The White House needs to go on the offensive here in a big way -- and Bush needs to be very plain that this is all about Democratic politicans pandering to the antiwar base, that it's deeply dishonest, and that it hurts our troops abroad.
And yes, he should question their patriotism. Because they're acting unpatriotically.
Wow, Instapundit, I was kinda sitting on the fence before, but your brilliant rhetoric has convinced me. Now, can you tell me where I can get a big magnetic flag to put on my car?
It is not a class thing, it is more an 'idealism' thing. Idealists, or call them romantics, don't want to find out the reality about people, and most especially about themselves.
They much prefer to think that things are the way they "should" be instead of the way they actually are.
This blog gets filled with such idealism very frequently.
So, let me get this straight. Glenn Reynolds looks at Wal*Mart and concludes that the American working class has bad taste... and this means that liberals are arrogant?
Although I suppose that Glenn could be including himself in 'the American thinking class,' and explaining why Wal*Mart makes him C-R-A-Z-Y, instead of just using it as a straw-man for out-of-touch liberals. But past performance, etc.
Glenn has definitely been eating from the pastry case. As, oddly enough, was I when preparing for my talk last night. (Not Spunkmeyer, though. Teh cinnamon roll.)
Ah, I wish I had time to find the link, but somewhere out on the intarwebs, you can get a magnetic red-white-and-blue ribbon that says "Just pretend everything is ok."
Ah, the power of the internets. I just googled "Magnetic Flag Just Pretend," found an online shop that sells the item, purchased it and had it shipped to me, only to discover that the shop is physically located 3 miles from my house.
I just googled that, too, Chopper. I like the global warming and civil liberties mugs: add a hot beverage and watch the coastlines/your civil liberties disappear!
5: Reynolds has effectively equated the presidency with the state before; this is only the latest iteration. He's an "independent libertarian" in the sense that "independent libertarian" means "one who lives to eternally suck the cold lumpy cock of the Republican Party."
I googled it, too. I'd like to see an end to "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For ___" merch. That's such a pet peeve of mine. It's like saying "Well, I went out for 5 minutes and voted. Now I can sit back and do nothing for the next four years to hold my government accountable for its actions, all while feeling morally superior." Haaaate.
I really can't decide what is the highlight of that article. This:
She went on to explain that the experience of masturbation activates about 14 neurotransmitters and hormones, causing a quick chain reaction of brain activity. "There have been some experts who have even argued that, in and of itself, overrides informed consent when encountering this material," she said, apparently suggesting that an adult's own sexual self-stimulation can lead to a loss of judgment. Pornography, she continued, had been shown to increase the risk of divorce, decrease marital intimacy and cause misunderstandings about the prevalence of less common sex practices like group sex, bestiality and sadomasochistic activity.
...this:
The problems caused by porn can strike at the heart of a marriage. Another panelist, Pamela Paul, who recently wrote a book about the role of explicit sexual material in American culture, spoke of a fateful decision faced by some married men every day after work: They must choose between masturbating at a computer and finding sexual satisfaction with their wives. "If they go to their wives, well, just practically speaking, they have to make sure they have done all of the chores around the house they were supposed to do. They need to have a half-an-hour conversation about what they did that day," said Paul. This courtship could take up to an hour and a half. By contrast, she said, it takes "five minutes to go online."
...or the fact that our tax dollars are paying for this bullshit.
Another panelist, Pamela Paul, who recently wrote a book about the role of explicit sexual material in American culture, spoke of a fateful decision faced by some married men every day after work: They must choose between masturbating at a computer and finding sexual satisfaction with their wives. "If they go to their wives, well, just practically speaking, they have to make sure they have done all of the chores around the house they were supposed to do. They need to have a half-an-hour conversation about what they did that day," said Paul. This courtship could take up to an hour and a half. By contrast, she said, it takes "five minutes to go online."
Yes. I love the implication that the only reason a woman would have sex with her husband is as a reward for emptying the dishwasher. It's like a child with a chore chart on the refrigerator who has to get so many gold stars in order to earn his weekly allowance.
