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Comments, Love Letters, and Death Threats
Comment Archive 6
The posts below were made from June 12, 2002 to September 12, 2002.
You can also visit our previous comment archive, containing messages from April 9, 2002 to June 10, 2002.
To make a post, please visit the main comment page.
Name: Michael
E-mail: mikespitler@surewest.net
Subject: A year later
While reading A Year Later, I was reminded of what I felt
that day for a moment.
That day, I had just gotten up to go to school, when my Dad called from
work to tell us that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. I
turned on the TV and saw one of the towers with a cloud of smoke
billowing out. I remember being unable to believe it, it seemed so unreal.
Remembering that I needed to get ready for school, I went back to my
room to put on my JROTC uniform, and watched the news on my TV. While I
was buttoning up my shirt, I saw the first tower fall. I stood there,
staring at the TV for several minutes, unable to comprehend the fact
that the skyscraper was gone. I had always thought of skyscrapers as
towers that would last forever. It just never seemed possible to me that
they could fall.
I mangaged to get myself dressed and ready for school, but on that day
my Mom decided she would drive. Less than a mile down the road I
remembered that I had forgotten my name tag, so we turned around and headed
back. After that we started back towards school when we heard on the
radio that the second tower collapsed. I was silent the whole trip, and
the entire day at school I couldn't get the events of that morning out
of my head.
After school my Mom came to pick me up and I was very interested in
hearing what else had happened. She told me about those palestinian
bastards who danced in the streets, shouting "God is great!" I cried, and,
at the same time, felt an incredible rage exploding inside of me. I
felt the overpowering desire to kill every single palestinian and every
one of their brothers in spirit throughout the Middle East. In my mind,
I entertained thoughts of seeing their overjoyed expressions turn to
fear and horror as bullets from US soldiers rip through their bodies, and
afterwards the only sounds coming from their foul mouths will be moans
and crys. I had this anger inside me all day, but there was no object
for it until that moment.
Being fortunate enought to have lost no one in those attacks, and my
distance from where it happened, has caused me to feel nothing but rage
and anger without feeling sadness very often. My feelings are best
summed up by the following line from Hamlet, Scene IV, Act IV:
O, from this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!
Still, at times I felt sadness, like when I visited the California
State Fair. They had a piece of a steel beam from the WTC on exhibit at
the fair, and when I saw it I felt the bewilderment I felt on that day.
The beam didn't belong there, it belonged in a skyscraper; the Twin
Towers belonged in the New York Skyline.
I want to see the bastards who did this burn in a firebomb inferno. I
want to see them suffer. I want them to be wiped out of existence. It
is a year later and I am still SO pissed off!
9/12/02 00:48:14
Name: Rick Signer
E-mail: pizzadude@sluggy.net
Subject: Hannibal Ad Portas
We're going to die.
The Twin Towers will never be rebuit - all you'll see are faint echoes
of them, meek signs of midget surrender.
When people speak of the War on Terrorism, they spend most of their
time demanding apologies for atrocities that either never happened at all
or are greatly exaggerated.
Politicians have managed to make the events of 9-11-01 into just
another 'tragedy', that they can use to further their own petty political
games.
Most people who talk about it or it's consequences do so jokingly,
laughingly - as if they're denying what happened, to make it all go away.
Some call the Enron scandal - a trite little con job blown far out of
proportion - more important and of more impact than the slaughter of
thousands of civilians.
The only nation anyone can work up the courage to invade is Iraq - and
they can't even get the support to do that.
By the second anniversery, by September Eleventh, 2003, nobody will
care any more.
We are going to die.
9/11/02 21:52:41
Name: Samantha
Subject: this was awesome!
I'd have to say that this was one of the best editorial articles I had read in a very long time. I, being born in the good ol' state of North Carolina (sigh), have had to deal with those same racial views on "normal" relationships. However my family, being from Michigan, brought me up to never view others differently and never tried to persuade me to only date within my race. I count it a blessing to have been thought the value of equality and how to appreciate people of all races. Thanks for the opportunity to read your views on this topic! I've never heard it more well put!
Editor's Note: Thanks. Though I probably could have made the point with just the last two sentences. (JR)
7/18/02 11:09:50
Name: Mr. Dumpy
E-mail: dude@studio8.net
Website: www.studio8.net
Subject: Praying for prayer
I think it's high time that we all get together and pray with our heartiest of hearts for some prayer to take place. I figure, the more people who are diligently praying for prayer, the more it will increase the chances of prayers being said all across the world!
