|
Comments, Love Letters, and Death Threats
Comment Archive 1
The posts below were made from February 12, 2000 through September 7, 2001.
(To make a post, please visit the main comment page.)
Name: Michael Flint
E-mail: free2subj@yahoo.com
Subject: Microsoft and Consumer Interest
Website: www.geocities.com/free2subj/
In response to your 'Microsoft Top 10'...
All legal, technical, and political arguements aside, the basic consideration regarding Microsoft is consumer interest. Microsoft has repeatedly pronounced in its various PR campaigns, both inside and outside the courtroom, that it is working on behalf of consumers. However, this claim falls far short of being believable.
(Long, boring, technical post cut by editor. So much for "all technical arguments aside.")
Discussions on the legal, technical, and political aspects of the ongoing case are worthwhile, but, more often than not, they simply serve to cloud the fact that Microsoft's claims of operating on behalf of consumers border on the ludicrous.
Editor's note: Before you lost yourself amidst your non-essential arguments about middleware, Java, and everything else but the kitchen sink, you made a valid point: that it's ridiculous for Microsoft to claim to be working for the sake of consumers. You are right. Microsoft, along with Bill Gates, are clueless about how to defend themselves. They should just tell people like you that it's their company, and to stay the hell out of their business. Instead, they try to appease people like you who think that Microsoft has some kind of moral obligation to people who run Geocities websites that critique Microsoft. So, you are right: Microsoft is full of shit in this respect. But you still have no right to put your hands on their products. That is, unless you pay for them. (JR)
9/7/01 00:18:57
EST
Name: Nik
E-mail: butt3rflykiss3s@yahoo.com
Subject: Save your own children...
We are doing a research project for my speech class on movie sensorship, and this article helped me greatly. One part of the project is an opinonated essay, and this article gave me more arguments for opinons I already had, and made me realize things I hadn't thought of. I am impressed.
Editor's note: Feedback doesn't get much better. Thanks for letting me know, and I'm glad the article was helpful to you. (JR)
9/3/01 14:52:14
Name: El Bandito
Subject: Typos
JR -
Oh, fuck you. You misspelled "monkeys" as "monkies" two posts down, dipshit. If you want me to start tallying errata on this site, fine. I'll add it to the running tab with your specious reasoning and blatant factual inaccuracies.
Editor's note: Thanks for catching my misspelling. As repayment, I've corrected your spelling of "imagine" and removed my sarcastic comment about it. However, your spelling of "firthermore" in your last post is somewhat funny, so you'll have to live with that one. (JR)
9/2/01 11:37:21
Name: El Bandito
Subject: Moms who get it
JR,
Seriously - can you imagine being a rock band and starting out with dreams of being the next Beatles, the next Ramones, what have you, and the farthest you ever get is some sad sack J.C. Penny song? Can you imagine trying to pick up chicks with that? "Yeah, baby, that Diet Pepsi jingle, the one that goes dat-dat-dat-dat-daaaa? Yeah. That's all me, Baby." Firthermore, as a hideously deformed American, I demand that companies begin manufacturing a third leg in their pants for my gigantic johnson.
8/30/01 11:56:17
Name: El Bandito
Subject: Semper Nox!
Okay - Several things to address. First, as I write this I'm drinking a Coca-Cola and wearing Calvin Klein jeans while running every goddamn electric appliance in the apartment. I'm not for living in caves. I'm just for producing electricity with 21st century means. Environmentalists have been pushing for hydroelectric and especially wind-based energy plants for almost two decades, not to mention hydrogen fuel cells for the past five years. But leaving aside semantics and idealogy, alternative energy makes much more sense economically. Even the most optimistic experts agree that oil production will peak in the next thirty years. And during that time we can be sure to look forward to plenty more cartel-sponsored shortages that drive gas prices through the roof. Meanwhile, the United States is blessed with a Saudi Arabia of wind that goes unused. As soon as someone attaches a hip marketing campaign to alternative energy and demonstrates how it'll make money, it'll take off like a rocket, and we'll wonder why we didn't do it sooner. It's what happened in 1913, during the worst year of coal shortages due to strikes, at which time some genius (and I use the word unironically, because at the time it was genius) suggested developing fledgling oil technologies instead of coal. Of course this had everyone up in arms for a little while, beacuse it was an "alternative energy," but within a decade it became the accepted norm.
Second: blaming California's blackouts on environmentalists is laughable. The blackouts were caused by mismanagement at the top because the deregulation and a refusal to consider price caps. The plants weren't even running at full capacity. If you read even a good conservative magazine like US News & World Report you'd know this. Turn off Rush and the O'Reilly Fucker.
Now chill out and pass me the peace pipe.
By the way, "Semper Nox" was fucking funny. Have that guy write for this e-rag.
Editor's note: If someone can find a way to make money with a new source of energy, more power to them. But let's just clarify something about the California blackouts. The policies "deregulation" and "price caps" are mutually exclusive. How exactly do you have "deregulation" when someone is regulating how much you can charge? You've proven my point: California's "deregulation" wasn't a deregulation, but a reregulation.
BTW, maybe we could rig some kind of power-producing mechanism to the keyboards used by the rooms full of monkeys that produce all the environmentalist dogma. (JR)
8/29/01 10:29:31
Name: El Bandito
Subject: Polygamy & Fireworks
The "light pollution" issue you scoff at is a little more complex than you let on. True, it's partly a matter of bright lights from the big cities, but it's also about plain old smog. Due to air pollution and urban sprawl, there won't be a place on the planet below 12,000 feet where you can see a single star by the mid-21st century. We're talking about even out in the country, folks. I don't presume to change your mind about this, but at least be intellectually honest when you're going to present an argument. Not everyone who cares about the environment is some sort of kook. Most of us just don't want to live in a world where everything has been spoiled and poisoned by short-sightedness, especially when alternative energy sources are available.
Editor's note: Here's something you might consider as well, besides just your ability to see stars. How about whether you have electricity to heat your home so you can be confortable while you type your environmentalist propoganda? Sure, being able to breathe (i.e. reducing smog) is a legitimate concern, but that's not what the International Dark Sky Association is about. And I'm tired of environmentalists giving me that "alternative energy" B.S. Environmentalists have been against every form of energy: from nuclear (which is why they're to blame for California's blackouts), to hydroelectric (because it "destroys the habitat" of one species of fish or another). Environmentalists won't be happy until we're living in tribes, smoking from a peace pipe, and dying off at age 35. Read more about these environmentalist wackos here. (JR)
8/29/01 01:59:55
Name: J.
E-mail: eudaimonia_03051@yahoo.com
Subject: Dark Sky Association
I recently joined the Dark Sky Association in order to further my effort to befriend each and every dipshit on Earth.
Rather than worrying about terrestrial light pollution, I proposed that we begin by destroying those pesky stars that saturate our nights with horrible light. What's the point of turning off all of the neon signs when we'll still have those giant fireballs up in the heavens to annoy us? I say we take out the bigger problems first and then get to passing a law against the use of light. We could start by launching rockets full of ice cubes at the sun, for one...
I'd write more, but my Dark Sky Association buddies and I are going to sneak into Walmart to vandalize all the GE products. Semper Nox!
8/28/01 14:17:47
Name: Dan Edge
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: RE: Holocaust Article
I was rolling. I especially loved the bit about the "Holocaust championships." Say hi to Aaron for me.
Editor's note: Thanks, Dan. You got it.
8/19/01 02:02:28
Name: Rick Signer
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: General Hero Stuff
Hmm...finally got around to reading the 'What doesn't kill you' article. Great piece of work, as always. Although the bit about heroes sparked a period of deep and interesting contemplation (while I'm at it, I'll go out on a limb and admit that I'm one of those anathema who liked Han better - but only because he was Indiana Jones). One odd thing I've realized, between revealings in the article and discussions with various friends and acquaintences, is that everyone's first hero is almost always either Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent. For instance, I and a friend both liked Superman, while for my cousin and her husband, their first choice was Batman. Opinion of the character may change as other heroes are added to the list, but I am starting to wonder if the choice between the two says something about a person's personality. Then again, this is coming from the guy who suggested a comic book for a self-gratification of the day...
Well, I'm off to a far-off place for college and stuff (I suppose that means that some of the site's dissenters will be going back for another try at English 101). Until I get a computer to again follow your exploits, keep up the great work.
-Rick Signer
P.S. Think any kid's going to consider Jar-Jar their Star Wars hero?
Editor's note: Glad you liked it. It's funny you mention the superhero preference idea, only a day after a friend of mine (a psychologist) was just telling me about a study that tried to identify the personality traits in people who liked one superhero as opposed to another. The conclusion was that if you had fantasies about Zan saying "Shape of - an ice dildo!" then you really wanted to get it on with Captain Cold while Jayna and Gleek watched. And I seem to remember some connection between an admiration for Aquaman and repressed homosexuality. (JR)
8/18/01 14:11:02
Name: F. Tremblay
E-mail: mdipres@sympatico.ca
Website: www.footballkills.org
Subject: Rampant anti-capitalism ?
What the rand is all this complaining against capitalism on a capitalist (amongst other things) humour site ? If you don't like it, go on your own web sites ! Do I go on slashdot and bash you panzy-asses ? This web site rocks your asses.
Sorry for not being very elegant today, but all these flames piss me off. Some people need to get a friggin' life and maybe a Microeconomics 101 class too !
PS the web site I have put up is a parody. Hope you like it. My real web site is www.libertarianthought.com
8/15/01 12:19:21
Name: We don't need no stinkin' capitalists
Subject: Microsoft Hug Me Piece
JR, JR, JR.... now you're talking out of both sides of your ass. First you jump on the "who cares if MS was anit-competitive" bandwagon, now you're saying that the rules should be changed ("The question is what should be illegal.") after the fact. Oh, yeah, that really breeds a competitive business environment. Hell, following your (il)logic, why don't we change the rules to say that ONLY businesses that gross at least a billion dollars a year are able to keep selling products.... we wouldn't want any competition to start "snipping at your pants leg", now whould we?
MS has shown that they have the ability to compete. Look what they did with Excel and Word. They were the underdogs, and kicked the crap out of Lotus 123 and WordPerfect. They did it by producing a better product, and the market responded favorably.
I am a die-hard capitalist. If they had beaten Netscape with the same techniques as they used with Lotus and WP, I'd say, "More power to 'em". In fact I did, with my company's purchase orders. But when they acknowledge they have an inferior product (as they did in their many internal memos), and determine that they're going to take the easy and illegal way out.... bullshit - they deserve to be taken down and bitch-slapped.
And that's just what's going to happen.
Editor's note: You're absolutely right. I don't care if Microsoft was "anit-competitive". I do care, however, whether someone's dirty hands like yours are marking up Bill Gates' or my own pants leg. Keep your hands off of us, you pathetic little dictator-wannabe; set the terms of your own business. I bet you were one of those little brats who flipped the Monopoly board over and cried to his mommy whenever cousin Gertrude got that hotel on Park Place. Here's some advice: get used to losing. I have a feeling you're going to be doing a lot more of it.
How's that for getting bitch-slapped? (JR)
8/13/01 11:02:19
Name: Kees Beerepoot
Subject: I beg to differ ...
