Hee. As a fellow NYC resident, I share your feelings on stereotypes. To us, there isn't just a brown/white split like in my parents' town in Kansas. As a college instructor, I developed stereotypes like, "Pakistani guys are way into cricket and pop culture and flirt with all the ladies. Bangladeshi girls are all incredibly weak and skinny and pre-engaged to their dad's best friends. Egyptian women are smart and well-fed and don't take shit." My stereotypes have just as little to do with reality as any other, but at least they don't result in my calling the police.
I'm kind of glad ogged is posting at Drum's site, if only because his political commentary was always fantastically obtuse and wrong-headed ("torturing people to death sounds neat!"), and it'll be interesting to see it all there in one place apart from his more endearingly awkward "how come girls don't like me?" posts.
I think he's right. And I think it's a bit unfair to say, "well, I live in NYC and I'm not afraid of Muslims." First, because O. is obviously using the rhetorical "we"--so that the "I'm not afraid of Muslims" thing is just like when a guy does "I'm not sexist" thing" if, hypothetically, one makes the assertion that "we" as a culture are sexist. And second because I think that saying "I see a Middle Eastern guy, I think of the guy at the Quickie Mart" may be true, but you're deliberately picking a narrow situation and ignoring the broader one he's talking about.
The fact is, we--and by we, I mean us, which is to say, the nation--*are* more worried about Muslim terrorism than we are about white guy terrorism. My rational mind knows that the white guy terrorists are way more of a threat to me, personally, than the Muslims; nonetheless, when both Oklahoma City and then 9/11 happened, one of my first responses was to argue, like a good liberal, "we can't assume that the perpetrator is Arabic." Why need to make the argument if I didn't already know that that was going to be the assumption? I think that pretending that one *doesn't* think, when a bomb goes off, "oh shit, I bet it's/I hope it's not some Middle Eastern guy" is ridiculous--that's the default presupposition.
And, as Gary pointed out, it's surely the reason why the Dubai port thing was a "thing" when foreign management of U.S. ports has apparently been around for ages without us even noticing. I said then, and still say, that having foreign companies manage U.S. ports is stupid, even if the company is Australian; but that doesn't mean that I'm not part of the broader reaction to the fact that *this* instance of foreign management has to do with a *Middle Eastern* country, and that I've never thought before to have an opinion on U.S. ports.
8: You're not wrong in what you say about the problem, but I still think that ogged is wrong about the solution (oh, outreach over pie is always a good thing, I just don't think it helps.) While this:
I think that pretending that one *doesn't* think, when a bomb goes off, "oh shit, I bet it's/I hope it's not some Middle Eastern guy" is ridiculous--that's the default presupposition.
is perfectly true, and the default presupposition is racist, it's not the sort of racism that's terribly strongly related to having personal contact with Muslims/Middle Easterners. The racist partner I was talking about probably doesn't have a visceral fear of Muslims; he lives basically where I do, and if he really had such a visceral fear, he'd be jumpy all the time. He's decided that he's allowed to hate and fear Muslims -- it's an intellectual decision, and desensitization of the type ogged is talking about isn't going to get anywhere.
8 -- but we *as a nation* can't take a pie over to the local mosque. That's what makes -gg-d's suggestion incoherent. The people who *could* take a pie over to the local mosque, like LizardBreath, mostly live in largish urban areas and are less likely to be xenophobic about Muslims.
11: I think he is not seriously suggesting that we all start bringing pies to mosques. I think it's a metaphor, people. We (the nation as a whole, but particularly liberals who are interested in foreign policy) need to forge alliances with the actual Muslims here in the U.S., both in order to understand the complexity of the problem and in order to come up with better solutions. Right now, in the public eye, it's the neocons who have alliances with Islamic leaders who present some kind of alternative to the ayatollahs. We sit around and argue that those alliances are impractical and unrealistic, but we don't really offer any positive alternatives.
"Clash of civilizations" nonsense in America strikes me as an intellectual affliction suffered by people striving for a sense of importance, not something that really permeates day-to-day life.
It would be different if we lived in a society where Muslim fundamentalists had political power, but, uh, we don't.
Oh, I was reading it as pretty literal -- awkward social contact to defuse irrational fears based on ignorance. Sure, if we're talking about political engagement with local muslim groups and figures (I am reminded of the one that starts: "A minister, a rabbi, and an imam walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says: 'Is this some kind of a joke?'") that's probably productive.
Y'know, maybe instead of bringing them pie, we could apologize for killing thousands of their relatives in a fool's errand. I'd bet they'd like that almost as much.
We (the nation as a whole, but particularly liberals who are interested in foreign policy) need to forge alliances with the actual Muslims here in the U.S.,
If this is what ogged's suggesting (and I think it might be), it's crap. It is precisely the sort of hippy-dippy, "feel my heart with your foot," "there are no problems, only miscommunications" bullshit for which liberals were once justly mocked. I find these sorts of "outreach" programs to be patronizing, like some sort of flipped "white man's burden" argument.
I deliberately didn't say "outreach" because I agree with you about the white man's burden crap. I said "alliances," which implies an entirely different dynamic.
Also, after reading the comments over at the Washington Monthly, I'm reminded once again why I almost never read Washington Monthly and why being a big shot politicdal blogger is such an unattractive prospect.
Not that anyone is going to take the suggestion literally, anyway, but as someone who actually has baked pies for Muslim friends I would recommend using vegetable shortening for your pastry.
Cake is just wrong, as good cakes are unAmerican, and American-style cakes are gross and will only convince Muslims that the terrorists are right, and we must be wiped off the face of the earth.
None of the Muslims I know are particularly pious, so I don't know much about dietary restrictions--besides alcohol and pork, obviously. Is there anything about meat and dairy mixing?
Not that I know of. I'm pretty sure that dietary restrictions are basically kosher without the mixing restriction -- limitations on what animals may be eaten, and ritual slaughter requirements.
