When I was 7 or so, I remember watching what turned out to be the last Apollo mission. When I was 13, I watched the first flight of the first reusable spacecraft. There was talk of building ships in space, PROPER ships that would never land - and thus be useful as real interplanetary craft.
Then it all stopped, and the shuttle became a pickup truck to repair satellites so that people in Botswana could watch reruns of Leave it to Beaver.
Instead of looking out, we looked in. The internet was created, so that the few people not addicted to television would stop leaving the house. Our future got sold for Iphones and other useless gadgets that accomplish nothing save to keep you so "connected" that you can't have a moment to yourself.
Don't get me wrong...Some of these advances have greatly improved the lives of millions, especially in the medical/geriatrics field. But most of them are trinkets, glass beads with which to buy the population...We did it to the Native Americans, and now we're doing it to ourselves.
And the future - MY future - evaporated in a cloud of mushy-headed, short range "thinking" that seems to be mostly about defining who doesn't get to have rights...The progress of 220 years spun 180 degrees, for the benefit of terrified White people. People who have NO FUCKING GUTS and are so intimidated by other races, cultures, and religions that they are doing their level best to ensure that their own children will be reduced to the antebellum "overseer" class. They'll be poor White trash, but at least they won't be Those People, right?
We and our children were sold out by cowards. The future we GOT is something approximating 1850s America with better toys and a few creature comforts. I find this to be totally fucking unacceptable. I see NO reason why we shouldn't be DEMANDING certain things. A government that can balance a fucking cheque book. Some butter - and research - instead of guns. The refusal to allow religious freaks to dominate our society. Maybe Tucson could have a school district that ISN'T run by a mouthbreathing racist like Michael Hicks ("It's not racism, we're only targeting Hispanic culture." Actual quote.).
I'm fucking angry today. I haven't been actually angry in a while. It's time to get loud and obnoxious, IRL, because that's been a successful strategy for the religious freaks, while the more intelligent, civilized portion of society has civilized themselves right out of any say in the political process at all.
So what I'm saying is, it's time to be uncivilized, for the sake of civilization.
Spazzed out for now,
Dok
Is it time to get my Angry Black Woman on?
'cause I'm fucking pissed too, Dok, and I've found that I have less and less patience for the STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY.
Pedophilic, homophobic, misogynist, racist "jokes" that seemed over-the-top and funny in the nineties aren't fucking funny anymore. Not in an era when public figures are calling law students sluts and prostitutes because they want access to birth control. Not when there are articles on staying safe from Darkies being widely read and publicized.
Shit just doesn't seem ironic the way it used to. I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking about waking the fuck up and paying attention to the stupidity instead of mindlessly participating in it.
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Is it time to get my Angry Black Woman on?
'cause I'm fucking pissed too, Dok, and I've found that I have less and less patience for the STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY.
WHAT WOULD ANGELA DAVIS DO?
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Pedophilic, homophobic, misogynist, racist "jokes" that seemed over-the-top and funny in the nineties aren't fucking funny anymore. Not in an era when public figures are calling law students sluts and prostitutes because they want access to birth control. Not when there are articles on staying safe from Darkies being widely read and publicized.
Shit just doesn't seem ironic the way it used to. I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking about waking the fuck up and paying attention to the stupidity instead of mindlessly participating in it.
I've found that the best way to respond to a guy who tries to be "edgy" like that is to slap the living Blue Jesus out of him, either verbally or (occasionally) physically. It's the only way they learn. I've only ever had one woman try that shit, and I went the verbal route (Somehow, slapping women physically is an exception to my rule about treating people equally...Probably because I out-mass most women by 2:1). Some trustafarian college student who was having a grand old time with Daddy's Amex telling me how "Liberals talk, but never DO anything". I asked her if that applied to Jefferson, Madison, or Franklin, then asked her when she planned to enlist. Her comments about "Welfare Queens" (read: The obvioously poor Black lady who had just walked by on the sidewalk outside) led to hilarity. I haven't seen her since.
