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (Dll6b)

68 I'm away.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (JPrdt)

69 You can't have a revolution unless the people are angry. It's built in to Leftism.

Posted by: nickless at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (MMC8r)

70 Shit! Now I have to start commenting on my iPhone again.

Posted by: Soona - still banned at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (BcTh4)

71 I disagree in a small way Ace. You've taken the "Yoda" approach, that anger is bad period. Anger isn't bad or wrong, it's an emotion, it doesn't have inherent qualities. The anger isn't bad, what you do with it can be. If someone hurt my kids, damn straight I'd be angry. I now have a choice, I can go hurt that person back, thereby breaking the same moral "law" that they did, or I can take the issue to the appropriate people and vigorously pursue proper justice. Christ himself became angry when He saw what had been done to the temple. He responded by throwing the bums out. He was angry and He acted on it. It's the way you channel your angry that can be bad or wrong.

Anywho, love the site Ace and I hope there's some way to return it to its former glory. Good luck, stay safe.

Posted by: Bcochran1981 at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (GEICT)

72
Love this place. If I could, I'd buy y'all a beer.

Posted by: Sgt. Fury at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (imdda)

73 Anger is sinful; but to indulge in anger, to make excuses for it, to call anger prudent and wise, is pathetic.

I'm going to have to philosophically disagree with that -- at least the sinful part.
There are a few things that simply make me angry. Most of those things are explained in one or more of the 10 commandments.

It's the "prudent" and "wise" part that usually trips me up when I respond.

Posted by: jwb7605 at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (Qxe/p)

74 Just got to this line:

"Anger is sinful; but to indulge in anger, to make excuses for it, to call anger prudent and wise, is pathetic. "

On the contrary. Anger is not sinful. The Bible is full of references to the anger of the just. Scripture acknowledges anger as an emotion felt by both God, and the humans who are created in His image. The caution in Scripture is to not sin IN your anger. "Be angry, and do not sin."

The emotion is not sinful. The misuse of it to hurt and inflict pain is sinful. To not take responsibility for channeling it in a productive and beneficial way is the issue. Hurting people is the issue. Not the anger itself.

Do we not feel anger when a child is abused by an adult? This anger arises out of an innate sense of injustice, and causes to act in the child's behalf. The anger is a gift that moves us to action. It is what we do with our anger that falls into the category of sin or righteousness.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (P6QsQ)

75 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure...

(said in the most moderate of tones)

Posted by: Bill from Chappaqua at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (Bxm/r)

76 You can't have a revolution unless the people are angry. It's built in to Leftism.
Posted by: nickless at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (MMC8r)

It's the Pigs ya gotts watch out for . Always the Pigs

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (F7GPD)

77 47
OK I went to sleep early on Friday because I am on duty all Weekend. So what went on Friday night that I missed?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:38 PM (F7GPD)
----------------------------------------------Some fools decided to swagger, wave their virtual penii, and basically act like drunk baboons whilst Ace was having his protest about BrettK's slimey tactics. And when they were warned about how dangerous their posts were, well they 'acted stupidly' and doubled down on the a**hattery. So Ace shut down the comments for a good long while.I am happy the comments are back. Even Yoda warned about anger. And an angry Ewok, well ask those elite Stormtrooper battalions what they think of angry Ewoks.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM (JaB4T)

78 Never lose control. Be righteous for we are on the side of truth and justice, but never be rude, crude or selfish. Always keep in mind who your audience is and treat it with respect. Keep a clear head that is unclouded by anger and use logic to see your way through. A little bit of wit goes a lot further than hate.

Posted by: NJRob at June 09, 2012 06:44 PM (FVp26)

79 I highly recommend using the Amazon search box on the main page to find:

The Anger Habit Workbook

if y'all want some help with it.

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 06:44 PM (SUKHu)

80 The fastest way to see how childish someone is to treat them like an adult.

Hang in there Ace.

Posted by: Rex Harrison's Hat at June 09, 2012 06:44 PM (KyNVK)

81 Ace,

I'm one of the quiet guys in the room. I've stopped here every day for years, checking during the brief breaks in a busy work day. I never miss it. I've never commented on a blog before, but felt compelled to write today. I think it important that you realize that there are many of us out here who agree completely with what you say today. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged. I think your 95% is on the loe side.

Posted by: Witch doctor at June 09, 2012 06:44 PM (6lGIg)

82 From Gandhi & MLK to "proud, righteous rage..." Quite a journey for the progs.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 06:44 PM (1X/a4)

83 I'm not angry, it's just my hash.

Posted by: Mama AJ, who had hoped... at June 09, 2012 06:45 PM (SUKHu)

84 I'll repeat what I said on the comment-blog: there are a lot of people on the right, not a majority but a sizable minority, who have reached the point where they assume violence. You can see it in the comments here, where people talk about how it assured that the Obama Administration will use race riots, intimidation, violence against conservatives, etc. or how the country will collapse into class warfare between the moochers and the producers. The point of all this is that at some point, people start thinking "Ok, fine. If it's going to happen let's get it over with." A lot of the anger and posturing is driven I think by that mentality. They've given up on politics, but don't really want to admit it. Deep down, they want the fighting to start simply because they've grown tired of waiting for it. Telling them to calm down and let the legal system handle things doesn't work, because they've already abandoned their faith in the legal system.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 06:45 PM (aNu4E)

85 That was one of the best and most thoughtfull posts I've ever read.

Damn fine writing, ace.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 06:45 PM (v+ExF)

86 Bill Whittle just tweeted this bit of awesomeness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4BB1TZcO_o

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (piMMO)

87 >>>You can't have a revolution unless the people are angry. It's built in to Leftism.

The right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is, and it's hackery and self-deception to not confront this.

We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (aw5Tx)

88 Let me tell you something wonderful, my friends: after a day on the campaign trail, I feel a lot of things. Angry and enraged are never on that list.

Work. In politics. Make your ideas as real as you can.

Posted by: Truman North, iPhone snob at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (I2LwF)

89 Is it safe?

Posted by: Dave C at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (PARWA)

90 or 'Unredeemed Seepage.wordpress'. --something catchy; poetic yet acerbic

You're wrong: Our anger, however terrible and increasing daily, is nowhere near the Left's. --different planets; different universe entirely

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (Dll6b)

91 Good word, Ace. Don't comment often, but what a shatstorm. Keep up the good work, take a breath, fight until you can't (in a strictly rhetorical sense!).

Illegitimi non carborundum

Posted by: AlexC at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (ocNz0)

92 OK, having read the post now, some comments...

...I think 'anger' has its facets and types. One can certainly "indulge it" as you say, Ace, but to 'indulge' that anger is to act upon it, in either positive or negative ways. Sometimes there are attacks and rage-based actions that result in the indulgence of one's anger, but sometimes (as I believe is the case of most people here) it's just letting off steam; about the president, about some pathetic bastard who probably planted bombs in Indiana to cover up his murder and is now using the legal system to harass any and all who criticize him, about Harry Reid, or Nancy Pelosi, or the fact that we wound up with Romney as our nominee when this is a perfect opportunity to run a real conservative...

...I've been attacked personally for that last one, and I've responded. Sometimes angrily.

Sometimes it just goes too far. Clearly that happened yesterday/last night.

One other thing. I disagree that the noisy guy believes the neighborhood should have a noisy policy. That noisy guy will assume he's not being noisy and tell everyone who complains about his noise to "fuck off", but then he'll turn around and complain about his neighbor's cat meowing at all hours.

Quiet guys will be quiet and think everyone should be quiet for the sake of harmony.

Noisy guys are just self-centered assholes.

Bottom line, though. It's your house, your rules. But remember, a more relaxed set of rules about commenting is what made this blog Breitbart's favorite place to come and read comments.

Bad always comes with the good.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (pqW4Y)

93 Union Rags in 2:30:42 only 5 or 6 seconds off of the never to be broken record of the Great Secretariat!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (F7GPD)

94 I only ever comment to make stale jokes that everyone wisely ignores. Just wanted to say this is an amazingly insightful post, and I wish I could make it mandatory reading for everyone I know. Well said.

Posted by: Mr. Lurky Lurkington, Esq. at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (mCKMG)

95 If someone just beat me up and stole my wallet. Its sinful to be angry? WTF? What school of morality do you follow?

Posted by: oic at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (IVNg+)

96 The right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is, and it's hackery and self-deception to not confront this.

We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (aw5Tx)

"every bit" ??? --bullsh*t.

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (Dll6b)

97 I spent today driving down Route 10 -- into the heart of Amish country.

We had lunch in a little Amish-run gas station/convenience store with all the Brethren who came by; my kids and their kids giggled and goggled at one another.

Then we drove through the country with no purpose in mind. Just quiet, looking at the farms and the rolling hills, not thinking about anything.

Except how jealous I am, of them. How nice it must be to know each day what is expected, to feel the rhythm of the seasons and all the accompanying work that must be done. To (almost always) live a full life OUTSIDE of your own head, working together alongside your fellows and your family.

They're lucky, and we're lucky to be able to visit with them whenever we want to.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (SB0V2)

98 I know people's hashes. It's my curse.

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:42 PM (QupBk)

I had mixed emotions one day when I socked and a few people thought I was Empire Of Jeff. Which totally pissed off Geoff when I implied he was but a rank amateur.

He called me a bad name. I think he may have "issues".

Posted by: jwb7605 at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (Qxe/p)

99 The right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is, and it's hackery and self-deception to not confront this.

You can say that both side have their angry people but, the Right, as a whole, is no way as dangerous as the Left.

Witness the Teaparty vs OWS.

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:47 PM (QupBk)

100 I got all signed up and s--stuff on that Ffine "Word Progpad" thing. I'll be happy to register for this fu-n times blog. Even if I'd need to edit s stuff out every fu-n other fg sentence.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (YSyyZ)

101 >>and if you must, even praising the cob loggers.

<gasp>

No, no, I must stay angry at them when they double post. Especially when they make Ace's posts appear twice by doing something really sneaky.

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (SUKHu)

102 We comments back now?

Posted by: Chris R, red in NY-9 at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (NFcOS)

103 Ace of Spades?

Never heard of it.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (fdnD9)

104 There are articles on Lefty websites blaming their loss to Walker partially on the Left not acting angry enough. Not screaming enough at the Capitol building in Madison. Not rolling big rigs up and down the highways at 40 miles per hour, day after day, disrupting traffic. Not yelling enough. Not dumping enough beer over legislators' heads. Not doing endless sick-outs and work stoppages. They think they lost because ordinary people did not know how mad the unions were.

Ordinary people knew how mad the unions were, and that anger made them look like idiots and people don't want to associate with idiots.

THAT is counter-productive anger and it just got rejected by the normal people in Wisconsin.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (P6QsQ)

105 I too had been in that anger mode for a couple of years. I realized that succumbing to that anger only made it worse.

I decided to just let stuff run off my back. And you know what? It wasn't that hard to do once I put my mind to it.

When you react in anger the other side wins. If someone doesn't wish to engage in serious meaningful debate and only insists on being a jackoff, I just keep my happy face on.

(But I do respond with ridicule..I'm not perfect you know)

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (Yhu4q)

106 BTW, how does a banner endorsing "slitting throats" fit in the anti-anger worldview? Just askin'...

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (1X/a4)

107 I call it the "Tao of righteousness". In order to appreciate day, one must have night. To appreciate spring, one must experience winter. We absolutely MUST restrain ourselves and act in a civilized manner in order to show what the other side is doing to its full contrast. If we engage in those tactics, one of the important things that differentiates us from them disappears. If we wish for there to be a civilized discourse and for there to be rule of law and for there to be respect for our neighbors, we have to be it else it dies. I will not allow myself to be pulled into their pit and I hope you don't either because then you get pulled into a place where there is no right and wrong, there is only the rule of the jungle.

But in order for that to be effective, the institutions we have created that are supposed to be larger than the individual must come to our aid or them become neuter. The Congress, the courts, the police, must come to our aid else they cast our society onto the rocks and it is everyone for themselves.

Posted by: crosspatch at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (ZbLJZ)

108 For some reason I find it funny that Union Rags won the Belmont.

Wanna bet WI losers claim it's a sign of positive sentiment towards organized labor?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (piMMO)

109 The things that are done to our countryby the left anger me.I am activelyresisting them in the political world. I am not mean about it, just determined. My question is, where is the restraint on the left? My answer is, there is none. They have pulled out all stops. No act of destruction is beyond them. And they don't care wether we are angry or not.

Posted by: EROWMER at June 09, 2012 06:49 PM (sIm3i)

110 Well said, Ace. I rarely comment, but I've been around here for many years. Missed it today.

Posted by: erik at June 09, 2012 06:49 PM (+4o/G)

111 We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (aw5Tx)

Sounds like something I heard in Temple. Hey I never knew Ace was a member of the tribe?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:49 PM (F7GPD)

112 One of the hallmarks of the comments here is that people have a sense of humor, they don't allow words to get them righteously indignant. They have a Breitbart mentality in that sense. They only get angry at the things people do to each other.

We mock words, we dismiss them, we laugh at them, but we never allow them to make us angry.

Red Eye is the TV embodiment of the AoS family. You never see Greg/Andy/Bill get upset at the things people say. They channel that disagreement into good humor and mockery rather than anger.

Being unhappy is an indulgence very close to feeling sorry for ones self. I make a conscious effort not to make cynical sarcastic remarks around the workplace. I see the things jaded coworkers say and how it infects morale and breeds resentment like a cancer.

Posted by: Jose at June 09, 2012 06:49 PM (srIqv)

113 because they've already abandoned their faith in the legal system.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 06:45 PM (aNu4E)

It's possible to still have faith in the system while preparing for the Worst--while acknowledging that The Worst in increasingly likely to occur

it ain't One or the Other, zero-sum, etc

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (Dll6b)

114
The right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is, and it's hackery and self-deception to not confront this.

I'm saying that a revolutionary mindset (which leftism is) must have anger.

I'll agree that anger on the Right has escalated (it pendulums back and forth, following the shifts in political and societal power), but conservatism does not innately require anger, only resolve to preserve, not plow under.

I'm not saying there aren't absolute jackwagons on the Right. Amateur and professional.

Posted by: nickless at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (MMC8r)

115 >>.. Deep down, they want the fighting to start simply because they've
grown tired of waiting for it. Telling them to calm down and let the
legal system handle things doesn't work, because they've already
abandoned their faith in the legal system.

Then i say what I always say: This is a POLITICAL, not a revolutionary, blog.

They should start organizing in secret cells if they believe that, rather than, rather stupidly, announcing to the world where they are.

This is about politics; about the current American political system. It's about the peaceful political change set forth in our constitution.

I have nothing in common with the bunker crowd, and they have nothing in common with me. If they're not interested in politics, why post here? They should just be gathering supplies and fuel and *secretly* recruiting.

I haven't given up on America yet, and most here haven't. The revolutionaries should set up their own private newsletters. Let those of us interested in changing the system do so without being sandbagged by people who only want to talk about guns and survival seeds.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (aw5Tx)

116 I don't want to sound like a jerk here, ace, but I don't get why you try so hard. As you yourself said, "the sort of person that doesn't know until told also won't know after he's told".

Look, when you ban some random fool for boorishness, it doesn't end their life. Maybe they'll learn a lesson from it, but more likely they'll just go elsewhere and refer to you as being another Charles Johnson. Either way, you don't need to worry about them so much. You haven't deprived them of their livelihood by banning them from this blog.

You seem to really agonize over how to communicate with fools. I just don't get it.

Posted by: sandy burger at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (lA8yt)

117

A large and powerful number of my fellow citizens are trying to rob and enslave me and my children.

I'm not sure what the proper response is when anger is ruled out.

I'm mulling the question.

Posted by: toby928© at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (QupBk)

118 We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (aw5Tx)

Sounds like something I heard in Temple. Hey I never knew Ace was a member of the tribe?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:49 PM (F7GPD)

Or you hang out at to many Bar Mitzvahs?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (F7GPD)

119 My little story had a point, by the way.

I came home and talked to one of my liberal (Quaker) peers about our lovely day.

And she went on a rant about the evils of the Amish.

So please, come freaking ON. Seriously? People on the right, or libertarians like me, we're more angry?

No. No no no no no. Every single personal experience I've had IN MY LIFE bears out that it is only leftie types that can be quite so deeply, so irrationally angry -- prone to rants out of the blue, against anyone who dares prick their precious Unreality Bubble of Existence.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at June 09, 2012 06:50 PM (SB0V2)

120 One aspect not covered is that this is precisely the difference between the bulk to the Tea Party demonstrators and the OWS types.

There's a significant difference between sheer unrestrained rage, and fierce determination.

There's an article highlighted on Instapundit about a Slate article 'How to Make a Revolution'. It isn't quite the same thing as building a movement that doesn't require an -actual- revolution at the end.

But.
Building an opposition movement to the "Progressives" is something to aim for.

And random 'fragging' of people on our own side is something we need to recognize as a problem. Reagan's 11th Commandment is there for a freaking reason.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 06:51 PM (MzQOZ)

121 Thanks Ace! It's great to be back!

I'm guilty at times.

Guilty of anger, and guiltier still of expressing it here. Many times with the assistance of my favorite adult beverage.

This post by Ace shames me. Shames me, hopefully, into better behavior.

Something Ace said in a previous post really got to me. Something about being a good person before you can be a good conservative. So true. I took it to heart.

Posted by: Anger In The Rye at June 09, 2012 06:51 PM (AzwZn)

122 DUH Evil_Bun_Bun read the whole damn post first

Ace if you see this check your email and call me if you want an idea you guys can implement

It avoids registration, it is accurate to some outrageous number (like 1 in 100,000,000 or so) and user transparent and will still allow you to ban people from commenting at all, even from reading if you want to take it that far.

It's a light technical solution and easy to implement, you and your cobloggers and webmaster probably only need the 'idea', but if you need more I've lined up a few resources (world class systems administrators, network administrators and software coders/architects).

You don't have to contact me if you want, but I don't want to put the idea out in public.

You and DiT have my cell phone and email address, use it if you want... cell is best tho.

Posted by: Evil_Bun_Bun at June 09, 2012 06:51 PM (8qoUN)

123 Thanks, Ace.......

Posted by: FU52 at June 09, 2012 06:51 PM (EaimS)

124 Glad this is fixed

Posted by: Oil Field Trash at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (oZ6Js)

125 ... I KNOW there is anger on the right, but the vitriol , IMO, is overwhelmingly on the left, especially since 2000. I will NEVER forgive leftard democrats for the way they baby-cried and fought the election in 2000 and then demonized Bush within six weeks of 9-11 because it is all about politics to the leftards. That was what pushed Dennis Miller and so many otherwise left-leaning democrats out, was the vitriol and blatant political hatred and posturing. No, they couldn't allow Bush to defend the country or win battles... no no no, a thousand times no.

And I say the left since 2000, but really, this goes back to the 70's as the left attacked Nixon and helped him help himself from the White House, they rose up and engorged themselves on the political blood and frenzied...

Posted by: Yip in Texas at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (Mrdk1)

126 >>>TW, how does a banner endorsing "slitting throats" fit in the anti-anger worldview? Just askin'...

because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

As is said, "This is why we can't have nice things."

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (aw5Tx)

127 I heard that Prager advice some time ago - the moral obligation to be happy - and it had a big impact on my life, too. St. Paul says something similar: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in
the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world"

In short, don't be a debbie downer. Great post, Ace.

Posted by: Adrian at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (F4Szr)

128 New Anger is nothing more than rage, and faux rage at that. It's becoming impotent rage for the Left now that the faux rage isn't working anymore.

Posted by: emf at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (wf+DP)

129 >>Telling them to calm down and let the legal system handle things doesn't work, because they've already abandoned their faith in the legal system.

I haven't...but I'll just say it hasn't been a good week for that faith.

Long term. Must think long term.

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 06:53 PM (SUKHu)

130
It's possible to still have faith in the system while preparing for
the Worst--while acknowledging that The Worst in increasingly likely to
occur

The ones I'm talking about have already abandoned their faith in the system. They don't say "Well, the worst is likely to happen." They say "the worst is going to happen and already is happening."

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 06:53 PM (aNu4E)

131 I get the argument about " but, it's a rightious anger, and therefore justified".
The problem that I see is that the anger takes control of some of us. It changes us. It causes us to make mistakes, and reduces our effectiveness.

Posted by: VIA on the tiny keyboard at June 09, 2012 06:53 PM (YqPUz)

132 OK now that the Belmont Race is over I can turn to Baseball and watch the Yankees beat the Mets like a obama beats a dead horse by blaming President Bush for everything

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:53 PM (F7GPD)

133 Thank you, ace, for saying what desperately needed to be said. With freedom comes the responsibility to exercise that freedom wisely, which means holding back even when you want to let lose with everything you've got. Immature people lack this wisdom--by choice or by circumstance--while mature people have it (though even the best of us falter at times). The former are an unpleasant chore to be endured when you have no other choice, no matter what side of the political spectrum they're on. The latter, meanwhile, are a much better source of fun and interesting conversation, like what I've often found here. Thank you for that.

Posted by: phxkate at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (kko3a)

134
Thank you, Ace, for opening theNew Comments Thingieback up for this. I don't comment here very often, but read and learn a lot. Anger is with us all, and has increased a lot since the Dems took the House and Senate, and went bat-shit crazy with Obama 2 years later.
I've grown cynical lately, because I think our government is corrupted to the point where the Department of Justice is now a political tool, just like the make-believe-media is a political tool, and allowing, or at least not stopping, harassment and lawfare against bloggers and the media of right is also a political tool. I would not be surprised to learn that taxpayer dollars are helping to pay for that harassment.
I believe in a fair election Obama is toast and loses by over 100 EV. And I have no illusions about there being a fair election in November; I don't think it will be fair, but I do think Obama loses. Like Instymight say, the preference cascade is underway.
Anyway, I read last night's comments after you closed things down. Justified. Wish you didn't have to do that, but I'm not in your situation. Not sure I would want to be.

Posted by: 141Driver at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (UQSBy)

135 Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 06:41 PM (YdQQY)

------------------------------

I have some cousins like that. It's frustrating to say the least. I can ignore it for the most part. Yet, every once in a while, I need to speak up even though they'll come at me with guns blazing. Fortunately, they shoot blanks because they're not well armed with facts, only emotions. Ride on.

Posted by: NJRob at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (FVp26)

136
106 BTW, how does a banner endorsing "slitting throats" fit in the anti-anger worldview? Just askin'...
Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 06:48 PM (1X/a4)

Good God, why does some idiot always bring this up. Honsestly ace you might as well take it down since people really do apparently have no sense.

And jewishodysseus, do you notice that the quote only says "tempted" it doesn't say go out and start doing it.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (GULKT)

137 I think THIS appropriate about now too.... heh
Team America: World Police speech

We're dicks! We're reckless, arrogant, stupid dicks.
And the Film Actors Guild are pussies.
Kim Jong Il is an asshole.
Pussies
don't like dicks because pussies get fucked by dicks. But dicks also
fuck assholes. Assholes that just want to shit on everything. Pussies
may think they can deal with assholes their way. But the only thing that
can fuck a asshole is a dick, with some balls. The problem with dicks
is they fuck too much or fuck when it isn't appropriate. And it takes a
pussy to show them that. But sometimes pussies can be so full of shit
that they become assholes themselves. Because pussies are a inch and
half away from assholes. I don't know much about this crazy crazy world,
but I do know this. If you don't let us fuck this asshole we're going
to have our dicks and pussies all covered in shit.

Posted by: Yip in Texas at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (Mrdk1)

138 >>because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

We can haz kittties??!!

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (SUKHu)

139 Good post.

I'm in favor of behaving like a rational human being, knowing perfectly well that I'm not. Still, like Ace, I'm working on it.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 06:54 PM (mKMj1)

140 86
Bill Whittle just tweeted this bit of awesomeness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4BB1TZcO_o#t=0m30s

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (piMMO)
I saw this earlier, Nina Conti is the antithesis of anger, it's impossible not to have a smile on your face watching that.

Posted by: Jose at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (srIqv)

141 Great topic and spot on advice.

Posted by: Midnight Clad at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (W9F2O)

142 a dude can be angry and righteous and political while not being 'revolutionary'

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (Dll6b)

143 Ace, I just read through the whole post and understand your point. I, too, am depressive and more sad than angry. That being said, I really think you are being far too hard on yourself for being who you are. Thank you for inviting all of us into your home to party. Most will behave, some will not. It is your place and you have to set the rules. I think that is something most of us can understand.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (jucos)

144 Been reading this blog every dayfor six years and maybe commented three times, but even I've been having withdrawals the last couple days. Ace, you have the best blog around, and it will continue to be the best with or without open comments. Don't let your current shitstorm get you down.

Posted by: Bob in Austin at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (Kc9Kw)

145 Ace, that post is so well thought out and well written. I agree that anger has become a cultural virtue to some. But more important to me is your comments about self-indulgent behavior and that it is selfish to be angry and/or petulant as I agree whole-heartedly.

And I can tell you that acting as if you are feeling happy or love someone can make it happen. I have done this myself more than ten years ago in my own life and it worked. Saved my marriage. It didn't happen overnight but took awhile but it was an effort that reaped many more rewards and changed my attitude all around.

And thanks for all you do. This little blog isn't so little and makes my life so enriched and makes me a smarter citizen.

Posted by: Sunny at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (Xnxty)

146 1. Dennis Prager is the most brilliant man in talk radio today.I listen to him over Rush.

2. It's Ace's house, thus it's Ace's rules. I think most of us get that and understand it. For those who don't, look at it this way; it's more important (to us true Morons, anyway) to have AoS here than to have it gone. Those who disagree with the new policy will probably still fall in line because losing this blog is not something anyone wants. It's a kickass blog with kickass commenters. Personally, I'd like to keep it.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (Agn5J)

147 Good read. Now I'm off to get drunk and calm down.

Posted by: Bomber at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (Nev4X)

148 I'm not an Internet anger-expresser, but this post really hit home for me - grabbed a hold of and put in my face the core of what I have been grappling with a lot. Lately I've been thinking a lot about the anger I see everywhere. Not only in the political sphere, but in the business world - my world. Negotiations that used to be, though complicated, at least civil and professional. Now they are the rare delight. I'm angry because my situation has not improved - actually the opposite, because of what I consider to be the creep of socialism. Even worse than angrily expressing it publicly lie a fool, I find my self acting precisely in the manner that Ace describes about himself, and I was right on the cusp of the realization that I owe it to my wife and daughter, and those others about whom I care, to "fake it until I make it." Thanks Ace, two great posts in two days.

Posted by: Radar at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (Z64pB)

149 This post just pisses me off. Ahhh,,,,AHHHHHHH....AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ghost of Sam Kinison at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (u4a/I)

150 >> like a obama beats a dead horse by blaming President Bush for everything

If he blames Bush for everything and he thinks the private sector is doing well, doesn't that mean...

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (SUKHu)

151 apparently some people think HL Mencken's later career consisted of piracy.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:56 PM (aw5Tx)

152 Aldous Huxley nailed it in The Devils of Loudon: "There are many people for whom hate and rage pay a higher dividend in immediate satisfaction than love."

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 06:57 PM (FUozQ)

153 Prager's American Trinity:

E Pluribus Unum, In God We Trust, and Liberty.

Posted by: derit at June 09, 2012 06:57 PM (FQlFL)

154 Better to fight for something than live for nothing.
George S. Patton

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 06:57 PM (F7GPD)

155 Ithink that the phenomenon of unchecked anger as a virtue is related to the rise of post-modernism and the celebration of emotion of all kinds over rationality. "Trust your feelings, Luke," the increasing emphasis on the emotional aspects of romantic love, etc., are also part of this.

Posted by: Grey Fox, crouched in his mountain fastness at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (S3S9I)

156 they're literally teaching anger in schools. It's pervaded pop-culture

It totally has it's roots in the 60s me generation, with the whole instant gratification thing. "Little" things like lack of manners lead to the breakdown of civil society. It didn't used to be socially acceptable to do a lot of the shit that goes on now. Remember how any adult you knew would nail you if you fucked up, or if the teacher complained it was you that must have fucked up? Not anymore. Seen the story on the webs about the kid using the flag as a hand towel after using the shitter? Not only did precious not do it, but racism!

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (ULsh0)

157 because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling
for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

------

Oh no! My kid loves that quote!

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (P6QsQ)

158 Yeah! Its back!

Thanks ACE.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (DGIjM)

159 126 >>>TW, how does a banner endorsing "slitting throats" fit in the anti-anger worldview? Just askin'...

Wow. Just wow.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (Agn5J)

160 They say "the worst is going to happen and already is happening."

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 06:53 PM (aNu4E)

yes, and my point about the Left is that they intend to entirely 'transform' the system--top to bottom, inside and out--by force when necessary although as cowards and pussies they'd prefer to use Obamanomics and Obamacare, etc

I see Who They Are and what they intend, and it does anger me. So there's that...

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (Dll6b)

161 Hey! This is the same old New Comments Thingy.

But it feels like home.

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 06:58 PM (sdi6R)

162 Highly recommend "Control Theory" and "Re-create Your Life". Buy them on Amazon.

In short:

Your world view was formed before you knew what a world view was. You may have made some errors in definition and assigning motives to key aspects of events that shaped your personality. You can re-program your mind to hold different versions of these events/motives as "truth". If you are unhappy, unlucky, unsatisfied....you need to do so right now.

Posted by: ChampionCapua at June 09, 2012 06:59 PM (KZi9D)

163 Rock, paper, scissors. Rage, knowledge, humor. Glad you turned back on Breitbart's beloved comments, Ace, however briefly. If those dogs wouldn't crap in their own yard, why should you allow them to crap in yours? Peace.

Posted by: starboardhelm at June 09, 2012 06:59 PM (hHgxI)

164 because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

As is said, "This is why we can't have nice things."

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:52 PM (aw5Tx)

You're what? Going to apologize for H.L. Menken's perfectly reasonable statement beginning with "Every normal man must be tempted at times ... " and remove that?

It's like the anger thing. It's entirely possible you're overthinking that, too.

Posted by: jwb7605 at June 09, 2012 06:59 PM (Qxe/p)

165 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>heard Dennis Praeger say something to Adam Carolla that I thought was
stupid and sappy when I heard it, but then Adam Carolla agreed, and then
I realized they were both right.

I've listened to Prager for years, and I think he is the best right of center talk show host in the country. In part, because he doesn't blather about politics all the time. He has some balance. Talks about other topics....alot of self help stuff. He has a whole hour, once a week dedicated to happiness for instance.

The "fake it til you make it" thing has done wonders for me. I'm not a naturally happy person. I tend to be pessimistic and fatalistic. Luckily, except for those close to me, no one has a clue. I consider it my duty to be a happy person at work. It much more enjoyable than the alternative anyway.

It's hard at first ace, but I can say after a couple years, its like second nature now.

And completely agree with the new/reestablished tone of the blog. This isn't supposed to be a therapy session for shut ins/malcontents with emotional issues. They can learn to hide it, or get a shrink, but they don't have any business bringing their issues around here.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (8MCmv)

166 because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling

for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

oh, noes!!! I sincerely hope not, but if you do, perhaps it should just say "BOOBIES" and leave it at that.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (kpCLl)

167 So glad to have the chance to thank you Ace for all you do! I've lurked for close to five years now, mostly because I'm not nearly as quick or funny as most of the regulars here.

Posted by: Ruby at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (QAUe4)

168 The problem dear Horatio lies in un-channeled anger. Look at OWS for examples. That kind of anger encourages acting out, be in vandalism or even attacks on fellow protestors. That kind of blind anger is easy to manipulate and with the proper bloody shirt waved, something violent and explosive happens. To the detriment of others.

A more rational person will take that anger, master it, and channel it into something constructive. For example running for office to fix problems or fixing the playground that thugs have destroyed.

We all must stand against the un-channeled anger. The monsters are inside each of us, only we can decide whether that monster is loosed. The leaders of the Progressive movement wants that monster out to achieve their goals.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (JaB4T)

169 Whatever you think is safest for you, Ace, works for me.

Posted by: Pecos, at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (2Gb0y)

170 The difference in anger between the right and left?

Tea party vs. OWS.

Of course there are some really angry people on the right but if you look at what defines the popular political movements, I just don't think there is an equivalence there. The Left is a LOT angrier, and they've embraced anger as a routine political theme.

Posted by: Looking closely at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (+PDlV)

171 Metaphers is hard! Shreee!

Posted by: Fuckin' Idiot Who Gets Nothing at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (KZi9D)

172 I forgot where I read it, maybe it was here or at Blackfive (believe it was Uncle Jimbo) describing the late Great Andrew Breitbart as a Happy Warrior. Anger can be a good thing, if leads to a positive action. Such as Andrew's Happy Warrior attitude towards taking on the left. Just my 2 pennies.

Posted by: Jim Scrummy at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (0paMD)

173 Is registration forthcoming? I'd like to have a real one if possible.

Posted by: brown gargantua at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (B60j2)

174 Welcome back, Ace. And, thanks!

Posted by: Ducatisti at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (YlmX/)

175 I think my kid even used that quote in one of his Bible studies over in Kosovo. The troops all laughed. Gotta keep the quote.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (P6QsQ)

176 You're wrong: Our anger, however terrible and increasing daily, is nowhere near the Left's. --different planets; different universe entirely

----------------------------

Couldn't agree more. I've met some of the leftists your talking about. A whole different level of jacked up hate.

I will defend myself against them without anger but with appropriate prejudice.

Posted by: Soona - still banned at June 09, 2012 07:01 PM (BcTh4)

177 Well, Ace, for argument's sake, it is pretty easy to see why people might feel overwhelmed at the nature currently of the justice system in America. Recently it appears that it malfunctions (judicial activism finding penumbras and writing law) in the most alarming fashion.

And I just think the Democrat party is unafraid of a ridiculous amount of voter fraud. That'd make a rock nervous. If, like, rocks voted Republican. And if they could fidget.

I'm bad at metaphors. Similes. Whatever. Thingy.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:02 PM (YSyyZ)

178 Oops. Quoting from memory. Change "in immediate satisfaction" to "of immediate satisfaction. Doesn't really change the sentence or sentiment much, but it annoys me when I misremember stuff.

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:02 PM (FUozQ)

179 Free at last, free at last!

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 07:02 PM (FcR7P)

180 Our little Ewok is growing up..

But seriously..

Very thoughtful and insightful posting, Ace.

I've always tried to be careful when playing in your backyard.

And from personal experience, when you want to scream at the computer at someone at the other end of the internet, it's best to get up and walk away for a day or two..

Posted by: Dave C at June 09, 2012 07:02 PM (PARWA)

181 I really have no idea what you are talking about.

America has always been a pretty angry place punctuated by very brief periods of merely less outright hostility.

The only difference is the many avenues in which you can express it.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 07:02 PM (DWgdc)

182 Oh, and thank you Ace for this wonderful forum. It's been my island of sanity for many years. Stay safe!

Posted by: Jim Scrummy at June 09, 2012 07:03 PM (0paMD)

183 Put a nice kitteh avatar in its place. That will sooth the angry soul.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 07:03 PM (YdQQY)

184 "Anger is sinful" -- not really. It is often sinful, but many times not. I'd say in general a depraved person's anger is likely to be sinful, and the opposite for a person who leads more of a righteous life. Very few things in and of themselves are always this way or another. A bottle of whiskey is not sin and does not represent sin. There are plenty of examples of righteous anger and hatred in the bible. In fact, God is angry with the wicked every day. After all, sin is the transgression of His law, so how should anyone be happy with sin? -- it is the opposite of righteousness.

Posted by: Andrew H. B. III at June 09, 2012 07:03 PM (q72+j)

185 Martin Seligman on optimism.

Several books, including a new one this year.

Posted by: Mama AJ at June 09, 2012 07:03 PM (SUKHu)

186 America has always been a pretty angry place punctuated by very brief periods of merely less outright hostility.

I am so stealing that, General.

Posted by: jwb7605 at June 09, 2012 07:04 PM (Qxe/p)

187 So glad to have the chance to thank you Ace for all you do! I've lurked for close to five years now, mostly because I'm not nearly as quick or funny as most of the regulars here.

Posted by: Ruby at June 09, 2012 07:00 PM (QAUe4)

You'd probably be amazed what your capable of. You should comment more. What are you afraid of? That you'd be ridiculed and scorned? Hell that's better than being ignored, no? Put on your knee high boots and wade in.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:04 PM (F7GPD)

188 I would like to request putting a tub of hot nacho cheese in the masthead with Charlie Gibson dipping his unmentionables in it.

Posted by: Dr Behrndt Bahlzach at June 09, 2012 07:04 PM (jucos)

189 Your blog, your rules. It ill behooves people to complain about the flavor of free ice cream; if you don't like it, don't eat it.

Posted by: Darles Chickens at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (NsRPe)

190 Also, if this helps, being more positive actually will make the left more deranged.

Keep in mind that part of what makes the left so mad is that the right is so happy. Their lives are so miserable that they look at us and our happy families and are convinced that we must be either 1) Stepford wives types, brainwashed and mindless or 2) Plantation owner types, finding happiness in the suffering of those we deliberately oppress to get our jollies. I think that's pretty much the leftist mentality in a nutshell. Because they are unhappy, they think any rational person must be unhappy, and anyone who isn't is either ignorant or villainous.

Posted by: Adrian at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (F4Szr)

191 Have you ever been really terrified? Maybe a near miss that would have been a deadly car accident or you were riding your bike when some idiot motorist nearly killed you? Some of you know all about the heat of battle.

Ever notice that as your fear starts to subside anger immediately takes fear's place? Don't most of us have to deal with our anger to completely move past the full-blown emotion of fearing death? Fear/anger are gifts to us from our creator to help us outrun predators, and fight back to avoid serious injury and death.

I support the call to use our gifts appropriately and to avoid misapplying those gifts to every day experiences that do not match the circumstances for which those gifts were intended. However, I intend to appreciate the gift for the value it provides when circumstances actually warrant and I hope you will, too.

Posted by: jc at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (ufJKx)

192 Jackass Jimmah last night brought up the Mencken quote last night too. Apparently yeah ace probably should take it down because people really can't use their brains or properly read.

I get tempted at work a lot of times to tell people off or to throw something heavy. Notice that I say "tempted" I'm not actually going actually start doing that. Some apparently think "tempt" means "totally do it dude"

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (GULKT)

193 I have an almost 4 year old daughter. She is a sweet, well behaved child, but on occasion I will see flashes of temper. The face she makes after her older brother takes her doll for the fifth time is something to behold.

So we work with her. Teach her to control her anger. Use her words.

When I feel myself going over the anger edge, I think of her angry face, and I realize how childish it is. So, my advicr is simple. If you are out of control with rage, imagine your response to a small child who was showing the same level of rage. Then give yourself the same lecture.

Posted by: Lauren at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (64nOq)

194 Thank goodness.

Reality was oppressive. Thank you for giving our fix back to us. I hope no one else screws it up.

Posted by: lizardbrainski at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (fWdId)

195 >>>America has always been a pretty angry place punctuated by very brief periods of merely less outright hostility.

well I'm tired of going to work every day to see a group of angry people.

So for my own peace of mind, I'm setting a new workplace policy.

A lot of things are natural. Shitting is natural. I don't do it publicly.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (aw5Tx)

196 Hey! This is the same old New Comments Thingy.

But it feels like home.

I've been rolling in it to cover my own scent.

Posted by: Not Drinking Nearly Enough at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (HtUdo)

197 #152 - Jim! How's things?

Until I clicked your link, I didn't know PB was still twirling on top of the smoking remains of Ward Churchill's career!

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (mKMj1)

198 You seem to really agonize over how to communicate with fools. I just don't get it.
------------------------------------

Perhaps it is more fulfilling to be the camp counselor than to be the camp executioner.

The former values people, the latter not so much.

Posted by: Anger In The Rye at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (AzwZn)

199 I disagree that there's a "New" anger. There is infantile anger. It's okay not to mature anymore, it's not expected of people to mature. Whiny unhappiness is a juvenile trait, IMO.

And get off my lawn!

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 07:06 PM (FcR7P)

200 Off, Polish sock.

Posted by: lizardbrain at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (fWdId)

201 never be rude, crude or selfish

That's gonna put a damper on the ont.

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (ULsh0)

202 I think you are talking about RAGE, ace. Anger is not rage

the Left is often / usually enraged====the Right is increasingly angry

a difference, there is. ----Big f*ckin difference

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (Dll6b)

203 my personal experience with deranged lefties: in high school, there was this kid who had ... 'issues.' he was a good
guy, but kinda a loser type, with no real close friends, and sometimes
he would get these totally irrational fits of sputtering rage, storm
off, and just stew for a while. i was kinda well-liked, and i would
always try to look out for him and be cool to him, and it worked
sometimes, but then somebody else would insult him or something and he'd
go into hulk mode again, it was creepy and scary to see. anyway, he was
also ridiculously far left and despised Bush, and talk of Bush could
also send him into one of those fits. I didn't really put it together
til later, when I met some more deranged lefties, but I think there's
definitely some kinda link there, that doesn't exist to the same degree
on the right.

Posted by: Adrian at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (F4Szr)

204 I've listened to Prager for years, and I think he is the best right of center talk show host in the country. In part, because he doesn't blather about politics all the time. He has some balance. Talks about other topics....alot of self help stuff. He has a whole hour, once a week dedicated to happiness for instance.

And... he's a hockey fan.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (Agn5J)

205 TLDR

Posted by: Wodun at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (PEpU8)

206 When ace says anger is sinful, the word he should really be using is wrath (losing one's temper, succumbing to hate). Anger can be righteous, but wrath is one of the seven deadly sins.

Posted by: sandy burger at June 09, 2012 07:07 PM (lA8yt)

207 Don't worry. Be happy.

Posted by: Z Bobby McFerrin at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (tsC/8)

208 Is anger actually a sin? It seems to me there was a lot of righteous anger in the Old Testament and it kind of went out of fashion after Jesus came on the scene. Always identified more with the OT way of doing things, myself. And, of course, I am totally pissed off most of the time, but try to temper it with much laughing and mocking and tom-foolery.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (kpCLl)

209 Thank you for this blog Ace. I had taken a month or so off from posting because of what you were referring to - the anger and pissiness I was showing - here, as well as in my personal life. Part of this nastiness was due to the state of stuff in the bigger picture. Part of it was simply laziness on my part. In any event, this post hits home for me personally.
God bless you for this place. (Can I give an atheist guy a "God bless..?). Yes, yes I can.

Posted by: tubal at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (BoE3Z)

210 never be rude, crude

Shit, that's gonna put a damper on my posts.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (F7GPD)

211 >>>I get tempted at work a lot of times to tell people off or to throw something heavy.

I guess you are a pussy to the angry crowd for not actually doing it.

Your point is spot on. I have"angry" thoughts all of the time. Like ace was saying, self control is a virtue. So is future time orientation...iow, knowing impulsively lashing out isn't in your best interest.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (8MCmv)

212 Ace, Do what must be done. Don't think i will be turned away because of angry people. Angry people suck. If you are angry, go away. Go stick your angry heads in a toilet bowl to cool off. Be sure to flush. "A man would prefer to come home to an unmade bed and a happy woman than to a neatly made bed and an angry woman." Marlene Dietrich

Posted by: 99% Lurker at June 09, 2012 07:08 PM (nJaAC)

213 Words of wisdom from Satchel Paige:

Rules for Right Living: Avoid fried foods, which angry up the blood. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cooling thoughts. Keep the juice flowing by jangling around gently as you move. Avoid running at all times. Don't look back-- something might be gaining on you.

Posted by: Basement Cat at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (MweTY)

214 so then.....being angry = sh*tting........??

tell me about your childhood

Posted by: Siggy Freud, M.D. at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (Dll6b)

215 A lot of things are natural. Shitting is natural. I don't do it publicly.

Epicgram.

Posted by: rdbrewer at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (Iyg03)

216 Ace, please leave the masthead up as is.
If nothing else, it serves as a idiot detecter of sorts.

Posted by: VIA on the tiny keyboard at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (YqPUz)

217 >>>Well, Ace, for argument's sake, it is pretty easy to see why people
might feel overwhelmed at the nature currently of the justice system in
America.

I can understand a lot of things. I understand why people steal.

The fact is, this is all dumb.

The right is its own worst enemy, as the left is its.

Advocates on the right go out to the world with the message "Conservatives are not crazy, but reasonable," and yet there are always some conservatives fragging us, insisting, "NO SERIOUSLY WE ARE FUCKING CRAZY!!!"

And then they'll clap themselves on the back for "helping the cause."

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (aw5Tx)

218 Prager's statement is just a formalization of something Dr. Who said back in the 70s: "Smile all the time. It makes people wonder what you're up to". I do, and it does.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 07:09 PM (wllJH)

219 >>but then, my natural state is also to be fat, and beat off twice a day

I do believe I missed this line my first time 'round.

Only twice?? Fucking piker

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:10 PM (Yhu4q)

220 Ace,

I am huge fan of yours. Hope you can find a way to run the website that's not too stressful. Best of luck.

Posted by: Max Power at June 09, 2012 07:10 PM (q177U)

221 If the people who comment here are indicative of the right, I don't see a lot of anger. What angers me is being treated differently or held to different standard by the media. That's fucking ridiculous especially when they say it doesn't exist.

Posted by: Dr Spank at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (4cRnj)

222 >because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally
calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next
redesign.

Oh cool, so we can call other commenters names? That doesn't count in the whole "indulging anger" thing?

Sweet.

Of course, we non-retards do see a bit of inconsistency in calling for less anger with such a quote and image in the banner.

"Wanting it both ways" and all that...

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (pqW4Y)

223 @195

This is stating the obvious, but it's your blog, your rules.

But if you make it hard for the commenters to manifest their awesomeness then you risk driving them to another blog, this might be your intention as you seem to have a rather tempestious nature.

DON'T FUCK UP YOUR BLOG MAN!!!

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (DWgdc)

224 Ace and a few commentors mentioned that the left's injection of anger really came in the late 1960s, and I think that helps prove Ace's point.

Nixon matched their fury with additional fury, and that rage ended up destroying him.

Reagan just chuckled at it all and held ceremonies for winning sports teams. That made the left angrier, but he never lost to them.

We should always be grateful for what we have been given and reflect that, even in the face of anger. That will make the other side even angrier, but they can never win if they continue to get angrier.

Don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff, and you'll get dehydrated.

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (LnQhT)

225 I second what Witch doctor (#81) said above: I'm also one of the quiet guys, though there's rarely been a day in the last 5-6 years that I haven't come by. Best--with Insty--blog on the net, and definitely the best original writing (for a combination of humor and serious thought). Many of us who have never met you, I'm sure, think of you as a part of our daily lives, and wish you well.

Damn, this probably means I'll have to hit the tip jar soon...

Posted by: Smiley at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (5eIve)

226 Superb post. Probably one of the best I've read in a very long time anywhere on the internet. Loved the points about anger hurting the angry person. Saw myself in some of the examples - even in real life.
Thanks for the timely reminder!

Posted by: Bradky at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (wTmVn)

227 I'm an attorney. Over the years, many of my clients have been motivated by anger; they came to me. So - I'm not entirely against anger.

The Colonists were pretty pissed off at George III. They acted, and it didn't really come out too badly.

The French, British, etc. were pretty pissed off at Adolf Hitler over his foreign policy (and maybe some domestic policies, too). That, too, didn't result too badly.

General Patton was pretty much pissed off all the time. Some of that worked out, some didn't . . .

Frankly, I'm not so sure I'm that convinced we need to avoid anger at all costs. We do need to be careful about how we channel it. We have to be rational about the remedies we seek.

Freedom only works when it operates by a Rule of Law. If you want to be free to be angry - maybe that's OK; however, you need to conform it to societal norms.

Ace - not so sure you should be trying to outlaw "anger", as you should be concerned with having some rules of conduct. Nothing wrong with that - and enforce them.

Oh - and if you run into my ex-wife anywhere . . . [never mind].

Posted by: A One-Eyed Cat Peepin' in the Seafood Store at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (eMtQ2)

228 By the way, I like Ace for the same reason I like Rush, for the same reason I liked Breitbart.
Except for occasionally this blog, these guys aren't morose. They're not Glenn Beck crying that the world is ending. They're not liberal protestors shreiking how much they hate this and that. They're fun. They're happy warriors. Humor and perspective.
Everyone knows Malkin's a pro. But I can't read her blog as much as I can read this one because it's so serious. Things weigh heavily on her heart and that becomes the tone or focus of the writing.
No one is immune to anger or sadness or things like that. But that doesn't mean we want to read it every day. And if you don't focus on it, it doesn't mean we don't know it's there.

Posted by: Z Bobby McFerrin at June 09, 2012 07:11 PM (tsC/8)

229 I recently left a political forum because the people there couldn't disagree without being disagreeable. "Rethuglicans"... "Democraps"... those terms grate on me as much as using the dollar sign to spell Microsoft. I don't need that anger in my life, I have my own issues to deal with. I learned years ago that if I was wrote an email while angry it was best to safe it to draft until I'd had time to sleep on it. I usually came back later and edited out content that was purely emotional and didn't advance the discussion at all. And in the end, this isn't my house. I don't have a right to comment (I think I do have the right to remain silent, though). Ace's house, Ace's rules. (I have been stealing some of his vodka...)

Posted by: Yeff at June 09, 2012 07:12 PM (TIuoo)

230 Yay!

Boy does it feel good to be back in the blue room. Actually, before I got to the end and saw that you opened the post up for comments, I was going to send you a personal e-mail, Ace.

I try to be a happy-go-lucky person and I almost always am one, thanks to my dad (of blessed memory) and even my mom (same) who despite surviving Hitler was still able to laugh and enjoy life.

But, with all this preamble, there is still our country which is in perilous danger from without and within. So, I would not say that I am angry so much as I am filled with a righteous rage. I keep it in check because it is too difficult to be angry all the time and because I not only live in NYC but am living with a liberal's liberal (university professor).

So mercifully I turn to this place and all these wonderful characters to let off steam and vent a bit. It's all in fun until you think for a moment about who (all snark aside) is in the White House and Congress and then you just want to wretch in revulsion.

And then, as the saying goes, shit gets all too real with the likes of one Brett Kimberlin. Anyway, I am rambling at this point, but I guess I just want to say that I value this place and all you people more than any of you can know.

So let's just all try to be happy and as much as peace as possible - if for no other reason than those who seek to destroy us are just the opposite and it will eat them alive in the end.

Meh. Fuck it all. I had a nice pasta marinara, salad and wine. So life is good.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 07:12 PM (MCDCp)

231 Dianna! Long time no eSee! Or is it iSee? How's tricks?

And yeah, PB is pretty moribund, but I keep it going because I want the resources there for anyone to use, just in case Teh Perfesser tries getting another job.

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:12 PM (FUozQ)

232 When you let anger take over, reason goes out the door. It's not possible to make a logical and coherent point when you're screaming: SCREW YOU! in all caps.

Posted by: Sarah at June 09, 2012 07:12 PM (Sj/SC)

233 <<
Ace, please leave the masthead up as is.

If nothing else, it serves as a idiot detecter of sorts.>>

But what about a literacy detector?

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:12 PM (pqW4Y)

234 The internet allows for a lot of weak people to sound tough. We see them on the road, the aggressive, unthinking, dangerous drivers who, when confronted reply with "who? me?

Posted by: walking boss at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (T61O6)

235 Great post, Ace. Random thoughts follow.

Anger is an immature trait, as we have seen with the OWS'ers and others like them. Mature adults have self-control naturally, without strain. We do have our moments, as many Morons have witnessed my rants, which I always feel bad for afterwards. It's a loss of self-control, and at my age, that's pretty fucking embarrasing.

Calmness comes from inside you. It's something given to you by God. It allows you to see more clearly, free from the piss-poor decisions and actions that everybody knows you make while you're upset. Don't forget what all those emotions do to your body after a while. I've seen more than one good friend let anger and resentment eat their souls (yeah I know, get a better circle of friends, but as I mentioned the other day, we do love our loved ones, foibles and all).

Overall, this rise of immature anger is a result of the engineered destruction of our society by outside forces. It happened so subtly that it was almost imperceptible, but the advent of technology has given us a window into the past that we didn't have before. Y'all click over to my place and find that post about someone else changing our society, which includes the Commie Goals. Damn near every one of them has been accomplished (I'd link it, but I'm not sure Pixy's fed the hamsters this weekend).

I truly hope we're about to wake up to what's been done to us and restore not only manliness, but American values back to society. They have been taken away from us, but recently rekindled, particularly by the commencement speech that that English teacher gave the other day where he told kids "You're not special." That was damn good advice.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (d0Tfm)

236 Thanks Ace. I have been a lurker for about a year now and I thoroughly enjoy the blog and I learn a great deal from what I read here. It is now my first site that I visit in the morning and the last one I stop by before going to bed. I have used the information provided by you and cobloggers to educate people at work. Keep up the good job and to hell with those commenting jackasses.

Posted by: DeusExMachina at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (6RTwM)

237 >>>>>"Smile all the time. It makes people wonder what you're up to". I do, and it does.

Yeah....and body language. How you carry yourself. Good posture/eye contact and confidence do wonders.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (8MCmv)

238 We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in.
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (aw5Tx)

And there you have it! Reason enough to forgo anger and move right into mocking mode! lol Really Olberdouche with his faux angry guy schtick was obnoxious to the n'th degree. I blame him. But the left needs anger to forment an attitude of revolution. the trouble is in the US we are so blessed no one can stay long enough to truely revolt!!! Now if you take a real psycho then thatsz different. a ZERO looking to become a HERO just needs an audience. It was only a matter of time before a mad bomber type latched onto the internet. Like the fundie muzzies.

Posted by: sonnyspats at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (Qr9Rc)

239 comment we much?

Posted by: OregonMuse at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (xm1A1)

240 General Patton was pretty much pissed off all the time. Some of that worked out, some didn't . . .

???

We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.
George S. Patton

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (F7GPD)

241 no, the Right not its own worst enemy.

the Left is our worst enemy. We trip ourselves up, shoot ourselves in the foot, etc, etc ( insert favorite cliche here ). They, OTOH, often / usually want to kill or quarantine us ---- silence us, at least

Posted by: Siggy Freud, M.D. at June 09, 2012 07:13 PM (Dll6b)

242 Surprised and pleased to see things back to as normal as this place gets. Ace, you are a model of restraint, especially for a high-strung guy.

Posted by: Klawnet, aka Kerry but not John at June 09, 2012 07:14 PM (HLvwU)

243 As a personal story,

One of the most common comments that I received while in the Army was how calm I was. Coworkers and supervisors often said that I was never upset about anything. On one project, I was upset about some push back from our subordinate units and my boss commented that it was the first time he had seen me upset.

The dirty little secret is that I am often frustrated and frequently angry. I get annoyed with people on a daily basis. I've had fantasies of dealing with people who cause problems for me, including violent fantasies that scared even me. The thing is, I know that it doesn't do any good to let my anger get the best of me. I'll go take a walk, work out, or even close the door to my office an rant to the wall for ten minutes. What I don't do is let it control my decision making or how I interact with everyone else.

Find a healthy outlet. As others have said, get involved in the process. Volunteer for a campaign, contact your representatives, etc. Or find something else that you can do to redirect your outrage. Hang a punching bag in your basement, go to the pistol range, workout, go hide out in the garage or workshop for a few hours. Close your computer and open a book. Do something other than keep focusing on your anger. People have given me crap for the ballroom dancing, but it probably saved my sanity a few times. It got me out of the house and around people who didn't understand or care about what was annoying me at that moment, which helped to put things in perspective.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 07:14 PM (aNu4E)

244 Interesting commentary. I should note that there's a difference between uncontrolled rage ( we see a lot of it on the left) and anger. Anger is a natural reaction to many things, injustice, abuse, dishonesty, etc. Anger is the gut-felt reaction when know something is wrong. If you let it rage uncontrolled, you're not a man, you're just a child. And when you see Schultz (think Hogan's Heros) rage on tv, red faced and puffed up, he's being a child. When you see people watch their government drive out country to oblivion, and they band together as the TEA Party and start removing long standing politicians and start putting in people with vastly more respect for the country and the people, then that's the proper use of anger.

Don't believe you have to be against "anger", because you have no control over whether you're angry or not. What you do have control over, is what you do about it. As conservatives, we should not be parroting Ed Schultz... We should be exemplary displays of being driven to action, unified, sane, sensible, and driven by sober judgment.

Posted by: TheWatcher at June 09, 2012 07:14 PM (FzQ9c)

245 Oh cool, so we can call other commenters names? That doesn't count in the whole "indulging anger" thing?Sweet.Of course, we non-retards do see a bit of inconsistency in calling for less anger with such a quote and image in the banner."Wanting it both ways" and all that...
-----------------------------------------------

Wow. Just... wow.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 07:14 PM (Agn5J)

246 Thanks. This really needed to be said. I have posted it on the Tea Party Facebook pages I frequent. Some of them need it some do not. I think in the main it is they younger (everyone is younger than me, I am 75) commenters who show their anger. By that I mean 40 and younger. I don't know many of the ages but it seems to me the younger they are they younger they act. A little more decorum is in order and with it a whole lot of action.

Posted by: Ruth H at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (JFseb)

247 So, I wanna know: Do the guys get shirts or not?

And: Where's Joe?

Further: Does this mean you're the only important guy on the stage and we should be watching only you?