Dear Sir,
You do an excellent job showing off your unparalleled stupidity. There's no need to add any insult in your direction, and therefore I will not.
Best regards,
Kees Beerepoot
(Amstelveen, The Netherlands)
Editor's note: It sounds like your mommy put on your clogs too tight, you drugged-up windmill-loving Dutchboy. Don't you have a pail of water to fetch? (JR)
8/13/01 06:28:19
Name: Chris
Subject: Watching Jason Whine
Wow, Jason. What a fucking whiner you are.
Maybe if you weren't such a paranoid little libertarian crybaby you would understand the world better.
Editor's note: I am no match for you. Please, O Wise One, teach me the skills of logic and argumentation. (JR)
8/11/01 14:28:42
Name: JH
Subject: Finally!
For the longest time I was beginning to believe I was the only one who could see through all this politically correct crap that has Microsoft and Bill Gates painted as Satan and his evil minions.
People, wake up!!! Mr. Gates took us literally where no man has gone before. Yes, Windows isn't perfect, but the Microsoft products were so much better than anything else, they conquered the world wide market.
Microsoft just proved the old adage, "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat down your door to put you out of business".
Take a look at the stock markets. Take a look at how they steadily rose and see when they took a dive. Then take a look and see when Sun, Netscape and Oracle decided to gang up on Microsoft and drag them into court. Just proves another old adage. "If you can't beat them, then sue their ass".
We're running out of time. If the dogs were called off and Microsoft was allowed to continue the work they were doing, the computer industry might breathe a sigh of relief and regain some of it's former glory.
But I'm beginning to lose hope that the people in this country have enough common sense to realize they're cutting off their collective nose to spite their face.
Leave Microsoft alone!!! If you don't like Windows or Microsoft products, then don't buy them. It's the American way. I think I heard that somewhere. And, if you think Microsoft makes crap, then build something better. Linux has proved you don't need a multi-billion dollar coporation to compete.
So, put up or shut up. This has just been another attempt to legislate morality, only this time it's economic morality. It never works, folks... NEVER!
8/11/01 12:16:44
Name: mxsafrin
E-mail: mxsafrin@webtv.net
Subject: Internet Access at Bellvue Psychiatric Ward?
Dear Mr. Roth;
It seems Andy Warhol's immortalized words that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame even referred to someone like you.
Thanks to your article on Microsoft making Yahoo's list of "most-emailed" articles, your warped perverted organ of sinister depravity bordering on the criminally insane, has finally achieved its long sought well deserved moment of infamy by breakng through the ranks of the 'Matt Drudge wannabees' by submerging to the forefront of web
recognition, not unlike a giant bacteria-laden turd beaking through to the surface of a huge vast cesspool ocean on a sweltering hot summer day on the planet Venus.
As I clicked on to your news story and whisked off to your site, I felt this uncontrolable urge come over me just within nano-seconds of my cursory glance upon the home page of your nauseating obscene little' anal orifice of a web site ' to send you a personal message of the greatest urgency and importance...................
'KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK' !!!!!!
Editor's note: I'll take that as a compliment. (JR)
8/10/01 03:32:00
Name: We don't need no stinkin' capitalists
Subject: Microsoft Hug Me Piece
Hey, pencil-dick, at least you're consistent.
"Who cares if their behavior was anti-competitive?"
It's all right with you that a financially powerful company uses its money to run the competition out of town. God, you must like being manipulated. Bet you were heart-broken when Standard Oil got smacked, too.
"Government enforces rights-violating crimes, not business practices that hurt the feelings of little spineless, nameless babies like yourself."
Wrong again (like I said, you ARE consistent). The government DOES enforce against business practices that are illegal. MS knew that what it was doing was illegal (via the 1995 Consent Decree - did someone force them to sign that?), yet they continued with their illegal practices.
Oh, yeah... weren't you the one at the Super Bowl party in the cheerleader outfit, the 5 o'clock shadow and the "Take a number, please" sign taped to your ass? I didn't give you my name the first time we met, either. You couldn't see my face because yours was buried face down in a pillow as I did what I'm doing to you now.... nailing you in the ass.
PS: How's the jaw?
Editor's note: We're talking about what government should do, not what they get away with. No fucking kidding they "enforce against business practices that are illegal." The question is what should be illegal. Being better than the little mutts snipping at your pants leg shouldn't be one of those things. Which is why it would be just plain immoral for me to be penalized for my superiority to you. (JR)
8/10/01 11:45:35
Name: We don't need no stinkin' capitalists
Subject: Microsoft Hug Me Piece
I was going to go line by line and tear you a new asshole for the crap you wrote about poor-little-Microsoft getting their clock cleaned in court - I'll just cut to the chase.
What they did was so anti-competitive, it is astounding idiots like you can't see it (maybe it's not so astounding... you are an idiot, after all).
It was clearly demonstrated in the trial, supported by internal MS documents, that they knew the only way they could beat Netscape was to leverage their Windows monopoly. Do you remember the phrase, "cut off their air supply"? They weren't talking about a deep sea dive. They gave their inferior product (again which they admitted in their internal documents) away for free, and cut off the cash flow to Netscape. Plain and simple.
Now that they're out of the way, MS can roll out their shitty product with no competition. And you're sticking up for these assholes?
Get over the pain. Mr. Bill got his balls kicked into his throat, and apparently you got your jaw broken at the same time. Enjoy!
Editor's note: You sound like an effeminate guy who accidentally finds himself at a Superbowl party, and after seeing a defensive lineman sack a quarterback, says incredulously: (in your high voice, flapping your hands wildly in the air) "Oh my God! What that man did was anti-competitive! Well, I never!"
Who cares if their behavior was anti-competitive? You're (not suprisingly, given your tendency to hover contently near the lower level of the intellectual scale) completely missing the point. It's "astounding" that "idiots like you" "can't see" that "anti-competitive" has no relation to the violation of rights? Government enforces rights-violating crimes, not business practices that hurt the feelings of little spineless, nameless babies like yourself. (JR)
8/9/01 22:08:13
Name: lucia.olas
E-mail: olas71@hotmail.com
Subject: agree
Selfish people( jews ) alwys figthing someone who's trying to educate and make things easier to humankind.
jew: is not about race, is about a way to thing that now we have in all cultures.
Editor's note: If you work on your English, you'll be able to communicate your anti-Semitism more clearly. Just a suggestion. (JR)
8/8/01 12:23:02
Name: Clifton Lewis Galloway
E-mail: poloindc@hotmail.com
Subject: 10 Ways To Rationalize Your Lust to Destroy Microsoft.... LOL
While surfing yahoo for information on Microsoft I came across this article written by you "10 Ways To Rationalize Your Lust to Destroy Microsoft . What is there to say about it except its crazy, wild, funny and just plain COOL! Keep up the good work.
PS I would have to disagree with you about the justice department though they should have taken the kid even with the problems in that country.
Editor's note: Glad you liked it - you couldn't have given me a better complement. But sending Elian back to Cuba was one of the most evil things I've seen our government do lately. The indoctrination that kid is going to get is unimaginable.
8/8/01 11:54:00
Name: Nils-Erik Thorell
E-mail: nils_thorell@yahoo.com
Subject: Microsoft
Capitalism is the worst thing that happened to human man kind (until you compare it to the alternatives). The same goes for Microsoft.
Thank you Microsoft, for the booming world economy of the nineties! Thank you for the inexpensive standardized infrastructure for information management.
8/8/01 09:51:22
Name: xalant
E-mail: insanechild007@hotmail.com
Subject: microsoft views
Website: www.slackware.com
I believe that your views of Microsoft are quite silly and your points backing them pertain to subjects well off-topic. Since when does a refrence to Ellian Gonzalas have anything whatsoever to do with Microsoft.
If you really want to read this poster's long, boring essay on the virtues of Linux, click here.
Editor's note: Congratulations. Your post to this site is the first one that actually pisses me off. My apologies to the techies out there, but if you programmers can't learn to grasp a principle broader than the width of your monitors, you're going to deserve the government bureaucrats that destroy your industry.
Every satirical sentence in my article that points out Microsoft's right to run their business free from government coercion went completely over your head. Or through it. Idiots like you are so used to arguing the merits of one operating system versus another, that you can't even conceive of someone defending a company's right to freely produce and sell their products.
I mock the anti-trust proponents by saying something like:
"Tell yourself that the only way to have free competition is to beat the fuck out of anyone who actually wins the competition."
And you reply with comments like:
"Linux systems can run networks and accomplish file-serving on a much better level than microsoft could ever wish to."
Who the fuck cares? Can't you even comprehend that there are issues more fundamental here than how goddamn efficient Microsoft's operating system is? If I were to defend Hustler Magazine's right to publish pornography, would you start telling me that the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is so much more tasteful? Do you honestly have any idea what the word "right" means?
Microsoft has the right to produce for and sell to whomever chooses to deal with them. And hardware manufacturers have the right to deal with whomever they want to deal with. And narrow-minded morons like you have the right to use Linux or whatever other OS you want to use, which obviously Microsoft doesn't prevent you from doing.
And since you've probably ignored every word I've written: yes, dammit, I'm writing this on my Mac. (JR)
8/8/01 08:45:02
Name: Jim
E-mail: jflynn@pacbell.net
Subject: 10 Ways To Rationalize Your Lust to Destroy Microsoft
Jason,
They're still been tried and found guilty Jason, get over it!
Jim
Editor's note: I take it you go along with whatever your government says? So why not your grammar teacher? (JR)
7/30/01 2:42:00
Name: J.
E-mail: eudaimonia_03051@yahoo.com
Subject: Boycotting the 2008 Olympic Games
I think your criticism of China is racist. After all, violating others' rights is okay. Who are you to say what is appropriate for another culture? You're clearly biased towards occidental culture. God hates you.
Editor's note: Actually, I'm starting the campaign to boycott the China Olympics so that more people will watch the reality TV show I'm producing. It will be entitled "Beijing Prison Camp", and contestants will be required to do the usual reality TV stuff: eat bugs, live in horrible conditions, and get covered in rats. (JR)
7/30/01 14:26:43
Name: Chris McKenzie
E-mail: taganov@charter.net
Subject: Chinese Olympics
Hi Jason,
One of your posters recommended that you go visit China and see it with your own eyes. I suggest very strongly that you do NOT do that, and instead read "Bitter Winds" and "TroubleMaker" by Harry Wu. Harry Wu was imprisoned when the Chinese gov't asked the intellectuals in the country to propose ideas for improving life in China, and he complied with that request. "Bitter Winds" documents the 19 years he spent in the Chinese Laogai (labor camps: he was only sentenced to 3 years, and no explanation was ever given as to why he had to stay the additional 16). "TroubleMaker" documents his repeated illegal re-entries into China during which time he documented a) the use of Chinese prisoners as slave labor in the production of goods exported to the United States, and done in the most appalling conditions (the case of the man that climbed naked into a vat of leather-curing chemicals to stir them up was especially awful--think about what that stuff does to leather, and then imagine what it must be doing to his skin) b) the routine execution of prisoners and harvesting of their organs for sale to overseas buyers, c) the routine state-sponsored execution of orphaned girls by starvation (photos show 5 - 12 year old girls chained to hospital beds and allowed to starve to death because no one will adopt them). So before you run off to China to see what it's really like, you could just listen to what this guy has to say.