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
I don't know if it's exposure to the death of a loved one or general fed-up-ness, but I have grown a very thin skin regarding loud religious types, regardless of demomination, when they talk outside of their game rules.
And I agree about the "transgressive" humor these days. When it didn't seem so openly hostile, I could deal with faux "irony". These days, it's just repellent.
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 06:53:56 PM
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
Don't forget public testimony.
A vastly underutilized aspect of our Western Democracy.
Legislators don't expect the general public to show up to those things. It's usually paid lobbyists or someone with some kind of financial stake in whatever legislation or policy is being considered.
From personal experience I can tell you that they do take notice when an average joe walks in to give testimony. It may not necessarily change things, but I think if more people did it, maybe things would start nudging in a slightly different direction. Or, at the very least, maybe more consideration and less rubber-stamping.
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 06:53:56 PM
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
I'm going to start attending political events again, at the municipal level...In the city proper, of course. Oro Valley is beyond redemption.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:01:45 PM
I don't know if it's exposure to the death of a loved one or general fed-up-ness, but I have grown a very thin skin regarding loud religious types, regardless of demomination, when they talk outside of their game rules.
And I agree about the "transgressive" humor these days. When it didn't seem so openly hostile, I could deal with faux "irony". These days, it's just repellent.
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 06:53:56 PM
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
As a non Citizen, I can't vote. However, I have signed a number of online petitions and, every now and then, they have achieved the desired results. Occasionally, as a consequence of said petitions, I get letters from congressmen in response. However, when I wrote an actual, honest to goodness letter to congress I got nothing. Seems that the politicians are 'slacktivists' as much as the voters?
They are unless they get a mountain of letters or e-mails. Last year the Governor here, in his infinite wisdom, put the state funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment on the chopping block. All of it.
Through a fairly robust mobilization campaign we ended up getting leglislators on the Appropriations Committee inundated with letters, e-mails, phone calls, etc., to go along with op-ed, letters to the editor, etc.
Every single penny of funding was restored.
Now, if they hadn't received all of that noise, I am certain that funding would have been cut without question.
Granted, this was about their re-election and not out of any actual belief in an ideal that we should fund programs to help people addicted to drugs, but we got the right result.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:01:45 PM
I don't know if it's exposure to the death of a loved one or general fed-up-ness, but I have grown a very thin skin regarding loud religious types, regardless of demomination, when they talk outside of their game rules.
And I agree about the "transgressive" humor these days. When it didn't seem so openly hostile, I could deal with faux "irony". These days, it's just repellent.
I feel no guilt concerning my short temper with assholes like that.
Quote from: Mangrove on April 12, 2012, 07:45:07 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 06:53:56 PM
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
As a non Citizen, I can't vote. However, I have signed a number of online petitions and, every now and then, they have achieved the desired results. Occasionally, as a consequence of said petitions, I get letters from congressmen in response. However, when I wrote an actual, honest to goodness letter to congress I got nothing. Seems that the politicians are 'slacktivists' as much as the voters?
Heh. My vote counts for about as much as yours does. I can't stop the bastards, but I can at least make them miserable.
^^^^ What Dok said. When I called my Congress critter about NDAA and told his poor intern it was traitorous and he should be removed from office, I got a rather anxious "THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! letter.
Quote from: Mangrove on April 12, 2012, 07:45:07 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 06:53:56 PM
GOOD. I hate that shit.
I agree. We've gotten pretty used to slacktivism -- endless online petitions (which have their place, yeah) but no real action. Phone calls, pen-and-paper letters, protesting, donation to groups who are doing shit, and not shutting up in the face of nonsense like that.
As a non Citizen, I can't vote. However, I have signed a number of online petitions and, every now and then, they have achieved the desired results. Occasionally, as a consequence of said petitions, I get letters from congressmen in response. However, when I wrote an actual, honest to goodness letter to congress I got nothing. Seems that the politicians are 'slacktivists' as much as the voters?