(Is that level of anger still ok here or ?)

Posted by: XFL at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (kSaUf)

248 "Smile all the time. It makes people wonder what you're up to". I do, and it does.

That works best if your carrying a real big gun

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (F7GPD)

249 I think, in reading the first 5000 words of this particular movie review, that Ace and I share a theory, or would if we had discussed it, is that liberal politicians have basically abandoned any pretense at being American politicians, they're just in it for the boodles.

So, being in it for the payout, the spoils, means that there's nothing that isn't for sale or sacred. Look at Md's own Martin O'malley...how long before he legalizes prostitution to pay for more Md PSU's?

Basically, nothing costs anything. Gays will vote for you if you give them marriage, then screw it. There's no value to history or to family institutions, don't cost nothing.

abortion? who cares about morals, giving in on this don't cost nothing.

taxing people? Dont' cost nothing, not their money.

Basically, the very fabric of the nation, whatever history or morals it has is up for sale. The only calculation being is "will this gain us votes or not?" They'd put condos on Arlington National Cemetary if there's a buck to be made or a vote to be had and that they think they'd outlive the backlash. They'd pave over the Grand Canyon for the same reason...that hole in the ground offers no other value than what they can extract from it.

So, they'll kiss up to Muslims or act like the Vichy's to Mexicans, it don't cost nothing and there's no value being lost by undermining the war on terror or giving into LaRaza reconquista BS. So what, who cares who's voting for them or what they want.

On the other hand, most people who are drifting to the GOP are not bitter clingers, but who recognize that there's a value to things in this country that the left just doesn't see.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (QxSug)

250 "A lot of things are natural. Shitting is natural. I don't do it publicly."

Yet another difference between the Tea Party and OWS

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (LnQhT)

251 >>So far, at least in my personal life, it's working. I'm still depressive, but I feel good on occasion by just being nice.

Positive Psychology. Learned Optimism. Seligman.

Posted by: Mama AJ, not exactly being subtle about this at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (SUKHu)

252 May I please get angry at LauraW when her hump ozzes all over my new pair of Mezlan Duncans?

Posted by: The Great Satan's Ghost at June 09, 2012 07:15 PM (08Pe8)

253 Now this is weird. It's sort of like a ton of people suddenly came over from Word Press or something.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (v+ExF)

254 >>>So is future time orientation...iow, knowing impulsively lashing out isn't in your best interest.

This is a running theme. Today's emotive outburst = tomorrow's charge that the right is racist, or crazy, or angry, or whatever.

This is what I mean by fragging. Some people are just not capable of weighing future consequences. All they know is they want to pop off, and it FEELS SO GOOD.

Some people want me to put up specifics.

Let me explain something ; Specifics are EMBARASSING because there are some things I should not have to say.

And yet, because people keep saying, "I don't understand," I have to explain them.

Headline: Commenters on major right-wing blog need to be specifically cautioned that old-school 1950s racism doesn't fly anymore.

How many times do I have to say that I don't like bringing up your Gun Solution to political problems?

Anyway, because some people keep insisting "I need specifics," I will put the banning policy in the sidebar, and it will be specific, and highly embarassing, that things like this need to be spelled out for a small cadre of knuckledraggers. I imagine that MMFA will run a post on it; I would, were the shoes reversed.

But the most embarrassing members of the right will continue insisting on embarrassing us, and then demand we embarrass ourselves further by specifiying things like "Racism is bad."

Eh, maybe I won't; maybe I'll just ban. Like I said yesterday, those who don't understand without being told ALSO won't understand after they're told.

There is no point specifying "Most Basic, Child-Level Common Sense" to those not in possession of it.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (aw5Tx)

255
General Patton was pretty much pissed off all the time. Some of that worked out, some didn't . . .

Actually, Patton was fierce when he needed to be, but much of that was an act. He knew he had to put on a tough persona for the troops, especially in the midst of combat.

He son had a story about as a child watching Patton make faces in the mirror. He asked, "Dad, what are you doing?" Patton replied that he was "practicing his war face."

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (aNu4E)

256 What in the wide wide world of sports is goin on round here?? I leave this mornin- no comments, i come home and here you all are loofa- ing each others back. I don't think i can ride this rollercoaster any more. I'm trading in my moron card for a back pack and granola bars...see ya's in september.

Posted by: dananjcon at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (qL8Bh)

257
"Tits are awesome!"
That is all!

Posted by: JDW at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (2aGcN)

258 Thing is, for all of the angry folks, or people who want to indulge their anger, there are plenty of places on the web that will welcome you.

This place has a certain etiquette and vibe to it like any other social setting. Find your niche, it ain't hard.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:16 PM (8MCmv)

259 I think it is the expression of anger that is critical.

If I'm driving alone in the car and someone does something stupid, say, not going when the light turns green, I will express my simple anger with some choice words at a suitable volume. I don't use fingers or my horn.

When I'm angry with someone in my home, I say something like, "that's making me angry, I'm going to go walk around for a bit." I then go and cool off.

When I'm angry at work or in politics, I stifle it entirely, as that gives your opponent an edge over you. Never show that they are getting to you. I completely channel my anger into a sharp point and use my intellect to craft their downfall. As their doom advances, I am often absurdly cordial to them, telling them how much they will like the Amontillado. I don't yell, I don't curse, I don't do anything other than be pleasant and helpful as I put each brick in place.

In all these cases I am angry. Very angry sometimes, with steam roiling out of my ears, and my throat thick with swallowed curses.

I don't think anger is a harmful thing to have. I do think how you use that anger is the key to either being a responsible adult human or a mewling punk.

But I'm not perfect. Sometimes I have weakness and will say something impertinent, or slap a f-you on someone. I consider these moments failures. Later. At the time, you always feel justified. I am always wrong in that estimation, when I look at it later. That's why I try and keep myself from doing that.

Posted by: cayenne at June 09, 2012 07:17 PM (o3dJ3)

260 shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit

oozes

damndamndamndamndamndamndamn

Posted by: The Great Satan's Ghost at June 09, 2012 07:17 PM (08Pe8)

261 And then they'll clap themselves on the back for "helping the cause."

Posted by: ace

I could see where that would be irritating.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:17 PM (mKMj1)

262 Ahh, home again home again, jiggety jig *takes off shirt* *gets cold beer form fridge* *plops down on couch*

Posted by: booger at June 09, 2012 07:17 PM (dMT9X)

263 <<Anger is an immature trait,>>

...and I stopped reading right there. Anger is not an immature trait. It's a natural human emotion.

How you ACT on that anger can certainly be immature.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:18 PM (pqW4Y)

264 >>I saw this earlier, Nina Conti is the antithesis of anger, it's impossible not to have a smile on your face watching that.

Posted by: Jose at June 09, 2012 06:55 PM (srIqv)

Tell me about it. It hit me half way through that I was grinning like an idiot watching a chick do ventriloquism

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:18 PM (Yhu4q)

265
Good to be home, think I'll set a spell.

Those jiggling things on that other comment board could soothe a lot of anger.....

Posted by: jinxthecat at June 09, 2012 07:18 PM (l3vZN)

266 'moral equivalence' is still around? all those Cold War debates with Lefties about how we and the Soviets were the same, etc?

Ike chose a flaming sword as the emblem for the Allied Expeditionary Forces

a metaphor, as they say. If lefties wanna talk, we should talk nice. They won't listen, but we should talk--nice. If they wanna duke it out, that's a Whole Nuther Story. Increasingly, they seem to wanna duke it out

Posted by: Siggy Freud, M.D. at June 09, 2012 07:18 PM (Dll6b)

267 For a good example of the difference between old anger and new anger, compare the attitudes of the Tea Party (mostly, although there were some unhinged ones - and not just the LaRouche infiltrators) with the folks who took over Wisconsin's state capitol.

And see which approach proved more effective at affecting change....

Posted by: notropis at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (cjcCc)

268 i believe anger correctly focused can be just and good.
however when some of our personal commentary only expresses angst driven reparte and perhaps leaves out why we are here, which is to gather friends/cohorts to build consensus argue our case for a political aim ,
guess i'll give bees and honeyMore of a try....hell personally feel better? maybe so..

Hillel said soemthing i find true..Do not unto your neighbor what you would not have him do until you; this is the whole Law;the rest is commentary.
wise words . many religions have a similar idea.
but fgs, please , please don't make me wear lipstick before i type. that's just asking too much.

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (TomZ9)

269
Ace,
I see your point, however I'm not entirely sure what to do about it per se. I'm an occasionaly angry person by nature. I try to contain it, but alas it bleeds out every now and then. Strangly though I don't think I typically get angry about politics exactly. Passionate? Sure, but I'm a firm believer in the power of logic when it comes to issues of political endevor. Yes it can be particularly hard to engage certain people with that logic, but it must be done, and all other approaches, while possibly rewarding in the short term, will ultimately fail.
That being said, I have a flaw in that I write as I would converse with you. So my writing is peppered with things like "Wait...you say what now?" and "Well that's just stupid/naive/nonsense." I suppose I need to be more aware of the fact that this doesn't exactly come across well on a blog, especially a blog where the commentariat are engaging in entirely different styles, some sarcasm, some seriousness, some utter nonsense for nonsense's sake.
Nevertheless, I feel discourse is important, and I engage wherever I find myself, anyone willing to have such a discourse (provided they do so in a civil fashion.) When that fashion goes awry, discussion moves to something less....argumentitive (for which there is little, but usually I can talk sports with someone without huge problems.) As such, I never engage my extended family in political discussion, because it starts with ad hominem and only gets worse. Part of the reason I enjoyed this blog is because there was a mixture of humor and civil discourse. However, the "pile on the troll" did get out of hand. Perhaps we need to work on that.
All of that being said, may I suggest a new Mencken quote, from Chapter 3 of the same book (and unabashedly stolen from WikiQuote

The public...demands certainties...But there are no certainties.

Posted by: tsrblke at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (22rSN)

270 Hi everybody, what happened around here on Friday. Were the animals let loose again? Nice to be back.

Posted by: Jaimo at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (+iooT)

271 Well I did not delve into the mess so I don't know what exactly went down, but in general, if Ace is saying, hey, this is my blog, and if you write 'X' it will get me sued so don't write 'X' and then someone goes and says well 'XXXX' then I can see the problem.

Anger, as Ace points out, used to be okay in the Quiet Man sort of way - slow to anger, etc. That was when we had a set of standards for "manliness" an all that. That we have, as a society, is bad, so we will go with a different modality.

And so the "New Anger." That other guy made it up so whatever. I would say that it isn't anger, or hate as Chait styled it. It is OUTRAGE. And most of the time, faux OUTRAGE.

Is it attractive? Well, think about this - Anthony Weiner was not an attractive guy, but because he was always OUTRAGED he got some serious tail (virtual, anyway.) Michael Moore's outrage got him a seat in the President's box at the convention. Kos is HUGE in the blogosphere, and what does he have other than OUTRAGE? People do what they are rewarded for. Like Skinner's rats. But I really don't see it happening on the Right. Where is the reward?

I have no beef with whatever the new "anger policy" is. I think a handy banhammer or a way to suspend posting would be useful for enforcing it. Staying in the lanes is important. It's Ace's house and all that.

But I think - and this is just my opinion - that expressing fear of Kimberlin's bombs just gives him the jollies. I am ex-bomb squad guy, so my opinion of bombers and terrorists is not real positive. They are chickenshits, the lot of them. He won't bomb anyone again. That actually got him in jail before. What he will do is continue to harass as long as he gets away with it. And what *I* believe is that if people were to harass him in the same way - not talking about violence because that is not what he is doing - that he would suddenly find that the tactics are not as funny as he thought.

It doesn't help our side that he has high dollar Democrat money men in his corner, but that just makes the high dollar Democrat money men vulnerable.

So let's keep going on with the snark. Let's stay on the side of good because we are. But let's not let a bunch of pantywaists push us around, either. That's not anger, that's not OUTRAGE, that is manliness, the old fashioned way.

Posted by: blaster at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (HR5x9)

272 I like the current quote.

But I'll kick off the rage-free examination of new quotes:

Heinlein: "There comes a time in the life of every human when he or she must
decide to risk "his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor" on an
outcome dubious. Those who fail the challenge are merely overgrown
children, can never be anything else."

Heinlein: Every law that was ever written opened up a new way to graft.

Heinlein: The capacity of the human mind for swallowing nonsense and spewing it
forth in violent and repressive action has never yet been plumbed.

Heinlein: "you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

Heinlein: "Moral behavior is survival behavior above the individual level."

The first comes closest to the sentiment of the current quote without tempting illiterate types into reading an advocacy of violence into it.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (MzQOZ)

273 I try not to say anything on here that I would not say to my Mother and then have her repeat it back to me the next day. Now I admit since she has Alzheimer's that gives me some latitude, but that's my policy and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (F7GPD)

274 (This might be my very first comment here, but I'm a long-time reader and fan.)

When I first saw Ace had shut down comments, my first thought was "shit, he's taken his first step down Charles Johnson Boulevard." And that's a one-way road that dead-ends at a cliff.

What I mean by that, was Ace had -- like Charles -- tossed aside the "comments don't necessarily reflect the opinions of the site owner" rule and exerted more direct control over the comments.

Then I considered it again, and realized that there were differences. For one, Ace openly acknowledged what he was doing; Charles still insists that anyone is free to disagree with him. And another, Charles was motivated by paranoia, insecurity, and chronic shitheadedness; Ace was demonstrating a very well-developed sense of self-preservation. He didn't cast it as some kind of act of principle, he didn't renounce his entire philosophy and set of friends/allies/cronies; he spelled out exactly what the dangers being posed were and why he was taking such an action.

I still didn't like it, but I understood it. And I hoped Ace would find an alternative that respected his concerns.

It looks like he's going to try, and I have confidence he will. Because as a lot of people noted, the comments here really add a hell of a lot to the site. (I stopped reading Power Line when they disabled comments, and the only site I read that is commentless is Instapundit.) Hell, I don't remember who said it, but on one thread (I think an Elizabeth Warren one), one moron said something to the effect of "hey, baby, if your mouth is open, then why are my balls still dry?" And I totally stole that line.

Please, Ace, find a way to keep the comments open that addresses your concerns.

Posted by: Jenos Idanian at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (QdMNr)

275 Don't get mad, get even.

Posted by: Someone Who Said Something at June 09, 2012 07:19 PM (0SL6O)

276 There's some interesting philosophical points in the post and comments about anger and its value and moral quality so I thought I'd throw my $.02 in.

Ace, you should have used hatred, not anger, as the operative word.

I think of anger as a quick flash of emotion in response to a situation. Something happens that is against our beliefs of what it right and wrong. Then we get angry.

Now once we're angry we have a choice to make a reasoned response. We can try to understand the situation to see if we interpreted it wrong, we can try to act constructively to right the wrong, or we can judge it to be trivial enough to be best forgiven/forgotten.

When we embrace our anger and let it snuff out reason, that is when anger becomes hatred.That's when people on the Left start getting off on snuff films about Bush and Cheney. Unfortunately, it is also where the Right starts to talk about how the military has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution.

Whatever the philosophical nature of anger, we have to cultivate the annoying habit of being reasonable when provoked. If we do our best to seem the reasonable choice compared to the papier-mâché effigy and drum circle crowd we can only benefit. No matter how they the left tries to spin it, things like Craig Kilbourne's "Snipers Wanted" message over footage of Bush or the son of Paul Wellstone ranting at his father's funeral don't play well with people who haven't drunk the kool-aid.

Or to put it more simply, if Ace catches anyone other than the Mobys posting death threats against the left he should slice like a f*cking ban-hammer.

Posted by: Glen at June 09, 2012 07:20 PM (0NwXV)

277 How you ACT on that anger can certainly be immature.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:18 PM (pqW4Y)

nicely said, Gary

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at June 09, 2012 07:20 PM (Dll6b)

278
I hardly ever post/comment anything, but I have to say the Friday silence then the comment shut down sure put a big hole in my news/entertainment/sarcasm internet addiction.
Too bad Breitbart wasn't around for it, would have been funny to hear about him missing the comment section here.

Posted by: Zharkov at June 09, 2012 07:20 PM (EuoDk)

279 >>>
"Wanting it both ways" and all that...

As I said, those who don't understand Basic Child-Level Common Sense without being told won't get even after they're told.

So it's a mug's game.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:20 PM (aw5Tx)

280 <<Oh cool, so we can call other commenters names? That
doesn't count in the whole "indulging anger" thing?Sweet.Of course, we
non-retards do see a bit of inconsistency in calling for less anger with
such a quote and image in the banner."Wanting it both ways" and all
that...

-----------------------------------------------

Wow. Just... wow.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp>>

Thanks, I was rather impressed with it myself.

You DO realize Ace has built his image (and subsequently the blog) on one of being angry...yeah?

His right to try and turn that particular titanic around, but...

Maybe a banner with flowers and a new title "The Ace of Kitties Headquarters of Niceness and Rainbows!"

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (pqW4Y)

281 Do you all remember that major magazine or somesuch that did a story on some lefty blogger who was always angry?
And the photo they used was of her, all frumpy in her bathrobe, anger on her face, sitting at the computer with her coffee mug?

Seems to me, that profile was met with cheers. And I remember thinking, "good gawd woman, you are ugly in and out."

That said, C.Thomas Howell: "Keeps me warm at night." Still kinda badass. 'Cause he was actually doing something with his anger--the righteous killing of dirty commies.

Posted by: XFL at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (kSaUf)

282 Thanks Ace. Feel like I just got out of a helluva good AA meeting. No sarc intended.

Posted by: garfish at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (fc49M)

283 Like I said yesterday, those who don't understand without being told ALSO won't understand after they're told.

They'll say they don't understand, but they're just poking you with a stick to see if they can make you react, imo.

Posted by: Retread at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (joSBv)

284 A little more decorum is in order

------

My mother made all of her grandsons take an etiquette class as a condition of purchasing them a summer golf program when they were young boys. No please and thank you, no napkin on the lap = no golf on the greens.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (P6QsQ)

285 I don't have faith in our systems, our culture, and I certainly don't have faith that our government will improve over time. I'm pretty much preparing for socioeconomic breakdown. And I'm a partisan for my philosophies as all get out. Hell, my Plan A is to be out of the country by the end of the year.

But I am a happy, optimistic, and low-stress individual. My CRP is 0. My real life relationships are fruitful and my lifestyle is condusive with the Good Life.

If you are angry, depressed, stressed out, and acting out because of unchecked emotions it is your responsibility make changes so that you can take control of your life. Because that's all you will ever have control over. You can't sit and wait for the world to change to suit your psychology.

There's no need for expression. It's overrated.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 07:22 PM (bI3Cc)

286 I'll quit lurking long enough to say thanks. Thanks for thoughtful, rational posts like this one, and thanks for snark because I can come here and have a good laugh and get through the day a little easier.

I don't so much mind reading rants once in a while; it can be cathartic and also kind of a relief: I'm not the only one who's THIS pissed off about the condition of the country! But for people who MUST rant, have the courtesy to get your own blog to do it on, and respect Ace's (or any other blog owner's) wishes and don't give the left ammunition against them. ("Check out this hatemongering at award-winning, popular blog Ace of Spades HQ!") Just rant at your own place so you can get all the credit, or blame, that you deserve.

Posted by: LauraC at June 09, 2012 07:22 PM (NUU3Z)

287 @267: Hell, contrast the "no drama Obama" image his campaign projected in '08 vs his present public peevishness. I don't need Intrade to know which one wins elections.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 07:22 PM (wllJH)

288 One thing I know I'm guilty of is being in a bad mood and showing it.

I mostly try to stay quiet, but I know others can sense my mood.

I do need to work on that.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 07:22 PM (v+ExF)

289 Dennis Prager -- America's rabbi

He used to be on the radio here but the station changed format from conservative talk radio to business talk radio and he is no longer on. I miss him.

Posted by: crosspatch at June 09, 2012 07:22 PM (ZbLJZ)

290 Shorter Ace: Be Kwai Chang Caine

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (Yhu4q)

291 254

It's sad that some of the (extreme) minority of this blog remind me of that Simpsons episode where there was some ridiculous warning label on a product.

Homer goes, "That's there because of me."

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (LnQhT)

292 RDS at June 09, 2012 06:36 PM (YAGV/)

+1

Posted by: Jix at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (VDKgR)

293 Hillel said soemthing i find true..Do not unto your neighbor what you would not have him do until you; this is the whole Law;the rest is commentary.

Yes but most people forget the second verse of that:
" And if that doesn't work call my brother in law at the law firm of Weinberg, Livingstein and Murphy ( he married my daughter Rachel, sigh)

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (F7GPD)

294 Ace,

The virulent hate and jack-holery you've been getting is a direct consquence of success. The blog is awesome, fun, occasionally informative, and a place to hate on pointy elbows (during football season anyway).

Awesomeness attracts assholes. It can't be helped. I support the whole login-to-comment scheme. Just give the ban hammer to Mama or Vic or Allen or someone in the horde that you trust and make your life easier.

Also... grats on loosing weight but beating off is a great way to perk up. I wouldn't give that up.

Posted by: Ryt at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (L7BXh)

295 I'm not going to go back and read last night's thread. I'll only speak to what you wrote here. I urge you Ace to not mistake passion in a deeply held view for anger. Many who regularly contribute to these discussion are folks who are muzzled IRL. They work for liberal bosses, have family members who are lefties or are uncomfortable in confronting leftist nonsense out there in meat space. This may be their only outlet.

Sometimes, in reaction to a snarky post that offends someone's long held beliefs, they will react with passion. It could be to the author or commenters who would belittle the beliefs of others under the veil of "humor". I'm not advocating a venom-spewing hatefest, merely suggesting that you evaluate the situation carefully (reading the entire thread or even previous ones) before inflicting a banishment on anyone.

That said, this is your house and your rules and I will abide by them.

Posted by: MCPO Airdale at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (tYaDf)

296 Oh dear Lord.

Sgt York, I am disappointed to find that you've chosen to take up the mantle where Jimmah left off.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:23 PM (piMMO)

297 My philosophy for comments is simple, "If tomorrow the person I was talking about died and I was a suspect in their murder, is this something that would a jury would look past?"

It's an odd standard, but you need one when you're in the professional assassin business.

Posted by: Tenth Justice at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (Ztkkt)

298 <<As I said, those who don't understand Basic Child-Level Common Sense without being told won't get even after they're told.>>

Some folks don't think it's "Basic Child-Level Common Sense" to hold up a sign that says "I'm angry" and then tell others they shouldn't be angry.

Seems kinda hypocritical.

You may complain that you "can't have nice things" but it certainly looks as though you're just being the Noisy Guy and complaining about other people's noise.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (pqW4Y)

299 I always seem to miss the comments on the days that Ace gets set off. If you're not cooled off, Ace. Cool off. For days if you need. But don't make decisions because you're pissed. You don't want to be embarassed, don't post embarassing shit in the sidebar.
If there are knuckle-draggers, they get trounced or completely blownoff by the commentors here. b[]b"Let's remove the Mencken quote and let's post shit that makes us look like the knuckledraggers are more common than they actually are," don't sound like decisions made with a cool head. You sound pissed and short-fused.

Posted by: Z Bobby McFerrin at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (tsC/8)

300 Comments are enabled. Things must be looking up.

Off Topic, but perhaps interesting: Does anyone have a count of new nics (not socks, real commenters), lurkers who have de-lurked, and infrequent commenters who have decided to start commenting?

I think itindicates a major increase in support of Ace. The wind is shifting.

Posted by: Arbalest at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (dZPwM)

301 >>>
I still didn't like it, but I understood it.

I continue to be befuddled by people's simple stupidity.

Aaron Walker was arrested on the pretext his posts incited "death threats" by thired parties against a monster.

Therefore, I instructed you to not provide legal ammunition to someone and, essentially, play for his team.

Some of you, however, are simply insistent on playing for his team. You just want to help him. It almost pains you to not be able to help him.

So since you are on his team, go over to HIS blog, and announce your loyalty to him.

I don't understand why some fuck-heads cannot grasp this simple point: YOU ARE AIDING THE ENEMY. STOP AIDING THE ENEMY.

I keep hearing, "Gee, it's not fair that I can't aid the enemy."

GO FUCKING DONATE TO HIM, THEN. GIVE HIM MONEY DIRECTLY.

So at least in doing so it will FINALLY dawn on you what you are doing.

Jesus.

Christ.

Almighty.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (aw5Tx)

302 Turn those frowns upside down or get your teeth smashed in, that's what I always say.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (HethX)

303
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
Somebody had to say it.

Posted by: MAJHAM at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (30jic)

304 #231 - Jim - Things are great for me. I don't know if you caught it, but I got promoted at the end of last year, and I'm now in charge. I even have a minion! (Her title is: Apprentice Evil Henchperson.)

I'd seen the article in the Chronicle of Higher Ed about some professors speaking up about keeping Ward-o out of academia; I thought of sending it to you, but figured you must have moved on from PB ages ago.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (mKMj1)

305 Couple of things. This is a great topic and I will be sharing this post.

I am pretty overheated by nature, and. an control it for the most part. I finally sought help, and low dosage antidepressants have changed my life immeasurably for the good. I recommend that if you suffer from even low level, constant depression you get some help.

The other thing I want to add is an observation that I have been fleshing out for a while now. I wonder if we are becoming a "divorced culture." I do a lot of family law, and I am amazed at what people can do to each other, and in their justification for doing so can completely buy into a distorted reality that everone else sees, but the angry person has no clue. The children get caught between two of these twisted unrealities, but they cannot articulate their confusion because theh have been coopted, and it is just normal to them.

So I wondee if we as a culture and in our politics do the same thing. We don't really listen, we just say whatever it takes to preserve a point of view. And we have people out there such as politicians and the media who profit from rhe anger and disjointed perspectives. I think discussions of race are nothing more than the estranged (whites and blacks) being played one against the other by children (media and politicians) who have figured out how to profit from the anger. Truth be damned.

More thoughts on this, but I have taken enough bandwidth.

Bottom line: When we let them ensnare us in our own anger, they have won.

Posted by: ObjectionSustained at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (yfgUc)

306 @281, ah, yes, that lib bloggess was the tit's ugly.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (QxSug)

307 Thanks, I was rather impressed with it myself.You DO realize Ace has built his image (and subsequently the blog) on one of being angry...yeah?His right to try and turn that particular titanic around, but...Maybe a banner with flowers and a new title "The Ace of Kitties Headquarters of Niceness and Rainbows!"
Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:21 PM (pqW4Y)

Really genius? That's news to me. I thought he built up his image with busty lesbian porn, dickjokes and Paul Anka.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (GULKT)

308 <<Sgt York, I am disappointed to find that you've chosen to take up the mantle where Jimmah left off.>>

I'm disappointed to find you didn't read the post, including this line:

"I will enable comments for just this post. I imagine some will want to
argue about this. That's fine; that's why I'm enabling comments, so you
can express that, so you can argue back."

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (pqW4Y)

309 It didn't start in 2004. I'd say it really started with the French Revolution, as all bad things did. Anger is part of the human condition, and so is the idea of justifying righteous anger. I think, however, that pure hatred of people for what they are is a hallmark of the Left and always will be.

Read the Communist Manifesto, those exclamation points were in the original. (Karl Marx was the original !!!eleventy!!! poster.) So-called anarchists committed killings from William McKinley to the Archduke Ferdinand. There's William Ayers. And today, it's all about expressing hatred.

We're certainly subject to it, but I just don't see us justifying it in the same way. We're still generally in persuade mode. Look at the Tea Party vs. Occupy/Wisconsin protesters. Remember that their anger is righteous, anything done in the name of the cause is justified.

Now the internet is, in fact, making it worse. Anonymity means that loud and angry voices cannot be tempered and they are the hardest to ignore. One loud neighbor and 10 quiet neighbors makes it a loud neighborhood.

People think the anger disguises that, but it does not. It's the most vulnerable vulnerability there is -- the vulnerability that's so raw it doesn't even dare confess itself.

This is so true. Notice that nearly any "comedian" who dives into politics (especially when they mentioned W) were just expressing anger. There was barely any joke. Maher is the worst at this, of course.

Here's another thing: Who gets angry? The man who can't do anything, who can't accomplish his goals. Why do we get angry at "Speedy"? Because we can't do anything. We don't see the courts taking him seriously, we don't see the media taking him seriously and we see our friends being threatened and we want to do something. What's left is anger. We even think we're showing solidarity by expressing how angry we are.

Anger is an expression of impotence. Just look at Ed Schultz.

Posted by: AmishDude at June 09, 2012 07:25 PM (J5tI6)

310 Superb post, Ace.

It is pretty much a given that nearly everybody who comments here is dissatisfied with the current state and direction in which our country is headed. Commenting here and elsewhere to vent about it merely provides a means to let off steam.

Changing matters, as you said, requires stepping away from the keyboard and screen and engaging in meatspace to make things happen. Having come here in late 2009 or thereabouts, I learned about productive channels for doing this and I began to act. Kudos to you, your cobloggers and my fellow Morons for opening my eyes to this.

I have decided that my thirty-plus year career with one employer will come to an end in August. My wife and I have laid plans to engage in business on our own. Between Labor Day and Election Day, I intend to devote a substantial portion of my time and treasure to help elect people who understand, as Ronald Reagan alluded, that a smothering government is the problem. Not only will that will be a good start to the next phase of our lives, but it will also continue actions in which I have engaged since 2009.

I hope and pray that there will be an AoSHQ in the days, weeks and months to come. It would be a lonelier journey without you folks.

And... out!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (sgNEe)

311 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

And am I really that fucking old?

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (FUozQ)

312 some of you really just need to join the progressives. You are completely unaware that you play for that team, with each stupid, embarrassing, distracting, fire-in-the-kitchen moronic comment you make.

Since you're playing for that team in reality, you might as well make your loyalty official and get the membership card.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (aw5Tx)

313 it certainly looks as though you're just being the Noisy Guy and complaining about other people's noise.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (pqW4Y)

-----
Funny, I don't think Ace looks like the Noisy Guy at all. Seriously never ever got that vibe from Ace. Ever.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (P6QsQ)

314 Ten years ago (or thereabouts), I stumbled into this blog. As time went on (and I was in the news business), I was able to shoot Ace a few tips from my Associated Press feed. Over time, he allowed me to post the odd piece, and I actually got to spend a couple of evenings hanging out with the Head Ewok.

Between you, Ace, and Drew, Dave, RDB, Slublog, Laura, Gabe, Maetenloch, CDR M, and the many that I've left out, I have a family that stretches from coast to coast. My wife and I have moved several times in the past decade, and wherever we've landed, there have been Morons there to welcome us.

This is what you've created, my friend. I'm proud to call you my friend (even though I haven't seen you in several years), and you often find the words for what I'm thinking when I can't quite put them together.

I mentioned it on Twitter, but I want our friends here to know it- we're playing in the house of a good man, who does his best to live his words. The house may undergo some renovations, and may go through some turmoil, but this is very much home for many of us.

As such, Ace- I stand with you. Thank you for being what you have been for the past decade- a tie to home, no matter where in the world I might have been.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (cxomr)

315 Can't believe I read the whole thing.
Very Well said.

Posted by: trailortrash at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (xllDV)

316 One of the reasons I lurk and occasionally post here is to stand for the proposition that you can disagree totally on politics and still communicate like human beings.

On anger in everyday conversation about politics: Without getting into "the plural of anecdote equals data" land, I don't think it's a stretch to say that there are plenty of opinionated liberals and conservatives out there who just can't stand to be in the presence of someone who doesn't validate their worldview. It's human nature to feel attacked in that instance.

But someone voicing an opinion that runs counter to yours is not the same as someone attacking you. It feels like it, it smells like it, every neuron in your brain is telling you "THIS PERSON IS ATTACKING ME!!", and when that signal is sent, anger is difficult to avoid.

But that's not really what's going on. "THIS PERSON IS ATTACKING ME" and feeling the need to comment obnoxiously on it, against the will of the blog's owner, is a first cousin of "Somewhere, somebody is wrong on the internet!", which is not a very high level of thinking.

What He Who Shall Not Be Named is doing is an attack. That. Is. Different.

But what the Keyboard Kommandos were likely doing last night was reacting to the feeling of having their online identity attacked, and the need to defend themselves against this imaginary attack - from Ace of all people! - led to some really poor choices.

The only choice we get is how we react to things. I only realized I had a a choice about 5 years ago, and my whole life changed as a result. I can post here, and someone who doesn't know me can call me a %*^(*&% *#&%&@#^%@&^ and, with a little effort, it's actually easy to ignore. After making enough of those choices over and over again, I ended up with less anger and confrontation in my life (of which I had plenty beforehand), and more happiness - and it didn't cost me any intellectual stimulation at all. Matter of fact, I've learned more from listening than I have from reacting. That doesn't make me special or brilliant - it just makes me happier, period.

So, though YMMV: Ace, good luck on figuring out your own path to less anger, and to everyone else, thanks for the conversation.

Posted by: A Liberal AoSHQ Reader, Really! at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (ZiYQG)

317 Useful words from Aristotle (Alex the Great's tutor, not the old geezer who married Jackie O): "Anybody can become angry-- that is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way--- that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."

Posted by: Basement Cat at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (MweTY)

318 A lot of hard feelings building up in the country. A case in point, the other day at the Safeway I guy had his hood up and I figured it was a dead battery. As I walked over I saw a blue sticker on the back window. If that had been an Obama sticker I doubt I would have lifted a finger. That is an honest appraisal, and believe me, it is quitea change from the man I used to be. Thanks, Barrack.

Posted by: jinxthecat at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (l3vZN)

319 NDH, I think you are right. Alvin is poking Ace repeatedly in the eye accusing Ace of being immature. I do not see it ending well ... for Alvin

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (JaB4T)

320 I used to post at LGF. There were always super-hard-core in your face posters there, but still plenty of people that weren't 'posting angry' all the time.

One guy was ALWAYS talking about Hillary Clinton's genitalia. I mean in graphic, insulting, sexist beyond-the-pale ways.

I made an ill-fated attempt to let this guy know his angry sexist graphic hatred was over the top.

He responded with the 'we have free speech here, if you don't like it go somewhere else' line.

By 2005ish I wasn't posting much at LFG any more about the time Chuckles launched his 1-man crusade to save America from Creationism. He banned me in early 2006 for daring to disagree with him about it.

Like Ace I'm getting tired of people who whip it out and piss all over the room and them get TESTY with anybody who has a problem with what they are doing.

"But I'm a Conservative too, man!" is no blank check to engage in stupid behavior. You can be a Conservative and STILL be somebody nobody else wants around.

A message board is like ANY OTHER COMMUNITY. Keep whipping your dick out and pissing on everybody's shoes & then complaining when people come after you about it is just as stupid here as it is in real life.

Posted by: drawandstrike at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (EERTp)

321 I have"angry" thoughts all of the time.

Here's a very old saying, "Your thoughts are not your own."

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (d0Tfm)

322 <<GO FUCKING DONATE TO HIM, THEN. GIVE HIM MONEY DIRECTLY...<snip>>>

I'm sensing anger...

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:27 PM (pqW4Y)

323 I just replaced a dead wireless router.

I'm not mad. It's just life on life's terms.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (pUqSw)

324 Oh Hallelujah! Ace, I'm glad you're back, I'm glad you're blogging, I am so very sorry you had to turn down that award but I literally cried when I heard you won it because yes yes yes you should have.
On this post: My mother used to say "offer it up", when one of us griped about something. It means (as near as I could ever tell) that by making a sort of prayer of sucking up the unpleasantness in your life and not inflicting it on others, you were giving the gift of being a better person. Shit happens, offer it up.
Maybe that's a kind of stupid thing to say regarding the subject of the post, but as time has gotten weirder and angrier (and I have gotten older and tireder), I find myself thinking "offer it up" sometimes. So I try.
Oh mighty Ewok! Hooray!

Posted by: barbarausa at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (WWeoI)

325 I've been reading here for about 3 or 4 years, commenting for maybe one year or so. Never got the Angry Noisy Guy thing from Ace. I don't even relate to that statement.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (P6QsQ)

326 You have learned well Grasshopper. You must now fetch for me a sandwich

Posted by: Master Po at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (Y+DPZ)

327 Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (cxomr)

And if I remember correctly, your a Met's fan right?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (F7GPD)

328 Ahhh.....thank you for bringing the blog back!

To those of you who insist on screwing things up, can you please just go do that somewhere else?

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM (L7hol)

329 sgt. york, your objections are noted. But this is the policy, so, ultimately, you should find a blog that better suits you.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (aw5Tx)

330 I admire your honesty, Ace. Not many people would admit to what so many feel/recognize in themselves.

Posted by: pipandbaby at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (240xU)

331 You DO realize Ace has built his image (and subsequently the blog) on one of being angry...yeah?

Neither Ace nor the blog have an "angry" image. Ace generally works something called "comedy"; you may have heard of it.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (wllJH)

332 Are we really talking about the Mencken quote?

Really?

This argument must be coming from the anti social aspergers wing of conservatism.

No nuance, artistic license or subtlety allowed apparently

Wow.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (8MCmv)

333 This is a great post, independent of the topic at hand.

I think that in recent years, in my own personal real world life, I've been adopting more of this sort of attitude -- projecting less bile, internalizing frustration. It's hard, this sort of manning-up. I've been doing it intuitively, but it's nice to have its justification spelled out so clearly and convincingly.

At the same time, I must admit that I'm occasionally a shit-heel online, that I indulge myself with mindless hostility and venting. There's not a really a reason for me to do it; I don't think I need to release venom every so often to keep the internal pressure in check.

Tmi3rd, if you're reading this, I apologize for all the shit I gave you about the Nashville Predators when they eliminated the Redwings.

I hope some slack is afforded Empire of Jeff. When I first noticed him in the comments, I thought he was a Moby, but I now get the joke, and he's a hell of a comedic writer, and anger is part of his schtick.

Posted by: Pastafarian at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (KC3A2)

334 Uh. Ace? Is this about me yelling at jimmy joe yesterday? He was a jerk face.

Also a hippy.

So. yeah. I gave him a verbal romney (haircut/involuntary).

But I didn't say no gun or racism - except to note the Democrat's strong hold on that ugly business since the 1860's.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (YSyyZ)

335 Waitaminute, someone just posted something that raises an important point - we have to lay off cheerleader's elbows?

Posted by: blaster at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (HR5x9)

336 Or, Ace's tweet from a week back regarding Alec Baldwin, his politics are more akin to a 13 year old jets fan taunting a Giants fan, you guys suck, than any sort of intellectual pursuit.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (QxSug)

337 @305 - re "the divorced culture" - yes, I see it too, and it's one of the reasons I'm here, to plant a small flag against that. The internet, and it's incredibly efficient ability to narrowcast, makes this problem more difficult, I think. We can literally choose our own reality, if we want.

Posted by: A Liberal AoSHQ Reader, Really! at June 09, 2012 07:30 PM (ZiYQG)

338 Or Thursday. All runs together lately. Been busy at work. No sleep, much to inspect.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (YSyyZ)

339 Just want to see what my new hash is.

Posted by: meekrob at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (x2CNJ)

340 hmmm I seem to be hitting this bear fur an awful lot for some reason. I wonder if my owner realizes its not a good idea.

Posted by: Sgt. York's poking stick at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (GULKT)

341 Congrats, Dianna! Me, I stopped reading The Chronicle of Higher Edjumacation long ago, so I missed that article. Send me a link, if you still have it bookmarked.

Wart's case was argued before the Colorado Supreme Court this past Thursday, so in a couple of months or so we may find out that he gets his job back. I personally don't think that'll happen, but ya never know. Those judges are all product of the educational system Wart his ilk are a large part of.

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (FUozQ)

342 A wise man once said that you should release your anger through your second chakra kahn.

Posted by: dananjcon at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (qL8Bh)

343 *looks around*
*sniff-sniff*
Cool.
*continues lurking*

Posted by: Lurking Flaneur at June 09, 2012 07:31 PM (E108D)

344 Everything should be understood in CONTEXT.

In the proper context there is nothing wrong with

Anger
Rage
Wrath
Hatred
War

And

Love
Mercy
Forgiveness
Peace

I do not love or hate everyone, but I do love and hate many things and some people.

I do not forgive everyone, but I do some.

Posted by: Andrew H. B. III at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (q72+j)

345 << it certainly looks as though you're just being the Noisy Guy and complaining about other people's noise.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:24 PM (pqW4Y)

-----
Funny, I don't think Ace looks like the Noisy Guy at all. Seriously never ever got that vibe from Ace. Ever.>>

I never did before today.

My impression is just one of Ace having built op a specific image (snark, anger, etc.) and then deciding that all had to be torn down.

If true, my point is the banner for the blog - the one image that designates this particular bit of the internet and its territory - isn't consistent with today's particular change of attitude.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (pqW4Y)

346 Nice work, Ace. Really poignant thoughts.

Posted by: The Other Shoe at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (5S8JD)

347 >> I urge you Ace to not mistake passion in a deeply held view for anger

This is a complete and total misread, and misrepresentation of the concern expressed. And if you are unwilling to go read the facts on the ground, perhaps you should not speculate on today.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (pUqSw)

348 I've stopped reading most political forums because the bile and vitriol just got to be too much. It's not a lot of fun living in an atmosphere of hate.

Let's see if this will be different.

Posted by: trebuchet at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (tNycQ)

349 The Cheerleaders can keep their pointy elbows, as long as we're free to make fun of them.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (L7hol)

350 323
I just replaced a dead wireless router.

I'm not mad. It's just life on life's terms.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 07:28 PM

It is always sad to lose a member of the household, Dave

Posted by: Hal 9000 at June 09, 2012 07:32 PM (Y+DPZ)

351 So, have I missed anything while I was away?? :-) I ceased beingoutraged over politics during the Bush years. I was driving one day when I saw a bumper sticker that said : "If you're not outraged, thenyour not paying attention" and poof my outrage meter broke. Must have been the oozing smugness of the bumper sticker that did it.

Posted by: stillers at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (gVUg0)

352

Um, what am I supposed to do?

Posted by: PMS at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (HOOye)

353 This argument must be coming from the anti social aspergers wing of conservatism. No nuance, artistic license or subtlety allowed apparently Wow.
Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (8MCmv

Don't forget reading comprehension being forbidden as well.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (GULKT)

354 Nevergiveup-

Dear God, no. Born and bred New Orleanian, Saints fan; lived in Nashville, became Predators fan. Sung for the Royals a couple of times, but have never really embraced baseball.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (cxomr)

355 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

And am I really that fucking old?

So it's not just me.

Posted by: Retread at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (joSBv)

356 >>>This argument must be coming from the anti social aspergers wing of conservatism.

I don't like that term, but I was reading a blog recently, actually, DD with Pornstars, which was exploring the question (seriously, not in a mean way) if the people who don't get it do largely suffer from Asperger's, which could account for their bruised feelings. Like, they literally do not understand, and are hurt that they're supposed to.

There are some things that are said here -- like why it's a bad idea to aid a monster on the left with the mission of "putting conservative bloggers out of business" -- that does make me suspect that maybe 10% of the internet commenter population does indeed suffer from some form of Asperger's, and just become very confused (and therefore hurt) when they don't understand.

If anyone feels this way, for real, contact me by email, and I will try to explain in detail what I'm saying, and why.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (aw5Tx)

357 I think the left as a whole is much angrier than the right, but on the net/blogs/twitter, a handful of angry, self righteous so called conservatives go a long way.

I also find a certain small segment of the right completely lacking in social intelligence. Boorish/clumsy/buffoonish...and yeah, angry comes to mind.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (8MCmv)

358 SERENITY NOW!

Posted by: Frank Costanza at June 09, 2012 07:34 PM (oXhc9)

359 Good post Ace. I do think there is disciplined approach: channeling anger into determination (ala TeaParty) vs. screaming tantruming that the left seems to indulge in. And sometimes if anger cannot be channeled it has to be just shut down. I know in meat space moaning and groaning or shouting and screaming in rage does not generally tend to make me feel better that I let off steam but dredges up more angry memories etc.

Posted by: Palerider at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (FYUWS)

360 that blog was DD with pornstars. Not DD with pornstars. which would just be called, "Pornstars."

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (aw5Tx)

361 Heinlein: "There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him."

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (MzQOZ)

362 I don't want to sound like those who over-nuance everything, but I think anger can be an effective tool politically. It's like the race card. When people really bought that every cry of racism was honest, the anger would convince people. "It must really have been awful, otherwise why are people so....mad?" When it's used indiscriminately and repeatedly...well, it loses any meaning at all.

To the same extent, I think anger can really motivate people to investigate an issue they might normally pay no attention to. But if there's no REAL evil there, no serious wrongdoing or malicious intent...then people look at you as a sensitive prick at best, a manipulative liar at worst.

Anger over something actually evil can lead to productive action, outsized anger over a political disagreement just makes you seem like a baby.

That's just my thought, though.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (H4xh0)

363 Dear God, no. Born and bred New Orleanian, Saints fan; lived in Nashville, became Predators fan. Sung for the Royals a couple of times, but have never really embraced baseball.
Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (cxomr)

OK sorry, there was someone with similar initials once who was. If I ever got to New Orleans I owe ya drink or two or three

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (F7GPD)

364 When you get angry, argue and get in people's faces, you're doing what Michelle Obama wants. Just sayin...

Posted by: taylork at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (ppNDn)

365 Shitting is natural. I don't do it publicly.

Why not? We do!

Posted by: Occupoopers at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (ULsh0)

366 **The comments section of this blog is for intelligent conversation, interesting tips, unexplored points, fun snark, bustin' chops, running riffs, inside jokes, sockpuppet gags, making friends, flirting, talk of boobs, and of course praising me, and if you must, even praising the cobloggers.

It is expressly not a forum for rage or running other commenters down (except for trolls, and I do mean trolls, not someone you disagree with).**

I came here in 2005 because of the underwater crab pipe video and I've stuck around in hopes of seeing other underseas denizens get sucked through a 1/4" hole and I hope that I've only been mean to the trolls in the meantime.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (QxSug)

367 Funny thing, reading the start of this post I noticed from the sentence structure that Ace was angry. Angry and writing about anger. I do the same thing when angry, simplistic sentences, double spaced, lots of space. I wanted to say thanks for giving me something to think about, "it is a selfish indulgence to be unhappy, and that it is a moral necessity to be
happy". At the end of the post you did seem to get over your anger, hope it wasn't he valu-rite and please keep providing insights i don't get elsewhere. Pudding and dipping never would have entered my life.

Posted by: mantuaBill at June 09, 2012 07:36 PM (A0xmq)

368 Back at last. I tried to respond on the temp. comment blog but for some reason Wordpress didn't recognize my password. Could not reset, they may have old email add. I am able to logon to other sites with same Wordpress info. It is a Mystery. One additional comment, when I found this site a few years back, I remarked about some of the language used. Faster than obama can walk back a stupid remark, I was told to go elsewhere if the language was too much for me. Well I'm still hereand enjoy reading most of the comments. I try not to respond directly to posters however I wouldlike to say thanksAce keep up the good fight.

Posted by: Buffalobob at June 09, 2012 07:36 PM (/C1mM)

369 I think we are also muddying the line between expressing a thought and doing. It is ok to say "I feel like doing X" or "I wish I could do Y", that isn't actually DOING anything. That is simply an expression of a thought going through someone's head and we ought not attempt to exercise any control over thoughts.

It is not the same as DOING something and to treat it as if it is the same as doing an act is rather insane.

Posted by: crosspatch at June 09, 2012 07:36 PM (ZbLJZ)

370 I hope some slack is afforded Empire of Jeff. When I
first noticed him in the comments, I thought he was a Moby, but I now
get the joke, and he's a hell of a comedic writer, and anger is part of
his schtick.

Posted by: Pastafarian at June 09, 2012 07:29 PM (KC3A2)

Wait, is EOJ banned? He's a borderline comedic genius and that's not a term I use haphazardly. To run him for whatever reason barring a complete loss of sanity is wrong on many levels.

Posted by: Captain Hate at June 09, 2012 07:36 PM (2IfTa)

371 Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoaktW-Lu38

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 07:36 PM (Y+DPZ)

372
>>>>>>I don't like that term, but I was reading a blog recently, actually,
DD with Pornstars, which was exploring the question (seriously, not in a
mean way) if the people who don't get it do largely suffer from
Asperger's,

Fair enough, I just couldn't think of any other tern to get my point across. I guess I'm being both literal and figurative. Mostly referring to the latter.

Perhaps obtuse would be a better word.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (8MCmv)

373 I concur.

Posted by: Enigmaticore at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (rR99T)

374 311 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

And am I really that fucking old?
Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (FUozQ)

I was born in 1960 so I recognize that. It could also be shorthand for Howard Hughes or E. Howard Hunt.

But that knowledge, too, also betrays my age.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (MCDCp)

375 ACK

Posted by: D at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (U5+iw)

376 FYI, about half way the post I thought to myself you should have an Ed Schultz policy; wherein if you'd mock Ed Schultz for saying something similar, then you probably shouldn't post it.

Then you go and mention Ed Schultz. Get out of my head; though perhaps I should get out of your head since you wrote it first.

Posted by: taylork at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (ppNDn)

377 Just so we're all on the same page, Celtics/Heat-related anger falls under the standard Game 7 exception?

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (HethX)

378
So.
Can we have a fuckin' Hockey Thread, already?

Posted by: angry garrett at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (oXhc9)

379 You were reading a blog called DD...with porn stars??

Any nekkidness?

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (Yhu4q)

380 >>>But I didn't say no gun or racism - except to note the Democrat's strong hold on that ugly business since the 1860's.

I certainly did not attend to say that about you -- I'm using one post to respond but then move on to other things. I forget what I said to you -- i think I was just making a general point, or answering a previous question.

I didn't mean to imply that.

Like I just used a response to delta smelt to first respond, then move on to some other matter.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (aw5Tx)

381 Heinlein:An elephant. A mouse built to government specifications.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (MzQOZ)

382 You know how people on the Left call us Nazis? That's not just hyperbole--they actually believe Conservatism and Fascism are the same thing. And they've been raised on stories of "the courageous few" who dared oppose Hitler. That's what they think they're doing. It's why they're so angry and self-righteous. They're the heroes in this here picture. They think they're the last few standing against the gas chambers and ovens. We know that's silly, but they don't. They've been taught to believe this nonsense and they're being manipulated by people with an agenda. I believe we're headed for another civil war.

Posted by: rfichoke at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (Y1c/9)

383 Ace, you didn't understand what I meant, and that means I didn't say it clearly.

I'm a long-time supporter and reader of yours, and I'm 100% behind you on this. In a very small way, I've taken the fight to at least one BK apologist/supporter on another blog. And I've been 100% behind you on most everything.

What I meant was, I did not like the comments being shut down, as they are, in the vast majority, incredibly awesome. But I understood why you did it, and I supported your decision as a necessity. Hell, you made it clear you didn't do it as a happy choice, but a necessity. And you were absolutely right to do so.

Now, the comments are coming back. And I hope like hell you can keep them while addressing your very legitimate concerns.

If you can't, I'll miss them. But I'll understand it.

You have a hell of a community here, as Breitbart himself acknowledged, and I really, really hope it can hold together.

Again, you misunderstood me, and I take full responsibility for that.

Posted by: Jenos Idanian at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (QdMNr)

384 I'm disappointed to find you didn't read the post, including this line:

"I will enable comments for just this post. I imagine some will want to

argue about this. That's fine; that's why I'm enabling comments, so you

can express that, so you can argue back."

*****

But you aren't arguing or debating, you're taunting.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (piMMO)

385 And ace is learning that the disabling of HTML has made the ampersand disappear. He wants the DD to actually be the standard abbreviation for Dungeons and Dragons.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (GULKT)

386 Ace,well bless your heart. The good way.

Posted by: rightlysouthern (aim low boys, they`re ridin shetland ponies) at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (dM5QS)

387 Am I the only one who misses the avatars?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (piMMO)

388
Nailed it, Ace. G.K. Chesterton was once asked, "Whatis wrong with the world?".His response was, "I am". If you do not believe that you are a sinner, and indeed, the first among sinners, then you are lost, and a fool.
That being said, anger is an interesting subject. All anger is not bad, after all, Jesus cleansed the Temple with a rightous fury. And while we are commanded to turn the other cheek, we should be outraged by offenses against others.
Anyway, keep up the good fight, Ace. Don't let the bastards get you down. And most important, keep the snark coming. The left can't stand to be mocked. Mock the fuck out of them.

Posted by: alex at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (OhTTD)

389 374
311 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

And am I really that fucking old?

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (FUozQ)

Herbert Hoover...now get off my fucking lawn

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (Yhu4q)

390 "There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to
pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good
for him."
Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM
-----------------------
Interesting quote if you accidentally read it as "tranny".

Posted by: Lurking Flaneur at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (E108D)

391 Is there a new policy on pantslessness or is it cool to take 'em off now?

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (kpCLl)

392 No worries. But I do feel bad telling him he was an awful terrible hippy.
But I had to.

It's the only way hippies will learn.

Well, except for the garden hose.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (YSyyZ)

393 Sung for the Royals a couple of times, but have never really embraced baseball.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (cxomr)

Yea and whatever happened to the video we were supposed to get to see?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (LoTJ2)

394 Breitbart was pretty angry at the weiner press conference and that worked out pretty well. Sometimes anger IS justified and then its Pretty Awesome. But it is rare, and it does not involve writing in ALL CAPS on a message board.

Posted by: Max Power at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (q177U)

395 Crosspatch the bad thing is, the likes of Brett K treats even snark as real threats. So he immediately runs to the courts to muzzle people. So all the chest thumping from the safety of a keyboard does not help Ace or the likes of Aaron trying to defend themselves against such thugs as the Speedway Bomber who has matched action to words.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (JaB4T)

396 Sung for the Royals a couple of times, but have never really embraced baseball.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (cxomr)

---
Never really embraced baseball??? That's it. I hate you.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (P6QsQ)

397 #311 - We are, indeed, that old.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (mKMj1)

398 >>>It is not the same as DOING something and to treat it as if it is the same as doing an act is rather insane.

we do treat it differently. very differently. DOING it gets you imprisoned for life; TALKING about it gets you banned, permanently, from a blog.

Does this seem like the same treatment to you?

I get the sense you're one of the guys who disagrees vehemently with the most basic rules of civil interaction and public speech.

That's your prerogative, but my policy trumps it, at least here.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (aw5Tx)

399 I should add that it's easy for us to become angry for the same reason. It's hard for me to see what the statists have done to this country over the past 100 years and not be angry. We've been slowly transforming into a police state and we're coming close to the end-game on that. It's particularly infuriating because I don't deal well with people telling me how to live my life, and I expect to see a lot more of that in the coming years.

Posted by: rfichoke at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (Y1c/9)

400 @385: That explains why Ace said he meant "DD with pornstars not DD with pornstars".

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (wllJH)

401 <<sgt. york, your objections are noted. But this is the policy, so, ultimately, you should find a blog that better suits you.>>

Will if you want me to, but I'd rather not because:

1) I Came here in '07 looking for precisely the kind of snark and bullshit-calling anger that you post about political topics and

2) I feel like it's been my (internet political) home since the above-mentioned date for the above-mentioned reasons.

3) stayed because I don't like being anywhere that feels like group mentality. Better to have occasional arguments that sharpen my mentality than live in a groupthink tank and lose perspective.

And I appreciate your noting my "objections" but they weren't objections or even intended as such. Just observations.

As for your policies - specifically the latest one regarding a specific person convicted of crimes in Indiana - please also note that I've followed it. Made the one comment yesterday and stopped after that.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (pqW4Y)

402 H.L. Menken's perfectly reasonable statement beginning with "Every normal man must be tempted at times ... "
That's a trope.
Tropes have limited usefulness and little inherent value.
Remember H. G. Wells and "strangling priests with their own intestines?"
I assume he wasn't even tempted.
He was just spewing. Indulging himself.
No doubt it felt good to do so, at the time.
'Cause he really, REALLY didn't like priests.
So he "righteously" raged, and the like-minded sniggered and nodded.
That's what the Mencken quote was intended to inspire---
A snigger and a nod.
As much as I love Ace and the content of the site---morons included---I
ALWAYS thought the masthead was dumb, at best.
Comic-strippy, a blustering Little Rascals Clubhouse-ish absurdity.
Absurd and IRONIC, since the content belied the masthead.
And H. G. was a pretty good writer, too.

Posted by: Love Ya, Ace at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (wnR7e)

403 Thanks for the nice things ace.

Posted by: sickinmass at June 09, 2012 07:40 PM (bcNec)

404 Speaking of D and D, I've noticed a LOT of strippers are into RPG's. At least, here in Arizona.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (YSyyZ)

405 Just so we're all on the same page, Celtics/Heat-related anger falls under the standard Game 7 exception?
Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (HethX)

As sure as the Heat always smoke

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (F7GPD)

406 There really is food for thought in all this biz about Anger, the Progs and us. I hadn't thought about it until I read thru this thread. For one thing, when I lose my temper, I do poor work. I bend nails, I break shit, I take easy potshots, I resort to lazy and vulgar insults. Plus, I have to work harder. I lose my ability to wait for that small nugget my opponent leaves unprotected, that when pierced, can devastate his entire premise and leave him weeping with impotent rage. More importantly, however, is the basis of anger and how it differs for Progs and us. To be Progressive or Liberal is to be immature and self centered. "Everything is all about me. I have the RIGHT, no, the OBLIGATION to be upset, and by Gawd, everyone owes me the opportunity to publicly and very noisily, fill my diaper!" That is one of the reasons they puzzle us. Thousands upon thousands of petty tyrants, stamping their tiny little feet in anger, pissing their short pants in drill team like order, and waving their slobbery thumbed little fists. All in unison, but each one remaining the petty tyrant; each thinking he is leading the revolution. Yes, we should be angry about things. Not everything. But angry like my dad. (Oh SHIT! Here comes the Belt!) Not angry like the little children that think they are owed the last word.

