Re: An Informed Citizenry

1

Sure. For example, the next sentance could have read "In related news, we have been unable to substantiate claims that Gore drinks the blood of Christian babies."


Posted by: ptm | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:05 PM
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2

The report describes the Gores' home as a mansion, but Kreider refers to it as a "residence."

Because "mansion" is a technical description.


Posted by: Matt F | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:14 PM
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3

I'm pretty sure "posh" is a code word for "gay". I doubt Fox would describe any of the probably more-expensive Bush family residences as posh.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:19 PM
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4

Carbon neutral, whatever. I dunno what that means, even. But it sure sounds to me like that Al Gore's a big fat elitist hypocrite, lecturing all of us about driving our cars while he flies all over the nation appearing with movie stars.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:20 PM
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5

Dammit. This just had to come out the same day Cheney finally got that combat duty monkey off his back.


Posted by: Sven | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:22 PM
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6

4 - Plus sources report that he's a total poseur who likes emo bands.


Posted by: snarkout | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:22 PM
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7

Fox News of course left out that the "posh home" is straight off the standard loot tables for a 10th level Vice President. Pffft.


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:29 PM
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8

My googlefu was not up to finding a picture of Al Gore's posh mansion. Any one up to the challenge?


Posted by: Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:33 PM
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9

Check it out guys: while that big hypocrite Al Gore is shamelessly burning carbon for his decadent Xanadu, not that global warming matters, look who has an environmentally friendly house that the media won't talk about!


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:34 PM
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10

Actually Gore is a combination 10th level Vice President/8th Level Druid. Which explains the nice grounds.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:34 PM
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11

It would be kind of cool if Gore's official response to FOX's criticisms were "I'm rubber, you're glue ..."


Posted by: Paul | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:38 PM
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12

I thought "posh" was a code word for British. Come on, no one would ever suggest the British were prissy!


Posted by: Sommer | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:39 PM
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13

Bush's Crawford ranch is actually pretty cool. I've been hearing stories about its ecologically sound construction and gardens for years. I also heard that all of that was Laura's idea---it sure hasn't shown up in any important way in Bush's policies.


Posted by: Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:39 PM
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14

Actually Gore is a combination 10th level Vice President/8th Level Druid.

Did the XP penalty for multi-classing cost him the 2000 election? Only the DM knows.


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:44 PM
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All Hail Al Gore, God's Greatest Gift to the Environment!

The link in 9 is great, but it's towards the end that it starts to border on spectacular.

"How are the other households in Gore's region going to reduce their carbon footprint to zero when he consumes huge amounts of green energy? There's only a finite amount of alternative energy to go around."

Sweeeeeet.


Posted by: arthegall | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:45 PM
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16

Did the XP penalty for multi-classing cost him the 2000 election? Only the DM knows.

And the DM was a Reagan appointee!


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:45 PM
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17

It was blatant twinkishness designed to make Bush's "+5 Family Connections" merit valuable. Stupid min-maxers.


Posted by: snarkout | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:46 PM
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18

Also, I think the issue here is that Gore is dual-classed, not multi-classed. Unfortunately, he chose to make the switch sometime before the 2000 election.


Posted by: arthegall | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:47 PM
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19

13: Jackmo's right, it's been all Laura's doing. Lots of work in reestablishing native prarie species there too. But then, maybe that brush Bush is always clearing is invasive brush.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:48 PM
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20

Do you know what British word is really great? "keen"

I saw a play where that word was beautifully employed many times this weekend and was hoping to bring it back but I've been informed that I'm not going to be able to make fetchkeen happen.


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:50 PM
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21

The problem is that all of those expressions only really work with a British accent.


Posted by: Matt F | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:55 PM
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22

18: At which time Persuasion became a cross-class skill. Tsk.

Out of respect for Becks I will not do the necessary contortions to produce a nerd joke involving "keen."


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:57 PM
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23

21 - So you're saying I should adopt a British accent? OK.


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:58 PM
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24

23: For the love of small monkeys no, Becks.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:59 PM
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25

Why do you think I have a touch of an affected British accent? Go for it.


Posted by: Matt F | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 2:59 PM
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25: Oh well that's sure to convince her. Look Becks, all the cool ki, um, well, um, well Matt is doing it.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:01 PM
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27

Shit, "Persuasion" is from d10, so I guess it s/b "Perform (Public Speaking)."


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:01 PM
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28

Do it! The world needs more people with fake British accents who use them for constructive purposes rather than for saying "blimey" and "guv'ner" over and over.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:02 PM
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29

Resist, Becks, resist!


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:03 PM
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30

Exactly! Pip pip, old bean.

(dude, M/lls, quit messing with my scheme. I'm trying to get her to eventually adopt cockney rhyming slang)


Posted by: Matt F | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:04 PM
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31

I might have listened to you for the love of little green apples, M/tch. But small monkeys? Nope.


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:05 PM
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32

I might have listened to you for the love of little green apples Queen and country.


Posted by: Matt F | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:06 PM
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33

Jolly bad show, Becks. Scarcely cricket.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:09 PM
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34

RMcMP, do you read the Order of the Stick, which I can never remember the URL of?


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:09 PM
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35

22: Right, and also -- once you dual into a second class, you stop advancing in the first as well. His druidic desires foiled his presidential aspirations.

[sigh]. I should go home and crack open the old role-playing books.


Posted by: arthegall | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:12 PM
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36

34 "which I can never remember the URL of" s/b "up with which I can never remember the URL"


Posted by: arthegall | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:13 PM
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37

I was talking about these, Becks. Surely you're not yet so hard-hearted as to resist their love?


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:14 PM
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38

36: You tripped my w-lfs-n trap!


