It first came into my consciousness when I heard Cindy Sheehan being interviewed on C-SPAN about her disgust with "George." It hit me right between the eyes: what's with all this deference to rank and status in a country that's supposed to be the model of democracy. Especially when the object of the deference was a chicken-shit deserter in the Vietnam War.
Then recently, when I listened in to some of the audio clips Kirk has been posting from meetings in Raleigh, the whole deal got even goofier. All I heard was Madame Secretary this and Attorney General that and Representative hooey and Senator phooey. It made me sick, a creepy game of niceties, masking over a culture of privilege and class.
From here on out, I'm swearing off deference as a matter of practice. If I particularly admire someone and wish to honor him or her, I'll not hesitate to use the some flowery term. "Congressman Kissell" comes to mind.
But most of the time, I'm going to be on a first-name basis at best. Mike. Bev. Richard. John. Hillary. Barack. Wes. David. Brad. Verla. Ellie.
When I'm talking about Greeders, of course, all bets are off. "George" is too kind an expression for the moron in the White House. No, on the right side of aisle, scorn and hostility are definitely called for. The Asphalt King. The Ambulance Chaser. Dull and Brrr. Patty McTool. Flipper. Puppetmaster Pope. Stagemanager Hood. If the name fits, bear it.
(The only Greeder I'm missing is Bob Orr. He's a Pope Puppet through and through, but I haven't been able to pin down a suitable moniker. Any suggestions?)
Comments
Mr. vs Not
I think that talking about people with their first name is a good way of turning them into real people. Personally, I would rather vote for Larry than Mr. Kissell.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Petition
"Keep the Faith"
Nazi Republican Eagles threaten to beat Cindy Butt again?
I heard Cindy on the Radio and made me think what a screw up mess George has given this country *A
Feb 11, 2007
Rightest America Haters
In Search of Peace
Cindy Sheehan
I have received this warning in my in-box from friends who are telling me to "be careful:"
February 08, 2007
Protecting the Vietnam Memorial from Leftist America Haters
Apparently Saint Cindy "my firstborn was killed for the PNAC Neo-Con agenda to benefit Israel"* Sheehan is going to march on the Vietnam Memorial with Hanoi Jane in order to protest the Iraq War. Unfortunately, she will be met by patriotic American Vets. And by patriotic, I mean the kind that actually root for the U.S. to win its wars.
U.S. Veterans Dispatch:
Leftist activists who march to the Pentagon next month will discover that their path won't be as clear as it has been in the past.
The group, led by Cindy Sheehan, Jane Fonda, Ramsey Clark and their ilk, plan to gather March 17 at the Vietnam Memorial Wall to begin a march to protest America's involvement in the Iraq war. The date marks the fourth anniversary of the war's beginning.
This time, however, protestors will see objectors if they spit on Iraqi veterans again, or throw paint on a war memorial. This time, they will encounter a buzz saw of Vietnam veterans and supporters who will gather to protect the Wall, and show their support for U.S. troops. The counter-protestors are calling themselves the Gathering of Eagles.
HT: Bill Faith
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/186464.php
This so called "Gathering of Eagles" have taken the sacrifices of such good hearted and naive people like my son, Casey, who was lied to by his recruiter and had to follow orders from a deranged Commander in Chief and made these sacrifices obscene.
I have a few comments to these self-proclaimed patriots:
Firstly, if you really believed in this country and what you ostensibly "fought for" and what the over 58,000 Americans whose names are on the Vietnam Memorial died for, then you would be coming to DC to protect the march on March 17th. You would be there to make sure that our First Amendment rights were guarded and, even if you disagreed with what we were saying, you would cherish our right to do so.
Secondly, we will be joined by many Iraq Veterans (not Iraqi...they are Americans, not Iraqis) and Veterans for Peace who realize that the occupation of Iraq is illegal and immoral. I have never spat on anything. I have never thrown paint on anything. I wonder which propaganda for profit news source these "Eagles" get their information from?
Thirdly, do you wish that the Iraq War Memorial have 58,000 names on it? Another generation of young people lost and families destroyed for lies? How can you "root" for America to win a war that was lost before the invasion? You were abused and misused in your war of choice when this cowardly administration used every means possible to avoid serving over in that abominable war zone.
We "leftists" love our country so much that we are willing to sacrifice much to try and make her better. The America that I am working for will not invade other countries in wars of aggression to commit crimes against humanity. The America that I am struggling for will not use weapons of mass destruction such as white phosphorous and agent orange on innocent civilians. The America that my son died for will not torture people to get compromised information and further endanger our troops in the field. The America that I am giving my entire life for does not cut VA benefits after sending soldiers to do and witness unspeakable things in war and will not abandon mentally or physically wounded troops.
The America that I long for is one that uses her strength to mediate conflict in the world peacefully, and not bullying force to show how really weak that we are.
To the "Gathering of Eagles" I would like to remind you all of the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
And, poor misguided, brainwashed and propagandized, "Eagles" may I remind you of your service oath:
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
I realize that it is certainly dichotomous to obey the President of the United States when he is an enemy to the Constitution, but your Uniform Code of Military Justice also requires you to disobey illegal orders.