Posted by: Alaskan Warthog at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (ZISHI)

407 Thanks Ace.

Posted by: chocolatepretzel at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (B7i4w)

408 Just so we're all on the same page, Celtics/Heat-related anger falls under the standard Game 7 exception?
Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:37 PM (HethX)

As sure as the Heat always smoke
Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (F7GPD)

shit that's choke, CHOKE

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (F7GPD)

409 Key distinction that makes all the difference: anger vs. ire.

Only the person who becomes irate without reason, sins. Whoever becomes
irate for a just reason is not guilty. Because, if ire were lacking, the
science of God would not progress, judgments would not be sound, and crimes
would not be repressed.

Further, the person who does not become irate when he has cause to be, sins.
For an unreasonable patience is the hotbed of many vices: it fosters
negligence, and stimulates not only the wicked, but above all the good, to
do wrong.

(St. John Chrysostom Homily XI super Matheum, 1c, nt.7)

Ire may be understood in two ways.

In one way, as a simple movement of the will that inflicts punishment not
through passion, but by virtue of a judgment of the reason: and in this
case, without a doubt, lack of ire is a sin. This is how Chrysostom
understands ire when he says: ‘Ire, when it has a cause, is not ire but
judgment. For properly speaking, ire is a movement of passion. And when a
man is irate with just cause, his ire does not derive from passion. Rather,
it is an act of judgment, not of ire.”

In another way, ire can be understood as a movement of the sensitive
appetite agitated by passion with bodily excitation. This movement is a
necessary sequel in man to the previous movement of his will, since the
lower appetite naturally follows the movement of the higher appetite unless
some obstacle prevents it. Hence the movement of ire in the sensitive
appetite cannot be lacking altogether, unless the movement of the will is
altogether lacking or weak. Consequently, the lack of the passion of ire is
also a vice, as it is the lack of movement in the will to punish according
to the judgment of reason.

(St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae, II, II, q. 158, art.

Posted by: John d'Arc at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (JKshu)

410
"And TinyURL to rule the links again."

Nooo! No tinyurl in the new comments thingy, please. I can never get the hang of it. Something else, anything else is preferable.

Posted by: Decaf at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (1mxP9)

411 my pants are GONE man.

gone.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (pUqSw)

412 Jenos, then I am terribly sorry. I let my anger get a hold of me.

The only thing i can say in my defense is that some people do actually contend this.

That's what led to the shut-down in the first place.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:41 PM (aw5Tx)

413 This is my first post in two years or thereabouts. Way back in the day I was a regular here, along with bbeck, rightwingsparkle, Wicked Pinto, Tushar, Nice Deb, Amish, Bart, brewfan, Mrs. Peeol, the four (or more) Daves, etc., etc. I actually was the person who started the Great Long Bow Discussion Thread (true--check it out if you doubt me). I finally quit when this place became, increasingly, a cesspool of angry, foul-mouthed, unhinged, macho posturing. It had a certain orthodoxy and if you strayed from it you were attacked and vilified in the foulest terms. Lots of key-board commandos talking tough. It became impossible to have an amicable discussion and exchange of views--which, along with the humor, had been an original hallmark of AoSHQ. In the Jared Loughner discussion threat I was attacked by several enraged, tough-talking keyboard commandos, and Ace didn't have my back--even though I was always polite and supportive of him. So, I left. Many of the regulars from the old days have migrated over to H2 The Hostages and Innocent Bystanders; I went elsewhere. Maybe things will get better here. But I'll believe it when I see it.

Posted by: Steve (aka Ed Snate) at June 09, 2012 07:42 PM (LEMIN)

414 And am I really that fucking old?

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (FUozQ)

yes

Posted by: Nelson Rockefeller at June 09, 2012 07:42 PM (Dll6b)

415 FUCK YOU!!!!!!

Just kidding. Glad those of us who took Breitbart's advice can enjoy the blog again.

Posted by: passably affable at June 09, 2012 07:42 PM (t+Vmm)

416 In other words, don't feed the Beta XII-A entity.

Posted by: Scotian at June 09, 2012 07:42 PM (q+QwM)

417 I see what you're saying, despite my quibbles with the whole 'all anger is bad' bit (there is, after all, such a thing as justified anger - see Christ in the temple).

I tend to think of it in the simplistic terms of how a parent gets angry at a child for their misbehavior. Child misbehaves, parent gets angry, parent reacts with the best interest of the child in mind. Child will then either feel shame, or double down on stupid. Cycle begins again.

Some parents react badly in anger, but others react appropriately in anger and it's the latter that I think is both expected and justified.

I'm okay with the right reacting in that way against the left - which is basically just a ginormous collective of misbehaving children for which we have the misfortune of parenting. ;-)

Posted by: tdpwells at June 09, 2012 07:42 PM (7vA7k)

418 Hey, the New Comments Thingy is back! Thanks Ace. You probably don't fully realize how much your efforts mean to so many morons.

Posted by: Cicero at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (qhHI4)

419 reminds me of Hitchens going to a college debate, he wrote that apparently, it's now discourse to simply call your opponent names. It may just be proof that people just aren't that smart and can't really argue beyond personifying objections to content.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (QxSug)

420 Anger is normal and natural and part of our makeup. It's the ability to control the natural anger and act in a logical manner

Posted by: Spock at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (Y+DPZ)

421 “The emotion is not sinful. The misuse of it to hurt and inflict pain is
sinful. To not take responsibility for channeling it in a productive and
beneficial way is the issue. Hurting people is the issue. Not the anger
itself.”
mama winger at June 09, 2012 06:43 PM

This.

Anger is just a feeling like joy, sleepiness, love, grief, satisfaction, sadness, et al. It's what one does with the feeling that defines character, i.e., action.

Ruminating on, feeding anger, and keeping it on the back burner, constantly bubbling away only causes it to turn into poison that infects one's whole being.

Anger is a feeling akin to pain: it's communicating that one needs to pay attention and do something. When one cuts one's finger, one feels pain and needs to apply first aid. One doesn't need to cut off the finger in order to make the pain a moral virtue.

Posted by: Jix at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (VDKgR)

422 Heh. I bet Chris Bosh smokes as much as he chokes. Saw a hilarious picture of him in the stands while recovering. Looked like Snoop Dogg's freakishly tall brother.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (HethX)

423 There is no vice in anger towards Dwayne Wade flopping all over the court like a Mediterranean soccer player

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (LnQhT)

424 And I've been to enough Moron Meetups to know that most of you have enough room for self-improvement to take up all of your nervous energy, anxiety, fear, and anger for the rest of your lives.

These are trying times and they will get more difficult. Your number one prep should be physiologic wellness. That means developing self-control and getting off your ass.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (bI3Cc)

425 Am I the only one who misses the avatars?

You know, Chuckles Johanson had avatars and updings on his state of the art, Ajax-powered blog. Just sayin'

Posted by: Cicero at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (qhHI4)

426 A lot of people can't distinguish between destructive outcomes and destructive intent, though. It's the same reason so many families hate each other. People make mistakes that hurt , and it's just assumed that it must have been intentional. The parents MUST have been abusing me. The kids MUST be taking advantage of their mom. Whatever. And the most basic unit of civilized society becomes distorted and broken homes beget broken countries.

Dennis Miller was saying he reserves hate for those who try to kill the soldiers, which I assume carries to other evil actions committed. But he doesn't hate...Nancy Pelosi. He thinks she's warped, destructive, insane etc. But he doesn't HATE her.

Where is the boundary?

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (H4xh0)

427 Well written post, Ace. What you write makes a lot of sense, that rage is self-defeating, and I really wish I could believe you.

Unfortunately, the evidence suggest that the Left's embrace of unhinged rage was tremendously successful in motivating their political base and taking back first the House and Senate, and finally the Presidency.

The intensity of their rage, combined with their position at the commanding heights of the Media, allowed them to successfully demonize good, though flawed, men like Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Bush.

I wish unhinged rages was a self-defeating tactic. I don't believe the evidence supports that.

It might be self-defeating for many of the individual people engaging in it for reasons you point out. It's tough on the body and mind. But sadly I think it's good for political movements. And I think it's easier on the body and mind when living in a (real, not digital) community of like-minded people who admire and support you. Then it's not rage, but righteous indignation.

I also think right-wing rage helped fuel the Tea Party and helped us take back the House and be on the verge of taking back the Senate and Presidency.

I totally understand why you no longer want to be part of the right-wing rage machine. And I think a decent argument can be made that, due to the Left controlling the media, a rage strategy is much more likely to backfire on the right than on the left. So it's a less effective tactic for us. Our kooks become front page news, while their kooks are able to commit felonies and not have it reported.

Still, I think the reality is that rage, even unhinged rage, is an effective tactic -- just one that you no longer want to partake for entirely valid reasons.

This is why the Left uses young, rage-filled college-aged organizer kids. I've know several personally. Their anger and outrage motivate them to work insanely hard for the cause for years. At some point they burn out. At which point a fresh angry 22 year old takes over. But the burning rage level stays constant.

I wish it weren't so.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 07:45 PM (ZPrif)

428 Let me be clear: I don't know why you don't call it a "New Comments Thingamajig."

Posted by: Kcarab Hussein Amabo at June 09, 2012 07:45 PM (LnQhT)

429 Do us all a favor, ACE. Don't try to be Dennis Prager. Being sardonic and sarcastic is something you do well, and I think it belongs in the in the comments section as well. I'd hate to see fake serenity and plastic happiness rather than cutting wit.

That said, I think the venting is constructive as long as it is kept under control. When something is an outrage, it is worth stating that it is an outrage, or if something is bullshit, it needs to be stated as such. If some tools and jackasses abuse this to start doing on about long rants about violence, that deserves a smackdown.

Posted by: OmegaPaladin at June 09, 2012 07:45 PM (dQX+G)

430 325
I've been reading here for about 3 or 4 years, commenting for maybe one
year or so. Never got the Angry Noisy Guy thing from Ace. I don't even
relate to that statement.

Posted by: mama winger

This was my first blog, way back when. The anger I've seen here has mostly been a few commenters, and most seemed to get over it, given a little time.

Ace got where he is by being funny and acute. Not by being angry. I'm a little confused about where the notion Ace is angry (instead of slightly angsty) is coming from.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:45 PM (mKMj1)

431 There is no vice in anger towards Dwayne Wade flopping all over the court like a Mediterranean soccer player
Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (LnQhT)

And Labron James can take his talents and shove them up....oh wait this gonna be the new me..never mind

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:45 PM (F7GPD)

432

Home again!

Posted by: soothsayer, for your own good at June 09, 2012 07:46 PM (OHhPo)

433 osted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:43 PM (HethX)

How bout KJ and Hondo eh?

Reminds me of when Varatek split the uprights.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:46 PM (8MCmv)

434 New Ace Of Spades Banner

Every normal man must be tempted at times to go get all moderate and squishy and defineitely don't slit any throats.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 07:46 PM (DWgdc)

435 Under the command of Sergeant Bernard Early, four non-commissioned officers, including recently promoted Cpl. York, and thirteen privates were ordered to infiltrate behind the German lines to take out the machine guns. The group worked their way behind the Germans and overran the headquarters of a German unit, capturing a large group of German soldiers who were preparing a counter-attack against the U.S. troops. Early's men were contending with the prisoners when machine gun fire suddenly peppered the area, killing six Americans: Corp. Murray Savage, and Pvts. Maryan E. Dymowski, Ralph E. Weiler, Fred Waring, William Wins and Walter E. Swanson, and wounding three others, Sgt. Early, Corp. William S. Cutting (aka Otis B. Merrithew), and Pvt. Mario Muzzi.

The fire came from German machine guns on the ridge. The loss of the nine put Corporal York in charge of the seven remaining U.S. soldiers, Pvts. Joseph Kornacki, Percy Beardsley, Feodor Sok, Thomas G. Johnson, Michael A. Saccina, Patrick Donohue, and George W. Wills. As his men remained under cover, guarding the prisoners, York worked his way into position to silence the German machine guns. York recalled:

"And those machine guns were spitting fire and cutting down the undergrowth all around me something awful. And the Germans were yelling orders. You never heard such a racket in all of your life. I didn't have time to dodge behind a tree or dive into the brush... As soon as the machine guns opened fire on me, I began to exchange shots with them.

There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharp shooting... All the time I kept yelling at them to come down. I didn't want to kill any more than I had to. But it was they or I. And I was giving them the best I had."

During the assault, six German soldiers in a trench near York charged him with fixed bayonets. York had fired all the rounds in his M1917 Enfield rifle, but drew his .45 Colt automatic pistol and shot all six soldiers before they could reach him.

German First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer, commander of the First Battalion, 120th Landwehr Infantry, emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered in English to surrender the unit to York, who accepted. By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.

Posted by: History at June 09, 2012 07:46 PM (KZi9D)

436 It had to happen eventually, Ace. When ever I get angry, I quickly think of, ( and get in touch with ASAP) a super hot female who is ready to drink some adult beverages and get frisky! a much better use of time I have on this planet.

Posted by: blogforce one at June 09, 2012 07:46 PM (7cXfH)

437 That means developing self-control and getting off your ass.
Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM (bI3Cc)

But I just sat down?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 07:47 PM (F7GPD)

438 "Beware the fury of a patient man."
-- Dryden

Posted by: John Skookum at June 09, 2012 07:47 PM (4Gvu1)

439 Heinlein: Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances
which permit this norm to be exceeded— here and there, now and then—
are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often
condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people.
Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes
happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into
abject poverty.

This is known as "bad luck."

One of my favorites, but a tad long.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:47 PM (MzQOZ)

440
Ace, I think you hit the nail on the head.Rage is a weakness and an indulgence. It is an adolescent way of behaving.
When I became a manI put aside childish things.

Posted by: MarbellaBoy at June 09, 2012 07:47 PM (Gc+3K)

441 413-What happened to Wicked Pinto anyway? I couldn't even agree with that guy without getting in an argument.

Posted by: Alaskan Warthog at June 09, 2012 07:47 PM (ZISHI)

442 I think this may be my first comment here. I'll admit I don't follow AoS regularly, but I stop by when someone says elsewhere "Check out what Ace said! LOL" and provides a link. More often than not, the recommendations are good, and well worth it. Rarely have I ventured into the comments section, but I recognize some nics.

That said, I want to commend Ace for fighting the good fight, keeping this juggernaut of a blog going. These are very strange times indeed, but now is not the time to fill the bathtub with kerosene and light it. I don't know what the hell that means, but I think you get my drift.

Carry on.

Posted by: Bunk X at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (d4E2k)

443 Flatbush, might want to look up the French Revolution. Unhinged rage fueled by hunger certainly caused many Parisian streets to run red with blood. Even Marat and Robspierre got drained of life. Which set the stage for a certain short Corsican to pick up the whole of France and launch wars of conquest across Europe and the Levant/Egypt.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (JaB4T)

444 Well, for what it is worth, I'll watch my tongue. I ain't going to make anything more difficult for Ace or any of the co-bloggers. These risks that are out there are too severe for me to contemplate increasing by intemperate words.

I'll try to stick to bitching about hot sauce, mmo's, and my own failed jokes.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (YSyyZ)

445 Delta Smelt, he's such a boob.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (HethX)

446 Being so irresolute has helped me control my anger. I choose from the menu of lifes choices, in politics too, and I try to not get too far off of the main page and ask for something that I might not really like. I don't want to lean too far over and fall down, as they say. Some items on the menu, war policy, foreign policy as it is politely labled, make me want to throw everyone to the shrieking eels now and then, so I am guilty of anger there. Scrubbing the bathrooms at my local party offices, or whatever other job they might find me qualified to do, will not change the thing that makes me the most angy,except in some fantasy world where The Leader happened to come in to pee and we would get into a conversation where magically I would give him the guts to do what my station will never, ever, allow me to do. So the anger bred of helplessness does jump out onto our kind hosts comments page in those rare instances where war policy is allowed to squeeze to the surface. But, I won't do that any more. Thanks for the lesson on the futility of anger, and the futility of trying to change things that are above ones punching weight, no matter how much we care about them.

Posted by: And Irresolute at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (RC3M9)

447 **Ace got where he is by being funny and acute. Not by being angry. I'm a little confused about where the notion Ace is angry (instead of slightly angsty) is coming from. **

yeah, whut up with that. Who let the guy giving us free content develop human emotions. Oh well, I suppose we'll respect that.

Posted by: joeindc44 says choom on fuckers at June 09, 2012 07:48 PM (QxSug)

448 I know the left hates me for my politics and considers me evil for some odd reason but I just can't return the favor. It is not in me to hate someone for thinking differently. I think for the left this is simple laziness, just call us evil and invalidate every argument we might make, so then you don't have to argue with us. Its stupidity politics liberal style, at the same time I can't stand guys like Sean Hannity, I find that often he leans to much on liberal bad conservative good without explaining why.

Posted by: Drew in MO at June 09, 2012 07:49 PM (w6lum)

449 Ace-

Does this mean that "swearing" and "cursing" isn't allowed on the blog anymore? Just curious.

I think you should make an actual list of things people aren't supposed to do if you don't want them done any longer. It'd be better for everyone that way, no? That way no one can claim they didn't know.

Posted by: Mr. Estrada at June 09, 2012 07:49 PM (a/Pps)

450 Ace, I never post here, just read the articles, and NEVER look at the lesbian porn. Never. Really.

You are trying to do right, and it's your damn house. If people can't keep their damn poop in their pants you have every right to eject them.

I just hope hope you can keep the lights on for the rest of us.

Now lets get back to making fun of the embalming job on Nancy Pelosi.

Posted by: jnials at June 09, 2012 07:49 PM (DFVOm)

451 "Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?"

Dude, I can assure you I'm not him. Or if I was, this place needs to be investigated by one of those 'Ghost' shows you see on cable.

And yes, you are that old...

(laughs)

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 07:49 PM (v+ExF)

452
Is there a new policy on pantslessness or is it cool to take 'em off now?

My pants were never on. It's also shirtless-o'clock.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 07:49 PM (aNu4E)

453 Ace, apology NOT accepted.

As I said, you misunderstood me -- and since I was the one speaking, that means I didn't speak clearly enough. So the error was not yours. You do NOT get to apologize for my fuck-up. Plus, you're the host and I'm the guest -- which means that you, by definition, don't make mistakes.

Accept MY apology, asshole, or I'll ban YOU.

Posted by: Jenos Idanian at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (QdMNr)

454 Interesting about the seepage of "new anger" from left to right. I agree that's lamentable and to be deplored, but agree with others here that concluding "the right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is" is IMO going too far. (But good on you, Ace, for doing something to counteract that.)

For example, one of the worst things about the poisonous atmosphere during the primaries was that in too many cases it was virtually impossible for me to distinguish between genuine conservatives and moby "conservatives." For a while there it seemed like e.g. half of Hot Air commenters were mobys-- and that can't be true, can it? I've always considered myself to have very sharp troll/ moby radar; but it doesn't work as well as it once did.

Part of what's so disorienting is that the worst of the anger from the right lately seemed directed toward others on the right-- e.g. rants against Romney/ GOP establishment/ RINOs more wrathful and apoplectic than any rants against Obama. NB I'm not saying intense criticism and indignation was inappropriate, but the intensity of rage and hostility took me aback. (Anyway a lot of that rage and resentment is to be expected from primary season; it's not so bad now, thank god. Facing a 2nd term of Obama focuses the mind. And it sure helps that the Romney team is hitting back, as it were on our behalf.)

On the other hand, the fact that the left (as opposed to the right) is so big on "mobying" itself as a political tactic, so big on false flag operations, is sort of proof that they have to *manufacture* caricatures of the right wing as unhinged as you'd find, typically and commonly, among the left. (You don't even need to look at political blogs for rabid foaming lefty hate. Some of the worst, ugliest, most vile things I've ever read online were written by apparently ordinary liberal women on a mostly non-political blog, like moms of whatever, hating on Sarah Palin. You'd never see anything comparable to that on the right.)

As others point out, just compare Tea Party and OWS. That about sums it up.

Posted by: lael at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (T6tvG)

455 Losing control is giving control to everybody else.At least that's what I grew up hearing. That's the reason I mainly lurk, I've got a very short fuse and by lurking and keeping my mouth shut, nobody knows how infantile I can be.

Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (MnSla)

456 Oh, forgot this one. Clearly an example of the Ace of Spades Lifestyle.

Heinlein: Geniuses and supergeniuses always make their own rules on sex as on
everything else; they do not accept the monkey customs of their lessers.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (MzQOZ)

457 Serenity Now, Insanity Later.

Seriously, what Ace describes is self discipline and maturity.
Both are, sadly, in short supply in the 21st century.

Hasta Lavista " New Comments Thingy Therapy"

I loved you so...

Posted by: reality check at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (zsgo8)

458 Entropy in action. When a popular site is "edgier" than most, it will eventually draw a certain number of folks who think that, because the line of acceptable behavior is farther out in the wilderness, there actually *is* no line. And once you reach a critical mass of tone deaf saps, they decide you're wrong and they're right, and louse it up for those who know that a line exists.

That's why nothing beautiful lasts. I hope that this current bout of assholetry is survivable, but really, nothing will be quite the same. And when a new normal is reached, it will eventually be transgressed again. Happens over and over again in the netverse.

Sorry to be so down about things, but this site is important to me, lurker that I am. Good luck, Ace! Fight the good fight.

Posted by: RC at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (o44Az)

459 425
Am I the only one who misses the avatars?

You know, Chuckles Johanson had avatars and updings on his state of the art, Ajax-powered blog. Just sayin'

Posted by: Cicero at June 09, 2012 07:44 PM

You think all those bells and whistles that he coded himself have anything to do with the site loading at speeds you measure with a calendar?

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (Y+DPZ)

460 Is it just me or do othersalso see cob loggers instead of co-bloggers.

Posted by: Jack at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (wUFaM)

461 Wonderful thoughtful post, Ace. I am impressed.

Posted by: cheetah at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (zXhtZ)

462 Ace,

Thanks for posting this. I've been reading and commenting on this blog every now and then since 2004. I have a tendency to only comment when I disagree with a post because...well...what's the point otherwise? Rah rah rah? No thanks.

Anyway, I haven't been commenting on here lately—or on any other blogs—because there doesn't seem to be a point anymore regardless. What I mean is that, what is the point or engaging in a political debate when the response you're most likely to get from other commentators is some variation of "Fuck You Troll!"

Don't get me wrong; I don't mind snark and a charged combative atmosphere; but there are witty barbs and rejoinders, and then there is "Fuck You Troll!"

Trolls deserve more refined mockery. As for me, I already went through high school once and I don't need to get another online diploma if you know what I mean.

Posted by: Jason at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (6VB4r)

463 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (Xb3hu)

464 I tend to be a pretty happy guy most of the time but there's one thing I've found recently that really pisses me off and that is-

a car with an Obama 2012 sticker.

Honestly, the instant I see that on someone's car I think- You stupid brainless fucker!!! Fuck you!!!

Yeah, I think the exclamation points too.

I keep thinking I'll see some drooling retard behind the wheel, but in reality they are almost always chunky, ugly middle aged women.

So, Obama's got that vote sewn up.

Anyway, tough to hate on some fat ugly probably lonely broad it just feels like.....piling on.

Posted by: naturalfake at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (G9qZk)

465 Ace

I am another long time reader, rare commenter. I am touched by your patience and diligence. You have provided a rare community for like minded morons to feel at home, even if we have a few crazy relatives.

Posted by: Red in Maine at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (uT5Sb)

466 441
413-What happened to Wicked Pinto anyway

Last I saw, Wicked Pinto can be found at H2 The Hostages or Innocent Bystanders, posting as "Douglas." He was, is, a great guy and I like him a lot. Eccentric, to be sure, but very funny and with a great heart.

Posted by: Steve (aka Ed Snate) at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (LEMIN)

467 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

No, I'd expect "HHH" for that. A friend of mine signs his letters, "HH!" for Heil Hitler. I think he's joking...

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (FcR7P)

468 Pants have always been anathema on AoHSQ.

Posted by: Cicero at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (qhHI4)

469
Good post.

As a (fairly) newcomer to the blog, I haven't really noticed too much hostility in general. Not a lot of anger (real anger, anyways). Sometimes cliquish attacks - but I'm all grown up and could care less if something like that occurs - the problem is, the ones being attacked may not have the same backbone as others.

I'm not a guy, but isn't "beating off" 2x a day the norm? I won't ask how many I'm allowed (it would be like that scene in Toy Story where the kid packs up all his toys in a box, because he's too old for them).

My anecdote for most anything is sunshine. And, if you live near the beach - use it. Even if it's raining, it's beautiful. If no beach, just go outside. Find green. (I'm watching two raccoons snuggled together in the trees just above my backyard deck. They are waiting til dark to do their thing. That keeps me balanced.)

And, exercise every day. Even if it's a 20 minute walk. It changes everything.

I'm sure everything will be fine. 99.9999% of the commenters, here are "fabulous" people, hehe.

But, I still think Ace deserves a pony ;-).

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (HOOye)

470 463 That's allowed right?

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (Xb3hu)

471 448 I know the left hates me for my politics and considers me evil for some odd reason but I just can't return the favor.
------------------------------

"The Left thinks we're evil. We think the Left iswrong." - Dennis Prager

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (Agn5J)

472 <<Where is the boundary?>>

Discussions like today's are what help define that...

...and it will be necessary to have this discussion again at some point.

Boundary can't be rigidly set.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (pqW4Y)

473 Nevergiveup-

No worries. I'm in Royals country now anyway.

Tammy-

I was REALLY unhappy with how I did the anthem here; I had some pitch issues that made me think it wasn't a good idea to post it. When I do my next one, I'll sing it right and put it up.

Mama Winger-

Understood. If it soothes anything, I'm also the only New Orleanian I know who's allergic to crawfish, too.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 07:51 PM (cxomr)

474 "Unfortunately, the evidence suggest that the Left's embrace of unhinged rage was tremendously successful"

I wish.

Posted by: Wisconsin Public Sector Unions at June 09, 2012 07:52 PM (9F2c1)

475 ace:
>> If anyone feels this way, for real, contact me by email, and I will try to explain in detail what I'm saying, and why.

With all due respect, ace, you are not qualified to teach life skill to somebody who's borderline Asperger's (and yes, that's some of what's going on).

I think you feel sorry for them. I get that. But they need help in real life, which cannot be provided here. Banning them from interacting here is probably the best thing you can do for them. They aren't ready, and they need to know that about themselves.

If you try to explain over email, you'll waste a ton of time and effort and accomplish nothing. You aren't qualified.

Posted by: sandy burger at June 09, 2012 07:52 PM (lA8yt)

476 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

If comments get disabled or stifled via registration, I have a nomination for the kinder, gentler motto...

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 07:52 PM (FcR7P)

477 Sorry, you lost me after "boobs".

Mmm... boobs...

Posted by: JohnJ at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (Tt6ky)

478 >>>t the end of the post you did seem to get over your anger, hope it
wasn't he valu-rite and please keep providing insights i don't get
elsewhere. Pudding and dipping never would have entered my life.

i was /am angry.

I have asked a simple question: "Do you want to play games with my safety and security?" and some have answered, "Yes, and we further insist we have that right, and you have no right to deprive us of it."

It's maddening, maddening.

I'm talking about real-life consequence and some people are saying, "But what about my rights to say what I want in a blog's comment area?"

Oh I'm sorry. I guess for some crazy reason I was treating those as less serious than my own concerns.

I should have treated them as superior. My bad, my bad.

But this what this post is about: People have decided to stop treating their anger as indulgence, and now treat it as if it's their central political identity, and to restrain it is to strip them of their political rights.

I seethe, therefore I am.

You know, I've gotta tell you this: I've heard a lot of complaints by outside people who read the comments, and speak about how nicely the comments go, until... some guy with emotional problems decides to do some Blog Therapy.

This crap is of interest of no one, and I mean no one, but the speaker himself.

I hate Twitter because so much of it is "Just got a fro-yo!" "OOoh, stubbed my toe! Hurts!"

Crap that is just basically about your negative emotional state?

No different than "Oooh, stubbed my toe! Hurts!"

Boring as twitter. No one gives a shit. There's no information there, there's no interesting angle; it's just a reiteration that someone's angry, and he thinks this is worthy of noting publicly.

Who cares? Who gives a fuck?

I didn't care when @JurzeyGurl2012 stubbed her toe; why do I care that Angry Guy is really angry and thinks guns are a solution?

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (aw5Tx)

479 Hate is a wonderful part of sports, because it's not usually serious. It's faux anger. I don't REALLY hate Packer fans, it's just part of the fun of being a Bears fan. Rivalries have a lot of angry words ...but it's not really anger. It's just fun.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (H4xh0)

480
"because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally
calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next
redesign.As is said, "This is why we can't have nice things.""

I hope that was sarcasm. But if not, Mencken has a metric ton of righteous and totally appropriate bon mots to use.

Posted by: Beth at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (kBxk7)

481
I think Ace is saying we should be happy warriors.

Posted by: soothsayer, for your own good at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (xIzGn)

482 Great post, my man!

You know what else anger affects? Reading comprehension.

Posted by: Fritz at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (ZN5qR)

483 I am angry and I am afraid.
I'm angry at all the members of the 3 branches of my government that took a pledge to protect America by holding to the Constitution and don't live by that pledge.
I'm angry at all the Right Wing Elites that never stand up and fight back when one of our own are attacked.
It used to make me angery to be called vile names for my political beliefs, both in the public square and on the tube.
I'm angry at each and every Obama supporter.
I'm afraid I won't be able to save and pass down to my grandchildren a little bit of the freedom I took for granted.
I channel my anger and fear buy sending packages to the troops. Did you know our troops need fly traps? Fly traps!!
I donate to the Right for the first time in my life. I tell myself it is the best investment I can make.
I've quit email Congress.
I've quit ranting on the net. Not one mind was changed by a single thing I typed.
Thanks for the site Ace.
God Bless.

Posted by: Pecos, at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (2Gb0y)

484 My naturalk state is largely depressive too,usually covered with humor.Dark humor mostly,but humor.Obama has made me worse and I blow off steam here and in other places.I don't think I'm too much of a downer,I try to keep it humorous.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (Xb3hu)

485 Anger is for losers. The side that is winning on points keeps calm and smiles.

Posted by: Buck O'Fama at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (xSwZB)

486 Petulant Pony #ObamaHorseNames

Fore! Score #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (piMMO)

487 I wonder if when we talk about anger here, we're really talking about rage, which is sometimes fueled by anger, but sometimes, it's just performance art. And like most performance art, it is only appreciated by the artist.

I figured out in my early 30s (so I'm slow. sue me.) that I enjoyed rage far too much. I think it was around the time I stopped all conversation at a party by shouting at a guy "shut the fuck up you commie cocksucker!"

Rage is an indulgence. And as Ace suggested, it is tantamount to shitting in public.

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (FUozQ)

488 <<By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men
marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. His actions
silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the
328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.

Posted by: History>>

Bit of useless trivia. Alvin York is/was a distant cousin of mine...

...hence my handle.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (pqW4Y)

489 I have no idea what this is even about.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (DGIjM)

490 Going Down Town #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (piMMO)

491 [Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?]

It's Hubert Horatio Humphrey, HHH.

Posted by: davidt at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (0SL6O)

492 Ever watch Ed Schultz and his red-faced raging? Does he seem
attractive, even to people who lean to the left? Does it seem likely
his impotent fury is gathering supporters beneath his flag?

I think he looks hawt.

Posted by: Keef Olbermann at June 09, 2012 07:56 PM (qhHI4)

493 "Who cares? Who gives a fuck?" - Ace

Well, I guess that answers my question then.

Posted by: Mr. Estrada at June 09, 2012 07:56 PM (a/Pps)

494
That's just my thought, though.
Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 07:35 PM (H4xh0)
=======

Anger is a good motivator - but it's how you choose to channel it that is the issue here.

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 07:56 PM (HOOye)

495 BTW Ace, the whole Blog as Therapy for Idiots thing? Wordpress (.org or .com) makes it a whole lot easier to control that kind of thing. There are a whole lot of us who would be happy to help if you should ever decide to move this moronblog to its own home or wordpress.com.

Posted by: Beth at June 09, 2012 07:56 PM (kBxk7)

496 What are these "pants" everyone keeps referring to?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at June 09, 2012 07:56 PM (d0Tfm)

497 I just got a book deal for my memoir, which is about how unchecked anger utterly destroyed my life and ruined my health. The book will come out in the fall, I believe.

When it's about to be published, I'll contact Ace and send him a copy. Maybe he'll want to review it, or maybe he'll just like to read it. I've made it as funny as possible, even though my anger did indeed cost me just about everything, including three careers and the love of my life.

The next-to-last chapter is titled Lessons Learned. In it, I disagree with the advice "Fake it until you can make it," because the opposite is also true: "If you fake it, it can take you."

Pretending to be anything can change you, the way the reporter posing as a mental patient in the movie Shock Corridor goes genuinely insane. Being in any milieu can make you a different person, whether it be hanging out with disgusting rock stars and actors or being a conservative blogger and trying to associate intimately with people who are fundamentally different from you.

Here's some unsolicited advice from Lessons Learned, for Ace, because I sense that he's still headed for disappointment, trying desperately to communicate with people who will--under no circumstances--accept what he has to say:

Lost Lemurs Should Keep Moving

I was always tortured by my seemingly insurmountable talent for not fitting in anywhere and being able to kill conversations with anybody, whether millionaire musicians, managers, publicist, editors, military historians, or homeless crazies. Then I saw a TV documentary about lemurs that explained everything.

The documentary was filmed on Madagascar or some other locale teeming with lemurs. There were so many lemurs, in fact, that they’d evolved into entirely different species, each with its own distinct culture. There was one segment that explained my life in about twenty-five seconds: One lemur from one species got separated from his tribe or clan and wandered into the territory of another species of lemur. Terrified, the lost lemur tried to interact with these stranger lemurs, using all the gestures and vocalizations of his own species, but the different lemurs had no idea what this lunatic was doing. The different lemurs just stared blankly until the lost lemur gave up and huddled on the ground in total confusion and despair.

The mistake I made my entire life was trying to fit in with the wrong species of lemur. Unlike the lost lemur in that documentary, though, I’m no longer huddled in confused despair, waiting for the reactions of others.

I may never find my species, tribe, or clan. But that’s no reason to give up and become consumed by impotent rage. It isn’t the fault of the different lemurs; they’re only doing what they were programmed to do. Alien gestures and incomprehensible sounds are just upsetting to them. A lost lemur needs to recognize that he’s wasting his time and get the hell out, the faster the better for everyone.

Posted by: Llarry at June 09, 2012 07:57 PM (BrIHJ)

498 460
Is it just me or do othersalso see cob loggers instead of co-bloggers.

Posted by: Jack

Yep. I always assumed it was deliberate, after the first mistaken typo, which caused much hilarity and obscene commentary.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 07:57 PM (mKMj1)

499 you know one thing that's to be avoided?

Gang attacks, now that someone above brings up 'cliquish attacks."

I used to get those when I was on another forum, and I have to tell you, it really makes you feel surrounded and picked on and really generates hostility.

just something to keep in mind, the fact that ganging up, joining a discussion in progress to jump on someone, is really going to set that person off.

I got a complaint on twitter from a media-type person not about what I said per se but that my tweet set off a chain-reaction of gang-tweets, and he was really pissy about it.

I did understand (but I still think he was being a dick-- my tweet wasn't bad).

Anyway just keep that psychology in mind. If you must join a heated discussion in progress, especially if it's really an Outnumbered and Outgunned situation, it's better to say "I support [this guy]" rather than jump on the person who's already outnumbered and probably getting pretty angry.

That's not so much a rule as a guide to good etiquette. I know that Outnumbered situation just makes people super-duper angry.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 07:57 PM (aw5Tx)

500 Yay!!!!!

Posted by: poljunkie at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (XuiJf)

501 If I ever have a big famous nationally recognized blog widely referenced around the internets by conservative movers and shakers, my masthead is going to contain a decidedly non-theological quote from the great writer and Christian thinker, G.K. Chesterton:

"It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."

And anyone who doesn't like it can go pound sand.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (P6QsQ)

502
Morons, hit the tip jar!
Ace, thanks for all you do.

Posted by: Dennis at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (sb8LP)

503 Bit of useless trivia. Alvin York is/was a distant cousin of mine...

...hence my handle.
Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (pqW4Y)

Not so useless you don't co-opt it, eh?

Posted by: History at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (KZi9D)

504 351 So, have I missed anything while I was away?? :-) I ceased beingoutraged over politics during the Bush years. I was driving one day when I saw a bumper sticker that said : "If you're not outraged, thenyour not paying attention" and poof my outrage meter broke. Must have been the oozing smugness of the bumper sticker that did it.
Posted by: stillers at June 09, 2012 07:33 PM (gVUg0)

LOLOL I saw that bumpersticker on the back of a Volvo (CT tags) that passed us so close cutting in and out of traffic on 95N (during the Bush years) that it actually set off the bumper sonar. A grizzled grey haired woman was driving one-handed and shouting into a cell phone, while she continued to slice in and out of minuscule gaps, disappearing into the distance in short order.
I can still see her grit teeth flashing as her jaw pumped vigorously, way too close to my window.

Posted by: barbarausa at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (WWeoI)

505 >>>Delta Smelt, he's such a boob.

Yeah I know, but he's my favorite Mass pol for obvious reasons. He should team up with Biden.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 07:58 PM (8MCmv)

506 heh

Posted by: Ayers at June 09, 2012 07:59 PM (A+aqz)

507
"Your eyes are filled with hate..41..that's good, hate keeps a man alive, it gives him strengh".

"And the moment he died I felt the sword slip from my hand".

Posted by: deepred at June 09, 2012 07:59 PM (ef1qd)

508 Hey, Ace said we could still talk about boobs. I'm down to post #340 and I have not seen one mention of boobs. Can't we at least have a gratuitious cheerleader pic?

Posted by: Hammer at June 09, 2012 07:59 PM (5buGz)

509
480 "because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.As is said, "This is why we can't have nice things.""

I hope that was sarcasm. But if not, Mencken has a metric ton of righteous and totally appropriate bon mots to use.

Posted by: Beth at June 09, 2012 07:53 PM (kBxk7)

I doubt it is sarcasm. It seems like every time ace has had to go and do one of the "Knock that shit off" posts some idiot shows up and goes 'bust you have the slitting throats quote at the top of your page!!!!" And he has previously talked about taking it off, because apparently the ability to read and comprehend is something some people really just are not capable of doing.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:59 PM (GULKT)

510 497 The ONLY place there are Lemurs is Madagascar.HeHe.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (Xb3hu)

511 <i>And once you reach a critical mass of tone deaf saps, they decide
you're wrong and they're right, and louse it up for those who know that a
line exists.</i>

That is exactly what happened at Townhall. I used to lurk here and read the posts every day, but did all my commenting at Townhall.

They required registration and a password but the trolls still wound up taking over. They would get around banning simply by reregistering under a different username and different e-mail account.

We would wind up with 400 comments in the popular columns like Ann Coulter, but only a few of the comments would be on topic with the rest nothing more than back and forth with the troll. hat is why I disagree so much with troll bashing.

I finally gave up on Townhall and started commenting here. I thought I would miss the columns but I don't. Ace and the cobloggers write better posts than their "professional" columnists. And I no longer even read Ann Coulter's stuff. She has become repetitious and has lost her sense of humor.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (YdQQY)

512 "The Left thinks we're evil. We think the Left is wrong." - Dennis Prager

And that's a huge advantage for the Left.

If people think you are a decent person, but wrong, they'll still listen to you.

But if they think you are evil they won't give you the time of day.

Demonization, unfortunately, works.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (ZPrif)

513 Keep it going steevy... I laugh every time I see you post it and it helps to laugh...

Posted by: Yip in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (Mrdk1)

514 Watching the Nina Conti videos. She is funny and very yummy.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (aNu4E)

515 460
Is it just me or do othersalso see cob loggers instead of co-bloggers.

Posted by: Jack at June 09, 2012 07:50 PM (wUFaM)
nope, not just you.

Posted by: trailortrash at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (xllDV)

516 >>>With all due respect, ace, you are not qualified to teach life skill to
somebody who's borderline Asperger's (and yes, that's some of what's
going on).

good lord I had nothing so ambitious in mind. I just meant that I would explain what I'm saying in sharper detail than I feel comfortable doing in public.

Like breaking it down to very specific rules.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (aw5Tx)

517 Boobs?

Posted by: Bildo at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (eToum)

518 From now on Ace will be into candles, soft music, and horse tranquilizers.

Posted by: taylork at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (ppNDn)

519 Lemurs are RINOs.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (HethX)

520 Wonderful post.

Righteous indignation is one thing; rage is something else altogether.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 09, 2012 08:01 PM (C8mVl)

521 beth (and other word-press urgers),

Pixy said the new site should be ready for testing monday.

So hopefully we won't need that.

The site will have registration, which will reduce the administrative burdens of patrolling for trolls and abusive stuff.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:01 PM (aw5Tx)

522 @498: "cob loggers" is a varient of the classic "cow orkers".

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 08:01 PM (wllJH)

523 Mean Girls on E! Channel

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (piMMO)

524 "Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey" ?"

It took me a while, but I suspect that the commenter "HH" is a neo-Nazi of some sort ... "Heil H ....".

Another indicator is that H is the 8th letter of the alphabet, so, substituting --> "88", the premier German WW2 tank gun and anti-tank gun ...

... in other words, "HH" has the intellectual capacity of a 14 year old model builder-and-painter ...

Posted by: Arbalest at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (dZPwM)

525 518
From now on Ace will be into candles, soft music, and horse tranquilizers.

Posted by: taylork at June 09, 2012 08:00 PM (ppNDn)
Lets keep AlGore and his chakras out of this ok??

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (JaB4T)

526 467 "No, I'd expect "HHH" for that"

But even then, because of the roided up WWF goon:

If you immediately saw HHH and thought Humphrey, you might feel that you're old

Posted by: Kcarab Hussein Amabo at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (LnQhT)

527 You asked for it; cheerleader pic.

http://is.gd/UnWm1O

and yes is SFW

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (YdQQY)

528 The answer is aromatherapy, Ace.

Posted by: garrett at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (2oXa7)

529 Regardless of whether it's due to Asperger's or asshole-ishness, now that there is a hyperlitigious sociopath on the loose, I think you
just need to ban immediately and let the devil take the hindmost.

You have had the patience of Job for years with many of us, Ace.

Nor have you ever struck me as too angry or as anything other than funny as hell, insightful and someone I'd love to hang out with.

You have built the greatest place on the intertubes, gathered around you a crowd of awesome cobloggers and drawn some of the craziest, most hysterically brilliant Morons in the world.

Don't sell yourself short, and don't let anyone else dictate what you feel like doing on your own god damned blog, for God's sweet sake.

Also, you need to unplug now and then, in case I haven't mentioned that more than 400 times lately.

Finally, could I get some clarification on crude?

I have been trying to be better over the last several months, but I have been away from my husband for almost 5 weeks, and I fear the crudeness is building back up. Been avoiding the ONT so as not to get out of hand, but this place is like crack, man......

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (LoTJ2)

530 Minor, partial arguments. Hopefully reasoned.

1) The duty to good cheer, part 1. Some people take this to a pathological level. Everything in moderation. Anger (not rage) can be a corrective impulse (also in moderation).

I have noticed (and will someday write a long boring screed that no one will read) that particularly on the left the belief in this duty has warped into a denial of consequences - people talk a lot about "what should be rather than what is," and often without much consideration for how to get from what should be to what is. They just act as if "should be" is "is," regardless of the facts.

Like, for example, the belief that government spending is always stimulatory. It's destructive.

I know that's a little bit of a tangent, but I think it comes from separating intentions and presentation from what's actually happening. The Japanese have a concept of different levels of truth, considered true, but delivered in different social conditions - one of the versions posits a "truth that's really true" versus the "truth you tell others." We all do that, to an extent, but IMHO the somewhat pathological Japanese version of that (from my limited observation) is at or near an unhealthy level.

So, try to be happy, but don't get into the denial-of-reality thing. Not healthy.

2) Same subject - whenever I can manage it I like to reward the good rather than gripe about the bad. Yeah, I know, I don't manage it often enough. But I'd rather praise someone who's always cheerful than scold someone who's grumpy - odds are, they'll just be grumpier after that.

I've apologized for being grumpy at times, I've had a real crappy day for the last two and a half years. I also try to cheer people up when I can, sorry when I don't manage it.

But that this is some selfishly indulgent failure on my part and I'm letting everyone down - yeah, well, my civic duty has limits, sorry.

3) Same subject - SOme of the Ettes in particular have occasionally provided lessons for those who never did pick up on traditional social cues, one of which is "be a dick, not an asshole" (in the context of women and jerky men).

This is an almost impossibly fine distinction for some people, and I think it's a part of the problem we're having. My reaction (IRL) is generally to just not be either (and fat lot of good that does me), but some people either can't tell the difference or just have oppositional-defiant disorder or something.

I don't even think that really enters into happiness / unhappiness territory, it's like some mild Tourettes thing. (Is that even a spectrum disorder?)

4) Anger is addictive. Any strong emotion can be addictive. Some people can cope with addictive substances (like alcohol) and some cannot. If you cannot, you need to learn to abstain, or you will burn yourself up (and others around you).

Also, one thing the internet did that is an enormous mixed bag is allowing like-minded people to get together pretty much whenever they want. This goes for angry people. And especially in groups, this "defines deviancy down." I mean, for crying out loud, look at YouTube comments. Or don't if you have a family history of brain hemorrhages.

While the internet is not to blame, it has played a big part in ramping up the over-emotional aspect to people's behavior in general. As has the entertainment industry - I discovered recently that a lot of new TV shows are ramping emotional content up to maudlin levels - I saw one episode of the "Alcatraz" show and everyone was emoting so hard it was like being beaten with cudgels.

*ahem*

Oh, wait, that *was* a long, boring screed that no one will read. I can check that item off my list, then.

TL;DR version: Everything in moderation, be happy if you can but don't lie to yourself, anger is not rage, positive reinforcement is nice, strong emotions are addictive, TV sucks.

Still too long, I'll work on that in my next life.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (bxiXv)

531 Good shit as always Ace.

I can't believe I read the whole fucking thing.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (SivFj)

532 Pixy said the new site should be ready for testing monday.

Will the chicks finally get shirts?

Posted by: Cyn at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (WyR2K)

533 An example from my own recent past: During the recent flight of SpaceX's Dragon, there was a roughly two-week period where I literally thought about nothing else. I was totally immersed in that mission. I especially didn't think about politics; in fact, I found myself unable to comment on political blogs because I simply didn't have anything to say.

During that time period, I was deliriously happy. It was partly because the flight was so spectacularly successful, but also because I wasn't thinking about politics.

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this. I realize that not everybody cares about spaceflight (I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around that), and anyway, Dragon flights aren't going on constantly. I guess what I'm saying is that obsessing over politics doesn't engender happiness.

In recent years, we've gotten to the point that no sooner than one election is over, we're already talking and thinking about the next one. I guess it's partly because of the 24/7 news cycle, and also because of the outsized role that government plays in our everyday lives. But obsession with politics is practically un-American. Our forefathers didn't let it rule their lives to this extent.

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (sdi6R)

534 <<I have asked a simple question: "Do you want to play games with my
safety and security?" and some have answered, "Yes, and we further
insist we have that right, and you have no right to deprive us of it.">>

Ace, I trust you don't number me among them.

I may think Dick Dastardly is a complete bastard for what he's done but I don't want him to tie you to the railroad tracks, or even give him the ability/ammunition to do so.

And I understand you don't want to be the Penelope Pitstsop in all this because others have actually been hit by the train...

It is only that a short while back you expressed your own anger/disgust with Dick. And said you did not want to be silent any more because cowards die a thousand deaths. I get that you're afraid, and understandably so, because it doesn't feel like the law is on your side, when it clearly should be.

I won't do anything to put you in an untenable position...

...but sometimes, and particularly in reference to Dick, I've felt a helpless rage that caused me to express it in ways I genuinely thought were careful and unprovoking of Dastardly's attentions.

I am genuinely sorry if anything I said in that regard made you feel otherwise.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (pqW4Y)

535 This kills the blog.

The ENTIRE LEFT wants access to REAL NAMES. So they can track us down and fucking SWAT US.

And you're fucking helping them, asshole. Thanks for nothing pal.

What a moron.

Cheers, ace.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (sEXZ/)

536 491
[Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?]

It's Hubert Horatio Humphrey, HHH.

Posted by: davidt at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (0SL6O)

I thought Humbert Humbert.

Posted by: cthulhu at June 09, 2012 08:04 PM (kaalw)

537 "“nuke em till they glow and then shoot 'em in the dark”"

I suppose -that- can't be the motto, hrrmp.

Nor "I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

Hum.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 08:04 PM (MzQOZ)

538 So then, should we go disable all of that Wordpress stuff that we opted into when we posted earlier today on Andy's comments thingy?

Posted by: And Irresolute at June 09, 2012 08:04 PM (RC3M9)

539
All rage, all the time, in today's politics.
Tried to warn ya a few years ago, but you folks went ballistic. Name calling and all...
New Criterion. "Future Tense X; The Fourth Revolution" June 7, 2012. Sez what I was sayin' a long time ago.
See also: "The Rise of Extremism" by yers truly.
Ace (finally) has a better clue than most, these days...and it's notjustfear for himself or his family.
If we don't cool our jets, we're headed for a place that is not full of happy, happy, joy, joy.

Posted by: Warren Bonesteel at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (WwR1j)

540 >> which will reduce the administrative burdens of patrolling for trolls and abusive stuff.

Which lately has become a collosal pain in the ass and yes, you dicks, I'm talking to you.

Not the 98% of commenters I love.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (pUqSw)

541 "Heinlein: Geniuses and supergeniuses always make their own rules on sex as on everything else; they do not accept the monkey customs of their lessers."

Absolutely!!!

Posted by: Roman Polanski at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (C8mVl)

542 The site will have registration, which will reduce the administrative burdens of patrolling for trolls and abusive stuff.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:01 PM (aw5Tx)

Ace if you need some more voluntary troll busters I will volunteer for that. I am here almost all days except I have one more week of afternoon trips to "the city" for wife's radiation treatments. But other than that, I am available.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (YdQQY)

543 I wish I had used obtuse because I don't think the vast vast majority of this Mencken silliness or any of the other stuff is due to aspergers.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (8MCmv)

544 #535, what?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (JaB4T)

545 @483 agreed!

Welcome back, Ace!

Posted by: Rondinellamamma at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (53riN)

546 Ace,

You do a hell of a job here - you, your co-bloggers and Pixy (who does work magic in keeping this running). This is your "house"... we are your guests. If one of us does something that brings discredit on you, then you have the right to ban us (just like if one of us took a dump in the punchbowl or puked on the carpet in your home). I know that there has been a few times that I thought I may see the fury of the ban hammer myself - thankfully you and the other mods have gone easy on me.

I, too have been dealing with depression... there are days that I wish things would turn around in my life and look up for me. It's hard to deal with some days, but I make it through each one with a special someone that has been in my life for a short period of time. I hope that you have someone for you...

The issues with BK and his "friends" have many in the blogshpere on edge... they feel that they can rewrite history and go after those that only want the truth to be put out for all to see. They are willing to use any means necessary to go after those that they see as being a threat to them - we have seen that with a few people already.

Ace - do what you feel is best for you and your "sanity". You are one of the best out there - and this is one of the smartest military blogs I've ever read!

Posted by: Mjölnir the banhammer at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (Jls4P)

547 I dont comment as much as the rest of you, but I do manage to post a few each day. Im not nearly as witty as most of you. You make me laugh ( out loud), and once in a while, cry.
I read daily- hourly, and have for at least 5 years. One of best on the web. Thanks Ace!!!

Posted by: poljunkie at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (XuiJf)

548 You don't need Krell technology to become a Monster from the Id.

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living.... at June 09, 2012 08:05 PM (IXclT)

549 <<Bit of useless trivia. Alvin York is/was a distant cousin of mine...

...hence my handle.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 07:54 PM (pqW4Y)

Not so useless you don't co-opt it, eh?

Posted by: History>>

...at every opportunity, sir.

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (pqW4Y)

550 New header idea: "Every normal man must be tempted at times to talc his palms, raise the Gadsden flag, and insist politely yet firmly that he not be stepped on." - Bizarro L. Mencken

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (bxiXv)

551 Reading is a skill. It's not a common one, though.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (H4xh0)

552 Ace, never forget that commenters are like the guy who comes to your house that drops fliers for roof repair or carpet cleaning:

-They should be happy that you let them drop the flier in the first place
-Most of the time, what they leave is just trash
-You do them a favor when you read what they leave behind
-If you're home and you answer the door, you are going out of your way if you talk to them
-They don't have a right to be on your property, and
-Much of the time, they're really there to case the place for burglary

In short, you don't owe anyone anything. This is your place. Don't forget it. And if it gets to the point where you are even sweating kicking out individuals or shutting the door entirely, you've let it go to far.

There's a strange thing that happens sometimes on blogs where commenters feel they are entitled to something, and the blogger goes along with it because it benefits him that they think so. But in the end, it always ends in the same place--heavily restricted commenting policy. That is the natural equilibrium between blogger and commenter.

Personally, if I ran a blog, I'd require potential commenters to email me a copy of their passport (sorry, you're chump-ass Montana ID is worthless) and make a $50 security deposit. Anything short of that is generous.

Posted by: Nessuno at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (nNrx9)

553 It's Hubert Horatio Humphrey, HHH.

Posted by: davidt at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (0SL6O)

Or Hubert Horatio Hornblower according to Jimmah Carter

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (HTfrC)

554 >>>Well, I guess that answers my question then.

just noting something someone mentioned to me on this issue, unprompted: he didn't just find the darker, angrier stuff off-putting, he found it *boring.*

In his words: "Who cares that you're expressing the seventy millionth 'rope, tree, some assembly required' comment? Whose world did you think you were going to rock with that?"

In a case like that, you have to bear in mind that the Value Added is absolutely zero-- like, who hasn't heard that over adn over again? -- and then you take away from it the Value Subtracted of it being uncomfortable and creepy, and the question is: "Why was that posted? To what end?"

The only answer is that someone just wanted to say something. So the comment exists for an audience, really, of one.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (aw5Tx)

555 Well, glad to see that Ace is back to his 2,000+ word posts. I was getting a little concerned about the brevity of his recent works.

It's just not the same blog if you don't have to miss work or class to read it.

Posted by: Arms Merchant at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (+XVQe)

556 What an unexpected and pleasant surprise! Hooray! Comments!

Though... I take great exception to your hurtful 'bookworm' comment. I recently purchased a pair of Howard Leight Impact Sport power muffs for range-time. Cancels out the high-decibel noise, while amplifying the quiet.

Is there an allegory there? You've got Time Enough at Last, to ponder.

Posted by: Henry Bemis at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (i42rm)

557
523 Mean Girls on E! Channel
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:02 PM (piMMO)

Yeah but Without a Paddle is on Comedy Central. "Dude you can totally see her 'downstairs'"

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:06 PM (GULKT)

558 for A)'>the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
--James 1:20

Posted by: 29Victor at June 09, 2012 08:07 PM (ES9R7)

559 "because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign."
Awe please don't do that. The slogan about slitting throats along with the skull and crossbones makes this place sound like a hangout for pirates. So awesomely cool. I think we lose big time when we give up on our sense of humor and our political incorrectness. Hang onto those qualities at all costs!

Posted by: cheetah at June 09, 2012 08:07 PM (zXhtZ)

560 Incredibly hypocritical tripe from someone who refuses to reveal HIS real name.

Tell you what ACE, I'll reveal my real name the moment you do.

Nice blog-suicide you're committing.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (sEXZ/)

561 Ace, I know I am late to the party here, but I really enjoy your site. Thanks.

Posted by: Harry at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (YWOFY)

562 I guess the rule should be: If something's boring and trivial and trite, it should also be completely inoffensive.

There's nothing wrong with the boring trivial and trite -- hell, that's 99% of the internet!! -- but if it is boring trivial and trite, don't try to amp it up with something that actually subtracts value. That just makes it worse.

Obviously "SCOAMF" gets a pass.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (aw5Tx)

563 Congress getting stone cold serious about SWATTING! http://tinyurl.com/792y4bc

Posted by: sonnyspats at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (Qr9Rc)

564 Dark Lord, that is an epic rewrite of the Mencken quote! And I loved your screed, too!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (LoTJ2)

565 I sure hope this means your site isn't going down. I couldn't handle another two days of just reading hotair.com

Posted by: Tbag at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (u5ozF)

566 I can't listen to Buck and McCarver,but mostly McCarver.Dare I say,I hate him?

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:09 PM (Xb3hu)

567 Apparently I'm not so used to this again that I don't accidentally make a serious post in a sockpuppet

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 08:09 PM (LnQhT)

568 You know what I find useful? I type out the enraged comment, complete with exclamation points eleventy and then delete the fuck out of that shit. It's a variant of the write the letter/email and don't send it for 24 hours thing. You get to vent but then you get to know that the only one who saw that insane shit you just wrote is you. Most of the benefits of venting none of the oh dear lord the universe read that drawbacks.