Just trying to help you protect your ass,
Chris McKenzie
Editor's note: Thanks, Chris. I've already read Troublemaker, and highly recommend it.
7/26/01 12:56:24
Name: Jonathan Michaels
E-mail: jmichaels0@home.com
Website: members.home.net/jmichaels0/
Subject: One of the last bastions of reason
is you. Whenever I get fed up with the crap that the newspapers and TV try to stuff down my throat, I can come here and read stuff by people who can and do use their heads, and are funny to boot. Thank you, and keep up the good work.
Editor's note: And I'm thankful that there's someone out there to hear what I'm saying. (JR)
7/25/01 02:49:31
Name: thomas frayne
Subject: Review of A.I.
i just read your review of a.i. and enjoyed it immensely.
there was one thing i noticed which i thought you could have added to your review. i saw a parallel with the wizard of oz. the kid who saw ghosts was like dorothy who just wanted to go home. the teddy bear was like the cowardly lion who wanted courage. the male prostitute was all sex, and needed some heart. and the short-lived nanny was the tin-man who needed a brain. (they seemed to even enjoy the cross-section of her empty head.)
the scene with the cartoon einstein even reminded me of the encounter with the almighty oz, who finally gives the answer on how to go home.
of course there are flaws with the parallel between the two films, but i think the script may have started out as an oz futuristic remake which got muddled during re-writes.
of course the movie just sucked ass, too.
i gave your site a promo on my email this week. i hope you get some hits from it.
tommy
Editor's note: The observation of the cartoon Einstein as Oz is especially convincing. Thanks for the promo. I'll see if I can send a few people over to Filter. (JR)
7/25/01 12:27
Name: Alexis
E-mail: ahmstfamus@aol.com
Subject: Godpoints
Jason,
God Damn it, you did it again. I don't know if you've read any of those mails I've been sending you, but I'm in Rome. Today my girlfriend and I went to the Vatican, but we spent the rest of the day cursing the Catholic Church and reading every anti-Catholic article we could on your website. How do you think I'm doing, ya know, in terms of Godpoints?
-Alexis
Editor's note: All you need to do is post a message and you get an instant reply, see? (Actually, your e-mails deserved a better reply than some of the recent ones I've shot out.) As far as Godpoints, you're officially awarded negative 35. If you reach negative 1000, then you get to go to my afterlife. Just remember to bring your own glass. I'll have the booze. (JR)
7/24/01 19:19:10
Name: The urban samurai
E-mail: urban_samurai@hotmail.com
Subject: China/Olympics
Jason, your China/Olympics piece may be the best damn thing I've ever seen on this website. I'm shocked. Your argument was heartfelt, reasoned, angry, and funny. More than that, it was supremely dignified and moral. Reprint it as a pamphlet somewhere, please, a la Thomas Paine. There may be hope for you yet, boy.
Editor's note: Thank you, sir. (JR)
7/24/01 01:25:28
Name: Michelle
E-mail: mdt24601@hotmail.com
Subject: Spock Needed to Get Laid
Website: www.geocities.com/unitedapricot
You know, I've been pissed off about Star Trek's man of logic having a stick up his ass for years, and people just look at me like I'm on crack.
I usually try to explain how logic and emotion work together like this: Suppose you're completely emotional and completely incapable of logic. You're standing in the street, and there's a truck coming. You feel joy. You feel sorrow. You feel reverence and desire and anger and anxiety. None of it is related to the truck, or indeed to any of your surroundings, because you need a rational mind to understand what's going on around you (and maybe even - gasp! - do something to improve your situation). Splat.
Now suppose you're a perfectly logical robot of an inhuman being with incredible brainpower but no emotion whatsoever. You're standing in the street, and there's a truck coming. By estimating the mass, velocity, and direction of motion of the truck, you can figure out approximately where your body will land and which organs are most likely to rupture. You could even calculate how fast and in which direction to move in order to get out of its way... if you had any motivation whatsoever to do so. Why should you value your life when you're incapable of enjoying it? Splat.
Now, if you were a rational human being with emotions, you probably wouldn't be standing around in the middle of the street in the first place.
Anyway... as a Star Trek fan (in moderation), and as someone who enjoys the company of reformed sweeping-the-floor-with-broom-up-rectum nerds, I think this article is pretty fucking cool.
7/23/01 23:39:41
Name: Bitch ASS mother fuckerr
Subject: the article "how to make a bible useful"
hey you stupid atheist anti christian sons of bitches! what the fuck are you doing with that bullshit?! You go around and disrespect the best religion there is, and you don't expect regenge from the people you're fucking with?!
I hope a true christian burns your fucking house down you stupid son of a bitch. And oh yeah, I hope he rapes your wife/mother/girlfriend/sister/aunt until she fucking bleeds!
You will one day die for this bullshit mother fucker!
The nazis killed jews, and you dis christians?! The nazis got executed, and you should be executed too.
DIE MOTHER FUCKER! AND I'LL BE LAUGHING MY ASS OFF WHEN YOU BURN IN HELL!!!
Sincerly,
non bitch ass
Editor's note: I'm not sure if this post is real or not, but I could say the same thing about what I saw on the last porn site I visited. And you don't hear me complaining, do you? (JR)
7/22/01 19:26:44
Name: AntiAmericanNET.com Webmaster
E-mail: webmaster@antiamericannet.com
Subject: Re: "Beijing 2008: What's 'rights' got to do with it?"
Website: Antiamericannet.com
WE dont appreciate the article and we dont appreciate the stupid little man who wrote it
go fuck yourself and fuck the mom that made you too
You got lots of nerve to come in this Chinese newsgroup and say about Boycotting their Olympic games instead of congratulating them like the rest of the world did
But like i said you are a stupid little unimportant man without friends or girlfriend or brain.
now beat it
Editor's note: Someone had too much MSG in his shrimp with lobster sauce. (JR)
7/17/01 05:32:00
E-mail: jennychen50@china.com
Subject: What a big pile of bull shit you have just done here!
Why don't buy yourself a cheap ticket to visit China.... it is cheap and safe to travel around inside China. Then you can see it with your own eyes, and hear with your own ears. Then you will feel ashamed of what wrote here.
Who the hell do you think you are? More clever than the memembers of the IOC? You are not the one who has eyes and ears and every thing else......So make sure you don't stink too much!
Editor's note: Was there a correlation between having eyes and ears - and stinking - that I wasn't aware of? Come on, you could have at least called me an "Olympic-sized moron". Then, I would have given you a 3.82 for wit. Now I'll just have to disqualify you for bestiality with a horse mid-vault. (JR)
7/16/01 21:54:35
Name: The Urban Samurai
E-mail: urban_samurai@hotmail.com
Subject: If you don't like gays, it means your homophonic
Jason, those obits were hysterical. Loved 'em. One thing: The one about the Chinese-Italian - it's "dual" heritage, not "duel" heritage. For instance: "dual" means two. "Duel" is what Luke Skywalker (who is better than Han Solo) did with Darth Vader.
Sincerely,
The Urban Samurai
P.S. - If you're ever up for a reasonable, non-name calling intellectual debate about all things political, you got my email.
Editor's note: Glad you liked the obits, and thanks for pointing out the tipo. Too return the favour: its "yore" homophonic, knot "your" homophonic. (I'm always up for intellectual discussion, but I'm terrible at returning e-mail. So if that doesn't disuade you, fire away.) (JR)
7/14/01 00:58:19
Name: gapman
E-mail: yomama@mybitch.com
Subject: Yo Mama Needs To Build Me A Damn 7-Eleven
I want a damn mountain dew slurpee but there ain't no phucking machines down here. By the way you are a TRU dumbass. Peace my home BOOOYA!
7/9/01 21:14:48
Name: Whitney
E-mail: fairyawe@yahoo.com
Subject: what doesn't kill you...
Jason ~
I just wanted to say that you really hit the nail on the head with your article "that which doesn't kill you." As usual it was funny as hell and to the point. I totally agree. I also love your lists and rants (the ammended 10 commandments were great).
Thanks - Whitney
ps- I always liked Luke Skywalker better too :)
Editor's note: Thanks, Whitney. And hear that, everyone? Whitney just came out of the closet. She liked Luke Skywalker better than Han Solo, too. Dammit. (JR)
7/7/01 22:51:10
Name: Urban Samurai
E-mail: urban_samurai@hotmail.com
Subject: Catch-all sampler
Yo, Jason: First time caller, long time listener. I've been visiting this site for more than a year now and I gotta say, it's pretty entertaining. But there's just one thing I don't understand: Your fundamentalist views.
You rail against the the narrow-mindedness of the Church and liberalism, but you yourself are guilty of the same kinds of limited reasoning. You're always free-trade this, free-trade that, as if free trade is some sort of panacea. It's fundamentalism in it's purest form, just like Communism and liberalism.
Free trade doesn't give enough people a fair shake. Free trade doesn't help the GM worker whose job moves to Mexico. Not even the white-collar guys are safe from Wall Street types who promise to value a corporation's stock higher if they cut 20,000 jobs. More than 4.5 million jobs gone in this country in the last ten years. Bam! It doesn't help citizens who are gonna see their opinions trounced by the WTO's unelected tribunal. Sure, free trade's good in a limited form, but that's not what produced a large middle class or what tempers the avarice of the market. Democracy doesn't thrive under free trade - it's the other way around.
But as we're starting to see, when companies rival the size of governments, we oughta demand the same kind of checks and balances that we demand of governments. Mindlessly cheering on free trade is sloppy thinking and short-sighted. There need to be better countervailing forces put into place. So yeah, "yay capitalism" and all that, but we're gonna drown in our own industrial shit if we don't start giving a rat's ass about decent citizens and the world we live in. Otherwise, it's not worth even trying to save the humans.
P.S. I realize the above post will be more easily dismissed if I add the following, which I will for your amusement: You'se a faggot and I'm gittin' on my queer-stomping boots!
Editor's note:
I'm glad you've been reading for so long, even with all my fundamentalist views. I'm definitely not going to dismiss an obviously honest post, so you might want to take off your queer-stomping boots and relax for a long reply...
You wrote:
"you yourself are guilty of the same kinds of limited reasoning. You're always free-trade this, free-trade that..."
It's strange that you think being consistent is necessarily "limited reasoning". So let me first stand up for principles as such: they're fine - and necessary - when they're properly derived from reality. Whether it's "don't go near the poison ivy" or "the initiation of physical force prevents man from using his mind (his means of survival) and is therefore immoral", we need principles to deal with the endless number of situations we deal with every day. You need to abstract the essence of situations, ideas, and people so that every new thing you encounter doesn't make you shit your proverbial pants.
(Of course, your principles need to be derived from the facts of reality, not from, for example, a bearded guy who lives up in space and for whom there ain't a speck of evidence. Actions taken on the basis of ill-conceived principles usually lead to harm, like blowing up abortion clinics, for example.)
You wrote:
Free trade doesn't help the GM worker whose job moves to Mexico.
No, it helps him to have any job in the first place, and to have the opportunity to find a new job when the CEO decides to improve business rather than run a charity for factory workers who think their post on the assembly line is some kind of God-given right.
You wrote:
when companies rival the size of governments, we oughta demand the same kind of checks and balances that we demand of governments.
Governments, not companies, can put you in jail and/or shoot you for not doing what they say. Let's not blur the line between "God dammit, every computer in the Wal-Mart has Microsoft software installed on it and I think Bill Gates is an asshole" and "Fuck me, I've just been drafted to go kill people in some jungle I've never heard of and I don't even know how to use a god damn pair of chopsticks, and, oh yeah - by the way - if I don't go, my ass is gonna get hauled off to prison." You're putting companies and governments in the same bag because they're both "big". But governments' monopoly on the use of force make them fundamentally different.
Let me close with a basic question. What alternative do we have, if not freedom? (JR)
7/7/01 01:39:16
Name: Chris McKenzie
E-mail: taganov@charter.net
Subject: Explanation of Rescinsion of Article
Mr. Roth,
Thank you for your explanation as to why you removed the article about homosexuality from your site.
7/6/01 19:26:20
Name: Chris McKenzie
E-mail: taganov@charter.net
Subject: Hello
The site still rocks Mr. Roth. Tell Aaron I said "Hi!", will ya'?
Editor's note: Absolutely. And thanks for the compliment. :)
7/3/01 11:21:17
Name: Ted
Subject: I hate touchy critics.
This is a shitty review from a shitty site.
Save the human.com, sucks. I hope this site goes down with all the other worthless websites.
7/2/01 11:36:27
Name: George E Williams
E-mail: m0th23@juno.com
Subject: missed something (AI review)
you:
"William Hurt takes the dead people kid into the back office to meet "the team" who created him, and the next thing you know, Hurt is gone and the kid is out on the building's ledge ready to kill himself. Now maybe if I was so wrapped up in this movie that tears were backing up in my tear ducts and flooding out the neurons in my brain, maybe then I wouldn't stop and say "Where the fuck did Hurt go?""
I: IIRC, Hurt wanders off to gather 'the team', and the boy wanders off on his own. and how much time do you think the boy spent by himself anyhow?
Editor's note: You may be right. Still, it was very convenient.
7/2/01 07:57:33
Name: 2 + 2
Subject: A.I.
Why are you being so kind to this movie?
7/2/01 01:21:38
Name: That Guy (again)
Subject: That "Lars Ulrich, read 'dis!" banner
What's up with that banner on your site that says "Lars Ulrich, read 'dis!" I clicked on it, and it seems to be some type of site called UGO.com that links to other pages where you can download Napster-like programs with which you can steal songs. And I'm not exactly amused by the text that dumps on Metallica for having the nerve to try to protect its intellectual property. One site UGO.com links to is Freenet, whose creator thinks "the entire concept of intellectual property is fascist." It was those bla-bla network people who put that link there, right? All of your fans, myself included, know that you are a principled defender of property rights. So are you sure you want to continue to be affiliated with someone who condones theft? Other than that, I'm completely happy with your site. =)
Editor's note: I finally got a chance to send an e-mail to UGO which says "Please remove the "Napster Alternative" banner ads from my site. I'm not going to promote the theft of intellectual property." I may drop out of the network, but haven't decided... BTW, "UGO" is the "company" that bought out the bla-bla network, which (surprise!) went out of business. Maybe they'll be featured in Startup.com the Sequel.
7/2/01 00:41:18
Name: Rachel
Subject: Caroll O'Connor
Very poignant.
You can tell this came from the heart.
6/22/01 09:26:14
Name: Jazz
E-mail: eudaimonia_03051@yahoo.com
Subject: How the Universe Was Created
Who can fit more food in his/her mouth, God or Rose O'Donnell?
Editor's note: Hmm... Why don't you pray and see? Don't let God B.S. you, though. (I'm glad I watched the spelling bee on TV last year. Otherwise, I wouldn't have understood your e-mail address.) (JR)
5/21/01 16:04:43
Name: Maggie
E-mail: ATLfemme@netscape.net
Subject: 25 most inappropriate things to say during sex
And my personal favorite: "Who's your hero? Who's your hero?" (to the tune of who's your daddy)
I love your site!
Editor's note: You do? Well then, I better jot down that favorite of yours. You know, just in case... (JR)
5/20/01 18:03:33
Name: Kid Irish
E-mail: KIDIRISH87@AOL.COM
Subject: Jackass rules!
The word JACKASS pretty well describes the stars of the show with the same title(in the minds of some, maybe morons is a little better). Anyway, the whole point of the show is to make people laugh. A lot. I see all of these people condemning the show, saying it sets a bad example, etc. etc. I have a few things to say to those people:
1. The show features audio and visual warnings throughout the show saying not to immitate the stunts performed on the show. On top of that, all of these kids getting hurt filming spots to send to the show fail to realize that MTV and the Jackasses will not air their clips. Those kids are the real idiots.
2. Most of the people I know did the same type of things when they were younger. It is a process of life. Doing these idiotic stunts is a way of having fun, having a few laughs, and getting un-bored(yes, I am aware that no such word exists).
3. The stunts are supervised by professionals. The cast consults professionals before doing these things to have a set up that will provide the smallest chance of injury.
deep down, we all are laughing at the stunts on the show. I have done what i consider a very fun stunt: couch riding. I took a couch that had caster wheels on the front, put a skateboard under the back, got a few friends, and rode down a hill a few times.
IN CLOSING, JACKASS KICKS ASS!
Editor's note: Ok, you've encouraged me to reveal for the first time in print a game my friend Ian and I used to play when we were in third or fourth grade. It was called "Haunted House". The stairway from my kitchen to the basement was completely pitch black when the kitchen door was closed, and the stairs were covered with plastic. Anyway, one person waited in the kitchen while the other person set up various toys and other objects on the stairs. Then, the guy who was waiting in the kitchen had to come into the stairway, close the door, and attempt to descend. Somehow, a flat piece of cardboard too big to miss always ended up on the stairs. I remember many a time waiting at the bottom of the stairs, laughing my ass off as Ian first yelled a few times after stepping on some pointy objects, then came sliding down the stairs, hitting a thousand toys all the way down. And vice versa. Haunted House sure kicked the crap out of freeze tag. Though come to think of it, Kill the Guy With the Ball wasn't a bad choice either. (JR)
5/19/01 21:30:02
Name: Rachel
Subject: MXPX
I agree with you 100% on everything you said about the Mxpx show (especially "i don't want to let my life fly by") EXCEPT for one major thing.
You mentioned your reaction to the pit and how you didn't want to hurt any of the girls that were standing around the edge (actually, i don't remember if that was in your article, or when we spoke). I noticed that the pit at that show was actually quite lame, almost to the point where it was non-existent at some points. I've always felt that anyone who goes to a show like that, whether its punk, metal or hardcore has to realize what the crowd is going to be like and take the risks associated with it. If a girl choses to stand at the edge of a pit, or go in the pit, or whatever - she should realize that she's going to get hit, stepped on, landed on and possibly hurt. It's the same for guys and girls. If you don't want to be in that situation - don't stand there. There's plenty of room in the back with the other wimps :)
That said - i don't think you should have been concerned with "protecting" anyone from bulges or any other possible hazards. If you feel like going nuts - then go nuts. it's everyone for themselves out there.
That said - i have to agree with you that it really was a good show. They played GSF so i was happy :)
Editor's note: I said that stuff about me not wanting to hurt the girls in the mosh pit because *I* didn't want to hurt any girls in the mosh pit. I agree with you that they should know what to expect at a concert like that, but that doesn't mean I want to be the one who hurts them. At least, not there in the mosh pit. (JR)
5/17/01 09:08:51
EST
Name: Ashley
E-mail: SlippyWhenWet01@aol.com
Subject: Yall are cool!
I think yall's website is really cool!
Editor's note: Thank you. One question: Was there really a "SlippyWhenWet@aol.com" without the "01" when you signed up for AOL? Man, if you can't get "SlippyWhenWet" in your e-mail address without adding 01, it's probably time to try a smaller ISP...
5/15/01 16:44:52
EST
Name: Rukshana
E-mail: roxannababe@yahoo.com
Subject: hey...modern feminist not all that bad.
Hi there,
Modern feminism is not all that bad surely..
Yes we have the votes,the rights to almost all things,and if we want we can get away without shaving our arm pits or legs in the name of "feminism". Hey what can we say, over the centuries women were slaves and the property of their male counterparts, still women are oppressed today in many Sates.
We have proved our superiority over male species in many ways,and we intend to keep it that way.
Let us have our movement of glory. Please don't sulk, it is not that bad surely...
cheers to womenhood.
ROX.
5/11/01 17:03:20
EST
Name: shawon
E-mail: mahbubahmed@usa.net
Subject: love letter
love letter
5/10/01 06:03:14
EST
Name: Rachel
Subject: Larry David Show
Excuse me Mr. Editor-in-Chief, but if you bothered to say that the Larry David Show is one third of the reason why one should order HBO, don't you think you should've followed up with that and said what the other two thirds were?
some people actually value your opinion.
Editor's note: Hey, people like me valued the Batman show, but that didn't stop them from having all those damn 2-part episodes, did it? But anyway, the other two thirds are the Sopranos and repeats of the Larry Sanders Show. I jumped on the bandwagon on both these shows this season.
5/19/01 14:34:23
EST
Name: Mike Rosoph Hather
E-mail: shyah@msnyourself.com
Subject: someone defending mikey? thats a first
say what? who the hell are you, work for mickeysoft or something? comp newbies dont know jack! why dont you program yourself a life. jerk
Editor's note: Sorry, I haven't done any programming since high school, so I certainly couldn't program myself a life. Could you use Perl for that, or would you need an object-oriented language like C++? (JR)
5/8/01 03:30:28
EST
Name: Alexis
E-mail: ahmstfamus@aol.com
Subject: funeral
Ok, so this really is my last comment (for now), I promise....
I just read your "jackass" article and the article on your uncle's funeral. All i can say is that you're a sick bastard, and i love it. Although, i still don't agree that "jackass" is funny, i can see the point you're making. As for the funeral you attended, it's proof positive that the truth is often stranger than fiction.
Editor's note: BTW, if anyone would like to reenact that scene, please send me the video of yourself face-down in the coffin. I can't promise you an appearance on "Jackass", but I'll throw the video of you up on this site. I'm not a prude like those MTV execs. And for the record, I have no desire to hang out with any of those Jackasses; I just think they're damn funny. (JR)
5/4/01 02:17:41
EST
Name: Alexis
E-mail: ahmstfamus@aol.com
Subject: i failed the breast test too
Well, i met my match with this site. One would think that I might have some expertise in this particular area, but alas, I came pretty darn close to failing the breast test. Just thought it might make you feel a little better!
Alexis
5/4/01 02:02:59
EST
Name: Spencer
E-mail: master_s3000@hotmail.com
Subject: Any girls out there looking for a good time
hey if u want to talk with a hott guy how likes pleasing young ladies let me know at
master_s3000@hotmail.com
Editor's note: hey what about a guy how can spell? (JR)
4/25/01 21:32:31
EST
Name: aka
Subject: You racist pig!
This post refers to: 11 Ways America Should Apologize to China
You are a bigot who is a plague on American society. Where did you come from and what would your mom think?