I sign those sometimes too, even though they usually don't do anything.
I get form emails from Al Franken and form letters with fake signatures from our rep Henry Cuellar and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was an avid Bush supporter and reminds me of Maggie Thatcher sometimes, if Maggie Thatcher had been from Texas.
As of this writing, I haven't heard anything from Rick Perry. :lol:
And yeah..if it worked for a bunch of Jebustards, we should be able to do the same.
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 07:43:47 PM
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
I respectfully disagree, because it implies that the only reason you're offended is that you're part of the group being derided.
I feel that to be pissed off
despite your lack of inclusion in the subject matter means that it's a fucked up thing to say
regardless of your race or gender.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:58:52 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 07:43:47 PM
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
I respectfully disagree, because it implies that the only reason you're offended is that you're part of the group being derided.
I feel that to be pissed off despite your lack of inclusion in the subject matter means that it's a fucked up thing to say regardless of your race or gender.
This. Stella's method can usually produce a humorous level of embarrassment, but your way produces a crippling level of well-earned humiliation.
RWHN,
Glad you got your funding back. The reason I wrote to local congress types was for a very similar reason. When our last governor stepped down, her parting shot was "Oh, btw, Connecticut is short 2 billion dollars....BYEEEE!"
So, the new Democrat guy (Malloy) wins and starts cracking heads to find money which, I could understand. But he said that he wouldn't 'shred the social net' and then ended up cutting back on drug rehab and treatment programs. I fired off a letter to congress and got nothing.
Dok,
My letter was impassioned and polite. I didn't think of inflicting misery....lol....that was probably the reason I never heard back.
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 07:56:20 PM
^^^^ What Dok said. When I called my Congress critter about NDAA and told his poor intern it was traitorous and he should be removed from office, I got a rather anxious "THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! letter.
That's fun, and I plan to do likewise...But I also plan to attend city hall meetings and make everyones' day
that much longer.
Quote from: Mangrove on April 12, 2012, 08:03:01 PM
My letter was impassioned and polite. I didn't think of inflicting misery....lol....that was probably the reason I never heard back.
I don't think anything I can do will have any real effect.
So I plan to simply get revenge. If there's a positive effect, then so much the better.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 06:25:22 PM
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Is it time to get my Angry Black Woman on?
'cause I'm fucking pissed too, Dok, and I've found that I have less and less patience for the STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY.
WHAT WOULD ANGELA DAVIS DO?
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Pedophilic, homophobic, misogynist, racist "jokes" that seemed over-the-top and funny in the nineties aren't fucking funny anymore. Not in an era when public figures are calling law students sluts and prostitutes because they want access to birth control. Not when there are articles on staying safe from Darkies being widely read and publicized.
Shit just doesn't seem ironic the way it used to. I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking about waking the fuck up and paying attention to the stupidity instead of mindlessly participating in it.
I've found that the best way to respond to a guy who tries to be "edgy" like that is to slap the living Blue Jesus out of him, either verbally or (occasionally) physically. It's the only way they learn. I've only ever had one woman try that shit, and I went the verbal route (Somehow, slapping women physically is an exception to my rule about treating people equally...Probably because I out-mass most women by 2:1). Some trustafarian college student who was having a grand old time with Daddy's Amex telling me how "Liberals talk, but never DO anything". I asked her if that applied to Jefferson, Madison, or Franklin, then asked her when she planned to enlist. Her comments about "Welfare Queens" (read: The obvioously poor Black lady who had just walked by on the sidewalk outside) led to hilarity. I haven't seen her since.
FUCKING HELL YES.
I've never physically slapped anyone in my adult life (the last time I slapped a person, it was The Last Showdown with my mother when I was 13. I think I told that story) but the next time someone pulls that shit I will not hesitate to give the verbal smackdown.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:58:52 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 07:43:47 PM
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
I respectfully disagree, because it implies that the only reason you're offended is that you're part of the group being derided.