That's not to say I haven't made comments I wish I could take back later but still. There are many many many things I've deleted and have been incredibly happy that I did.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:09 PM (yTtpr)

569 Going Down Town #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 07:55 PM (piMMO)

Doing Just Fine #ObamaHorseNamesBut I think he came in last.

Posted by: Retread at June 09, 2012 08:10 PM (joSBv)

570 Is it just me or did Buck just out himself and his love affair with Troy Aikman?

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 08:10 PM (LnQhT)

571 It's maddening, maddening.
========

I learned a long time ago to walk away from the bad people. They exist.

Seriously, push them out of your life, and don't look back.

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 08:10 PM (HOOye)

572 Ace you have my complete support.

No, seriously. Gimme back my jockstrap....

Posted by: Darth Chipmunk at June 09, 2012 08:10 PM (4tnQK)

573 Um, I'm just here to meet girls.

Posted by: eman at June 09, 2012 08:10 PM (6KkLK)

574 I stuck a lint roller up under my arm today when the boss handed me a piece of paper. I finished with the paper, and grabbed the lint roller. It yanked out armpit hair and bits of tender upper arm flesh.
I'm remorseful to admit I had a pretty nasty anger spell just then.

Posted by: Bildo at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (eToum)

575 Police arrested a University of Georgia professor on prostitution charges Thursday after he allegedly arranged a meeting with an undercover detective, MyFoxAtlanta.com reported.
Gwinnett police said Max Reinhart, 65, who teaches German music and literature at the university, was dressed as a woman and used the name "Sasha" to set up the meeting.

Do we have any commentators named Sasha here who has not been heard from in the last 24 hours?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (F7GPD)

576 "The site will have registration, which will reduce the administrative burdens of patrolling for trolls and abusive stuff."

So, lemme get this straight: You want me to give Google - donors ONLY to Democrats - my real name?

Fuck is wrong with you, pal?

This is the Charles Johnson-ing of this once great website.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (sEXZ/)

577 I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this. I realize that not everybody cares about spaceflight (I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around that),

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (sdi6R)

I get both sides of this. I have dreamed of getting off this rock since I was a small child, and it occupies a surprising amount of my thoughts.

But I didn't dream of moving small satellites around and occasionally resupplying a compromise-design low-orbit space station that handles some basic science stuff but otherwise doesn't make much news.

Maybe I'm jaded, but there you are. I was hoping for at least a moonbase by now, gathering materials and starting construction of interplanetary craft.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (bxiXv)

578

Oh, and I think Captain Hate should get a waiver.

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (HOOye)

579 A sizable portion of the population are some combination of dumb, ignorant, emotionally traumatized or malformed, incapable of introspection, tribal in the wrong contexts (like online pretend relationships), closeminded, unhealthy to the point of creating malfunctioning brains, and completely captured by self delusion or any number of fixations.

This blog just needs away to weed out those people and allow the 3% of us leftover to talk amongst ourselves.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (Y5Zv1)

580 Nevergiveup, I think Brunhilde has sung though billed as Sasha...

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (JaB4T)

581 I think a good rule of thumb would be to pretend you are in a mixed social setting....a bar/house party whatever. Some good friends are there, but aalso some friendly acquaintances/ work people/ both genders, and a few people you haven't met.

You should feel comfortable to let loose a little bit, but still feel some pressure to adhere to social graces.

IOW, no revolution bullshit and when the dude hosting says thats enough, be a sport and indulge him.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (8MCmv)

582 HH: Yeah, I know, but seeing that nick (and instinctively interpreting it as Hubert Humphrey) on your comments on the temp wordpress site earlier lent a certain ironic humor to them. I'll miss that.

And yeah, I also know I'm that fucking old. Christ, why does everybody keep reminding me?!

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (FUozQ)

583 I can't listen to Buck and McCarver,but mostly McCarver.Dare I say,I hate him?
Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:09 PM (Xb3hu)

And for the last time I don't like the guy and I wish he would forget my name and lose my number

Posted by: Bob Gibson at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (F7GPD)

584 I used to be on a forum where people would get worked up about stuff I said all the time. Eventually, it just made me deliberately start to bait them. That's not one of my nicer moments...but fuck it, they were sensitive assholes.

Later in life, I just decided that losers aren't worth my time. Don't try to change them, get the fuck away from them. You'll be happier for it.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (H4xh0)

585 And having met (and played poker with) HH, he's a very gracious host and a really nice guy.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (cxomr)

586 I haven't waded into the comments on most posts, because the 4% of people who are just fucking assholes bore me.

So I miss out on the 96% of people I care about.
Makes me sad/angry

I lose, because of a couple of internet dicks.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (pUqSw)

587 Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (sEXZ/)

Awww I think someguy is upset that ace has been punching down too much. And apparently has no clue that that registration does not usually require you to give your name.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (GULKT)

588 You know who's angry? This guy, because ESPN crowds the NBA broadcast with Obama ads from pre-game to wrap up. (I know,they're perfectly legit ad buys, but still, angry...)

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (HethX)

589 Well, Ace, I think the evening's first candidate for banning has arrived.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (piMMO)

590 If I may add some constructive criticism about a certain issue.

It's about Curious and I write this with my utmost sincerity. Troll or not, pain in the ass or not, the comments directed at Curious make YOU look bad.

Would you ever talk like that to a real person? I don't believe any of you would. It is beneath you and you wouldnt lower. lower yourselves to that level.

at the end of the day these comments dont mean a hill of beans - it's all just idle chatter.

So take a breath before you get angry over a few words on the internet that can only bother you if you allow it.

Posted by: soothsayer, for your own good at June 09, 2012 08:14 PM (Y4TdB)

591 #589, you don't mean.... gasp ... the one who can't read?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 08:14 PM (JaB4T)

592 Anger not possible in cool soothing Lace Wig.

Posted by: Lace Wigs at June 09, 2012 08:14 PM (IoNBC)

593 Meh,I use my real name on Twitter and I don't mind using it here.(I used Twitter to post on AceDark anyway)

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:14 PM (Xb3hu)

594
Bold as Love
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2avdlpq

Posted by: Jimi Hendrix at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (2oXa7)

595 I want to second what Dave said, and thank the Trollbusters.

99% of dumb shit I don't even see because the Trollbusters eliminate it, like phantoms of love.

But why should they work so hard?

This is what I mean about value added and value subtracted. If you have a team of Trollbusters taking time out of THEIR days to delete your comments, you are costing far, far more than you are adding, so why do we need you?

Every time the trollbusters zap something (and they zap more than I even know) I have two thoughts: Gratitude, and guilt. Because they're volunteering for my benefit. For my benefit, they're taking time out of their day to do this.

But why should they?

And this is what is going to cause the bannings: Not an LGF political purge, but a simple decision that if you're costing more than you're adding, you're not needed.

I mean, obviously.

There are a few commenters, and only a few, that the Trollbusters have to watch when they post. Do these people realize the efforts others are putting in, cleaning up after them?

I mean people like Barbarian, for example. Everytime he posts, people have to watch him.

Why? Why should we spend our goddamned time on such nonsense? Why should anyone work to keep his general right to post here intact, when he's the one putting that right to risk by his own choice?

Shit like that is when I really get annoyed at this purported "right" to post.

I couldn't run this site, so big, without the free moderation of the Trollbusters.

But why should they be impressed into this service?

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (aw5Tx)

596 A future thread on Moe Rons ranting about some trivial pet peeve kind of thing they "hate" could be fun.

I think I would start with soccer. Angry Smelt would be on full display.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (8MCmv)

597
I generally just read and rarely post. And I don't know exactly what went down last night, but I did read the BK piece, and if people were doing what I think they were doing, then they were being dangerous and counter-productive.
I don't always agree with the opinions here, but I think it is one of the best conservative sites on the web, and to have it endangered by people being idiots would be a terrible blow. Therefore, if some changes had to be made, that's regrettable, but not as regrettable as the alternative.
Keep up the good work, ace.

Posted by: T at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (D3kCG)

598 535
This kills the blog.

The ENTIRE LEFT wants access to REAL NAMES. So they can track us down and fucking SWAT US.

And you're fucking helping them, asshole. Thanks for nothing pal.

What a moron.

Cheers, ace.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (sEXZ/)
That attitude is precisely why this whole situation came about in the first place. I'm sure you'll be greatly missed.

Posted by: StPatrick_TN at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (lJJMb)

599 589, thank you. He needs to get on with the former part of his nic already.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (LoTJ2)

600 I've registered at blogs before and never been asked to give my real name, just an email address.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (P6QsQ)

601 Leading From Behind #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: Anger In The Rye at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (AzwZn)

602 Oh, and I think Captain Hate should get a waiver.

*****

Captain Hate, EOJ, and (sometimes)Buzzion remind me of a local burger joint where the schtick is to insult customers from the time the walk into the door until they leave.

People pay good money for that.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (piMMO)

603 Dunno what happened here, but... I was on a fishing trip all last week, with no posting possible, so... it wasn't me.

Polls looked pretty gud last week. Sky Queen (a/k/a McCaskill) is SOOO toasty!

Posted by: mnw at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (DFPWd)

604 (Rolls eyes at 560 from behind sunglasses.)

Dennis Prager's advice on happiness was a life-changer for me. Heck, it probably saved my life after my divorce.

This is Ace's blog, folks. Ace's rules. With all due respect, if you don't like it, then no one's forcing you to hang around. (Hope that's not out of bounds, Ace. Delete this part if it is.)

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (A2LXE)

605 Registration will pretty much destroy the blog as you will never
get the lurker or the drive by commenter.

Most blogs that have registration, what's the word, suck.

Damn shame, damn shame.

I'd post over at Goldsteins blog but I don't have a fucking thesaurus nor a
degree in etymology or linguistics.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (DWgdc)

606 @568

+10

Done that more than once.

Posted by: John Galt at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (9NQ6I)

607 "Former" You keep using that word. I do not think you know what it means.

Posted by: Indigo Montoya at June 09, 2012 08:17 PM (0SL6O)

608 So, lemme get this straight: You want me to give Google - donors ONLY to Democrats - my real name?

I share his concern, but not his attitude. In the end, though, Google probably already has us pegged due to the ubiquity of the search bar, gmail, and their DNS servers.

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 08:17 PM (FcR7P)

609 >>A sizable portion of the population are some combination of dumb,
ignorant, emotionally traumatized or malformed, incapable of
introspection, tribal in the wrong contexts (like online pretend
relationships), closeminded, unhealthy to the point of creating
malfunctioning brains, and completely captured by self delusion or any
number of fixations.

Uh-oh. I'm sorry.

Here's some boobies.
http://is.gd/gCsErE

Posted by: HeatherRadish at June 09, 2012 08:17 PM (hO8IJ)

610 "sighs"

Those are my initials.

And no, I'm not Hugh Hewitt.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 08:17 PM (v+ExF)

611 600 I've registered at blogs before and never been asked to give my real name, just an email address.
Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:16 PM (P6QsQ)

Plenty of people here know my real name or at least enough information to figure it out.

Posted by: Bob Gibson at June 09, 2012 08:18 PM (F7GPD)

612 A ways up the thread someone mentioned Obama bumper stickers. I have seen two (so far) Prius's here in Anchorage, with anti-Obama bumper stickers. Damn, I love AK! Even the Prius drivers hate him...and...if you lose the Prius driving crowd...

And thanks, Steve. Glad WP is still with us, I was afraid he just up and popped one day.

Posted by: Alaskan Warthog at June 09, 2012 08:18 PM (ZISHI)

613
588 You know who's angry? This guy, because ESPN crowds the NBA broadcast with Obama ads from pre-game to wrap up. (I know,they're perfectly legit ad buys, but still, angry...)
Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (HethX)

Don't be sure of that. I thought I saw a few weeks ago a news blurb about televisions being upset that they might have to publish how much they sold the ad time for a political ad for.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:18 PM (GULKT)

614 Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:03 PM (sEXZ/)

You should demand a refund.

Posted by: Not Drinking Nearly Enough at June 09, 2012 08:18 PM (HtUdo)

615 So take a breath before you get angry over a few words on the internet that can only bother you if you allow it.
Posted by: soothsayer, for your own good at June 09, 2012 08:14 PM (Y4TdB)

Despite the fact that they Enormously And Completely And With Bells On brought it on themselves, I have tried to slow down the Must Taunt Trolls Club, with pretty much zero success.

When it becomes All About The Troll, it's pretty much time to go, just because nothing interesting is said after that point.

LukewarmAir has the same problem, in spades.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:18 PM (bxiXv)

616 Anyway, comment away. I have attempted to scrub some of the first-draft angry talk out of this, but I probably missed some. For that, I apologize in advance.

There's a difference right there. When drafting your thread post, you have time to look it over and say to yourself "whoa, you mad bro?"

Commenting is quick reaction, responding while you're still pissed without looking at it again. I've noticed a large gap in your temper between the Ace who writes and the Ace who comments.

Don't feel a need to react immediately, give it a minute if someone really pisses you off. Takes a lot less time than taking it back

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (Y+DPZ)

617 I can't help my fuckin' idiotic self.

Posted by: Not-quite-former reader...soon I promise! at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (KZi9D)

618 Uh-oh. I'm sorry.

Here's some boobies.
http://is.gd/gCsErE

*****

I busted out laughing because I know what that is without even opening it!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (piMMO)

619 O/T

Who am I supposed to be cheering for in this hockey game?

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (P6QsQ)

620 "You murderer!"

"You deserve to die!"

By Day 2 he figured out what was going on: T-Mobile had given him the phone number formerly used by George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who fatally shot Trayvon Martin in February.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (e8kgV)

621 533- " I guess what I'm saying is that obsessing over politics doesn't engender happiness. "

I love your comment. It's healthy to take a break from politics from time to time. Above all, it's important to keep things in perspective, sub specie aeternitatis, as the old monks would say, from the eye of all eternity.

Humor (which this blog has in abundance) also helps.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (C8mVl)

622 As somebody who doesn't post here anymore, I'm going to totally post here a lot saying how I won't post here anymore.

Posted by: former denizen at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (bxiXv)

623 Shit. Ace we need an automatic Sock Off switch

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (F7GPD)

624 That should be television channels*

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (GULKT)

625 >>>So, lemme get this straight: You want me to give Google - donors ONLY to Democrats - my real name?

who mentioned google? It's our own list.

But anyway, yeah, for simple administrative purposes, we're going to get rid of the frequently-problematic posters so that the Trollbusters don't have to sit there watching their every move.

At some point you either prove you're trustworthy or you're not trustworthy.

Personal responsibility, actions have consequences, etc.

Now I expect I'll hear a lot of jazz about your "right" to post whatever you like.

I disagree.

You can't name a single large media comments area or blog comments area that grants you that right. Not one. I don't know why people keep insisting on something that plainly does not exist, and never has.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (aw5Tx)

626 Time to switch from beer to "Cherry Garcia" ice cream or should I have another before making the palate adjustment? There's no going back.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (HethX)

627 Wow, less than two and already 600 comments. Must've been some pent-up urges finally being released.

I seldom comment, but this is my favorite blog to read. Thanks for all the hard work; too bad a couple of your party guests pooped on your rug

Appreciate the advice about anger. It's something I need to work on in my personal life.

Keep blogging. Stay safe. Congratulations on your award, even if you can't accept it

Posted by: john1v6 at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (uOv3U)

628 And yeah, I also know I'm that fucking old. Christ, why does everybody keep reminding me?!

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 08:12 PM (FUozQ)

because we're old!!!!!!!! Wanna go to Surf City? ( there's two girls, two girls, two girls for every booooooooooooooooooooy !!!

Posted by: Jan & Dean at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (Dll6b)

629 IOW, no revolution bullshit and when the dude hosting says thats enough, be a sport and indulge him.

One of the things I don't get is that ace's sandbox, ace's rules isn't really a horribly difficult concept.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (pUqSw)

I am still getting ragehugged next time I make it to a meetup right?

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (yTtpr)

630 There's a post on this over at http://legalinsurrection.com/ with a cartoon saying "Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Fuckwad" or something like that.

Posted by: jonsten at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (fVgpT)

631 Thank you for all you do, Ace.

(slinking back into lurkerdom)

Posted by: Dinah Lord at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (46UXb)

632 T-Mobile had given him the phone number formerly used by George Zimmerman,

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 09, 2012 08:19 PM (e8kgV)

That's pretty much what I feel like every time I get a new cell number. RING RING RING RING!

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (bxiXv)

633 Less than two *hours*, that is. [facepalm]

Posted by: john1v6 at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (uOv3U)

634 I will admit back when I first commented here the Iraq war was raging and Black Five along with other mil blogs were regularly linked to I figured if anyone ever dreamed of harming the staff or Ace himself it could never stand. Plus the banner but there were some bona fide bad asses that came through here, that is military people. The reality is yes people died for our freedom of speech. I do think this assault here on the home front needs to be addressed with the only thing that ever works against tyrants which is a backbone! Buck up dude!!!

Posted by: sonnyspats at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (Qr9Rc)

635 But why should they?

Because I can't make a difference on my own. You can. But if I can help you make a difference, then, by implication, I will have made a difference.

So no guilt, bro.

Posted by: rdbrewer at June 09, 2012 08:21 PM (Iyg03)

636 I am still getting ragehugged next time I make it to a meetup right?
Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:20 PM (yTtpr)

Is *that* what the kids are calling it these days?

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 08:23 PM (bxiXv)

637 Woah....this thread has filled up since I left.

Haven't read upthread yet....but, Ace....I think that all you need to post as far as 'Rules', is....

"Don't post any stupid shit that could get me sued."

Posted by: wheatie at June 09, 2012 08:23 PM (eFqqI)

638 Time to switch from beer to "Cherry Garcia" ice cream or should I have
another before making the palate adjustment? There's no going back.

I drink Guinness. It goes with everything, especially chocolate.

Posted by: Not Drinking Nearly Enough at June 09, 2012 08:23 PM (HtUdo)

639 >>>Registration will pretty much destroy the blog as you will never
get the lurker or the drive by commenter.

Why on earth would I want drive-by commenters?

And lurkers can always register, by emailing me, and saying, "Hey, I'd like to comment."

Silliness.

I think the comments will be better than ever.

I really think these complaints come from those who think they'll be de-registered.

Well, if you're thinking that, there's probably a good reason for that.

And rather than asking "Why should I be banned?," maybe you should ask it in this way, "What am I doing that causes people to wish to ban me? Should I cease this?"

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:23 PM (aw5Tx)

640 T-Mobile had given him the phone number formerly used by George Zimmerman,

I feel for the guy. When I moved to SC I got stuck with the biggest deadbeat in the world's phone number. Almost two years later I get collection agencies calling me.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:23 PM (8MCmv)

641 I consider politics almost inherently unhealthy. But I also think of it as something adults have a responsibility to engage in. Fighting back against leftist rage and demonization is thankless, difficult, bad for your health and unpleasant -- but it has to be done.

It's like how corporate lawyers tend to be depressives cause they spend all day assuming the worst, assuming promises are lies, and planning for worst case scenarios and when today's trusted partner sues you for all you're worth tomorrow. It fosters a negative and unhealthy view of humanity. But it still needs to be done.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (ZPrif)

642 I've always known that unhinged anger is really a weakness.That's why,when I do indulge in it,it's in private.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (Xb3hu)

643 Regal Poseur #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: Anger In The Rye at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (AzwZn)

644 Ace - well done.

Posted by: Journolist at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (IBi+g)

645 I'd like to walk back my previous anger. The only reason I was angry is because I'm old and penile...errr senile. I'd like to apologize to the administration and let them know I'm behind them 100%. Now please don't put me infront of one of the death panels.

Posted by: Bill_Clinton at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (dhz9q)

646 Ace-

Please tell me I can still sock tools like I am in this post?

Champion Capua

Posted by: Not-quite-former reader...soon I promise! at June 09, 2012 08:24 PM (KZi9D)

647 How many of you who have stayed in touch with Morons and Moronettes who haven't been around lately hear them say they left because of Ace and the cobloggers, and how many say they left because of the behavior of other commenters?

The ones I've spoken to point overwhelmingly to the latter

It was the nasty behavior of a fellow commenter who drove off our favorite possessor of souls, Rum

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (Y+DPZ)

648 Hey ace, how will sock puppet work?

I know that's the biggest concern for the legit commenters.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (8MCmv)

649 565 I sure hope this means your site isn't going down. I couldn't handle another two days of just reading hotair.com
Posted by: Tbag at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (u5ozF)
===

hehe, my backup is wz

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (HOOye)

650 @Ace (+ coBloggers)

We love ya. Really.

Please give fair warning if you are gonna go all LGF on us though.

Funny thing on that, I hadn't read AoS before that much, apart from Charles linking things. After I and many others were tossed; for pointing out stupidity, in a nice manner as it turns out, to Charles; I started reading ... and I immediately saw what his blog could have been.

No comparison, and I'm not seriously worried about a hard left turn from this place. There are too many intelligent and thoughtful people around to let this happen.

LGF is effectively dead, and apart from this post I haven't thought about it in months, though I used to be a daily visitor. AoS is vibrant, alive, full of snark. This is good. I hope this won't change.

Posted by: John Galt at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (9NQ6I)

651 Oh, ATC's idea works great. Vent it all out on a piece of paper somewhere, and then just rip it up or put it away somewhere.

This is why musicians make songs that are never put out. Not everything needs to be for public consumption, some things are private. And I'm extremely guilty of doing this myself. I once released a song I wrote online that involved torture of someone I harbored resentment for...and they eventually heard it. Needless to say, we never resolved the issue.

So yeah, write the shit down to YOURSELF.Props to Alex.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (H4xh0)

652 He said it is a selfish indulgence to be unhappy, and that it is a moral necessity to be happy and cheerful.

Not for yourself, he clarified-- for others. For the sake of others in our lives, we should project good cheer and warm spirits, even if we do not exactly feel that inside.

I so agree and from watching the Duggars, this is absolutely one of the principles they raise their kids with, and why they are all so good natured.

Posted by: Auntie Doodles at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (N1hZp)

653 Last week I was caressing an extremely large pair of boobs and they were perfectly formed and identical to boot.

I wanted to maximize my boob manipulation so I propped myself up on my elbow in what is the first move, as everyone knows, in the "Fetzer Cross".

Move two - placing my weight on my off hand in order to assume the "Panther Position" caused me to roll my right knee in the little known "Brumsky Maneuver". Forgetting that I had laid my skull-and-crossbones butane lighter with the integrated compass at my side, I accidentally torched my full moon and wolves bedspread.

Would the anger that followed have been justified? That comforter was cherry.

Posted by: Anal Bum cover for Elton at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (86Dac)

654 Well I'll pile on.

I don't have enough hours in the day (obviously. I post infrequently)

I resent having to waste my time cutting out stupid comments.
I'm talking about the 1%, not the 99%, I love the 99% a lot and this place is good and fun because of you.

But you one-percenters can kiss my big white Texas ass, way up where it's brown.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (pUqSw)

655 FWIW, I thought going to Disqus registered blogging at volokh.com would cause me to comment a lot less there. In fact, it did the opposite. First, it allowed me to track replies to my comments (which I suddenly felt compelled to answer), but it also screened out a lot of the trash making commenting more pleasant since you're not trolled half the time, which I assume is the point of doing it there and here.

This is maybe my 5th ever post on ace, although I've lurked for years. I expect if ace went to something like Disqus, I, and people like me, would comment more, while others obviously would comment less. It won't be blogging "death" like some of the hyperventilators have been saying here.

Posted by: Nessuno at June 09, 2012 08:25 PM (nNrx9)

656 I have been reading this blog almost since it's inception. It is my favorite blog. I brag about the place to my friends even. I have posted about this place at other venues. I have even said Ace is the best blog writer ever. I don't comment here because the place is in fact very insular. The commentators and the head mistress here think of the place as a "home". An internet home. I find that silly as fuck, but that's just my opinion.
I came here for the anger, because there is not enough on our side. I enjoyed Ace's anger. Now what? Dennis Prager who I find to be one of the most egotistical, self absorbed, astounded by his own brillance idiots on the radio is now the new standard? Jesus. Fantastic

Posted by: Kingk9 at June 09, 2012 08:26 PM (asRl5)

657 Sarah Jessica Parker #ObamaHorseNames

(I can't believe nobody thought of that before).

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 08:27 PM (wllJH)

658 Well crap, I missed the whole thing...

Posted by: TimB52 at June 09, 2012 08:27 PM (K0oMt)

659 <<I resent having to waste my time cutting out stupid comments.

I'm talking about the 1%, not the 99%, I love the 99% a lot and this place is good and fun because of you.>>

Terrific...this is now about the 99% vs. the 1%.

OCCUPY...something...

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 08:27 PM (pqW4Y)

660 Tell you what ACE, I'll reveal my real name the moment you do.
Nice blog-suicide you're committing.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:08 PM (sEXZ/)

Ace has to worry about psychos like you, that's why he prefers to remain anonymous. I inadvertantlyposted my FB link on the black out pagebut I don't really give a shit because I'm a nobody.

Are you so fucking important that your identity has to be concealed? No? Didn't think so.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (SivFj)

661 >>>>But you one-percenters can kiss my big white Texas ass, way up where it's brown.

So many snarking possibilities with that one. In the spirit of happiness and inclusion, I'm leaving it alone.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (8MCmv)

662 There's a post on this over at http://legalinsurrection.com/ with a
cartoon saying "Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Fuckwad" or
something like that.

That's a comic from Penny Arcade. The John Gabriel Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory.

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (aNu4E)

663 It is good to be back on the kinder, gentler House of Spades(Ace)!

Posted by: redgrains at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (TExGL)

664 >> I am still getting ragehugged next time I make it to a meetup right?

Brace yourself toots. You won't even know what hit you, even when it's happenin.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (pUqSw)

665 I got a new phone # once which must have been owned by a very "friendly" girl with low standards cause I immediately started getting late night booty calls on my answering machine from strange dudes telling me they were out of prison and really looking forward to seeing me.

Changed that # the next week.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:28 PM (ZPrif)

666 He jests at scars that never felt a wound

Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 2

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 08:29 PM (Y+DPZ)

667 Ace, this is brilliant. Thank you.

I'm going to go off and do some humble self-reflection now.

Posted by: elizabethe at June 09, 2012 08:29 PM (4cwPD)

668 Anger is the little black dress of the left, it never goes out of style. How's about WE stick to our blue pin stripe suits and red power ties, K?

Posted by: Jr at June 09, 2012 08:29 PM (uzbYw)

669 'I doubt that even Barack Obama can save us from our anger now.'

O please.

'It became apparent some weeks ago when the president talked on the
stump—where else?—about an essay by a fellow who said spending growth is
actually lower than that of previous presidents. This was startling to a
lot of people, who looked into it and found the man had left out most
spending from 2009, the first year of Mr. Obama’s presidency. People
sneered: The president was deliberately using a misleading argument to
paint a false picture! But you know, why would he go out there waving an
article that could immediately be debunked? Maybe because he thought it
was true. That’s more alarming, isn’t it, the idea that he
knows so little about the effects of his own economic program that he
thinks he really is a low spender.'

It's becoming increasing obvious that Barack Obama couldn't cut his way out of a diversely-colored paper bag.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 09, 2012 08:29 PM (e8kgV)

670 Why on earth would I want drive-by commenters?

No shit. That is what starts half the asshattery around here. That and people drunk typing which is just plain stupid.

Good for you Ace

Posted by: momma at June 09, 2012 08:30 PM (sYijI)

671 This will be my 3rd post today as I poke my head out of my lurking bunker..

Outstanding advice. Anger in short bursts is necessary, but if we hold on to and embrace it, we just become miserable SOBs.

I've seen it in myself at times. And I agree it is time to let most of it go. Besides it is a lot easier to make cogent arguments and make the liberal progressives look... bad.

Posted by: neomom99 at June 09, 2012 08:30 PM (9TTOe)

672 RING RING RING RING!

You rang?

Posted by: Banana Phone at June 09, 2012 08:30 PM (i42rm)

673 The writer, Stanley Kurtz, is an arch critic of Obama, and unearthed his New Party membership this week.

His reference was sarcastic.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:30 PM (aw5Tx)

674 Sarah Jessica Parker #ObamaHorseNames

(I can't believe nobody thought of that before).

****

HA! Me either!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:30 PM (piMMO)

675 and I knew that would be misunderstood but I had to keep it because the next sentence flowed directly from that thought.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:31 PM (aw5Tx)

676 That and people drunk typing which is just plain stupid.

Say what?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:31 PM (F7GPD)

677 @665: I had a similar experience when I got my first cell in '98. Except the shock in the guys' voices when a guy answered cracked me up so hard I never requested a different number and the calls stopped pretty quickly.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 08:31 PM (wllJH)

678 Charlie Crist is going on dial-a-date with Jim McGreevy. Who knew?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:31 PM (MCDCp)

679 612 And thanks, Steve. Glad WP is still with us, I was afraid he just up and popped one day.

Alaskan Warthog --

Yeah, a while back I thought the same thing, so I went looking for him over at H2. Posted a query in one of the threads asking after him. Was told his moniker (Douglas) and given an email address. We subsequently exchanged greetings, caught up a bit with each other. I had wanted to thank him for helping me with a book I wrote about the USMC. He didn't know he had helped me(!) but he did, and I wanted him to know that. I was worried about him, especially after he dropped out of sight at AoSHQ. In the AoS threads he wore his heart on his sleeve and it seemed to me that he was on a dangerous, and self-destructive, trajectory. But, happily, he appears to have gotten back on track and is improving. I think that's why he changed to "Douglas"--to reflect the positive changes has worked to achieve. And Douglas, if you are reading this: hope you're doing well, my friend!

Posted by: Steve (aka Ed Snate) at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (LEMIN)

680 Shit like that is when I really get annoyed at this purported "right" to post.I couldn't run this site, so big, without the free moderation of the Trollbusters.But why should they be impressed into this service?
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:15 PM (aw5Tx) ===============================================
This is why I think arrogance is as much of the problem as anger. I haven't posted for a while and I never posted that often. But I noticed on here, and other blogs, most of the posters who sound so angry are also arrogant. They belittle as well as rant and refuse to debate.

Posted by: Deanna at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (Kxuk6)

681 Like I tell my wife when she's angry and yelling at me: "Ya know, hon, not every thought needs to be verbally expressed!"

Posted by: jonsten at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (fVgpT)

682 I'm perpetually irritated and with my current PMS I'm horrifically belligerent. If I can control that then anybody should be able to control themselves. I actually think there are alcohol problems when someone is inappropriately commenting. Maybe a drunk puzzle instead of registration?

Posted by: Dagny at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (WCAIB)

683 So, lemme get this straight: You want me to give Google - donors ONLY to Democrats - my real name?

Fuck is wrong with you, pal?

This is the Charles Johnson-ing of this once great website.

Posted by: formerreader at June 09, 2012 08:11 PM (sEXZ/)

Sigh. This constant comparison to Charles Johnson and LGF really irritates me. Yeah yeah blog fascism is constantly descending on AoSHQ yet somehow it always seems to show up at LGF and blogs on the left.

If you can't see the difference between how this site is run and LGF, then you've got some emotional issues that need to be dealt with and/or you're simply too stupid to understand what it takes to run a blog and maintain an online community.

Posted by: Mætenloch at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (VDusq)

684 What happened to Rum? I wasn't here for that. I DID wonder where she went to, but she's disappeared before so I didn't really worry about it.

She e-yelled at me once, but I thought she was nice.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 08:33 PM (H4xh0)

685 ... and by the way, while you were out .. that fellow in the White House .. you know that guy named Barack Hussein Obama (all praises to Allah) told us ...

'The private sector is doing fine.'

How would he know. He's never worked in the private sector.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 09, 2012 08:33 PM (e8kgV)

686 I figured if I kept reading there would be a movie review in there somewhere!

Posted by: dfbaskwill at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (ndlFj)

687 Please, please, please, please, please allow sock-puppets of some sort.

With registration, since the blog owners know who's behind the sock puppet, you could even get rid of the hashes. It would be fine if the post were marked as being a sock-puppet post; it's obvious anyhow. Please try to keep the fine are of sock-puppetry alive.

Posted by: sandy burger at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (lA8yt)

688
In acknowledging their crappy behavior, the Left at best will say something like "we all have to be more civil."

I would call on all of us to seriously think about the sentiments in the above essay by Ace; it is the right words at the right time. And when I say "us" I do not include the Left. I want the statists to lose, and to the extent that they act like screeching children, and substitute self-indulgence for action, and we don't, it gives us an advantage. Ironically,a large majorityof them will be better off in the long run if they lose.

The SWAT-ers and wagers of lawfare have done their damage while in a calm collected state, your will note.

The crap from Jimmahlast nightabouturging all theswirlingforces of darkness to attack him in his Fuherbunker (complete with name, address and phone #) is typical dead-end behavior of a depressed and despondent male who has stopped giving a shit. "Sure, my life sucks, why the hell not?"and you pick a fight. It is a sign of weakness and desperation, and the possiblity of sinking into that state exists within us all.

Say Jimmah, you can have your Viking funeral if you want. I'm sure you'll find a way.The dishonorable part is involving other people who have told you they don't want to be involved. That part is notabout what you thinkof Ace. It's about what you think of yourself.

Posted by: Wm T Sherman at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (8hBZi)

689 Ace, Thanks for a great blog. This place has drawn amazing people-brilliant, funny, caring, perverse, and wonderful. But as others have said, far more eloquently, this is your house. Do what you have to do. I will pray for you and yours daily, that you stay safe, and reach more people with the conservative message. And if I made inappropriate comments, I am really sorry. Please forgive me, and I will try to write in a way that edifies, and doesn't tear down.

Posted by: moki at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (dZmFh)

690 >>>'ve registered at blogs before and never been asked to give my real name, just an email address.

yeah I don't know what he's getting this from. I think he's just making up some reason to object.

In any event, it's not like you could POSSIBLY get a gmail account with a fake name!

I find it hard to take constructive criticism from a guy announcing himself as "formerreader."

I think that ship has already sailed, no?

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (aw5Tx)

691 Like I tell my wife when she's angry and yelling at me: "Ya know, hon, not every thought needs to be verbally expressed!"
Posted by: jonsten at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (fVgpT)

Ya got a small johnson ha?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (F7GPD)

692 @682

A Fetzer Cross might help.

Posted by: Anal Bum cover for Elton at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (86Dac)

693 it's not the "anger" so much as it is the insistence *by a very few* people that I be angry all the time.

Well, I won't. Sorry. It isn't good for me and it's a downer besides and I choose not to be. I have a zillion reasons to be content and feel blessed and fortunate, and I choose that most of the time. I can indulge in some anger. Not 24/7

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (pUqSw)

694 Ace,

This is my favorite blog because, believe it or not, it makes me happy.

I started coming here because Allahpundit at Hot Air linked you a few times when I first started reading that site (around '07 or early '08, I think). So I haven't been here as long as some folks, but I have been reading the blog every day, checking in multiple times a day, for four years now.

I'm guilty of being angry about politics like you say, but that's one of the reasons I come here. I can be angry about it, but when I come here, I can laugh about it. When I step away from the computer, I try to follow Praeger's advice. This site helps me do that. Your humor, and the sort of crowd you represent... it feels like I fit in here.

Case in point: http://minx.cc/?post=304594

That was another post where you were lecturing us about keeping the comments area clean. But it really clicked with me when you referred to "The Dirty Conservatives."

I shared that post with a lot of people to try to explain what I'm about. I used to call myself a libertarian but I've increasingly moved away from that, because so many libertarians seem not to be focused enough on economic freedom and more focused on being anti-war (which is fine, but not the higher priority in my book)... so when you talked about "the dirty conservatives," the ones who didn't fit the stereotype and knew how to have fun in ways liberals always accuse us of being too prudish to, I felt like I really found my niche.

If you need to set up registration so you can better control the comments section, then sign me up. If you need to disable comments entirely, well, I'll still be here to read the blog.

But whatever you do, just don't let the bastards get you down. I would honestly be a lot less happy if this blog wasn't around to take the edge off the all-too-serious issues in politics.

Sorry if this sounds sappy or melodramatic. I just thought it was important to let you know, if you're concerned about people being too angry and not happy, that this site is one of the things that helps me with that. I'd bet a lot of other people here are the same way.

Posted by: Caiwyn at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (9dlCF)

695 <<Anger is the little black dress of the left, it never goes out of style.
How's about WE stick to our blue pin stripe suits and red power ties,
K?>>

Do WE have to be sexist like this, though?

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (pqW4Y)

696 "...I've been through the desert on a Sarah Jessica Parker with no name..."

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (MCDCp)

697 Charlie Crist is going on dial-a-date with Jim McGreevy. Who knew?

*****

The gay rumor has LONG been bandied about in these parts.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (piMMO)

698 Bless you Ace!

Honest question re: pistols / rifles -- OK to talk about within the context of hobby?

Posted by: Steck at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (RL7U1)

699 "He said it is a selfish indulgence to be unhappy, and that it is a moral necessity to be happy and cheerful.

Not for yourself, he clarified-- for others. For the sake of others in our lives, we should project good cheer and warm spirits, even if we do not exactly feel that inside."
This is a minor point, but that is the definition of a lady. I know, because I'm getting up there in years, and I was raised by one of the last, true ladies. One does not complain of a headache publicly because it makes others uncomfortable, adds nothing to the discourse, and does not improve the headache. People laugh at that sort of thing now. Once dinner parties were gracious evenings of conversation, now we must endure our hosts' latest marital spat, endless discussions of medical symptoms, and rants on the most ridiculous subjects by absolute idiots. Yet I'm the one 'hopelessly outdated' for wanting an enjoyable evening out.

Posted by: Pentangle at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (q6GUl)

700 I love Guinness, but I've had no luck with either cans or bottles.I get it when I go out, often with fish and chips, which helps me channel my inner Andy Capp.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:35 PM (HethX)

701
>>>Sigh. This constant comparison to Charles Johnson and LGF really irritates me.

Any minor change, banning, or displeasure from a blog owner brings about the inevitable Carles Johnsen comparison. Its pretty unoriginal.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (8MCmv)

702 Ace, this is not rocket science and no amount of explaining is going to have any effect on the malfeasors. They're here to make trouble and will continue to do so until you smite them.

I worked at a place one time and, in the employee handbook under "Dress Code," it simply said "Yes, there is a dress code."

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (kpCLl)

703 >>>Please, please, please, please, please allow sock-puppets of some sort.

obviously I want that. but I can't delay the new site, if it doesn't have that-- we've needed this for a long time.

It might be that sockpuppeting is gone, at least until I can convince pixy to work to put it back in. I don't want to ask him to do too much.

And yeah, that sucks. I love sockpuppeting. but we NEED the new site.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (aw5Tx)

704 619- "Who am I supposed to be cheering for in this hockey game?"

South Carolina.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (C8mVl)

705 Please, please, please, please, please allow sock-puppets of some sort.

The sock-puppets have to stop so that people can take my comments seriously.

Posted by: Abraham Lincoln at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (HtUdo)

706
Well done, Ace. Welcome back. Nothing like being greeted back with a 600+, and counting,New Comments Thingy.
And nice to see Mitt continuingto redefine what fast response means and blast Obama withinhours ofhis latest lame talking point or ad. He's pressuringThe One into a series of unforced errors, and we know what that usually means ...http://bit.ly/qVdDUt

Posted by: ombdz at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (2DpoY)

707 That and people drunk typing which is just plain stupid.
---------------------------------------

But I do my best work when I'm drunk!

Posted by: Mussorgsky at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (AzwZn)

708 There's simply no point in holding onto anger against others. Unless they're wearing blue jeans. If they're wearing blue jeans, fuck 'em.

Posted by: George Will at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (IoNBC)

709 Sigh. This constant comparison to Charles Johnson and LGF really irritates me. Yeah yeah blog fascism is constantly descending on AoSHQ yet somehow it always seems to show up at LGF and blogs on the left. If you can't see the difference between how this site is run and LGF, then you've got some emotional issues that need to be dealt with and/or you're simply too stupid to understand what it takes to run a blog and maintain an online community.
Posted by: Mætenloch at June 09, 2012 08:32 PM (VDusq)

someguy is very very upset. So upset he has threatened to leave by using a different screen name. Obviously not realizing that doing so is equivalent to PUNCHING DOWN!

The comparisons to the bike seat humper and LGF are always ridiculous. I'll start believing there is some merit when I am banned for disagreeing with ace quite vocally about his next Sarah Palin rant.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (GULKT)

710 692 A Fetzer Cross might help.
Posted by: Anal Bum cover for Elton at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (86Dac)

It's all about fetzer valves these days.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (MCDCp)

711 For those arguing that registered comments ruined other blogs, I'd say that the implicit assumption that the HQ is like the others hasn't been proven true. The whole reason we come here every day is precisely because it's different than the other blogs, and a good fit. That doesn't mean that restricting commenting privileges won't harm the site, but if that's what needs to be done, then we only have to wait and see. Ultimately, I don't expect the site to suffer. The potential upside also has to be considered - the possibility exists that the same types of posters causing issues for Ace and the gang could be preventing repeat visits or inhibiting active participation by new users. Heavy commenters may enjoy having a small club feel to the site, but more clicks and more dedicated users = paying the rent, buying the groceries, and having more left over for booze.

Posted by: StPatrick_TN at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (lJJMb)

712 Ace - here's an idea. Go with comment register but turn off the register for Friday ONT. This will create a unique aspect others don't have and will put an added spring in the step for each Friday's ONT.

Posted by: Journolist at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM (IBi+g)

713 and ball bearings

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (pUqSw)

714 <<Please, please, please, please, please allow sock-puppets of some sort.>>

What's so important about sockpuppeting?

Just post a fake quote instead...problem solved!

"Reality? Never heard of it!" - Charles Gibson

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (pqW4Y)

715 This constant comparison to Charles Johnson and LGF really irritates me.

So does this mean Charles fat jokes are out? Charles fat jokes are out?!

Posted by: Banana Phone at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (i42rm)

716 This posts reminds me of the Ambrose Bierce quote: "Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret."

Posted by: Lemmenkainen at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (Iw4dM)

717 Neils Bohr describes a universal effect he called "complementarity" in which as one element in the universe achieves the sublime elsewhere something awful is created. Your Blog has wonderful moments of sublime insight and truth, do not be surprised when the opposite happens some where else within it. Your blog is wonderful and so too are the comments, don't give up either.

Posted by: goat lover at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (j+1sc)

718 Fuck. I thought we were going to be able to get rid of you-know-who and she-who-must-not-be-named.

Posted by: Dagny at June 09, 2012 08:38 PM (WCAIB)

719 Hey all kidding aside, Ace this is a great site and I have a great time here and even learn a lot. This place helps keep me sane, or as sane as I am ever going to be.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (F7GPD)

720 If socks are outlawed, only outlaws will have socks.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (HethX)

721 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ud-eiDxeJj4

Posted by: Jr at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (uzbYw)

722 Ok. I'll do it. Real name?

Abe Vigoda

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (jucos)

723 Please try to keep the fine art of sock-puppetry alive.

Posted by: sandy burger at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (lA8yt)

Yeah, if that goes away it will suck a little bit more.

This place is like the Top Gun school of socking.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (SivFj)

724 I don't post much but it felt terrible to not be able to post at all.

You've given me much to think about Ace and I thank you.

Posted by: Skree at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (uW0jj)

725 Like I tell my wife when she's angry and yelling at me: "Ya know, hon, not every thought needs to be verbally expressed!"

I'm going to humbly suggest that may not be the most positive life choice you could ever make.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (yTtpr)

726 So...we're registering? Fine. Let's get it over with.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (mKMj1)

727 >>>This constant comparison to Charles Johnson and LGF really irritates me.
Yeah yeah blog fascism is constantly descending on AoSHQ yet somehow it
always seems to show up at LGF and blogs on the left.

like the Race Card, the LGF Card is expired.

It's just an attempt to say "don't ban me, but I still want to be a dick."

Doesn't work.

The thing that annoys me about the LGF comparison is this: I have literally never read a single thing of his that I thought was funny or interesting or insightful. He seemed to just post links, and of course his, uh, photography.

I don't remember anything he's written. the only thing I remember he's ever done is the rathergate gif, which was... I mean, come on. it's a gif. it alternates between two pics.

Yeah, okay, that was something.

But...

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (aw5Tx)

728 If socks are outlawed, only outlaws will have socks.

Yeah, I too would really miss the socks . . .

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (kpCLl)

729 Love the blog, ace. Everyone here is awesome and keeps me sane in an insane world. Keep it up!

Posted by: Zach at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (LYbW9)

730 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Angry and stuff.

I'm just happy, and very proud.

I have two boys, just out of high school, one is going into the marines, the other into the army. They both start basic in November. You guys can get pissed at each other all you want, and I'll just sit here and be one very proud dad.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (L7hol)

731 I'm going to humbly suggest that may not be the most positive life choice you could ever make.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012

Oh, that's understatement of positively British proportions!

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (mKMj1)

732 Anger is a perfectly valid response to some things. Yes, there are certainly people who take failures in their private life and turn that into political anger, which is wrong. The classic, "Sorry I hit you baby, but that damn Nixon!"

On the other hand, and to go to the Godwin extreme, if what Germany's National Socialists did doesn't make you angry, there is something wrong with you.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (3aXbg)

733 Game tipping off. God bless us, each and every one...

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (HethX)

734 Hi everybody! I'm back!

Posted by: Reader Formerly Known As FormerReader at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (AzwZn)

735 I love sockpuppeting, and I hope we'll have that ability.

If not, we'll try to get in there, eventually.

It's possible I might have some kind of SuperAccount capability or something I can give to trusted people, the ones who do the sockpuppets, so they can just make up accounts on the fly.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (aw5Tx)

736 Whatever you decide, registration or not, we're with you Ace. You and your fellow co-bloggers have provided years of service and interest towards conservative causes. It's about time we repay alittle bit with some civility when asked.

Posted by: Mordart at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (hXX/4)

737 I support what ace is about to do. He has been left little choice.

Registration is not for me and when it comes I will go.

Thanks for all the fish.

Posted by: eman at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (6KkLK)

738 I think this blog and Twitter have made me less angry.When Obama or his minions get me angry I can come here or on Twitter and start mocking.We own hashtag trends on Twitter,for instance.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (Xb3hu)

739
My real world name?
Douche Bag
:p

Posted by: SMOD the Usurper at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (Vwkdn)

740 Registration shouldn't affect comments too much, what would affect comments is moderation, meaning comments are looked at and approved by the blog before posting, every blog i've seen try that has had nothing but bad results, it just destroys comment sections because even the regulars get tired of waiting to see if their comment got posted and then waiting to see if anybody replies.

If you had someone moderating 24/7 and could get comments up in a matter of seconds, sure, it might work, but that ain't gonna happen.

Posted by: booger at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (dMT9X)

741 Ace

Sir as a guest in your house, I need to behave in a manner which will not get me tossed out on my ear. I read and when I think I can add something useful, I post.

I have found from experience that anger, if properly channeled, will achieve needed results in solving problems. Lashing out or baiting someone to get a specific response in order to feel superior reminds me of a the sneaky bully many of us have come in contact with at some phase of our lives.

Hot button words, nuances on a person's face while writing which cannot been seen, do not carry well in this world of glass and wire.

All else fails, when the dark anger rises, the delete button is always at the ready.

Posted by: Pamela at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (CnyXx)

742 I don't remember anything he's written. the only
thing I remember he's ever done is the rathergate gif, which was... I
mean, come on. it's a gif. it alternates between two pics.

Yeah, okay, that was something.

But...

Posted by: ace

And, if an article I read recently is right, it's not even *his* gif.

What was I doing over there, anyway?

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 08:42 PM (mKMj1)

743 I have two boys, just out of high school, one is going into the marines, the other into the army. They both start basic in November. You guys can get pissed at each other all you want, and I'll just sit here and be one very proud dad.
Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (L7hol)

As well you should.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:43 PM (F7GPD)

744 I'm incredibly angry that I have to go to work in about 45 minutes and miss the second half of game 7, and I don't know what to do about it.

This is a scream for help from a partial fetal position.

..........does anybody know what this dvr button does?

..........I don't want to inadvertently launch any nukes or even longbows.

Posted by: ontherocks at June 09, 2012 08:43 PM (aZ6ew)

745 Can I wear flip flops instead of socksthen?

Posted by: stillers at June 09, 2012 08:43 PM (gVUg0)

746 Ace...You're the GREATEST!

Posted by: concrete girl at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (y2Ojs)

747 And yeah, that sucks. I love sockpuppeting. but we NEED the new site.
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:36 PM (aw5Tx)

For those with mad skilz, sockpuppeting is always possible.

BWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA (cough) HAAAHAAA

Posted by: trainer (formerly banned) at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (1QEkm)

748 693 it's not the "anger" so much as it is the insistence *by a very few* people that I be angry all the time.

Well, I won't. Sorry. It isn't good for me and it's a downer besides and I choose not to be. I have a zillion reasons to be content and feel blessed and fortunate, and I choose that most of the time. I can indulge in some anger. Not 24/7

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:34 PM (pUqSw)

I've found that for me anger (even justified) is ultimately exhausting. And bad for my life since it wastes my precious life energy on non-productive stuff and keeps me from doing important things - the things that ultimately give you satisfaction and contentment in life.

I don't think I'm so different from other people that this isn't true as well. If you're constantly feeling angry and feel compelled to express it on a blog 3 times a day, that's bad. You're not helping the blog and it's a sign that you might want to look at how you're spending your life.

Posted by: Mætenloch at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (VDusq)

749 >> No nuance, artistic license or subtlety allowed apparently
The quote was intended to be WITHOUT nuance or
subtlety, actually.
It was an exercise in "artistic license," obviously.
And I don't think a change of masthead will dis-allow
anything below it.

Posted by: Love Ya, Ace at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (wnR7e)

750 Just migrate to WordPress, ace. Their account registration system is better, and lets you choose nicknames aside from your username.

Further, it's better in almost every respect.

Posted by: Random at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (ieFeF)

751
735 I love sockpuppeting, and I hope we'll have that ability.If not, we'll try to get in there, eventually.It's possible I might have some kind of SuperAccount capability or something I can give to trusted people, the ones who do the sockpuppets, so they can just make up accounts on the fly.
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:41 PM (aw5Tx)

honestly the ability to allow sockpuppets should not be difficult. Many places allow you to separate your login/username from your display name. I would not think it would take much to include that feature and likely the only difficulty would be if you wanted it to have some ease of access like we have now with it being directly above the commenting box.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:44 PM (GULKT)

752 >>>t's possible I might have some kind of SuperAccount capability

Yeah but what about the angry drive by commenter who wants to sock puppet?

This place would really suck without that.

///

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (8MCmv)

753
O.K., for reals this time.

My name is Charles Johnson and I hate every last one of you morons with the heat of a thousand suns.

Wanna see my photo of an empty beer bottle laying in some weeds next to a sidewalk?

Posted by: Douche Bag at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (Vwkdn)

754 742 Now he mostly stalks conservatives on Twitter.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (Xb3hu)

755 I you insist on being anger, here is a useful target ...

The United Nations is considering a new Internet tax targeting the largest Web content providers, including Google, Facebook, Apple, and Netflix, that could cripple their ability to reach users in developing nations.

The European proposal, offered for debate at a December meeting of a U.N. agency called the International Telecommunication Union, would amend an existing telecommunications treaty by imposing heavy costs on popular Web sites and their network providers for the privilege of serving non-U.S. users, according to newly leaked documents.

The documents punctuate warnings that the Obama administration and Republican members of Congress raised last week about how secret negotiations at the ITU over an international communications treaty could result in a radical re-engineering of the Internet ecosystem and allow governments to monitor or restrict their citizens' online activities.

"It's extremely worrisome," Sally Shipman Wentworth, senior manager for public policy at the Internet Society, says about the proposed Internet taxes. "It could create an enormous amount of legal uncertainty and commercial uncertainty."

The leaked proposal was drafted by the European Telecommunications Network Operators Association, or ETNO, a Brussels-based lobby group representing companies in 35 nations that wants the ITU to mandate these fees.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (e8kgV)

756 sockpuppehting is not a crime

Posted by: garrett at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (4MNzY)

757 Now, continuing on the topic of anger, I certainly agree that one should not let anger become a motivation in and of itself.

One of the wisest things you can do, if you find yourself getting angry over someone or something, is to recognize your anger and compartmentalize it if you can, remove yourself from the situation somehow if you can't, and review the situation with a calm mind.

Do the actions you considered make sense now? In some cases they will. You will not vote for that candidate, you will write a letter to your congressman, you will donate to the opposing candidate, etc. In the case of an angry rant online, or worse...probably not.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (3aXbg)

758 I got no problem with registration, just as long as we don't loose out nicknames.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM (F7GPD)

759
Heh, "unmanned",I like the term. Thanks Ace, I think the unmanned should be shunned.

Posted by: Steve #2 at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (HKgwa)

760
There is a lot of frustration right now and frustration turns to anger.

A bunch of people hopes have been dashed by our current Golf Pro's inability to not turn the last financial crisis into a socialist opportunity.
We all expected when the economy tanked the Preezy would do what all Preezies do and and pass some bills that didn't do much to help but that he could claim were genius. Instead we got a raft of shit that has held us down, dashed our hopes and dreams.

People who lose all their shit including hope are going to be frustrated to the point of anger. We have lost a lot of them on this blog that I used to thouroughly enjoy until they gave up.

I learned in the Marines when life deals you a shit sammich, so what, adapt and find some mayo until you can make conditions improve.

Posted by: robtr at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (MtwBb)

761 It will be sad if sockpuppetting has to go. My favorite was when Cheney had the hunting accident and the media was all crazy about him being the most dangerous vice president ever. The second or third comment on that thread was snark posted by Aaron Burr.

Posted by: Ruby at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (QAUe4)

762 Many people got burned by their experience over at that greenish place, but there are too many differences between Ace and Calendar Man to make that a reasonable fear.

First of all Ace isn't pretending to be something that he is not. He's not a liberal pretending to be a conservative who reverts to being a liberal pretending to be a scientist. Ace isn't blowing smoke up our rear ends for blog hits.

Secondly, Ace doesn't despise his core commentators and have a secret desire to purge them because they embarass him amongst his uber leftie friends.

Thirdly, Ace isn't whack.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (P6QsQ)

763 720 If socks are outlawed, only outlaws will have socks.
Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 08:39 PM (HethX)

Well, outlaws and Garage Mahal.

Posted by: ChampionCapua at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (KZi9D)

764 I don't remember anything he's written. the only thing I remember he's ever done is the rathergate gif, which was... I mean, come on. it's a gif. it alternates between two pics.

Yeah, okay, that was something.

But...

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (aw5Tx)
--------------------------------------------------
You obviously have never seen my fabulous Guitar picken' with the Stanley Clark group. I am a hep cat alright.

Posted by: Cahrles Jhonson at June 09, 2012 08:46 PM (jucos)

765 The thing that annoys me about the LGF comparison is this: I have literally never read a single thing of his that I thought was funny or interesting or insightful. He seemed to just post links, and of course his, uh, photography.

Speaking as an ex-LGFer, LGF was essentially just a huge link dump - it was the commenters that made the site what it once was. When Chuckles decided to start acting like an absolute tyrant in the comments was when the site went downhill.

Ace>>>>>>>> (infinity) Chuckles. Ace is being forced for reasons of safety, by the actions of a few pukes, to go to a registration system; Charles did it to act like a mini-God in his own (shrinking) domain to stroke his ever-growing ego.

*btw, I still think Charles mentally snapped. Didn't he go through a rough divorce around 2008?*

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at June 09, 2012 08:47 PM (uB19f)

766 May be there could be a special registration category for "angry drive by commenter who wants to sock puppet"

Posted by: jonsten at June 09, 2012 08:47 PM (fVgpT)

767 My name is Buck Naked and I'm a porno star.

Posted by: George Costanza at June 09, 2012 08:47 PM (4MNzY)

768 it's not the "anger" so much as it is the insistence *by a very few* people that I be angry all the time.

The reason why the whole hi is everyone having a good night followed by how can it be a good night with Obama in office followed by fuck you is so funny is because there are people who legitimately believe that no shred of joy or happiness is to be had while Obama is in office. I'm sorry but that's utterly insane.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:48 PM (yTtpr)

769 Wow. Look at the traffic.

Posted by: Dagny at June 09, 2012 08:48 PM (WCAIB)

770 395 Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 07:39 PM (JaB4T)

Yes, well there is a fine line but at some point people do get to own their own reactions and can't expect the rest of the world to walk on eggshells in order to accommodate their weirdness. Ok, so he goes ballistic. Fine, that's HIS crap. And yeah, that is VERY easy to say if one is not on the receiving end of it. But still, to give in to someone else's twisted perception of reality simply allows them to control your behavior through their response. There are a LOT of people in this world that are like that. They know that people for the most part like to avoid drama so they use the threat of drama or even actual drama to manipulate people and get what they want. Pretty soon they have "conditioned" people to behave in a certain manner toward them. So rather than cope with the world, they force the world to cope with them.