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:17 PM
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39

34: I do read Order of the Stick! Favorite character? Totally Elan.


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:17 PM
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40

[hangs head in shame].


Posted by: arthegall | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:17 PM
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41

39: I'm so predictable, but I'm a sucker for a bared midriff. I do love me some Haley, although the "can't talk" subplot went on a bit long.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:29 PM
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42

I'm sure there were clever jokes in there waiting to be discovered by someone who cracked the code, and I've no doubt lots of people did and chuckled heartily. I did not need to be among them, however. I was really, really glad to see it end.


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:34 PM
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43

"Crack, crack, crack the pointless code!"


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:39 PM
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44

See, that was funnier than the whole code storyline!


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:46 PM
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45

A friend of mine recently met someone who did a year abroad in the UK and has been speaking with a horribly fake British accent ever since. For years, apparently.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 3:48 PM
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46

45 - everyone who spends a year in Britan is required to do that; it's part of the price you pay for getting to live in a country with decent fish and chips.


Posted by: jenny | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 4:54 PM
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47

Even after returning to the States, though?


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 4:56 PM
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48

When I was in Edinburgh, there was this midwest guy studying abroad there who tried to talk all Scottish-like and sounded, predictably, completely stupid.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 4:59 PM
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49

I love Order of the Stick.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-27-07 5:27 PM
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50

re: 48 and stupid sounding fake Scottishness ...

My mum is English but has lived in Scotland since she was 18. She hasn't picked up any Scottish accent at all. However, she has picked up, and regularly uses, lots of Scots vocabulary which can sound highly amusing in her (west london) accent.

A Greek friend, when we were at Uni in Glasgow, came to Scotland with very poor English and left with the wierdest half-greek/half-working-class Glasgow accent. He'd say, with not a hint of a joke intended, things like 'Gonnae come back tae ma bit for a few bevvies?' only with a thick greek accent.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 12:43 AM
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51

"Keen" isn't a british word, or anyway, it's not just a british word.

I'd like to hear people, perhaps me, use the phrase "a word in your shell-like" more often (which is to say, at all).


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 12:50 AM
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52

a word in your shell-like, w-lfs-n: that would be incredibly gay.


Posted by: alameida | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 2:01 AM
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53

Not if you were British, and therefore all manly and shit.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 3:46 AM
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54

Keen isn't a British concept either. The British aren't meant to be keen. They're meant to lie around looking totally bored until the call comes and they go and climb the Matterhorn in a frock coat/lead their men over the top at Verdun/run the first 4 minute mile without making a fuss. And then they avoid the embrace of the worshipping masses and never mention it again, except to complain to their closest friends that they had to leave their ham and eggs getting cold when they went.


Posted by: OneFatEnglishman | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:08 AM
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55

That's very English. The Scottish version is exactly the same except is done while drunk.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:21 AM
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56

absolutely. "He's very keen, isn't he?" has the settled meaning of "he's a dangerous idiot".


Posted by: dsquared | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:23 AM
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57

Speaking of four minute mile, I taught R/oger B/annister on an IT course I was helping on.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:23 AM
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58

Apparently he trained 45 minutes a day. That's keen for you.


Posted by: OneFatEnglishman | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:44 AM
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59

When I think of keening, I think of Ireland. Maybe it's just me.


Posted by: CharleyCarp | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 4:58 AM
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54: Ham and eggs? Please. Bacon and eggs.

56: Yup. Mind you, when I went to school "keen" was a insult similar to "nerd" or "swot" - "Only keenos listen in maths lessons!". Squaddies use it to mean "naive but hardworking" - "He's a real keen type isn't he? Look at him polishing the entire platoon's boots"


Posted by: Alex | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 5:19 AM
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61

OT, but this thread seems to have higher than usual participation by UK'ers: it looks like I'll be afoot in London for some unstructured time March 16-18. I'll probably run up to Derby to visit a cousin for dinner, but other than that, I'm happy to entertain suggestions.


Posted by: CharleyCarp | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 6:17 AM
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50: While I was in Taiwan I heard a woman with a Sino-Texan accent in English. SHe didn't know English well, but what she knew she elarned in Texas.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 6:40 AM
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I thought LB was already trying to re-popularise "keen" as part of her use of retro slang.

I think the Irish version of 54 is where true writers spend all day in the pub being witty with their pals and somehow nevertheless mysteriously manage to turn out literary masterpieces.


Posted by: Emir | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 7:03 AM
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64

Filbert Bayi broke four minutes the first time he raced competitively, as I understand. In Tanzania they herd cattle without horses and can routinely run 20 miles in a day.

As I remember, Bannister's nemesis Landy often beat Bannister, and his best time was better than Bannister's best time, but Bannister was the first one to crack 4:00.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 7:10 AM
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61: I declare Unfoggedc(Lond)on. But I will be in Indonesia.
52: I imagine "a word in your shell-like" being uttered by the Kray brothers, before they explain that matters have taken an unfortunate turn and, much as it hurts them to do it, they're going to be forced to break your kneecaps and feed your ears to your dog. And there ain't nuffink gay about that, sunshine.


Posted by: Nakku | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 7:19 AM
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63: Absolutely, but American '50s 'keen' is a completely different word from British 'keen', isn't it? I think British 'keen' is closer to calling someone a tool, here.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 7:59 AM
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67

I could probably make an Unfoggedc(Lond)on ...


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 8:50 AM
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68

67 -- Send me an email.


Posted by: CharleyCarp | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 11:25 AM
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69

Gladwell wrote well a few years ago about the difference between Bannister and a modern serious—to avoid the thicket around the word "professional"—athlete.


Posted by: I don't pay | Link to this comment | 02-28-07 11:32 AM
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