I feel that to be pissed off despite your lack of inclusion in the subject matter means that it's a fucked up thing to say regardless of your race or gender.
So very much yes.
I get offended by the "jokes" that imply that all men are drooling morons who think only with their genitals.
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 08:07:02 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 06:25:22 PM
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Is it time to get my Angry Black Woman on?
'cause I'm fucking pissed too, Dok, and I've found that I have less and less patience for the STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY.
WHAT WOULD ANGELA DAVIS DO?
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Pedophilic, homophobic, misogynist, racist "jokes" that seemed over-the-top and funny in the nineties aren't fucking funny anymore. Not in an era when public figures are calling law students sluts and prostitutes because they want access to birth control. Not when there are articles on staying safe from Darkies being widely read and publicized.
Shit just doesn't seem ironic the way it used to. I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking about waking the fuck up and paying attention to the stupidity instead of mindlessly participating in it.
I've found that the best way to respond to a guy who tries to be "edgy" like that is to slap the living Blue Jesus out of him, either verbally or (occasionally) physically. It's the only way they learn. I've only ever had one woman try that shit, and I went the verbal route (Somehow, slapping women physically is an exception to my rule about treating people equally...Probably because I out-mass most women by 2:1). Some trustafarian college student who was having a grand old time with Daddy's Amex telling me how "Liberals talk, but never DO anything". I asked her if that applied to Jefferson, Madison, or Franklin, then asked her when she planned to enlist. Her comments about "Welfare Queens" (read: The obvioously poor Black lady who had just walked by on the sidewalk outside) led to hilarity. I haven't seen her since.
FUCKING HELL YES.
I've never physically slapped anyone in my adult life (the last time I slapped a person, it was The Last Showdown with my mother when I was 13. I think I told that story) but the next time someone pulls that shit I will not hesitate to give the verbal smackdown.
But I am not graced with my Dark Empress's even-tempered disposition, so I slap the dogshit out of people when they come to me demanding it.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:58:52 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 07:43:47 PM
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
I respectfully disagree, because it implies that the only reason you're offended is that you're part of the group being derided.
I feel that to be pissed off despite your lack of inclusion in the subject matter means that it's a fucked up thing to say regardless of your race or gender.
Good point, I hadn't thought of it that way.
I guess I was enjoying the "OSHI-" looks on their faces and dumb attempts to apologize too much to think about it any further. :lol: But you're right, it's time to come up with another bomb.
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to say that" usually works pretty well.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:21:41 PM
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to say that" usually works pretty well.
My variant: "What the hell is wrong with you?" with a look of contempt on my face.
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 08:09:06 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 07:58:52 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 07:43:47 PM
Best response I've found to race jokes is "My grandfather was *Creole/Comanche/whatever/insert race here*"
Loud enough for other people to hear, if you're in a public place.
I respectfully disagree, because it implies that the only reason you're offended is that you're part of the group being derided.
I feel that to be pissed off despite your lack of inclusion in the subject matter means that it's a fucked up thing to say regardless of your race or gender.
So very much yes.
I get offended by the "jokes" that imply that all men are drooling morons who think only with their genitals.
It's weird how those are considered acceptable. People can get away with man jokes and hillbilly jokes just about anywhere. (There's GOT to be people in Appalacia who aren't racists, or morons, or fucking their sister).
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:21:41 PM
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to say that" usually works pretty well.
Also THIS. Short but sweet.
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 08:25:56 PM
(There's GOT to be people in Appalacia who aren't racists, or morons, or fucking their sister).
I've met a couple.
But not many.
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
I wasn't born here, I just landed here. :lol:
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:03:22 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 07:56:20 PM
^^^^ What Dok said. When I called my Congress critter about NDAA and told his poor intern it was traitorous and he should be removed from office, I got a rather anxious "THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! letter.
That's fun, and I plan to do likewise...But I also plan to attend city hall meetings and make everyones' day that much longer.