It's difficult but at some point they have to be allowed to own their own discomfort. YOU are not responsible for how they experience things yet people seem ready to take responsibility for how other people experience them. That is somewhat natural because a natural first reaction when someone goes ape shit over something you did is to think you did something to cause their reaction so you try to moderate or mitigate it. That is because we expect that we are dealing with rational people. Everything you know goes out the window, though, when you are dealing with irrational people. They are going to use an over the top response to control you. If you are lucky, some other shinier object will come along to attract their attention and you can go on with your life but when they become fixated on you, it can be horrible. I went through this before with someone who had a rather serious psych issue. It was the worst 10 years of my life. But it all boils down to recognizing that their experience is not your fault and you aren't responsible for making them feel better.

Jails are full of people like this. It never ends well for them.

Posted by: crosspatch at June 09, 2012 08:48 PM (ZbLJZ)

771 Please tell me the new blog won't be on Wordpress, because I was unable to comment there this morning. The only way to "log on" or whatever was to go through twitter, facebook or some other damn thing, none of which I do. I even dug up my ancient TepidAir wordpress login, but that did not work. It made me sad . . .

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:48 PM (kpCLl)

772 I have two boys, just out of high school, one is going into the marines,
the other into the army. They both start basic in November. You guys
can get pissed at each other all you want, and I'll just sit here and be
one very proud dad.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 08:40 PM (L7hol)

-----

God bless them, and you. It sounds like you raised some very fine men.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:48 PM (P6QsQ)

773 There were and are dozens of good conservative blogs out there. The reason I came to and stayed at this one is that it's funny. I don't mean "Heh" funny, I mean, "Goddammit I spit my drink out all over my monitor! Again!" funny.

The He-Man, Internet tough guy, rage monkey shit? Exact opposite of funny.

Posted by: Andy at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (XG+Mn)

774
767 My name is Buck Naked and I'm a porno star.
Posted by: George Costanza at June 09, 2012 08:47 PM (4MNzY)

But do you play Dungeons and Dragons?

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (GULKT)

775 i do not have twitter, facebook, or wordpress.
do these accts make you give actual location and name?

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (TomZ9)

776 When I'm being Thomas Jefferson I'll tell you dorks.

Promise.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (pUqSw)

777 Someone asked for a movie review?

Prometheus was okay, it could have been much better. The film itself is gorgeous, the effects are seamless. Its the script and characterizations that are weak. And Ridley Scott says he plans on a sequel to this movie.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (JaB4T)

778 As a long time lurker and sometime poster I must admit there have been times I let my anger get the best of me.

That being said there is a difference between blind rage and highly focused anger.

I think it is time the right gets a bit angry, that anger needs to be focused and directed at very specific things and or people. In this case the people on the left who sat down and decided that the potential death of conservative bloggers and the potential deaths of members of their families was an acceptable political tactic. And lets be perfectly clear about that, these guys are a-ok setting up situations where Conservatives could be killed.

I am in no way advocating violence, but we can and I think should take a page out of the left's own playbook and start boycotting the people who give these guys money.

I for one would think that when the other side is literally trying to kill us it would deserve the discussion of a boycott of their sponsors at the very least.

Posted by: southdakotaboy at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (Ur6Wj)

779 I'm going to humbly suggest that may not be the most positive life choice you could ever make.

****

Heh. I as thinking the same thing.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (piMMO)

780 My name is Charles Johnson and I hate every last one of you morons with the heat of a thousand suns.

Wanna see my photo of an empty beer bottle laying in some weeds next to a sidewalk?

Posted by: Douche Bag at June 09, 2012 08:45 PM

Is it on your shitty calendar? Seen it. Didn't buy it.

Posted by: huerfano at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (bAGA/)

781 @760

Reminds me of Vince McMahon's (the WWE guy) advice to his daughter on how to be successful in life.

"Learn to eat shit and like it."

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (ZPrif)

782 Peaches if vic can figure out how to get on WP sans twitter/facebook, I know you can.....

Cmon now. Heh.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (8MCmv)

783 619- "Who am I supposed to be cheering for in this hockey game?"

The East Westchester Northstars, Champions of the Southern Conference

Posted by: Mjölnir the banhammer at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (Jls4P)

784 767
My name is Buck Naked and I'm a porno star.

Posted by: George Costanza

Actually, Buck Naked of the Bare Bottom Boys was murdered in Golden Gate Park way back in the 80's, because his dog upset the birds and some insane guy took exception.

Dreadful thing.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (mKMj1)

785 Shorter version: y'all need to stop being such spazzes, and Ace will stop being Debbie Downer.

Posted by: wooga at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (IhzyJ)

786 I have mostly lurked, as you all describe it, but have occasionally commented. I was devastated when it seemed the blog would go away. Read Ace's entire posting and found it exactly correct except in one respect. I can remember as an adult with children in the late sixties and early seventies the absolute vitriol and anger proudly exhibited by the indulged adolescents at Berkeley and other colleges - it started then to my mind.

Posted by: Grandmama Mimi at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (HcUH2)

787 I don't remember anything he's written.

------

That's because he doesn't write. Seriously, his blog got much much worse when he started adding commentary.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (P6QsQ)

788
The blog will different after registration. No doubt about it.

Somebody mentioned Wordpress. Which is the Google blogging platform that undid Althouse's blog, apparently for being too conservaive, and would not respond to requests for assistance? (!)

Posted by: Wm T Sherman at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (8hBZi)

789 And one last point on anger. The reason the left adopted it is that it has been working.

A normal response to moderate George Bush 43 would have not led to a Pelosi Congress, and an Obama presidency.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (3aXbg)

790 Ace is still the man, and all the haters can EABOD.

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (6IReR)

791 I'm angry because I have no grievance.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (YYyqq)

792 What is all this real-name crap about "I'll show you mine if you show me yours"? Me, I've been posting for years here and elsewhere (and long ago, on LGF), and always with my real name. I don't insist everybody do that; it's part of my personal internet regimen to ensure I don't say anything I will regret (I know, I know: How's that working out for you, Jim?).

It always helps to remember as I'm about to hit the Post button that my name is on that stupid comment. Most of the time, it doesn't stop me, but over the years, I actually have resisted the impulse to press that button, oh, I don't know, dozens of times.

This time not being among them.

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (FUozQ)

793 Willow, No.

Posted by: Dagny at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (WCAIB)

794 What Soothsayer said at #590

Somebody had to say it. A lot of people read the comments section of this blog for funny, insightful, and occasionally freaking GENIUS comments. Not 500 variations on "you don't belong here!!!!" in a good number of the threads. It's boring.

There are an awful lot of people out there who, by the grace of a search engine or a link find a particular thread. They're not likely to stay long if the thread degenerates into in-fighting. Some people just aren't as close to this as the regulars are, and they never will be. To them it just looks like foolish blogdrama and it just makes the place look hostile.

Even commenters that you don't like are Ace's customers. Let Ace decide who his customers are. If they cross the line they'll be gone. If not, ignore them.

Posted by: Finally at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (oCDqh)

795 @788: Google owns Blogger/Blogspot.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (wllJH)

796 Ace good to see you back.

Posted by: Hanoverfist at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (HiKk0)

797 LOL how about this

Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement that two U.S. attorneys have
been assigned to lead a criminal investigation into possible,
unauthorized leaks of classified information is being met with
skepticism by GOP lawmakers questioning whether the attorneys will be
able to act independently of the Obama administration.

Now why would the GOP have doubts about Holder's "investigation" of leaks from Obama?

http://is.gd/R6o4ZQ

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (YdQQY)

798
Sacajawea's wet nursing at the bar exam would have been a much drier topic without sockpuppetry.

Posted by: jinxthecat at June 09, 2012 08:51 PM (l3vZN)

799 781 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (ZPrif)

Hey. I grew up near the Junction. Do I know you's?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:52 PM (MCDCp)

800 There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

Posted by: Nigel Powers at June 09, 2012 08:52 PM (Iw4dM)

801 I think some people's worry about using real names is not so much about their name, but that they're using anonymous proxy servers (NTTAWWT)

Because all y'all realize that there is probably not a registration device that
is smart enough to know what your real name actually is????

I mean, I am going to abso-effing-lutely going to put Tammy in the First
Name section and al Thor in the Last Name section and I would be very
shocked indeed if that lil ol' registration device gets all indignant
and refuses to believe that isn't my real name. Or recognize that the email I will use is a throw away one I use to enter contests and such.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 08:52 PM (LoTJ2)

802 do these accts make you give actual location and name?

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 08:49 PM (TomZ9)
I don't know. I would provide Ace with any information he wanted in order to remain a valued member of MoronNation. Srsly, Ace, I'll send you my AmEx number, bra size, certified copy of colonoscopy results (just kidding, I will never violate the "one way" rule), I don't care. But I will not provide it to twitter or facebook or wordpress. I have no reason to trust them.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (kpCLl)

803 777 Your opinion seems to be the consensus opinion.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (Xb3hu)

804 And to complete what I was saying, Blogger/Blogspot are not Wordpress. WP is completely different software and not owned by Google.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (wllJH)

805 thank GOD!

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (Ho2rs)

806 Ace,

I doubt you will read this far in to the comments. i have been a loyal reader since 2004, mostly a lurker.

You are being way to hard on yourself. I want you to know that because of your site I was able to turn at least 20 people to the "dark side".

Now I am a nobody. But if I could flip 20 people to our side just because of your website............

Imagine how many other people you have influenced.

I am ex army infantry and I salute you sir. You have more guts than I ever had. You are changing this country.

Posted by: Midaz at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (LBNEj)

807 peaches, Ace isn't the only one who'd like to know the bra size.

just throwin that out there....

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (6IReR)

808 Hey! Give a guy some credit. He gots "+" and "-" dings too.

...and flouncing. Lots of flouncing.

Posted by: Rusty Hingetanker at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (i42rm)

809 I've really liked Dennis Prager since I lived in L.A., and the Ace/Prager synergy is so cool I can't stand it.

Please, oh please, if you're setting up a new commenting thingamajiggy, please allow non- Facebook people to register. I've been reading and mostly lurking since the beginning, and I have none of these social media gadget logins, and have no intention of ever getting them. Please don't shut out us Luddite Morons ®.

Posted by: Scott P at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (+Kuar)

810 And lets be perfectly clear about that, these guys are a-ok setting up situations where Conservatives could be killed.
***
Oh, it is far worse then that. Bill Ayers, Obama's mentor, was perfectly OK with killing 10% of the population to get to his leftist dream.

And while it is easy to ignore that sort of vitriol, I should point out that a number of Bolshevik's were saying almost exactly the same thing shortly before the Russian civil war. I don't have the exact quote on hand but one quote I semi-remember, "Russia is a country of 110 million people. If we can truly implement socialism in a country of 100 million people, we will rejoice."

Posted by: 18-1 at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (3aXbg)

811 Gonna be a bad few days for hobos.

Posted by: Bildo at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (eToum)

812 Prometheus was good but ultimately didn't deliver on its promise of Epic-Scifi-Flick-That-Asks-Big-Questions Had a 2001 vibe, but veered off toward sequel land before answering any of the Big-Important-Questions it was playing with. Frustrating.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (ZPrif)

813 Eh, LGF always had that creepy Mentos commercial vibe, even the comments, just the way they all said Charles was creepy, never Chuck or Charlie, but Charles. That place was a cult long before chuckles went batshit.

Posted by: booger at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (dMT9X)

814 I don't care. But I will not provide it to twitter or facebook or wordpress. I have no reason to trust them.
Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (kpCLl)

All wordpress required was a username e-mail and password.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (GULKT)

815
I was reading Ace
His anger was sexy hot
Want to ride my bike?

Posted by: Charles Diklover at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (Vwkdn)

816 800 There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.
Posted by: Nigel Powers at June 09, 2012 08:52 PM (Iw4dM)

Reminds me of the old Python sketch of "The Hate Program!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19fcN3VaXs4

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (MCDCp)

817
Frequent lurker; infrequent poster but great post Ace. Thanks for the reminder that anger in action isn't really effective.

Posted by: NY Betsy Rose at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (c80At)

818 "Ace is still the man, and all the haters can EABOD."

Unclefacts, I've not seen that one before but I'm pretty sure I know what it means.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (SivFj)

819 I love sockpuppeting, and I hope we'll have that ability.

Ace:The Wordpress accounts have, in the Profile section, a Username that cannot bechanged, and a Nicname, which apparently can. I suppose that this allows socks, altough Hot Air doesn't seem the sort of place with that much of a sense of humor.

You might consder something like this. Each account gets an unalterable Username, and an editable nic.

Posted by: Arbalest at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (dZPwM)

820
Posted by: jwpaineat June 09, 2012 08:50 PM (FUozQ)

It never dawned on me to enter anything but my name in the, "Name:*", field.

Posted by: garrett at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (4MNzY)

821 I think the comments will be better than ever.

I think so too. I've seen way too many trolls derail a thread, which has caused me to respond, which you have slapped me down for (not too often, but enough that I remember). I've tried to be good, I really have.

As I've mentioned before, you should make this place private, issue us all a sooper-seekrit password and turn this place into a conservative think-tank.

Oh, and find some deep pocket funder-typesand put us all on salary.

Just a suggestion...

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (d0Tfm)

822 I don't care. But I will not provide it to twitter or facebook or wordpress. I have no reason to trust them.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:53 PM (kpCLl)

WP only asks for e-mail address and lets you choose your own password. It doesn't get all that personal data that facebook etc get.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (YdQQY)

823 Peaches has a very strong point in #802.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (mKMj1)

824 do these accts make you give actual location and name?

No.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (yTtpr)

825 Thanks for the reminder that anger in action isn't really effective.
Posted by: NY Betsy Rose at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (c80At)

Never played High School Football ha?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (F7GPD)

826 Ace IS Dennis Prager. You never see them together on the same page. Ever notice?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (MCDCp)

827 Unclefacts, I've not seen that one before but I'm pretty sure I know what it means.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (SivFj)

I don't think you want to leave a hangin curve like that around here...

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (6IReR)

828 >> Which is the Google blogging platform that undid Althouse's blog,
apparently for being too conservaive, and would not respond to requests
for assistance? (!)

If this blog was to move to Wordpress, it would be self-hosted and not at Wordpress.com for a host of reasons, including that one.

But, no, that other comment thing was just a quick and easy way to effect some controls while Pixy rolls out the new new new new comments thingy.

Posted by: Andy at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (XG+Mn)

829 It never dawned on me to enter anything but my name in the, "Name:*", field.

Me neither.

Posted by: Dick Hertz at June 09, 2012 08:57 PM (IoNBC)

830 Has anybody seen Jane D'oh recently? I have been thinking about her boy. I know she had not heard from him in a while.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 08:57 PM (P6QsQ)

831 I have been far more lurker than a poster the last few years, but whatever award you turned down or didn't think you deserved Ace, you have by far earned the last couple days IMHO.

Keep it up!

Posted by: Pete at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (VL/3B)

832 I hope there is a place for Machines For Sale

Posted by: jinxthecat at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (l3vZN)

833 WordPress requires a real email address so you can activate from an email sent to you.

Posted by: davidt at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (0SL6O)

834 All wordpress required was a username e-mail and password.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 08:54 PM (GULKT)

I couldn't find a way to do that. Frustrated, I was forced to go IRL and actually accomplish a few things, it was crazy.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (kpCLl)

835 mama winger

no i haven't in a couple of days

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (Ho2rs)

836
Anger is sinful; but to indulge in anger, to make excuses for it, to call anger prudent and wise, is pathetic.

So I've been singled out, by name, by Ace.

I know I've been a dumbfuck at times, however, I never thought it would get so personal. A post all about me.

I now humbly apologize to the ewok in command for my past transgressions.

Posted by: Ed Anger - Certified Kos Kid at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (7+pP9)

837 Posted by: Dick Hertz at June 09, 2012 08:57 PM (IoNBC)

Now, this is the kind of shit that's got to stop!

Posted by: Phil McCracken at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (IoNBC)

838 Ace, well said. One reason I am no longer a liberal is too many libs have knocked over tables and screamed bloody hell at me the last 10 years to prove how right they were about the Evil Lord Bush and the Evil Empire Amerikka.

I totally support you. You have a great blog and one of the most free comment sections around, which leads to great humor and sometimes insights. Well, I thought it was insight, but that was after a few glasses of wine. I hope you will succeed and keep it free and edgy, so good luck.

Mostly, the haters are just kind of boring.

Posted by: PJ at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (DQHjw)

839 Oh, and find some deep pocket funder-typesand put us all on salary.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at June 09, 2012 08:55 PM (d0Tfm)

I found a Pro V1X at work the other day with a Koch Industries logo on it.

I don't believe in karma but hey, couldn't hurt to ask.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (SivFj)

840 WP only asks for e-mail address and lets you choose
your own password. It doesn't get all that personal data that facebook
etc get.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 08:56 PM (YdQQY)

Wait, you gave real info to facebook? Maybe that's why I didn't get any free shares of stock :-(

Posted by: Steck at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (RL7U1)

841 I would certainly miss the always funny sockpuppet "Anthony Weiner" and the well-timed *squirt*.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (YYyqq)

842 Okay, I'll use my real name from now on--for clarity and honesty

and my former rank

Posted by: Major _________ de Coverly at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (Dll6b)

843 But if we go to WordPress, do we lose Pixy?

Pixy been bery bery good to me......... seriously, very kind and helpful, and I don't want to lose him. Is he a Munuvian, or just a Moron who knows IT?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 09:00 PM (LoTJ2)

844 Ace, I'll send you my AmEx number, bra size,

Go on.

For all those worrying about email accounts and whatnot to set up a registration, well, there are many many free email services that you can use to set up an account. Remember, just because some place asks for a name, doesn't mean it has to be the one on your id.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:00 PM (yTtpr)

845 Here's hoping the Devils win and LeBron loses. That way the evening will be a 1-1 wash for the demonically-inspired sports franchises.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 09:00 PM (ZPrif)

846 I've had two professions and in both I've been paid, in part, to be a buffer between sometimes justified anger and emotion, and what needs to be done -- in a calm and skilled manner. If I allowed anger (my own or others') to intrude into the mission I'd be completely ineffective. There's no great revelation there, but it made me think of something.

This discussion reveals an important distinction. The comments section is disconnected and distinct from the mission of Ace's blog itself, that is, unless the mission of this site is to give one and all a free verbal playground for any purpose.

I wouldn't be so impertinent as to try to state what the mission of the HQ is, but think I can surmise it lies somewhere along a spectrum that includes providing an outlet for it's author's thoughts, reviewing a movie now and then, advocating and motivating to help reach a desirable political outcome, amusing and retaining interest, and at times using the tangible influence that comes with having X number of daily hits and being read daily by some powerful people to try to impact an issue that is important to the author.

In the BK posts of late, Ace has had a mission (or purpose, if you prefer) that he has well articulated. One of the quite specifically stated missions was to not, repeat, not, do anything that might give a dangerous man rhetorical ammunition. That's a simple enough task, and the AOSHQ blog proper had no problem keeping on task, of course. The great majority of commenters understood that, in the manner that any cohesive group would (insert the military unit or sports team or co-counsel example of your choice). Some did not, and it doesn't take many to derail the whole endeavor. Missions need cohesion, and there simply isn't anything cohesive about an open comments section.

And there's the problem. The comments section has nothing to do with the mission of the blog because it cannot. No team (select again from examples above) could function at all if were constantly processing off-mission activity of random people. This is simply my observation, offered unfortunately without a corresponding solution. I used to have a message board I was very fond of and was popular enough in its way and for its purpose, but over time it was simply no longer controllable, and I decided to kill it rather than risk it hurting my reputation. I didn't like that, and no one wants to see that here, but all things have their limits.

By the way, I am not suggesting that everyone get issued a commander's intent for each post and we're supposed to comment accordingly. I am suggesting that at the times when staying on mission is, indeed, important (like not endangering the owner of the site), then there really isn't any way to accommodate commenting without putting up a gate.

Posted by: ArrMatey at June 09, 2012 09:00 PM (3YA+O)

847 You might consder something like this. Each account gets an unalterable Username, and an editable nic.
***
We already have that - see your hash?

There actually is NOT a simple solution to the problem of how to keep a blog clean.

Require registration? Ok, site pests can write a script to register a new account whenever they want.

Require email address validation? Ok one more step in the script to go register a throw away email address from first.

Set a cookie? Block it or hack it.

Track IP on the server side? NOW we are getting somewhere, but this is a lot of work...and can still be beaten by a proxy or just switching internet connection.

I would guess the most complete solution would be to tie an email address to an IP...but that would be a problem to people posting legitimately from mobile devices.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 09, 2012 09:01 PM (3aXbg)

848 Ace,

Everyday lurker, rare commenter. You are dead on in this post, brother, and expressed it as well as anything you ever have [that's a high bar, btw].

People need to "man up" - unhappy with the way the world is? Then get out there and change it, don't come off all tough and angry and stupid on somebody ELSE'S blog.

Sorry for what we, collectively, put you through this weekend - you deserve better. Do what you need to to protect you & yours, and thanks for all you do.

NOTE TO FELLOW MORONS: I'm hitting the tip jar soon as I hit submit on this post. You appreciate this site? the insightful commentary? extended movie reviews? delightfully profane fellowship? then do the same.

Posted by: Bill_in_Kennesaw at June 09, 2012 09:01 PM (r/Bl1)

849
Dennis the Peasant explains the deal with Charles Johnson. From Sept. 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/6p8956j

Posted by: Wm T Sherman at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (8hBZi)

850 126 >>>TW, how does a banner endorsing "slitting throats" fit in the anti-anger worldview? Just askin'...

because retards continue to insist "gee, he must be literally calling for murder" I will take that off the mast-head in the next redesign.

As is said, "This is why we can't have nice things."
-----------

I really just meant to say, this blog has always appealed to me as a place where a person can maybe be a little more emphatic/crude/UNrestrained than we wd otherwise be, let their hair down a little. I LIKE[D] the throat-cutting, IOW...I wd NOT like to lose it.

I think this extremely well-written/argued essay is the right message, but the WRONG time. It seems impossible to draw any conclusion from it other than: "The 'Right' needs to change its attitude & behavior." Fortunately, since the time the book & its review were written (2006-7), the Right HAS applied a lot of its lessons, and w/the exception of 2008's McLame effort, has gone from strength to strength.

IOW, I think we've ALREADY internalized a lot of this "avoid anger" message. Better, "channel your well-justified anger into effective action against those filthy vermin who are creating the anger."

We've really been doing that for 3+ straight years now. And I believe this blog has played a prominent, and constructive role in that process. "Don't change it!"

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (1X/a4)

851 Ed Anger and Captain Hate will have to be grandfathered in.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (8MCmv)

852 Since this is the unsolicited advice thread there are a couple of things I would like to see in the new regime.

1. People need to stop calling other people trolls because they disagree with the apparent consensus. Similar to that is attacking someone in the cruedest ITG ways for holding a different perspective, telling people to STFU instead of engaging the argument for instance.

2. Seriously, ignoring the trolls works. If do not want to ignore then at least keep your response to mockery. Don't try to engage in a discussion with someone who isn't interested in anything other than disruption and attention seeking behavior.

3. More hot chicks. We need to reach out to hot chicks. I know that's hard for you AV club types, but hot chicks are an important voting block when they don't get lost on the way to the polls.

4. I'd like to see a penalty box for people who break the minor rules. It should be on the front page so we can see who is in there and so we can make fun of them during their timeout. Maybe a week or two for minor stuff.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (Y5Zv1)

853 I didn't realize the comments were on for this post first time I read it.

Good piece Ace, and dead on.

One of my favorite lines from a movie was some romcom, I think "Say Anything" John Cusack says to his sister Joan Cusack something like, "Can't you just TRY to be happy?"

When I first heard that I though "what a dumb thing to say, how do you just decide to be happy?"

But over the years I've found that you actually can. You can choose to be in a good mood, and not be angry at people. Laugh at foibles and how things keep going wrong, instead of raging at annoyances.

In the end, my deciding to project a sunny disposition allowed me to become a happier person. 20 years later, I find that when I act mad (especially on a blog or twitter) it is really just a joke. I'm not mad, I'm using it as a set up for self depreciating humor or sarcasm.

Who wants to be angry all the time? How can you enjoy life that way?

Posted by: Dave in Fla at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (Why44)

854 Derp

Posted by: Jimmah-Ha-Ha-Ha at June 09, 2012 09:03 PM (/5cf7)

855 It never dawned on me to enter anything but my name in the, "Name:*", field.

Me neither.
Posted by: Dick Hertz at June 09, 2012 08:57 PM (IoNBC)
-----------------------------------------------
Ha..... me neither

Posted by: Richard Cheese at June 09, 2012 09:03 PM (jucos)

856 I'd like to see a penalty box for people who break the minor rules. It should be on the front page so we can see who is in there and so we can make fun of them during their timeout. Maybe a week or two for minor stuff.
Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (Y5Zv1)
Oh boy, NOW that could be fun. OK I'm in with that suggestion

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:03 PM (F7GPD)

857 Well, as long as registration doesn't get pissy about logging on from home, work and the smart phone, I'm good with it.

Part of it is that I've never had the slightest impression I couldn't be easily found, I've never worried too much about trying to hide my identity. My nic is my name. *Shrug*.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:04 PM (mKMj1)

858 no i haven't in a couple of days

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (Ho2rs)

-------

I hope she checks in soon. I get anxious.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 09:04 PM (P6QsQ)

859 Wait, you gave real info to facebook? Maybe that's why I didn't get any free shares of stock :-(

Posted by: Steck at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (RL7U1)

LOL, because they want all that info so they can bundle it and sell it I have never signed up for one of those accounts.

Posted by: Vic at June 09, 2012 09:05 PM (YdQQY)

860 Thanks ace. It's not so much the need to comment as how it can "take me away for a while" to read others comments.
There are some smart folks around here. I learn from them.
And folks that make me laugh. God love ya one and all.
There are people that I share common interests with like music and the outdoors. It's nice to be able to chat with them.
And then there are those whose only purpose is to hammer on you or other commenters. Guess they need it to feel better about themselves.
Shot you an email while comments were down.

Posted by: teej at June 09, 2012 09:05 PM (Vdd8W)

861 #854 is that really Jimmah or just a rude troll? Or am I asking has my coffee be replaced by Folgers?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:05 PM (JaB4T)

862 Gee the Mets Right Fielder just thought he could run Thru the wall to catch a ball on it's wall out? Memo to right fielder: Body meet immovable object

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:05 PM (F7GPD)

863 My first amendment rights are being TRAMPLED by ace

Posted by: Bangles at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (PnSqN)

864 Posted by: Jimmah-Ha-Ha-Ha at June 09, 2012 09:03 PM (/5cf7)

Maybe this is something you'd like to discuss with your psychiatrist.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (IoNBC)

865 Excellent write up ace
But the true anger and hate will be in the beginning of next year....
WHEN DA BEARS WIN IT ALL!!!!

Posted by: navycopjoe at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (5noOE)

866 Fido: It's What's For Dinner #ObamaHorseNames

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (FcR7P)

867
you're

Unmmm that does't mean what you think it means

Posted by: robtr at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (MtwBb)

868 I have to admit, I feel really bad about last night.

I was in a strong discussion with ace. People started jumping on me. Ace was cool, and actually told posters to back off.

But then I sort of missed what happened next. And it wasn't until this morning that Jimmah or whatever posted that he was pissed off aboutmy treatment and took on ace.

So, I'm sorry I may have started the whole damn thing.

Jeez, if nothing else it was an historical night... Me, defended by ace.

Imagine that.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (v+ExF)

869 4. I'd like to see a penalty box for people who
break the minor rules. It should be on the front page so we can see who
is in there and so we can make fun of them during their timeout. Maybe
a week or two for minor stuff.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 09:02 PM (Y5Zv1)
Oh, that is a brilliant idea!!! Hope Ace sees it and decides to give it a trial run.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (kpCLl)

870 WHEN DA BEARS WIN IT ALL!!!!Posted by: navycopjoe at June 09, 2012 09:06 PM (5noOE) What, you gave up so soon on the cubs? Good choice.

Posted by: robtr at June 09, 2012 09:07 PM (MtwBb)

871
Dear Ace Co.,
I mostly lurk,but Ijust wanted to duck intosayhow muchI've genuinely appreciated all the hard work youandthe regular commenters have put in to making this site one of myvery favorites. Istarted reading itright before the 2008 election andthe warmth and humor have always kept me coming back for more. It's good to see you everyone back.

Posted by: Lace Whig at June 09, 2012 09:07 PM (cKsNJ)

872
Spend a Night in the Box
http://preview.tinyurl.com/6pqxhw4

Posted by: Reverend Horton Heat at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (4MNzY)

873 To paraphrase the Bard:
what's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Posted by: Koch Beiter at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (zsgo8)

874 Sure, I take one phone call and 130 comments zip by.

WRT "the LGF card" I think I mentioned last night I thought I was seeing an "Inverse Johnson Event" because a group of commenters was basically making inane demands of the hosts and trying to drive everyone else off with douchebaggery.

Which is what Johnson did to 80% of his commenters.

So the analogy works, just *really* not the way the people using it had intended.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (bxiXv)

875 is that really Jimmah or just a rude troll?

-----

Jimmah, or someone claiming to be him, was over on the temp WordPress blog earlier today, and posted several profuse apologies that seemed sincerely contrite. I don't know if that was a sock, if THIS is a sock, or exactly what the deal is.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (P6QsQ)

876 I want you people to know that if I have to list my girlfriend as a username it's going to cost me.

......bigtime

Posted by: ontherocks at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (aZ6ew)

877 I couldn't find a way to do that. Frustrated, I was forced to go IRL and actually accomplish a few things, it was crazy.
Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 08:58 PM (kpCLl)

Its was a bit silly actually. The assumed registration was to set up a blog and not just a commenting account. There was a link on the side of the registration page to just do a basic commenter registration.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:09 PM (GULKT)

878 Ace,

You whip the skippy twice a day? I doff my beatsock to you.

Posted by: MrCaniac at June 09, 2012 09:09 PM (1grxW)

879 My ONLY request regarding registration and comments is that we not have those Captcha thingees.

I can never, ever see them well enough to figure out what the hell they say, and the audio is no damned better.

Posted by: Proud to be one of Ace's sphincter sucking dimwit lap-dogs at June 09, 2012 09:09 PM (LoTJ2)

880 854 is a perfect example of why we can't have nice things.

Posted by: Lemmenkainen at June 09, 2012 09:09 PM (Iw4dM)

881 I want you people to know that if I have to list my girlfriend as a username it's going to cost me.

......bigtime
Posted by: ontherocks at June 09, 2012 09:08 PM (aZ6ew)

Damn Straight

Posted by: ontherocks's wife at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (F7GPD)

882
OK, Ace, just don't grow a pony tail. Don't start taking long bike rides with a digital camera. Don't start irrationally banning folks for opposing your viewpoint. And don't get a liberal girlfriend (or boyfriend NTTAWWT).

Posted by: Sphynx at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (M0c4a)

883 I'm thinking about commenting more

Posted by: Roger at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (tIDms)

884 837 Posted by: Dick Hertz at June 09, 2012 08:57 PM (IoNBC)

Now, this is the kind of shit that's got to stop!
Posted by: Phil McCracken at June 09, 2012 08:59 PM (IoNBC)

Don't make me separate you two...

Posted by: Heywood Jablome at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (KZi9D)

885 Hi guys. I'm late to the game but here's my two cents.

Ace is right. Anger is not righteous or empowering. It is the antithesis of these. And my father used to say that profanity is the last bastion of a man who has lost the argument.

In my opinion the left's righteous anger came to the forefront with James Carville and the Clinton administration in the early 90's and was rooted in the Alinsky concept that the ends justify the means.

The problem is that for the most part it has been successful (much to my father's chagrin). Look at Clinton's win against G.H.W. Bush and James Carville's famous line "It's the economy stupid." Or the constant railing against G.W. Bush for eight years that brought us Obama. You're a racist or a hater if you don't want nationalized health care. It worked.

Now conservatives are trying to fight fire with fire. I'm not saying it's right. I still believe that a strong argument based in fact and presented logically will win the day but how many average Americans have the time to sit down and parse through a well thought out argument on national (you got to pass it so you can find out what's in it) health care.

Sound bytes rule the day and more often than not those bytes contain emotional pleas and not sound argument.

This vitriol has been successful for the left. They have figured it out. If you can't get the populous to sit down for a real argument then just hit them with emotionally charged anger and you will win.

Posted by: Jay at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (nojhZ)

886 Two of the primary features that set this blog apart are the amount of
thought put into the posts and the give-and-take in the comments. Thank you, Ace, for encouraging this atmosphere and for all your hard work.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (d6QMz)

887 861
#854 is that really Jimmah or just a rude troll? Or am I asking has my coffee be replaced by Folgers?

------Hell no that wasn't me. I'm shutting the fuck up for a while. I did apologize this morning for my bad behavior last night, and any fucker who posts as me is not me.
Back to shutting up

Posted by: Jimmah at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (soXsf)

888 #767

My name is Buck Naked and I'm a porno star.

No...no no. You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

To my eternal shame, my Porn Name is Misty Smallwood.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (L7hol)

889 Mama Winger I know of the apologies you speak of. He was so wrought with remorse he was blaming that devil called a six-pack of beer for the troubles his posting caused. Methinks I dist tell him to French kiss a Nile crocodile

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (JaB4T)

890 Message board systems (like vbulletin) do a decent job. You get "infractions" when you violate the site's rules (flaming, trolling, race crap,etc, etc) and the # of your infractions are listed next to your username which advertises "hey, this guys can be a dick". A certain # of infractions leads to temporary bans, etc, etc.

But this is a blog not a message board.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (ZPrif)

891 Ack! Is the formatting really messed upor did I do something to really mess up the formatting? I tried to post a simple heartfelt message and it came out looking like real lace wig spam. Oops.

Posted by: Lace Whig at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (cKsNJ)

892 Yay! Comments are back. I guess I better go read the post now!

Posted by: Burn the Witch at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (rX1N2)

893 SO

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (F7GPD)

894 Don't make me separate you two...

Posted by: Heywood Jablome at June 09, 2012 09:10 PM (KZi9D)
You'd need a bunch of crowbars to try.

Posted by: Navy guys once they leave port at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (Iw4dM)

895 Posted by: Jimmah-Ha-Ha-Ha at June 09, 2012 09:03 PM (/5cf7)

I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.

Posted by: Dr. Rumack at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (HtUdo)

896 Jimmy Ha-Ha-Ha,

Thank you from taking the time from your busy day running a multinational corporation and/or waxing your twin Jags.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (aw5Tx)

897 Re: Registration

I've actually advocated that for a while, despite the drawbacks. I use a real e-mail address in the e-mail field, and it doesn't really expose me that much.

If I could get my wish, it would be something like registering a *hash*, divorcing it from the IP address, and thus allowing us to sock while still logging in and registering. The downside being people would whine about their hashes even more than we do now (obligatory "my hash also sucks" goes here).

I'd leave it random just to avoid that issue, or just seeded off initial IP during registration.

But "registering the hash", if possible, would be ideal. Maybe create a new field just for socking and suppress the username field for user display purposes, leaving the hash up.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:12 PM (bxiXv)

898 #887 Jimmah. Wise choice. I do see different hashes.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:13 PM (JaB4T)

899
my Porn Name is

Happy Ridge

Posted by: garrett at June 09, 2012 09:13 PM (4MNzY)

900 I come here for the snarky sockpuppets. Humor is the best medicine. But boy, there certainly musta been something awful to get Ace so upset. Be nice if there was a sidebar link to that.
I wonder if this had something to do with that 1st Amendment terrorist that has been causing so much grief out there.?
Hope all is better now though.

Posted by: torabora at June 09, 2012 09:13 PM (D0RFB)

901 So I see I missed Pastafarian earlier in the thread- no hard feelings, bro. We're on the same team, even if our sports teams are bitter rivals.

Posted by: tmi3rd at June 09, 2012 09:14 PM (cxomr)

902 twin jags? day-amn...

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at June 09, 2012 09:14 PM (6IReR)

903 Does this mean I can no longer love Captain Hate?

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:14 PM (1X/a4)

904
I'd say give every post a Like/Dislike or Report button and assholes with too many 'Reports' get their email dumped in the Lace Wig Spam list.

Posted by: Sphynx at June 09, 2012 09:14 PM (M0c4a)

905 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on. To my eternal shame, my Porn Name is Misty Smallwood.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 09:11 PM (L7hol)
So mine is Sugarfoot New Market? Or, if I go by my actual first pet and the alternate name for the street I lived on, it'd be President James Garfield State Route 5 (for the record, President James Garfield was one of those sucker catfish in my college fish tank).

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 09:14 PM (rO1vw)

906 The assumed registration was to set up a blog and
not just a commenting account. There was a link on the side of the
registration page to just do a basic commenter registration.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:09 PM (GULKT)
Ah, thanks, buzzion. I bailed when I realized I was gonna get a freakin' blog out of the deal . . .

I will have another look if we end up there again.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 09:15 PM (kpCLl)

907 > No...no no. You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

Frisky 86th Avenue doesn't exactly sound like a master cocksman.

Posted by: Lemmenkainen at June 09, 2012 09:15 PM (Iw4dM)

908 my Porn Name is
---------------------------------------------------
Teddy Scheffer here.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 09:15 PM (jucos)

909 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

You fancy city-folk... As far as I knew, mine would have been "Dino RFD #1". I think the road now has a name.

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 09:15 PM (FcR7P)

910 *904. No Upding or Downding evah... trust me, that path leads to classic Athenian Democracy and the classic black-balling.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (JaB4T)

911 "I'm shutting the fuck up for a while."

Good idea.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (SivFj)

912 And, yeah if Ace beats off 2x a day then he's either on testosterone replacement therapy or a 15 year old giving us all life coaching tips on how to best deal with anger.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (ZPrif)

913 My porn name would be:

Frisky Junction

Posted by: Sphynx at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (M0c4a)

914 I did like how Powerline had that thing where you could put another commenter on "ignore" or whatever it was. That was pretty good.

Posted by: Peaches at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (kpCLl)

915 anna

we know all about the up and down ding.....it was our demise at the insane place.........

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:17 PM (Ho2rs)

916
AceofSpades starsopposite Nic Cagein
DRIVE HAPPY

Posted by: garrett at June 09, 2012 09:17 PM (4MNzY)

917
Charles Johnson sucks

His bike seat is a dildo

His teeth grind the post

Posted by: SMOD at June 09, 2012 09:17 PM (Vwkdn)

918 Or, optional porn name,

Elizabeth Dismount

(pet dog and street in Grand Prairie, TX)

Posted by: Sphynx at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (M0c4a)

919 Great good gods, Ace, what a post! My admiration for you has just multiplied many-fold. Go for whatever you choose, Lord Ewok -- we are with you.

And I just used your Amazon link to order some instructional material for the keyboard my sister just gave me. It may not be much on your end, but I hope it helps.

Posted by: Empire1 at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (F6/Ua)

920 #854 is that really Jimmah or just a rude troll? Or am I asking has my coffee be replaced by Folgers?

*****

I can't imagine it would be Jimmah. He dropped in this morning to apologize and took it like a man. I don't think he'll be whipping it out for a while.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (piMMO)

921 Almost nine hundred posts bouncing around a topic that will be bloody obvious to anybody who's spent any time in a bar--and pretty much necessary for survival if you own or moderate any sort of discussion board or blog (as I have).

Rule number 1: do not piss off the barkeeper, bouncers, or (and perhaps most importantly) the owner. You will likely be tossed out on your ass (without being allowed to finish your beer) and if you're sufficiently assholish they may invite the local constabulary to come have a chat with you.

Rule number 2: When the bartender, owner, or bouncer says you've had enough to drink, YOU HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO DRINK. Argue with them and you will quickly have Rule #1 invoked upon you.

Rule number 3: Getting excessively angry and/or offensive is a really good way to have Rule #1 invoked upon you.

Rule number 4: You can get away with being a boisterous boor in the bar, as long as you have a smile on your face, and are amusing the patrons. (Or: people like HAPPY drunks. Morose or aggressive drunks--not so much.)

Rule number 5: Don't walk into a crowded sports bar and expect a cheerful reception if you start standing up on tables and shouting about how all the televisions should be immediately turned to Current (or Fox News, or Lifetime, or . . .) just because you think sports (and everyone else in the sports bar) are stupid. In fact, this is another good way to have Rule #1 invoked on your sorry ass.

The mistake people make is thinking that somehow the Internet is not The Real World. It IS the real world. And there are real people at the other end of those nicknames.

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (smvTK)

922 Boston up by 5 early in the first half

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (F7GPD)

923
So...
How are you going to break this new tone to Empire of Jeff?
Cuz thatguy seems pretty angry to me.
Yeah, he may be funny. To us.
But he sure seems angry.

Posted by: Al at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (e6h7s)

924 Exactly Pheonixgirl. And it all started when we defended a father of a child with autism from an out of control moderator.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (JaB4T)

925 We did the porn name generator thing at a company function a few years ago. One of the most uptight women I have ever in my life played along and much to our delight her porn name was Chocolate Woodcock. I almost wet my pants. I laughed until it hurt.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 09:18 PM (jucos)

926 Rebel Walker.

Best pr0n name evar!

Posted by: Andy at June 09, 2012 09:19 PM (XG+Mn)

927 I'd say give every post a Like/Dislike or Report button

----------

no no no no no no no no no

you do not want that

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 09:19 PM (P6QsQ)

928 This is very interesting, Ace. There's nothing wrong with anger -- it's a normal human emotion. It's all about what you do with it. Which I think is at least part of your point.

Some time ago, I read Dale Carnegie's How To Win Friends and Influence People, a book that has survived for a surprising number of years. Well, actually, I didn't read the whole thing. That's because I got caught up in one of his earliest-stated principles, and thought: "Holy Crap! Am I up to this challenge?" That was several years ago, and I'm still working on it.

The principle? "Never criticize, never complain." I don't think he meant that we can't bitch about Obama's New Socialism on Ace. But I do think he meant that this was a good way to get along with people, absent other context. Holy shit, it's hard, but I'm trying to do it, when I can remember.

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:19 PM (2IW5Q)

929 guys do not play the "porn star name game."

Think what you are putting out into public: Pet name, street you grew up on.

These are two basic security questions for password recovery.

It as if the game was cooked up by hackers.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (aw5Tx)

930 Great and thought-provoking post, Ace. I think I've commented maybe once before ... but I read all the time.

My only disagreements are around the edges ... "Be angry but do not sin" is the biblical injunction.

But the larger point is absolutely correct. There is too much thoughtless banter. It is sort of an understandable hazard when people are absent and "fighting their wars" privately and often with fake names. Takes little courage to do that.

My kids talk about how people are different on FB, for instance. I think that the artificial nature of the medium lends itself to impoliteness, rudeness, and inappropriate anger. If we were in person, a lot of the nonsense would be cut out.

In the meantime, a commenter above counseled to worry less about the fools. I think this is good counsel, but still ... so is yours.

The quote from Prager is rattling around in my brain re: the moral obligation to be cheerful.

Thank you for all you do.

Posted by: RickR at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (75JLY)

931 we know all about the up and down ding.....it was our demise at the insane place.........

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola

Wasn't it, though? Good heavens, it all ended in tears - as a number of people said on the day it was introduced.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:21 PM (mKMj1)

932 Registration fine with me! I can only use my real name here anyway.

Here in Osaka, using my real name results in Bieber-like hysteria.

Posted by: Hung Lo at June 09, 2012 09:21 PM (AzwZn)

933 So does this mean comments will remain with the current thingy or are we getting a new thingy in the future to save Ace the trouble with troll/peoplethatcan'tkeeptheirlooseshittogetherandnotmaketroublefortheblog commenters?

Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston at June 09, 2012 09:21 PM (KCvsd)

934 BTW, a link to a famous defense of hate, by a Nobel Peace Prize winner, at my nic.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (1X/a4)

935 He dropped in this morning to apologize and took it like a man.

Actually, that's good to hear. There've been a few times when, perhaps just a bit under the influence, I've said things here that I regretted the next day. Fortunately, they weren't so egregious as to require a public apology.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (IoNBC)

936 374
311 Am I the only one who looks at the nick "HH" and immediately reads it as "Hubert Humphrey"?

And am I really that fucking old?

Posted by: jwpaine at June 09, 2012 07:26 PM (FUozQ)

Herbert Hoover...now get off my fucking lawn
Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 07:38 PM (Yhu4q)

OK boys and girls, say it with me- Heinrich Himmler, member, Chicken Farmers of Bavaria.

Posted by: Bill H at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (3sZO1)

937 This is hoops at the highest level. Great game.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (HethX)

938 Dianna you were over there at the tiny gangrenous foosball place also? Small Internet.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (JaB4T)

939 Wasn't it, though? Good heavens, it all ended in tears - as a number of people said on the day it was introduced. ---------------

And it just served as an ass kissing tool for the fanboys over there.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (Agn5J)

940 Damn fine post.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (rX1N2)

941 > These are two basic security questions for password recovery.

I don't use real answers for any of those types of questions for exactly that reason. That's how Palin and probably Mitt's email got hacked.

Posted by: Lemmenkainen at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (Iw4dM)

942 1 Peter 3:9-13

Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.d For:“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”

Posted by: MJM64 at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (G5CIP)

943 could my comeback be at hand?!

Posted by: [ you ] at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (GULKT)

944 Damn.....

I take Friday off from AOS and miss the meltdown.

I make a couple quick posts on Saturday thru Wordpress..... go out for a few hours.... and now, 1000 posts later, I missed the reconciliation.

My timing has always sucked.

Not sure what transmorgrification the blog is going thru right now, but I feel like Im an observer to a Siddhartha-esque story of personal discovery.

Keep the chin up Ace.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (ffV1/)

945 929 guys do not play the "porn star name game."

Think what you are putting out into public: Pet name, street you grew up on.

These are two basic security questions for password recovery.

It as if the game was cooked up by hackers.
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (aw5Tx)

Hunh. We always played it as: Phallic/Vaginal Entendre, Street Your Lost Your Virginity On

Posted by: Heywood Jablome at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (KZi9D)

946 929 guys do not play the "porn star name game."

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (aw5Tx)

Or just lie completely.

"Dick Savage"

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (bxiXv)

947 The comments are back and the text formatting still sucks eggs.

Posted by: sandman says hey, look over there, SQUIRREL! at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (zxaA2)

948 It as if the game was cooked up by hackers.
Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (aw5Tx)

Yes. And "Sandy Bean Coffman Circle" sounds fucking retarded.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (IoNBC)

949 My porn name is...Prince Maplewood.

That's actually kind of awesome.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (H4xh0)

950 Hah!

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (aw5Tx)

951 Think what you are putting out into public: Pet name, street you grew up on.

These are two basic security questions for password recovery.

It as if the game was cooked up by hackers.

Posted by: ace at June 09, 2012 09:20 PM (aw5Tx)

that's weird, my passwords are all bacon and condom brand names.
wait, what?

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (6IReR)

952 Posted by: Sphynx at June 09, 2012 09:16 PM (M0c4a)

Mine would be Millie Twyckenham.

Posted by: Riding Back From The Desert With My Hat, Poncho And Spitting On A Stray Sock at June 09, 2012 09:24 PM (MG6Y6)

953 This is hoops at the highest level. Great game.

Posted by: Lincolntf at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (HethX)

------
I thought we were watching hockey. Dang.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 09:25 PM (P6QsQ)

954 Hunh. We always played it as: Phallic/Vaginal Entendre, Street Your Lost Your Virginity On

Posted by: Heywood Jablome at June 09, 2012 09:23 PM (KZi9D)

What about "Sexual Vanilla"?

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 09:25 PM (rO1vw)

955 I guess this might be a new rule of etiquette -
"If the damsel or commenter in distress tells you to stop defending them, cease immediately."

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:25 PM (JaB4T)

956 I thought we were watching hockey. Dang.

-----

c'mon Devils.!!

Posted by: fixerupper at June 09, 2012 09:26 PM (ffV1/)

957 I'm Sir Lottatang. A bit disappointing, that.

I entered my short-form first-name and got Private Banger. I like that one better.

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:26 PM (smvTK)

958 I don't use joethefatman to be anonymous, there just happens to be a shitpile of with the behind name miller in world with MY front name. Plus I'm fat. Works out don't it.

Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at June 09, 2012 09:26 PM (MnSla)

959 938
Dianna you were over there at the tiny gangrenous foosball place also? Small Internet.

Posted by: Anna Puma

I was, back when. I left in 2009; you?

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:26 PM (mKMj1)

960 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

So my porn name would be Hans Briar Hill.

Doesn't quite work. Or maybe it's a little kinky.

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 09:26 PM (sdi6R)

961 929. And there goes my get rich quick scheme
Thanks dude

Actually you are very right on that
Both are yahoo security questions

Posted by: navycopjoe at June 09, 2012 09:27 PM (OApiq)

962 934 BTW, a link to a famous defense of hate, by a Nobel Peace Prize winner, at my nic.
Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:22 PM (1X/a4)

Before I click, is it Arafat or Gore? Or Obama?

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:27 PM (bxiXv)

963 Nice post Ace and on target. That anger is one of the reasons I finally retired after 24 years as a copper. It's everywhere. Add in a liberal dose of drugs and/or alcohol and the mix is explosive. Anger is a normal and even useful emotion but only when tempered with self control. Unrestrained anger is corrosive and destructive.

Posted by: WeWhoLurk at June 09, 2012 09:27 PM (gW5fI)

964 953 I thought we were watching hockey. Dang.

I am no fan of basketball. For me it is redolent of the squeak of gym shoes on polished wood, and the stink of the locker room, two things I find very uncongenial. But one can say this for it: no slap shots to the nads. Losing the comments here for a time came close to that.

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (2IW5Q)

965 Ace:

I already have a priest. Thanks anyway.

Posted by: Megan at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (cwdo5)

966 An aspect of this discussion missing from the post (maybe covered in the 900+ comments) is how "hate" gets used to describe opposing views these days. I don't see it too much from the Right, but the left throws the word around with reckless abandon.

They honestly feel our opinions are hateful and that somehow justifies their own "anger", when in reality they - being the good liberals they are - are simply projecting. The Tea Party can assemble peacably and sanitarily, yet somehow it's a violent hateful mob. You can say you don't agree with gay marriage, and suddenly you're full of hate. Disagree with the President on policy groundsand suddenly you're "hatin' on a black man".

Posted by: Burn the Witch at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (rX1N2)

967 My two cents: Ban like a Viking!! Seriously, Ace, do you remember the days -- maybe eight years ago -- when every third comment was pure gold? Today, not so much. I know, price of success and all...

Posted by: quiggs at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (PybtX)

968 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

****

My first street and first pet would be awful: Spot Main

My second street and second pet would be better: Bobo Thunder

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (piMMO)

969 What #35 said...great post. Good to have you back, boss.

Mea culpa...I went off on one on one of the cobloggers a few weeks back, went over the top a ways. I was angry and having a bad day, which justifies nothing.

The comment that set me off was disrespectful to a lady columnist whom I deeply respect, and I'm old-fashioned about that sort of thing; but the guy's comment was honest, if crude. Of course, 2 weeks later I get my comeuppance when Peggy posts her "Save Richard Lugar!" article...oh, the horror!!

Thanks again, Ace. I really needed to hear that, particularly now.

BTW, my family here in WIS still torqued about #WIRecallFail. I'm trying to take the high ground on this one...

Posted by: WildWillyC at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (llQzg)

970 I won't use my current dog's name, but a childhood dog....

Wilbur Saratoga.

Try not to faint ladies.

Posted by: Delta_Smelt at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (8MCmv)

971 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

Velvet Valley

Works!

Posted by: trainer (formerly banned) at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (1QEkm)

972 And it just served as an ass kissing tool for the fanboys over there.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp

*Groan*, did it ever! And it also was like a bat-signal for the Baying Pack of Internet Harpies.

If you could just watch it happen, it was really interesting. But being on the receiving end sucked.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (mKMj1)

973 So now everyone knows that the Truck grew up on Scheffer and had a dog named Teddy. The street I lost my virginity on was Mississippi River Boulevard. Doesn't really work. I'll try it.
Dick Mississippi?
Dick River?

Hmph.... Not bad.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (jucos)

974 >>>My only disagreements are around the edges ... "Be angry but do not sin" is the biblical injunction.

I have a little quibble with that - Literally Ephesians 4:26 could read, “If you find your self being provoked to anger do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down without resolving it.” It doesn't say it's okay to be angry...

Just my two cents.

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (uB19f)

975 tl:dr... seriously though, anger is a tool. A mature man will not let his anger rule him but will use it when warranted.

Posted by: billhedrick at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (Iu4IG)

976 Heh.

My current names would be Lizzy Larchmont or Kitty Larchmont

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (piMMO)

977 Well, as the "street" I grew up on was RR1, and the "street" I lost my virginity on was County Road 412, looks like I'm not cut out for the porn industry.

Posted by: Ruby at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (QAUe4)

978 My real name is Mike. Mike Hunt.

Posted by: blaster at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (HR5x9)

979 960
You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.

"Tiger Birch." No way, definitely seems gay.

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (2IW5Q)

980 Its like people completely missed ace's point about the porn name generator.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (GULKT)

981 It as if the game was cooked up by hackers.

Please don't live your life in fear.

Yours truly,

Dr Altaka Yurmani

Central Bank of Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria

01-658-21-2658

Posted by: Not A Scam at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (HtUdo)

982 But the true anger and hate will be in the beginning of next year....

WHEN DA BEARS WIN IT ALL!!!!

I read that fast and read Cubs and my first thought was "oh God he's off the meds".

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (yTtpr)

983 Dianna, I was there with this name until Chuckles did his great purge just over three years ago that destroyed his Chat room. I am one of the insidious bad apples; Shar---- banned me for an upding I did to protest her insanity.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (JaB4T)

984

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (smvTK)

985 Hey, I am lurker Dmitri and friend to all. I have new game for us people here to play cause we are all friends here ... uh.... game called ...reality TV Show name! Yay! Let's Play.

You take -- name of street you live on.
Then mother's Maiden name.
Then make and model of your first car!
Having fun! Yay! Is fun game for friends to play!
Then year you were born.
Then name of best childhood friend.
Childhood is happy, yes? Yay!
Then 2 digit month of birth.
Still more fun! Have vodka drink for more fun!
Now name favorite teacher at school.
Finally at the last, current employer.

Is fun game, Reality TV Name Game.
Tell all us friends here what wacky name you make!

Posted by: Dmitri Smith at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (ZPrif)

986 To change the tenor of this thread.

Saw Best exotic marigold hotel today.

It's was really, really good.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 09:30 PM (DWgdc)

987 I'd like to offer everyone some chamomile tea, a biscotti, and a platonic, non-lingering hug.

Namaste.

Posted by: Kensington at June 09, 2012 09:30 PM (uaEZS)

988 BTW, my family here in WIS still torqued about #WIRecallFail. I'm trying to take the high ground on this one...

------

You are a better person than I.

Isn't it deliciously wonderful?

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 09:30 PM (P6QsQ)

989 Ace:

I already have a priest. Thanks anyway.

****

Don't let the door hit ya on the way out

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:30 PM (piMMO)

990 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
----------------------------------

My porn name is: DUSTER LOGAN.

Posted by: But You Can Call Me Hung Lo at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (AzwZn)

991 Devils up 2-1

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (F7GPD)

992 I've been MIA for a while but I'm glad to see that an attempt is being made to keep the HQ up and running.

Thank you, Ace, and the cobloggers for making this place feel like home even when a gal's been away for a while.

Boobs.

As for anger, I feel it. I rarely express it.

Posted by: Ima Wurdibitsch - I am Breitbart at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (otfJ1)

993 962--0-for-3, Dark Lord...Way, WAAYYYY off! ;- )

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (1X/a4)

994 Comments?

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (FcR7P)

995 Dennis Prager's admonition about Happiness seems simplistic, but it's definitely not.

For those of you with 5 minutes, here's his quick tutorial. I supervise over twenty people ... I've shown this video to all my staff and any new people I hire.

http://youtu.be/gQqJvfh9irs

I've listened to the guy for almost 20 years; he's a national treasure.

Posted by: darleen click at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (jWqwx)

996 So I open my door to my enemies

And I ask could we wipe the slate clean

But they tell me to please go f*ck myself

You know you just can't win

Posted by: Floyd at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (z6pg+)

997
Testing, testicular, testes

Posted by: Gunnar at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (TC5Do)

998 Good post. long time lurker, never talker. I have always been trying to manage my anger. i look at every person on the street and see if i can find something i like about them. Sort of a Dale Carnegie thing.

Posted by: jd at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (HNppa)

999 "Think what you are putting out into public: Pet name, street you grew up on."

Crystal Park? That sounds like a 70's porn star with a huge bush.

How about Dominic Stonecock? Fuck yea.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (SivFj)

1000 Seriously, Dennis Prager should be the conservative movement's official rabbi.

Posted by: Kensington at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (uaEZS)

1001 944 Damn.....

I take Friday off from AOS and miss the meltdown.

I make a couple quick posts on Saturday thru Wordpress..... go out for a few hours.... and now, 1000 posts later, I missed the reconciliation.