7/17/02 02:26:25
Name: Doug
Subject: aMERICA'S aRMY
What do you think about taxpayer money being put towards television commercials? i.e: Not just--'Don't Do Drugs'-or 'Just say no'--we've been through that before: What about ads to join the army?
And also what about this
America's Army: The game. Get it for free! (Technically...) Oh by the way, the article won't tell how much the game cost to make but I can assure you it's about 6.5 million dollars. Do they really need to create a videogame to give citizens the motivation to join their army? What kind of person joins the army on the basis of a video game? Will that person ever see the action provided in the game? If he does will he even survive the battle?
I think the whole thing is a waste. You just have to be aware of the values you cherish in order to defend your country.
I'm with you Jason when you said you'll fight-you'll kill. I will to. But only for a government that is on the side of MY VALUES freedom: i.e: the freedom from coersion--i.e: to leave me the hell alone, and liberty.
The problem in this case is that those in charge (in America and my native Canada) don't seem to know what the hell they're doing. I'm not willing to risk my life under incompetence - I would still like to come home to live under the freedom I fought for.
Editor's Note: The government needs to do some marketing (advertising and if necessary, making video games), so I don't have a problem with it. Messages like "Uncle Sam wants you" and (in the case of the game) "this is what it's like to be in the army" are fine. "You've been drafted" isn't. (JR)
7/14/02 11:13:41
Name: Michael Spitler
E-mail: spitler_mike@hotmail.com
Subject: 198 million Muslems can't be wrong...
From what you said in your editorial, it sounds like the country is going down the tubes faster than we thought. I can't tell if the nation will simply collapse on it's own or if our leaders will let outside forces destroy us, but it seems that our time is limited.
I know you don't want the boat that is our society to sink, but I think that we should be prepared just in case it does. Any ideas for a life boat?
Editor's Note: Nope, but with all these flags, there won't be a sail shortage. (JR)
7/11/02 17:55:02
Name: Jamie Kelly
E-mail: jkelly@missoulian.com
Subject: Enough Firemen and Flags
Agreed on your editorial about photos of flags and firemen. What we need is a 24-hour cable channel showing those planes flying through the towers, and people leaping out of buildings, and people with no limbs, with a siderail image of Osama bin Ladin laughing at us. Maybe then, as my East Coast girlfriend does every time she sees those images, we'll start to shake, cry and lash out in rage: "Those motherfuckers."
7/11/02 16:40:18
Name: John Smith
E-mail: hannibalsmith@hotmail.com
Subject: prayer and copyrights
Hey JR, sorry it took so long to get back to see the editor's note. Your comment is precisely right as usual. The point is it is irresponsible to swear allegiance or swear-in under ANYTHING except your own responsibility.
The scenario I painted is extremely unrealistic but I wanted to point out the absurdity of the entire situation. Thanks for keeping an eye out for the weaknesses, I hate it when I get lazy.
Salute'
p.s personal opinion: Newdow is an idiot anyway. I can't stand yuppie larva pussies.
Editor's Note: Oops, I guess the sarcasm went over my head. One newspaper report mentioned that Newdow had a copy of Atlas Shrugged, so he can't be all bad. (JR)
7/10/02 17:47:46
Name: Dave the Stalker
Subject: Show me your nipples
I was wondering if there are any girls on your staff. Can I have a pic of their nipples please? I won't stalk them if they don't tell me where they live.
Editor's Note: Sorry, they said they're not interested. They're offended that you wouldn't stalk them. (JR)
7/10/02 01:45:54
Name: Steve Johnson
Subject: Great site!
Great site! I love the fact that you don't BS and just say things the way you see them. dead funny to.
BTW. I'm a pacman ghost (What pre 1985 videogame character are you?).
7/8/02 16:09:00
Name: Doug
E-mail: radiotheatre@iamwasted.com
Subject: Rights not Possession.
Ahh...The Boston Tea Party, Samuel Adams and co. really took it to them.
I was looking up information on a variety of my heroes. And I've found that most them are treated like garbage - even by those who profess to like them. I mean, it's incredibly depressing to listen to posts at music sites from alleged fans who discuss which bootleg they're going to track down next or which album they've ripped. Then they justify it with an upp-ity stated "I didn't know it was a crime to love my artist."
That is ignorance monumental proportions. The crime in this case isn't love for the artist. The crime is stealing their property. The crime is acting on the thought that 'love of an artist' entitles you to the fruits of their labour.
It's pathetic to witness those people who can't think any deeper than - "but it's my tape the recording is on" or "It's my computer the text is on"
If you stepped into my house would you become my slave? Rights not possession.
7/8/02 15:37:02
Name: JB
Subject: Finally some smart, funny commentary!