Hmm, see, my city AND Fresno are pretty much Oro Valley, seething with retarded teabaggers and Blue Dogs. Also, Fresno's mayor reminds me of a shrike.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:24:31 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:21:41 PM
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to say that" usually works pretty well.
My variant: "What the hell is wrong with you?" with a look of contempt on my face.
Yep. Or just a contemptuous, you-just-stepped-in-dog-shit look followed by,
"Really?"
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:13:02 PM
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 08:07:02 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 06:25:22 PM
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Is it time to get my Angry Black Woman on?
'cause I'm fucking pissed too, Dok, and I've found that I have less and less patience for the STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY.
WHAT WOULD ANGELA DAVIS DO?
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 06:18:19 PM
Pedophilic, homophobic, misogynist, racist "jokes" that seemed over-the-top and funny in the nineties aren't fucking funny anymore. Not in an era when public figures are calling law students sluts and prostitutes because they want access to birth control. Not when there are articles on staying safe from Darkies being widely read and publicized.
Shit just doesn't seem ironic the way it used to. I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking about waking the fuck up and paying attention to the stupidity instead of mindlessly participating in it.
I've found that the best way to respond to a guy who tries to be "edgy" like that is to slap the living Blue Jesus out of him, either verbally or (occasionally) physically. It's the only way they learn. I've only ever had one woman try that shit, and I went the verbal route (Somehow, slapping women physically is an exception to my rule about treating people equally...Probably because I out-mass most women by 2:1). Some trustafarian college student who was having a grand old time with Daddy's Amex telling me how "Liberals talk, but never DO anything". I asked her if that applied to Jefferson, Madison, or Franklin, then asked her when she planned to enlist. Her comments about "Welfare Queens" (read: The obvioously poor Black lady who had just walked by on the sidewalk outside) led to hilarity. I haven't seen her since.
FUCKING HELL YES.
I've never physically slapped anyone in my adult life (the last time I slapped a person, it was The Last Showdown with my mother when I was 13. I think I told that story) but the next time someone pulls that shit I will not hesitate to give the verbal smackdown.
But I am not graced with my Dark Empress's even-tempered disposition, so I slap the dogshit out of people when they come to me demanding it.
:lulz:
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 08:35:58 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:03:22 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 07:56:20 PM
^^^^ What Dok said. When I called my Congress critter about NDAA and told his poor intern it was traitorous and he should be removed from office, I got a rather anxious "THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! letter.
That's fun, and I plan to do likewise...But I also plan to attend city hall meetings and make everyones' day that much longer.
Hmm, see, my city AND Fresno are pretty much Oro Valley, seething with retarded teabaggers and Blue Dogs. Also, Fresno's mayor reminds me of a shrike.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:24:31 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:21:41 PM
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to say that" usually works pretty well.
My variant: "What the hell is wrong with you?" with a look of contempt on my face.
Yep. Or just a contemptuous, you-just-stepped-in-dog-shit look followed by, "Really?"
I usually go with a disbelieving stare, or sarcasm. I think I need to step it up to something with more sting.
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 08:33:54 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
I wasn't born here, I just landed here. :lol:
Doesn't matter. Those people will stain your genes like a microscope slide.
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 08:35:58 PM
Yep. Or just a contemptuous, you-just-stepped-in-dog-shit look followed by, "Really?"
Yeah, that works pretty well...Especially when delivered to a guy by a good-looking woman.
There's two basic responses, in that situation.
1. Backpedal like a mad bastard, because your lizard brain just told you that you fucked up a chance to breed (silly as hell, but true).
2. Dig in and go all Rush Limbaugh.
Either way is funny.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:39:40 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 08:33:54 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
I wasn't born here, I just landed here. :lol:
Doesn't matter. Those people will stain your genes like a microscope slide.
That is a
brilliant turn of phrase.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:03:22 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 07:56:20 PM
^^^^ What Dok said. When I called my Congress critter about NDAA and told his poor intern it was traitorous and he should be removed from office, I got a rather anxious "THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! letter.