My timing has always sucked.
--------

Actually, if you apply the lesson from the essay above--YOUR TIMING WAS PERFECT.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:32 PM (1X/a4)

1002 Y'all be using a different generator than I did if you're entering pet's names and stuff like that . . .

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:32 PM (smvTK)

1003 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
----------------------------------

My porn name is: DUSTER LOGAN.

Odd, my porn name is Cory Logan. Quite sure it's not the same Logan though.

Posted by: BishopWash at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (hqKrm)

1004 980 Its like people completely missed ace's point about the porn name generator.
Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (GULKT)

Or, like me, they're Lying Like A Boss!

"Giant Johnson."

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (bxiXv)

1005 I have always been trying to manage my anger. i look at every person on the street and see if i can find something i like about them. Sort of a Dale Carnegie thing.
Posted by: jd at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (HNppa)

Yeah well I look at every girl on the street and rate her from 1 to 10. It's sort of a teenage boy thing I never grew out of?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (F7GPD)

1006 Hah, there's two Maplewood's in my immediate area. And neither are the street I was raised on. There are some benefits to moving six times in eight years.

As it is, I'm Crazee. Crazizzle to my friends. I'm not concerned with my security, my passwords are based on whimsy and I don't even use true factual info for my security questions. Just lies I can remember.

I never thought of Ace's point though, before.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (H4xh0)

1007 My porn star name would be Sticky Shotz.

How ironic.

Posted by: Angus MacDangle at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (i42rm)

1008 Ace:

I already have a priest. Thanks anyway.

Posted by: Megan at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (cwdo5)
---------------------------------------

Your parish has a priest.

I doubt he knows who you are though.

Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (AzwZn)

1009 "I never met a man I didn't like."--Roy Rodgers...DEMOCRAT!

"We never met a successful man we didn't hate."--Modern Democrats

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:34 PM (1X/a4)

1010 Good post. long time lurker, never talker. I have always been trying to manage my anger. i look at every person on the street and see if i can find something i like about them. Sort of a Dale Carnegie thing.Posted by: jd at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (HNppa) Hmmm, I always try to figure out how I can kill them if I have too. Are those courses on Kindle?

Posted by: robtr at June 09, 2012 09:34 PM (MtwBb)

1011 Damn, 1000 comments in three hours on a summer Saturday evening!

Posted by: Retread at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (joSBv)

1012 1004
980 Its like people completely missed ace's point about the porn name generator.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:29 PM (GULKT)

Or, like me, they're Lying Like A Boss!

Well, yeah.

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (2IW5Q)

1013 982. You and robr
Bringing the pain

I feel loved

Posted by: navycopjoe at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (SeqiN)

1014 Watching the egregious squish and opportunistic blog whore's beta commenters climb all over each other to raise his belly fat and attempt to suck his flaccid micro-penis makes for spectacular Saturday evening entertainment.

My only regret is I don't have any popcorn in the house

Hope the Turd Press thing works out for ya' fatty, make sure you put an upding/downding system in place too just like your twin brother.

Ahhhhhahahahahahahahahahaha

.

Posted by: Jimmah-Ha-Ha-Ha at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (eX3h/)

1015 I love this blog.

Made maybe 5 comments ever, but I read every post, every day. It's the homepage on my phone.

I really hope a few a-holes don't ruin it for the rest of us.

Posted by: BadgerHawk at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (+IACL)

1016 Your parish has a priest.

I doubt he knows who you are though.
Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (AzwZn)

Sure I do. The broad in the front pew who never wears panties and can play the harmonica with her.......

Posted by: Priest at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (F7GPD)

1017 983
Dianna, I was there with this name until Chuckles did his great purge
just over three years ago that destroyed his Chat room. I am one of the
insidious bad apples; Shar---- banned me for an upding I did to protest
her insanity.

Posted by: Anna Puma

I wasn't usually in the chat room, so I don't think we interacted much. I vaguely remember you - and I will say that Sharm got her come-uppance and then some.

Some others? Not so much.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (mKMj1)

1018 993 962--0-for-3, Dark Lord...Way, WAAYYYY off! ;- )
Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:31 PM (1X/a4)

Well, to be honest, it was more of a statement regarding my level of respect for the Nobel Peas Prize than it was a question...

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (bxiXv)

1019 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
Egads mine would be Fluffy Maple.

Posted by: Rabid Matt at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (40Ex+)

1020
Since the topic came up and I've been recuperating from a bug with lots of time on my hands I visited the old LottaGoodFine blog today.

I picked a thread at random, and there were only a few names posting over and over. Only one name that I remember from the old days of Rathergate........Kilgore Trout, who apparently has sucked long and hard from the kool-aid.

that was the first time in several years that I had been back. Not worth the effort.

Posted by: jinxthecat at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (l3vZN)

1021 I have a dreadful temper. Dreadful. For the most part, I have learned not to let it take control of me like it did when I was younger. But I still can't discuss certain things with certain people - politics and religion, mostly, and even with people I mostly agree with. "Louder" doesn't always equal "right", and sometimes it's better to save it for another time.
As for my pron name - Puddles Rte. 9W.
Lovely.

Posted by: antisocialist at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (j/nZn)

1022 Glad your back Ace. Have to go run some errands

Lurk back later.

Posted by: Riding Back From The Desert With My Hat, Poncho And Spitting On A Stray Sock at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (MG6Y6)

1023 Porn name?
Gigantic Penis. No shit.

Posted by: Dr Behrndt Bahlzach at June 09, 2012 09:36 PM (jucos)

1024 Retread, it's called withdrawl. Compensating for the previous lack with a burst of commentary. Plus fear of it going *poof* again so like that gaggle of monkeys at typewriters, who knows we might just write the complete works of Buddha meets Dale Carnegie.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:36 PM (JaB4T)

1025 Besides I thinka better game than the pornstar name generator would be to name which porn star you would like to have. You know if it weren't for the fact of them being being all coked up and having more cock enter them than a KFC processing plant.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:36 PM (GULKT)

1026 Ace- Well said and absolutely on target!

Posted by: eskimo at June 09, 2012 09:37 PM (f+zp/)

1027 Yeah well I look at every girl on the street and rate her from 1 to 10. It's sort of a teenage boy thing I never grew out of?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:33 PM (F7GPD)

That is so childish.

I totally go with pass / fail.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:37 PM (bxiXv)

1028 Yeah, no up and down dings. I, like most of you, don't give a shit what a lot of people think, and if you were to add what people think about what people think on top that my interest iwould be below zero. It's an irritation at that point.

This blog just needs an efficient mechanism to keep malignant assholes, crazy people, bad drunks, redheads, and genuine trolls out without destroying the great things about the blog so that ace's adrenals can have the hope of healing.

Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 09:37 PM (Y5Zv1)

1029
You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
----------------------------------

My porn name is: SMOKEY JOHNSON.....pure poetry.

Posted by: Gunnar at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (TC5Do)

1030 A good example of this is Governor Scott Walker vs. the unhinged lefties in that state.

Deliberate, measured, composed, even tempered even in the case of such vitriol thrown at him. And no gloating in victory either.

George W Bush was and still is gracious, almost gentle - never a mean word out of him even with all the unfairness and distortion of his record and Obama's blaming him for everything wrong and taking credit for everything right.

Doing this doesn't mean you don't confront the opposition - it means you confront them and correct them in a constructive, disciplined way without invective and name-calling. You act like reasonable, disciplined adults with civility and grace. You attack issues and their record, but not them as persons (even though some of them are such delightful targets of that).

You correct falsehoods with fact and evidence, without taking cheap shots.

You state the differences, why you're right, why they are wrong.

Be mature, let them behave badly and don't respond in kind. Anger, hatred and venom are doomed to fail, are not attractive - reserve that for the lefties.

Whenever I get into a political discussion, I tend to say this is how I see it and here's why. Then I listen, ask questions and sometimes cite some facts. A reasonable discussion seems to be far more effective than belligerently stating a position and treating the other side like idiots.

Use honey and gentleness, not piss and vinegar.

Posted by: Frank Reality at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (Bn9It)

1031 >>>i look at every person on the street and see if i can find something i like about them.

My pastor friend told me that he tries to see the intrinsic value in everybody he meets. It helps explain why he's so personable and how he can so readily be friendly and amicable with people.

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (uB19f)

1032 Its like people completely missed ace's point about the porn name generator.

****

Uh-oh.

What did I do/miss?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (piMMO)

1033 Yea, a time out system would be good, or a Naughty Step!

Also, maybe the overnight threads where there's no post and people are hammered should just end at midnight or something.

Posted by: PJ at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (DQHjw)

1034 Long time lurker. I rarely comment because I have nothing to add that's as funny as what you guys have already written. It is simple: ace owns the place and the brand. He has to do what he has to to protect both and his own and familys well being.

Posted by: javau at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (JvH1h)

1035 Gay pornstar name generator:

Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.

My Gay Porn Star Name: MERCURY ASSBLASTER!

Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (AzwZn)

1036 I read the comments up to Ace saying he"ll take the H.L. Mencken odd the mast head. Noooooooo!

Can we haz ONT?

Posted by: KelliD at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (a6q5B)

1037 That is so childish.

I totally go with pass / fail.

****

Hit it or not

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (piMMO)

1038 so....not to get all up in your grill ace....but can we please get a new thread?

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (Ho2rs)

1039 Celtics kicking ass...so far.

Posted by: Crazee at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (H4xh0)

1040 Posted by: runninrebel at June 09, 2012 09:37 PM (Y5Zv1)

Don't think I didn't notice, that, buckaroo!

Posted by: Proud to be one of Ace's sphincter sucking dimwit lap-dogs at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (LoTJ2)

1041 Porn name: Dirk Looselips!!!!????

That is not good....!!!!!

STUPID GENERATOR!!!!

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (DWgdc)

1042 Uh-oh.What did I do/miss?
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (piMMO)

That pet name and first stree you lived on are standard answers to login security questions.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (GULKT)

1043 Also, maybe the overnight threads where there's no post and people are hammered should just end at midnight or something.
Posted by: PJ at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (DQHjw)

I never drink before Noon and never make it till Midnight

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (F7GPD)

1044 988 BTW, my family here in WIS still torqued about #WIRecallFail. I'm trying to take the high ground on this one...

------

You are a better person than I.

Isn't it deliciously wonderful?

------------------------------------------

Oh yes! But my wife is one of the disenchanted, so I do what I must to preserve marital "relations." :-)

Posted by: WildWillyC at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (llQzg)

1045 Well, ok Ace, but I'm still going to continue being angry that restaurants serve food with cilantro on it. Despite your call for civility as a virtue. That stuff is just too disgusting.

Posted by: Kevin at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (3o64G)

1046 965 Ace:

I already have a priest. Thanks anyway.
Posted by: Megan at June 09, 2012 09:28 PM (cwdo5)

You're such a fine person that anyone who encourages you to be a better person is just out of line.

I want to borrow money from you.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 09:40 PM (IoNBC)

1047 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
Porn name would be Sparky Bardick. Not bad, but not great. Certainly not memorable. Seems like the name of the lonely "guy number 3" in the gang bang watching from a closet.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at June 09, 2012 09:41 PM (YYyqq)

1048 1009 "I never met a man I didn't like."--Roy Rodgers...

Roy was gay, then?

Because honestly, in any other context that statement is simply inane and insincere.

Posted by: coolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:41 PM (niZvt)

1049 BTW, Scott Walker had an awesome sign up for the recall: "STAY CALM, AND VOTE FOR WALKER."

BTW, Glenn Beck, too, is a BIG fan of staying calm, under control, and positive, too.

And I am, too. As I like to tell my clients:"If you lose your cool in the courthouse...YOU LOSE."

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:41 PM (1X/a4)

1050 I'm with Ace on this. I have noticed that where some people misuse anger to mask fear, others use dick jokes. Just sayin'.

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 09:41 PM (c9Ivb)

1051 Well, ok Ace, but I'm still going to continue being angry that
restaurants serve food with cilantro on it. Despite your call for
civility as a virtue. That stuff is just too disgusting.

*****

Absolutely! There are some causes that are simply too big to walk away from!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (piMMO)

1052 I totally go with pass / fail.

****

Hit it or not

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (piMMO)

Pretty much the same thing.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (bxiXv)

1053 This is the fifth or sixth post that Ace has laid down the law. How thick-headed do you have to be that continued transgressions are OK with you. Ace's house... Ace's rules. Simple as that. Be a good guest or surf along. The internet is a Big Place.

Posted by: Alfortish at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (xiXJp)

1054 998
Good post. long time lurker, never talker. I have always been trying to
manage my anger. i look at every person on the street and see if i can
find something i like about them. Sort of a Dale Carnegie thing.

Yes, that's very good. But there's another point about how emotions, including anger, work. They are signals that you need to pay attention to. Suppressing them is not smart; if you do that, they come out through your actions in subtle ways; they control you. Instead, you acknowledge them: "I feel angry about X. I feel sad about Y." Once you acknowledge them, they lose much of their power over you. Then, fully informed about what they are telling you, you decide what to do, with the rational part of your brain. A useful working definition, which I did not invent: "emotions are a lightning-fast evaluation of the relationship of some part of reality to yourself." They are neither to be ignored or suppressed; they must be acknowledged and listened to. But they should not run the show. Only you should do that.

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (2IW5Q)

1055 Hit it or not
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:39 PM (piMMO)

Yeah yeah i play hit or not also, but there is always that special category of " If the World were to end in 5 minutes" right?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (F7GPD)

1056 Fixed my handle

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (niZvt)

1057 Posted by: Jimmah-Ha-Ha-Ha at June 09, 2012 09:35 PM (eX3h/)

I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.

Posted by: Dr. Rumack at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (HtUdo)

1058 This blog just needs an efficient mechanism to keep malignant assholes, crazy people, bad drunks, redheads

Ahem.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (yTtpr)

1059 Sockpuppeting is essential to the culture of this blog.

For the sake of sanity, though we need registration.

My modest proposal: allow the "name" for a post to be a sockpuppet, but replace the hash with our official AoSHQ name BUT set the color of the official name to the background color of the blog.

That way, all of the readers can view the blog the way things used to be, but the posters ID can be easily be revealed just by highlighting some text when necessary.

Administratively, it will be as if everyone is posting with a registered account, but for readers, everything will at least look exactly the same.

C'mon Pixy!!!!!

Posted by: Stirner at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (nTjSs)

1060 Ace is a philosophizer now.

Posted by: White Goodman at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (v9Yvj)

1061 >>>>But you one-percenters can kiss my big white Texas ass, way up where it's brown.
DiT, that's kinda..well not kinda. That's gross. :-)

Posted by: Bosk at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (RRoh3)

1062 Dianna, ah. The Chat was hilarious, Shar---- or Chuckles hisself never could hang there. Too fast for their comprehension speed. So some anonymous people. Chuckles bootlickers, started to say those in Chat were bad mouthing Chuckles. Then there is the matter of Chuckles technological prowess claims. I think I was in his Chat room for over three days after he officially closed it. So whether Chuckles had actual logs of his chat room and knew how to read them is open to debate. But he believed it was a hotbed against him and shut it down.

Yeah Shar---- got kicked to the curb. And so did Wild Irish. That blog proved an eternal truth of progressives, they will eat each other over the most obscure thing if it means they get to stay on the inside.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (JaB4T)

1063 Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.
---------------------------------------------------
Volkswagon Treadmill

Posted by: Truck Monkey at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (jucos)

1064 Also, if you're going to use Captcha, use the one that shows a short video of interpretive dance and asks the user to interpret it in 400 words or less.

Because I want to die of old age logging into a site.

Wait, what?

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (bxiXv)

1065 1045 I hear ya, brother.
Shit totally tastes like dishwater.

Posted by: antisocialist at June 09, 2012 09:44 PM (j/nZn)

1066 Gay pornstar name generator:

Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill

Oh dear God: Rabbit dumb bells.

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 09:44 PM (c9Ivb)

1067 @1053

Blog commenting is a lot like being in your car.

Otherwise good people act like total assholes when they get behind the
wheel of a car.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 09:44 PM (DWgdc)

1068 anna

the night he closed it, he came in and APOLOGIZED 3 times......

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:44 PM (Ho2rs)

1069 CoolCzech, the context was that he cd always find something to like in every person he met.

BTW, even gay men don't like EVERY man they meet, do they? [Hope you don't know]

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:44 PM (1X/a4)

1070 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.
----------------------------------

I come up with Lucy Larwood.

Posted by: Bill H at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (3sZO1)

1071
I think this review is for a movie called: "Check That Shit at the Door, Cons."

Or, you know, not.

Posted by: Sharkman at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (wMsKw)

1072 So, what does "enabling comments for this one post" mean?
I guess the best part of this blog, no insult meant to the King Ewok, is the banter, the repartee between the commentors as much as the subject matter. I find the ramblings of some amusing, and the snark adn the wit a welcomed relief.
What I would not like is the unveiling of a smothering, do as I say LGF type regime that will kill this cute chunk of cyberspace quicker than a giant can of Black Flag. The heart of this blog is not so much the Ewok, or even the cob-loggers: it's the shmoes in the comments. That's where the best stuff is. Some type of gate keeping seems in order. Having a permanent number that Ace knows and that never reveals itself to the public is appropriate.
What would be appropriate would be punishing everyone for the transgressions of a few. Group punishment works for corporate groups: crews, teams the military. It does not work well whilst herding cats. The Moron Horde® is a herd of cats if ever there was one.
Tighter entry controls are in order; smothering controls, arbitrary bannings, that kind of LGF nonsense is not in order. And for the record, having been in fist fights and the military, there is most definitely a place for anger. It is not a sin if it is righteous, and that can be looked up if someone wants to argue it. Anger provides a fire in the belly, lights a fire under your ass and is a motivator properly channeled. A great many things are accomplished by men in anger, motivated to get things done. Anger is not always boiling hot, spittle flecked in state. If I had to choosethe worst person to come up against, in fact, a person who has internalized that anger, banked that fire and prepared the field prior to a fight is the worst to face off against. Sometimes the 'cool, detached guy' can't get it up, can't keep up and gets run over. Anger, grim determination, these are useful tools in their place. Please see Colonel Jeff Cooper's Colored Levels of Awareness.
Calm, happy go lucky, smiling is usually not the most prepared a person can be. That's called Condition White, and it can get your ass in deep trouble.

Just my opinion. I been here off and on since maybe 2005 or 2004. too old to remember.

Posted by: sandman says hey, look over there, SQUIRREL! at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (zxaA2)

1073 1063 Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.

Mustang Abroller? FAIL!

Favorite porn name...Hugh Jorgan

Posted by: KelliD at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (a6q5B)

1074 Gay pornstar name generator:

Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.

Safari Kettlebell?

And why is the first thing I think of during these Porn Star Name Games is the Big Jim Slade scene from "The Kentucky Fried Movie"?

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (rO1vw)

1075 ban more, worry less... words to live by..

Posted by: catman at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (YKUmW)

1076 We need to have someone make one of those DirecTV ads . . .

When you post angry posts . . .

. . . post funny, not angry.

(I'm having trouble with the middle part).

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (smvTK)

1077 volkswagan thighmaster

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (Ho2rs)

1078 Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (uB19f)

Hence Namaste....the divinity in me acknowledges the divinity in you.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (LoTJ2)

1079 FWIW, martial artist James Keating, and the Ancient Greeks, both agreed on anger, that in a fight it was counter-productive. Sun Tzu and Miyamoto Musashi both counsel to aggravate an angry opponent because anger leads to mistakes.

The Greeks had contempt for the "Warrior" mentality (example: the Maori anger dances performed by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team) that sought to fire up people with anger. They felt in a hard fight that could last hours, with intense hand-to-hand combat, Anger was counter-productive and that discipline and workmanship was essential. James Keating cites that same approach, disdaining the Asian "yelling" schools and liking the Western fencing approach of finding an opening and conclusively ending the engagement. Even Spider-Man sought to wise-crack to make his opponents angrier and angrier so they'd make mistakes.

Posted by: whiskey at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (L03mw)

1080 1064
Also, if you're going to use Captcha, use the one that shows a short
video of interpretive dance and asks the user to interpret it in 400
words or less.

Dance video complete. Please enter your interpretation: Kate Upton doing the "Dougie"

Login screen: Enter, friend

Posted by: Splunge at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (2IW5Q)

1081 WRT the car / exercise thing:

MAKE is the manufacturer. MODEL is the name of the car.

Mercury Mariner
BMW 535i
etc.

So mine would be 122 Nordictrack. Which sounds like a repair shop address.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (bxiXv)

1082 My porn name would be CANDY GREENTREE.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (DGIjM)

1083
Agree with Ace, though I reserve the right to yell at Obama when I see him on Fox News.
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." -James 3:2

Posted by: norrin radd at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (QQ7R1)

1084 So we're not having a chess thread tonight?

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (sdi6R)

1085 mine is Leon Elmington

Posted by: catman at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (NYdB8)

1086 1025. Oh hell no
It'll be anarchy, watch

My top three porn chicks: Maria de sanchez, anita blond and Lisa Ann

And yes, t looks just like one of them but with bigger boobs

Posted by: navycopjoe at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (3A7PP)

1087 712
Ace - here's an idea. Go with comment register but turn off the
register for Friday ONT. This will create a unique aspect others don't
have and will put an added spring in the step for each Friday's ONT.

Posted by: Journolist at June 09, 2012 08:37 PM

Yeh, let's try that out!

Posted by: Ghosts of the Notorious 1400 thread at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (Y+DPZ)

1088 phoenix,

ace said:
I will enable comments for just this post. I imagine some will want to argue about this. That's fine; that's why I'm enabling comments, so you can express that, so you can argue back.

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (TomZ9)

1089 Volkswagon Treadmill

***

Me too!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (piMMO)

1090 PG, he did? By that time I was on my alt since Shar---- had banned me. I was in the room when he shut it down, do not remember the apologies at all. How did he apologize? And I stayed in that chat after the official close, if it wasn't for a computer reboot I might still be logged into it today.....

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (JaB4T)

1091 You know what makes me happy?

The little cherry icon that shows in my browser tab when I click into a comment thread.

For some reason, that makes me happy.

Posted by: Pious Agnostic at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (kcvPW)

1092 I'm not angry.

Posted by: Janetoo at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (R+fMx)

1093
Re: Porn Star Name Game, heres mine.

Duke RR#2

.....doesnt quite get there, does it.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 09, 2012 09:47 PM (ffV1/)

1094 Gay pornstar name generator:

Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.

Mine:
Camaro Thigh Master

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 09:48 PM (DGIjM)

1095 I hope you leave the Mencken quote and the skull on the masthead. It gives this place a pirate ship of the internets look and reminds me of "The Crimson Permanent Assurance". We sail the 'nets firing broadsides of snark at the Left.
I hope it can continue.

Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at June 09, 2012 09:48 PM (y+rwN)

1096 Glad to see the blog gradually getting back to normal. Normal, of course, being a very relative term here.

Posted by: ericinva at June 09, 2012 09:48 PM (tQAbr)

1097 ban more, worry less... words to live by..

Posted by: catman at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (YKUmW)

This!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 09:48 PM (LoTJ2)

1098 Bill Russell always tried to get Wilt Chamberlain DISTRACTED, FRUSTRATED, but not angry...Wilt was one of those athletes who played BETTER when angry.

Russell won 11 NBA championships in his 13 year career.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (1X/a4)

1099 Thanks Never, and Mama,

We did raise some fine young men. The oldest, (army), we adopted out of foster care. He used to hide little piles of food under his bed, and collected pennies which he hid carefully away. For his tenth birthday, we gave him one hundred dollars in pennies, unwrapped. He was in heaven. We had his younger sister for a while too...she was why he hid food, and pennies. She's a lovely, smart young woman now. I don't like her boyfriend though.

Our younger boy, (marines), bio, just graduated high school, and never appreciated anything unless it presented him a challenge. School didn't...he either passed every course and made his other classmates regret the graded curve...or he just simply got bored, and barely passed. He's either on...or off. The Marines came around to talk to him, and he is enthused. To put it mildly.

I lose them both soon, mom is so happy, and proud...and often leaking a few tears. She wanted me to advise both of them to find 'safe' military careers. That's not something I could do.

A word to you parents though...your kids are going to exhibit some obnoxious behaviors while they grow up...some of those, you might want to encourage.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (L7hol)

1100 anna

he kept coming in and saying he was sorry that he was closing it down......said it three times....i don't have a picture of it but i do have a picture of jeb being the last one in there....it's on my work computer

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (Ho2rs)

1101 Suggestion for any new commenting format: please, please PLEASE (is that an angry beg?) find a way to allow normal #U@ing links for once.

U mad bro?

Posted by: Alec Rawls at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (kTTUz)

1102 OK I gotta get some sleep since I got to up before the crack of dawn, so I bid you all good night as I watch the Yanks kick some Met behind, The Celtics drive a stake thru some Heat Hearts and the Devil get's his due!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (F7GPD)

1103 So this is a last hurrah in comments? To say what we think?

I got nothing. Performance anxiety.

Posted by: Oil Field Trash at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (oZ6Js)

1104 1062 Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:43 PM (JaB4T)

That blog proved an eternal truth of progressives, they will eat each other over the most obscure thing if it means they get to stay on the inside.

It turned into a death camp. How ... unexpected. But I went in only once.

Posted by: Arbalest at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (dZPwM)

1105 First car/exercise equipment:

Electra Barbell.

Hmm. It has possibilities.

Posted by: antisocialist at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (j/nZn)

1106 So mine would be 122 Nordictrack. Which sounds like a repair shop address.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:45 PM (bxiXv)

You owned a Volvo? Yeesh!

Uh, Rabbit Stationary Bicycle?

Posted by: Stark DickflÃ¼ssig at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (0XbWx)

1107 Hmmm. . . . Javelin AbRoller

Posted by: Joan of Argghh! at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (chqqG)

1108 Larsen E!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (LoTJ2)

1109 Haven't had the chance to read the article yet but I wanted to say - Ace - you're the man. You have a great blog and I've loved reading it for quite a few years, now. Whatever you want to do for comments, I'm behind you 100%. Your blog is worth it! /shake fist

mac :]

Posted by: macbrooks at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (7RdCE)

1110 Ok, so the Gay Porn Name Generator needs some work.................

Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (AzwZn)

1111 Gay pornstar name generator: Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.
WTF now I'm Buick Stationary-Bike. Jeez I can't win.

Posted by: Rabid Matt at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (40Ex+)

1112 Yeah Shar---- got kicked to the curb. And so did
Wild Irish. That blog proved an eternal truth of progressives, they will
eat each other over the most obscure thing if it means they get to stay
on the inside.

Posted by: Anna Puma

Yep.

I have no technical prowess to speak of, so I will defer to you. Honestly, looking back, I remember when I started withdrawing - and realize I should have done it sooner.

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (mKMj1)

1113 Lady Thor!

Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (y+rwN)

1114
Gay Star Name....

Chevelle Squatrack.

???

Posted by: fixerupper at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (ffV1/)

1115 Haven't posted for a long time, but I have read everyday for many, many years. Glad you have brought back the comments. Glad you are doing your best to eschew the vitriol. Remember the virtues are: love, joy , peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, and self control. I'm glad to see you developing self control Ace and in forcing it among the moron hordes.

Posted by: Taleena at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (cOXtF)

1116 Whoo boy . . .

LeSabre Totalgym.

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (smvTK)

1117 You owned a Volvo? Yeesh!

Posted by: Stark DickflÃ¼ssig at June 09, 2012 09:50 PM (0XbWx)

I own a Volvo now, which is only partly my fault.

But it's an all-wheel-drive turbo this time, which is my excuse.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (bxiXv)

1118
ChoomWagon Shakeweight.

Posted by: Baraka Obama at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (FcR7P)

1119 1084 So we're not having a chess thread tonight?
Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (sdi6R)

What do you think got everybody so damned angry?

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (niZvt)

1120 Arba, PG - do you think some current residents of another place we hang out are driving folk away?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (JaB4T)

1121 First off, without any reference to the specifics by you or link to the incident(s), it's hard to understand what the limits are.

Vague noises about anger don't tell me what happened to set this off.

An example or two would be too much? Or do you think that somehow we should be able to read minds or have some set of rules in our head that exactly matches yours. I can think of a number ways someone could have stepped over the line but I'm guessing the specifics aren't anywhere near my guesses.

So I'm assuming the "policy" will somehow be spelled out. I don't mind playing by rules, but first I need to know what they are.

Anyone telling me that the rules are obvious needs to understand that assuming what the rules are is what gets people in trouble. And supplies the motivation for feeling put upon or deprived when told they've violated them.

To use your example; noisy guy needs to be told that over 55 dba after 2200 and before 0600 is a no no and over 85 dba is forbidden anytime. And that a calibrated decibel meter will be employed.

See what I mean?

I also think it might behoove you to explain a little of the reasons, personal or otherwise, that cause you to demand that certain rules be obeyed on pain of banishment. It always helps to know what or why something is being ordered for. This isn't the military where instant and exact obedience is necessary, in fact the opposite has been cultivated by you, here (whether that was your original intent, only you know).

Lastly, I think many of those who have been successful (defined as having large numbers of people visiting and commenting and contributing) at blogging arrive at a point where they must realize that the blog doesn't really belong to them anymore (yes, legally, you're the one held liable, I'm talking in the abstract). It's become a public accommodation and although your contributions are still large and impactful, it's the commenters who are the content now and the main attraction.

You, of course, still feel and physically are the operator and the means behind the existence of the blog but the success belongs at least partly to the commenters; the gestalt created by the community that has arisen around the seed of your ideas and your blog and rightly belongs to them also. Without the commenters, a blog is just a diary and unless it contains a plethora of exciting and pertinent opinion and writing it will be mostly unread and unknown. That's a hard thing to understand but I think true.

So while YOU can set policy and make rules, the BLOG is composed of more than just YOU. WE commenters also need to be reminded that YOUR needs and requirements must be catered to and appreciated (and I think most do but some get carried away).

Make it easy for us to cooperate. Tell us WHY certain rules are being required. Make the rules as little impactful to the zeitgeist of the BLOG and it's COMMENTERS free and open inspiration.

Otherwise the commenters will disappear. Of course this will mean fewer rules broken but the spirit of the BLOG will have been broken.

Some of the things that have always attracted me to AoS is the lack of logging in and having a single handle. That whimsy is rewarded and pomposity is derided and laughed at. Along with stupidity or inanity (if repetitive). Yet sympathy and caring is shown to those stricken by life and events. That it's like a meeting place or party and one can interact, contribute or just people watch without anyone judging you.

Think carefully about what this means. But of course you may have other pressing requirements in YOUR life and you have YOUR own priorities. If the blog becomes less raucous, I predict it will become less visited and slip into obscurity and maybe that's what you want. All things die and everything has a time limit.

Be wise and be brave and be angry at whoever specifically is causing your problems here and don't take it out on US. Be inspired by Andrew B and don't fight your friends, fight your enemies. I don't think you have many enemies here. They don't last long.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (CP+yl)

1122 1072 I don't disagree, Sandman.

I'll see your "too old to remember" and raise you, ummm, 5 years?

Posted by: WildWillyC at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (llQzg)

1123 Posted by: Frank Reality at June 09, 2012 09:38 PM (Bn9It)
=================
When I see someone post an unhinged comment, I like to help translate it for normal people, usually along the lines of "I lack the mental acuity to make a rational argument and the factual data to back one up."

Posted by: BadgerHawk at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (+IACL)

1124 Happy sweet kitteh for Caturday night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXpgvsllTgs

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (Y+DPZ)

1125 Mine:

Camaro Thigh Master

Eh. Skylark Rower doesn't work.

Posted by: Dagny at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (WCAIB)

1126 Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill.
Falcon Rope Thing You Put OnA Doorknob What the heck was that thing called?

Posted by: Ammo Dump at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (YYyqq)

1127 You do NOT want to see a chess fan when they get angry.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (1X/a4)

1128 Posted by: Baraka Obama at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (FcR7P)

Ok Mr President.... you owe me a new keyboard.

.... among other things.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (ffV1/)

1129 MadTv: Porn Star Registration

http://youtu.be/2EUc0eJlHNk

Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (AzwZn)

1130 1900 NordicTrac.

Awesome.

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (FcR7P)

1131 Anger leads to hate...hate leads to suffering...

But seriously, from an unfrequented poster (due to lacking in both the snark and wit categories), I appreciate the blog and everyone who contributes. And I hope that the tactic of powering through the anger works for you, Ace. Mine is usually abated with a hefty helping of video game explosions and/or face stabbing.

Posted by: BlackCross5 at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (LazX2)

1132 and in forcing it among the moron hordes.
Posted by: Taleena at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (cOXtF)

Well, in a literal sense, not possible, and I don't even think intended.

"Filtering" and "encouraging" might be a better word combination.

You can't force people to self-anything. It's not "self" if you force it.

But hopefully we'll end up with a little more calm and a little less WTF.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (bxiXv)

1133 Ace,
My favorite cultural and political blog is this.
Keep up the good work and God bless!

Posted by: GW McLintock at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (F1lOF)

1134 Anybody wanna see my longbow?

Posted by: Trimegistus at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (aYbcG)

1135 AP: I've seen comments to that effect. But I have no idea on what (actns, comments, etc.) they are based.

Posted by: Arbalest at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (dZPwM)

1136 This blog just needs an efficient mechanism to keep malignant assholes, crazy people, bad drunks,

redheadsredheadsredheadsAhem.
Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (yTtpr)

well i believe you are a queen, and have gorgeous boots and drink my tea, and alextopia and all. and-and i think they forgot tammy al thor and mpfs

i won't admit to being on the crazy people list.

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (TomZ9)

1137 on top of today sucking because the blog was shut down.......i threw out my back for the second time in my life....i threw it out last year for the first time and have been oh so very careful with it ever since......OMG.......f'n agony..........

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (Ho2rs)

1138 One more thing. I don't often read the comment threads and comment even less. I have noticed that threads go way off topic and once you get after the 1st hundred posts, the signal to noise ratio seems to head to near zero - it gets very hard to sift through the chaff to find the few grains of wheat so to speak.

Can we all fix that too?

Posted by: Frank Reality at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (Bn9It)

1139 Rod Tenderloin?

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (niZvt)

1140 The Last Ever AoSHQ Comment Thread, and it's become largely about porn names.

That's actually just about right, I think.

The AoSHQ Is Dead! Long Live The AoSHQ!

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (smvTK)

1141 1125

I'm so boned. Pinto Abroller.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (L7hol)

1142 I miss all the good shit .........

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (npr0X)

1143 Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (CP+yl)

Here's a hint: Try scrolling down and reading the prior posts.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:56 PM (yTtpr)

1144 Me? .....Vega Elliptical

...bowm-chicka-wow-wow

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 09:56 PM (Yhu4q)

1145
I always wanted to post in a thousand + comment thread.

Posted by: USMC8541 at June 09, 2012 09:56 PM (v2yk5)

1146 If anybody bought a Jack Rack,they are golden.

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 09:56 PM (Xb3hu)

1147 I don't mind registering, I'd trust Ace alone with my wife. I'd warn him first that she's mean though.

Posted by: Bildo at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (eToum)

1148 Woops.

MadTv: Porn Name Registration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EUc0eJlHNk

Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (AzwZn)

1149 I have definitely noticed an uptick in anger. It is infectious, I have watched anger build in my household, in my family, in myself, even. This is not a healthy thing. It is coarsening. Icannot believe what my wife has become, in contrast to the low-key, laid back young woman she was when I met her. That was years ago. Sometimes she even gets that head weave going, you know, that 'street tough' posture, as she coils up to strike.It makes me wince. These are days of emo, days of rage. I used to blame the TV, the Internet, the radio, the bills, the Rut in combinations. But I can't pinpoint why this happens.

Posted by: Cowboy at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (CqxTO)

1150 1091- "The little cherry icon that shows in my browser tab when I click into a comment thread.
For some reason, that makes me happy."

Me too.
I've never understood it nor cared to. It's just a random element of whimsy and delight.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (C8mVl)

1151 I meant forcing in the sense of deletion and banning, but encouraging is right also.

Posted by: Taleena at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (cOXtF)

1152 1095 I hope you leave the Mencken quote and the skull on the masthead. It gives this place a pirate ship of the internets look and reminds me of "The Crimson Permanent Assurance". We sail the 'nets firing broadsides of snark at the Left.
I hope it can continue.
Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at June 09, 2012 09:48 PM (y+rwN)

I agree entirely. Plus, dick jokes. I love dick jokes. Ace has always been the natural 'net home for great dick jokes. I hope that never changes. My life would be the poorer for it.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (IoNBC)

1153 Gawd, when I see Diddy's smug mug up there, I want to smash it with a 40-oz thick-glass beer bottle...in a totally non-angry, non-hating way, of course...

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (1X/a4)

1154 #1146, what about a Corvair Jack Rack?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (JaB4T)

1155 I own a Volvo now, which is only partly my fault.

But it's an all-wheel-drive turbo this time, which is my excuse.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (bxiXv)

I'm just compensating for the fact that I have a 1988 245DL. And I have a tweed jacked with patches on the elbows. And I wear a hat that's not adjustable. And I smoke a pipe. And I read a lot of stuff written before 1800.

Posted by: Stark DickflÃ¼ssig at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (0XbWx)

1156 Havent read all the comments..

what is happening.. is the blog changing?

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (DGIjM)

1157
Great post, ace. Anger is something we all have, I know I just need to be more adept at supressing it and not looking like a raving lunatic. Hard, I know. Channeling our discust into ways we can actually help does in fact help. Working elections, poll watching, registering others to vote, there are tons of ways to help.

Posted by: SouthCounty at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (6CSR9)

1158 Depend upon it, it is better to learn how to live without being angry than to imagine one can moderate and control anger lawfully; and if through weakness and frailty one is overtaken by it, it is far better to put it away forcibly than to parley with it; for give anger ever so little way, and it will become master, like the serpent, who easily works in its body wherever it can once introduce its head. You will ask how to put away anger. My child, when you feel its first movements, collect yourself gently and seriously, not hastily or with impetuosity.

Posted by: ST. Francis de Sales at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (5fspx)

1159 I like cherries.

What?

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 09:58 PM (bxiXv)

1160 Ace is back baby! Woo hoo!

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at June 09, 2012 09:58 PM (U08Mg)

1161 PG, threw your back out? Aaaaaaiiiieeeee...... Is it getting better?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (JaB4T)

1162 Which Doctor was it who, when he began regenerating, his Companion said "What's happening, Doctor?" and Doctor Who replied:

"Change! And not a moment too soon!"

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (smvTK)

1163 1138 One more thing. I don't often read the comment threads and comment even less. I have noticed that threads go way off topic and once you get after the 1st hundred posts, the signal to noise ratio seems to head to near zero - it gets very hard to sift through the chaff to find the few grains of wheat so to speak.

Can we all fix that too?
Posted by: Frank Reality at June 09, 2012 09:55 PM (Bn9It)

I sure HOPE NOT because let's face it: All that can be said about a topic that is original is pretty much exhausted after the first 200 posts.

There is NOTHING more annoying than "let's stay on topic" facist moderators that think the world will come to an end if adults gradually tire of a dictated topic and move on as free human beings to topics of their choice.

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (niZvt)

1164 jumbo

i don't know what's going on.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (Ho2rs)

1165 1091, 1150- I too enjoy that little cherry. No idea why. But I like it.

Posted by: BadgerHawk at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (+IACL)

1166 Discover had all Stephen Hawking shows today,did he die or something?

Posted by: steevy at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (Xb3hu)

1167 anna

no it's getting worse....i was hoping the beer would help but i'm just getting drunk.........

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (Ho2rs)

1168 Toyota Bowflex is the pron name apparently.

I meant to say that group punishment does not work, above.
As to the ramblings about amger being counter productive: I assume you mean the flying spit, Hulk-smash out of your mind anger. Because any sense of 'doling out punishment', putting on the hurt, 'giving it to them" and the like are nice ways fo saying "Go out and Hurt the other guy." And that takes anger, grimness. if you can do the things that I have to be angry to do: confrontations, fights, aggressive arguments,etc, I would not want to be like you. I have to work up that head of steam, that righteous anger, and I can't carry it around all the time. But someone who could do the things I have done when angry, when it was necessary, well if that person did them cool-headed and unperturbed, I'd think psycho!
Guess I'vemaybe had a harder go of it at times, but being able to get worked up about things (and that IS anger, to me) has nade getting some things done possible.

Posted by: sandman says hey, look over there, SQUIRREL! at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (zxaA2)

1169 redheadsredheadsredheadsAhem.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 09:42 PM (yTtpr)

well i believe you are a queen, and have gorgeous boots and drink my
tea, and alextopia and all. and-and i think they forgot tammy al thor
and mpfs

i won't admit to being on the crazy people list.

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 09:54 PM (TomZ9)

Oh, he didn't forget about ANY of us, ladies.....I am wise to his ways and know all of his tricks.
He's hoping we will fly into a magnificent rage, and descend upon him all a-quiver. He is arrogant enough to think he can handle us all.

And frankly, if he has platters of his sandwich creation at the ready, I may well let him.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (LoTJ2)

1170 1084 So we're not having a chess thread tonight? Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 09:46 PM (sdi6R)
What do you think got everybody so damned angry?

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (niZvt)

Word.

And my porn name would be Brougham, after my '79 Cutlass that I swaggered through high school with. Respect.

Posted by: ErikW at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (SivFj)

1171 There is NOTHING more annoying than "let's stay on
topic" facist moderators that think the world will come to an end if
adults gradually tire of a dictated topic and move on as free human
beings to topics of their choice.

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 09:59 PM (niZvt)

Like dick jokes.

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (rO1vw)

1172 I'm just compensating for the fact that I have a 1988 245DL.

Posted by: Stark DickflÃ¼ssig at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (0XbWx)

Well, that's okay, as long as you transplant an LS-1 V8 into it and replace the front clip with one from 1990+. Also IPD anti-sway bars and springs. Maybe Pegasus wheels.

Otherwise, you're doomed to have old hippies descend on you with "literature" in parking lots. And offer you homemade hummus. With green flecks in it.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (bxiXv)

1173 <<Model of your first car..........and.........the piece of home gym equipment you purchased that is now in the landfill>>

Think I might win this one:

Rambler Rider

Posted by: Sgt. York at June 09, 2012 10:01 PM (pqW4Y)

1174 1124 Happy sweet kitteh for Caturday night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXpgvsllTgs

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 09:53 PM (Y+DPZ)
==========

Awww, thanks.

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 10:01 PM (HOOye)

1175 PG, sorry to hear that. Try rum and coke next? Guess aspirin won't help in this case. Do you need to see a doctor?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 10:01 PM (JaB4T)

1176
Jeep Dumbell..no, that's not gonna work.

Posted by: Bosk at June 09, 2012 10:01 PM (RRoh3)

1177 I lose them both soon, mom is so happy, and
proud...and often leaking a few tears. She wanted me to advise both of
them to find 'safe' military careers. That's not something I could do.

A
word to you parents though...your kids are going to exhibit some
obnoxious behaviors while they grow up...some of those, you might want
to encourage.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 09:49 PM (L7hol)

-----
I can relate to mom. Tell her it does get easier, although never fully at ease. It helps to know me to know that it is a calling, and that to interfere with that would be to interfere with their life purpose. And you won't lose them. I think maybe we are closer than ever, even though out of the last 6 years, my kid has only been present in the States for 3.
As to earlier , um, questionable behaviors - boy, can I relate to that too. So many things from early childhood and teen years that I can see suddenly became useful in the military. It's as if God knew all along what kind of (odd?) personality traits he would need (which of course He did).

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 10:02 PM (P6QsQ)

1178 Stossel on now at FNC. The topic is America in Decline?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:02 PM (piMMO)

1179 phoenixgirl:

One word: chiropractor.

don't fall for drugs (muscle relaxants and analgesics) being the whole answer.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 10:02 PM (CP+yl)

1180 Well, that's okay, as long as you transplant an LS-1 V8 into it and replace the front clip with one from 1990+. Also IPD anti-sway bars and springs. Maybe Pegasus wheels.

Otherwise, you're doomed to have old hippies descend on you with "literature" in parking lots. And offer you homemade hummus. With green flecks in it.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (bxiXv)

No, they already know better: it doesn't have any bumper stickers.

Posted by: Stark DickflÃ¼ssig at June 09, 2012 10:02 PM (0XbWx)

1181 This blog just needs an efficient mechanism to keep malignant assholes, crazy people, bad drunks, redheads

I will be happy to take any redheads off your hands and onto mine...

Posted by: Alex at June 09, 2012 10:03 PM (aNu4E)

1182 i'll live....it's not as bad as the last time where i was crawling for 5 days ......

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 10:03 PM (Ho2rs)

1183 1121 - if you need the rules "spelled out" then you need to chill the fuck out..

Ace needs to be a vorpal blade of mother fuckin' punching up.. not some nanny cleaning up your "need to have the rules explained to you" passive aaggressive shit heads

Jesus, don't be a dick, don't piss off the wimmins', be funny occasionally and help when you can, when you are called to.. is that so hard?

All the rules Ace needs.. and he decides to ban you, go somewhere else..

Posted by: catman at June 09, 2012 10:03 PM (YKUmW)

1184 My day starts, on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being nirvana, at about 7.5-8. And generally moves into the 8s as the day wears on. I seldom get mad, it's a waste of time and the vast majority of likely causes are well beyond my ability to do anything about (can't change North Carolina for voting against same sex marriage). Asked what I hate, my daughter will tell you 'she hates stupid people' and while true, I don't KNOW most stupid people well enough to really hate...more like scornfully pity. Besides, if I really did hate stupid people, that would mean I hate almost 7 billion people....and isn't that just stupid?

Posted by: tracy coyle at June 09, 2012 10:03 PM (hu2Nq)

1185 My anger is fading as I perceive that America is coming to its senses abt. this grifter. When people had this pos on a pedestal, fainting in its presence calling it a messiah. . . . I wanted to run amok.
Anger/concern/frustration abt. one's basic survival is inevitable when the world is upside down with crazed fools cheering a demonic god.
As common sense quells the insanity, anger recedes. It's a feeling. It's not intellectual.
You can't just get up one morning and smile and say, 'I'm not mad." You have to really feel it, first.

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:04 PM (TcSHf)

1186 And frankly, if he has platters of his sandwich creation at the ready, I may well let him.

Wait we're getting sammiches? I'm on board then.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 10:04 PM (yTtpr)

1187 Havent read all the comments..

what is happening.. is the blog changing?

****

As of next week, we'll need to register in order to comment.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:04 PM (piMMO)

1188 So my new username is Ford Broadway?

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 10:04 PM (CP+yl)

1189 ONT up!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:04 PM (piMMO)

1190 Sorry, I just doubt my Celtics olllll' legs can sustain them down in Miami. It's a f@ckin' miracle they got this far...

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 10:05 PM (1X/a4)

1191 Darn about to hit 1200 comments and ONT arrives.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 10:05 PM (JaB4T)

1192 This ,

http://tinyurl.com/bsj28rf

...is a car ad .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:05 PM (npr0X)

1193 1118
ChoomWagon Shakeweight.
Posted by: Baraka Obama at June 09, 2012 09:52 PM (FcR7P)

^^^^^
Why I come here.

Posted by: Heywood Jablome at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM (KZi9D)

1194 Wait a minute. What's wrong with redheads????

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM (TcSHf)

1195 i'll live....it's not as bad as the last time where i was crawling for 5 days

'I'll live...' Quit saying that!

Posted by: Death Panels at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM (FcR7P)

1196 No commenting at the ONT

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM (piMMO)

1197
1194 Wait a minute. What's wrong with redheads????
Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM (TcSHf)

They have no souls. I am however willing to negotiate a lend/lease program.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:07 PM (GULKT)

1198 I mostly lurk here, but I have to say I do so daily. I come here and read the posts and comments because they're really funny. It's a way for me to get the news and politics stuff and have a laugh. Takes the edge off the DOOM.

Posted by: Mandy P., long-time lurker at June 09, 2012 10:07 PM (qFpRI)

1199 1028 "This blog just needs an efficient mechanism to keep malignant assholes,
crazy people, bad drunks, redheads, and genuine trolls out without
destroying the great things about the blog so that ace's adrenals can
have the hope of healing"

Don't forget the filthy Scandis

Posted by: The Q at June 09, 2012 10:08 PM (LnQhT)

1200 Chevy Medicine Balls

Posted by: robtr at June 09, 2012 10:08 PM (MtwBb)

1201 1167
anna

no it's getting worse....i was hoping the beer would help but i'm just getting drunk.........

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola

Oh, I'm so sorry!

Have you tried contrast bathing, or is that just too painful to contemplate?

Posted by: Dianna at June 09, 2012 10:08 PM (mKMj1)

1202 Buzzion, they shut down comments at the ONT. You think he'll hunt us down like last night?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:08 PM (piMMO)

1203 At the risk of seeming obsessive, I defy anybody to watch this and not be happy, especially near the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2_49KPj9jE&feature=related

Posted by: rickl at June 09, 2012 10:08 PM (sdi6R)

1204

Ace, get some rest.

Unplug.

Good night all.

Posted by: nice post at June 09, 2012 10:09 PM (HOOye)

1205 No commenting at the ONT

Shame that no one reads the posts .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:09 PM (npr0X)

1206 No commenting at the ONT

But the 'Brought To You By:' is fantastic.

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 10:09 PM (FcR7P)

1207 PG, quick recovery sending your way.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 09, 2012 10:09 PM (JaB4T)

1208
Anger -> depression -> anger. Rinse. Repeat. Praeger is certainly right. If I had lived by that advice I'd probably still be married today.

Posted by: David C. at June 09, 2012 10:10 PM (mBMit)

1209 I got your point, Ace.

I was angry just a few minutes ago while preparing a pasta side dish (diced tomatoes, garlic, red peppers, all cooked), since my husband took my pasta pot or his corn on the cob, and then he wanted to hurry, because the grilled chicken (which I marinated with herbs from my own yard) was ready. "Hurry, I'm waiting!"

Well, while I was cutting my backyard-picked basil, I didn't see it when the blade of my knife went right through my fingernail, cutting it off and showing the flesh underneath. Nope, I didn't bleed, but I needed a bandage. I knew I was too angry to continue preparing food, so I left the pasta without that little extra basil and ate outside.

Anger can make you do some stupid things, indeed.

Posted by: newton at June 09, 2012 10:10 PM (NtsQB)

1210 Omega Orbatron

Posted by: rdbrewer at June 09, 2012 10:10 PM (Iyg03)

1211 They have no souls.

Siiiiiigh. Once again, gingers have souls. Just not our own or anything.

Okay so is the ONT some new test? "You must be this sober to figure out how to comment on the ONT?"

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at June 09, 2012 10:10 PM (yTtpr)

1212 No commenting on the overnight thread??

This really is the end.

Picked the wrong week to quit huffing glue!

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (DWgdc)

1213 OH. Exercise equipment?

I don't need no steenking exercise equipment.

Just call me Ford Sears Treadmill.

IYKWIM. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

I'm like the energizer bunny. I beat it all day long.

HEYO!

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (CP+yl)

1214 Ace needs to be a vorpal blade...

I thought he already had a +5 Holy Avenger.

Posted by: Geeky McGeekerson at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (HtUdo)

1215 Don't forget the filthy Scandis

------------

Hey! It's Saturday. I took a bath.

Posted by: mama winger at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (P6QsQ)

1216 1196
No commenting at the ONT

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:06 PM

Well, we're still on double secret super probation

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (Y+DPZ)

1217 Nova Soloflex.

It could work, if I was a chick.

Posted by: Angus MacDangle at June 09, 2012 10:13 PM (i42rm)

1218 This is one of my all time favorite quotes.
The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
-Marcus Aurelius

Posted by: NC Mountain Girl at June 09, 2012 10:13 PM (9+vUZ)

1219 back to the dark site i guess

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:13 PM (GULKT)

1220 Well, we're still on double secret super probation

Posted by: kbdabear at June 09, 2012 10:11 PM (Y+DPZ)

Wait, did the porn name thing somehow cross the infamous Memorial Day 2010 threshold somehow? D'oh.

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 10:14 PM (rO1vw)

1221 Many of you don't know this, but I was captured during a Moron raid into the comments section at qando.net. Like Magua, I was forced to join the tribe, but in my heart, I did not belong. Now I'm too lazy to leave.

I am happy to see there will be less of the potty mouthing going on. Cheese and Crackers, people! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:14 PM (JDIKC)

1222 I think I'll pass on the ONT - no one else is even commenting on it at the alternate ite.

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 10:15 PM (niZvt)

1223 Does the [you] tag work on then other site ....... if it does , I'm going there to wreak havok .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (npr0X)

1224 I am happy to see there will be less of the potty mouthing going on. Cheese and Crackers, people! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:14 PM (JDIKC)

I kissed your mother with this mouth.

Posted by: Sean Connery on Jeopardy at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (GULKT)

1225 One of the greatest insights I've ever had into anger, was when I snuck into a Bill Cosby show/address to a private convention in the Hilton in which I worked.

He was doing a bit on marriage and the typical conventional wisdom. Something like:

"All the books and experts'll tell you, "Never go to bed mad." Why not?!? I LIKE going to bed mad. Sometimes ain't nothing feel so good as a nice 'going to bed mad'."

Posted by: DrZin at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (nXbmM)

1226 couldn't post on the ont.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (Ho2rs)

1227 First: That dog video had me smiling like the Cheshire Cat. That was the picture of perfect joy right there. My cats come running to me if I've been gone as much as a week, but after that, they would move on and find a new master. I love cats, but there's just something about the devotion of a dog...

Second: That little ditty about the Marine... AWESOME!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (piMMO)

1228 To the left, anger is the most authentic of emotions. So long as it is directed at the proper target, that is.

Posted by: Pigilito at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (CU+o0)

1229 Most people annoy the hell out of me. But I don't let on. I smile, act politely and generously. Makes me feel really good and does those around me as well. Yep, it's just like mom said, if you don't have anything nice to say...

But...there's a certain type of person I can sense immediately when in their presence. I think maybe their an adult version of childhood bullies. When I look at them I think I have a look on my face that says I'm ready to fight to the death, with my bare hands, for no particular reason. I hate them completely. I'm also really big so no ones ever taken me up on the offer.

Posted by: Does this leg smell gammy? at June 09, 2012 10:17 PM (AjkXn)

1230 My rules for life are all self supporting:
1. realize that you're living the dream every day
2. sometimes you have to define the dream downward
3. set a low bar for amusement/happiness

Those 3 help me remember that sometimes, life happens. You can complain, die, or keep moving. Those are the options. People forget that, in general, we have it pretty good. They like having something to be worked up about. They don't realize how exhausting that can be. Life gets a lot better once you decide that you'll just keep moving, do what I can in my piece of the world, and stop getting worked up about things. Sounds kinda hippie-ish, but it works for me.

Posted by: notchuck at June 09, 2012 10:18 PM (OATPM)

1231 Does the [you] tag work on then other site ....... if it does , I'm going there to wreak havok .

****

NOPE! Someone tried it earlier.

Wait. They used [ when the new site requires < so, maybe it will work

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:18 PM (piMMO)

1232 El Jeffe ,

How does life find you these days ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:18 PM (npr0X)

1233 @1227

Not to be a killjoy, but the marine letter thing is from a Mash episode.

Posted by: General Woundwort at June 09, 2012 10:18 PM (DWgdc)

1234 Thank you for letting us back in your house, Ace.

Posted by: VKI at June 09, 2012 10:18 PM (TKoA3)

1235 For your enjoyment:

Jim Morrison: The Doors This Is The End

http://tinyurl.com/44lardr

(This song always gives me chills)

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again

Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need...of some...stranger's hand
In a...desperate land

Lost in a Roman...wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain, yeah

There's danger on the edge of town
Ride the King's highway, baby
Weird scenes inside the gold mine
Ride the highway west, baby

Ride the snake, ride the snake
To the lake, the ancient lake, baby
The snake is long, seven miles
Ride the snake...he's old, and his skin is cold

The west is the best
The west is the best
Get here, and we'll do the rest

The blue bus is callin' us
The blue bus is callin' us
Driver, where you taken' us

The killer awoke before dawn, he put his boots on
He took a face from the ancient gallery
And he walked on down the hall
He went into the room where his sister lived, and...then he
Paid a visit to his brother, and then he
He walked on down the hall, and
And he came to a door...and he looked inside
Father, yes son, I want to kill you
Mother...I want to...fuck you

C'mon baby, take a chance with us
C'mon baby, take a chance with us
C'mon baby, take a chance with us
And meet me at the back of the blue bus
Doin' a blue rock
On a blue bus
Doin' a blue rock
C'mon, yeah

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

It hurts to set you free
But you'll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die

This is the end

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and all that at June 09, 2012 10:19 PM (CP+yl)

1236 @buzzion,

I have a soul and it's on fire. . . . well it's smoldering.

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:19 PM (TcSHf)

1237
Ace, just wanted to say that although I don't post much your blog is one ofmy favorites.
I'mstill angryat theMSM. I know it's not healthy, butI am.

Posted by: redridinghood at June 09, 2012 10:19 PM (VseSP)

1238 couldn't post on the ont....

***

It's probably easier to moderate one thread than two, but they could close this down and open the ONT.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:19 PM (piMMO)

1239 We started talking about anger, then other topics came up, and now I think we're talking about pawn star names.

This is all very confusing. Forget registration of posters.

WE NEED SUBTITLES PEOPLE!!

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 10:20 PM (c9Ivb)

1240 I rarely read the comments and will keep it that way. Can't stand the way people tear others down.
Will pray for you and your family and hopefully you will feel some peace in your soul.
God bless you, your family and America!