Website:www.buttafly.com
This site is great - finally some rants with actual substance! I'm putting a collection of great stuff together on my site, http://www.buttafly.com and will definitely include you guys.
7/6/02 19:52:12
Name: Daniel
E-mail: dwahl2@hotmail.com
Subject: "The Brews"
I saw in your newest "music picks" that you liked NOFX--and that you have five of their albums. Do you have Punk in Drublic (what I think is their best)?
If so, I was wondering if you think a video of the Israeli government wiping out all of the terrorists in Palestine to the music of a song on that album called "The Brews" has potential for being the best God-damn video CNN will ever play. (Of course, I'd watch a video like that even if it came with a song like "Oops, I did it again.")
Editor's Note: Yep, I do have Punk in Drublic. It's good musically, but it's one of their more political albums so I don't listen to it that much. Every time I hear him whine "apple pie and Chevrolet" in the last song that bashes capitalism I want to ring his neck. Why can't I like jazz? (JR)
7/6/02 00:38:51
Name: Mary
Subject: colors
once in a school report i wrote at random "my shit is very colorful" of course the teacher brought it to my parents attention i said i forgot the r of course they didnt belive me and then they asked what my shirt being colorful had to do with the french revolution
Editor's Note: At least you could have written "the French shits are very colorful." What the fuck were you thinking? (JR)
7/5/02 00:00:40
Name: Scott Abercrombie
Subject: Mr. Newdow vs. the Pledge of Allegiance
I recently read that Mr. Newdow stated, in an interview, that this wasn't really about his daughter. In turns out that his daughter, like many school children these days, was given a choice about saying that Pledge, and she voluntarily choose to say it. Mr. Newdow then went on to say that this was part of his "fight with the government. This is something that he even quit his job in order to devote more time to. That is just great. Instead of supporting his family, this man is trying to bully the rest of the country into accepting what he wants. Pardon me, but the idea of a democracy is that the majority rules.
Editor's Note: It's nice to know that liberals aren't the only ones who are willing to sacrifice arguments for the sake of ad hominem attacks and mob rules rationalizations. Actually, I take that back. You might be a liberal yourself. Everyone seems to disagree with the Pledge ruling. (JR)
6/28/02 12:03:23
Name: Arturo
E-mail: aapeve@fibertel.com.ar
Subject: obvious
Reading rule 16th you have a complete definition ,congratulations
Editor's Note: Thank you. I have no idea what you're talking about. (JR)
6/27/02 14:44:49
Name: Michael
E-mail: spitler_mike@hotmail.com
Subject: The Pledge
I just read your editorial, as usual you were right on the money.
I found out about the whole pledge thing when I got off work yesterday. I noticed that every argument I heard on FoxNews against the ruling had no rational basis.
(One thing I do like about FoxNews is that I can get the facts I need even if people like Bill O'Reilly and the rest of them have got it all wrong.)
That Jerry Falwell guy said the two judges are out of touch with 96% of the US population, and he gave that as one reason that the ruling was wrong, because 96% disagree with it! I don't even believe he got his numbers right, but even if the numbers were correct, would he have been right if he had said that the 96% has the right to drag the remaining 4% out of their homes and shot? In both cases it is wrong, and that is the thing the opponents ignore. The issue is not whether the majority wants it or not, but whether it is right or not.
I usually expect to see reason from people, but usually I get disappointed, and then I get really depressed. :-(
It's ok though, I'm better now after reading your editorial.
6/27/02 11:59:26
Name: Hannibal
E-mail: hannibalsmith@hotmail.com
Subject: "Pledge" article
First of all, imagine the balls that it took to call the pledge unconstitutional, when they knew that 98% of American's would say fuck em. However, it's not unconstitutional to say the pledge in school, just as it's not unconstitutional for a student to pray at school. What is unconstitutional is to FORCE children to say the pledge or to pray. I hate to recommend sending home permission slips with children but if we are gonna get our panties in an uproar about everything then it's either permission slips, private school, or home school. When I was in school, there were a couple of Jehovah's in my class, and they simply stood and faced the flag, and did not recite the pledge aloud. I asked one of them about it and she said that she recited the pledge to the USA, but left out the God part. Seems like an easy solution. HOWEVER, this does not alleviate Congress from the folly of ethical irresponsibility that they signed in 1954. The ramifications will go far beyond what we see here. Imagine being sworn into court to testify, being sworn into office, or being sworn into the military. All this is under God as your witness. If the use of the word God is found to be unconstitutional, there is no chance for perjury, no dishonorable discharges. In fact the same court that found the pledge unconstitutional swore in under a similar doctrine. Smells a little dickey to me. Good call and write on, Jason.