This war in Iraq is illegal by our own Constitution and international law and immoral by all just war theories.
We will be there on March 17th and our love of America and our love of humanity will propel us forward to march that day and work the next towards peace and justice.
We would love it if you would join us on that day thereby fulfilling the oath that I know you took with pride and honor, as did my son, over 3100 other brave young Americans and the tens of thousands of names on that tragic wall of death.
Please help us shorten the length of the next wall.
Here comes Da Sponge Bob Judge?
(The only Greeder I'm missing is Bob Orr. He's a Pope Puppet through and through, but I haven't been able to pin down a suitable moniker. Any suggestions?)* A
" Frivolius Bob" or "Sponge Bob" since he lives off Art and sues anything that moves....
Sponge Bob
is perfect. Thanks Mr. Mack!
I think it depends on the race and office.
Do you watch West Wing? Remember how when "Matthew Santos" was first running and his staff was all calling him "Matt"? The Josh character made the point that no one wants "Matt" as their next President, so start calling him Congressmen Santos.
Anyway, that was the thing that got me to thinking about it. So, I'd vote for Larry, but I don't like Hillary, John, or Barack.
Where are the candidates?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Familiarity
breeds contempt.
.....and disrespect.
I have no problem honoring someone with a title and will continue to do so. Our children follow our lead and I still need to worry about that in my household where the oldest has taken to saying "sorry" in the nastiest possible tone. Those little niceties set a certain tone of respect that I hope they will pick up on. Once I'm out of "mom" mode no telling what will happen.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Different wtih kids.
Those suckas better do what I say or else. That's MISTER to you dude.
Familiarity breeds contempt? I'll have to think about that. I already have plenty of contempt and very blessed little familiarity with theocrats and Republicans. Are you saying that if I got to know them better I'd hold them in even more contempt?
Hmmm.
That's what I'm saying :)
I know it seems stilted to stick to the titles and I switch between Brad and Congressman Miller as you've probably noticed. I call Larry Kissell, Larry Kissell and when he wins I will call him Congressman as much as I possibly can. (for obvious reasons)
I know what you're saying, though. From what I remember 20 something odd years ago in J-school, once we've used their title once in a piece, can't we then refer to them by last name? I'll have to check my books - because I kept every single last one of them. I probably overuse the titles.
Hey...I say do whatever makes you most comfortable when writing. I mean...if you're going to use adjectives like greedy, incompetent, asshat (actually this is a noun)......isn't it a little useless to use an honorary/earned title?
President Moron......hmmmmmm
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
what about
Major Asshat?
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Petition
"Keep the Faith"
That works
unless it should be Sargent Major Asshat.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
There is a good example.
I found myself writing Brad once or twice and felt very uncomfortable, so I have tried to stick with Congressmen Miller or Representative Miller. Even in person.
Where are the candidates?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
in person is different
I have yet to refer to any elected official by something other than their title in person.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Petition
"Keep the Faith"
Try "Dog." It's informal, but shows great respect.
--
Dog Bites Man
Anglico is going to stop being so deferential?
You should put some kind of warning on these posts. I spit Diet Coke all over my darned keyboard.
It is an interesting problem. I have undergraduates call me, "Dr. Munger" or "Professor Munger." And
they actually seem to want that. Professors should have some distance, be serious.
Grad students generally just call me by my first name, and our staff generally just call me "Munger"
(or worse).
I guess I would come down this way: why not treat with respect those who have earned your respect?
If you want to say that the office alone doesn't require respect, okay. But YOU GUYS are the "democrats" here. I think people in government are by and large out to sell favors, or large parts of central NC to Google at discount prices.
If you don't respect people in government, and you hate markets, WHO DO YOU LOVE?
"It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all." --Thomas Jefferson to Francois D'Ivernois, 1795.
Michael C. Munger
Weak
If you won't stop beating your children, and you won't stop snorting coke, how will you stay out of jail, professor Munger?
I <3 Mr. Mike!
You pose an interesting question, and frankly there's not a lot to love these days. Sadly for me, it always comes down to the lesser of several evils. I view the current manifestation of the Party of Greed as evil incarnate.
I respect plenty of people in government. It's elected officials I'm not so wild about.
That is the exact reason
I wouldnt sully a word like Congressman or Senator with one like Hayes, McHenry or Dole.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Petition
"Keep the Faith"
I had/have the same thing.
And, you can always tell a new freshman because they'll call you "Mr." I'm not sure anyone here hates markets....although Whole Foods has pissed me off by adding Corn Syrup to.......sushi.
SUSHI for Christ's sake!!!!
Where are the candidates?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Corn syrup? SUSHI?
Now, Lance, you are giving me too much credit. Who says I will stay out of jail? Though, if cocaine is good enough for Barack O'bama...Oh, never mind.
And, Robert P.: you're not SERIOUS, are you? Now, I'm converted. We need regulation, immediately. How do I become a Democrat? Do I have to hit a rich person with a spitball?
"It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all." --Thomas Jefferson to Francois D'Ivernois, 1795.
Michael C. Munger
Maybe it should be a sushi ball.
Just sayin'.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi