Wired: LGF’s Shift Away From Conservatism Reflected in Linking Behavior

Ya think?
LGF • Views: 26,414

I’m being analyzed quite dispassionately from afar, with the cold eye of science, in an article at Wired on using data from the Memeorandum automated aggregator: Memeorandum Colors 2012: Visualizing Bias on Political Blogs.

Along with this release, we now have four years of historical activity to work with. The collected scores are on Google Fusion Tables, and I’ve included a dump of the activity in Github.

Looking at historical activity can reveal some interesting trends, especially in how attitudes have shifted since the last election.

For example, Little Green Footballs is a long-running political weblog started by Charles Johnson, a web developer who aligned himself with the conservative right wing after the World Trade Center attacks. In late 2009, he publicly parted ways with the right.

That shift away from conservatism was reflected in his linking behavior at least a year before his public statement. If you look at the timeline below, you can see that Johnson started linking to a wider variety of stories outside the conservative conversation, until his activity was mostly neutral in early 2010. Now, his activity tends neutral but slightly favors articles popular in the liberal blogosphere.

Well, hey! I could have told you that if you’d asked.

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138 comments
1 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:52:56pm

Yes, they could have asked. But this way is more fun! :)

2 nines09  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:53:37pm

In other words you had the common sense to jump from the train before it went off the tracks. I thank you for that Charles.

3 EdDantes  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:55:08pm

"That shift away from conservatism was reflected in his linking behavior at least a year before his public statement."

That was apparent to those of us who were reading this blog at the time.

4 gummitch  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:55:18pm

Science?! Ack! Counting is just a theory, damnit.

5 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:56:39pm

Started closely reading and noticed the shift long before the "part with the right" post too. IIRC (and I may be wrong here) LGF's vector was directed fully away from the right in ca Sep. 2009.

6 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:59:42pm

re: #5 Capricious Casserole of Calamity

Started closely reading and noticed the shift long before the "part with the right" post too. IIRC (and I may be wrong here) LGF's vector was directed fully away from the right at ca Sep. 2009.

There was still strong conservative argument over Obamacare legislation. The real shift I saw started with KT on the Teaparties, and ended when SpaceJesus made 0 karma.

7 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 6:59:47pm
Seeing each site’s potential bias provides the context for understanding how news is spread. Right-leaning blogs are eager to point out new evidence that George Zimmerman was hurt the day he shot Trayvon Martin, but left-leaning blogs aren’t covering that story. Likewise, only left-leaning news sites appear to be covering the news of Ted Nugent’s threatening remarks to the president, but conservative blogs aren’t. This visualization also makes it easy to spot outliers, the sources that are breaking away from their past behavior to link to something beyond their usual circle.

My Fox News insider email usually lets me know when their big story is the War On Something We Think Our Viewers LIke.

8 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:01:59pm

Irrelevancy Watch!

9 William Barnett-Lewis  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:03:42pm

2009 is when I hatched. It was an interesting time to be a lefty hatchling.

10 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:04:16pm
Using singular value decomposition, the linear algebra at the heart of your Netflix recommendations, we reduced the entire matrix of blogger-to-article relationships to a single dimension.

I recognize all of those words but I have no idea what that means.

11 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:04:21pm

One of the things that has improved over time with LGF is the wide variety of linked stories available here.

12 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:05:42pm

re: #11 jaunte

One of the things that has improved over time with LGF is the wide variety of linked stories available here.

The concept of Pages really did the trick.

13 JRCMYP  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:08:42pm

I asked Charles to let me in spontaneously--not during an open wave. It was sometime after Obama was elected, I think, but I'd been lurking before then. I relied on his neutral commentary during the elections. Thanks Charles for being a sane political voice.

14 darthstar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:11:28pm
15 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:12:24pm

re: #13 JRCMYP

I asked Charles to let me in spontaneously--not during an open wave. It was sometime after Obama was elected, I think, but I'd been lurking before then. I relied on his neutral commentary during the elections. Thanks Charles for being a sane political voice.

I just sneaked in through the bathroom window.

16 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:13:54pm

It's nice when science backs up one's own perceptions. It gives one hope that said perceptions might be sensible in areas where science doesn't often tread.

17 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:15:08pm

I only started reading blogs about 10 months before the 08 election, and made a crude pile stratified L-R. LGF was about half-way between neutral and R, just to the right of Frum. (Kos and Freep were the limits.) After the election, this was the only site I joined, and quit reading most others until the cycle started up again for 2012.

18 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:16:54pm

re: #15 b_sharp

I just signed up on impulse. Didn't do it during a notable open registering time.

19 Stanghazi  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:17:06pm

It used to be really weird. But we got the drift that was a coming.

20 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:19:17pm

re: #18 ProGunLiberal

I just signed up on impulse. Didn't do it during a notable open registering time.

I was led here by the Sensuous Curmudgeon a buddy of mine from another blog.

21 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:20:53pm

re: #20 b_sharp

The Intelligent Design arguments created an eye-opening divide here.

22 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:20:58pm

Lies! Little Green Dirtballs is not a liberal blog but instead a totalitarian Communist blog! They are insignificant and will soon fall! Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back on Twitter to create another account so I can follow Charles's every word and watch his every move!

23 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:22:16pm
24 Henchman Ghazi-808  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:22:16pm

This blog was the right place at the right time for me Charles. Deep mahalos.

The fact that's it's a technically cool blog on top of that is just gravy.

25 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:22:58pm

re: #22 Gus

Be wary of gazing too long into the derp...

26 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:23:51pm

re: #24 Kronocide

This blog was the right place at the right time for me Charles. Deep mahalos.

The fact that's it's a technically cool blog on top of that is just gravy.

Yes--setting aside its content entirely, it's the most readable blog I've hit.

27 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:26:28pm

Dear God. This is trending on Twitter: #ObamaDogRecipes

28 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:27:10pm

re: #21 jaunte

The Intelligent Design arguments created an eye-opening divide here.

I can imagine.
I started out at the talk.origins news group and several related forums, then went to help a buddy from there who was pummelling a few creationist know-nothings at Freeperville. About 40 scientists and science literate laypeople were either banned from FR or left when the stupidity became overly toxic. We created a forum called Darwin Central, which I'm sad to say has become nothing more than FR lite. There are a couple of moderates from DC here.

29 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:28:01pm

re: #27 Gus

I'm scared to look. What is going on in there?

30 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:29:26pm

The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the dog War has
Bad news: Obama used to eat dog meat
Thankfully there are no serious issues facing the country. Dogs and wives are our most pressing issues.
Instead of elections maybe Mrs. Romney and Mrs Obama could just jello wrestle for it. Winner takes all.

31 darthstar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:29:30pm

re: #29 ProGunLiberal

I'm scared to look. What is going on in there?

4chan for twitter

32 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:30:27pm

re: #27 Gus

Dear God. This is trending on Twitter: #ObamaDogRecipes

Here we go. More aggressively stupid GOP projection, accusing Obama of dog abuse to distract from Seamus-on-the-roof Mitt.

33 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:30:44pm

re: #27 Gus

Dear God. This is trending on Twitter: #ObamaDogRecipes

The Seamus story was hurting Romney so much, the GOP forced one of their operatives to read Obama's book.

34 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:31:01pm

re: #27 Gus

Dear God. This is trending on Twitter: #ObamaDogRecipes

Yeah, I just noticed that too. The great circle derp keeps on turning. I really think we're all getting exponentially dumber every minute.

35 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:31:12pm

re: #33 jaunte

The Seamus story was hurting Romney so much, the GOP forced one of their operatives to read Obama's book.

Ha! That's funny.

36 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:31:22pm

re: #30 Killgore Trout

The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the dog War has
Bad news: Obama used to eat dog meat
Thankfully there are no serious issues facing the country. Dogs and wives are our most pressing issues.
Instead of elections maybe Mrs. Romney and Mrs Obama could just jello wrestle for it. Winner takes all.

Pretty sure the kids and I have eaten kao-gi. Would again if I had to.

37 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:31:37pm

re: #34 Killgore Trout

Yeah, I just noticed that too. The great circle derp keeps on turning. I really think we're all getting exponentially dumber every minute.

Sorry. Not buying into your narrative. Don't compare me to those scumbags. Thanks.

38 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:32:08pm

re: #30 Killgore Trout

Yellow journalists gonna yellow journal.

39 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:32:56pm

re: #36 Decatur Deb

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

40 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:33:38pm

re: #39 ProGunLiberal

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

Yes.

It's a huge non-issue.

41 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:33:42pm

re: #36 Decatur Deb

Pretty sure the kids and I have eaten kao-gi. Would again if I had to.

I've eaten cat, elephant, probably dog and rats too. Some of it intentionally, others not. It's what happens when your travel.

42 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:34:01pm

What's in your pink slime?

43 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:34:08pm

re: #37 Gus

Sorry. Not buying into your narrative. Don't compare me to those scumbags. Thanks.

You're welcome

44 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:34:15pm

re: #39 ProGunLiberal

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

No harm--it's just a group hug for the politically desperate.

45 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:34:20pm

re: #40 b_sharp

We such a nation of dog-lovers lovers though. That makes me worry.

46 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:34:54pm

re: #41 Killgore Trout

I've eaten cat, elephant, probably dog and rats too. Some of it intentionally, others not. It's what happens when your travel.

You'd have to be incredibly provincial and naive to worry about eating exotic foods.

47 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:35:01pm

re: #44 Decatur Deb

No harm--it's just a group hug for the politically desperate.

Squaresville's gotta fun.

48 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:35:22pm

re: #30 Killgore Trout

The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the dog War has
Bad news: Obama used to eat dog meat
Thankfully there are no serious issues facing the country. Dogs and wives are our most pressing issues.
Instead of elections maybe Mrs. Romney and Mrs Obama could just jello wrestle for it. Winner takes all.

Revenge for all the fuss over Seamus and the car trip.

I'm going to guess, for the record, that John McCain's probably eaten dog at some point. And while, dog lover that I am, that squicks me the hell out...uh...it's not like he served it at the White House.

49 darthstar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:35:31pm

re: #39 ProGunLiberal

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

President Obama won't get tanked by something this silly. It will be something far more silly and timed to take to the media around the middle of October.

50 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:35:34pm

re: #39 ProGunLiberal

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

Yes.
Si.
Da.
Ne.
Hai.
Ja.
Oui.

51 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:36:00pm

re: #39 ProGunLiberal

Am I wrong for thinking this could tank Obama?

I think so. It's really a total non-troversay. I mean I love dogs and have had them for most of my life but I am not going to think someone is unfit to be president because he may have eaten dog once. I've eaten jellyfish before. Does that make anyone here think any less of me? I know eating dog is taboo and I understand why but it's not something that should make someone be seen as unworthy of being president.

52 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:36:01pm

re: #46 b_sharp

Unfortuately, that's the problem. The US is full provincial minded and naive people.

53 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:36:04pm

re: #33 jaunte

The Seamus story was hurting Romney so much, the GOP forced one of their operatives to read Obama's book.

What's the real story behind this? HateAired version probably contains heaps of lies & distortions, so don't want to bother with it.

54 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:36:14pm

re: #46 b_sharp

You'd have to be incredibly provincial and naive to worry about eating exotic foods.

Cultural taboos run deep.

55 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:36:54pm

re: #41 Killgore Trout

I've eaten cat, elephant, probably dog and rats too. Some of it intentionally, others not. It's what happens when your travel.

I hate it when the host gets vague and loses his excellent English skills.

56 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:37:15pm

Shit it's not even new news even. Really Hotair? I know you're desperate to make Romney look like less of a jerk for Seamus but that's just pathetic.

57 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:37:18pm

re: #51 HappyWarrior

I think so. It's really a total non-troversay. I mean I love dogs and have had them for most of my life but I am not going to think someone is unfit to be president because he may have eaten dog once. I've eaten jellyfish before. Does that make anyone here think any less of me? I know eating dog is taboo and I understand why but it's not something that should make someone be seen as unworthy of being president.

I'm from San Francisco, so while jellyfish is trayf, it's an entirely normal food in my mind.

58 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:37:36pm

re: #45 ProGunLiberal

We such a nation of dog-lovers lovers though. That makes me worry.

Humans historically eat anything. Anyone who has watched the news, and understood what they were watching, or watched non-American movies knows this.

59 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:37:54pm

re: #57 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm from San Francisco, so while jellyfish is trayf, it's an entirely normal food in my mind.

I'd list it as the weirdest thing I've ever eaten.

60 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:38:01pm

Was the dog tenderized by being put atop a car in a carrier before serving?

//

61 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:38:17pm

re: #53 Interesting Times

Dreams from My Father, chapter 2:

“With Lolo, I learned how to eat small green chill peppers raw with dinner (plenty of rice), and, away from the dinner table, I was introduced to dog meat (tough), snake meat (tougher), and roasted grasshopper (crunchy). Like many Indonesians, Lolo followed a brand of Islam that could make room for the remnants of more ancient animist and Hindu faiths. He explained that a man took on the powers of whatever he ate: One day soon, he promised, he would bring home a piece of tiger meat for us to share.”