Posted by: nlynch at June 09, 2012 10:20 PM (+bf7e)

1241 I didn't realize until others mentioned it on the ONT that the bannings already tino effect. Apparently, if you can't access the ONT comments you've been banned.

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 10:20 PM (Yhu4q)

1242 1224 I am happy to see there will be less of the potty mouthing going on. Cheese and Crackers, people! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:14 PM (JDIKC)

I kissed your mother with this mouth.
Posted by: Sean Connery on Jeopardy at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (GULKT)

Whereabouts did you kiss her, exactly?

Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (niZvt)

1243 Nova Soloflex.

Are Masturbation porn stars?

Posted by: t-bird at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (FcR7P)

1244 We started talking about anger, then other topics came up, and now I think we're talking about pawn star names. This is all very confusing. Forget registration of posters. WE NEED SUBTITLES PEOPLE!!

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 10:20 PM (c9Ivb)

Subtitles or Cliff Notes? Or possibly Ace's own Wiki, Moronopedia.

Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (rO1vw)

1245 1230
My rules for life are all self supporting:
1. realize that you're living the dream every day
2. sometimes you have to define the dream downward
3. set a low bar for amusement/happiness

Wow, that's exactly what I think as well. Weird.

Posted by: Does this leg smell gammy? at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (AjkXn)

1246 anger is an energy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPj-8_wOZcA

if i wasn't mad, i wouldn't fight.
if i don't fight, i lose for certain.
and i'll be damned if i'm gonna roll over and let them do as they please.

that being said, energy unrestrained is destructive. one must channel and control any force, or it is useless.

those i fight i do not hate.
those i protect i do not love.

Posted by: redc1c4 at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (8MasJ)

1247 I kissed your mother with this mouth. Posted by: Sean Connery on Jeopardy at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (GULKT) Whereabouts did you kiss her, exactly?
Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (niZvt)

I don't know. The SNL skit didn't get into that much detail.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:22 PM (GULKT)

1248 Ace, you're a great guy.

Anything you need to do to control the assholes is fine with me.

I just hope you'll leave room for the dick jokes.

I love dick jokes. I like to think I have a skill for dick jokes.

I might not be good at anything else, but I'm good at dick jokes.

Don't shut me down, man.

Posted by: Scobface at June 09, 2012 10:23 PM (IoNBC)

1249 And frankly, if he has platters of his sandwich creation at the ready, I may well let him.
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at June 09, 2012 10:00 PM (LoTJ2)

well just be easy then!
i'm holding out for a fuzzy navel or something similar, just put Me on the 'crazy' list

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 10:23 PM (TomZ9)

1250 See you around, Ace.

Posted by: dr kill at June 09, 2012 10:24 PM (ufLRj)

1251 Ace hit the nail on the head. We all tend to turn into the thing we're pretending to be.

Posted by: packsoldier at June 09, 2012 10:24 PM (7lI2N)

1252 El Jeffe , How does life find you these days ?<<<<

Bill, I am rolling. Just got back from dinner with the Master Race - they're dozing off watching a movie. Summertime and the living is easy.

Finally read the whole thread, and one thing I noticed is that some dude up there gets my shtick. Others confuse copious profanity with anger. Actually, I know very few people that are as happy and satisfied with life as I am. Love my wife, my kids and my job. For the last two years, I've finally felt like I'm living the life I was meant to have.

Politics, the internet - 90% of what I do here is to amuse myself. 10% of it is done to amuse you. It doesn't always work out.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:24 PM (JDIKC)

1253 There is a Jewish tradition wherein, if you accept a tribulation WITH GRATITIUDE to God...then you'll be spared another tribulation 5,000 times worse.

Basic reason being: God has a perfect plan for the universe, we just don't understand how our tribulation fits into the plan, and God rewards us for trusting his plan, even though it may cause us pain at the moment.

Kinda puts the smaller problems in life into perspective...AND the larger ones!

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 10:25 PM (1X/a4)

1254 1247 I kissed your mother with this mouth. Posted by: Sean Connery on Jeopardy at June 09, 2012 10:16 PM (GULKT) Whereabouts did you kiss her, exactly? Posted by: CoolCzech at June 09, 2012 10:21 PM (niZvt) I don't know. The SNL skit didn't get into that much detail.
Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:22 PM (GULKT)

Thepenismighter

Posted by: Ammo Dump at June 09, 2012 10:25 PM (YYyqq)

1255 And I hope Calgary is treating you well. My inlaws just flew into there and took the train to Banff, Lake Louise and all that. Saw the pics and I am planning to get out there soon.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:26 PM (JDIKC)

1256 I like to be mad and I like to kick ass.
Well, I like to be able to swing into anger and use that to establish 'order in the court.'

anger is important. it does need to be channeled properly.

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:26 PM (TcSHf)

1257 1251 Ace hit the nail on the head. We all tend to turn into the thing we're pretending to be.
Posted by: packsoldier at June 09, 2012 10:24 PM (7lI2N)

Note to self - start pretending to be rich and oversexed.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (bxiXv)

1258 "God, thank you for letting my Celtics get their @sses kicked in the 2d half."

It's not working.

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (1X/a4)

1259 Too damn many comments to read, though I always try.

I lose, because of a couple of internet dicks.
Posted by: Dave in Texas at June 09, 2012 08:13 PM (pUqSw)

I work with a couple of guys like that, it sucks, nuff said.

Ace, your self description sounds a lot like mine. God Bless you, you need it. As for the 'happy face', I've worked in the mailman business most of my adult life. My personal and professional ethics force me to always put on the happy face. I've had many customers comment on 'how happy I always am', and the ones I know fairly well, I let them know that I'm not always happy, and am in fact rather the opposite. But my daddy taught me well, and it's simply not their burden to know when I'm feeling pissy, or even in one of my patented 'Black Moods'. A bit harder to do for you, as you have an audience much larger than mine. I'm rather thankful for you, the cob loggers, and the commenters. I posted a lot some time back, even cracked the top ten commenter and sockpuppets (hope you can find a way to keep that, but if not, oh well), and as fits with my personality, slink back to Person on the Outside Looking In.

As for comparisons to Charles, people who haven't seen both sides of this, need to know that there's no comparison. I found Ace's Place through Charles, back in his Non-Psychotic days, left before I could be troubled to be banned. Wasn't worth the trouble. Anyone who doesn't see the difference, doesn't mean a damn.

While I've slinked back to lurking, the 99% of y'all (see what I did there?) are just the cat's pajamas. Glad I missed the ugly thread yesterday, saw hints of it and just didn't have the umph to check it out. Ace is right about anger, though, as many have pointed out, there's a place for Righteous Anger at the proper things. I say this as someone who's dealt with anger my whole life, though haven't dealt with the Blind Anger in a number of years. Been mostly a slow burn anger at both the external (world being crapped upon around us) and internal (nuff said). But going back around to the 'act happy be happy' thing, my customers, who I see on the route and off (being in a small town), don't deserve to have me thrust it upon them.

People, it's Ace's place, Ace's rules, don't like it, hit the highway. There *is* no First Amendement here, learn the frakkin' Constitution. Be happy for the forum he gives us, and the other posts the cob loggers provide, abide by the rules, and if not, don't let the door hitcha. I for one, will happily read the daily information, the epic movie reviews, and have enjoyed the books the Sunday Morning crowd have suggested.

We have some dark times ahead of us, and don't EVAR become what the other side is. We're going to need each other, and if we become them, what's the damn point?

Many thanks, lurking again.

Posted by: bikermailman at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (Bk5BX)

1260 And Ace is a tweeting fool tonight: One after the other!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (piMMO)

1261 GK Chesterton is right. The keys to happiness are gratitude and humility.

But we moderns have a very hard developing those virtues. For the most part, we do not recognize them as virtues at all.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (C8mVl)

1262 Loosen up, Ace baby.

Posted by: Randall Hoven at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (tyKPS)

1263 Something tells me that this is about to be the longest thread ever.

The ONT is up, but since you have to go elswhere to post, meh...

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 10:28 PM (v+ExF)

1264 1149
I have definitely noticed an uptick in anger. It is infectious, I have
watched anger build in my household, in my family, in myself, even. This
is not a healthy thing. It is coarsening. Icannot believe what my wife
has become, in contrast to the low-key, laid back young woman she was
when I met her. That was years ago. Sometimes she even gets that head
weave going, you know, that 'street tough' posture, as she coils up to
strike.It makes me wince. These are days of emo, days of rage. I used to
blame the TV, the Internet, the radio, the bills, the Rut in
combinations. But I can't pinpoint why this happens.

Posted by: Cowboy at June 09, 2012 09:57 PM (CqxTO)

A book I read years ago while going through some dark times defined "stress" as unresolved anger. Anger was one of three things: fear, hurt or frustration. When you figure out which of the three you are feeling, you then think of your fear, hurt or frustration at the situation. In doing that, you can more effectively deal with the problem and come up with solutions. The book is "Happiness is A Choice" by Menrith and Meiers. My therapist recommended it, and it truly turned my life around. I still get depressed and angry, but I have a better mechanism for coping with it.
It is a "Christian" book, but the guys are MD's.

Posted by: MrCaniac at June 09, 2012 10:29 PM (1grxW)

1265 I lived in Calgary for a few years. Beautiful city.

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at June 09, 2012 10:29 PM (U08Mg)

1266 We'll have to register?

I don't post a lot, but I do enjoy the rest of you quite a bit. And does this mean the death of socks and trolls?

What the fuck exactly happened to bring this horrid state affairs about?

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 10:30 PM (L7hol)

1267 Works for me. Ace, this is my first stop on the interwebs every day. Your integrity, despite your enumerated shortcomings, is the reason why. Thanks.

Posted by: Teransolo at June 09, 2012 10:31 PM (u6xkh)

1268 Oh, and while pokin' fun at others is Tons O Fun, and no problem with that at all, keep the frakkin' hate to yourselves. As has been mentioned, if you're upset, take a timeout before you post. Some places have a one minute chance to delete before it's posted, a possibility? We're going to need each other in the days to come, Gottverdamnt!

Posted by: bikermailman at June 09, 2012 10:31 PM (Bk5BX)

1269 Feelin 7Up
I'm feelin' 7Up

--

a very *angry* 7Up ......

Posted by: BumperStickerist at June 09, 2012 10:31 PM (rEWPE)

1270 And Ace is a tweeting fool tonight: One after the other!
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (piMMO)
link? i always forget how to get ther

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 10:31 PM (TomZ9)

1271 Good night all.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at June 09, 2012 10:32 PM (DGIjM)

1272 Read AoSHQ every day.The writing was beautiful and the sentiments right on!
Thanks.

Posted by: Mary C at June 09, 2012 10:32 PM (WCA9G)

1273 Thank you Ace

Posted by: Broomy at June 09, 2012 10:32 PM (tm27P)

1274 Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at June 09, 2012 10:29 PM (U08Mg)

I was there for the Olympics. Great City!

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 10:33 PM (v+ExF)

1275 night jumbo

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 10:33 PM (Ho2rs)

1276 http://twitter.com/AceofSpadesHQ

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:33 PM (GULKT)

1277 And Ace is a tweeting fool tonight: One after the other!
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:27 PM (piMMO)
link? i always forget how to get there

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 10:34 PM (TomZ9)

1278 I don't post a lot, but I do enjoy the rest of you quite a bit. And does this mean the death of socks and trolls?

What the fuck exactly happened to bring this horrid state affairs about?

****

First priority, as I understand it, is to set up a registration system. If they can work it out where sockpuppets are allowed, then great, if not, they'll try to work it in later.

The issue arose last night when a few folks decided to not only ignore the admonishments of Ace to chill, but proceeded to take him on. THIS, on the day he had set aside to bring attention to a dangerous criminal and on the day that he refused an honor in name of one of the people he most admires.

It was a fools game and they, and we, lost.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:34 PM (piMMO)

1279 What the fuck exactly happened to bring this horrid state affairs about?Posted by: Sticky Wicket at June 09, 2012 10:30 PM (L7hol)

People only thinking about themselves, not the other commenters, nor especially the Host. No, not the Catholic one.

Posted by: bikermailman at June 09, 2012 10:34 PM (Bk5BX)

1280 Like your self El Jeffe , I am flush . I'm bucket list filling come next week . Bonefish , tarpon , permit , all on a flyrod .
I'm envious of your domestic situation , you're a lucky man . Me , not so much ... yet .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:35 PM (npr0X)

1281 I ride horses (thus my name change from Carmelita after the LATimes called Ann Romney, me, and about 1,999,999 other American equestrians "fussy" because we ride). But here's the thing - if you get angry on a horse, you're done. D-O-N-E. The next step after you get mad is either you get down or you get hurt. Self-restraint is the first thing you learn for self-preservation on horseback. I think if folks spent more time on horses, they'd learn that if something makes them angry, they need to walk away, it does everybody a favor, especially themselves. But then the LATimes would just call them fussy...

Ace, your house your rules. I shut down my wee little blog four years ago because there are people who have no respect and it is exhausting dealing with them. Thank you for sticking with it.

Posted by: Fussy at June 09, 2012 10:35 PM (Y/2U4)

1282 scott walker kicking ass in wis helped to quell my anger because it encouraged me to have faith in my fellow citizens. When fools hold my well being in the palm of their hands, I get mad.

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:35 PM (TcSHf)

1283 woops , i couldn't get my thingy to load, thank you buzzion.

Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 10:36 PM (TomZ9)

1284 I found this place - I think - about 3 months after it first appeared. Instapundit linked a post way back in 2003 or so (maybe... val-u-rite, longbow practice, hobo hunts, Johnny Coldcuts rants, and Paul Anka marathons fogs the brain if it's more than a day or two) and I've been coming here daily ever since. I don't post a whole lot, but when I do, I try to make sense and not be an assh0le.

Ace... thank you. This post, is spot on and I will share it with my liberal friends when they start to get too angry and whiney when things aren't going their way.

Keep fighting the good fight and for the love of God, please don't stay dark for too long. You are needed and appreciated more than you realize.

Posted by: theBman at June 09, 2012 10:36 PM (3VPCe)

1285 on the day that he refused an honor in name of one of the people he most admires.

this bothers me the most about this sorry deal. This award was well earned.This site was one of the major reasons Weiner is an ex-Rep.

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 10:36 PM (c9Ivb)

1286 You come west Jeff , you let me know .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:37 PM (npr0X)

1287 To find Ace in Twitter, go to search and type in AOSHQ

Posted by: JewishOdysseus at June 09, 2012 10:37 PM (1X/a4)

1288 1283
woops , i couldn't get my thingy to load, thank you buzzion.
Posted by: willow at June 09, 2012 10:36 PM (TomZ9)

A problem many men have, but hope your man doesn't...

To the ONT!

Posted by: bikermailman at June 09, 2012 10:38 PM (Bk5BX)

1289 Al Gore...little pussy of a douchebag

http://tinyurl.com/6rjhv37

Posted by: Albie Damned at June 09, 2012 10:38 PM (Yhu4q)

1290 I couldn't run this site, so big, without the free moderation of the Trollbusters.
But why should they be impressed into this service?

Free dick jokes?

Posted by: DaveA at June 09, 2012 10:39 PM (NqmTy)

1291 Anyway this is the best blog on the inner tubes.

Posted by: chickadee at June 09, 2012 10:40 PM (TcSHf)

1292 Well I am angry a lot. Been sick more than half my life, was told I could go at anytime for years, then better meds came. Now, I am in pain most of the time, much of it somewhat severe, but am alive. It ticks me off - not feeling well. I take care of my mom, who has been ill in the head my whole life. Lots of stress. Funny how politics doesn't upset me most of the time except for close to election time and things like the American "justice" system and the creeping tyranny in the US. I don't like being angry or bitter and work on it. I try to remember that everyone has something in their life that gets to them, and most are not jerks all the time. I do see a lot of reckless, seemingly angry drivers though. Either it is my being middle-aged, or things are getting to people more than several years ago.

Posted by: Baldy at June 09, 2012 10:42 PM (NsPBZ)

1293 Thank you, Ace ... that was a very fine article. : )

Posted by: Wolfybaby at June 09, 2012 10:43 PM (eb9qr)

1294 You have to take the name of a pet from your childhood, and the name of the street you grew up on.Mimi Mandalay. Which would be great if I weren't a guy. .

Posted by: Jim in Virginia at June 09, 2012 10:43 PM (9PrZI)

1295 Posted by: Blue Hen at June 09, 2012 10:36 PM (c9Ivb)

Yeah, I agree.

Posted by: HH at June 09, 2012 10:44 PM (v+ExF)

1296 Step 1. Implement a registration system that makes it easy to ban people effectively.
Step 2. Ban ban ban the stupid heads.
Step 3. Waste no time whatsoever explaining why. Chalk it up to blog comment Darwinism and be done with it.
Step 4. ????
Step 5. Profit!

Hang in there ace! You and yer cobloggers kick ass.

Posted by: mcg at June 09, 2012 10:44 PM (YCfVb)

1297 Does this mean we can’t comment using a silly or fictitious names in the attempt to be humerous (i.e. sock-puppeting?

That’d take a good chunk of the fun out of the comments, though I understand that we have to abandon the old system due to certain schmucks, but still, it is unfortunate.

Would it be possible to set-up a system were we can register hash tags (and only those with registered hash tags can post), but where we could still post under various names?

Posted by: The Political Hat at June 09, 2012 10:46 PM (sRUq2)

1298
1286You come west Jeff , you let me know . <<<<

Will do. I'm going up north at the end of the month to pull some pickerel and pike out of Peninsula Lake. Can't wait.

I think logprof is out your way, too. If I plan a trip to Calgary, I'll holler at y'all and we can go hoist a few.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 09, 2012 10:48 PM (JDIKC)

1299 this bothers me the most about this sorry deal. This award was well
earned.This site was one of the major reasons Weiner is an ex-Rep.

****

And I'm guessing that he had to try really hard NOT to accept the award because I'm certain they offered to award it in absentia.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:49 PM (piMMO)

1300 Well that's odd. I see new posted comments on the ONT but I can't

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 10:50 PM (GULKT)

1301 Comments are on on the ONT.

Posted by: rdbrewer at June 09, 2012 10:51 PM (Iyg03)

1302 Checked our for a while. Spent time with hubby. Goodness, it is great to come back to the real thing. We are a family "of sorts," as Ace said. I read more than I comment. And may I say, there are days I don't get much done. Reading everything takes a lot of time. And commenting is even longer for me. Not quite up to snuff when it comes to originality but I write what I write. Ace, you are the dude. And the dude has a lot of crazy followers. Thank you Ace, for allowing all these crazy people in your life. May we somehow bless you in return.

Posted by: macintx at June 09, 2012 10:51 PM (ucs8Y)

1303 A heartfelt post, Ace: much appreciated.

Posted by: cracksnapplepop at June 09, 2012 10:52 PM (PUE6f)

1304 I don't usually comment, but there is allot of wisdom in this post and, I think, allot of wisdom in the author.

Thoughts and prayers Ace.

Posted by: Rob at June 09, 2012 10:52 PM (XOtYi)

1305 Kerslam, and the ONT commenting is closed.

And here I was trying to post "you know, take the R out of 'morose' and all you have left is 'moose."

I guess you had to be there . . .

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 10:52 PM (smvTK)

1306 I am seriously PISSED OFF about this whole fucking anger thing. I mean SERIOUSLY!!! WTF!!!!eleventy!

WHAT THE HELL IS...

Oh! Hey, Ace. Didn't expect to see you 'round these parts. Yeah, everything's goin' good, goin' good.

You take care too, man. Hey, and congrats again on that award thing. Bummer you couldn't swing by to pick it up, but I understand.

-----------------------

Ace's playpen, Ace's rules. Like others have said, shouldn't be that difficult. I drifted here sometime in the last 18 months, mostly from Tepid Air and American Thinker. It took me a while to adjust to the free-for-all raucousness of the HQ. I think it was probably three months between my first couple of peeks here and my next visit. Then I just lurked here for over a year, afraid to make comments because there are some seriously sharp-assed people who hang out here and they can be just a wee bit intimidating to a serious introvert like myself. However, most of my online day is spent here, usually reading behind the wave, and frequently closing threads like the last guy at the bar at 2:30 on a Wednesday morning.

Ace - I love this place. Thanks for allowing me (all of us, really) to come visit. I fully understand your concern for your own health and that of your family. Please don't change the HQ any more than is required. Even the assholes add some life and charm.

Even people who post links to fickin' BIRDS!

Posted by: Boomer Redneque at June 09, 2012 10:53 PM (eQnzo)

1307 ONT commenting now enabled

yay

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 10:54 PM (piMMO)

1308 Anyway this was the best blog on the innertubes....andsome posts are way too long. Sorry, my eyes glaze over and I lose interest. I know Ace is pissed about something that happened this weekend after the useless gesture on Friday. Who knows what it could be? I have a live other than this blog, but I do like to come here for the news and ribald comments.
I see I'll be dropping by less and less....kind of like with Powerline after they changed the format. I just hope that this blog doesn't change it's name to something like "Little Red Basketballs" and people stop calling themselves "morons" and start calling themselves "anphibians" or something. And that pictures of Ace's bike rides start appearing as posts. Down that path lies madness.

Posted by: Dogbert at June 09, 2012 10:56 PM (5fQ5F)

1309 @1306 - Hey, if it wasn't for them BIRDS and us BEES, well, just sayin'.

Posted by: Birds & Bees Union Local 720 at June 09, 2012 10:56 PM (3Afda)

1310 They got you with a longbow conundrum Jeff . If I know anything about fishing in Ontario you're going to catch walleyes ( a member of the perch family ) , not pickerel ( a member of the pike family ) . Trust me on this , you want the walleyes ...... freaking delicious .
And yes , you and family are more than welcome at casa BDC .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 10:58 PM (npr0X)

1311 I don't see how the right has
"Abandoned Traditional Notions of Restraint, Reserve, and
Self-Mastery In Favor Of Righteous Rage, And How The Right Has Sadly
Followed Them"In the blogosphere, at some sites, maybe. But in the body politic? How can Occupy's rage, or SEIU's thuggery, be remotely equated with the Tea Party?

In the media , where on the right do conservatives engage in spittle-flying rants the way MSNBC's line-up does?

So the headline is overly broad. Yet no one here has challenged Ace on it, except for the poster who wondered if he would no longer reading about slitting throats on this site's masthead. That Mencken, he sure was angry!!!

The shaded excerpt (?) ends:

"Yet Wood eschews false symmetry, and one of the fascinations of A Bee
in the Mouth is following Wood’s attempt to make sense of New Anger’s
long, slow, and decidedly incomplete seepage from the Left to the Right
side of the political spectrum.

Then Ace comments: "It's complete now. I think we can fairly state that seepage is complete now."

No.

Where's our Kos? Where's our DU? Where are our snot-flinging sites with the popularity of say, Salon.com? On those sites both the articles and comments are filled with the rage Ace and Wood decry.

Where are the sites on the right that mirror that kind of white-hot anger? Where do WE hack sites? Where do WE seek to shut sites down and ruin the careers and reputations of those we disagree with?

I say that we on the right remain much less addicted to the New Anger than the left. Au contraire, I say we are much more virtuous, just as we are in the public sphere.

I further submit that Ace is calling upon us to restrain our "anger" in the face of extreme aggression against him. He is capitulating when he should be turning to face his enemy and enlisting us to help him do so.

I think what happened here.... is that something happened here..to Ace...and he is extrapolating that experience onto the entire body politic and onto the blogosphere.

So, again, I disagree. I think Ace's position is uncomfortably close to "Can't we all get along?"

But I am not angry.

Am I banned anyway?

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 09, 2012 10:58 PM (YZFki)

1312 anna......if you are here...go to table9

Posted by: phoenixgirl clinging to my bible, gun and coca cola at June 09, 2012 10:59 PM (Ho2rs)

1313 I came here from FreeRepublic, mostly, because I'd had enough of the True Believers refusing to even entertain the idea that anything other than the One True Conservatism was acceptable--more secular/libertarian righties like me were, in many people's opinions, Not Welcome.

This place was, frankly, a whole lot more friendly and relaxed.

Sucks to lose some of that relaxed atmosphere, but given the realities of both human nature and of the Internet, it wasn't realistic to expect that it could for long continue in quite the same free-wheeling way.

I'm 100% ok with the concept of registration of commenters. My previous analogy of a web site with a bar stands. Proprietors have an absolute right to decide who and who isn't appropriate to participate in the activities of their sites, IMHO.

If it's handled properly, AoSHQ will become a place where people WANT to participate in the activities--and not as disrupters, trolls, dickweeds and ne'r-do-wells, but as contributing members of the Moron Nation.

Onward!

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 10:59 PM (smvTK)

1314 Thanks Ace. Sorry it came to this. I dont have facebook or twitter. But I will still come here to read the funniest commentors on any blog.

Posted by: lou's a girl. at June 09, 2012 11:01 PM (fHyXI)

1315 tl;dr

Also, I have no idea what any of this is about, but apparently it's got some people upset. Jeez.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at June 09, 2012 11:02 PM (qyB3P)

1316 I love the large number of "I can't be bothered to find out WTF is going on, but I'm going to express an opinion about it anyway" posts.

Seriously, it's like maintaining a great internet tradition.

Without it, it would be like an internet without trollface.

Damn, talked myself into a corner again.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at June 09, 2012 11:04 PM (bxiXv)

1317 I further submit that Ace is calling upon us to restrain our "anger" in the face of extreme aggression against him. He is capitulating when he should be turning to face his enemy and enlisting us to help him do so.

Seriously. I mean really. Have you read anything ace has actually posted concerning this stuff? He is not capitulating and he has even asked for our help. He's laid out clearly what kind of help we can offer and has repeatedly said that other actions are explicitly unhelpful and to cut them out right now. He's been pretty direct about this.

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 11:04 PM (GULKT)

1318 I'd be willing to throw in some coin to Pixy or whomever to get a system where we can register hashes or something similar, but post under any nick we want in order to keep the best sockpuppeting on the net alive.

Many of *chan boards allow users to post with whatever nick they want but still identify/authenticate who they are using hashtags. It ought not be difficult to reject hashtags that aren't registered.

Though I understand we may have to do without, even for just a little while, the sockpuppeting due to the actions of a few schmucks, I'm hoping there is a way to both have some type of registration system *and* allow for sockpuppeting and other silly antics with the nicks.

Seriously, I'm sure that there are plenty of people here willing to help out to provide for sockpuppeting in the future.

Posted by: The Political Hat at June 09, 2012 11:04 PM (sRUq2)

1319 I know you type one handed Pete , but 1315 ?

You are missed here , as a side note .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 09, 2012 11:05 PM (npr0X)

1320 So you are not going to have any more comments, ever, except for this thread? Is that what this post means? I don't understand (I know what was foing on yesterday etc).

Posted by: Baldy at June 09, 2012 11:09 PM (NsPBZ)

1321 Stupid question time. I have said "Lock and Load" in response to any question of what will you do when...Someone asked me, 'So, I get the load part, but what exactly are you locking?' Only true morons need respond.
Oh, and Ace -- after an intense, insane night when all you should have heard from any of the tribe was how Freakishly Brilliant you are and how honored we all are to be allowed to muddle along in the wake of your mindful and intelligent postings and ponderings --- you re-draw the lines of sane communication.
You are a good and decent man. This post should win awards. Thank you.

Posted by: Calyx the HopinToBAnswered at June 09, 2012 11:10 PM (ZOwuH)

1322 I'm torn. I agree and disagree. I agree that blind, stupid, sputtering rage can feel good while you express it, but it's also a great way to say or do things that are counterproductive to the end result you actually want.

On the other hand, highly focused anger can get great results. Anger is something I think is slow to build, and isn't the immediate screaming fist pounding reaction of rage. Anger won the recall in Wisconsin, and rage lost.

It is too exhausting to be angry all the time, but it's completely destructive to be enraged constantly.

Posted by: GMan at June 09, 2012 11:11 PM (UkbKS)

1323 Ok, so the Gay Porn Name Generator needs some work.................
Posted by: Hung Lo, from Osaka at June 09, 2012 09:51 PM (AzwZn)

Ummm, Impala Abcruncher?

It wouldn't work too well with most of the other cars I've owned. I mean, seriously, who wants to be known as LeCar?

Posted by: Bill H at June 09, 2012 11:12 PM (3sZO1)

1324 Just read this post. Balm for my soul. Bless you, Ace.

Posted by: Crashpanic at June 09, 2012 11:13 PM (H7Nnh)

1325 Spades are kinda harsh. In the original Tarot deck, that suit was swords. (Diamonds used to be coins, hearts were cups, clubs were wands.)

Plus racist.

I think the blog should be renamed Ace of Hearts, or Ace of Kittehs if hearts is taken.

Eager to learn my new hashtag!

Posted by: Little Miss Spellcheck at June 09, 2012 11:16 PM (a5ljo)

1326 My porn name is Fritzy Southmain. Too bad I aint gay.

Posted by: Alaskan Warthog at June 09, 2012 11:16 PM (ZISHI)

1327 I'm just about done here.

Just got done watching the doggeh video posted in the ONT.

Not sure I totally agree with Ace about the equivalence of leftie and rightie hatred, given the overall dominance of the leftie viewpoint in most of institutions of culture in society. But it's his joint, so if he thinks that's the way it is, that's the way he thinks it is.

See, I'm perfectly cool with disagreeing with Ace. I could be wrong. It's happened before.

But I do observe that the general reaction of the morons to the return of comments is closely akin to the reaction of Daisy when her master returns from military service.

Although I personally draw the line at submissively licking at Ace's mouth while joyously whining and wagging my tail furiously. Not gonna do it.

Not without a LOT more alcohol.

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 11:17 PM (smvTK)

1328 Waddya know? That's one I had before. But not, I think, on this PC.

'Night, all.

Posted by: Little Miss Spellcheck at June 09, 2012 11:17 PM (a5ljo)

1329 I like the long thoughtful posts.

Outsiders I have occasionally directed to your posts have expressed dismay at the comment section. I explained that it's a lot like the Mos Eisely cantina - it can be a little rough. That it becomes more like Rick's Café Américain is fine by me.

Posted by: Crispian at June 09, 2012 11:17 PM (uBMtY)

1330 1330

Posted by: starboardhelm at June 09, 2012 11:18 PM (hHgxI)

1331 I hope you're archiving this past week. This post and subsequent responses sure do `splain alot about human nature. It will do good to revisit these profound words over the next 5 months. There will be many things said that will make you really pissed off.
Please get over it. You know we'll find your inner child and kick it's little ass.

Posted by: RFA at June 09, 2012 11:19 PM (YVsCJ)

1332 All right, all right ..... I'll weigh in on the gay porn name generator:

Civic Rebounder

Somehow I don't think I'll get any dates.

Posted by: Jay at June 09, 2012 11:20 PM (nojhZ)

1333 Bill H@1323: Who wants to be known as LeCar?

Worked out OK for that Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy guy.

Posted by: Little Miss Spellcheck at June 09, 2012 11:20 PM (a5ljo)

1334 Ace...you are moody motherfucker...

Posted by: ClassicCon at June 09, 2012 11:21 PM (L9BfC)

1335 I have been reading here forever and this is my 1st post. I wanted to express my support for Ace and whatever he decides to do. This site is my required daily read.
So much so, that I am going to throw a few $s in the tip jar.
Keep up the great work Ace.
Oh yeah, whenever posters start talking about their "rights" as to being able to say whatever they want, I ignore them.
Bye

Posted by: Armadel at June 09, 2012 11:22 PM (pSkTS)

1336 I renounce red-hot anger.
Can I keep cold spite?

Posted by: Little Miss Spellcheck at June 09, 2012 11:22 PM (a5ljo)

1337 Dear Ace,
I must take exception to two parts of your post.
1) The statement "anger is sinful". Since you used the word "sinful", I assume you are speaking from a Christian or Jewish perspective. I will therefore answer from my christian perspective. The Bible doesn't say "don't be angry". It says "be angry and sin not" (Ephesians 4:26). Which is to say, if you're angry find something productive to do with it and discharge it, rather than letting it turn to bitterness (Eph 4:27).
2) The statement that unhappiness is a vice and happiness is a virtue. I see no indication in the Bible that this is true. Certainly it would have come as a surprise to Job (of the book of Job), identified in the bible as one of the three most righteous men of theOld Testament(Ezekiel 14:14). I also note that Jesus tells us that 'blessed are those who mourn' and 'woe to those who laugh' (Luke 6:21, 25, also Matthew 5:4). This is not to say that we are to go around with long faces and be perpetually unhappy. It is simply that anger and suffering are part of the human condition, and we are not condemned for experiencing these emotions. We are, however, held accountable for what we do with it. Sorrow can, properly expressed (as in a blues song), bring comfort and healing to fellow sufferers.
This is close to home for me because I am frequently unhappy, and I believe itis God's wish to comfort me (see Matthew 5 above) rather than condemn me for being miserable. The same applies to everyone who suffers depression or similar.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you the best.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

Posted by: Brian Pendell at June 09, 2012 11:22 PM (Ut0oZ)

1338 We can only hope that anger in the service of logic and common sense will prevail over anger in the service of tyranny

Posted by: stevo at June 09, 2012 11:23 PM (z9AYG)

1339
Ace, you've hit upon my biblical mantra:
James 1:6 Human anger does not lead to righteousness.

Repeat aloud as needed.

Posted by: Average Jen at June 09, 2012 11:24 PM (JCI6D)

1340
The age of reason must return.

We, must return to the age of reason.

Posted by: Mt Top Patriot at June 09, 2012 11:25 PM (kdYtr)

1341 Ace
I havent commented in probably a year or so, yet I stop in every day to get your take on things. You have a ton of readers who never comment or even read the comment threads. You are one of the finest bloggers on the web. I don't stop by for the comments. I stop by for the content. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Lance at June 09, 2012 11:26 PM (MzqIP)

1342 1300+ and counting... I wonder, what does this mean?
Remember what The Hulk's secret is?

Posted by: Thorvald at June 09, 2012 11:28 PM (OhenJ)

1343 Damnit! Who broke the ONT?!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 11:29 PM (piMMO)

1344 1000x agree, Ace!

Extraordinarily well stated. Some of this stuff, I do for a living, and I try not to interject my professional opinion into too much of what goes on around here, but I think you essentially hit all the right points.

On a personal note, I can tell you the journey you seem to be taking sounds like the right one to me. I've been there myself. You have to start small, but try to be consistent. If you do it right, you'll be amazed at the effect it has. Just be nice to the person standing next to you in line, or the cashier/waitress/clerk with whom you have to deal. People WILL respond to the positive energy you bring, and they'll reflect it back to you, which is ALWAYS better for everybody.

Or the 5% who won't, you just have to shrug them off. They do exist, and that's too bad for them.

I highly endorse the direction you're taking here. I hope it works.

Posted by: BurtTC at June 09, 2012 11:29 PM (2pG7H)

1345 This site is one of the few that I regularly post to (and even read the posts of).

Though the sockpuppeting is one of the best parts, the site is still in my top-10 list even without that.

I threw in some coin at in the tip jar, and I hope all of you do so as well, because it's darn well worth it.

Hopefully though, a good way of allowing sockpuppeting will be found an implemented.

Posted by: The Political Hat at June 09, 2012 11:34 PM (sRUq2)

1346 All I have to say is when was the last Captain Bicycle McPonytail has a 1300+ comment thread?

Do what ya gotta, ace, I'm with you.

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at June 09, 2012 11:37 PM (qVD+w)

1347 We're not nearly as bad as they (the left) are, but it's good that you and others are reminding us to stop before we go further. If for no other reason that it is unattractive to the non-politically obsessed. People will follow the happy warrior - nobody will follow Ed Schultz.

Posted by: Holdfast at June 09, 2012 11:41 PM (X125u)

1348 in re filbert, 1327

I duly note your intellectual independence.

I don't know that Ace is saying hate on right and left is equivalent. It would be extremely hard to quantify. He is making the point that expressing hate has become acceptable means of commentary to a great many on both sides, to such an extent that it doesn't matter who is hating more. That's my take. He's also making the point that the Left normalized the hate to such an extent that many on the Right feel it is the way to engage. If Liberal is gonna hate me, why shouldn't I hate him? It's easy, unthinking, and ultimately destructive.

It's easier to forgive and sympathize those on our own side when they do so - we know where they're coming from...so it's not like hate hate (as Whoopi might say). It's also extremely easy to gloss over hate on our side. I know I don't want to waste my time calling out every hating moron. I want to engage on the subject matter. I never get personal online, I take a step back when I get angry, and I use humor when others express hate and anger. I think to win we have to be better.

Posted by: Crispian at June 09, 2012 11:42 PM (uBMtY)

1349 Very well said. I have a lot of friends who embrace the total opposite of my views and some who buy into the heated and poisenous rhetoric when they see things and momentum for their ideals slipping away from them and all they have left is a deep and bitter resevoir of anger that can build into rage. What quenches the fuse is understanding that we are all mortal here sharing this floating rock in space we call home. We all have our ideals, they way we see the world in which believeit would be a happier place. Some of these views are realistic, many or not. Some are in it for themselves and and others to "save the world". Speaking for myself, I will defend myself and ideals and whenever possible, however, I will employ diplomacy whenever it has a realistic chance of succeeding or at the very least, establishing a workable relationship with those I would have varying degrees of opposition with. I have family members I am in profound and seemingly hopeless disagreement with over the many divisive and vitriolic issues we face. But I will never disown them and I will always work to be there with them and for them into celebrate whateverjoys may flourish and to overcome whatever obstacles life has to offer. We need to re-establish and promulgate once again, the True meaning of love to overcome our differences and help us to recognize clearly those acts and rhetoric that violate and threaten that basic tenant that binds us together and to recognize and reject those violations not only when we see it in others but be humble and clear headed enough to recognize and reject it in ourselves wheneverwe sense itrearing its poisenous fangs. We will never reach others if we are hopelessly mired in our own pent-up anger. Easier said than done but even when the tide is going against us, we can never afford to give in to hate and anger, neverallow it to clot and poisenour souls and warp our perspectives. Out-of-control anger will do this. Hold fast to the truth of our ideals and go forward, victory is in holding fast to the Truth.
Just this Lurkers' 2 cents...Peace out.

Posted by: Batnratz at June 09, 2012 11:45 PM (QFAFF)

1350 Dennis Praeger and Adam Carolla? Were the gates of hell opening at the time?

Posted by: motionview at June 09, 2012 11:49 PM (i+DU3)

1351 Ace, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this post, and agree with it. I, too, discovered Carolla-Prager's talks this year, and I respect the shit out of those guys, except for Carolla's insistence that John Hiatt is the only musician of any worth in the world, and Prager's belief in Catholic God. Get real, guys.

You keep doing what you're doing, and write a couple of books about it, too. You're on the right track.

Posted by: garycooper at June 09, 2012 11:52 PM (cQMnw)

1352 Just this Lurkers' 2 cents...Peace out.
Posted by: Batnratz at June 09, 2012 11:45 PM (QFAFF)

***

Please go back to lurking...

Posted by: ClassicCon at June 09, 2012 11:53 PM (L9BfC)

1353 Uh... OK

Posted by: TexasJew at June 09, 2012 11:55 PM (3GZGr)

1354 And for my money, part of the ineffable charm of the HQ is the wonderful way that things stray off topic, meander and wind up somewhere completely different at the other end of the threads. THAT is the ESSENCE of this place: the free-wheeling openness to say what you want if it's reasoned. Being a dick should be allowed. Being a troll, a fascist, a knee-jerk type jerk should not.
AceofspadesHQ without comments is hollow, empty, dead on the vine. The ONT without comments is the ONP Over Night Posting and nothing more.Imagine the joy a chess posting and nothing else. excitement multiplier! How about a post about picking terracotta planters for spring? A posting about motor oils? Trimming problem corns?

Yeah, not so much. Put things right, Mr Ewok. Not many folks have their own horde: you do.
Take car of it. Take care with it. It's more fragile than you think.
G'nite non commenting mandatory lurkers.

Posted by: sandman says hey, look over there, SQUIRREL! at June 09, 2012 11:56 PM (zxaA2)

1355
Ace, it's your blog and as such, I will follow your rules. You are justified to use the banhammer as you see fit for anyone who gets out of line, without so much as a peep from me.
For your blog, you're correct. In the real world, you're dead wrong. I firmly believe that given who we're dealing with, violence is the answer. I don't mean flat out murder, but as a nation, we have irreconcilable differences, and the divorce is going to be ugly.

Posted by: Trump at June 09, 2012 11:57 PM (F8Lnm)

1356 "To win we have to be better."

Yes, with this I agree--and in fact I agree with the overall argument that Ace is making in his post here.

To win, and more importantly, to make the win mean something, we must not give into negativity. The whole shebang revolves around how to make the world better.

You don't put out a fire by pouring gasoline onto it, and right now, the whole political scene of the USA is a tinderbox, the like of which has not seen since the mid-1800's--and I say that with absolute seriousness and lack of hyperbole. Seldom have Americans taken such strong, absolute sides in an argument.

"Burn, baby, burn" is not an acceptable solution. Last time we tried that we had a Civil War. The real kind, with guns and cannons and lots and lots of dead brothers and lots of really sub-optimal results.

Dumbshits posting dumbshit comments on what would otherwise be rather fun-loving blogs matter.

Turning down the emotional volume is--and is almost ALWAYS--a very, very good idea.

Cultivating the ethos of the "happy warrior" over the that of the angry fanatic is a good thing to emphasize.

And I'm rambling now.

I support Ace, and what he's trying to do. My disagreements are quibbles, really. From what I know of him (basically his posts here), I agree in general with where he wants this country--and this blog--to go, and I also agree with why.

Let's roll.

Posted by: filbert at June 09, 2012 11:57 PM (smvTK)

1357 What the ewok said.

I've had a similar epiphany since I've started having to deal with customers in retail.

Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at June 10, 2012 12:13 AM (NL15p)

1358 Test. Are the waters safe?

Posted by: dogfish at June 10, 2012 12:17 AM (N2yhW)

1359 Ace o' Spades is the best, man. I really mean that.

Posted by: nikkolai at June 10, 2012 12:20 AM (pSsN0)

1360 "and if you must, even praising the cobloggers."....

ace,
re: your new BPA (blog policy on anger)
-i haven't commented in quite a while: my only criticism is your spelling error. I believe we hashed this out YEARS ago; it's cob-loggers.... damitt

Posted by: j2 at June 10, 2012 12:21 AM (U6SBm)

1361 So how did something crazy happen on black-out friday?

Posted by: Iblis at June 10, 2012 12:24 AM (mvhig)

1362 And what I want to know is .... WHO PEE'd IN THE POOL and ruined for everybody???

Posted by: Ace Rocks at June 10, 2012 12:26 AM (gKz+d)

1363 I'm just curious to find out what "Rawdog Aversion Therapy" consists of...

Posted by: Heh at June 10, 2012 12:29 AM (QTVh2)

1364 I don't know what this was all about as I wasn't here. I don't comment as much here as I used to, mostly because of twitter. I would agree anger is an indulgence. I wouldn't necessarily say it's all bad and I don't mean righteous anger either. It's nice just to vent and one of the things I like most about AoSHQ is this is a place you can do it. But more against the way and system of things in government, not against individuals here. Maybe 1 comment in the heat of the moment but more than that is just being selfish. I can't say I will like going registering either. It's nice to have someplace you don't log in to.

Posted by: Rocks at June 10, 2012 12:29 AM (19AIg)

1365 I am so glad you didnt go dark forever Ace. Dont know what I would have done without your blog to end my day with. I rarely post, but read this, Hot Air and Jawa every night.

Posted by: Poor Knight of Christ at June 10, 2012 12:31 AM (+o/4M)

1366 This is like one of my family reunions where I have just walked in on something but have the good sense to act like nothing is going on.

Two small points. First, righteous anger has the requirement of being righteous. Second, I have always experienced depression as anger at myself and frustration with a kind of social impotence. That anger is also a sin. We are capable of so much more-that will never come to pass through self castigation.

Peace, oh and joy to you Ace.

Posted by: BrianInWisconsin at June 10, 2012 12:33 AM (GMzH2)

1367 Ace, "Twice a day?" Good gawd man, can we please all chip in and get Ace a furry littlehooker?

A wise person once said (I wish I could remember who it was)

No one will ever get out of this world alive.
Resolve therefore to maintain a sense of values.
Take care of yourself. Good health is everyone’s major source of wealth.
Without it happiness is almost impossible.
Resolve to be cheerful and helpful. People will repay you in kind.
Avoid angry, abrasive persons. They are generally vengeful.
Avoid zealots. They are generally humorless.
Resolve to listen more and talk less.
No one ever learns anything by talking.
Be chary of giving advice. Wise men don’t need it, and fools won’t heed it.
Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong.
Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.
Do not equate money with success. There are many successful money makers who are miserable failures as human beings.
What counts most about success is how a person achieves it.

Posted by: Netwit at June 10, 2012 12:34 AM (BCiHi)

1368 Dear Ace,

As long as I don't have to use some privacy raping program to comment here, I'm fine with whatever you need to do. But I keep away from sites that require Disqus and other such Shiite. One of the things that I love about your place is the anonymity. But I guess that's becoming problem, which is too bad.

Still, I'd give you a blood stool sample to register, and not have to join the sheeple world of Facebookishness.

Posted by: Vercingetorix at June 10, 2012 12:35 AM (pOUA4)

1369 Subtracting anger from AoSHQ is a big change and a big challenge. The blogosphere itself was born from the intense anger following 9/11. Forswearing anger as a step toward better character will be especially challenging when confronting opponents who will never abandon anger: the left, and the jihadis. Are you sure you're up for that, Ace?

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 12:39 AM (mk9aG)

1370 You may want to replace the "slitting throats" Mencken blurb up top, in view of the new low-anger goal.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 12:42 AM (mk9aG)

1371 Ace of Spades HQ cured my arthritis and my edema!

Posted by: runninrebel at June 10, 2012 12:44 AM (Y5Zv1)

1372 Ace - ya know, that was really thought provoking. I mean it. Damn, came here to read politics and now I'm thinking about anger issues. Crap, there's another six weeks in therapy.

I agree with the new rules, but think it's unfortunate that it has come to this. Seems every comments section for blogs and media have become junior high school lunch rooms ruled by whoever can intimidate the most sheep and shout others down. I like your site for the witty writing and the, mostly, intelligent comments. I hope you never have to shut down the comments because of a few Neanderthals.

Posted by: Last conservative in IL at June 10, 2012 12:45 AM (rFPy8)

1373 Sweet Jebus on a Popsicle stick. Who replaced Ace's Viagra with Estrogen cream?

I'm terribly sorry some asshats acted up. If they in any way put you or your family at risk with this BK crap they deserve everything they get/got.

But, let's not get all carried away. There is no equivalence at all between the seething rage on the left in massive quantities and the occasional whack job on the right or the righteous indignation the right has as the left systematically attempts to destroy the entire system.

Anger is not a sin. How you react to it is what determines that particular fact.

Posted by: Brainpimp at June 10, 2012 12:45 AM (mwlsF)

1374 Ace,

I'm hoping old threads, including comments, will remain available?

I have indexes to a couple hundred posts and comments, by subject, which I use to review issues.

Love your site.

Posted by: LiveFreeOrDie at June 10, 2012 12:51 AM (u5ozF)

1375 1370 You may want to replace the "slitting throats" Mencken blurb up top, in view of the new low-anger goal.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 12:42 AM (mk9aG)

Well you might want to go re-read it and think about what it says.
Hint: It's not advocating anger or violence - it's acknowledging them.

Posted by: Mætenloch at June 10, 2012 12:51 AM (VDusq)

1376 @1370 Another one of these numbnuts commenting on the masthead?

Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at June 10, 2012 12:52 AM (NL15p)

1377 I don't suppose you will let people see the angry version?

Posted by: Deathknyte at June 10, 2012 12:53 AM (GDjQS)

1378 Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at June 10, 2012 12:52 AM (NL15p)

Sounds like it.

Posted by: Deathknyte at June 10, 2012 12:54 AM (GDjQS)

1379 Obtuse or self absorbed, I can't tell. I hope he keeps the quote, regardless.

Posted by: LiveFreeOrDie at June 10, 2012 12:55 AM (u5ozF)

1380 Yeah, I like that quote.

Posted by: Deathknyte at June 10, 2012 12:56 AM (GDjQS)

1381 Aaarrgghh whut wuld 'elp wuld be if all the angery peeple wuld get theyselves a hobby to help with they rage, like me, I put me useless bloggin' on a high etus fer a time and on vacashon, out livin' a life of pillage and plunder out on the deep blue seas. If I kin ever put down this damn bottle of Cap'n Morgan that is.

Posted by: The Pagan Temple at June 10, 2012 12:58 AM (UReiY)

1382 Posted by: The Pagan Temple at June 10, 2012 12:58 AM (UReiY)

Your post makes no sense so I will just ignore you.

Posted by: Deathknyte at June 10, 2012 01:03 AM (GDjQS)

1383 First, thank you brainpimp, for "getting it". It appears to me that Ace's hired claque are doing nothing but mindlessly agreeing with him.

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

1317
I further submit that Ace is calling upon us to restrain our "anger"
in the face of extreme aggression against him. He is capitulating when
he should be turning to face his enemy and enlisting us to help him do
so.

Seriously. I mean really. Have you read anything ace has actually
posted concerning this stuff? He is not capitulating and he has even
asked for our help. He's laid out clearly what kind of help we can offer
and has repeatedly said that other actions are explicitly unhelpful and
to cut them out right now. He's been pretty direct about this.

Posted by: buzzion

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

I quoted directly from the headline and body of his post. So...I read what he said.

What is this "help" he asks for other than to STFU in certain ways?

How is what he asks for different than appeasement?

Is verbal "anger" actionable, absent threats and any intent to cause
harm to any particular person followed by action? Since when? Since
some clown engages in threats? Would Breitbart have cowed like this?

For the record, I don't post "angry" stuff here, and I recognize that some commenters are angry shit-stirrers and trolls.

But it seems to me Ace is dealing with a particular threat, and not a
global attack by the left. He's asking all of us to take "chill pills" in response to one dude, and he's equating US with THEM.

This is a self-described "military blog", after all. Since when does the military let themselves be defined or limited by what their enemies threaten to do?

But OK, if you want a lobotomized Ace, you'll get your wish.

Just think of Jack Nicholson in "Cuckoo's Nest", after he's had his electro convulsive shock therapy.

Just rename the place "Pussies R US" and be done with it.

And as long as Ace keeps that Mencken masthead, he is living in a world of contradiction, if not a frickin' lie.
What is a desire to slit throats, if not an expression of anger?

I suggest a new slogan:

AceofSpadesHQ:

Come for the Throat Slittin', Stay for the Bed Wettin'.

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:03 AM (YZFki)

1384
Ace, I'm much more of a lurker - mostly because what I would have to say wouldn't even come close to match the wit and humor here.The great political analysis and truly laugh-out-loudcomments on this smart military blogbrighten my day many times. No wonder Breitbart enjoyed it so much.
Thank you for all you do, and so sorry you had to deal with garbage from our own side.

Posted by: Marybeth at June 10, 2012 01:04 AM (fkaOH)

1385 I'm very angry right now. I'm so angry tha I am going to exclaim that Barack Obama is a stuttering Clusterfuck of a Miserable Failure

Posted by: HobbieHawk at June 10, 2012 01:07 AM (tzRmy)

1386 ahh, late to the party again. [but it's 80 outside and a beautiful night.]

so I'll make it short:

Anger = a feeling.
Feelings = information, not instructions.
[ie it's the choices about what to do with/about anger...etc bla bla bla]

Depression -- like happiness -- is a habit.
Choose.
[again with the "choices" already. yeesh... ya talk like *I'm* in charge, here...]

------

Ace; you're doing a gutsy and honorable thing. I admire that.

Posted by: Running Hobo at June 10, 2012 01:07 AM (l1oyw)

1387 So in otherwords Mr. Sonweed, no you have not actually read anything ace has written on the subject on how you can help. Even though he has written it quite a few times. Your memory extends only to what is written in the post and no further.

Posted by: buzzion at June 10, 2012 01:11 AM (GULKT)

1388 Nobody's gonna see this, but...

Anger itself is neutral; it's neither sinful nor particularly damaging. The problem is how a person channels anger, and they generally have two options: passion and rage. Passion is good, it's what motivates people to fight injustice and sacrifice for a better world. Passion is what we want, and, generally speaking, what motivates people like the Tea Party.

Rage is the problem. When a partisan starts frothing at the mouth and screaming and yelling, that's rage. They've allowed their anger to overwhelm them and simply strike out blindly at the source of their anger. Or anyone within striking distance. Ed Schultz's ravings are products of rage, not anger. Rage (also known as Wrath) is a sin, not anger.

We should be angry. We've got plenty of reason to be angry. We should channel that to passion, not rage. Let the left have their rage, it's inherently self-destructive.

Posted by: Late To The Party at June 10, 2012 01:12 AM (Yojj7)

1389 1375
1370 You may want to replace the "slitting throats" Mencken blurb up top, in view of the new low-anger goal.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 12:42 AM (mk9aG)

Well you might want to go re-read it and think about what it says.
Hint: It's not advocating anger or violence - it's acknowledging them.
****************************

WTF does "advocating" anger mean? WTF does "acknowledging them" mean?

The only meaning of Mencken's quote is that , at some point, anger leads to a TEMPTATION to engage in violence. It's not a call for people not to BE angry.

Ace is asking for people not to express their anger here. Hard to do, given that most people faced with the loss of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness get goddamn angry at those trying to bring it about.

Ask military types if they don't get angry because our enemies are trying to kill them. Tell them it's a "sin". Tell them it's "inappropriate".

But OK: here's the situation:

Former Ace: Star Wars bar scene

New Ace: Yummy Yummy Yummy I got Luv in my Tummy

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:14 AM (YZFki)

1390 Buzzion, why not quote chapter and verse, instead of accusing me of not reading what Ace wrote?

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:15 AM (YZFki)

1391 @1084

The last two days have been a chess thread thanks to Buzz Killington. Ann Barnhardt may be onto something.

Posted by: 66chevelle at June 10, 2012 01:16 AM (QjSgY)

1392 _____________________________________

Ace,

I have no idea what caused the controversy. But I do hope you will change your mind about requiring a "log in" comments thingy. I love this site, and one of the things that makes it so cool is that anybody in the world can hammer out a posting at the drop of a hat.

That said, if you end comments altogether it's pretty obvious that you won't be infringing on First Amendment rights since this site is not public property. I don't think it's wrong of you to in any way or to any extent restrict commenting. It's just that "at will" postings are a really cool thing that I'd hate to see go.

Is an alternative solution possible? What about occasionally highlighting the asshole commenters as anonymous persons who have descended (hopefully only temporarily) into being shameful idiots. Announce-Remind your audience that such commenters are best ignored until/unless they begin to speak civilly.

Is anything more than that really necessary?

Whatever you decide, I'll still visit your site on a more or less daily basis. Your perspective and news analysis (as well as those of your co-bloggers) have consistently proven valuable.
But man, would it be a shame to change the commenting format.

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 01:19 AM (gqoYf)

1393
Ace dear, I'm so sorry you've had to deal with all this crap...but I'm so very, very glad you are still here and that I still get to lurk. Thank you.

Posted by: winewife at June 10, 2012 01:20 AM (z9nl1)

1394 Well it pretty obvious that since you haven't actually read what ace has written previously you are not going to be happy with what ace has said people who want to help should do. It seems very obvious that you think what would be "helpful" is what ace has said would actually hurt him and help the people that are the threat.

Posted by: buzzion at June 10, 2012 01:21 AM (GULKT)

1395 Buzzion, IOW you got nuthin'.

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:25 AM (YZFki)

1396 _____________________________________

Just took the time to read some of the more recent comments.

I have to say that I think Jim Sonweed is dead on correct.

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 01:29 AM (gqoYf)

1397 See for instance I doubt you have read the following Sonweed where Ace clearly lays out what people can do to help http://minx.cc/?post=329575 I don't think you actually sound like someone really interested in helping like that. That right there is Ace enlisting us to help, even providing marchingorders.

Posted by: buzzion at June 10, 2012 01:30 AM (GULKT)

1398 Here's the Mencken quote in the context of the paragraph from his First Prejudices:

Lindsay? Alas, he has done his own burlesque. What was new in him, at the start, was an echo of the barbaric rhythms of the Jubilee Songs. But very soon the thing ceased to be a marvel, and of late his elephantine college yells have ceased to be amusing. His retirement to the chautauquas is self-criticism of uncommon penetration. Frost? A standard New England poet, with a few changes in phraseology, and the substitution of sour resignationism for sweet resignationism. Whittier without the whiskers. Robinson? Ditto, but with a politer bow. He has written sound poetry, but not much of it. The late Major-General Roosevelt ruined him by praising him, as he ruined Henry Bordeaux, Pastor Wagner, Francis Warrington Dawson and many another. Giovannitti? A forth-rate Sandburg. Ezra Pound? The American in headlong flight from America - to England, to Italy, to the Middle Ages, to ancient Greece, to Cathay and points East. Pound, it seems to me, is the most picturesque man in the whole movement - a professor turned fantee, Abelard in grand opera. His knowledge is abysmal; he has it readily on tap; moreover, he has a fine ear, and has written many an excellent verse. But now all the glow and gusto of the bard have been transformed into the rage of the pamphleteer: he drops the lute for the bayonet. One sympathizes with him in his choler. The stupidity he combats is actually almost unbearable. Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. But this business, alas, is fatal to the placid moods and fine other-worldliness of the poet. Pound gives a thrilling show, but - .... The remaining stars of the liberation need not detain us. They are the streetboys following the calliope. They have labored with diligence, but they have produced no poetry....