Editor's Note: Would you be able to sign a permission slip about whether your kid should learn the latest politically-correct garbage of the day? Also, I don't think we need "God" to prevent perjury. "I swear to tell the whole truth" is enough. (JR)
6/27/02 10:50:37
Name: Kibi
E-mail: kibi@geocities.com
Subject: Firemen & Flags
Great article. I keep hoping the Israeli government will do something similar rather than saying "Arafat is irrelevant" or "We know how to deal with Terror".
No one seems to have the courage of their convictions nowadays, or maybe they just don't have the convictions at all.
Seems to me that at the moment the terrorists have the upper hand because they have a very clear belief in their "cause" (be it ever so despicable in our eyes), while we are filled with self-doubt - a democracy with a free press is bound to have dissenters, anti-war types and other honest to goodness loyal opposition, quite apart from "evil influence" people who might take advantage of that loyal opposition to advance their own agendas.
So the question is, is the only way to achieve victory against a single-minded essentially brain-washed foe, to become equally single minded and brainwashed? I think the opinion of various Western governments over the years has been "Yes" - enemies were depicted in popular media and plain propaganda as less than human, more than ordinarily monstrous - Germans (back in WWII always depicted as stupid and cruel in British movies), Japanese ("The Nips") and Viet-Cong ("Charlie") have all been depicted as subhuman to some extent, and the bad stereotypes have lingered on long past the bad behaviour.
If Daniel Pipes is right and the eventual aim of the "War" is to produce be a less militant Islam, we have to look toward a strategy which means maintaining respect for the average muslim while being unyielding against the terrorist.
Any Ideas? If not, I'm quite content with the idea of kicking them out of my country, what would you do in yours?
--
Kibi
Editor's Note: First, I'm not convinced that Pipes is right in that respect. At least, he's never said "these are the principles of moderate Islam which we should be advancing, as opposed to these principles of militant Islam." He just points to Muslims who don't fly planes into buildings and says "they're the solution". I'm not saying he might not be right, but I'm not convinced. As far as your question about whether brainwashing is necessary: I wouldn't want to do it even if it were possible, and I don't think it's necessary. What we need are more people to remind everyone else what happened on September 11, what can happen if we do nothing, and to speak out in favor of the war, preferably a politician who can do something about it.
I just read a quote from Thomas Jefferson that elucidates this:
"Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, & that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain degree, I have looked on our present state of liberty as a short-lived possession unless the mass of the people could be informed."
(JR)
6/26/02 12:24:37
Name: Samantha
E-mail: sammysstar2001@yahoo.com
Subject: Loved It
I love this site! I've been here laughing my ass off for hours! My mom even thinks it's funny! And you guys get tons of points for honesty and putting bullshit into perspective. Keep up the good work!
Editor's Note: You have one cool mom. (JR)
7/2/02 18:07:58
Name: tom
Subject: ondcp propaganda
how about this."gassing up your suv suports terrorism". sound like a joke? it's not.oil money actually supports more terrorism than that sack of mexican weed you bought last weekend so smoke up and don't feel bad about that money going to support terror.
On the subject of funding things I don't believe in,the ondcp is using my tax dollars to fund the most blatent propaganda campaign I have ever seen.If america is so free and democratic then how come we can't get them to stop wasting our money on this crap.This kind of inaccessabilty to government is the very reason why people fly jets into buildings in the first place.
Editor's Note: Let me address just one of your many impressively idiotic points. You display yet another example of how liberals (or maybe in your case, "doped-up Deadhead") are willing to ignore crate-loads of evidence to defend their own stale premises. Saying that "inaccessibility to government" is the reason why people fly jets into buildings makes the act sound like the Boston Tea Party. (JR)
7/2/02 12:42:33
Name: Drew
Subject: It's on, Motherfuckers!
Bitch.
Editor's Note: Just curious. Why in God's name do you come back to this site if you don't like it? (JR)
6/25/02 23:48:45
Name: Drew
Subject: This site
[Entire post censored by editor.]
Editor's Note: Drew, how's this for "subtle facism"? (JR)
6/23/02 16:46:53
Name: BobC
E-mail: bcooksey@acclaim.com
Subject: Bravo on the gay thing
I'm a gay man and I think you admitting you were talking out your butt on gay issues took a lot of guts and class. I appreciate it and you are exactly the kind of thinking conservative that will eventually bring the term respectability again. Yeah, you straight people are clueless about what it's like to be gay but then most guys are clueless about what it's like to be a girl. Who gives a damn. Live and let live, pal.
6/21/02 18:00:10
Name: BobC
Subject: Israel
Right FUCKING on. I am stunned at how the world is not supporting Israel in defending itself against these religious nutcases. If these Palestinian animals were blowing up Americans on a daily basis as they are Israelis, we'd have nuked them by now. Bush is a coward IMO and has his eye on that oil pipeline, not the suffering of the Israeli people.
I am not Jewish but it sure seems like they are the whipping dogs of just about every nutcase religious group on the planet. I find it despicable.
6/21/02 17:34:17
Name: melissa
E-mail: broadbentmelissa@hotmail.com
Subject: response
I commend you for your wanting to be the comedian. However, I am from the "Bible Belt" and I find it offensive. I am sure those of the Catholic faith would as well.
Editor's Note: I disagree. I was born and raised a Catholic, but I don't find it offensive at all. (JR)
6/21/02 11:08:51
Name: Michael
E-mail: spitler_mike@hotmail.com
Subject: I never thought about it that way...
Thanks for the reply to my last comment, I guess I was a bit mistaken about thinking that not being allowed to question the Commander in Chief while one is a soldier was wrong. Still, when I think about it, I still would rather be a journalist. I will be happier as a journalist and I don't want to join the military if all our government is going to do is focus on homeland defense and wait for the next attack to occur. I would be wasting my time, and I would rather be a journalist because then I can at least try to spread the word that we need to do more than just sit here and wait for the terrorists to kill more of us. Right now that's about all we can do, because I don't expect our government to renew the offensive against the terrorists. :-(
6/21/02 00:12:07
Name: Jessie
Subject: I love you
Jason Roth, will you marry me?
Editor's Note: Show me the money. (JR)
6/20/02 15:40:52
Name: Latin Lesbian
Subject: Lesbian Love
I am a 24 year old, hispanic female and I am gay! Well....I might be a little bi-sexual in that I have "done" a few guys. I am totally oversexed and never get enough! I am also a total nudist. Never wear clothes at home and frequently "flash" myself in public. Is there anyone else here with similar ideas?
Editor's Note: No, I don't think there are many other people here who like to flash themselves. BTW, thanks for putting "done" in quotes. Otherwise, I might have taken you literally. (JR)
6/19/02 12:50:58
Name: Brian Colby
E-mail: bjc1115@yahoo.com
Website: www.angelfire.com/mb2/orion5bjc/
Subject: your site
Hey Jason:
Your site is one of the funniest, laugh-out-loud sites I've seen in ages. And it actually makes you think for once - it makes us question the unbelievable amounts of bullshit generated by people just to get it printed in the papers.
Two thoughts for ya - (1) The in your face cigarette ads "infect truth" - should there be a counter campaign called "expose these frauds for socialism/communism?" (2) Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City - daughter in preschool, says that 600 kids are in recess at the same time, looks like prison yard) and Russell Simmons (Def Comedy Jam, pals include P Diddy, Chuck D, and others, encouraged kids to cut school and yell anti-police slogans) joining up for better education in New York City schools under Alliance for Quality Education - a good idea or not?
Brian Colby
Editor's Note: Thanks, glad you like the site. Re. #2: Never heard about this one, but I better start listening. If people in the entertainment industry don't know how to improve the "education system", who does? #1: Here's what the competing ads should show: A old black Cadillac speeding around a corner, then skidding to a stop in front of a big office building where a bunch of kiss-ass high school freshmen are protesting a tobacco company. A masked man then gets out of the Cadillac and pulls one of the kids into the car, and speeds away while the kid screams. The tagline could be: "Your truth might not necessarily be my truth. So keep your goddamn mouth shut."
6/16/02 20:46:47
Name: Michael
E-mail: spitler_mike@hotmail.com
Subject: Thanks for helping me get the translation working
Here are two translated excerpts that I thought were pretty funny:
"Speeching of racism, they brought that up before she won her Gasoline award."
"its not butt color, because we are all God' S creation, the human race."
He is right you know, you can't judge people by the color of their asses...
BTW, just so you know, I'm a Base Defender. [See What Pre-1985 Video Game Character Am I?] It makes sense to me, since I have always loved watching war movies. Have you seen that movie Black Hawk Down? It kicks ass! The US military kicks ass! If 160 troops and a handful of combat helicopters can hold off an entire city of thousands of psychotic gunmen, I think we can kick the asses of all the terrorist sponsoring states without much difficulty. All there has to be is a commitment to take the fight to the enemy.