Editor's note: I'm not sure who wrote this, but you'll need to try harder next time. If you really want to sound like someone who's offended, you can't use phrases like "plague on American society". That's a phrase a conservative Republican would say, not a liberal. Liberals don't give a damn about American society, and hence wouldn't think a plague on it was much of a big deal. (JR)
4/22/01 20:14:38
EST
Name: Dean West
E-mail: TelJury@Hotmail.com
Website: teljury.homestead.com
Subject: Objectivist Sex List
I linked over here because of what I saw on an Objectivist Site. I have never seen such intellectual humor before, it was like a solid punch of every half-way clever joke I've heard in my life rolled into one. I can't wait to check the rest of this site out, but please, keep up the great work!
On a more sorrowfull note, I am sorry for those alleged "objectivists" who see no humor in anything but Fidel jokes. I think this indicates emotional repression...but then I'm a "neo" objectivist because I don't worship Rand, so what do I know?
I am familiar with the concept in the Fountainhead, where Toohey tries to let nothing remain great by laughing at all. But I think there is also another kind of laughter, a laughter amongst an "in group" especially when a person like myself was not aware that there were enough of my kind of person to be classified as a "group". I also think that taking lessons for one thing and applying them to another can be funny; let Ortho Objectivists think of it as "reductio ad absurdum" if it will just make them laugh and enjoy life for a moment...
Anyway, keep up the great work!
Editor's note: The thing I find funniest about the reaction to that list is that all these anti-"ortho" "Objectivists" like yourself like it, but some of the "ortho" Objectivists do not. But if agreeing with Ayn Rand's philosophy means being an "ortho" Objectivist, then I consider myself one. Maybe I'll just have to be content to laugh with the sinners rather than cry with the saints. No, on second thought I'll just laugh to myself. (JR)
3/31/01 00:29:02
EST
Name: Tom
Subject: ^v^ <- bird; _v_ <- dead bird
"Ass in Hell"....have ya' tried it? God damn!!! That's some hot shit!!! How the hell do they make it, and who's country are we dropping that shit on next? In case ya' don't know what the hell I'm talking about...go to Duke's around 19th or 20th just off Park Avenue...and try the "Ass in Hell" ( or something like that ) hot sauce. I recommend a teaspoon...unless you are some kind of pansy!!! Sorry if directions aren't that clear...that's in Manhattan...for those of you who are not near New York...ha ha...you suck ass...and If you are in California. LOL...LOL...no fucking electricity...
Editor's note: Dude, you forgot to take a downer after you shot up with hot sauce. Have some milk or yogurt next time. (JR)
4/20/01 22:14:58
EST
Name: Carl Evans
Subject: FuckYouChina
This post refers to: 11 Ways America Should Apologize to China
You are one funny motherfucker!
I found your website from a link posted on this Anti-China website:
www.FuckYouChina.com
Very funny stuff. Please keep up the good work.
4/8/01 20:39:40
EST
Name: vac
E-mail: skitchvac@email.com
Subject: punk covers
I don't know how you can have a definitive list of punk covers, without the Damned's cover of White Rabbit, much better than MXPX or the Gimmie Gimmie cover. If you were going to pick a Gimmie cover, it should've been "Only the Good Die Young" Also, is Goldfinger actually considered a punk band anymore, I placed their last 2 cds on my pop/radio band wall.
Editor's note: Obviously, the list is all about taste (mine), but I'll answer your last question. I've never been crazy about the term "punk rock". As far as I'm concerned, the genre is just a slightly evolved version of original 50's rock, but faster, with heavier guitars, and more hair dye and leather. The term "punk" usually makes people think of some anarchist-socialist morons like the Exploited. Or the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols had their moments, but bands like the Ramones and the Misfits were more interested in making music than in stamping their feet. (Though to be sure, they all did a little of both.) Anyway, in the category loosely called "punk" I still consider Goldfinger a part of that. If you have a better term, I'm listening. :) (JR)
3/31/01 00:29:02
EST
Name: Seti
E-mail: seti@unknown.com
Subject: ya!
This post refers to: A Social Awakening
Someone has been doing some serious shrooming! yay!
Editor's note: You must be a High Times fan. Actually, no. The strongest shrooms I've ever done were portobello. It was the closest thing to meat I could find at the vegetarian restaurant. If it can't taste like meat, you would hope that the goddamn vegetable would at least have the courtesy to give you hallucinations. (JR)
3/28/01 19:14:07
EST
Name: Yael
Subject: cannabis as medicine
In 1989 I was part of a medical study, which included the use of cannabis as a post-chemo therapy anti-nausea drug and regurgitation inhibitor.
It was no surprise to me that it worked far beyond their original clinical estimates.
Where it had taken 4 days for me to be able to hold down half of a tiny dixie cup full of water, I was able to hold down jello in a matter of 72 hours. When I would reject all other anti-nausea drugs, I could have a few tokes and the overwhelming feelings would subside instantly.
I met others in the study who were thrilled with the results they too had had. Some had used it recretionally in the past, but the majority were those who had once thought of it as an "evil weed". They were all in agreement that for medical usage it should be legalized.
I have spoken with the oncologist who ran the study since then on several occasions. He is dimayed and disheartened that although the results of that particular study, as well as hundreds more, clearly showed the advantages (with one of the key plusses that there were absolutely NO averse reactions either by the patients or negation of the effects of the medications that were being administered) that cannabis is still denounced as unsafe and illegal as a medicinal drug.
We as a nation need to wake up to what is being dictated to us by beaurocrats. We owe it to ourselves and our fellow citizens to rebel against what is based on nonsense.
3/27/01 20:18:33
EST
Name: Andrew
E-mail: aeroinn@in-tch.com
Subject: the site
Great web site! This is the greatest Objectivist humor to come along since South Park. Keep up the good work Jason, your writing never ceases to amaze me!
Editor's note: Thank you very much. As long as I'm able to toil for my brother selflessly to the best of my ability, I will be content. Of course, feeling content tends to make me feel guilty. Never could quite get that whole duty for duty's sake thing... (JR)
3/22/01 21:27:58
EST
Name: Bollob
Subject: Bored
I thought I was bored until I read this comments section. Ditch it. Most of the rest is OK. And shoot the 10,000 Frenchman. They deserve it for speaking the same language as Belgians.
Editor's note: But if we ditched this comment section, we'd be deprived of many brilliant comments like your own. (JR)
3/20/01 09:57:42
EST
Name: Rachel
Subject: EZ Poll letters
Awesome! I would have loved to have seen the guys face when he read your last letter. You never fail to make me laugh - thanks.
3/19/01 14:56:14
EST
Name: Rachel
Subject: Interpunk website
Re: Betty Page. In your review of the InterPunk website (which is an awesome sight by the way - thanks), you stated that didn't get why Betty Page was there. She is the pin-up icon of choice for a lot of "altternative" folks. Perhaps it's her dark hair or bad girl smile or the fact that she was such a bad girl herself. You should check out some of her pixs and you'll figure it out.
p.s. - bought the new Me First and the Gimme Gimme's album from InterPunk .
3/19/01 14:10:12
EST
Name: Rick Signer
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: Shocking Election Revelation!
Hey there. Big news! I'm sure you heard how recently several papers were saying that if they'd simply counted every possible ballot, that Gore would have won? Well, I've realized that the victor wasn't Gore, but Nader! Using the same arguments as the newspapers, if they'd simply installed members of Greenpeace with machine guns in every voting booth across the country with instructions to tell everybody to vote for Nader, than Nader would have won! I can't believe they tried to cheat Nader out of his victory like this!
3/17/01 13:34:11
EST
Name: James
E-mail: ledej@bridgtonacademy.org
Subject: cool site
This site was mentioned in today's Wall Street Journal. I don't think it qualifies for a self-gratification site of the day award, as it isn't really amusing, but it is very interesting, and serves as a sort of testament to the incredible ability of capitalism to produce more than enough for everyone (as long as they work for it), especially food. The site is www.smartmouth.com. If you use a Stop & Shop card, you enter in your 10 digit card number and you can view what products you most frequently buy. If you don't have a Stop & Shop card, you can still access the site by going to the "take a tour" link on top. If you are trying to change your diet, you can select what you are trying to do, e.g. fewer total calories, more fiber, or less saturated fat, etc, and the site will show you what foods you are currently buying that you should avoid, and will reccomend subsitute foods that are more in line with what you are trying to accomplish. You can also access the complete nutritional data for any food. Athletes, or anyone else who is trying to lose some weight or make sure they are eating healthy should find this site very useful.
Editor's note: Sounds cool, but Mac people can't use it. :( (JR)
2/28/01 18:40:01
EST
Name: nat
E-mail: currencys@hotmail.com
Subject: meek
There is a syndrome related to that of the resentful underachiever you mention. Its the "little guy" syndrome. people who want to cling together as "little guys" against the world of evil bosses, landlords, "misleading" advertisements, credit card companies, cable companies, bill collectors, "overpriced" everything, etc. A common thread is the inability to deal with reality in an effective manor, and a resentment against those who can/choose too. (as you describe). Here is a typical example of what I would hear when I lived in low income housing: "that fucken landlord man,skrewin my ass again.. must be nice in that big Benz of his.. the bastad says he will toss me out if I don't pay the last few months rent, who does he think he is skrewin me like this (??)... God damn man, he left a big fuckin ice patch on the driveway, I swear I almost fell and killed myself on it, shows how much he fuckin cares about us, I'll sue his ass.. want in if I do?". (Ah, I think ill just spread some of the sand he left here for us on it.. thanks..) This points out another symptom related to what you mentioned: A grossly irrational lust for "freebees". I think this mentality is some form of voluntary mental retardation. No wonder these idiots stay poor. They are traped in a cage of their own misguided perseptions. (Don't want to be all negative, I did meet a few hardworking or upwardly mobile people I respected during my years in low income housing. ;-)
2/27/01 18:27:01
EST
Name: Nat
Subject: Grammy-Award Winning Artists and Other Oxymorons
God, that disclaimer before em and el performed made me cringe. You hit the nail on the head Jason, it was so gutless and pathetic it was painful to watch. Someone needed to bitch slap him a few times and tell him to sit down. I too got a kick out of the new "native American" music award... what a pc JOKE. I was embarrassed for those people. It almost seemed they threw those guys together just for the awards. Some bozo went out and recorded himself beating on a drum/moaning, got a few Native Americans to fill in as the lucky stooges, and presto, a Grammy winning performance. I would not be surprised. The milli vanili's of the pc world.
I got 2 q's for you Jason. what do you think of the u2 song that got all the awards. Also, what did you think of em's song and performance. I don't like rap, but I thought it was pretty funny and a good show.
Editor's note: Another clue about the purpose of the "Native American" award was given when one of the winners claimed the award for all Native Americans. Oh no, there's no racism there... Re. the U2 song: It's not bad, but song and record of the year is a little ridiculous. Remember that they overlooked U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" the year that Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" won those awards, so it ain't "quality" they're looking at. I totally agree with you about Eminem's performance. I'm generally not a rap fan either, but I thought he was pretty damn good. (I was just impressed that he remembered all the words.) He was damn self-confident considering all the crap he's taken. And of course, Elton John made it even better. (JR)
2/24/01 19:16:44
EST
Name: Eric^Scott Bloom
E-mail: mod@modartist.com
Website: modartist.com
Subject: Grammy-Award Winning Artists & Other Oxymorons
It is totally true (and thereby depressing & distressing) only if one were to ignore any and/or all of the good stuff that was televised (examples being i.e., the performance featuring Cheryl Crowe and that great woman singer with her; Toni Braxton and her dress [or her undress more likely], and, well let's not get carried away...