A woman's a fool to marry for that. That's somethin' for a man. The Good Lord never meant for a decent woman to want that. Not really want it. It's all just a fake and a pipe dream. … When you've been married to a man for forty years you know all that don't amount to a hill of beans. I've been married to Walt that long and I swear in all that time I just lie there thinkin' about my canning.
a fateful decision faced by some married men every day after work: They must choose between masturbating at a computer and finding sexual satisfaction with their wives.
I thought grown men were allowed to make their own decisions without the help of Senate committees and idiot experts.
You might want to fix the blockquoting on this post, since it clearly indicates that Fl is the author of "Actually, Wal-mart doesn't make me crazy..." etc., and yet you might possibly actually not want people to think that Glenn Reynold's words are yours, even though you put them forth that way (accidentally, obviously).
I checked the link, but not everyone will. I did think it was slightly unusual for you to be discussing your "pious liberal colleagues," FL.
Do you guys just want to go in on a farm in Vermont somewhere? Does anyone know how to sew?
Posted by Adam Kotsko | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 10:59 AM
No, and I don't know how to reap either.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:02 AM
G.R. seems to be saying both "I and my ideological brethren speak for the working classes" and "I won't shop where they shop because they're ta-ckey!"
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:03 AM
How do the American thinking classes want to imagine the American working classes think and live?
Posted by L. | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:31 AM
Screw what G.R. thinks of WalMart. Dig the more recent post:
Wow, Instapundit, I was kinda sitting on the fence before, but your brilliant rhetoric has convinced me. Now, can you tell me where I can get a big magnetic flag to put on my car?Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:33 AM
It is not a class thing, it is more an 'idealism' thing. Idealists, or call them romantics, don't want to find out the reality about people, and most especially about themselves.
They much prefer to think that things are the way they "should" be instead of the way they actually are.
This blog gets filled with such idealism very frequently.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:38 AM
Speaking of eating from the pastry case, it disturbs me that the Tech dining hall pastry cases feature cookies by Otis Spunkmeyer.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:44 AM
So, let me get this straight. Glenn Reynolds looks at Wal*Mart and concludes that the American working class has bad taste... and this means that liberals are arrogant?
Posted by Anonymous | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:48 AM
Speaking of eating from the pastry case
I believe it's normally called "salad tossing", though reference brownies might be more apt.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:49 AM
Although I suppose that Glenn could be including himself in 'the American thinking class,' and explaining why Wal*Mart makes him C-R-A-Z-Y, instead of just using it as a straw-man for out-of-touch liberals. But past performance, etc.
Posted by neil | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:50 AM
Ah, the answer was right in front of me! I can get my big magnetic flag at WalMart!
Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:50 AM
Glenn has definitely been eating from the pastry case. As, oddly enough, was I when preparing for my talk last night. (Not Spunkmeyer, though. Teh cinnamon roll.)
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:54 AM
big magnetic flag
Ah, I wish I had time to find the link, but somewhere out on the intarwebs, you can get a magnetic red-white-and-blue ribbon that says "Just pretend everything is ok."
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 11:57 AM
You know what Wal*Mart could use about now?
Single payer healthcare.
Posted by Joe O | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:00 PM
I believe it's normally called "salad tossing", though reference brownies might be more apt.
But if there were Spunkmeyer cookies in the pastry case, shouldn't it be called "felching"?
(Bans self.)
BTW, what are "reference brownies"?
Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:03 PM
what are "reference brownies"?
If you have to ask...
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:05 PM
Ah, the power of the internets. I just googled "Magnetic Flag Just Pretend," found an online shop that sells the item, purchased it and had it shipped to me, only to discover that the shop is physically located 3 miles from my house.
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:21 PM
I just googled that, too, Chopper. I like the global warming and civil liberties mugs: add a hot beverage and watch the coastlines/your civil liberties disappear!
Posted by annie | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:36 PM
5: Reynolds has effectively equated the presidency with the state before; this is only the latest iteration. He's an "independent libertarian" in the sense that "independent libertarian" means "one who lives to eternally suck the cold lumpy cock of the Republican Party."
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:45 PM
I am now anxiously awaiting the day when Unfogged is the sole Google hit for "cold lumpy cock".
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:47 PM
Together, we can make it happen.
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:49 PM
Personally, I anxiously await the day Ogged changes the alt tag on Instapundit to "cold lumpy cock."
