We Got Mail!

OpenDecember 2009 • Views: 6,032

Lots and lots of mail. So much that there’s no way I can respond to all of it, so I’m posting this to thank everyone who sent supportive comments today.

In a rather amazing turnabout, the supportive emails outnumbered the hate mail by almost two to one. Apparently, there are quite a few conservatives out there who are equally disgusted with the craziness on their side, and quite a few liberals who miss having opponents who aren’t insane.

Me? Call me independent, and I won’t be unhappy. I have bones to pick with both sides, and big issues with the extremists on both sides. And if you’re a politician, you need to prove to me that you deserve my support, because it’s not a given just because you’re on “my team.”

Boring politics aside, I thank you all again for the supportive comments.

And server hamster-wrangler Stinky Beaumont thanks you for your PayPal donations, with which he will buy energy bars, water, new shoes, and methamphetamine for the hamsters.

Just kidding about the methamphetamine. Or maybe not.

Jump to bottom

151 comments

Gang of One Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:03:47pm

You must be over the target when you start getting flak.

citybilly Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:05:23pm

re: #1 Gang of One

Gold Five: Stay on target. ...

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:05:25pm

Did you find any cool misspellings (e.g. "honcos") that we can turn around to use as affectionately joking nicknames?

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:05:42pm

Hamsters prefer meth ... 9 out of 10 veterinarians told me so.

Big Steve Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:06:15pm

Tell you what...you ARE keeping LGF interesting.

reine.de.tout Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:06:17pm

So glad to hear that supportive e-mails outnumbered the hate mail.
Also glad to hear there are conservatives out there who are equally disgusted with the right-side craziness.

Sharmuta Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:07:14pm

I'm glad David Frum reads LGF.

Gang of One Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:08:37pm

re: #6 reine.de.tout

So glad to hear that supportive e-mails outnumbered the hate mail.
Also glad to hear there are conservatives out there who are equally disgusted with the right-side craziness.

Aye. right-wing≠conservative.

Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:08:55pm

re: #7 Sharmuta

I'm glad David Frum reads LGF.

As am I.

Vicious Babushka Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:09:17pm

Stinky Beaumont thanks you for your PayPal donations, with which he will buy energy bars, water, new shoes, and methamphetamine for the hamsters.
Just kidding about the methamphetamine. Or maybe not.

I'm seeing sidebar ads for "addiction treatment centers."

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:09:29pm

re: #7 Sharmuta

I'm glad David Frum reads ~~LGF~~.

FTFY

Surabaya Stew Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:09:50pm

This is interesting news; does this mean there's hope the GOP (as a collective) regains sanity sometime during the next decade?

Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:10:01pm

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

cliffster Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:10:50pm

re: #9 Dark_Falcon

As am I.

Thirded.

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:10:53pm

I see ads for a Mrs. Fields franchise.

Now there is an ongoing source for a sugar high.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:11:12pm

The hamsters are deserving of the best feed, cold beers, and pretty masseuses for their tired feet!

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:11:18pm

re: #13 Charles

It was an alternate universe... if you can find yourself back to the wormhole and your own universe you'll be fine.

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:11:25pm

re: #6 reine.de.tout

So glad to hear that supportive e-mails outnumbered the hate mail.
Also glad to hear there are conservatives out there who are equally disgusted with the right-side craziness.

The only emails I ever get because of LGF are form nice Lizards.

Jetpilot1101 Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:11:35pm

I haven't been able to frequent LGF as much as I used to due in large part to my job and I must admit that when I initially read your "Why I Parted Ways With The Right" post, I was a bit confused and had a few questions. So tonight, when I returned from my flight, I reread your ten points in order to better grasp your reasons for doing what you did and try and understand your decision. You must have read my mind because as I was reading your previous post, you posted this thread. All I can say is thank you for the clarification. I am right there with you and I appreciate you having the stones to distance yourself from both sets of extreme loons and carve out a niche where those of us who want honest rational debate can congregate. Keep up the good work and as your post states, there are many of us on both sides who support rationalism in a sea of insanity. Would you mind starting your own political party so I have somone to vote for?

SpaceJesus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:12:03pm

any particularly funny, memorable or insane quotes from the hate mail heap?

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:12:06pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

Sharmuta Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:12:14pm

Something tells me this post wont be as retweeted as the last.

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:12:15pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

Did they?

What does it take to get hooked up there? A prequal interview with Glenn Beck?

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:13:21pm

re: #22 Sharmuta

You noticed the RT button disappearing too?