Editor's note: Ok, I concede that I should have mentioned Toni Braxton's dress. *That* was really the highlight of the show. (BTW, you have some amazing paintings on your site.) (JR)
2/23/01 22:56:44
EST
Name: David Buchner
E-mail: buchner@wcta.net
Subject: Altruist-Themed B-day party
Remember in school, when a kid would have some candy or cookies or something, and the teacher would take it away and say, "Did you bring enough for everyone to share?"
Editor's note: I can imagine an 8-year-old Francisco or Cyrano whipping out a big bag of candy if that happened to them.
2/23/01 09:47:26
EST
Name: Nat
Subject: "natural order" and god
Jason,
You make it out like our God is a fowl mouthed Jerk. That is NOT true. God loves to answer our prayers and is a patient, kind, loving God. He even loves you Jason. He was killed on a cross so that you would not have to feel guilty. He died for YOUR sins Jason. Think about it Jason, GOD died for Y-O-U. the least you could do is give him a little respect and not badmouth him.
I wish you had gone to my Parochial school. Sister Monica would never have allowed you to get away with this. She would have bitch slapped you till she was blue in the face, by which time your cheeks would have been a deep purple. She would then have referred you to Father Paul, who would have punished you in the name of our GOOD Lord in his traditional fashion: A firm scolding, instruction to say 100 hail Mary's, then a sound ass fucking after you had sucked him off. After a few of these special sessions im sure you would have turned out a good God loving, God fearing Christian.
2/22/01 12:39:44
EST
Name: Rick Signer
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: Altruist Birthday Party
Dude, that was hilarious! Definitely one of your funniest articles yet. Thanks for another hit.
Rock on.
Editor's note: :)
2/20/01 22:42:22
EST
Name: Regular American Joe
Subject: you a f o s!
nac ouy yas toidi, taht gnieb ouy fo esruoc.
(Sarcasm on): Oh you are so intelligent, in fact, your intelligence is beyond the mere description of words.
(Sarcasm off)
Your idiotic ramblings and rebellious outbursts are so foolish that they actually serve to amuse me. You mock conservatives and then write about how positive capitalism is, are you an idiot? Your country's conservative wing is built on the idea that capitalism is the way to go, both in trade matters and the way they use it to control the public. At first you rebel and then contradict yourself by supporting that which you are rebelling against in another way. What the hell? Get you ides straight, dude. You want to make a splash, do it in a meaningful way!
Hahahaha, Hahaha, sheep, sheep, cattle, that is what you are, not a bloody fucking rebel. Go out to pasture, no one wants to hear you bray.
Editor's note: You are absolutely correct. We rarely devote our intelligence to the mere "description of words".
2/10/01 23:59:41
EST
Name: Ken Newquist
E-mail: knewquist@nuketown.com
Website: nuketown.com
Subject: Hot Sauce
Halleluiah and pass the Tabasco...
There are few things better in this life than a plate of wings so hot they make your brain bake, a pitcher of ice cold beer, and a stack of cheese fries.
I have this excellent tequila at home that has a hot pepper sitting at its bottom -- doing a shot of that's like super-saturing your bloodstream with lava.
It's glorious.
What pisses me off though, is how the term "hot" gets slapped on to anything spicier than cardboard. Potato chips, wings, Wendy's "spicy" chiken sandwhich -- they all say they're hot, but if my eyes aren't tearing damn it, it's not hot.
It's like grade inflation for junk food, letting people *think* their living on the gastronomical edge, when in fact their mired in their same old lack-luster eating habits.
Anyway, great column.
ken
Editor's note: Glad you liked it. Nice observation about the "inflation". Which reminds me - as much as I like Heinz ketchup, never buy their buffalo wing sauce. Heinz buffalo wing sauce is to actual buffalo wings what Broadway musicals are to actual culture. (JR)
2/9/01 09:23:06
EST
Name: Adam
Subject: Notes on Fencing
Vive la Fence!
2/8/01 17:20:06
EST
Name: Alexis Garry
E-mail: ahmstfamus@aol.com
Subject: Linda Chavez Article
Hey Jason, It's Lexy. Now, you know I love you dearly, but you had to go and bash OPERA at the same time you're bashing that pain in the ass? c'mon now!!!!
Editor's note: Sorry about that. In reality, I'm not qualified to say anything negative about opera. (At the operas I've been to, I ended up falling asleep for most of the time.) (JR)
2/7/01 02:28:34
EST
Name: Gorgonzola
E-mail: mgord@home.com
Subject: Confessions and Complaints of a Hot Sauce Addict
As a fellow hot sauce addict I thought this article was great. It turns out that there is actually a scientific reason why some people are wimps when it comes to hot sauce. X is defined as the ratio of tastebuds to tongue area on what is classified as a "normal taster", these people making up about 25% of the population. "Supertasters", who make up about 50%, have 2X tastebuds while "lowtasters", who make up the remainder, have X/2 tastebuds. Of course that still doesn't answer the question of why all the heat wimps are concentrated in the northwest while the people who can appreciate a good habanero-laden burrito are concentrated in the southwest, must be something in the air.
One of my favorite hot sauces is this stuff called Acid Rain, it's hot but not off-the-scale hot, and it's loaded with flavor. Then there's that Dave's Insanity Sauce, which is delicious for about 3 seconds, at which point I have to run to the fridge and start swishing milk across my tongue. Dave's Hurtin' Habanero, on the other hand, is just about right for me. You should consider Dave's Gourmet for a future self-gratification of the day award.
Editor's note: After trying Dave's Temporary Insanity Sauce, I've not yet dared to try his others (like the Gourmet). That's a good one to have in the fridge, by the way, just in case you have any macho-types over. Give 'em a drop and watch 'em scream.
2/6/01 18:39:07
EST
Name: Brian
E-mail: bmmowr@wm.edu
Subject: music
Since you take pleasure in frustrating my attempts at irreverence, Mr. Roth, I will write a serious comment. About rock and roll. I find it shocking that there is no mention of The Velvet Underground on your site. VU is the best group of all time - although they were underachievers, in that their early work is too experimental and their fourth and last album was the beginning of Lou Reed's move to pop crap. Regardless, their third, self-titled lp is the best album of all time. The second track, "What Goes On," is the best song of all time. If you haven't heard the group before (as opposed to being a communist and just not liking the greatest band of all time), go to amazon.com and buy that album.
If you do not like it, write me and I will reimburse you (and also never visit this site again (commie bastard)). If you aren't a communist, you should also get White Light/White Heat and 1969 Live Vol 1, and then everything else by VU (the greatest band of all time).
Furthermore, Pavement is freakin' great. Certainly the best group of the 90s. My offer also stands for their Slanted and Enchanted lp. You may find this one a little challenging for your innocent sensibilities. You should next get everything else by Pavement. I have many other suggestions, but will only mention Built to Spill (Perfect From Now On, Keep It Like a Secret) and The Smiths (The Queen is Dead, Strangeways Here We Come). BtS is the perfect fusion of pulsing, lumbering, guitar-textures and catchy melodies. Steve Morrissey's amazing, haunting vocals make up for The Smiths' underdeveloped music, and after repeated listenings you notice and love the melodies. One final note: The Beatles and Beck are great despite their popularity, especially Abbey Road and Odelay. Commie bastard.
Obviously, I wrote this because I would like to see your response. Have you never heard of these bands before? I don't listen to punk but I haven't heard anything I like. I prefer, as you can see, Indie Rock, the Velvet Underground, and other classic rock. But if you know anything about punk, you ought to know that it wouldn't exist at all without VU. I am listening to "Sister Ray" from WL/WH right now. God damn you.
P.S. Spaceweasel is a big dork. What the hell. He is such a big god damn dork.
Editor's note: Thanks, but gotta say "no thanks" to your VU offer (I already own the box set). I can only imagine what the VU would have done with the technical ability of, say, Rush, but I'll take a band with even an ounce of soul over nothing but technique (e.g., Dream Theater) any day. My favorite by the VU is their self-titled album. As for The Smiths, I'd rather eat a live cow than listen to Morrisey's "Meat is Murder" garbage. (Sorry, a little harsh, but Morrisey just gets on my nerves.) Here's what I'm listening to right now: NOFX (Pump Up the Valuum; White Trash; So Long and Thanks), Stereophonics (Performance and Cocktails), Vibrolush (Touch and Go), Suicidal Tendencies (How Will I Laugh Tomorrow), MXPX (At the Show), Dolly Parton (Essential, Vol. 1), Freeheat (Don't Worry, Be Happy), Goldfinger (Darrin's Coconut Ass - if you like 80s music, you must check out this cover album). (JR)
Editor's note: Someone pointed out to me that they couldn't tell whether I like the Velvet Underground based on what I wrote above. So for the record: yes, I do. (JR)
2/3/01 03:41:57
EST
Name: Rick Signer
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: DOG nomination
Hey there, dudes! Your site rocks! A very nice piece o' the net. Anyway, I just wanted to make a possible suggestion for the next DOG award - give it to Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Now, you might ask, what is it that these two men could possibly have done that would put them on an even ground with, say, thetruth.com or PDFA? Simple - they wrote the 'Left Behind' books.
If you've never heard of it, you're really damn lucky. It is a best-selling series about the 'end times' spoken of in the Bible. You know, when God gets pissy and decides to destroy the world for no good reason? Here's the story of people trying to survive through it and get to Heaven by combatting the Anti-christ. I figure the fact that there are millions of assholes out there willing to pay money to read this tripe should cover the 'big budget' bit. The very idea is so pompous, I really want to break their jaws. And as for the last requirement, well, they're writing sucks. No other way to put it.
Just something for ya to think about.
Again, love the site.
Rock on.
Editor's note: Thanks for the suggestion and the compliments. Acually (and this is breaking news) the next DOG Award winner has already been chosen. It may take a while before you see it, but stay tuned... (JR)
2/2/01 15:29:36
EST
Name: Gordonzola
E-mail: mgord@home.com
Subject: Truth Exchange
This Truth Exchange is one of the most whacked-up sites I have ever seen on the net. First I'm told not to eat pork(kosher), then I'm told not to eat any red meat(diatetic), then not any meat except for fish(health conscious), then no meat at all(vegetarian), then no meat and no dairy products either(vegan), and I start wondering what they could possibly want to deprive me of next. Bingo, this site tells me that cooking has got to go. I should have seen it coming, what with the enviros condemning anyone drilling for oil or natural gas and opposing any other source of energy that could actually generate enough power to cook food. It's gotta be only raw plant food now. Am I a human or a rabbit?