I guess Mencken's complaining about his contemporary poets. He thinks poetry is worse because it has adopted the rage of tracts and pamphlets. Why is it worse? He says: "But this business, alas, is fatal to the placid moods and fine other-worldliness of the poet. "

I'd say AoSHQ is much closer in intent to pamphleteering than to poetry, so the Mencken quote is inapt on that contextual basis alone. Isolated from context, it sounds to me like an expression of angry frustration.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 01:30 AM (mk9aG)

1399 _____________________________________

...and damn funny to boot.

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 01:30 AM (gqoYf)

1400 Aww, man. I've been lurking here forever. I love the open comments. I feel like the frontier just closed.

Posted by: vikingord at June 10, 2012 01:31 AM (YBPeR)

1401 Thank you, _Dave_.

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:34 AM (YZFki)

1402 One alternative would be to allow the commentators themselves to flag posts like that. That way, the posts might be taken care of without the hassle of reasing every single one?

Another possibility would be to empower trusted members of the moron horde to act as "janitors" and delete such posts, or at least hide them so that a full moderator can pass judgement. This would ease the burden on Ace and the other co-bloggers.

Posted by: The Political Hat at June 10, 2012 01:35 AM (sRUq2)

1403 _____________________________________

You got it, Jim.
Hey, and with a little luck Ace might even read your arguments and reconsider.

After all, what is the counterargument? "Damn right we should capitulate to a few hateful jerks that ought to just be ignored and verbally shunned!" ?

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 01:39 AM (gqoYf)

1404 Ace, your blog, your rules. Sorry that you had commenters that couldn't respect that. However, I would respectfully disagree with your premise that the right is becominglike the left in general in terms of anger. All you have to do is compare the Tea Party with the OWS folks. The Tea Party is angry about taxes the way our government is going, etc,but they aren't destroying property or hurting people. How many cops have been injured at Tea Party rallies or any otherconservative rallies? How much property has been destroyed at Tea Party rallies or other conservative rallies? For the most part, conservatives are angry, but not in destructive ways. How many conservatives have damaged property or wished death on their opponents the way progressives do. I despise Ed Schultz and Rachel Maddow, but I wouldn't wish their death or demand their silence. How many conservatives would wish these things and I have yet to read any prominent conservatives wish these things. Compare withhow many prominentprogressives have wished death on conservatives they disagreed with or hoped for terrible things to happen to them. How many conservatives have used lawfare against progressives or other underhanded tactics? All you have to do to see the difference is compare comments on this site against those on something like the Democratic Underground. There is no comparison. How many conservatives called for the stoning of Nancy Pelosi (ala Alec Baldwin)? Anger can be a motivator for good, such as the writing campaign about BK's lawfare. The key is to channel that anger for good, such as getting involved, and working to make change within the confines of the law. Just my two cents.

Posted by: GrimJack at June 10, 2012 01:41 AM (+QLwk)

1405 1398
Here's the Mencken quote in the context of the paragraph from his First Prejudices:

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

gp, Ace didn't cite Mencken beyond anything more than what he found quotable.

If you're saying he misled us by quoting out-of-context, referring only to poets....good luck with that!!

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:45 AM (YZFki)

1406 Grimjack...Bob Dylan..."ain't no use you talking to me"...etc.

Posted by: Jim Sonweed at June 10, 2012 01:47 AM (YZFki)

1407 Slitting throats was, in my opinion, not beyond the purview of the founding fathers Evilness is evilness. The devil in the detail is how we define it. That is the conundrum, and who makes that decision. My preference is by narrow statute. Besides, if I was that evil i's prefer H.L.'s solution over the alternatives Just sayin.

Posted by: Radar at June 10, 2012 01:50 AM (Z64pB)

1408 Where's our Kos? Where's our DU?
Try Michelle Malkin or Jim Hoyft (sp) for those peddling hate and rage induced spittle all whilst wearing a flag pin on their lapel and claiming to be for low taxes.
Two of the worst out there in the righty blogosphere.

Posted by: Old Texas Turkey at June 10, 2012 01:52 AM (bSxaZ)

1409 _____________________________________

Michelle Malkin rules.

She's not a hater. She just refuses to put up with phoniness, corruption, malice, or any other similar crap. She angrily and unapologetically calls liberals out on their shit.

Her tone is appropriately angry, and I always find it refreshing. She speaks clearly for me and millions of other conservatives.

But while her tone is harsh, she does not personally attack her opponents or in any way suggest that they should be mistreated.

Without a doubt, she is one of our best.

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 02:05 AM (gqoYf)

1410 Please cite for me anything untoward Jim Hoft has ever said.

Posted by: Uncle Jed at June 10, 2012 02:11 AM (AVfT8)

1411 "If you're saying he misled us" No, not at all. I started by saying the quote is probably not suitable to the new low-anger AoSHQ. Maet made the good suggestion to reread it and think about it. I looked it up, thought about it, and shared the context, and my thought: the quote is inapt for new low-anger AoSHQ whether considered in context or in isolation. I am saying this in a non-angry, non-accusatory way. I didn't say anybody was misleading anybody, and I don't know how you got that (angry?) impression.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 02:12 AM (mk9aG)

1412 He has a web site that you can easily search.

Posted by: Uncle Jed at June 10, 2012 02:13 AM (AVfT8)

1413
I agree with pretty much everything this post says, especially as it relates to the blogosphere. Lately I found myself getting more and more annoyed with the constant, unrelenting ANGER in blog comment sections. It really doesn't even matter what the topic is - movies, politics, religion. Everyone seems to be either foaming at the mouth angry or, to a lesser degree, whining about how unfair life has treated them and constantly picking at the scabs of their experience.
I know over the last couple of years, my own health and peace of mind have tended to suffer because I get so worked up reading various discussions. Of late I have realized that it's just not that worth it to get so worked up about the opinions of people I will probably never meet face-to-face. (As for myself, I was only ever an occasional commentor, and that was mostly in Monty's Sunday book threads).
I will also agree with #590. That has been one of themore "curious"things around here. While I agree Curious is attention-seeking and clueless, her detractors react to her in an over-the-top manner, even bringing her up in threads she hasn't participated in. No one is obligated to acknowledgeor interact with her or any other commentor. All the "smells like cat piss" stuff is just childish after awhile. Obviously Ace and the cobloggers don't think she has done anything worth banning, so why do so many get worked up about her? At the end of the day, it's just not worth it.
Oh, and a parting salvo to MrScribbler: If you hate Hot Air and Ed Morrissey that much, here's a solution: DON"T READ HOT AIR.

Posted by: Book Geek at June 10, 2012 02:15 AM (ny/5i)

1414 Old Texas Turkey: are you for high taxes?

Posted by: Uncle Jed at June 10, 2012 02:15 AM (AVfT8)

1415 Here's a new masthead quote that I think fits Ace's point exactly:

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs xvi. 32

Use that instead of Mencken.

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 02:17 AM (mk9aG)

1416 On its very basic level, deep down, anger is really hurt.

Posted by: faith at June 10, 2012 02:24 AM (oZfic)

1417 Geez I go to a "secular" bnai mitzvah at a commie camp in upstate new york and all hell breaks out.

What happened? Do I gotta read all 1000 plus comments to figure it out.

Posted by: thunderb at June 10, 2012 02:25 AM (Dnbau)

1418 Anger *is* an indulgence, a luxury that is available only to the masses of people who are moved by history, but not remembered by it.

For leaders, anger is too costly. In leadership, the name of the game is "the one who gets mad first, loses."

Posted by: DriveBy at June 10, 2012 02:30 AM (C9Vc8)

1419 If there is some sort of registration set up, will we still hear fromlace wigs?

Posted by: DPR VIII at June 10, 2012 02:36 AM (Rh+tg)

1420 I have been a liberal and a conservative, and there is NO comparison to the display of anger between the two. I get more bitterness from conservatives (and hatred mostly focused on gays), but more rage from liberals (towards Christians, whites, the rich, America, the military). Experience with conservatives generally from websites I go to (and family and in past activism as a liberal), and experience with liberals from my real-life friends (who I became friends with when I was a liberal). The libs are as angry as when I met them decades ago, and the world has bent towards their world view. They have no reason for anger except other issues (early family life etc)

Posted by: Baldy at June 10, 2012 02:36 AM (NsPBZ)

1421 I don't see anything wrong with the masthead comment. I do think though, to fit ace's calling, he might want to add Edward Bulwer-Lytton's quote: "The pen is mightier than the sword"

Posted by: faith at June 10, 2012 02:36 AM (oZfic)

1422 Sorry Ace but anger has always been there and right near the surface as well... i just think you watch too many Hollywood movies as does the guy who wrote the book you quote from-- it's just that now, anger has an easier outlet in the form of the Internet-- you can satisfy your anger urges by going on the Net and ranting and don't have to smack your wife or kid around (although many still do)-- we can try to supress anger but it will always find a way out one way or another-- emotions are eternal to man and that's one of the reasons Shakespeare is still so relevant today-- times change but emotions stay the same... always--

Posted by: tomc at June 10, 2012 02:37 AM (avEuh)

1423 Ace, you probably don't have time to read over 1400 postings and you might never see this. But I just wanted to commend you. I agree completely with your ideas and your policy.

Everyone should ask themselves: if Anthony Weiner had been a conservative, would I have been happy to see him giving speeches like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O_GRkMZJn4

Contrast Anthony Weiner with Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a paragon of the old virtues: calm, in control of himself. I've never seen video of Reagan acting even a tenth as angry as Weiner in the above clip. I did a YouTube search for "angry ronald reagan" and did not find any angry Reagan clips at all.

(I did find this one, where an angry anti-nuclear activist assaulted Reagan at an event where the National Association of Broadcasters had just presented Reagan with an award. The protester smashed it as his way of saying hello. Good grief. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q93XHjsiMd4

Posted by: steveha at June 10, 2012 02:39 AM (P0N+7)

1424 I see Ace addressed the masthead quote question way back at 126. He began his reply non-angrily: "because retards continue to insist..."

Blogging and commenting cannot exist without anger. Good luck trying!

Posted by: gp at June 10, 2012 02:45 AM (mk9aG)

1425 I live in WI and witnessed firsthand the anger of the left dismantle whatever chances they had of being successful in recalling Gov. Scott Walker. Their public displays of threats and violence stood in stark contrast to the calm, almost zen-like, demeanor of Walker throughout the whole affair.

My money says the angry left attributes their loss to not generating enough anger among their troops.

Posted by: Porgie Firefighter at June 10, 2012 02:48 AM (sUXB0)

1426 What's rawdog therapy and will it work for 8-10 times a day habit? Not that I care, but a friend of mine wants to know.

Posted by: kurtilator at June 10, 2012 02:49 AM (juh4Z)

1427 192
Jackass Jimmah last night brought up the Mencken quote last night too.
Apparently yeah ace probably should take it down because people really
can't use their brains or properly read.

I get tempted at work a lot of times to tell people off or to throw
something heavy. Notice that I say "tempted" I'm not actually going
actually start doing that. Some apparently think "tempt" means "totally
do it dude"

Posted by: buzzion at June 09, 2012 07:05 PM (GULKT)
Of course you aren't going to throw something, ultimately that will land you in jail. Instead you go on this blog, hunt for my latest post, copy and past it and then viciously attack me. Physician heal thyself...

Posted by: faith at June 10, 2012 02:51 AM (oZfic)

1428 Does this mean next weeks agro day is canceled?

Posted by: GMB at June 10, 2012 02:51 AM (kPe9l)

1429 Oppressors!

Posted by: Social Studies Graduate Student at June 10, 2012 02:52 AM (sRUq2)

1430 I felt a great disturbance in the moron horde, as if millions of sock puppet voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Posted by: Obi-Wan Kenobi at June 10, 2012 02:59 AM (sRUq2)

1431 Earlier today I was reading the professor's post about this on LI. I was thinking about the many times I could see that generating this blog was taking a toll on ace, the flesh and blood human being, generating the posts. So I would urge ace, in a comment, to take a break and have the co bloggers take over. I can't imagine having the responsibility of a job and a popular blog to worry about along with the normal every day responsibilities of living. What starts out as fun and a great idea can become a ball and chain around your leg. If you care for your readers, which ace does, obviously, then you don't want to let them down but, then again, you can't let your real family and your job down either. Life has a way of sometimes taking the pure fun out of things. It's like that famous mom saying "it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye". that phrase they yell when the kids are using some toy in a way it's not supposed to be used. That's when the toy becomes dangerous and no longer a fun toy anymore. When I was little I had a friend running, barbie doll in hand, she tripped and gave herself a black eye with a barbie doll. I don't think people realize that words are very powerful. Emily Dickinson said "a word is dead when it is said some say, I say it just begins to live that day". Maybe if people would keep that in mind they might think before they type.

I once tried to say that I know some very good people who are democrats and I was trounced. But, it's true. Real, flesh and blood people who believe in their political leaning just as strongly as their republican counterparts. It's when people express those beliefs negatively that communication breaks down and things are said which shouldn't be said and then people don't know how to let stuff go, they have long memories and all of a sudden you have the congress and the senate unable to do their jobs. People resort to manipulation, dirty tricks, having one party railroad a bill through that now almost 70% of Americans don't want and you get no one trusting anyone and nothing happening. What's happening here on this blog is a microcosm of what's going on in congress and the senate and all over the country.

My way of dealing with it all is to pray.

Posted by: faith at June 10, 2012 03:13 AM (oZfic)

1432 I'm with you Ace. Been trying the whole not going from zero to pissed in ten seconds. Works for the most part, but sometimes it just can't be helped. I did learn long ago to really think about a topic before I post here. I've never sunk to the level of some of the worst, but I've had reason to regret saying something dumb.

As someone else alluded earlier "...than to remove all doubt."

Hang tough, sir.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at June 10, 2012 03:32 AM (cujSl)

1433 Just wanted to say, this is one of the most sincere things I have ever read.

Posted by: Maldavos at June 10, 2012 03:47 AM (PelwZ)

1434 Ace,

I thought of this song when I read your post:

http://tiny.cc/qlgofw

Keep your chin up. It's hard being on the firing line, but remember this; so many of us love this place because you are standing tall so we don't have to. YOU post. YOU maintain the blog. YOU put the target on your back so that the rest of us can mutter and rage behind you. We see progressives "progressing" towards a police state, and it makes us angry.

But that's a topic for another day.

Stay strong. There's lots of us who love you.

Posted by: Weirddave at June 10, 2012 04:03 AM (B3hcS)

1435 After reading the post, and then the assorted comments, I'm left to wonder about one thing...

Would an Amish occupier ever get angry enough to poop on a police car, and would there be some way he could justify that action?

Posted by: Lord Antagonism at June 10, 2012 04:19 AM (XKEP4)

1436 Ok, I'm on some heavy pain meds at the moment so my mind is very fuzzy and typing is a real pain. Could someone point me to the link/post that explains it full detail to just what the golderfrab is going on? Please?

Posted by: Mark/GreyLocke at June 10, 2012 04:28 AM (UqY8b)

1437 Ok wow. Normally i hate ovr long posts but desperate times n such. First, i lurk much more than post as apparently a shitload of ppl do,mad props to ace. I despise twitter n facbook so i really hope u continue the comments here ace.i also hav known sinc about age 6 that i should avoid indulging n my anger/rage, civility demands it. Also note 6 beers doesnt take ovr my brain, it gets me started. Its a sad sign of the times that ace has to spell out to grown ups that self controlmight just b a good thing. I lean more libertarian than some here do but i love ur cracks on the left and general intelligent discussion mixed w nerdliness n sweet sweet boobies talk. Even tho i feel a littl more libertarian than some aces site has still made me feel like ther r ppl kindof lik me out there. Anyway i drink like a homeless scalleywag sometimes n i still never feel like mercilessly harassing ppl on the intrnet. Id rather liv n reality. Sorry u feel like ur backs against the wall ace. If u were a close personal friend id make a gay joke n slap u on the back. Dont lose hope, ther r still some cool ppl out there who get it.

Posted by: Infidelswine at June 10, 2012 04:48 AM (09r+Y)

1438 Also side note: Pacquiao was fucking robbed. Apparently the 3rd judge is also a prosecutor in fl. Rest n pieces trayvon, u have now also infected boxing. Theres my internet political anger.

Posted by: Infidelswine at June 10, 2012 04:56 AM (09r+Y)

1439
In the first place, great post. In the second place, maybe a simple description of what is going on in one location might help folks feel less like, what the hey is going on? Kinda like in high school when you walked up to a crowd of cool kids and they were all talking and you had to piece together what they were talking about without seeming like you were not cool. Not that that ever actually happened. Or anything. Ever. Yeah.

Posted by: Sleepless in Dallas at June 10, 2012 05:14 AM (x8Wor)

1440 ace, kudos on the post.

i think this is the kind of post that a lot of us come to the aoshq for...long, but well developed, analytic, and clearly conscientious.

even tho the subject isn't the typical political commentary, this post perfectly illustrates your far-reaching capability for social analysis that, when combined with a singularly impressive mnemonic capacity for political shenanigans and clever, really sets you apart from the ubiquitous report-it-with-a-little-opinion blogging style. you offer up a lot of expository insights that just don't get clearly articulated elsewhere...to me, these posts are what makes aoshq The Best Goddamn Blog on the Internets.

the snark/wit is entertaining, the scoops are bonus, the tone is refreshing...but what REALLY makes this blog uniquely valuable is the Contemplative Long Post.

the subject matter, too, is right on time: it seems a lot of digitally anonymous conservatives need to be reminded that a slightly more liberal social view does not qualify a republican voter to be a target for vitriol. it gets pretty hostile pretty quickly for commentators who are percieved to be anything less than Ideologically Pure. ~.~

Sorry you have to put up with so much ill-behaved bullshit, but, then, that's the nature of the beast of freedom...by mandating less restraint in comment-section language, you're bound to invite some line-toeing...and even outright transgression.

keep your head up. we all love you...even, i'm sure, the jackasses (at this THIS one does xD)...and collectively have your back!

THANKS, ACE! WE APPRECIATE IT!

Posted by: jimi ray at June 10, 2012 05:40 AM (FcOR4)

1441 It's just this war and that lying son of a bitch Johnson...

Just as a practical matter, outwardly expressed anger accomplishes nothing. Are you convinced to support someone because they yell at you? You might go along to get through the moment, but as soon as possible you're out, right? Expressed anger is by definition irrational and so I don't want to be anywhere near, nor listen to, someone in that state of mind.

Which is not to say I don't harbor H8r thoughts, and I, too, lose my temper from time to time, but it embarrasses me when I do because of the failure of self-control. As Ace so perfectly explained: do Schultzies red-faced rants win you over, even if you mostly agree with him? I think not.

Posted by: steve walsh at June 10, 2012 05:46 AM (D2AyO)

1442 " He said it is a selfish indulgence to be unhappy, and that it is a moral necessity to be happy and cheerful. Not for yourself, he clarified-- for others. For the sake of others in our lives, we should project good cheer and warm spirits, even if we do not exactly feel that inside. '

SERENITY NOW...insanity later.

I agree that you should make a habit of trying to be cheerful, positive, caring. But it is very unhealthy to show the world a picture of happiness when you are anything but happy. That won't help anyone and it is an excuse for living in shame, in misery, all for the sake of others (who may need a dose of your real feelings a lot more than you need to hide them).

I think some of your advice on this is fine as it relates to blogging and posting Moron comments. But it probably sucks as a rule to live by.

Posted by: TooCon at June 10, 2012 05:48 AM (YcTIW)

1443 Anger is a sin of arrogance, pure and simple. The degree to which it has become accepted in politics is simply an expression of the degradation of our society. There are no greater or compelling causes of anger today than there were in the past, so why is it that angry outbursts are acceptable today? The answer it would seem is that societal norms and standards have decayed; that simply things such as courtesy, good manners and consideration have fallen by the wayside. Anger is the last resort of the limited intellect. I much prefer humor, and I applaud your effort to limit angry comments in this blog.

Posted by: Phil-Inn at June 10, 2012 06:01 AM (slDm7)

1444
Wow, I think this is what is called "profound."
In my puzzlement over the changing definition of "conservative" this year, I came to realize that to many on our side,the only thing that mattered was how loudlyone expressedones distress at the Socialism the left was foisting on us.
That is what made many candidates so popular... they express the anger. But the angry ones, had no answers. And I found their expressions of conservatism less than believable.
I got angry myself. At the Orwellian turn that the right took... there was no stabilty to ideology, it changed daily.
I apologize for the anger I directed at some of you. It was likely misplaced. The enemy is not you, now is it me.
Without self-control the battle can't be won.

Posted by: petunia at June 10, 2012 06:07 AM (hgrmi)

1445 petunia & Phil-Inn & Ace: Maybe you should consider the advice in the Bible over the difference between righteous anger and wrath.

It is a very ancient question. And classical Stoicism isn't always the best answer even if it is good advice to live by.

Sometimes to avoid being a doormat for others who actually are your enemies, you do have to say, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more". (righteous anger)

OTOH, that can also easily morph into self-justification for a raging lifestyle. (wrath) Anger can be like a chemical addiction because it is biochemical in nature like our other emotions.

Whatever your view of human origins (God or evolution), we are equipped with anger for a reason. But we should never be its slave.

Posted by: TooCon at June 10, 2012 06:56 AM (YcTIW)

1446 Of all the emotions and my ability to judge their value and legitimacy in my life, I trust anger the least.

I would suggest that there is something adolescent in the preening self-indulgent anger you speak of.

AoSHQ is one of my four go-to blogs that I hit multiple times a day (along with Insty, Althouse and Hot Air). I hope what you have written will serve as the sometimes necessary house keeping that blogs with comments need to do. Althouse went through the same thing a while back.

An incredibly insightful post. Thank you.

Posted by: caplight45 at June 10, 2012 07:15 AM (eavM9)

1447 The more I listen to Dennis Praeger, the more I admire him. He has such clarity of thought. I'm glad you're listening to him as well Ace.

Posted by: Noah Bawdy at June 10, 2012 07:17 AM (eK/Dm)

1448 Thanks for the thoughtful post. Well done and well said. Self control, especially emotional self control, is something our country needs to get back in touch with.

Posted by: Joel Leggett at June 10, 2012 07:51 AM (ChqG2)

1449 86 Bill Whittle just tweeted this bit of awesomeness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4BB1TZcO_o

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at June 09, 2012 06:46 PM (piMMO)

That Nina Conti bit had me in tears. Funny bit !

Posted by: Noah Bawdy at June 10, 2012 08:03 AM (eK/Dm)

1450 This reminds me of a quote and I can't remember who said it.
"When you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you".
That is what talking to some libs is like.

And Ace, I cannot imagine doing what you do, day in and out, and not have my blood boiling.
I admire your restraint.

Posted by: Armadel at June 10, 2012 08:06 AM (pSkTS)

1451 Huzzah for self-control!
Thank you Ace for a very good essay.
And I have to agree with Prager. Being cheerful and being hopeful, even if that isn't necessarily how you feel at the moment is a positive good for you and for those around you. I think that the display of those attitudes is a very large part of what made Reagan so successful and helped in his defeat of Carter. He projected a cheerful, hopeful demeanor and people were drawn to that. He may not have had all the right answers, but he had the right attitude and THAT was powerful stuff.
I start a new job tomorrow after 20 months of unemployment. Did I feel down a lot of the time? You betcha. Being unemployed that long can be soul-crushing. But I never gave up and even when I was at my lowest I never let my spouse or kids see it. I modeled hopefulness, good cheer and a positive attitude for my kids. That is how they learn. The same thing goes for other virtues like courage and self-control.
Angry outbursts are for children and those with limited mental faculties, not mature, reasoning adults.

Posted by: Syracuse1989 at June 10, 2012 08:07 AM (OIIe6)

1452
Thanks Ace. The next time the liberal left accuses Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh of inciting mass murder, including that of a nine year old girl, I'll try to remember that my angry reaction is an indication of MY deep seated emotional problems and enter into a quiet reflective period until I get over it.
The next time I hear a liberal say that America is racist country founded on racist principles and that all of the problems in the world are a result of American Imperalism and arrogance, I'll try to remember that my angry reaction is an indication of MY deep seated emotional problems and enter into a quiet reflective period until I get over it.
The next time something like Beslan happens and I read liberal explanations about how poor, oppressed Muslims have no other way to advance their cause of "freedom" than to deliberately target a school and then shoot little kids in the back as they flee for their lives, I'll try to remember that my angry reaction is an indication of MY deep seated emotional problems and enter into a quiet reflective period until I get over it.
The next time I read a liberal describe how the people of Israel are all valid targets of terrorists because all Israeli's are conscripted into the IDF and therefore 30% of the victims of any attack are likely to be current, former, or future members of the IDF, I'll try to remember that my angry reaction is an indication of MY deep seated emotional problems and enter into a quiet reflective period until I get over it.
The next time a so-called conservative blogger throws Rush under the bus when he's being attacked I'll try really hard not to call them a Beta Male Dickless Wonder.

Posted by: Jaynie59 at June 10, 2012 08:13 AM (4zKCA)

1453 @1450

Nietzsche

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you."
from "Beyond Good and Evil"

Nicely appropriate quote.

Posted by: John W. at June 10, 2012 08:42 AM (K7KaF)

1454 Another lurker, checking in late. At the risk of being considered an infidel, I'll confess to reading this blog strictly for the content *gasp* for the past few years, due to my perception of a decline in comment quality. Here's to hoping registration raises that bar again.
Oh, and if you got paid Friday hit the tip jar.

Posted by: RulesLawyer at June 10, 2012 09:01 AM (SdEx8)

1455 Well said and very true, Ace.

It is so hard to rise above ourselves, unless one is genetically disposed to do so (a rare natural gift for a few).

I can attest Leftists have been just as dishonest, unfair, irrational, solipsistic, nasty, hate-filled, shallow, pseudo-moralist and selfish since the 60's as they are now.

If you read Dostoyevsky's The Possessed, you can see they have been that way since the 19th century.
Human nature is human nature, and the Leftist part of human nature has always been with us.

Self-restraint is a conservative virtue, consonant with a conservative (prudent, wise, humble, forbearing) perspective on life.

The essence of the Left is the ends justifying any means, the process of destruction (oh so satisfying) to gain the never-attainable goal, whatever that happens to be this morning. In other words, porcine selfishness.

We do not advance out cause by becoming little piggies.

Posted by: Tonawanda at June 10, 2012 09:40 AM (iuHbc)

1456 Thanks for this blog, Ace, and for your thoughtful post.
Late as usual to comment, but for me, the anger moved to a new level back circa the mid to late 80's when Ted Kennedy raged about how Judge Robert Bork's appointment to the Supreme Court would turn the clock back to an era of back alley abortions, lynchings, etc.
And not one (to my knowledge) person on the left ever weighed in against his tone, no one even said, "We don't like or want Bork on the Court, but uh, Ted, please, that's a bit too personal and a little over the top, maybe?"
Instead it was treated by the MSM as a blunt but true critique by a tough Senator. Kennedy himself never walked it back one step. Borking became a virtue on the left.
To me, it's never been the same since.

Posted by: RM at June 10, 2012 09:48 AM (RM5CW)

1457 Reminds me of the saying: "You do as much harm in the world when you take offense, as when you give it". It is my mantra, several times each day. And I give it to others, especially if I care about them - and I at least try to care about everyone, though I do not succeed, yet.

Posted by: Zeebeach at June 10, 2012 09:58 AM (2ci6s)

1458 Bravo....anger is an emotion and when conservatives display it, they sink to the level of the left and their disconect with reality.

Posted by: BillT at June 10, 2012 10:06 AM (6z45t)

1459 Excellent post

for an ewok

Posted by: Mark at June 10, 2012 10:13 AM (vqy6u)

1460 Wow. Things erupt whenever I leave. For myself, I have lost it here and there, but I really try not to. I find that typing the screed and then deleting it is good enough for me; "There, I said it, now to get rid of it so I don't have that regret trailing around when I've cooled off."

Posted by: Mikey NTH -this is a beautiful day to sit on the patio at June 10, 2012 10:26 AM (gmoEG)

1461 It's not that you shouldn't be angry. You will have, will feel, anger. It's that you should check and direct the feeling to responsible and positive action to increase the happiness of yourself and those around you.

Posted by: sarahw at June 10, 2012 10:26 AM (LYwCh)

1462 "...The right is every bit as unhingedly angry as the left is, and it's hackery and self-deception to not confront this.

We can't mock them for the sins we ourselves indulge in..."

ace

Every bit? Seriously? Even if this is true, something separates the sides, and to not confront THAT, is foolish.

The Left, God help 'em, are unhinged and angry about...America itself! The very things that have formed this once great country are the very things they want destroyed. And they are accomplishing all that because the "Right" has allowed it for so long. The Left wants to destroy the exact thing that allows it life. THEY are far more "unhinged" than those of us who cannot take this anymore, and want our country back.

To imply that the source of "our" anger and what is making us "unhinged" lowers us to their level is, well, unhinged.

One side is angry that unicorns are crapping in the streets; the other is outraged that they are being forced to pay for unicorn crap removal. Big difference. One side is bat shit crazy, and the other has had enough of financing all their America destroying nonsense.

I'd say one side is absolutely justified in their "unhingedness", and it's about time it started coming out...

Posted by: Sweep the leg at June 10, 2012 10:32 AM (upSsp)

1463 I'm gonna second RulesLawyer.

Posted by: motionview at June 10, 2012 10:32 AM (i+DU3)

1464 BTW - One of the reasons I have signed up to comment at HotAir is because so many commenters are so angry all the time that it would be depressing to say anything to them. They have already said they won't change an opinion as why bother engaging them?

Not having that happen here is, I think, a good thing.

Posted by: Mikey NTH -this is a beautiful day in Michigan at June 10, 2012 10:37 AM (gmoEG)

1465 In a perfect world, your post makes perfect sense Ace.

But we're dealing with people who only know how to hate. From 60's protest movements, to civil rights, to feminism, to -- You name it.

We've had to deal with hate from the left.

And not just from the moron-in-the-street left. From the FILTH in the Lame Stream Media all the way to actual elected democrats.

Hate. And lots of it.

And you want us to turn the other cheek so we can get slapped twice?

Look at the ME, SW Asia and North Africa. Hate. Christians getting killed by the bushel basket because of hate.

Not hate from our side. From THEIR side.

24/7 hate, Ace.

And you want us to -- Do what?

Capitulate? Is that it? Be a John McRINO and refuse to play rough because it might hurt somebody's feelings?

I'm going to put this down to an anamoly.

You'll come to your senses in time.

I know you will

Posted by: Uncle Rick at June 10, 2012 10:40 AM (ZbB1q)

1466 So can we still cuss and shit?

Posted by: Dang at June 10, 2012 10:56 AM (Ky1+e)

1467 So, you spat on your hands, hoisted the flag and you resisted the temptation to slash throats. Ok. I'm cool with that.
Let's remain civil. As far as hate from the lefties...their hate will force them to make mistakes -- like SWAT the wrong guys, or let slip their actual thoughts on socialist policies.
Stay safe all. Bad people are out there, but luckally most of them are idiots.

Posted by: ukuleledave at June 10, 2012 10:57 AM (y0FFC)

1468 "BTW - One of the reasons I have not signed up to comment..."

Surprisingly, English is my first language, I'm just not that good at it.

Posted by: Mikey NTH -this is a beautiful day in Michigan at June 10, 2012 10:58 AM (gmoEG)

1469 Crap. "Luckily."

Posted by: ukuleledave at June 10, 2012 10:59 AM (y0FFC)

1470 "And you want us to -- Do what?

Capitulate? Is that it? Be a John McRINO and refuse to play rough because it might hurt somebody's feelings?"

No, you don't have to surrender to the foe. Just don't become them while fighting them. What good does it do to wipe out Sauron's Orcs when at the end you've become an Orc yourself?

Posted by: Mikey NTH -this is a beautiful day in Michigan at June 10, 2012 11:01 AM (gmoEG)

1471

During Katrina was the first time I realized that hate had become a virtue
to the left. I was unwisely reading Democratic Underground to see if what I had
heard about them was true (it was.) I read a post by a young woman about the
anger she felt during her drive into work. When she got to work, she
immediately talked about this, and someone tried to calm her down. She said she
turned around and "let them see her "hate!" She said the other
person was shamed and turned away.
She didn't actually mention her arguments. She assumed her readers were on
the same page. She was proudly displaying her rage and hate for the approval of
the other readers, and she got it. She felt that she had cowed her opponent
with her righteousness, while I suspect the other had just turned away in
shock. I was shocked, and worried. You heard about the evil "haters"
all the time, and yet they were proud of their hate. What happened to the evil
of hate? And when did cowing a co-worker with the power of your hate become a
thing to be proud of?

Posted by: Ticklebee at June 10, 2012 11:06 AM (ImLKS)

1472 Great, now we're getting pop culture, sci-fi philosophy.

The left will continue to hate as long it works. Period.

And I see no clue of it not working.

If the powers of Goodness and Light defeat the forces of darkness and evil come November?

Trust me, the hate machines will be back up and running at full throttle.

Hell, they've got them running right now.

You don't defeat these kind of people with 'love'. That only works in children's Fairy Tales.

If democrats were playing nice, if they were not calling names and accusing decent people of being racists, misogynists and Nazi's?

And if we were the ones hurling hate bombs in their direction?

I'd be upset. In fact, I think I'd be on the wrong side.

They started it. We let up. They continue it, they intensify it, they take it to levels unheard of in American Politics and ----- We're supposed to be nice?

To hatemongers?

I wonder how a "Love Bomb" would have worked on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

I bet the Japanese would have surrendered on the spot.

Posted by: Uncle Rick at June 10, 2012 11:11 AM (ZbB1q)

1473 Brilliant post.

Posted by: Tim Minear at June 10, 2012 11:13 AM (Or+Xp)

1474 The irony of all this is, this started because ace got pissed because he didn't feel everyone in the media and blogosphere was sufficiently angry enough over this Kimberlin thing.

Posted by: lowandslow at June 10, 2012 11:18 AM (GZitp)

1475 Welcome back Ace.

Posted by: Pat in Midwest (@RightRantMan) at June 10, 2012 11:33 AM (NZqxU)

1476 RM, I fully agree.

It's been going down hill since then. My blood begins to boil when ever I think of the left's treatment of President Bush, General Petreaus being called a liar, the treatment of Chaney, Scooter Libby, et al.

As a starter. if the dems ever want to mend the fences so as to facilitate across the aisle discussions, they owe the aforementioned an apology.
Not likely.

Quote:
1456 Thanks for this blog, Ace, and for your thoughtful post.
Late as usual to comment, but for me, the anger moved to a new level back circa the mid to late 80's when Ted Kennedy raged about how Judge Robert Bork's appointment to the Supreme Court would turn the clock back to an era of back alley abortions, lynchings, etc.
And not one (to my knowledge) person on the left ever weighed in against his tone, no one even said, "We don't like or want Bork on the Court, but uh, Ted, please, that's a bit too personal and a little over the top, maybe?"
Instead it was treated by the MSM as a blunt but true critique by a tough Senator. Kennedy himself never walked it back one step. Borking became a virtue on the left.
To me, it's never been the same since.
Endquote:

Posted by: Armadel at June 10, 2012 11:54 AM (pSkTS)

1477 I rarely comment here, Ace, but this deserves a reply. Well done and well said. Thank you. Do I have to say that I agree a whole lot with what you've said? Thought not. Great quote, too, that I hadn't read. Thanks again.

Posted by: htom at June 10, 2012 11:56 AM (XK5dj)

1478 It's your blog. It's a private enterprise.

Your house, your rules. No-one can rightly claim their free speech is being implicated.

Blog comment sections easily (and usually) descend into cesspools once a relatively low threshhold of engagement is reached. It's rarely worth the time to read them, but this site is usually an exception. It's a shame that it's necessary to formalize rules about what should be matters of simple common courtesy because a tiny fraction of the community were absent the day they taught that stuff at school, but the world is what it is.

I don't comment often, but I approve of the rules.

Posted by: Dodd at June 10, 2012 12:00 PM (7KDDM)

1479 I wonder if that really was Tim Minear commenting.

Posted by: buzzion at June 10, 2012 12:03 PM (GULKT)

1480 this one time at banned camp...

Thanks for all you do, Ace

Posted by: Michelle the flautist at June 10, 2012 12:25 PM (DJRV9)

1481 Posted by: Deathknyte at June 10, 2012 01:03 AM (GDjQS)

Aaarrgghh I just love it when people say they weel ignore ye cos ye make no sinse, espeshally when they go to the bloomin' trouble o' postin' to tell ye so.

Posted by: The Pagan Temple at June 10, 2012 12:26 PM (UReiY)

1482 Allow me to perhaps quote an old friend of mine on the matter of keeping emotions in check, his name was James Tiberius Kirk and he said this: "We . Are . Not . Going . To . Kill . Today " He meant that civilized humans have the capacity for violence, but make a choice to be restrained, err or something like that.
Live Long and Prosper

Posted by: Admiral Spock at June 10, 2012 12:28 PM (ysWJ9)

1483 This is one reason why I enjoy Rush Limbaugh, and often have to turn off Mark Levin. Rush can lightly mock, tease, and cajole, yet (all in all) be respectful to even the most leftward of callers. Whereas Levin shouts, calls them names ("Get off the phone, you dope!") and generally comes across as angry/hostile.

Mark's a brilliant guy... but somehow the whole "“it’s easier to catch flies with honey, than with vinegar” saying has completely escaped him.

I strongly suspect that of the two, Rush has had far more liberal-to-conservative converts in his lifetime.

Thanks Ace. Good reminder.

Posted by: Millswaith at June 10, 2012 12:28 PM (8OMke)

1484 "Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? Morons."

Ace? You're no match for his brains.

Posted by: Aristomenes at June 10, 2012 12:38 PM (45WpZ)

1485 Can't we all just get along?

Posted by: Rodney King at June 10, 2012 12:38 PM (+XVQe)

1486 _____________________________________

Yes, but here's a much better James T. Kirk quote worth citing:

"I. Have. Had. Enough. Of. You!" - Whereby Kirk punctuated each of his words with a stamping kick to the face of a vicious Klingon Commander who is hanging precariously from a cliff. Kirk's last kick in his face sends the Klingon Commander into a pit of lava.

Now that's the Captain Kirk we all know and love.

Posted by: _Dave_ at June 10, 2012 12:42 PM (gqoYf)

1487 The was a great post ace. I might just lift some sections of this wholesale. That 'natural state' stuff made me laugh out loud.

Posted by: brando at June 10, 2012 12:49 PM (8c6bC)

1488 I'm fine with some righteous anger, when tempered with determination and clarity of thought towards the goal...I don't think that it's mutually exclusive.
It's rage that you have to look out for.

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at June 10, 2012 01:19 PM (PL2Yo)

1489
Been thinking about this and I finally realize what's bothering me about Mr. Praeger's remarks. @
http://tinyurl.com/ctosk5o
Sadness does not necessarily mean dragging other people down. Only HAPPY people are dragged down by sad people. Sad people are comforted by them.
Sad people can be made even more depressed by happy people. That's one reason there are so many suicides at Christmas.
Happy people, by contrast, can have their buzz killed by sad people.
So sad people shouldn't kill the buzz of happy people, and happy people shouldn't rub sand in the faces of sad people. Laugh with those who laugh, weep with those who weep, and in all ways act in love towards all men.
Neither happiness nor sadness are vices. They are instead seasons of our lives, and we can use them to show love to others or we can use them to bring harm. Instead we should be doing all we can to lift up our fellow humans using whatever tools we have -- sad or happy.

Posted by: Brian Pendell at June 10, 2012 01:25 PM (Ut0oZ)

1490 Life is mostly a pain in the ass, and if we start out thinking the endgame is happiness, then the day to day living of life itself becomes more difficult. There really is no brass happy ring to grab, at least for 99.8% of the world population.

Some people can seemingly be happy often but I think most of us just gotta muddle through as best we can. All we can hope for is being generally content with our lot in life.

If I could turn the clock back, and learn that one thing earlier in life, then life in general would've been .. more gratifying.

Seems so simple... now.

Posted by: 13times at June 10, 2012 01:39 PM (h6XiD)

1491 Some people can seemingly be happy often but I think most of us just gotta muddle through as best we can. All we can hope for is being generally content with our lot in life. If I could turn the clock back, and learn that one thing earlier in life, then life in general would've been .. more gratifying. Seems so simple... now.
Posted by: 13times at June 10, 2012 01:39 PM (h6XiD)

Even realizing that will make you happier.

Posted by: buzzion at June 10, 2012 01:44 PM (GULKT)

1492 I hardly ever comment, but come here every day to read threads. My favorite blog and I was afraid it was going away. Whew! Thanks, Ace!

Posted by: OldTexasChic at June 10, 2012 01:56 PM (k2qj/)

1493 "Awww I think someguy is upset that ace has been punching down too much. And apparently has no clue that that registration does not usually require you to give your name."

This is just NOT the case.

Google registration requires that you link your account to a functional telephone number. This is how they link you to your real persona.

Posted by: someguy at June 10, 2012 02:11 PM (sEXZ/)

1494 Ace is right. Anger, I find, makes me stupid.

I've always told my kids that in a public debate, the first one to become angry loses. The reason is that you don't debate to convince your opponent; rather, you debate to influence on-lookers, and they, like most people, will be attracted to the arguments of the speaker who is civil and rational.

Posted by: Brown Line at June 10, 2012 02:12 PM (Gmry/)

1495 Whew! Lurking in my closet is just not the same.

Somebody at work this week said I had a really high EQ. Didn't know what they meant. Now I do.

Focus on the EQ people.

BTW the cat I rescuded 3 months ago is doing well. No I did not name him Ace. (Maybe I did)

Posted by: Riding Back From The Desert Spitting On The Stray Sock That Follows Me at June 10, 2012 02:14 PM (MG6Y6)

1496 Ace....I don't post here often, but usually read it everyday. The comments are the funniest, sharpest and most intelligent. I have ever read. And Ace, damm, you write well.
Think back a few months, there was a young guy, I forget his tag, that wanted to kill himself. I read, and commented, for hours, as a group of strangers pulled together to save this guy. I think they, and you really make a difference.
I got fired last month, by a total dick of a new boss. No work, drinking way too much and I even stopped packing a gun, because I was afraid I was going to use it. This crazy place helps me laugh, and that counts right now. You have no idea what your blog means to people, just as a person that commits suicide has no grasp of the widespread impact the death has. Jasonj, lurker.

Posted by: jasonj at June 10, 2012 02:31 PM (Cq0ow)

1497 .... will be attracted to the arguments of the speaker who is civil and rational.

And Romney can win this election for that one reason. Obama is already rattled and feels the media have recently cut him adrift.

Undecided, disengaged centrist democrats, may save all of us.

Less anger projected at democrats benefits all of us in the long game.

Posted by: 13times at June 10, 2012 02:33 PM (h6XiD)

1498 "Americans admired the strong silent type: slow to boil, reluctant to fight unless sorely provoked, and disinclined to show anger even then."

Yes and no. There was a subculture with a very different attitude. Ever heard of the "hot-blooded Southern gentleman"? Who reacted to a perceived insult with fists or a horsewhip or worse? Recall the (a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_Brooks#Sumner_assault"> Brooks-Sumner affair of 1857 - a brutal assault by a U.S. Representative on a U.S. Senator on the Senate floor.

It's been theorized that that culture derived from Scots-Irish culture and has passed on into black ghetto culture.

And I disagree with the blanket condemnation of anger.

In Tom Clancy's novel Without Remorse, an ex-SEAL makes a one-man war on a loathsome drug dealer and murderer, killing several of his stooges. A police investigator consults a psychiatrist, who tells him "You're dealing with a very angry man."

"Ever met anyone like that before?"

The psychiatrist points to his office wall - a framed set of WW II Ranger flashes and jump wings. (The year is 1970.)

When faced with true evil, anger can be the fuel for the effort needed to defeat it.

Which is very different from the cheap posturing anger of bullies and self-indulgent rageboi venting. There's way too much of the latter.

Posted by: Rich Rostrom at June 10, 2012 03:08 PM (ap1VO)

1499 "Auburn shooting witness: An argument, a fight, a shooting, then death"
http://tinyurl.com/7lpzez7
Too bad they didn't see this post, so far three promising young lives gone....

Posted by: faith at June 10, 2012 03:14 PM (oZfic)

1500
what this amounts to is - it's ok for the lefties too be angry, but not ok for us to be angry.

I call b.s. on this post.

not buying it... not a word.

Posted by: Shoey at June 10, 2012 03:38 PM (m6OUa)

1501 People who can contain their aggression are fine even when angry.

Posted by: microcosme at June 10, 2012 04:00 PM (GO8sS)

1502 What 1492 said. Exactly. This site is #1 in my "politics" bookmark folder.

Posted by: random at June 10, 2012 05:10 PM (PUpEa)

1503 There are differences between anger and rationally justifiable righteous fury directed at its proper target.

Posted by: htom at June 10, 2012 05:17 PM (XK5dj)

1504 The purpose of posting the truth is not to convince others who already know the truth. It's not even so that you can you can find others who actually agree with you (although that is a side benefit). The purpose of posting the truth is to open the eyes of others in order to show them the truth. No one is ever going to want to listen to someone who is angry at them. They will either respond with anger or simply go away. Either way they will do it with their eyes closed. There are two policies that I use to curb my anger. The first is what I call the "honey vs. vinegar principle". Before I put something in a post (even if it's what I really want to say) I will ask myself if it is going to be like honey and draw the left like flies or like bitter vinegar that they will reject. The other policy that comes in handy is what I call the "grandmother principle". If you wouldn't say something in front of your grandmother then maybe you shouldn't say it at all!

Posted by: lornaduwn at June 10, 2012 05:19 PM (C9j/K)

1505 I want to blow my brains out with my .44 Charter Arms Bulldog, the onlypiece of shit gun I own now that I sold everything to pay bills Fuck it. I am checking out...

Posted by: jasonj at June 10, 2012 08:05 PM (Cq0ow)

1506
Thanks Ace.
I read your blog every day and scan the comments, but seldom comment myself.
This is partly because you and your co-bloggers take care to express yourself clearly and at length so when I agree, I have nothing to contribute, and when I disagree, I'd need an unavailable hour to compose acogent rejoinder.
But another reason that I seldom comment is thatany comment not of the "right on" variety has a decent chance of inducing some vitriolic response, which I find boring.
The fact is that there is no unified "conservative"movement. It is an amalgam of libertarians andmoralists and (mostly intuitive) Burkeans. Trashing any of those groups as not "conservative" risks conceding the game to the progs. It also risks alienating the moderates, most of whom are admittedly unthinking but some of whom are literallyconflicted, for example,between libertarianism anda non-traditional morality.So mutual civility and respect for all who identify themselves as "conservative" makes political sense.
With respect to the immediate issue, it is ridiculous for any guestto demand a role in establishing the rules of your blog just because theyprefer other rules. Guests do not set rules.

Posted by: JeffM at June 10, 2012 08:27 PM (zD0RO)

1507 I want to blow my brains out with my .44 Charter Arms Bulldog, the onlypiece of shit gun I own now that I sold everything to pay bills Fuck it. I am checking out...

Posted by: jasonj at June 10, 2012 08:05 PM (Cq0ow)

I don't know it you're for real but in case...I went through death and came back and you do not want to go to the suicide place.....
Find someone real to talk to.

Posted by: Beto at June 10, 2012 08:34 PM (lpWVn)

1508 jason j are you still here. don't do it. my dad committed suicide years ago and it still affects me. don't do it

Posted by: thunderb at June 10, 2012 08:35 PM (Dnbau)

1509 jason

Posted by: thunderb at June 10, 2012 08:35 PM (Dnbau)

1510 Posted by: jasonj at June 10, 2012 08:05 PM (Cq0ow)

If this is the real deal, you absolutely, positively must reconsider.

Posted by: Soap MacTavish at June 10, 2012 08:37 PM (vbh31)

1511 Jasonj - I know there are more than a few people here who have thought about suicide and are damn glad today that they didn't go through with it.

Posted by: Dang at June 10, 2012 08:38 PM (Ky1+e)

1512 Call a friend, call your family, call a hotline. Things get better. Stick around.

Posted by: huerfano at June 10, 2012 08:40 PM (bAGA/)

1513 jasonj the only constant is change including how you feel right now. it won't last.

killing yourself only gives your pain to the people who love you, it doesn't stop it. it doesn't solve anything.

there is no reason good enough. you murder yourself and you make your loved ones victims, don't do it.

talk to some one. a hot line. a hospital. any one. don't do it.

Posted by: thunderb at June 10, 2012 08:44 PM (Dnbau)

1514 let me know if you are still here, please.

Posted by: thunderb at June 10, 2012 08:51 PM (Dnbau)

1515 So, can I post here again?

Posted by: Tex Lovera at June 10, 2012 09:38 PM (67FA8)

1516 Apparently so...

Posted by: Tex Lovera at June 10, 2012 09:39 PM (67FA8)

1517 can someone contact me about this guy? I have his email and will talk with him as long he's legit. I have this weird paranoia this is a prank to get me on the phone or something.

Posted by: ace at June 10, 2012 10:06 PM (aw5Tx)

1518 Ace, under the circumstances, could a coblogger handle this? I'd be paranoid too, IYKWIM

Posted by: Generic-- Palookaville peasant at June 10, 2012 10:20 PM (szPD/)

1519 I agree with Generic, Ace-let a cob handle it.

Posted by: magnolia at June 10, 2012 10:22 PM (3TW2Q)

1520 For jasonj: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

1-800-273-TALK

Posted by: Generic-- Palookaville peasant at June 10, 2012 10:26 PM (szPD/)

1521 Strange he would site a previous suicidal poster in 1496

Or not?

Just thought I'd point that out...

JJ, don't do it man, Nov is just around the corner!

Posted by: JarvisW at June 10, 2012 10:29 PM (8yPsP)

1522 Best post in a long time, Ace. Spot on. Nice job.

Posted by: Pavel at June 10, 2012 11:42 PM (B3B2L)

1523 I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them (or go elsewhere). I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
~ Robert A. Heinlein

Those who accept personal responsibility in all things will never be a problem for the community. Create the rules needed to maintain order for those who lack such morality and allow themselves to become "unmanned," but please consider another quote from RAH.

A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.

Posted by: Grumpy the Younger at June 11, 2012 12:27 AM (jts1f)

1524 "Every normal man must be tempted..."

You might want to change that quote to reflect the maturity of "restraint, reserve, and self-mastery."

Here is a quote to consider:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Posted by: bftucker at June 11, 2012 02:24 AM (BFTTu)

1525 If this was a trick to get ace of reveal himself to that POS...well. Enough. I am attempting self-mastery. I may not succeed.

Posted by: thunderb at June 11, 2012 07:30 AM (Dnbau)

1526 Actually, anger is not sinful. Even Jesus, he who knew no sin, got angry and took a corded lash and drove the money changers from the temple. What is sinful is what one does with their anger. The Bible states in Ephesians 4;26, "In your anger do not sin." Righteous anger is legitimate; godly in fact.

Posted by: Manolo at June 11, 2012 07:44 AM (0Tt2x)

1527 jasonj: it is your life, to spend as you wish. And you own your life. A suicide is not murder and I've always considered calling it murder to be a smug self-serving notion.

Besides, almost anywhere you live in this country, there is always a better target for your handgun than yourself, whether down at the shooting range or elsewhere.

So don't do it.

Posted by: TooCon at June 11, 2012 08:07 AM (YcTIW)

1528 Hey too con, in what it does to the surviving family of the suicide, it is very much like murder. Regardless of your personal feelings about it, it is like a murder in the family only the "offender" and the victim are the same person.

You have to deal with law enforcement, give law enforcement statements about where the family members were at the time of the death, there are police reports, articles in the newspaper, whispers of your neighbors.

Of course you have to pick up the gun or guns and either give them to family members but they likely don't want any part of them so you have to sell them.

And lets not forget the clean up you have to do if the suicide takes place in the house. And maybe your loved ones don't want to live in that house anymore. But its hard to sell once people know there is a murder there. Market sucks anyway.

My own father was considerate enough to do it outside so as not to make a mess. I do feel badly for the motorist and the trooper that found him though.

I don't feel smug. And in that regard, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Posted by: thunderb at June 11, 2012 08:20 AM (Dnbau)

1529 thunderb: "Hey too con, in what it does to the surviving family of the suicide, it is very much like murder."

You presume too much. You know nothing of his family status at all. If he had a real family, he probably wouldn't be talking this way over financial problems.

As for the property, I once lived in an old apartment where a guy used a gun on himself. They put up a false ceiling in the living room. If you lifted the panel, you could see the bullet hole and some grayish stains around it. I still slept just fine at night.

I have sympathy for your loss but perhaps you didn't know your father so well. Or he had secrets or burdens that overcame him. Or severe underlying health issues.

At any rate, you might consider that you should respect his final decision, not complain about it just because you feel hurt.

I consider that suicide's status as murder and the social attitudes towards it are extremely unhelpful if we are serious about reducing it. I don't favor suicide but I do respect other people's right to live their lives. Or not if that really is their considered choice.

And I can't help but notice that your entire post is about you and what you went through. Not your dad, his life, his burdens, his health, the whole range of issues that led him to that decision.

Ah, well, after Ace sees my posts, I'll probably get banned anyway. But I think when people say what jasonb said, you should just be as honest as you can with them. You don't know him and his circumstances at all. If he posts again, you might consider not telling him, in so many words, that you own him and his life. Because you don't.

Posted by: TooCon at June 11, 2012 08:48 AM (YcTIW)

1530 Anger is all we have anymore. What can you be expected to do when the train runs toward its inevitable crash. Smiling seems silly. I'll take the anger its more honest.

Posted by: Finrod at June 11, 2012 09:21 AM (WnBwb)

1531 hey too con. Walk in my shoes. Dad can't talk cause he is dead. I can't speak for him. I speak for what is left behind, which the person considering suicide needs to take into account.

I knew my father very well, and at least more than you. And, not that it is any of your business, he did kill himself over financial reasons, or at least he said that was the cause. Whatever, no reason is good enough.

You seem to assume that people who kill themselves don't have family, or involved family, or people who love them. You would be wrong, and again you do not know what you are talking about.

People who are considering suicide can get trapped in their own thoughts. My comment was simply to get him to take other things into consideration. I was not taking anything from him. I guess that was not OK with you. I can live with that.

Posted by: thunderb at June 11, 2012 10:08 AM (Dnbau)

1532 thunderb, you know nothing of his circumstances other than a few vague remarks about his finances.

We've already said all we need to.

Posted by: TooCon at June 11, 2012 11:42 AM (YcTIW)

1533 "When your enemy is angry, irritate him."

- The Art of War....just in case it hasn't been quoted before.
Guess I'm lucky because I've internalized that as a kid any very, very seldom get angry. And yes, being happy is a moral obligation to those around you and especially to those under your responsibility.Sure makes family life smoother and more meaningful.

Posted by: whitehall at June 11, 2012 11:53 AM (FmPSC)

1534 no. you probably should apologize for inferring I was smug and self-serving.

You know very little about suicide other than from a theoretical perspective. I have some practical experience in the subject.

You assumed you knew his family was uninvolved or disconnected from him. You don't know that.

All you did was suggest he go find other targets. And call me names. Super helpful.

Posted by: thunderb at June 11, 2012 11:57 AM (Dnbau)

1535 And people wonder why others sometimes keep their dark thoughts to themselves. If I were thinking those thoughts, I do know the kind of people I wouldn't be talking to about them.

At any rate, for all we know, jason was just drinking a bit much. Could even be a lib infiltrator, just pranking us.

To get real paranoid, it could even be a way to lure Ace into calling 911, turning in jason's IP address, and then a SWATting to "save Jason" would be all set up and rolling.

Posted by: TooCon at June 11, 2012 12:51 PM (YcTIW)

1536 Whatever, own what you did.

Posted by: thunderb at June 11, 2012 01:02 PM (Dnbau)

1537 I didn't do anything except type.

Same as you.

Posted by: TooCon at June 11, 2012 01:09 PM (YcTIW)

1538 Jeez ace. Suicide is painless. Join me.

Posted by: Andrew Breitbart at June 11, 2012 11:03 PM (/Nc0K)

1539 BK should not have the last word on this thread.

Posted by: Decaf at June 12, 2012 10:06 AM (1mxP9)

1540 Posted by: Decaf at June 12, 2012 10:06 AM (1mxP9)
***
nor the next to last

Posted by: kallisto at June 12, 2012 03:28 PM (jm/9g)

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How The Left Abandoned Traditional Notions of Restraint, Reserve, and Self-Mastery In Favor Of Righteous Rage, And How The Right Has Sadly Followed ThemAnd: The Blog Policy On Anger

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How The Left Abandoned Traditional Notions of Restraint, Reserve, and Self-Mastery In Favor Of Righteous Rage, And How The Right Has Sadly Followed Them
And: The Blog Policy On Anger