26: Oh, you are so wrong. (A) no cakes are unAmerican -- we live in a rich, wonderful melting pot including all possible deserts worldwide, and (B) good American style cakes kick ass. A simple yellow cake with chocolate icing, if all ingredients are good quality? There's nothing better.
Never mind, LB knows what she's talking about, and I don't. I always thought the restrictions were the same. Turns out Muslims can have lobster. Fuck, they've probably got mad hypnotizing skills they're going to use on the electricity grid next.
He's decided that he's allowed to hate and fear Muslims
You know, LB, as usual, you are totally right on this. That's what I found so astounding about the study in the WaPo, that so many people admitted to it. I mean, how many white people would answer 'yes' to the question, "Do you harbor a personal bias against black people?" Probably most of them do, in some way, but I bet hardly any of them would say so.
It's trite and clichéd, but that's why I think talking about the role of the media here is right on point; it's because we've been presented with unabashed direction by the media to hate and fear muslims, and then the media itself expresses surprise when we do exactly that. The climate is such that it's okay to do so, and that's why it's an intellectual decision to submit to that, rather than to resist.
You know, in that case, I might revise my list of people I'll date to include the halal observant. Halal seems like way less of a pain in the butt. (Alright, in real life, if the man of my dreams kept kosher, I suppose I might date him. But I wanted to keep with the spirit of petty exclusion.)
19/21: Is "dialogue" a better word that "outreach"? Even it it's kind of annoyingly hippy-dippy itself? Maybe what Ogged is talking about just be a desire to have more intermingling of Muslims and non-Muslims to break down stereotypes and fears It's a bit cliche and perhaps even a bit earnest, but aren't we liberal types supposed to be all about diversity for that very reason?
Well, while increased dialogue and harmony and big peace-handholding-rings are probably a good thing as a long-term goal, the hippy-dippiness seems to come from advocating that sort of thing as an immediate solution to problems arising from inter-group tension.
39: The problem I've got is that 'outreach' seems condescending and a bit useless, as SCMT suggested, but more serious, adult political collaboration seems to be a little lacking in specific goals. What should leftist groups be collaborating with Muslim leaders or groups on? (Anything where they share specific goals, of course, but what, particularly?)
Two co-workers invited me to join their Catholic Chipotle Club that gets veggie burritos every Friday during Lent. Not being observent, I declined but I think they are cheating. Don't they know that lunch during Lent is supposed to consist of either fish sticks and macaroni-and-cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup? Sheesh.
For the umpteenth time, I didn't say outreach, I said alliances.
At the individual, I-am-not-a-policy-maker level, it seems reasonable that just making a point of learning more about Islam, M.E. politics, the politics of M.E. immigrants here in the U.S., etc. etc. would be useful. Where the pie-to-mosque metaphor comes in is precisely in *avoiding* the leftist sin of painting with a broad brush, learning all about "other cultures" in theory and from books, and failing to really recognize and find out about the actual, real tensions and problems that exist in X subgroup.
On the policy level, I'm really quite serious about the way that the neocons have, say, Chalabi. Who the fuck do the Dems have? What kind of realistic alternatives or political connections and alliances have they built? It's not like there aren't established groups with whom we'd, presumably, have a number of goals in common: RAWA comes to mind, although I'm aware that one internal critique of the organization is that it's largely composed of exiles from the upper classes.
The point of "alliances" rather than "outreach" is specifically that there's a big difference in saying, "you people are welcome to join us! Here, we made a halal pie! Oh, you say halal and kosher aren't the same thing? Oops, I'm so sorry!" and putting yourself in the position of being the learner/person being reached out to. Most Islamic organizations in the States seem to me to have made a lot of effort in recent years to be visible in their communities, to produce "What Is Islam?" pamphlets, to offer community courses in the history of Islam or whatever. I know I don't go to the courses, although I have collected a few pamphlets at book fairs and the like.
I don't see how it could hurt to have non-policy-wonks-but-hey-I-do-have-a-blog people like me actually know something about the politics of the Middle East and Islam, since we're gonna shoot off our mouths anyway.
Theoretically, but I've never known anyone under the age of 60 who did more than the "no meat on Fridays" thing, if that. Even my "more observant than thou" co-workers are already trying to figure out how they can justify some St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage.
20-21: I think B sort of gets to my complaint in #44. However well meaning the attempt, these sorts of interactions, whether they be "outreach" or "dialogs" or even "alliances," come off as "I want to make sure you feel comfortable in my house." Except it's not just your house; it's his house, too. And there is something insulting about being welcomed into your own house.
Generally, people who have problems are likely to have set up groups to address those problems. If you live in an area where Muslims may have specific problems, there will be Muslims there trying to address it. Our job, as non-Muslims who want to be supportive, is to do just that. Act as support. Show up, STFU, and (absent specific problems) do what they ask you to do. But let them ask. You don't have any particular insight into their problems; they probably do. Your job is to say, a la baa, "If you need me, let me know. I've got your back."
(This is one of the problems I have with male "feminists." It's their (women) problem, and they are best situated to sort out possible responses. Show up and do what they tell you; don't claim their problems as your own. (I'm not quite as strong on this as I may sound - given the intimate relationships most men have with women, it's not quite the same. But a complaint that a woman a generation older than me once made confirmed my view of this.))
However well meaning the attempt, these sorts of interactions, whether they be "outreach" or "dialogs" or even "alliances," come off as "I want to make sure you feel comfortable in my house." Except it's not just your house; it's his house, too. And there is something insulting about being welcomed into your own house.
True dat. And whatever I was trying to say, it wasn't "let's make the Other feel comfortable in our America."
As for #41, I don't know what political goals leftists and Muslims should be working on, but while that's an important question, it's not the one I'm reading into Ogged's post. I'm wondering whether ideological and religious diversity and (*choke*) dialogue are valuable simply because they (gradually, slowly) break down prejudices and preconceptions and fears.
I know I sound like my freshman year outreach coordinator, but might she have been on to something?