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:51 PM
They used to sell Otis Spunkmeyer cookies at my high school. I never bought any.
Also, cold lumpy cock.
Posted by teofilo | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:54 PM
I googled it, too. I'd like to see an end to "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For ___" merch. That's such a pet peeve of mine. It's like saying "Well, I went out for 5 minutes and voted. Now I can sit back and do nothing for the next four years to hold my government accountable for its actions, all while feeling morally superior." Haaaate.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:55 PM
Here ya go, Becks.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 12:59 PM
I don't remember where, maybe in the Bay Area, but I once saw a car with a "Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Kodos" bumper sticker.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 1:00 PM
Otis SPunkmeyer cookies are good, especially warm double chocolate ones. Although, if you can get the cold lumpy cock flavored ones, they're good too.
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 1:01 PM
25 - Thanks, apo. However, that does bring into question what one's being blamed for.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 1:03 PM
what one's being blamed for.
The irreparable damage done to our nation by warm, smooth tacos.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 1:42 PM
Irreparable damage like this.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 1:56 PM
I really can't decide what is the highlight of that article. This:
...this:...or the fact that our tax dollars are paying for this bullshit.Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:00 PM
Winning excerpt rom the article:
Yeah, Ms. Paul. Wives are teh L4m3rz.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:03 PM
I see we are of one mind, Becks.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:05 PM
Yes. I love the implication that the only reason a woman would have sex with her husband is as a reward for emptying the dishwasher. It's like a child with a chore chart on the refrigerator who has to get so many gold stars in order to earn his weekly allowance.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:11 PM
As we learn from The Night of the Hunter:
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:14 PM
the fact that our tax dollars are paying for this bullshit.
It is indeed bullshit. If a few chores and a half-hour of conversation were all that were necessary, I'd never masturbate again.
Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:15 PM
I'd never masturbate again.
Now that's bullshit.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:19 PM
It's like a child with a chore chart on the refrigerator who has to get so many gold stars in order to earn his weekly allowance.
Mom?
Posted by Ugh | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:20 PM
a fateful decision faced by some married men every day after work: They must choose between masturbating at a computer and finding sexual satisfaction with their wives.
I thought grown men were allowed to make their own decisions without the help of Senate committees and idiot experts.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:34 PM
33: No sooner does Ogged return than apo cock-blocks him. Jeez.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:40 PM
Hey, he's the one with my thunder in his pocket.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:42 PM
Have I been cock-blocked? I didn't even realize my cock was up to something.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:43 PM
You and Becks (rhymes with "sex") were going to buy a house, remember? Don't act as if you had only innocent intentions.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:44 PM
Yeah, but she'd have to get all the chores done and talk to him for half an hour before he'd consent to have sex with her.
I, on the other hand, have no preconditions.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:46 PM
44 was awesome. Weiner has some longstanding fantasy about Ogged and me running off together.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:49 PM
Don't act as if you had only innocent intentions.
I wouldn't dream of it, Ben. But "cock block" isn't quite right here, maybe "put in a competing bid."
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:51 PM
That's because your self-stimulation has led to a loss of judgement.
Posted by cw | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:52 PM
Argh, 47 to 42.
Posted by cw | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 2:53 PM
You might want to fix the blockquoting on this post, since it clearly indicates that Fl is the author of "Actually, Wal-mart doesn't make me crazy..." etc., and yet you might possibly actually not want people to think that Glenn Reynold's words are yours, even though you put them forth that way (accidentally, obviously).
I checked the link, but not everyone will. I did think it was slightly unusual for you to be discussing your "pious liberal colleagues," FL.
Posted by Gary Farber | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 5:46 PM
I thought putting "Glenn Reynolds:" before the quote was pretty clear, Gary, but I added some italics just for you.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 5:50 PM
Fontana Labs is the author of "Actually, Wal-mart doesn't make me crazy..."
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 5:51 PM
Oops. Sorry, Gary. GR authored only the blockquoted texts. Do you think Glenn resists the childish thrill?
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 5:55 PM
Yes, even liberals can be annoyed at their own pious liberal colleagues (though that is not in fact the case with me).
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 11-11-05 6:15 PM