62 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:38:47pm

re: #57 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm from San Francisco, so while jellyfish is trayf, it's an entirely normal food in my mind.

Sea Cucumbers make lousy relish.

63 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:38:51pm

re: #55 Decatur Deb

I hate it when the host get vague and loses his excellent English skills.

Friend of mine--the one who coined the phrase "trafedick-o-rama"--worked in Shanghai for a year or two. She stopped asking 'what is this?', because the answer was always, "A local speciality! You must try it."

64 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:38:55pm

re: #46 b_sharp

You'd have to be incredibly provincial and naive to worry about eating exotic foods.

I grew up in a foreign service family. You learned pretty quickly to eat whatever's in front of you because whatever you find next probably isn't going to be any better. We used to order snails at our local eatery on the outskirts of athens for the sole purpose of watching the cook leave the kitchen to gather snails from the empty lot next door.

65 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:39:38pm

re: #64 Killgore Trout

We used to order snails at our local eatery on the outskirts of athens for the sole purpose of watching the cook leave the kitchen to gather snails from the empty lot next door.

Free range!! I hope you tipped well.

/

66 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:39:57pm

re: #52 ProGunLiberal

Unfortuately, that's the problem. The US is full provincial minded and naive people.

Don't worry about it. Of all the rwnj outrageous outrages possible this is the nuttiest.

67 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:40:47pm

Here's what it's really like in a dog kennel strapped to the roof of a car on a freeway.

68 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:41:30pm
away from the dinner table, I was introduced to dog meat

Just doesn't have the same responsibility resonance as taking credit for your resourcefulness in strapping your family pet to the roof of the car, washing his panic-poop off with a hose, then air-drying him on the roof for the rest of the trip.

69 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:41:33pm

re: #66 b_sharp

Don't worry about it. Of all the rwnj outrageous outrages possible this is the nuttiest.

They'll top it. They always top themselves.

70 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:41:54pm

re: #54 SanFranciscoZionist

Cultural taboos run deep.

That's true, but as a taboo this one's a little thin.

71 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:42:09pm

re: #66 b_sharp

Don't worry about it. Of all the rwnj outrageous outrages possible this is the nuttiest.

Nah, the attempt to freak people out about Obama's trans nanny was the nuttiest. This is just desperate.

72 darthstar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:43:13pm

re: #67 Charles Johnson

Here's what it's really like in a dog kennel strapped to the roof of a car on a freeway.

[Embedded content]

Okay...I thought I could watch all two minutes in full screen mode, but couldn't.

73 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:43:25pm

re: #70 b_sharp

That's true, but as a taboo this one's a little thin.

Indeed. Like Killgore noted, anybody who's ever served overseas or has been overseas themselves will not be all that surprised by the thought of eating dog meat. Hell, there are parts of the world where "meat on a stick" is a local "delicacy." The truly smart folks don't ask what kind of meat it is or where it came from.

74 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:43:58pm

re: #69 HappyWarrior

They'll top it. They always top themselves.

Could Free Market Baby Jesus construct a fake outrage so base and silly that even he could find it vapid and unworthy of misspelled internet vitriol?

75 Gus  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:44:14pm

re: #43 Killgore Trout

You're welcome

Twitchy.

76 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:45:13pm

re: #70 b_sharp

That's true, but as a taboo this one's a little thin.

It's not a dealbreaker, no, but it's a thing.

Now, if Obama was selling wild horses to the French for food, that would really make people hysterical. Nothing makes people from the Western states crazier, even though I'm not sure it ever actually happened.

77 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:45:39pm

Since a lot of people are talking about their respective hatchings, I was only sorta aware that LGF existed for the most part. I heard it mentioned a few times at the other political blog I did read (Washington Monthly) when Charles' "Why I parted ways with the right" post drew their attention.

I decided to take a look myself and found it interesting enough to stay...

78 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:45:44pm

re: #67 Charles Johnson

Here's what it's really like in a dog kennel strapped to the roof of a car on a freeway.

[Embedded content]

Lies! Romney has made it quite clear that Seamus' kennel was airtight, which makes it kind and humane or something!

79 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:47:07pm

re: #78 Oblivious Troll

Who makes airtight travel kennels?