The USA has for the last couple of decades neglected to do just that. We had no business getting involved to start with, but once we had gotten ourselves into that mess we should have used every means necessary to win that war. We didn't occupy Hanoi, we didn't attack their anti-aircraft batteries before they were finished because pilots didn't get permission, and we didn't stop the flow of supplies being funneled into the country from the other commie nations. Hell, if I was president at that time, I would have let my generals do whatever they needed to do to get the job done, with the only requirement being that they try to time the bombings to kill as many Soviet and Chinese operatives as possible!
But that is not what we did. We tried to "contain" them and we eventually pulled out, which was a disgrace, both to the soldiers who survived the war they should never have been asked, or in some cases forced, to fight, and to those who died. In most later engagements, we have never gone far enough. In the gulf war we stopped too soon, when we should have gone all the way to Baghdad, and not have left until Saddam was turned into worm-food. In Mogadishu when our troops got bloodied by Mohammad Adid's thugs, we should have regrouped, brought in more troops and some heavy armor, and gone back to kick some serious thug ass.
Because we haven't gone aggressively after those who murder our soldiers, those who want to harm our soldiers are emboldened. When we know that terrorists bombed those embassies and the USS Cole, and we don't retaliate to show that NO ONE kills our soldiers with impunity, our soldiers become more vulnerable to even more sneak attacks.
Ok, I got that out of my system, at least most of it. I'd join the military myself, but I changed my mind because I heard that soldiers aren't allowed to tell the commander in chief when he is full of shit. I don't know why men and women who are willing to fight and risk their lives to defend this country get their freedom of speech restricted. The best excuse anyone has been able to give me is that it is not "professional" to criticize the president, or that it undermines the chain of command. That is why I finally decided to become a journalist. (I think...)
I'm going to tell people when the government isn't doing it's job of defending it's citizens and when our government screws over our soldiers. Maybe it would help some, but my main goal would be to tell it how it is and make as much money as I can doing it. If I could get good enough and learn enough about the industry I could start my own newspaper. I might call it "The Objectivist Bee" or something like that. If you and other Objectivists keep spreading the word and Objectivism gains even more recognition, I may have a market big enough to sell it to, if it isn't big enough already. If I can do it, you can be the head of my funny page department, if you want the job. I'd hire you on the spot.
Editor's Note: You can't tell the Commander in Chief (or any other CO) that he is full of shit because the military needs people to obey orders, not second-guess the higher-ups. I agree with this. I wouldn't want to be on the front lines with someone who is busy questioning whether Sergeant Ballbuster was right in telling him to cover my ass. But this is why you need to believe in the military before joining it, and agree with their overall strategy. As of now, we don't appear to have one. (Strategy, that is.) As to your hypothetical periodical, I recommend targeting it towards the general (intelligent) public, not to Objectivists. There's not a lot of fun in preaching to the choir, unless of course you're a gay pedophile priest. (JR)
6/16/02 01:54:51
Name: Doug
E-mail: Radiotheatre@iamwasted.com
Subject: commercial
Have you seen that commercial yet? The one where there are cuts of children saying things like, "I killed a woman, I was just having fun." It's an anti-drug commercial. The commercial attempts to tell us (specifically young people) that buying drugs supports terrorists (and consequently makes you responsible for terrorist actions).
What is missing here? This commercial is run by the U.S government. Now, who has made drugs illegal? The government.
If this is such a big problem why not eliminate drug laws altogether? Then if you buy drugs you are paying your neighbor not your enemy, hell you could even harvest your own. So Government Drug Task Force, before trying to turn on the guilt meter, why don't you turn on the power to your brains.
Editor's Note: And every dollar spent on the "war on drugs" is another less dollar spent on the war on terrorists. (JR)
6/15/02 10:47:35
Name: Eric
Subject: this site
yawn
Editor's Note: Cover your mouth, you impolite bastard. (JR)
6/14/02 06:29:36
Name: Michael
E-mail: spitler_mike@hotmail.com
Subject: about dreadboy's comment
I tried your link under his comment, and to be honest I couldn't figure out how to use it, because I cannot find the Bullshit to English translation option anywhere. Am I doing something wrong?
Editor's Note: For some reason, the translation from French worked perfectly. (JR)
6/14/02 00:44:01
Name: Jamie
E-mail: Platos_Republic@hotmail.com
Subject: Rhetoric
This post refers to: Obligatory Halle Berry Comments and The First Black President.
When I read the post by Mr. Indecipherable, I went back and read your Halle Berry comments, which spurred me to go back over your Black President comments. Now, I couldn't care less who wins Hollywood Prom Queen, and I am not terribly concerned about the racist implications behind the "Black President" films - after all, there is a high demand for these films from both white and black audiences, and it seems to me that movie producers are simply making good business decisions. What bothers me is the author's argument technique. You make one statement in one article about the lack of racism in Hollywood, with absolutely nothing to back it up. And then weeks later you take another approach and claim that not only is Hollywood racist, but it is breeding racism in the minds of young children, again, with nothing to back it up. This either shows an absolute ignorance or disregard for logic - as asking A to equal B is a no-no covered in Logic 101 - or it illustrates careless inconsistency. Whichever the case, it throws into question everything you have written in the past. As I have enjoyed browsing through your site, I would like to assume that in either one or both cases you were playing Devil's Advocate in order to rouse the masses. Please clean up your rhetoric.
Editor's Note: First, let's get something straight. I'm not your bitch. You're my bitch. Good, I'm glad we got that out of the way. Now, your comment that the making of "Black President" films is just a good business decision is a gutless, nonjudgmental piece of non-Platonic Republican (or most likely, Libertarian) bullshit. Anyone who justifies anything simply because it makes money can go fuck himself and/or an Enron CEO up his proverbial ass. You also say that I claim a "lack of racism in Hollywood" in the Halle Berry article. Get your facts, straight, Plato. How is the phrase "the politically-correct racists in Hollywood" a claim for the lack of racism in Hollywood? When I asked for "evidence of racism in Hollywood" later in the article, I made the statement in a specific context. Namely, when I questioned whether racism prevented black actors from getting acting jobs. I am sorry to hear that you've enjoyed browsing my site. Your enjoyment was purely an unintended consequence. Sort of the opposite of collateral damage. (JR)
6/13/02 10:56:53
Name: Rachel
Subject: Firemen & Flags article
Fucking brilliant and totally to the point.
You should send this to every single newspaper, news organization, government official, website, newsgroup and any other place where more people can read it. I wish you could have Bush read this and respond directly.
6/12/02 11:21:39
Name: Abram
E-mail: brosseit@hotmail.com
Subject: I am Sam
I have just been jerked off by Sean Penn for 2.5 hours!!! This movie beginning to end is nothing but a paid advertisement for Starbucks, 7-11, and Pizza Hut. The big corporations are trying to let us know that they really care about the communities they occupy. Seeing this film is a waste of money. I have lost all faith in Sean Penn. He was one of my favorite actors, but if he is willing to lend himself to a film such as this, then he can't be trusted. He's a sell out.
Editor's Note: You gotta be kidding me. You mean Pizza Hut is a big supporter of the mentally retarded? You'd never know that from eating their pizza. (JR)
6/12/02 10:23:12
Name: Nikita
E-mail: funky_nickie@yahoo.com
Subject: The Entire Site
Jason:
Thank you very much for your site. It's by far the best on the net. I'm tired of "politically incorret" sites which are nothing but a bunch of ignorant bullshit (I mean sites with names like Fuck Everything and You Suck). I mean, the content here is pretty fucking serious, and the articles on Middle East, racism, Olympics, etc. are REALLY good, no bullshit. I'm glad to know there are people who tell the truth, and, arguably even more important, know how to say it - I mean, you got talent, man! It's not just like "fuck the terrorists" or "Commies suck" (although these assessments are also pretty appealing) - you've got style. Thanks again for the greatest site ever!
By the way, this is Ukraine calling - having been born in the USSR myself, I couldn't agree with you more on the totalitarian shit that's happening in Iraq, China, North Korea and such. America, Rock On!
Nikita
Editor's Note: Nikita, I'd be blushing, if I weren't such an arrogant bastard. (JR)
6/12/02 05:30:16
Name: tommy frayne
E-mail: frayne@mindspring.com
Subject: flags and firemen
I finally got to reading your article on firemen and flags. First, I like the idea. I think the empty patriotism is laughable. I also like the passion and prose of the piece.
On one particular point I am 100% with you. Racial profiling could increase our efficiency at finding potential threats. It isn't asians or Brits or French or white women from the south who are actually committing the acts of terrorism, it is middle eastern men under 50 years old. Although searching that swedish babe or stopping the family of 4 at the airport might seem "fair," it is a waste of time and takes labor resources away from more likely threats. Until a Canadian grandmother commits an act of terrorism we should just stick to the guys who fit the profile.
[Editor's Note: But before we start using racial profiling, we need to have an actual enemy. "Terror" isn't an enemy. (Have we ever been in a "War on Violence" or a "War on Whoa! that was below the belt"?) As Middle East expert Daniel Pipes continues to remind us, we need to specify who is the enemy. (JR)]
I didn't know Clinton never visited the WTC after the bombing, but wouldn't that have been another empty symbolic photo opportunity like when Bush came to the WTC ruins? Isn't that what you are arguing AGAINST?