That's fun, and I plan to do likewise...But I also plan to attend city hall meetings and make everyones' day that much longer.
I, too, feel like I should attend these meetings.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:47:58 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:39:40 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 08:33:54 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
I wasn't born here, I just landed here. :lol:
Doesn't matter. Those people will stain your genes like a microscope slide.
That is a brilliant turn of phrase.
Thanks. I figured I'd avoid the obvious stained jeans joke.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:42:19 PM
Quote from: Secret Agent GARBO on April 12, 2012, 08:35:58 PM
Yep. Or just a contemptuous, you-just-stepped-in-dog-shit look followed by, "Really?"
Yeah, that works pretty well...Especially when delivered to a guy by a good-looking woman.
There's two basic responses, in that situation.
1. Backpedal like a mad bastard, because your lizard brain just told you that you fucked up a chance to breed (silly as hell, but true).
2. Dig in and go all Rush Limbaugh.
Either way is funny.
Aww, I don't get that reaction. They stutter and go quiet, and then disappear as soon as is socially acceptable.
But I'm told I'm kind of scary, so.
The point of the "Poisonous Righteous" series I'm writing is an intellectual experiment exploring what happens when you let every motherfucker with an opinion absolute free-range to express, teach and push those opinions and pretty much do whatever they want under any banner they choose. The consequences and desensitization that comes with absolutely, 100% free speech.
I feel like there's a balance there. On one hand, limiting expression and censoring the people is dangerous and my "assumed truth" (there's a bar in the cell again) has been placed firmly in the concept that free speech sometimes means putting up with shit you don't want to hear from cracked motherfuckers who really need to have an Egyptian Brain Enema. That censoring any speech or expression is a slippery-slope and once you shut up David Duke, you're opening the door to have yourself shut up too.
But what would happen if we took what's going on now: Racial-branded humor ("it's funny cuz it's a little bit true!), Family Guy-esque potty humor, massive overdose of rule 34 (WTF was that insect-pr0n shit ECH had posted in his sig when I lurked here about a year ago?!?) and letting every batshit theory have a fertile place to roam, get a cult-following, grow and HORRORS! corner for itself a little home, firmly embedded in the pop-culture consciousness? Even when we're laughing at them, there's a dark, creepy side to the fact that...well take furries, for instance: people who get off on dressing like and having sex with anthropomorphic, cartoonish animals. And pushed that to the absolute bitter end of the line to the shore of sanity?
Now, I love a good dead hooker joke as much as anyone and fucked if I don't occasionally throw out some humor about Korean child sex workers but to me, there's an obvious but subtle difference between, say, laughing in the face of racial stereotypes in an effort to pour sunshine into dark places and people who laugh because they're genuinely amused. I'm beginning to see that not everyone who's calling it "irony" really knows what the fuck "irony" means.
Are we really worse as a society because we're sort of numb and okay with people dressing up in diapers and fantasize about infant rape? I don't know. I think most of us run on the belief that that's all they're doing: two consenting adults, playacting. But what happens when you push it a bit? When you consider that we all laughed and shook our heads at the "shake that bear" video without much outrage? What happens when that attitude of "let the crazies have their place in the woods" carries over and covers people who fantasize about killing black people and fucking on the body?
Someone mentioned Prussian Blue recently. We allow people to raise their children to hate whomever they choose. What happens when these homeschool motherfuckers are allowed to teach their sons about their fetishes? That fornicating on top of a bear, a "nigger," a child is a beautiful and pure act that was robbed them by an overbearing government?
What I mean is: how slippery is this slope? Free speech is free speech, right? If it's all universal then the principle stays the same, even when it's abhorrent. And if it's not universal, it occurs to me, we'd better, all of us (YOU TOO, ARE YOU READING ME? NOW!) start thinking and considering where those lines belong while we're calm and cognizant before we allow this to be pushed to a point where we're likely to react broadly and extremely in a state of total backlash.
I need to keep writing that story.
In my experience, these types of jokes are told between 2-3 people behind closed doors who know each other quite well. So, the issues of re-traumatizing victims or condoning depravity both don't seem to apply. Maybe a friend of mine just tells higher quality transgressive jokes, or something, because I always get the sense we're laughing AT the people who really think that way. I feel like I understand his intent quite well—it's always in the vein of black comedy and satire.
When it happens outside of a closed door context or around people I don't know very well I wrinkle my nose in disgust, shake my head, and look directly at the person who said it. That's usually enough for people to change the subject. Lately, I've been more outspoken about it, especially since reading and mulling over the rape thread.
It's a very case-by-case kind of judgment for me. It seems to boil down to the context in which these jokes are told and what the intent or point of it was.
There is a huge difference between the jokes that are told to mock people's prejudices and the jokes that are told to mock, say, Jews. For example, my housemate and I, ever since that article the other day, have a running joke about how she can protect herself from "the Coloreds". An outsider might be horrified to hear us bantering back and forth about it, but we think it's funny because we know that the origin is rooted in making fun of people who say shit like that in seriousness.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on April 12, 2012, 08:47:58 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:39:40 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 12, 2012, 08:33:54 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 12, 2012, 08:27:41 PM
However, even Seguin has Stella, so the Redneckass gene isn't totally dominant, right?
I wasn't born here, I just landed here. :lol:
Doesn't matter. Those people will stain your genes like a microscope slide.
That is a brilliant turn of phrase.
Thanks. I figured I'd avoid the obvious stained jeans joke.
It's horrifying enough on its own.
The stains...oh, the stains... :horrormirth:
Quote from: Nigel on April 12, 2012, 11:00:12 PM
There is a huge difference between the jokes that are told to mock people's prejudices and the jokes that are told to mock, say, Jews. For example, my housemate and I, ever since that article the other day, have a running joke about how she can protect herself from "the Coloreds". An outsider might be horrified to hear us bantering back and forth about it, but we think it's funny because we know that the origin is rooted in making fun of people who say shit like that in seriousness.
Yeah, people like the ones in that article definitely need to be mocked and derided, the tricky part is finding ways to do it publicly around people who don't know you well.
I think there's also a point to be made about how not to react to nasty statements.
The oversensitive "that's offensive!" reactionary is a stereotype all its own, and part of the reason that some people get off on saying foul things. It has, perversely, acquired a sort of rebelliousness to be "politically incorrect."
People ITT are on the correct motorcycle, but I felt it was worth pointing out. Reacting with disgust or contempt is less typical of Political Correctness ninnies, and probably more effective.
Quote from: Net on April 12, 2012, 10:46:58 PM
In my experience, these types of jokes are told between 2-3 people behind closed doors who know each other quite well. So, the issues of re-traumatizing victims or condoning depravity both don't seem to apply. Maybe a friend of mine just tells higher quality transgressive jokes, or something, because I always get the sense we're laughing AT the people who really think that way. I feel like I understand his intent quite well—it's always in the vein of black comedy and satire.
When it happens outside of a closed door context or around people I don't know very well I wrinkle my nose in disgust, shake my head, and look directly at the person who said it. That's usually enough for people to change the subject. Lately, I've been more outspoken about it, especially since reading and mulling over the rape thread.
It's a very case-by-case kind of judgment for me. It seems to boil down to the context in which these jokes are told and what the intent or point of it was.
I don't know. I laugh, but it's a whistling in the dark type of laugh. There's an untold exhaustion between survivors: we're grateful for the raised awareness, we're happy to be part of the solutions but we're also tired of it. Tired of connecting to it, tired of talking about it, tired of screaming and lamenting about it. I honestly don't know why there are some black people who get annoyed about white people joining their fight because fuck, I'm glad I don't have to be alone in this shit. I'm so grateful for all the other voices and all the silly "No means no" campaigns and Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos and Michael Stipe and all the other Lilith shit I make fun of because in reality, I would have been too
tired to do it myself.