80 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:47:53pm

re: #79 jaunte

Who makes airtight travel kennels?

The Russian version of NASA.

81 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:47:58pm

re: #79 jaunte

Who makes airtight travel kennels?

Bain Capital? Sorry I couldn't resist.

82 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:48:02pm

re: #79 jaunte

Who makes airtight travel kennels?

Only one man knows, I guess...

83 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:48:28pm

re: #78 Oblivious Troll

Lies! Romney has made it quite clear that Seamus' kennel was airtight, which makes it kind and humane or something!

It insures he can deeply breath in the scent of his own terror shit for the entire ride!

84 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:48:52pm

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

85 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:49:01pm

re: #73 Targetpractice

Indeed. Like Killgore noted, anybody who's ever served overseas or has been overseas themselves will not be all that surprised by the thought of eating dog meat. Hell, there are parts of the world where "meat on a stick" is a local "delicacy." The truly smart folks don't ask what kind of meat it is or where it came from.

Some of the tweets were calling Obama eating a dog, dog abuse. I suspect most of them think nothing of eating beef, pork or chicken.
Cow abuse!!11!

86 darthstar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:49:15pm

re: #78 Oblivious Troll

Lies! Romney has made it quite clear that Seamus' kennel was airtight, which makes it kind and humane or something!

Yes, but it apparently wasn't shit-tight, as that leaked right out of it.

87 erik_t  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:50:18pm

re: #84 Oblivious Troll

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

I just have to struggle so, so, so very badly to care about either.

There could be a thousand 24/7 news channels and I still think they could find better things to talk about.

(while we're at it, it isn't.)

88 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:50:34pm

re: #84 Oblivious Troll

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

Easy the people who posted have the maturity level of 12 year olds.

89 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:51:41pm

re: #84 Oblivious Troll

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

Bizarro World.

90 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:52:15pm

re: #87 erik_t

I just have to struggle so, so, so very badly to care about either.

There could be a thousand 24/7 news channels and I still think they could find better things to talk about.

(while we're at it, it isn't.)

It only has the trappings of a meaningful and relevant topic of conversation after the 3 or 4 days we spent on Hilary Rosen...

91 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:52:39pm

I am surprised Hot Air didn't accuse Obama of torturing the dog and then laughing evilly while doing so.

92 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:52:47pm

re: #87 erik_t

I just have to struggle so, so, so very badly to care about either.

There could be a thousand 24/7 news channels and I still think they could find better things to talk about.

(while we're at it, it isn't.)

the last thing news channels want to do is talk about news! Villagers gotta get paid

93 Kragar  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:53:16pm

re: #84 Oblivious Troll

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

I've eaten dog when I was in Korea, and what Mitt did was fucked up.

94 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:53:21pm

re: #89 b_sharp

Bizarro World.

Goodbye , me am Rom Mitney, me love Obamacare, Obama me number one greastest friend!

95 The Questionable Timing of a Flea  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:54:51pm

re: #84 Oblivious Troll

Also, in what universe is eating a piece of an already dead dog as bad as what Mitt did?

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

96 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:55:56pm

re: #95 The Ghost of a Flea

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

Oh, just say it - it's Un-American!

97 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:56:19pm

re: #95 The Ghost of a Flea

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

So is universal health care, apparently.

98 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:56:27pm

re: #95 The Ghost of a Flea

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

It has nothing to do with the ethics...it's that eating dog is foreign.

99 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:56:37pm

re: #96 b_sharp

Oh, just say it - it's Un-American!

That too.

100 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:56:55pm

re: #96 b_sharp

Oh, just say it - it's Un-American!

Almost Kenyan in its depravity.

101 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:57:07pm

re: #97 Targetpractice

So is universal health care, apparently.

Yes, but thinking about universal health care doesn't make me queasy.

102 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:58:05pm

re: #98 SanFranciscoZionist

It has nothing to do with the ethics...it's that eating dog is foreign.

And probably evidence of an anti-colonial mindset.

103 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:58:43pm

re: #102 jaunte

And probably evidence of an anti-colonial mindset.

And proof of Alinsky tactics. It's right there in Rules For Radicals.

104 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:59:21pm

re: #103 HappyWarrior

And proof of Alinsky tactics. It's right there in Rules For Radicals.

It's a COOKBOOK!!1!

105 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:59:29pm

re: #101 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes, but thinking about universal health care doesn't make me queasy.

I love dogs, I grew up with them, my mother owned a kennel. I like dogs more than I like most people.

That said, the idea of others eating dog doesn't make me feel queasy, but it does make me sad.

106 jaunte  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 7:59:44pm
107 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:00:04pm

Brace yourselves
Image: 9644476.jpg

108 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:00:08pm

re: #93 Kragar

I've eaten dog when I was in Korea, and what Mitt did was fucked up.

Good point. People eat cow & chicken products all the time, but you still see complaints over inhumane treatment, transportation conditions included.

109 The Questionable Timing of a Flea  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:00:10pm

re: #103 HappyWarrior

And proof of Alinsky tactics. It's right there in Rules For Radicals.

Chapter 9: Celebrate Leftist Media Conspiracy with a traditional Kenyan Marxist Dog Roast (with arugala).

110 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:00:41pm

re: #8 Shvaughn

Irrelevancy Watch!

Yes, Charles is irrelevant, which is why wingnuts waste so much time with "takedowns" of him and the posting of obscene attacks upon him, with a truly vile cartoon on Rodan's "Diary of Daedalus" hate blog being the latest example.

111 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:01:23pm

re: #106 jaunte

33 Animals Who Are Extremely Disappointed In You

23 is my favorite. Funny stuff.

112 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:01:42pm

re: #95 The Ghost of a Flea

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

What did he do? I got here late.

113 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:01:48pm

I found a Republican I could like from the last century: William Alden Smith.

During the investigation, Smith wanted to press the point about the lessons of the Titanic disaster, at one point stating, "What this nation needs is a severe lesson that will strengthen the pillars of its faith. We are running mad with the lures of wealth, of power, and of business. We are setting society into castes, with the forces of wealth and power on one side and destitution and poverty on the other. It takes a terrible warning to bring us back to our moorings, and to our senses."

114 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:01:51pm

re: #109 The Ghost of a Flea

Chapter 9: Celebrate Leftist Media Conspiracy with a traditional Kenyan Marxist Dog Roast (with arugala).

Ha yes!

115 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:01:56pm

re: #109 The Ghost of a Flea

Chapter 9: Celebrate Leftist Media Conspiracy with a traditional Kenyan Marxist Dog Roast (with arugala).

You had to do it, didn't you? You just had to mention - arugala -.
Now we're toast.

116 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:03:07pm

re: #112 Dark_Falcon

What did he do? I got here late.

Obama ate a dog as a child while living in Indonesia. He wrote about in Dreams of My Father. Hot Air thinks that this is the issue that will finally sink him. When it's just partisan hackery.

117 The Questionable Timing of a Flea  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:03:30pm

re: #112 Dark_Falcon

What did he do? I got here late.

HotAir has got up an article about the bombshell that as a kid in Indonesia, the president ate dog meat.

It's become a Twitter thing.

118 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:03:49pm

This is going to degenerate into a leafy-vegetable-pun thread. 'Nite, All.

119 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:04:03pm

re: #113 ProGunLiberal

It also helps that he was cognizant and competent enough to start the investigation into the sinking the moment the Carpathia into NYC. The hearings were held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

He prevented any survivor or someone involved in the disaster or rescue from leaving NYC until hearings were over.

120 The Questionable Timing of a Flea  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:06:08pm

re: #118 Decatur Deb

This is going to degenerate into a leafy-vegetable-pun thread. 'Nite, All.

Rules for Radicchio.

...you made me do this.

121 Decatur Deb  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:06:50pm

re: #120 The Ghost of a Flea

Rules for Radicchio.

Damn.

122 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:07:29pm

re: #95 The Ghost of a Flea

It's not just the ethics, it's that eating dog is foreign.

If I took this a little more seriously I'd take a look at all the Frenchy things Mitt re: #120 The Ghost of a Flea

Rules for Radicchio.

Lettuce do without the puns, mmkay?

123 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:07:37pm

re: #117 The Ghost of a Flea

HotAir has got up an article about the bombshell that as a kid in Indonesia, the president ate dog meat.

It's become a Twitter thing.

Why would anyone think this a 'bombshell'? It's a nothing.

124 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:08:43pm

re: #123 Dark_Falcon

Why would anyone think this a 'bombshell'? It's a nothing.

It's a bombshell that Obama cleverly hid in his book many many years ago.

125 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:10:09pm

re: #119 ProGunLiberal

The survivors were in port on April 18th.

April 19th, Senator Smith started the investigation.