Remember Peter Schwartz's essay about the philosophy of privation? He talked about how some exceptional man discoved fire and realized that his mastodon tasted better cooked then raw. Well now there is a group that calls for even that primitive development to be removed. What's next, vegetable rights? Voluntary human extinction? Not on my watch, that's for sure. I like to eat spicy portugese pork cutlets and tonkatsu, and I could care less what my Orthodox Jewish relatives think. I like my food to be cooked, and I could care less what "Truth Exchange" thinks while she tries to figure out how to have an orgasm with the aid of her several quack books and tapes(hint: it's easier if you don't regard human pleasure as an abomination). I would also prefer to die at age 62 of a cholesterol induced heart attack while watching some action flick on an 8-speaker stereo system consuming 2000 watts of power than to die of heart failure at age 95 after living on a diet of celery stalks, carrot sticks, and uncooked brocoli for the latter 75 years of my life while living in an Anthem-esque nature commune(age 95 assuming that they don't want me to give up the benefits of modern medicine as well). Hell, I'd prefer to die right now than live like that.
Of course Truth Exchange wouldn't be complete without a little left-wing hypocrisy, and in the case of that site the hypocrisy is that they condemn the cooking of food as a waste of the planet's resources in the form of a webpage hosted on a server that constantly consumes several hundred watts of power. A cooking element may consume 1000 watts, but not for any more than a few hours per day, so the energy needed to tell people not to cook their food is far greater than the energy needed to cook food. The internet, of course, just wouldn't be complete without a few idiotic sites like this. I'm more concerned about the number of people that take such ideas seriously.
Editor's note: Most importantly, I gotta try those spicy portugese pork cutlets and tonkatsu you mentioned. (JR)
2/1/01 22:40:53
EST
Name: Max
Subject: A Social Awakening
"A Social Awakening" is a true work of art. I'm speechless. One of the best things I've ever read, ever. Keep it the hell up.
Max
1/31/01 17:23:43
EST
Name: Brian
Subject: re my last post
I do apologize for my hasty racist assessment of the ugly white girl; I see now that her smile is quite warm and genuine, hardly what I would classify as a porn-face. Anyway, as penance for making such an unfounded criticism of the site that offers me so much entertainment, I offer two entertaining comments from a fucked-up, not-so-funny site I came across.
[Editor's note: Comments cut. You must actually see this site to believe it. Swear to God they have links to books on the "paranormal mysteries in the Bible" and "Milk - the Deadly Poison". (JR)]
Please forgive my insolence, and thank you for helping me realize that my passionate hatred for Whitey might be racist. God damn Whitey. Oh, and could you post a link to your How To Operate A Microwave article for the other readers? It is one of my favorites. Thanks!
Editor's note: No.
1/31/01 01:01:43
EST
Name: SpaceWeasel
E-mail: spaceweasel@triplesix.net
Subject: Replies to Editorial Comments on Previous Posts
Editor's note: These four separate (lengthy) posts, which refer to editorial comments on SpaceWeasel's previous posts, have been posted on a separate page. They have been posted without further editorial commentary, mainly so the editor has time to run this site. :) (JR)
1/28/01 18:01:32
EST
Name: James
E-mail: ledej@bridgtonacademy.org
Subject: K-rock radio
After listening to the robot comedy #1 with the k-rock bashing at the end, I wondered what station(s), if any, Jason listens to. It would be cool if you could reccommend a good heavy metal or rock station, as I live in the NYC area.
I also just want to say that this site is great, especially the self-gratification awards. Thanks for all the great content.
Editor's note: Yeah, I guess making fun of a NYC radio station isn't the most universal of jokes... But anyway, I don't listen to the radio much, but if you're looking for a heavy metal station, the main one is WSOU, 89.5 (you can also listen online). Other good rock stations are WFDQ, 91.9 and WNYU, 89.1 (also via RealAudio). On the Web, check out Virgin Radio from London for good non-grunge-influenced modern rock. (JR)
1/27/01 21:42:20
EST
Name: Brian
E-mail: AynRand12@aol.com
Subject: Self-Gratification of the Day Award
I have no moral objection to nudity, I don't really care. But this is the most entertaining and -- in terms of intellectual commentary -- gratifying site on the web, and certainly the one I visit most, so it's annoying that your daily gratification page has that picture of the ugly naked white girl. Not because god (mother) makes me feel guilty looking at her, but because she is ugly. She is really ugly. Get a nice asian girl maybe. But -- and please know that this is only an aestetic complaint -- get a nice asain girl that isn't making an ugly stupid porn face. Porn faces are why porn sucks. I will employ the standard Objectivist concept of physical attraction to make a point here here, because the Objectivist concept is correct: my girlfriend playing the piano is a lot more sexy than an ugly porn face. Anyway, sorry to have complained, but the white girl is really ugly. Your robots are the best. Keep up the good work comrades!
Editor's note:
Glad you like the site. But you sound a little racist, man. "Ugly naked white girl"? Why not just "ugly naked girl"? Actually, I don't find her ugly, but if I did, it wouldn't be because of what race she is. You might want to think about that one.
Now, as far as Asian girls go, you'll get no objections from me. (I happen to think, statistically speaking, that Asians are the best-looking race out there) But Christ, why stick with a single race? There's just too many beautiful women in too many colors, shapes, and sizes to limit yourself like that.
Next: re. your "porn face" comment. I disagree. Sure, she's got a "porn body", but a "porn face"? Christ, if a woman happens to be smiling while her legs are spread wide open, so be it. You should be thanking her for that, not putting her down. If you have a problem with legs that are spread wide open, then ask your girlfriend to play the piano in that position. That might help to persuade you on the idea.
Ok, your complaint has now been registered. But the chick stays!
P.S. Glad you like the robots. (JR)
1/27/01 03:32:59
EST
Name: Don Watkins
E-mail: AynRand12@aol.com
Subject: Save The Humans!
Thanks for the many many laughs. It's rare that I can find humor which is damn funny *and,* at the same time, makes a good point. To show my appreciation, I have littered my own site with Save the Humans banners. Keep up the good work...and save us all.
Editor's note: We appreciate the nice words, but the link to Mr. Watkins' homepage has been removed due to some links to pseudo-Objectivist (e.g. David Kelley) material on his site. (JR)
1/27/01 01:25:06
EST
Name: Schadenfreude
Subject: Fucked Company
This post refers to: Self-Gratification Award, Jan. 24
Took you long enough to find FC. You guys are really on top of the net, aren't you.
-S-
Editor's note: It sounds like you just found this site. Where the hell have you been? You non-cutting-edge bastard. (JR)
1/24/01 13:39:56
EST
Name: Dan
Subject: How to Speak Southern
Hey, whoever posted the previous comment: you got it all wrong, man. Aaron's article on the sounthern languange was no joke; rather, I suspect that he was laying groundwork for a more extensive future treatise on the Mind of the Southern Man. He was born and raised in the south (like me) and is very familiar with our terminology and customs.
Kudos to you Aaron, for this insightful article. Teach on!
From the heart of G'ville, South Carolina to all a y'all out there: Have a nice day!
1/22/01 21:27:43
EST
Name: Me
Subject: You
This post refers to: How to Speak Southern
You have some serious issues to deal with, prick.
1/11/01 18:39:11
EST
Name: james
Subject: thanks
i mean it, out loud laughter sitting at the desktop. my wife thought i was nuts. i am. thanks, i needed that.
1/7/01 03:15:43
EST
Name: SpaceWeasel
E-mail: spaceweasel@triplesix.net
Subject: FISHPA: The Fairness in Superhero Hiring Practices Act
"Harry, the great-great-great grandson of an Aztec chieftain whose toe was stepped on by Christopher Columbus while his tribe was trying to sacrifice the village virgin to the Sun God (previously; "Blind Harry" the china shop clerk)."
MORE IDIOCY? Yes it's true. I'm not sure what you're trying to imply here - aside from the article's overall tone that hiring laws magically discriminate against competent, white male heterosexuals - but it reeks of ignorance. The two ideas I get from this paragraph are 1) The Spanish didn't do much to the Aztecs, and they were just a bunch of whiners and 2) The Aztecs were morally rephrensible to begin with. I suppose, then, that Cortez's annihilation of the Aztec empire, and the subsequent enslavement of its people, was OK - and presumably so was the treatment of the rest of the some 100 million "savages" living in the Americas when they were "discovered" by competent heterosexual white Christian Europeans. Makes sense to me.
Editor's note: Still reading all this stuff that lacks in "intelligence or even basic logic"? If you don't mind me saying, you really need to work on your time management skills. But anyway, I think you're being a tad presumptuous to assume I believe that "Aztecs were morally rephrensible (sic) to begin with." Why would I find a culture primarily known for its mass human sacrifices morally reprehensible? (JR)
12/29/00 18:01:32
EST
Name: SpaceWeasel
E-mail: spaceweasel@triplesix.net
Subject: Letter to the About.com Chinese Culture Guide
WHAT? I have now upgraded your site from "bad attempts at humor" to "totally fucking insane ranting." Why are you so violently against China? I won't argue about the relative totalitarianism of China (which is actually becoming MORE LIBERAL) compared to other countries in the world, but why on EARTH would about.com's CHINESE CULTURE site be about what a horrible cesspit of human misery and death and destruction China is? You have some serious mental issues to work out. Anyway, I guess I'll go back to cowering in fear of China's whopping 17 medium-long range ICBMs - which may or may not even be able to LAUNCH, let alone hit the United States, let alone be shot down by a wacky and impossible to implement missile defense system (in reference to your views expressed on other areas of the site).
Editor's note: Thanks for the upgrade. I notice it comes after you concluded in your last post that we are "extremely lacking in intelligence or even basic logic". Thanks also for the term "relative totalitarianism". I'll be sure to discuss that concept with my partially pregnant cousin.
As to your question: "why on EARTH would about.com's CHINESE CULTURE site be about what a horrible cesspit of human misery and death and destruction China is?" Well, for the same reason they have links to information on Chinese government, history, people, and news. You don't think the fact that China is a cesspit of human misery is relevant? Secondly, the freaking relative totalitarianism of China dictates what can and can't be part of Chinese culture. E.g, a little thing called censorship. (JR)
12/29/00 17:47:29
EST
Name: SpaceWeasel
E-mail: spaceweasel@triplesix.net
Subject: Letter to the Associated Press
The more of your site I read, the more I realize you are extremely lacking in intelligence or even basic logic. Moreso than your wacky politics and bizarre, reactionary views, this struck me as interesting. Since when is someone's IQ "objective" and how exactly could the AP be expected to find out? Should they test him themselves, I suppose? The fact is, "IQ" is an extremely SUBJECTIVE thing that can vary greatly depending on the test used, who administers it, and how it is analyzed.
Editor's note: You don't think that a mentally retarded person (such as yourself), can be objectively differentiated from a person with a normal-to-high intelligence (such as myself)? As far as how the AP should have determined whether the prisoner was in fact retarded, that's their problem. If they choose to start the controversy that an executed prisoner might have been retarded, they should have some shred of evidence that the story is true. How would you like to see an article on the front page of the New York Times that said "SpaceWeasel opponents say SpaceWeasel is a liar, a thief, a wifebeater, and a really, really, bad dresser"? Or would you not expect the Times to have to do any research? (JR)
12/29/00 17:42:20
EST
Name: SpaceWeasel
E-mail: spaceweasel@triplesix.net
Subject: What Women Want (Mel Gibson's Ass)
Web Site: www.triplesix.net
I think the problem feminists have is that "the media" promotes the idea that the ONLY acceptable virtue for a woman is beauty, and they should be judged on that, not their intelligence.