I
do get annoyed with people who haven't been through that shit assuming they know how I feel or even worse: bringing up words like "shame" and "debased" and "cheap" (WTF is it about "clean people" trying to empathize with YOUR humiliation that brings on fresh waves of humiliation?) when I wasn't even going there, but I'm thankful they're there. I could never see human beings as all shit because I've seen far too much kindness out of people willing to break their backs to fix something that doesn't even affect them.
What is a problem for me is what lies in the direction of the original discussion: people are getting far too comfortable being entitled to being assholes. It used to be the rarity that some Westboro crazies who were featured on "A Current Affair" made a fantastic show of being assholes and the rest of us shrugging our shoulders
in unison saying "They're nuts. Of
course they're nuts but hey, free speech! Whaddya gonna do about it?" Now, it seems like we legitimately have a good reason to look around and see who in our company might or might not
agree with them just a little bit. Why are we even indulging this shit? When did we start being so fucking disconnected from each other? When did watered, watered, watered, watered, watered down Westboro or racism start becoming "well, they have a poiiiint..."???
NO! THEY ARE NUTS! DON'T BUY THAT SHIT FOR A SECOND!
Yeah. My other line of defense has always been exposure. If I was in a public place and somebody started speaking in hushed tones to me about black people, for instance, I'd say loud enough for everybody to hear "WHY DO YOU LOWER YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE?" That always did the trick. ESPECIALLY if there were Black people around. :lulz:
What worries me is that they're feeling less need to hide in the weeds now, we're going backwards. It could easily turn into US having to be the ones who are all covert, having to tell Black friends to use the back door so the neighbors think they're there to clean the house or some shit.
I want the fuck out of this country.
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
Whaaaaaat the fuck? :lulz:
Yeah, dude. At first, I thought it was some white-guilt thing...like people who are afraid of saying the word "negro" or "black person" because they're not sure it's okay. It's just code for "nigger" without having to admit to themselves that's what they're saying.
It never takes long to crack codewords used by asstards.
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
Poor, disadvantaged people who make me thank The Lord I was born in Amurrca.
(We should go over there and HELP them!)
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 13, 2012, 07:49:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
???
Canada is/was an iron curtain nation. They are real communists.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 13, 2012, 07:49:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
???
Canada is/was an iron curtain nation. They are real communists.
That's like calling Norwegians communists.
Wait. Nevermind. We probably are.
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 03:23:15 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 13, 2012, 07:49:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
???
Canada is/was an iron curtain nation. They are real communists.
That's like calling Norwegians communists.
Wait. Nevermind. We probably are.
No, we just say "Angry Belgians".
:lulz: This thread delivers.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 05:22:00 PM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 03:23:15 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 13, 2012, 07:49:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
???
Canada is/was an iron curtain nation. They are real communists.
That's like calling Norwegians communists.
Wait. Nevermind. We probably are.
No, we just say "Angry Belgians".
That makes me extremely angry. Not that I wasn't before, mind you.
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 07:32:46 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 05:22:00 PM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 03:23:15 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: Anna Mae Bollocks on April 13, 2012, 07:49:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2012, 03:24:15 AM
Quote from: Waffle Iron on April 13, 2012, 01:58:20 AM
Quote from: navkat on April 13, 2012, 01:35:35 AM
I know some people here in "Bama who refer to black people as "Canadians." They actually think (and teach their children) that they're being polite by doing this so it took me a hella long time to catch on to what was really being said.
wat.
What do they call actual Canadians?
Communists.
:lulz:
And what do they call actual Communists?
???
Canada is/was an iron curtain nation. They are real communists.
That's like calling Norwegians communists.
Wait. Nevermind. We probably are.
No, we just say "Angry Belgians".
That makes me extremely angry. Not that I wasn't before, mind you.
I've heard it helps if you gnaw on your shield.
I don't have one. I might gnaw on my desk, though. Or write an incoherent rant about nothing at all, really.