[Editor's Note: I agree: it was a symbolic photo opportunity. But not an empty one. If a president appears at the site, it means he thinks it's important to be there. Not being there means he thinks it's not important. Clinton's absence was consistent with his choice to handle the WTC bombing as a police matter, rather than as a matter of national security. On a side note, I think I would feel sick to my stomach just to see Clinton anywhere near the site of the World Trade Center. (JR)]
What bothered me about your piece is that I agreed so strongly with the passion, but I think some analytical thinking needs to be considered before supporting military action for "pre-emptive self defense."
First, is there some military action we could take to avoid future terrorist attacks on our soil? Perhaps not. Remember the Koran advocates "an eye for an eye." Attacks on terrorist targets might inspire other individuals to take revenge. Many terrorist activities can be done by just a few maniacal individuals.
[Editor's Note: I don't buy this argument. We already know that a lack of military action will incite terrorist acts. And we know that the kind of terrorists we are fighting against are not lone individuals. (Shockingly, evidence suggests that bin Laden may have been behind the Oklahoma City bombing!) The terrorism of Islamic militants is planned, financed, and executed by terrorist organizations, which themselves are funded, directed, and/or tolerated by specific states. As Benjamin Netanyahu has explained, these terrorist groups cannot exist without the sanction of governments. In addition, we have also seen that military force works. We had fewer problems with the Japanese after dropping the Bomb, and Israel saw an immediate decrease in suicide bombings during their military campaign into Palestine earlier this year. We can't make the mistake Israel made, however. We can't ease up until the mission is complete. It also helps to actually define when your mission will be complete. (JR)]
Second, although terrorist activities are abhorrent, what are the real costs to us? People are worth at best $1 million each to society if they are working, healthy and under 30, and their value to society decreases towards $0 as they age. How much money are we willing to spend in military activities to save a few lives?
This same concept was used when congress was determining if airbags for cars should be mandated. I recall that the numbers worked out that our society was spending something like $800,000 in airbags for each life saved. It seems questionable whether airbags are a good investment for the land, labor, and capital of the American economy. I wonder what benefit would America see from military involvement that might offset the cost? I sure don't want to advocate the spending of $10 billion to spare 1000 Americans from a terrorist attack. (That's $10 million spent per person saved for those who don't like doing the math themselves.)
[Editor's Note: We have every reason to believe that Islamic militants will not stop until America, and civilization itself, is destroyed. Taking military action against Islamic terrorist groups is not for the purpose of "bringing those responsible to justice". It's about killing them before they kill us. (JR)]
I particularly enjoyed the comment about raising the flag on the ruins of Iranian and Iraqi government buildings, but in addition to the military cost, wouldn't $3 per gallon gasoline prices cripple our economy and throw us into a depression?
[Editor's Note: . I could argue that there are other places we can get our oil from, but I won't. Again, this is a matter of survival. I'd rather pay $3 a gallon for gas than $5,000 per corpse for funeral services. (JR)]
When you mention you want the president to "defend, without compromise," do you mean verbally? If so, I'm all for it. If you mean more military stuff my previous comment is applicable.
[Editor's Note: Both. (JR)]
Don't get me wrong, I like this piece, I just think some of these things can be thought about and considered in the piece to make the piece stronger.
[Editor's Note: I appreciate that. And hopefully my responses here have made it stronger. (JR)]
I guess what I want to say is that I love your viewpoint, and I agree with your passion, and I think a lot of people in Washington do too. But the problem is we don't know where to shoot. Hell, we dropped some insane number of bombs in afghanistan and half our targets just skipped across the border and set up their tents in Afghanistan. I think if the government knew where to drop that bomb or shoot that missile to cut back terrorism, they would. I also think they have realized that military action is expensive, generally ineffective, and may increase terrorist acts of retribution.
[Editor's Note: I assume you mean "set up their tents in Pakistan". You're right, this was ridiculous. That is, the US relying on Pakistan to do its dirty work, when Pakistan has been half-assed in their efforts at best, and terrorist-supporting at worst. Let's remember that is was Pakistan who legitimized the Taliban government. (Well, until G.W. Bush legitimized them by asking them to hand over bin Laden.) (JR)]
But I love those CNN specials with all the maps and charts showing troop movements. And I love the videos of stuff blowing up, so I hope they figure out the right targets soon and give us some footage of some cruise missiles running up some terrorist ass.
tommy frayne
Editor's Note: I like those videos, too. (JR)
6/12/02 01:49:52
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