[Editor's note: I wonder if my favorite television personality would agree with you (Judge Judy).]
The comparison at the beginning of the article is meaningless, because TV and the movies and whatnot are full of male characters based on something other than (or in addition to) their looks. Compare the number of less-than-attractive actors to the number of less-than-attractive actresses, for instance. Just a few thoughts.
[Editor's note: You might want to remember the recent anti-Barbi doll campaign. "Astronnaut Barbi" and "Police Barbi" weren't enough for the feminists. They needed "Flat-chested, big-thighed Barbi", too. I think the feminists' motives are obvious.]
Oh, and a lot of feminists (I can say from personal experience) are extremely hot, so I doubt it's "simple envy."
[Editor's note: I doubt it's "simple envy", too. That's what I said changed my mind about.]
I won't even get into your idea that women no longer face any sort of discrimination, but maybe if you looked at a few income statistics you would realize the fallacy of that argument.
Editor's note: Ok, let's talk about logical fallacies. The fact that women on average make less than men does not automatically lead to the conclusion that discrimination is the cause. As Christina Hoff Sommers pointed out in "Who Stole Feminism?", women's career and educational choices play a role in the salary discrepancy. But you're right, I did imply that no discrimination exists, which is impossible to prove and probably false. So I revised the second sentence in "At one time, feminists had something legitimate to achieve. Real discrimination existed..." to read "Discrimination was prevalent..." (JR)
12/29/00 17:22:46
EST
Name: T C
Subject: Catholic Church vs. McD
If you're going to pick on the Catholic Church, then PICK ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Don't drag everyone else into it!!!
Editor's note: Well elucidated. Maybe you're not too happy that the "complete renunciation of natural law" is also required by other religions?
12/27/00 08:29:44
EST
Name: Janus
Subject: What Women Want (Mel Gibson's Ass)
I don't know what the feminists are trying to pull but beauty is all but objective, people should have the right to decide for themselves what is beautiful, even if they would want to be that in the first place.
12/24/00 22:22:16
EST
Name: That Guy
Subject: FAQ Question about Advertising
In your FAQ section, I remember that the question about advertising on your site was originally phrased something like, "Word up, G! Like, how do I advertise here yo?" Why did you change it? It was a lot of funnier when you wrote it in ebonics. Other than that, keep up the good work!
Editor's note: We changed it so we would be taken more seriously. The same reasoning explains the addition of the phrase bestiality on geese. (JR)
12/12/00 03:23:11
EST
Name: Chris McKenzie
E-mail: christaganov@hotmail.com
Subject: Singles
Website: communities.msn.com/ObjectivistSingles
To Whom It May Interest:
There is now a website for Single Objectivists. To my knowledge, this is the first of its kind. This site is still in the process of being created, so all suggestions and ideas are welcome.
11/29/00 13:43:40
EST
Name: Michael Stone
Subject: Dog Awards & Bleeding Heart Liberal Arts
Check out this site. It's very funny. It reads like 'The ABC of Communism' mixed with a liberal arts class. I read it for about 20 minutes and I was still unable to figure out what it was they were protesting against. I mean, it's obviously just mean old whitey, but they seem to say that it doesn't matter what color you are. They also say that you're not privileged because you're white, you're white because you're privileged. How odd. I guess my science degree left me unable to understand such 'higher' 'thinking'.
www.postfun.com/racetraitor
Editor's note: My favorite line is "The key to solving the social problems of our age is to abolish the white race, which means no more and no less than abolishing the privileges of the white skin."
I'd rather just build a machine that stamps stars on people's stomachs. (See Dr. Seuss' The Sneetches.) (JR)
11/21/00 10:41:00
EST
Name: Michael Stone
Subject: Response to Objectivism Study Group Post
This post refers to: Response to Objectivism Study Group Post
It's about time someone told these prigs to go choke on the bible they keep quoting. Yes, I meant to write the 'b' word. If all you can do is quote without understanding then you're as bad as the mumbo jumbo spouting mystics. As Mr Aaron Davies is obviously so desperate, allow me to help: Get Fucked.
Editor's note: It is a great book, but like most books, it's more useful when you actually read and understand it. (JR)
11/20/00 14:37:23
EST
Name: James Bennett
E-mail: aryxx@ozemail.com
Subject: Anti-Drug Hounds
This post refers to: DOG Award - Antidrug Media Campaign
A good read, Roth--and you've given the target shown the contempt it deserves.
These altruistic types are coming out of the woodwork lately--a sort of spawning season for them, it appears. We've got them in Oz as well, never fear. They seem to thrive wherever English is done spoke.
Look forward to reading more by you and other contributors to this site. Cheers.
11/18/00 20:46:32
EST
Name: Grandma
Subject: Save your own children Leave mine alone.
This post refers to: Save Your Own Children, Leave Mine Alone
Powerful. This justification for government action in the name of children is so pervasive that as soon as I hear the phrase for the children I'm about to heave. And that is awful, because children will grow up to produce our future.
Hillary's It Takes a Village is puke. Her ilk is out to destroy the self reliant small town and wants everyone in the childlike government dependent state.
My favorite part of your insightful rant is about the "debate". It's like spin. It's a game instead of discovery of truth based on the evidence of truth. And yes, it calls for good sportsmanship, except they have no rules -- or is the rule the one who makes you feel unearned guilt wins.
11/14/00 21:59:20
EST
Name: Grandma
Subject: on triple splitz-o cup and starving children
This post refers to: On Triple Splitz-O Cups and Starving Children
By the time I read through to the gummi watch I was laughing so hard tears were streaming from my eyes.
And I need to lose weight!
Isn't it great that we live in a paradise of choices? Why we can plunk our hard earned cash down on almost anything.
Heck, come to think of it, some of our citizens can pluck down cash they haven't earned. Wait a minute. The government takes 1/3 of what I earn and allows other people to spend it. I guess thats the hell of it.
11/14/00 20:39:12
EST
Name: David Morgan
E-mail: morgandj@ozemail.com.au
Subject: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (Oi, Oi, Oi!)
[ENTIRE POST CENSORED BY EDITOR]
Editor's note: I disagree. (JR)
11/14/00 01:54:20
EST
Name: Rachel
Subject: On Triple Splitz-O Cups and Starving Children
This post refers to: On Triple Splitz-O Cups and Starving Children
I've always loved life and you just made me smile and realize why. Thanks for helping me remember why i'm proud to be happy and selfish. Only one problem - you reminded me how good the Hand Grenade was and now i'll have to wait until i'm in New Orleans again to have one - thanks a lot!
11/8/00 10:02:35
EST
Name: Gorgonzola
E-mail: mgord@home.com
Subject: Civil Disobedience / Objectivism Study Group
This post refers to: Response to Objectivism Study Group Post
The stereotype that objectivists are negative people who have a stick up their ass is perpetuated by people like Davies. The Objectivist Sex piece was one of the best I've seen on this site. Truth be told, the negative-minded objectivists are the ones who will renounce objectivism later on, saying that it stole their free will and ruined thier lives in some multi-paragraph "review" of Atlas Shrugged on amazon.com
Real objectivsts think for themselves, take a postive view on life, and know how to have fun. Whenever I quote from the Lexicon, I do so as a prelude to an argument that I put in my own words, not as the actual argument. To be honest there was only one objectivist I ever met (well I've only met 3 of them, and since I live in Vancouver that in itself is an achievement) who was negative-minded, and this guy was in fact one of those Mr. Spock types. Hopefully sites like yours will help other such objectivists pull the sticks out of their asses and actually hold their own lives as their highest value rather than the Lexicon.
11/6/00 07:43:04
EST
Name: Ben Steinhart
E-mail: Benjamin12148@aol.com
Subject: Any student of Ayn Rand's philosophy is a friend of mine--I hope.
Dear savethehumans.com:
Thank you for awakening me from my Kantian slumbers.
Sincerely,
Ben Steinhart
10/14/00 7:22:00 PM
EST
Name: Jamie Kelly
Subject: One tiny point
This post refers to: Save Your Own Children, Leave Mine Alone
Bravo, Mr. Roth, bravo. Encore, even.
But can we at least give the goose-steppers one point, which is this: The marketers of these slasher/sex flicks are not too far above the level of a turd mouse for trying to foist their garbage on our kids. Can we at least say THAT? Can we give them a big "fuck you" while protecting their civil liberties? I sure can.
Sincerely,
Jamie Kelly
10/03/00 12:14:00 PM
EST
Name: David Buchner
Subject: Save your own children...
This post refers to: Save Your Own Children, Leave Mine Alone
I am so fucking sick of parents who act helpless in the face of what their kids WANT. Like they can't just say NO. Like they have no fucking control over what they do. That's what all this is really about, isn't it? What they really want is for the movie executives to stop putting them in a situation where they might have to exert some parental control over what their kids do -- and risk little Skylar or Bebe or Brandon or Kelli being mad at Mom or Dad for telling them they can't go.
I've been reading some stuff about "Tweens" -- all these little girls who are worshipping Britney Spears and strugging around like teenagers starting instead when they're ten or so.
(www.city-journal.org/html/8_4_a1.html for example)
....And what I get out of it is that the parents all either think it's beyond their control. Why???
10/03/00 07:26
EST
Name: Gorgonzola
Subject: Objectivist Sex
This post refers to: The 25 Most Inappropriate Things An Objectivist Can Say During Sex
How exactly does a couple perform the A is A position, and how much cool whip is needed?
Editor's note: It's a lot like the "existence exists", but both partners are standing up. (JR)
10/02/00 16:02:28
EST
Name: Fran Lavin
Subject: Open a poor box for ex-Catholics
This post refers to: The 25 Most Inappropriate Things An Objectivist Can Say During Sex
Jason: Suggestion. Use guilt to earn money. I felt as if I should pay someone, why not you, when I printed out the 25 things an Objectivist should not say during sex. If you had a box to check $1 $5 $10 $25 I would have felt gratified enough to check $25, restrained myself and considered $10, been unable to hit the lowly $1 and balanced out the entire affair with a $5 and slunk away knowing full well that it was worth a $10 spot. Sincerely, Fran Lavin
Editor's note: Hey, we're too selfish not to accept donations. (JR)
10/02/00 12:07:54
EST
Name: other me
Subject: objectivist sex
This post refers to: The 25 Most Inappropriate Things An Objectivist Can Say During Sex
WOW - that was great. Can't wait to see the comments you get on that one....
10/02/00 11:52:39
EST
Name: Chris McKenzie
E-mail: taganov@earthlink.net
Subject: Movie Censorship
This post refers to: Save Your Own Children, Leave Mine Alone
I just wanted to say that--ONCE AGAIN--I loved your article. Most of the charges against movie-violence stem from the realism of the violence. Several years ago, a group of people trying to "protect the children" were all up in arms about the UN-realistic violence in children's cartoons. It seems that some poor little girl's idiot brother put her in a coma by dropping a cement block onto her head from his treehouse. Evidently he saw Wile E. Coyote get hit with a cement block on TV, and didn't realize that it would actually hurt his sister if he did the same to her. Two issues: One, the kid is an idiot, two, if the kid is so out of touch that he doesn' |