Sharmuta Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:14:01pm

re: #24 laZardo

I see it, and it's not getting used. Imagine that.

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:14:53pm

re: #19 Jetpilot1101

Would you mind starting your own political party so I have somone to vote for?

I believe he is unaffiliated.

Try it - it feels great. Can't vote in primaries but who cares - only the base-panderers get nominated anyway.

Sharmuta Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:15:22pm

This thread would be a nice update to last night's thread, Charles.

Just a thought.

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:16:17pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

IIRC, the "pajamas" reference came from a CBS lackey talking about bloggers regarding Rathergate?

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:16:34pm

re: #22 Sharmuta

Something tells me this post wont be as retweeted as the last.

There's 2959 on line right now...

HI FOLKS!

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:17:02pm

Hamster meth labs are rejoicing across the land! Or they aren't.

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:17:22pm

re: #13 Charles

Hey, if Monckton is good enough for Hal Lindsey:

Youtube Video

... then ... then... heck, I don't know.

For Lindsey to believe that Monckton is actually a member of the House of Lords indicates the level of idiocy behind these deniers.

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:18:36pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

Really Charles, what exactly did you mean. Name, company, I'm missing something?

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:18:38pm

re: #16 Floral Giraffe

Why do I see hamster hookers saying "hey there handsome, wanna a wheely good time?"

reine.de.tout Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:18:41pm

re: #24 laZardo

You noticed the RT button disappearing too?

I noticed it was gone. Reloaded and voila -there it was!

Cato the Elder Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:19:01pm

Hey, if meth works for Middle Americans who have to work five jobs to keep their houses, who's going to take issue with giving it to hamsters?

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:19:29pm

re: #28 Mich-again

Yes. But, IIRC, the company launched as "Open Source Media" (which I liked better, FWIW). Seems folks were sentimental for a "Pajamas" tie in and ended up getting it. Seems an appropriate fit now - the idea of folks rising to journalistic standards didn't take - PJM has evolved into more of an echo chamber these days.

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:20:01pm

re: #3 laZardo

Did you find any cool misspellings (e.g. "honcos") that we can turn around to use as affectionately joking nicknames?

Honcos! I love that word! Haven't seen around here as much lately (this place has changed!). Let's bring it back.

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:20:04pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

They're kind of scary now.

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:20:15pm

Hmmm... 17 degrees (f) right now, 90 percent chance of snow, I think it's gonna get brisk tonight.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:20:49pm

re: #33 Irenicum

Why do I see hamster hookers saying "hey there handsome, wanna a wheely good time?"

I do NOT know!
LOL!
Hamster pr0n just seems wrong!

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:18pm

re: #32 Walter L. Newton

Really Charles, what exactly did you mean. Name, company, I'm missing something?

Charles launched Pajamas Media with Roger Simon. Many other hands involved but they were the big two, IIRC.

Cato the Elder Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:26pm

re: #13 Charles

Someone please tell me that Pajamas Media didn't really publish a batshit crazy article by "Lord" Christopher Monckton today. Please.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never lent my name to that company.

I must say Roger Simon's hat always gave me the creeps.

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:43pm

re: #39 Walter L. Newton

Hmmm... 17 degrees (f) right now, 90 percent chance of snow, I think it's gonna get brisk tonight.

That reminds me. You crossed my mind as I flew into Denver en route to Indianapolis last week. I was hoping you weren't snowed it at the time.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:45pm

re: #37 bosforus

Honcos! I love that word! Haven't seen around here as much lately (this place has changed!). Let's bring it back.

Hey, there, Honco!

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:46pm

re: #33 Irenicum

Why do I see hamster hookers saying "hey there handsome, wanna a wheely good time?"

My husband and I have an ongoing joke involving hooker mice, wearing teeny hotpants with holes for the tails.

I now don't recall where it even came from. Every so often, one of us says "hooker mice!"

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:21:55pm

re: #40 Floral Giraffe

"Hey baby, spin the wheel. See where I land!"

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:22:29pm

re: #46 Irenicum

"Hey baby, spin the wheel. See where I land!"

That is just WRONG!
LOL!

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:22:43pm

re: #44 Floral Giraffe

Hey, there, Honco!

Ya friggin honco!

recusancy Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:23:13pm

Not doing the full John Cole just yet?

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:23:49pm

re: #47 Floral Giraffe

"Ya wanna know why the amazing Mr. Fox is so amazing?"

Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:23:50pm

re: #20 SpaceJesus

any particularly funny, memorable or insane quotes from the hate mail heap?

Not really. Just insults, drool, and misspellings. If there was anything memorable I'd have posted it.