I'm good with dalliance. I'll go at it with Derrida, though, although I actually don't think that the root of Derridean theory is that language is meaningless; more that the meanings we assign to words aren't predictable or fixed.
ac -- are you talking about the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory on Bayard St.? Because they have many many good flavors. The almond cookie kicks ass alright but did you ever try the pumpkin? It too is radically good.
I can see Stilton ice cream. Start from Stilton on a sweet wholemeal digestive biscuit -- you've got the tangy mold flavor working well with sweetness, there. Make it cold, and voila! Tasty blue-veined ice-cream.
re Halal: yes, it is all about blood (and the handling thereof), not about ritual. Although it isn't an issue for me (vegetarian) I know a few people who are a) not muslim b) really into food and c) only or mosly buy halal, in particular direct from halal farmer/butchers. They tell me it is an easy way to guarantee freshness and quality, because you can go see the conditions the animals are raised in, and you *know* it hasn't been sitting around long or butchered without care.
With regards to the CICF, if any of you who live in NYC have not been there you should make it your business to do so when the weather warms up a bit. On Bayard St. right acrss from New Green Bo, which is an excellent place to eat dinner before you get ice cream.
hmmm re #74, i should probably not bother to append that actually, such products probably would fit my diet jsut fine if i hadn't been too lazy, busy, and transportationally challenged to go get them. I suppose I'm not really vegetarian, it's just easier to explain that way.
I don't like agreeing with ogged because it's bad for comedy, but isn't he basically right? The point that we are all afraid of muslims is a minor one. Toss it out. Would there actually be any downside to bringing a non-porky pie to a mosque, or some sort of communist red bean dessert along on a hajj, or what have you? Is there really anything to argue about here?
Isn't it the sort of thing that conservatives pride themselves on doing, except that they don't actually do it? And wouldn't it be more effective than declaring that you aren't afraid of any muslims, and not actually talking to any either?
Also, the Washington Monthly people: what a bunch of cretins. If I read sites like that often I'd probably be shamed into ceasing commenting on blogs. Which would probably be best for all involved.
on second thought I ought to take the washington monthly people a red bean dessert before calling them cretins. Walk a mile in a cretin's shoes, you know.
I mention again that my brother runs an ice cream shop that makes frightfully good ice cream. If any of you are travelling in the Pacific NW it's definitely worth a stop.
All the flavors are made by hand with as many local ingredients as possible. No Stilton or Almond Cookie ice cream but some of the more interesting flavors include:
Honey Cheesecake with mead soaked golden raisins (done for a local mead brewery).
Becks, re #80 basil gelato is truly amazing but I had a spicy (yes!) mango that is threatening to unseat basil as best evah. seriously. no i couldn't believe it either.
They do both rose and lavender ice creams, though in both cases they use rose/lavender water + essential oil rather than using the petals directly. Do the petals add anything to flavor, or just to texture?
NickS: I've only had a bite of a friend's rose petal ice cream. After which I could finally understand the appeal rose flower water, and presumably orange and other flower waters. But the petals themselves also had a nice flavor, and were a good textural element. Plus, who can deny the appeal of eating a rose?
Kevin Drum absolutely refuses to police his comments, so they're infested with morons and trolls.
I often wonder how the mineshaft maintains itself as well as it does. do trolls fear the mineshaft? are morons intimidated by its pitchy darkness? what is the secret?
trolls are creatures formed from day old banana peels and half-drunk olympia beer cans. To the extent that we at unfogged have bananas, we eat the peels, and we do not drink olympia, but instead schafer.
wingbats! moonfucks! nitwings! you're all lying about everything because you've got no ideas! what you've said was said already by some other person, and that person was wrong! you remind me of people I detest, and what's more, I detest you for other reasons as well!
Really? Wow. Usually they creep me out, but something about that situation--us all hanging out in one thread, mocking them, and their being too rabid to even think to look in any other thread--made it just funny.
As far as the political content of such alliances, there's all that anti-torture/indefinite-detention-without-charge-or-evidence stuff. And whatever bill James Sensenbrenner's proposing this year.
Eh. The comment section at Political Animal is legendarily bad. He knew that going in. In that context, it's going fine. It would have been cool if he could have replicated the Unfogged magic in the comments section, but that was always a bit of a lost hope.
Jessica Cutler surely benefited from blogging. But Kevin Drum and David Lat (remember, he was Assistant United States Attorney while he was Article Three Groupie) would have been successful even without blogs. Washingtonienne is a good example of 'break-seekers,' Drum and Lat are not.
Trans: That whore was in it for the money, but my heroes are untarnished, virtuous knigts and only blog for chivalric, disinterested reasons. I am not the kind of reader who would read anything else.
What's funny is that it's pretty clearly almost exactly the opposite case. Cutler did something stupid in putting up the amount of information she did, but I can't recall any evidence that she wanted it to be widely known by the public. I think it's hard to make the case that she was looking for a deal when she blogged. Lat left Justice, IIRC, because he purposely let out who he was without pre-clearing it with his bosses. He pretty clearly was looking for reputational benefits from his blog. Drum started early enough that its hard to see him doing it for a "break," but he never made any attempt to hide who he was.
What garbage. And maybe I'm being naive, but I think Cutler was awesome, and remarkably decent when she was exposed. I wish her nothing but success.
Now I want to start a metablog in which I do my best to do whatever the trolls tell me. Post on X? Ok! Don't post on X! Okay! Demonstrate this kind of thinking? All right! That's a stupid argument? I agree!
Actually come to think of that it's very similar to how one handles toddler tantrums when one no longer cares.
126: Bitch, Ph.D., we are used to thoughtful pieces here at Trolls in Charge Blog. I hope the rest of your output will be marginally better than this. This is pathetic!
129: Nope! All of my output boils down to "X is the sexist!" And usually my output is really, really prolific, too. Suck it up, baby. Choke on that output. You know you like it.