May 28th, the report on the disaster comes out, recommending reforms. These reforms are enacted.

126 The Questionable Timing of a Flea  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:12:41pm

re: #123 Dark_Falcon

Why would anyone think this a 'bombshell'? It's a nothing.

It's HotAir, if it seems like it will hurt the Pres, they view it as fair game. It's also explicitly retaliation for the "dog mounted in a carrier atop the car" thing that people have circulated about Romney.

The fine details, like Obama being a kid who didn't actually butcher a dog, of course, don't matter.

127 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:17:29pm

re: #125 ProGunLiberal

The survivors were in port on April 18th.

April 19th, Senator Smith started the investigation.

May 28th, the report on the disaster comes out, recommending reforms. These reforms are enacted.

Back then a senator could afford to focus on the facts at hearings. Today its mostly grandstanding for the cameras as the critical thing has become getting out the sound bites you want FNC or MSNBC (whichever one you cater to) to show that night. The hearing nowadays seems of second import compared to the appearance on Sean Hannity or Chris Matthews' shows.

128 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:17:39pm

re: #115 b_sharp

You had to do it, didn't you? You just had to mention - arugala -.
Now we're toast.

I have some arugula in my fridge.

129 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:18:31pm

re: #123 Dark_Falcon

Why would anyone think this a 'bombshell'? It's a nothing.

You know what the wingnuts are like.

Also, revenge for people criticizing Romney over the dog-on-car thing.

130 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:19:47pm

re: #127 Dark_Falcon

But he did grandstand. For example, he played dumb about the purpose of watertight compartments. Wikipedia has a summary as to why:

Smith's subcommittee issued a report on May 28 that led to significant reforms in international maritime safety. Smith achieved some notoriety for being more colorful than knowledgeable, even being called "Watertight Smith" by the British press for asking whether watertight compartments, actually meant to keep the ship afloat, were meant to shelter passengers. In his book on the investigation "The Other Side of the Night" Daniel Allen Butler notes that Smith had toured Titanic's sister RMS Olympic and knew full well what the watertight bulkheads did, but understood that the general public might not. Other questions were intended to force the officers and crew to answer in simple terms and not attempt to obfuscate with technical jargon.

Grandstanding isn't awful, it just has to be done correctly. Above is how you do it.

131 CuriousLurker  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:20:01pm

I installed the Memorandum add-on. Interesting to see the color coding.

I knew LGF had changed significantly by the time I registered in April 2010, but I still kinda felt like I was venturing into the belly of the beast, heh.

As you guys know, I lurked for months prior to registering. It was the observation that Charles always keeps a close eye on things and steps in when people get out of hand that made me decide to give it a shot. I've never regretted it.

132 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:21:28pm

re: #127 Dark_Falcon

The British were more than a little pissed we held on to their citizens for the 10 days it took to get testimony. The British thought they had first dibs on an investigation, and thought Smith was upstaging them.

133 A Sockpuppet's Sockpuppet  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:24:59pm

re: #128 SanFranciscoZionist

I have some arugula in my fridge.

I have no idea what arugula even tastes like.

134 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 8:34:34pm

re: #132 ProGunLiberal

The British were more than a little pissed we held on to their citizens for the 10 days it took to get testimony. The British thought they had first dibs on an investigation, and thought Smith was upstaging them.

He like was. It bears remembering that many Americans of that time did not like the UK that much, and many Irish-Americans (an important demographic in 1912, it was an election year) actively hated the UK for it continued hold on Ireland. And upstaging the UK was meant to carve out a place for the US on the world stage.

135 ssn697  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 9:02:13pm

What is funny is the right wing crazies who now hate LGF would NEVER admit the site is mostly neutral. If a site doesn't hate on (insert any non white christian group here) these days, it is a "liberal" site.

136 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 17, 2012 10:05:34pm

re: #135 ssn697

I'm not a right-wing crazy and I say with full responsibility that LGF is a liberal site.

137 hellosnackbar  Wed, Apr 18, 2012 6:14:05pm

Basically lgf has held a daily debate based on that sometime sparse commodity common sense.
It's discussion of a lot of Charles Johnson's opposition to right wingers who are just plain daft!
I don't agree with him on some very minor issues but on major issues he's
sometimes quite inspired.

138 Flavia  Wed, Apr 18, 2012 11:09:06pm

re: #15 b_sharp

I just sneaked in through the bathroom window.

Protected by a silver spoon?


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