Stuff like this for the most part:

just read the post by Charles (chuckie) Johnson on his site and I have to say it came as no surprise. After being booted off the site and run-ins with his cadre of fans that worships the ground on which he deficates, I came to the realization that he wasn't what he seemed.

Bla bla, yadda yadda. It goes on like that for another thousand words, but who reads that kind of crap? Not me.

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:24:53pm

re: #43 bosforus

That reminds me. You crossed my mind as I flew into Denver en route to Indianapolis last week. I was hoping you weren't snowed it at the time.

That was you? I thought someone was waving during their final approach.

austin_blue Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:28:09pm

Good night Lizards!

Excellent debates tonight, by and large respectful and much appreciated. This community gets better and better, a commonweal of anti-idiotarians of all stripes, striving for common ground from disparate philosophies. This board proves more and more that it can be done without either left or right echo chambers.

Updings to all!

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:28:12pm

re: #42 Cato the Elder

I must say Roger Simon's hat always gave me the creeps.

The hat thing never made any sense to me - I figure he did it to have a marketable icon (even though drudge was already doing it) and as a tie in to Moses Wine (the protagonist in the book he was pushing when he started blogging).

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:28:20pm

re: #47 Floral Giraffe

"My habitrail or yours""

Cato the Elder Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:28:46pm

Charles, have you looked into hamster balls instead of wheels?

Youtube Video

The hamsters can run free, or so they think. It increases morale. Though you may need a slightly bigger hamster room.

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:29:06pm

re: #53 austin_blue

Couldn't have said it better myself! Right back atcha!

recusancy Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:30:49pm

McChrystal Praises Obama, Strategy Review

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:31:12pm

And server hamster-wrangler Stinky Beaumont thanks you for your PayPal donations, with which he will buy energy bars, water, new shoes, and methamphetamine for the hamsters.

If Stinky really loved the hamsters he would take them for some R&R to a Soapland...

Vimeo

Well, maybe one not so abandoned.

Hmmm... Hamsters in Soapland... sounds like the name of a really interesting movie.

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:31:46pm

re: #51 Charles

Bla bla, yadda yadda. It goes on like that for another thousand words, but who reads that kind of crap? Not me.

If it were 10,000 more words I would suspect Fjordman.

lawrior Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:32:00pm

re: #51 Charles

I wouldn't say that "worship" the ground upon which you defecate, though I have taken note of some of the more interesting locations for future shrines.

In all seriousness, I am glad that this exists at all and that you are willing to put up with all of the garbage heaped upon you. It is my go-to site for news and rational discourse.

cliffster Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:32:13pm

re: #58 recusancy

McChrystal Praises Obama, Strategy Review

It's a great idea, Mr President

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:32:21pm

re: #59 freetoken

Or a failed Broadway musical.

Killgore Trout Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:32:43pm

re: #7 Sharmuta

I'm glad David Frum reads LGF.

Frum's plea was weak and gave me little reason to reconsider my own personal views. I have spent a considerable amount of time effort and anguish debating and trying to convince wingnuts that they're headed in the wrong direction. I'd have better luck convincing salmon swimming upstream not to spawn. They have to do this and logic and debate aren't even part of the equation.

recusancy Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:32:53pm

re: #62 cliffster

It's a great idea, Mr President

He wasn't sucking up before.

NJDhockeyfan Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:33:17pm

'I remember it like it was yesterday': WWII fighter pilot's Hellcat is pulled out of Lake Michigan 65 years after he crash landed

A fighter pilot has recalled the moment he crash landed in a lake - as his fighter plane was lifted from the water 65 years on.

The U.S. Navy led the recovery of the World War II F6F-3 Hellcat from the depths of Lake Michigan, Waukegan, today.

The plane – the sixth to be removed from the lake – had been submerged at 250 metres since January 5, 1944.

Neat pictures.

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:33:58pm

re: #56 Cato the Elder

I have two hamsters and one of them uses the hamster wheel by standing on two legs outside the wheel and pushing the wheel down with his arms. Its the only one I've ever seen do that.

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:20pm

re: #66 NJDhockeyfan

'I remember it like it was yesterday'

You tend to not forget things like that.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:39pm

re: #50 Irenicum

"Ya wanna know why the amazing Mr. Fox is so amazing?"

Is it safe to ask?

Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:41pm

re: #64 Killgore Trout

Frum's plea was weak and gave me little reason to reconsider my own personal views. I have spent a considerable amount of time effort and anguish debating and trying to convince wingnuts that they're headed in the wrong direction. I'd have better luck convincing salmon swimming upstream not to spawn. They have to do this and logic and debate aren't even part of the equation.