Objectively anti-pie.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:13 AM
Good point, but, as Armsmasher notes, objectively anti-pie-- and, by extension, anti-America.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:15 AM
Hee. As a fellow NYC resident, I share your feelings on stereotypes. To us, there isn't just a brown/white split like in my parents' town in Kansas. As a college instructor, I developed stereotypes like, "Pakistani guys are way into cricket and pop culture and flirt with all the ladies. Bangladeshi girls are all incredibly weak and skinny and pre-engaged to their dad's best friends. Egyptian women are smart and well-fed and don't take shit." My stereotypes have just as little to do with reality as any other, but at least they don't result in my calling the police.
Posted by A White Bear | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:18 AM
and, by extension, anti-America
Bye, bye Miss Iranian Pie
Drove my Beemer to meet Weiner
but no Weiner was nigh
I declared Kotsko and Wolfson to both be good guys
Then I went and left Unfogged high and dry...
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:29 AM
I'm kind of glad ogged is posting at Drum's site, if only because his political commentary was always fantastically obtuse and wrong-headed ("torturing people to death sounds neat!"), and it'll be interesting to see it all there in one place apart from his more endearingly awkward "how come girls don't like me?" posts.
Posted by Moses Maybe | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:37 AM
It seems the bard should perhaps have written:
"We must eat pie or die"
Posted by Austro | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:38 AM
Apostropher WINS!
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:39 AM
I think he's right. And I think it's a bit unfair to say, "well, I live in NYC and I'm not afraid of Muslims." First, because O. is obviously using the rhetorical "we"--so that the "I'm not afraid of Muslims" thing is just like when a guy does "I'm not sexist" thing" if, hypothetically, one makes the assertion that "we" as a culture are sexist. And second because I think that saying "I see a Middle Eastern guy, I think of the guy at the Quickie Mart" may be true, but you're deliberately picking a narrow situation and ignoring the broader one he's talking about.
The fact is, we--and by we, I mean us, which is to say, the nation--*are* more worried about Muslim terrorism than we are about white guy terrorism. My rational mind knows that the white guy terrorists are way more of a threat to me, personally, than the Muslims; nonetheless, when both Oklahoma City and then 9/11 happened, one of my first responses was to argue, like a good liberal, "we can't assume that the perpetrator is Arabic." Why need to make the argument if I didn't already know that that was going to be the assumption? I think that pretending that one *doesn't* think, when a bomb goes off, "oh shit, I bet it's/I hope it's not some Middle Eastern guy" is ridiculous--that's the default presupposition.
And, as Gary pointed out, it's surely the reason why the Dubai port thing was a "thing" when foreign management of U.S. ports has apparently been around for ages without us even noticing. I said then, and still say, that having foreign companies manage U.S. ports is stupid, even if the company is Australian; but that doesn't mean that I'm not part of the broader reaction to the fact that *this* instance of foreign management has to do with a *Middle Eastern* country, and that I've never thought before to have an opinion on U.S. ports.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:54 AM
Man, LB, talk about Oedipal dynamics!
Posted by Adam Kotsko | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:07 AM
I was trying to think of a way to intelligently express my opinion on this, but I see that BPhd has done it for me. Much obliged.
Posted by Matthew Harvey | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:15 AM
8: You're not wrong in what you say about the problem, but I still think that ogged is wrong about the solution (oh, outreach over pie is always a good thing, I just don't think it helps.) While this:
I think that pretending that one *doesn't* think, when a bomb goes off, "oh shit, I bet it's/I hope it's not some Middle Eastern guy" is ridiculous--that's the default presupposition.
is perfectly true, and the default presupposition is racist, it's not the sort of racism that's terribly strongly related to having personal contact with Muslims/Middle Easterners. The racist partner I was talking about probably doesn't have a visceral fear of Muslims; he lives basically where I do, and if he really had such a visceral fear, he'd be jumpy all the time. He's decided that he's allowed to hate and fear Muslims -- it's an intellectual decision, and desensitization of the type ogged is talking about isn't going to get anywhere.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:16 AM
8 -- but we *as a nation* can't take a pie over to the local mosque. That's what makes -gg-d's suggestion incoherent. The people who *could* take a pie over to the local mosque, like LizardBreath, mostly live in largish urban areas and are less likely to be xenophobic about Muslims.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:23 AM
I can't tell them from mexicans, personally. I'd like a burrito.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:26 AM
11: I think he is not seriously suggesting that we all start bringing pies to mosques. I think it's a metaphor, people. We (the nation as a whole, but particularly liberals who are interested in foreign policy) need to forge alliances with the actual Muslims here in the U.S., both in order to understand the complexity of the problem and in order to come up with better solutions. Right now, in the public eye, it's the neocons who have alliances with Islamic leaders who present some kind of alternative to the ayatollahs. We sit around and argue that those alliances are impractical and unrealistic, but we don't really offer any positive alternatives.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:29 AM
I took a pie to the local mosque and let me tell you, those people are total ingrates.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:32 AM
"Clash of civilizations" nonsense in America strikes me as an intellectual affliction suffered by people striving for a sense of importance, not something that really permeates day-to-day life.
It would be different if we lived in a society where Muslim fundamentalists had political power, but, uh, we don't.
Posted by Barbar | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:34 AM
I think it's a metaphor, people.
Oh, I was reading it as pretty literal -- awkward social contact to defuse irrational fears based on ignorance. Sure, if we're talking about political engagement with local muslim groups and figures (I am reminded of the one that starts: "A minister, a rabbi, and an imam walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says: 'Is this some kind of a joke?'") that's probably productive.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:36 AM
Y'know, maybe instead of bringing them pie, we could apologize for killing thousands of their relatives in a fool's errand. I'd bet they'd like that almost as much.
Posted by Moses Maybe | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:38 AM
We (the nation as a whole, but particularly liberals who are interested in foreign policy) need to forge alliances with the actual Muslims here in the U.S.,
If this is what ogged's suggesting (and I think it might be), it's crap. It is precisely the sort of hippy-dippy, "feel my heart with your foot," "there are no problems, only miscommunications" bullshit for which liberals were once justly mocked. I find these sorts of "outreach" programs to be patronizing, like some sort of flipped "white man's burden" argument.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:38 AM
Tim, that comment is awesome in its potential, but could you say more about it?
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:41 AM
I deliberately didn't say "outreach" because I agree with you about the white man's burden crap. I said "alliances," which implies an entirely different dynamic.
Also, after reading the comments over at the Washington Monthly, I'm reminded once again why I almost never read Washington Monthly and why being a big shot politicdal blogger is such an unattractive prospect.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:41 AM
Not that anyone is going to take the suggestion literally, anyway, but as someone who actually has baked pies for Muslim friends I would recommend using vegetable shortening for your pastry.
Posted by aretino | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:42 AM
There goes that outreach project -- I'm fine with Muslims, but I do have standards. Maybe cake would work instead?
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:43 AM
I dunno, the Iranian and the Egyptian liked the graham cracker crust pretty well.
Posted by Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:43 AM
That's acceptable for lemon meringue pie, not otherwise.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:48 AM
Cake is just wrong, as good cakes are unAmerican, and American-style cakes are gross and will only convince Muslims that the terrorists are right, and we must be wiped off the face of the earth.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:51 AM
None of the Muslims I know are particularly pious, so I don't know much about dietary restrictions--besides alcohol and pork, obviously. Is there anything about meat and dairy mixing?
Posted by Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:53 AM
Not that I know of. I'm pretty sure that dietary restrictions are basically kosher without the mixing restriction -- limitations on what animals may be eaten, and ritual slaughter requirements.
26: Oh, you are so wrong. (A) no cakes are unAmerican -- we live in a rich, wonderful melting pot including all possible deserts worldwide, and (B) good American style cakes kick ass. A simple yellow cake with chocolate icing, if all ingredients are good quality? There's nothing better.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:57 AM
I think halal is basically the same as kosher, is it not? You wouldn't be able to have meat and dairy.
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:58 AM
28: What can I say, I have Eurotrash sensibilities where cake is concerned.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:01 AM
Halal not the same as kosher. Halal has to do with how the animal is killed and prepared.
Meat and dairy together just fine as far as I know.
Posted by silvana | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:01 AM
Never mind, LB knows what she's talking about, and I don't. I always thought the restrictions were the same. Turns out Muslims can have lobster. Fuck, they've probably got mad hypnotizing skills they're going to use on the electricity grid next.
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:01 AM
I just did some googling to realize that LizardBreath is basically right; I hate it when that happens. Also: porcupine is haram!
Posted by Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:04 AM
There's a nifty colloquy on halal/kosher here.
Posted by washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:05 AM
no cakes are unAmerican -- we live in a rich, wonderful melting pot including all possible deserts worldwide
Maybe if America didn't try to control all deserts worldwide, we wouldn't have to bring pies to our mosques to make amends.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:06 AM
From way up there:
He's decided that he's allowed to hate and fear Muslims
You know, LB, as usual, you are totally right on this. That's what I found so astounding about the study in the WaPo, that so many people admitted to it. I mean, how many white people would answer 'yes' to the question, "Do you harbor a personal bias against black people?" Probably most of them do, in some way, but I bet hardly any of them would say so.
It's trite and clichéd, but that's why I think talking about the role of the media here is right on point; it's because we've been presented with unabashed direction by the media to hate and fear muslims, and then the media itself expresses surprise when we do exactly that. The climate is such that it's okay to do so, and that's why it's an intellectual decision to submit to that, rather than to resist.
Posted by silvana | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:11 AM
You know, in that case, I might revise my list of people I'll date to include the halal observant. Halal seems like way less of a pain in the butt. (Alright, in real life, if the man of my dreams kept kosher, I suppose I might date him. But I wanted to keep with the spirit of petty exclusion.)
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:11 AM
I adhere to a strict vegan diet, between meals.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:22 AM
19/21: Is "dialogue" a better word that "outreach"? Even it it's kind of annoyingly hippy-dippy itself? Maybe what Ogged is talking about just be a desire to have more intermingling of Muslims and non-Muslims to break down stereotypes and fears It's a bit cliche and perhaps even a bit earnest, but aren't we liberal types supposed to be all about diversity for that very reason?
Posted by Matthew Harvey | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:47 AM
Well, while increased dialogue and harmony and big peace-handholding-rings are probably a good thing as a long-term goal, the hippy-dippiness seems to come from advocating that sort of thing as an immediate solution to problems arising from inter-group tension.
Posted by pdf23ds | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:50 AM
39: The problem I've got is that 'outreach' seems condescending and a bit useless, as SCMT suggested, but more serious, adult political collaboration seems to be a little lacking in specific goals. What should leftist groups be collaborating with Muslim leaders or groups on? (Anything where they share specific goals, of course, but what, particularly?)
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 10:53 AM
Two co-workers invited me to join their Catholic Chipotle Club that gets veggie burritos every Friday during Lent. Not being observent, I declined but I think they are cheating. Don't they know that lunch during Lent is supposed to consist of either fish sticks and macaroni-and-cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup? Sheesh.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:05 AM
I thought you were supposed to fast during Lent?
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:14 AM
For the umpteenth time, I didn't say outreach, I said alliances.
At the individual, I-am-not-a-policy-maker level, it seems reasonable that just making a point of learning more about Islam, M.E. politics, the politics of M.E. immigrants here in the U.S., etc. etc. would be useful. Where the pie-to-mosque metaphor comes in is precisely in *avoiding* the leftist sin of painting with a broad brush, learning all about "other cultures" in theory and from books, and failing to really recognize and find out about the actual, real tensions and problems that exist in X subgroup.
On the policy level, I'm really quite serious about the way that the neocons have, say, Chalabi. Who the fuck do the Dems have? What kind of realistic alternatives or political connections and alliances have they built? It's not like there aren't established groups with whom we'd, presumably, have a number of goals in common: RAWA comes to mind, although I'm aware that one internal critique of the organization is that it's largely composed of exiles from the upper classes.
The point of "alliances" rather than "outreach" is specifically that there's a big difference in saying, "you people are welcome to join us! Here, we made a halal pie! Oh, you say halal and kosher aren't the same thing? Oops, I'm so sorry!" and putting yourself in the position of being the learner/person being reached out to. Most Islamic organizations in the States seem to me to have made a lot of effort in recent years to be visible in their communities, to produce "What Is Islam?" pamphlets, to offer community courses in the history of Islam or whatever. I know I don't go to the courses, although I have collected a few pamphlets at book fairs and the like.
I don't see how it could hurt to have non-policy-wonks-but-hey-I-do-have-a-blog people like me actually know something about the politics of the Middle East and Islam, since we're gonna shoot off our mouths anyway.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:18 AM
I thought you were supposed to fast during Lent?
Theoretically, but I've never known anyone under the age of 60 who did more than the "no meat on Fridays" thing, if that. Even my "more observant than thou" co-workers are already trying to figure out how they can justify some St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:31 AM
20-21: I think B sort of gets to my complaint in #44. However well meaning the attempt, these sorts of interactions, whether they be "outreach" or "dialogs" or even "alliances," come off as "I want to make sure you feel comfortable in my house." Except it's not just your house; it's his house, too. And there is something insulting about being welcomed into your own house.
Generally, people who have problems are likely to have set up groups to address those problems. If you live in an area where Muslims may have specific problems, there will be Muslims there trying to address it. Our job, as non-Muslims who want to be supportive, is to do just that. Act as support. Show up, STFU, and (absent specific problems) do what they ask you to do. But let them ask. You don't have any particular insight into their problems; they probably do. Your job is to say, a la baa, "If you need me, let me know. I've got your back."
(This is one of the problems I have with male "feminists." It's their (women) problem, and they are best situated to sort out possible responses. Show up and do what they tell you; don't claim their problems as your own. (I'm not quite as strong on this as I may sound - given the intimate relationships most men have with women, it's not quite the same. But a complaint that a woman a generation older than me once made confirmed my view of this.))
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:48 AM
Is it just a terminology problem? How about if instead of "outreach" or "dialogue" or even "alliances", we call it "dalliance"?
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:53 AM
Welcome to my home page! I kiss you!
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 11:56 AM
I think you have connotational issues, MK. Unless you're only going to reach out to the hott “other”.
Posted by slolernr | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:01 PM
It's not *just* terminology, it's the connotations and underlying attitudes that the terminology reveals. Language is meaningful, peple.
#48: Wow, that brings back some memories...
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:07 PM
Language is meaningful, peple.
Hey watch it, I saw Jacques Derrida around here earlier with a baseball bat and a chip on his shoulder.
I still like dalliance better than dialogue. Free pie and flirtation -- can it get any better?
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:10 PM
Also: the NY Times articles which -gg-d linked are fun reading.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:12 PM
However well meaning the attempt, these sorts of interactions, whether they be "outreach" or "dialogs" or even "alliances," come off as "I want to make sure you feel comfortable in my house." Except it's not just your house; it's his house, too. And there is something insulting about being welcomed into your own house.
True dat. And whatever I was trying to say, it wasn't "let's make the Other feel comfortable in our America."
As for #41, I don't know what political goals leftists and Muslims should be working on, but while that's an important question, it's not the one I'm reading into Ogged's post. I'm wondering whether ideological and religious diversity and (*choke*) dialogue are valuable simply because they (gradually, slowly) break down prejudices and preconceptions and fears.
I know I sound like my freshman year outreach coordinator, but might she have been on to something?
Posted by Matthew Harvey | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:30 PM
I'm good with dalliance. I'll go at it with Derrida, though, although I actually don't think that the root of Derridean theory is that language is meaningless; more that the meanings we assign to words aren't predictable or fixed.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:31 PM
we live in a rich, wonderful melting pot including all possible deserts worldwide
I think the southeast asians can keep their red-bean based deserts. Yeesh.
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:33 PM
PK loves red bean ice cream!
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:47 PM
I totally ♥ azuki beans. Chopper, have you considered that you might be a godless communist?
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 12:50 PM
I thought the godless communists were all about the red-bean based desserts.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:00 PM
Tushay.
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:04 PM
Almond cookie ice cream is the best flavor at the Chinese ice cream factory. May be the best flavor, period.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:07 PM
ac -- are you talking about the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory on Bayard St.? Because they have many many good flavors. The almond cookie kicks ass alright but did you ever try the pumpkin? It too is radically good.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:09 PM
Yes. Sorry, am now, will always be, loyal and true to almond cookie.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:11 PM
Taking pie to your neighbors and finding out who they are and what they're like sounds downright Capraesque.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:22 PM
May be the best flavor, period.
May have been the best flavor ever, prior to the advent of chunky bacon ice cream. There's a new sheriff in town, ac.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:31 PM
Ogged doesn't seem to be making many friends over at Washington Monthly.
Not that you'd really want most of those folks as friends.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:41 PM
We want a Kevin Drum replica! What's with all this thinking differently about different things?!
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:48 PM
I was just trying to wrap my mind around Stilton ice cream earlier today. The ice cream possibility frontier is so much greater than I had imagined.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:48 PM
Hey, is that almond ice cream like almond jello?
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:49 PM
Wrapped around the concept of Stilton ice cream, I should say. Had a messy vision there, for a second.
And no, eb, I should imagine not. The cookie part is key.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:51 PM
I can see Stilton ice cream. Start from Stilton on a sweet wholemeal digestive biscuit -- you've got the tangy mold flavor working well with sweetness, there. Make it cold, and voila! Tasty blue-veined ice-cream.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:51 PM
I was thinking taste, not texture, though I could see how the cookie can affect both.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:53 PM
Not that you'd really want most of those folks as friends.
Spoiled children, to a one.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:56 PM
Tasty blue-veined ice-cream.
Ah yes, similar concept to...cheesecake.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 1:59 PM
re Halal: yes, it is all about blood (and the handling thereof), not about ritual. Although it isn't an issue for me (vegetarian) I know a few people who are a) not muslim b) really into food and c) only or mosly buy halal, in particular direct from halal farmer/butchers. They tell me it is an easy way to guarantee freshness and quality, because you can go see the conditions the animals are raised in, and you *know* it hasn't been sitting around long or butchered without care.
Posted by soubzriquet | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:04 PM
With regards to the CICF, if any of you who live in NYC have not been there you should make it your business to do so when the weather warms up a bit. On Bayard St. right acrss from New Green Bo, which is an excellent place to eat dinner before you get ice cream.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:06 PM
hmmm re #74, i should probably not bother to append that actually, such products probably would fit my diet jsut fine if i hadn't been too lazy, busy, and transportationally challenged to go get them. I suppose I'm not really vegetarian, it's just easier to explain that way.
so see, i bothered anyway.
Posted by soubzriquet | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:14 PM
I don't like agreeing with ogged because it's bad for comedy, but isn't he basically right? The point that we are all afraid of muslims is a minor one. Toss it out. Would there actually be any downside to bringing a non-porky pie to a mosque, or some sort of communist red bean dessert along on a hajj, or what have you? Is there really anything to argue about here?
Isn't it the sort of thing that conservatives pride themselves on doing, except that they don't actually do it? And wouldn't it be more effective than declaring that you aren't afraid of any muslims, and not actually talking to any either?
Also, the Washington Monthly people: what a bunch of cretins. If I read sites like that often I'd probably be shamed into ceasing commenting on blogs. Which would probably be best for all involved.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:52 PM
on second thought I ought to take the washington monthly people a red bean dessert before calling them cretins. Walk a mile in a cretin's shoes, you know.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:56 PM
I mention again that my brother runs an ice cream shop that makes frightfully good ice cream. If any of you are travelling in the Pacific NW it's definitely worth a stop.
All the flavors are made by hand with as many local ingredients as possible. No Stilton or Almond Cookie ice cream but some of the more interesting flavors include:
Honey Cheesecake with mead soaked golden raisins (done for a local mead brewery).
Vanilla Black Pepper.
Basil
Acai (not local, obviously)
etc . . .
Posted by NickS | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 2:58 PM
OMG, basil ice cream (or gelato, at least) is the best EVAH.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:05 PM
I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of biscuits 'n' gravy ice cream. Perhaps I'll need to take matters into my own hands.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:07 PM
Becks, re #80 basil gelato is truly amazing but I had a spicy (yes!) mango that is threatening to unseat basil as best evah. seriously. no i couldn't believe it either.
Posted by soubzriquet | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:09 PM
82 - I can believe it. I had a very yummy paprika banana gelato once.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:11 PM
Becks: so you do know then. i'll have to try that one if i ever run into it.
now i just have to find a decent gelato place in this (new) town. it's big enough, it ought to have one, dammit.
Posted by soubzriquet | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:15 PM
Mmmmmmm salted caramel ice cream...
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:16 PM
And the Washington Monthly comments are making me remember why I don't read comments anywhere but here and a few associated blogs.
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:19 PM
I've got some biscuit conditional ice cream, Apo. It's in the fridge if you want some.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:22 PM
Becks is banned!
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:23 PM
Rose petal ice cream is pretty awesome.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:34 PM
They do both rose and lavender ice creams, though in both cases they use rose/lavender water + essential oil rather than using the petals directly. Do the petals add anything to flavor, or just to texture?
Posted by NickS | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:37 PM
I only recently (last six months or so) discovered the excellence of banana tempura.
Posted by washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:37 PM
I vote for sweet cream ice cream. The pure essence of ice cream, and that's all.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:44 PM
My personal fave ice cream is banana. Single scoop, sugar cone. Perfect.
Posted by Chopper | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 3:50 PM
Kevin Drum absolutely refuses to police his comments, so they're infested with morons and trolls.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 4:56 PM
NickS: I've only had a bite of a friend's rose petal ice cream. After which I could finally understand the appeal rose flower water, and presumably orange and other flower waters. But the petals themselves also had a nice flavor, and were a good textural element. Plus, who can deny the appeal of eating a rose?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 5:17 PM
Is there a biscuits and gravy conditional?
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 5:52 PM
Kevin Drum absolutely refuses to police his comments, so they're infested with morons and trolls.
I often wonder how the mineshaft maintains itself as well as it does. do trolls fear the mineshaft? are morons intimidated by its pitchy darkness? what is the secret?
Posted by mcmc | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 7:16 PM
are morons intimidated by its pitchy darkness?
The intimidation is part of the thrill, part of what draws one to the Mineshaft.
I think the trolls are scared of Wolfson's awesome grammar-correcting abilities and general little-bitchiness.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 7:54 PM
trolls are creatures formed from day old banana peels and half-drunk olympia beer cans. To the extent that we at unfogged have bananas, we eat the peels, and we do not drink olympia, but instead schafer.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:09 PM
in other words, how much fun could it be to troll a bunch of trolls?
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:09 PM
We don't respond angrily to trolls, but with condescending pats on the head. Kinda takes the joy out of trolling.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:10 PM
wingbats! moonfucks! nitwings! you're all lying about everything because you've got no ideas! what you've said was said already by some other person, and that person was wrong! you remind me of people I detest, and what's more, I detest you for other reasons as well!
Posted by troll | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:14 PM
Do you guys remember the insane ch/ldfr/ee trolls? That was oddly hilarious.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:31 PM
No it wasn't. It was creepy as fuck. The whole experience left me with a "they walk among you" vibe that freaked me out for about a week after that.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:46 PM
Really? Wow. Usually they creep me out, but something about that situation--us all hanging out in one thread, mocking them, and their being too rabid to even think to look in any other thread--made it just funny.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 8:58 PM
No, that actually weirded me out. I think I said as much on the thread or one soon after that.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:09 PM
May have been the best flavor ever, prior to the advent of chunky bacon ice cream. There's a new sheriff in town
Pigs? So yesterday.