I appreciate David Frum's concern, and I thought about his plea for me to come back to the right. For about two minutes.

But once you're run out of town on a rail, it's not really an attractive idea to go back to that town. Frum is dreaming if he thinks anyone is going to pull the right wing back from the ledge. They're determined to jump.

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:45pm

It may not be hamsters, but how about muskrats?

Youtube Video

albusteve Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:48pm

re: #66 NJDhockeyfan

'I remember it like it was yesterday': WWII fighter pilot's Hellcat is pulled out of Lake Michigan 65 years after he crash landed

Neat pictures.

Hellcat pilots beat the Zero...nuff said

wee fury Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:55pm

I don't worship you, Charles. But, I sure do like you. In a non-huggie way.

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:35:57pm

re: #67 Mich-again

I have two hamsters and one of them uses the hamster wheel by standing on two legs outside the wheel and pushing the wheel down with his arms. Its the only one I've ever seen do that.

They have oddly unique personalities and quirks, for things that weigh less than a large baking potato. I had one once that learned to follow people down halls using the freedom ball, and would pause for doors to be opened for her.

Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:36:16pm

re: #63 laZardo

Or a failed Broadway musical.

But on the plus side, you wouldn't have to pay the hamsters for the final week or two. Just make the final night "Bring Your Cat Night" and you'll be free of any obligations and the hamsters will never need another job. >:D

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:36:16pm

re: #64 Killgore Trout

They have to do this and logic and debate aren't even part of the equation.

Yup. When the so called mainstream right starts to sound like Hal Lindsey you know they are essentially gone over the cliff.

I consider them a lost cause, and I hope that American politics goes forward without them.

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:37:05pm

re: #69 Floral Giraffe

I'm not. I treasure what little sanity I still have.

Idle Drifter Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:37:25pm

re: #66 NJDhockeyfan

'I remember it like it was yesterday': WWII fighter pilot's Hellcat is pulled out of Lake Michigan 65 years after he crash landed

Neat pictures.

The remarkable thing about the Great Lakes and other cold, fresh water lakes is how well they preserve ship wrecks and in this case air planes.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:37:31pm

re: #51 Charles

I had a job, that required a LOT of "communication", mostly voice mail in those days. My favorite phone command was "*6#" short for fastforward, delete!

Sharmuta Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:38:34pm

re: #64 Killgore Trout

yeah- righties are teh stupid.

Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:39:14pm

Meanwhile, this is the kind of stuff that's getting posted on Twitter under 'LGF':

Chuckie At LGF Goes Ape-Poopy Cwazy (J O S H U A P U N D I T)

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:39:18pm

re: #74 SanFranciscoZionist

I had one once that learned to follow people down halls using the freedom ball, and would pause for doors to be opened for her.

Not to be nitpicky, but wouldn't a hamster in a freedom ball pretty much have to pause for someone to open the door?

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:39:19pm

re: #66 NJDhockeyfan

Linking off to the side for some schadenfreude...

Walter L. Newton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:39:20pm

re: #80 Sharmuta

yeah- righties are teh stupid.

What?

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:40:28pm

re: #82 Mich-again

Not to be nitpicky, but wouldn't a hamster in a freedom ball pretty much have to pause for someone to open the door?

Well, yes, but I've seen hamsters that don't realize that's a door, or just crash into it. This one would pause the ball purposefully to see if you'd let her through it.

jaunte Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:40:49pm

re: #1 Gang of One

You must be over the target when you start getting flak.

Or frak, or other variants.

Velvet Elvis Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:41:57pm

I came here for the opponents that aren't insane and I even agree with on some issues.

avanti Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:42:28pm

A summation of Obama's speech from a site that will be unnamed. No ODS there/:

Update: Here is my recap on his speech:

Blamed America for neglecting Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban!

Blame Bush!

We need health care!

Iraq was a success, of course he was against it.

Global Interest!

Islam is great!

It is America’s duty to give the World prosperity!

Irenicum Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:43:28pm

re: #66 NJDhockeyfan

Very cool. And amazing how intact it still is. Gotta love Lake Michigan!

Mich-again Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:43:45pm

re: #85 SanFranciscoZionist

If hamsters had IQ's, that one would be up there in the 130 range.

Idle Drifter Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:44:03pm

re: #88 avanti

A summation of Obama's speech from a site that will be unnamed. No ODS there/:

Update: Here is my recap on his speech:

Blamed America for neglecting Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban!

Blame Bush!

We need health care!

Iraq was a success, of course he was against it.

Global Interest!

Islam is great!

It is America’s duty to give the World prosperity!

You forgot Ron Paul '08!

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:44:11pm

OT
Brian David Mitchell competency hearing update:
Brian David Mitchell, absolute filth of the earth kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart, who raped her multiple times per day for months, is being called out for his outright bullsh*t routine of singing in court and claiming insanity.
Nurse: Suspect in Smart abduction faked symptoms

...
A psychiatric nurse who observed the man charged with abducting Elizabeth Smart said Tuesday she believes he faked psychiatric symptoms and behaviors to avoid prosecution and remain at a state hospital.
...
Mitchell has been diagnosed with a rare delusional disorder and was twice deemed incompetent for trial in a state criminal case.
(the biggest failing of the State of Utah for the decade in my opinion, the incompetency (of the State) infuriates me)
...

This POS needs the book thrown at him and deserves more than whatever punishment (or lack thereof) that he receives.

Google News Search Results:

TheMatrix31 Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:44:51pm

re: #88 avanti

Why do you care? Who cares?

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:45:36pm

re: #90 Mich-again

If hamsters had IQ's, that one would be up there in the 130 range.

Brains the size of sunflower seeds...but pretty bright for all that, they are.

Does your other hamster use the wheel in the usual way?

MandyManners Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:46:02pm

For those with kids and for the young at heart.

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:46:07pm

WAY OT
Google to limit free news access
[Link: news.bbc.co.uk...]

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:46:08pm

re: #92 bosforus

Google News Search Results:

Here:
[Link: news.google.com...]

Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:47:08pm

re: #72 albusteve

Hellcat pilots beat the Zero...nuff said

Look at the Zebra Mussels on it. Nasty little buggers.

cliffster Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:47:45pm

re: #95 MandyManners

God bless Mandy

100

freetoken Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:48:37pm

In probably related news:

HOFFMAN LINKS TO BIRTHER SITE IN SUPPORTER E-MAIL

In an e-mail sent to supporters earlier today, Doug Hoffman pledged to strategize for his 2010 campaign over the holidays. But the prospect already looks bleak. At the end of the e-mail, Hoffman gives his supporters an “update” on important “news” articles — prominent among them, a link to prominent “Birther” site, “Citizen Wells.”

[...]

This should put to rest any question about the fringe-ness of Hoffman.

BTW, guess who is the subject of the comments in that blog entry... heh, score one for Charles.

101

Mostly sane, most of the time. Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:48:37pm

re: #95 MandyManners

For those with kids and for the young at heart.

He's also got twitter and facebook, but the real site is the best.

102

Velvet Elvis Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:48:47pm

re: #70 Charles

I appreciate David Frum's concern, and I thought about his plea for me to come back to the right. For about two minutes.

But once you're run out of town on a rail, it's not really an attractive idea to go back to that town. Frum is dreaming if he thinks anyone is going to pull the right wing back from the ledge. They're determined to jump.

The comments to Frum's pieced pretty much prove your point.

103

Idle Drifter Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:49:19pm

re: #98 Dark_Falcon

Look at the Zebra Mussels on it. Nasty little buggers.

If only we could get the Rock Bass to eat them like they learned to eat the Goby Darters.

104

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:50:42pm

re: #95 MandyManners

For those with kids and for the young at heart.

There was this episode of Robot Chicken where Norad shoots down Santa and then declares "Mission Accomplished" at a press conference.

/oh right, for the YOUNG at heart.

105

karmic_inquisitor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:51:21pm

OT -

Here is a solid comment left on Revkin's dotEarth relating to the CRU emails.

As a long time academic I can understand the concern on all fronts over what has happened here. But I'm even more worried about how the contrarians and right wingers have jumped on this as if all the strings of decades of research fell apart

Let's take a specific example from elsewhere in Science. A few years ago synthesis of a new element was discovered. After a while, it was discovered that key data were fudged. The "discovery" was with drawn and the scientist in the middle disgraced.
Three years ago a Professor in Korea announced key steps in cloning. Again, it was disclosed that the experimental data were in part faked. the claim of cloning was withdrawn, and the Professor disgraced.
What the incidents have in common is that there was largely a single event or set of discoveries that started with key data. No key data, no event, no findings. These things also happen accidentally, when one scientist views mistakes of another and corrects them.

Now consider the opposite kind of stringency. In 1992 a team here at Lawrence Berkeley Lab (LBL) led by George Smoot discovered that the faint radiation emanating from every corner of the Universe, the so-called Black body radiation, was not uniform and isotropic, i.e., the same from all directions, but somewhat lumpy. This had enormous implications. At LBL, so we were told, Smoot offered huge prizes to anyone in his team who could shoot down the results, and they worked hard at this but the original findings were vindicated.

Or consider those "Institutes" that continually "refute" evolution by some simple argument, a factoid that evolution scientists cannot yet explain, or a change in the value of some measurement. Evolution is not "off" because there is a single factoid that cannot be explained.

Climate is not like the first two examples. There is no breakthrough measurement or experiment because the atmosphere / earth system is so complex that no one observation holds the science together. That means there is no slam dunk of detection, so to speak, but neither is there a slam dunk of refutation. Literally thousands of findings are used, a few at a time, to push the science forward. So "faking" all of the results of some experiment doesn't really invalidate the overall science.

On the other hand neither is there a single measurement or observation that makes the "slam dunk" proving that there is climate change. Instead climate science builds on tonnes of factoids, observations, simulations etc. Even the much maligned hockey-stick graph of temperature vs time is a compilation of hundreds or thousands of observations. Indeed, because there are so many observations that even a decade of a change in the trend doesn't prove or disprove anything. If the hockey-stick portrayal of the temperature record reaches back a hundred years, then a 5 to 10 year fluctuation doesn't break or make concerns about global climate change. Indeed, Prof Hansen's first real fame arose in a very warm year, 1988, but so what? Similarly, the contrarians who hopped into this column the past two winters with single-day temperatures from a city in Siberia that were low had no right to claim that climate change was turning to cooling.

so while we should welcome the investigation at East Anglia noted above, even as it may involve others, I don't think it will have much of an impact on the overall thrust of decades of climate science.

It continues - read all of it. Very well done, IMO.

106

Stuart Leviton Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:51:25pm

re: #99 cliffster

God bless Mandy

And God bless Tiny Tim.

107

avanti Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:52:08pm

re: #93 TheMatrix31

Why do you care? Who cares?

I care because I want a sane, loyal opposition at some point, and the crazy is strong right now.

108

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:52:48pm

re: #107 avanti

There's always the opposition to the left of you. You're practically the new "moderate" right wing. :p

109

NJDhockeyfan Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:53:33pm

re: #95 MandyManners

For those with kids and for the young at heart.

Thanks Mandy. For those of you who are buying toys, see this site first.

TOYS MADE IN AMERICA

110

EastSider Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:54:53pm

re: #88 avanti

A summation of Obama's speech from a site that will be unnamed. No ODS there/:

Update: Here is my recap on his speech:

Blamed America for neglecting Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban!

Blame Bush!

We need health care!

Iraq was a success, of course he was against it.

Global Interest!

Islam is great!

It is America’s duty to give the World prosperity!

I posted this downstairs.

"This speech had a few target audiences and goals.

1) Anti-war US citizens that oppose troop increases here. He had to sell them on this by reaffirming mission and setting timelines for progress. The right half are generally on board.

2) US troops. Inspire them and let them know they have CIC support to get the job done.

3) Regional players: Let them know we mean business and are committed to the theater."

I'd say your unnamed site, and many LGFers fall on the right side of the spectrum (though after yesterday, who knows). As such, you/they really weren't the audience here.

Obama's wagering that you'll dislike the speech, but approve of the substance of the action. If I'd were him, I'd gladly exchange you hating on one speech for your support of the surge. Its not like he'd be winning many of those votes over anyway.

111

akarra Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:55:54pm

I just think it's awesome news that you've gotten a large number of supportive e-mails. It's really disturbing how much craziness there is online generally, and one wonders where sane people are sometimes. It's a wonderful thing to know there are moments where they'll show up in droves.

112

cliffster Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:56:07pm

Uh oh, looks like everybody hates Palin

113

drogheda Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:56:35pm

re: #3 laZardo

Did you find any cool misspellings (e.g. "honcos") that we can turn around to use as affectionately joking nicknames?

Did that originally come from one of Charles' number one fans? That misspelling drives me nuts every time I see it as it is so glaringly wrong.

114

Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:56:35pm

re: #103 Idle Drifter

If only we could get the Rock Bass to eat them like they learned to eat the Goby Darters.

It's the Asian Crap I'm worried about right now. The Army Corps of Engineers is having to do a massive killing of fish in the Sanitary and Ship Canal to keep them from reaching Lake Michigan. I hope it works, those damn things will wreck the lake if they reach it.

115

Dancing along the light of day Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:57:07pm

re: #95 MandyManners

For those with kids and for the young at heart.

Love that Norad tracks Santa!
Thanks Mandy!
(He's headed my way! Your way too!)
Santa Claus is comming to town!

You being nice???
Yeah, YOU!

116

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:58:07pm

re: #107 avanti

I care because I want a sane, loyal opposition at some point, and the crazy is strong right now.

It's comforting for elections to be "I hope my guy/gal wins, but we get a good electee either way", more often than they are "If we don't win, I'm moving to Micronesia".

117

Soccermom Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:58:15pm

Keep the faith, Charles. All the hateful stuff is just hateful. Sticks and stones, as my mother used to say.

118

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:58:16pm

re: #113 drogheda

Probably. But it's the misspelling (intentional or not) that makes it so fun. :D

119

Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:58:36pm

re: #112 cliffster

Uh oh, looks like everybody hates Palin

"Everybody Hate's Palin" sounds like a TV show. It could be a hit, actually. We could get Walter to direct it and Cato could star in it!

120

Idle Drifter Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:59:41pm

re: #114 Dark_Falcon

It's the Asian Crap I'm worried about right now. The Army Corps of Engineers is having to do a massive killing of fish in the Sanitary and Ship Canal to keep them from reaching Lake Michigan. I hope it works, those damn things will wreck the lake if they reach it.

Yeah, those are the bastards that like to leap out of the water at the first sign of motor craft moving through the water. Many have been injured by these "flying" carp.

Youtube Video

121

jaunte Tue, Dec 1, 2009 8:59:50pm

re: #112 cliffster

Uh oh, looks like everybody hates Palin

Proof that the nation is not broke yet.

122

avanti Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:00:15pm

re: #108 laZardo

There's always the opposition to the left of you. You're practically the new "moderate" right wing. :p

If there was room for a social lib, I could be.

123

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:00:23pm

re: #118 laZardo

Probably. But it's the misspelling (intentional or not) that makes it so fun. :D

I'm actually not sure what intent was. I suspect 'honcho', but it doesn't make much sense in the context of the original statement.

Doesn't matter. We're honcos now.

124

albusteve Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:01:20pm

re: #107 avanti

I care because I want a sane, loyal opposition at some point, and the crazy is strong right now.

I want a sane, loyal president...to hell with the opposition, look in a mirror amigo

125

laZardo Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:02:32pm

Gonna get lunch. Brb.

126

jaunte Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:02:56pm

The hamsters are still having a hard scrabble.

127

Neutral President Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:03:31pm

re: #123 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm actually not sure what intent was. I suspect 'honcho', but it doesn't make much sense in the context of the original statement.

Doesn't matter. We're honcos now.

The original context was a badly garbled (I hesitate to call it this) sentence which was implying we have Zionist Honchos in AIPAC/Israeli who control or direct us. At least that's what I got out of it after a few attempts with my Douchebag to English translator.

128

avanti Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:05:24pm

re: #124 albusteve

I want a sane, loyal president...to hell with the opposition, look in a mirror amigo

You must know I think BHO is both sane and loyal, just as Bush was, and Mccain could have been.

129

Idle Drifter Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:06:30pm

re: #120 Idle Drifter

These guys are bow fishing the bastards.

Youtube Video

130

arielle Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:07:30pm

I know I'm late to this latest threads (well all the threads, but I'm trying) but I'm just grateful for Charles and his blog. What's going on in the right wing is embarrassing and just shameful. Were it not for his blog, I would never know that there is all this bad craziness going on in the right. And I find the information on evolution and science and global warming to be very educational! I know there's bad craziness on the left, but so what? That's no reason to drive yourself off a cliff.

131

ghazidor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:08:07pm

Charles is happy in his mold, others want him to fit into theirs...

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life
Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
but I'm here in my mold , I am here in my mold
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no

Youtube Video

132

ghazidor Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:08:43pm

re: #131 ausador

BTW awesome performance of a classic rock tune...

133

bosforus Tue, Dec 1, 2009 9:17:52pm

Did someone say hockey?

Youtube Video

01:50 boggles my mind

134

irish rose Tue, Dec 1, 2009 10:16:25pm

Too tired tonight to engage in further conversation, just wanted to stop by and give Charles my final kudos of the day.

135

hmcl Tue, Dec 1, 2009 10:18:30pm

Charles, Only two to one in favor of your stand? Should be more. Fully behind you and my compliments on speaking out.

136

Lidane Tue, Dec 1, 2009 10:24:27pm

Me? Call me independent, and I won’t be unhappy. I have bones to pick with both sides, and big issues with the extremists on both sides.

Works for me. That's what I like to see in a blog anyway. My only complaint is that I've now got this song stuck in my head:

Youtube Video

Ah well. I'd been meaning to watch Resevoir Dogs again anyway. :)

137

ChrisPer Wed, Dec 2, 2009 1:05:04am

I applaud your opposition to craziness on teh right. Its been a big worry to see so much dribble adopted as default positions by people who apparently used to have it together, compared to the lefty moonbats.

As a Christian geologist I support your opposition to nutbag creationism.

Your generic name-calling on the 'deniers' is a bit rich though. We swing from Chicken Little alarums and generic ad homs to the unsupported reassurances of the neighbours of 'the boy who cried wolf'. Its time there was an actual debate not only on the science but benefit-cost analysis of the proposed actions.

138

freetoken Wed, Dec 2, 2009 2:18:17am

re: #137 ChrisPer

Its time there was an actual debate not only on the science but benefit-cost analysis of the proposed actions.

Don't know what you want to "debate" about the science, but don't you think the decades of research and mountains of journal articles kicking around one idea after another constitutes the real "debate" in climatology?

As for cost-benefit analyses... there have been several. On one side is Lombard et. al. and on the other Stern et. al.

It is hard to assign a "cost" to such a large scale issue, though.

139

dean_k Wed, Dec 2, 2009 3:11:47am

I didn't get a chance to comment yesterday, but I thought I'd better drop by and offer congratulations/ support/ best wishes.

I'm - broadly speaking- liberal, and find the anti-science/anti- personal freedom positions of much of the American right at the moment abhorent. It is incredibly welcome to have somewhere to come and have your faith restored in intelligent debate.

140

[deleted] Wed, Dec 2, 2009 5:25:06am

141

Wozza Matter? Wed, Dec 2, 2009 5:49:13am

re: #9 Dark_Falcon

you are also David Frum?...

142

Wozza Matter? Wed, Dec 2, 2009 6:11:09am

re: #50 Irenicum

not in public - please ;-)

143

Daniel Ballard Wed, Dec 2, 2009 6:33:31am

With you 100% here Charles. Indy and looking for political leadership, that can prove its on track.

To the candidates who will be on my radar, then my ballot-SHOW ME.

144

William of Orange Wed, Dec 2, 2009 8:03:44am

The "American Power" website (no link, I won't fall for that one again) posts 26 links to the this famous statement of rightwing blogs ranting about it.

Indeed, Charles has become a voice of reason.

145

Sharmuta Wed, Dec 2, 2009 8:07:55am

re: #144 William of Orange

Indeed, Charles has become a voice of reason.

Correction: Charles always was a voice of reason.

146

Kytan Wed, Dec 2, 2009 8:37:58am

I must say, I agree with what you've done. I've thought it's been silly/scary that the right wing is responding to there being liberals by being MORE "conservative" than less so. Right now, they seem to be somewhere in the 1700s.

Us over at Tigerhawk aren't conspiracy theorists, we aren't bigoted towards anyone, our bloggers at least aren't creationists and don't try to shove anything like that down anyone's throats...you have a friend in us :)

147

Obdicut Wed, Dec 2, 2009 8:42:22am

re: #146 Kytan

Except for all that climate change denial I'm seeing over there, after a quick look at that site.

Looks like you're propagating the worst of the "CRU destroyed data" crap that Charles has done such a good job of fighting here.

148

S.D. Wed, Dec 2, 2009 10:00:31am

While I don't always agree with your stand on certain issues, I have to say that you deserve Kudos for speaking your mind and objecting to certain things, knowing that doing so with examples would open you up for attack.

Reading several posts, I have to say I like the dialog you bring up, even when I do disagree.

149

wrenchwench Wed, Dec 2, 2009 10:06:00am

re: #148 S.D.

Welcome, hatchling.

150

Gelly Wed, Dec 2, 2009 11:36:22am

re: #137 ChrisPer

Cost/benefit analysis? I assume you want it in economic terms only, right? Well, I'm pretty sure that most of the East Coast and the entire Gulf Coast (including all of Florida) becoming part of the ocean would have an enormously greater negative economic impact than any attempt to limit emissions possibly could. And that's just the impact on the US alone, though I'm assuming you don't care about its effects on the other countries.

151

celticdragon Wed, Dec 2, 2009 2:49:49pm

re: #64 Killgore Trout

That.

Spy Mode Auto

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