Posted by MMGood | Link to this comment | 03-10-06 9:52 PM
As far as the political content of such alliances, there's all that anti-torture/indefinite-detention-without-charge-or-evidence stuff. And whatever bill James Sensenbrenner's proposing this year.
Posted by Katherine | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 1:07 AM
And the clash of cultures continues. Unintended comedy = icing on the cake.
Posted by JL | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 6:42 AM
Ogged at Political Animal is clearly too hip for the room.
Come back to us, ogged! Nobody
can mock you as effectively asunderstands you like we do!Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 7:27 AM
Ogged at Political Animal is clearly too hip for the room.
He's wasting his time making the band laugh.
Posted by JL | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 8:06 AM
Eh. The comment section at Political Animal is legendarily bad. He knew that going in. In that context, it's going fine. It would have been cool if he could have replicated the Unfogged magic in the comments section, but that was always a bit of a lost hope.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 8:21 AM
I think it's going more than fine, it's hilarious.
Posted by JL | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 8:32 AM
I'm viewing the entire experiment as something akin to Andy Kaufman's wrestling appearances in Memphis.
"Is this how y'all tawlk in Poe-li-ti-cuhl Animawl? I'm from HOLLYWOOD!"
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 8:33 AM
We should really be culling the gems from the comments, and then commenting on them. Oooh, just saying it feels post-modern.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 8:48 AM
112: If he'd been able to replicate Unfogged over at WM, it would have been a fucking miracle, and he *would* have proven his divinity.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 9:43 AM
115: I can't resist this one
Jessica Cutler surely benefited from blogging. But Kevin Drum and David Lat (remember, he was Assistant United States Attorney while he was Article Three Groupie) would have been successful even without blogs. Washingtonienne is a good example of 'break-seekers,' Drum and Lat are not.
Trans: That whore was in it for the money, but my heroes are untarnished, virtuous knigts and only blog for chivalric, disinterested reasons. I am not the kind of reader who would read anything else.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 9:47 AM
What's funny is that it's pretty clearly almost exactly the opposite case. Cutler did something stupid in putting up the amount of information she did, but I can't recall any evidence that she wanted it to be widely known by the public. I think it's hard to make the case that she was looking for a deal when she blogged. Lat left Justice, IIRC, because he purposely let out who he was without pre-clearing it with his bosses. He pretty clearly was looking for reputational benefits from his blog. Drum started early enough that its hard to see him doing it for a "break," but he never made any attempt to hide who he was.
What garbage. And maybe I'm being naive, but I think Cutler was awesome, and remarkably decent when she was exposed. I wish her nothing but success.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 10:01 AM
118: "her nothing but success" s/b "I had been the $400 lunch guy"
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 10:06 AM
Who says I wasn't; AFAIK, she never revealed names. Which is what was so remarkable about her.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 10:12 AM
The other comments at WM that are great are the ones telling Ogged how awful he is.
Trans: Why didn't Kevin ask meeeee to guest blog? Waaaah!
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 10:25 AM
Thanks to the good folks commenting at Washington Monthly, now I know what a dysfunctional blog family looks like.
I like the ones who cry, "I miss my daddy. When is my Kevin coming home?"
Posted by JDC | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 11:20 AM
121: Not just telling him how awful he is, but warning him that he'll never get anywhere blogging like that.
Posted by JL | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 11:26 AM
Now I want to start a metablog in which I do my best to do whatever the trolls tell me. Post on X? Ok! Don't post on X! Okay! Demonstrate this kind of thinking? All right! That's a stupid argument? I agree!
Actually come to think of that it's very similar to how one handles toddler tantrums when one no longer cares.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 11:49 AM
Post on how irresistably sexy I am, B.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 11:53 AM
Apostropher is the sexist!
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 12:36 PM
Standpipe: "84 people died of boredom."
Ouch. Much laughter. BTW, "agreed" (two comments above that) is me. Forgot to switch back after telling Pat to shut the fuck up.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 12:38 PM
Apostropher is the sexist!
Girls aren't funny.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 12:42 PM
126: Bitch, Ph.D., we are used to thoughtful pieces here at Trolls in Charge Blog. I hope the rest of your output will be marginally better than this. This is pathetic!
Posted by JDC | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 12:52 PM
Trolls in Charge Blog
TicBlog. How appropriate.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 12:55 PM
130: If you're going to comment at the TicBlog, you're going to have to lose the sense of humor.
Posted by JDC | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 1:05 PM
129: Nope! All of my output boils down to "X is the sexist!" And usually my output is really, really prolific, too. Suck it up, baby. Choke on that output. You know you like it.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 3:55 PM
With respect to what is your output prolific? That is, what does your output produce?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 3:58 PM
Am torn between three replies. Choose the one you like best.
1. I'm a spunky girl.
2. I'm a feminist, which makes me practically a hippie.
3. Pages and pages of glittering prose, as you well know.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:04 PM
No no. You, being prolific, produce output in the form of spunk, shit, and prose. But you said your output is itself prolific.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:11 PM
Bite me, Ben.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:14 PM
132: "X is the sexist" is what you post? That's all you put out? I'm afraid you're on the well trodden path to blogging failure.
Posted by JDC | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:17 PM
Touchy!
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:22 PM
Oh no! Not blogging failure!
Also, I am touchy because I am out of chocolate. Sniff.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:40 PM
What, they don't have anything like this in your town? Too bad, you can get some nice chocolate at that sort of place.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:47 PM
I hate you. HATE.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 4:50 PM
do trolls fear the mineshaft?
Some say it's not just trolls.
Posted by slolernr | Link to this comment | 03-11-06 5:11 PM