Monday, November 08, 2004

I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT....

...the election, because I am already getting enough vitriolic, frenzied, hair-pulling out, silicon breast beating, insulting messages from various entertainment industry friends who don't seem to have any conception that I might not agree with them that Bush is the worst, most dumb and stupid, dangerous idiotic 'hood ornament of a leader' since - how do the smart folks say it? - "Jen-jis" Khan.

I would reprint here some of the emails I have received or that have been forwarded to me, but, I DON'T USE X-RATED LANGUAGE LIKE THAT ON MY BLOG.

I will say a couple of things avoiding any partisan indications at all...

1) It is ALWAYS bad strategy to convince yourself that your opponent is stupid. It doesn't help you fight him, because it makes you underestimate him. From a more pastoral standpoint, calling your opponent a stupid idiot makes you less inclined to take him to your heart and engage him in any real dialogue.

2) People who go around calling Americans who disagree with them stupid, neo-Nazi, moronic, freedom squelching, bigotted and intolerant theocrats, must then wait a mandatory fifteen minutes before bemoaning the "frightening," divisive, uncivil rhetoric that is splitting us all into two Americas.... I mean, just to keep all of our heads from spinning around too fast.

3) In the end, all the frenzy just sounds like so much toddleresque, foot-stamping temper tantrums. Always getting what you want is bad for you. It makes you think it is the end of the world when someone shockingly steps in and takes some of your toys away.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barb, you are very right to say that the emails you are getting are inappropriate and an ineffective approach to healthy dialogue. However, I've read political writing on your blog that I also would term vitriolic and/or frenzied.

I read your blog because I enjoy your thoughts on the media and Catholicism. I am also interested in and respect (and agree with most of!) your political views, but you use a completely different tone when you talk about politics -- a tone that I find off-putting. It's interesting that you notice that tone in the writing of people with whom you disagree, but not your own.

I find myself torn between wanting to read your blog for all of its good stuff, and thinking I don't want to take a chance on being disappointed by another mean-toned political post. And the only reason this matters is that we as Christians are to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. Someone coming across some of your political posts might infer Jesus is more of a hater than a lover, and that truly would be unfortunate.

Christy

Anonymous said...

Have not visited your blog before- but I'm with you. Today, I WON'T EVEN MENTION the political affiliation, one of a particular set of ideals (or lack thereof) eyeballed me, a Catholic through and through, and told me to "open my mind)... and I inwardly rolled my eyes thinking "oh brother- the credo!". You don't have to say it... I will... there's nothing more close-minded than an "open-minded, TOLERANT", one of them. Thank you... God Bless! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Barb!! Great that you point out how frustrating it is when someone just views anyone in one party as being inferior.

Unless of course we're talking about Hollywood liberals (and their silicone implants), gays and lesbians, or people who might vote for someone who is pro-choice. People in those categories are all stupid, ignorant and even pure EVIL.

Keep being even-handed and loving of those who disagree with you, Barb, like you always have!!

WGA Member said...

John, please stop coming here and posting this kind of message. I don't know what you expect top accomplish by this unending stream of sarcastic attacks on me. They can't be making you feel better - this kind of venting is ultimately self-destructive. Try and let me have my own opinions, and stop the hate.

Anonymous said...

When did hypocrisy become an opinion?

Anonymous said...

When did John become a harpy?

Anonymous said...

I think he became a harpy around the same time some organization director (although I can't imagine who) started gossiping about his personal life to board members and alumni. Oh, and when she punished him for retaining an important friendship by trying to poison his image in the minds of others.

By the way, you should put more articles between your diatribe against anyone who judges someone based on political preference and your sermon about how wrong it was for someone to imply that Barbara Hall is a Democrat.

Anonymous said...

It seems like this is a personal argument, but since it's posted on the web...

Barbara didn't have a problem with Elle saying B. Hall was a democrat, she had a problem with them insinuating that she was pro-life. It would save finger cramping if people carefully read her posts before attacking.

WGA Member said...

No one gossiped about you, John. You have been listening to gossip about me if you think so....

But frankly, no one could gossip tidings of you that are as dark as what you reveal about yourself in this ongoing weird vendetta. It grieves me, but it is really very bad for you first of all.

Let go of the hatred or it will consume you.

Anonymous said...

Barbara, that reminds me. I paid $49.95 to renew my subscription to "The John Gossip Newsletter" and i have yet to recieve this week's copy. I suspect that this oversight is due to your immeasurable hatred and contempt for me. You are, after all, the benchmark for such things.

I can only dream of achieving in my life the level of vitriol and superficiality that comes so easily for you. But that dream will never blossom if I don't get my newsletter.

Perhaps you do not have the proper email address. Please check your records. Send all correspondence to loathsomebilefilledchristian@hateeveryone.com.

I particularly have been looking forward to the article, "John and the Bob Dole Connection: Speaking of Self in the Third Person." Who would have known there was a G.O.P. element to this madness?

Your misanthropically,
Rexford Aquataine

Anonymous said...

Tener una tapa del regazo significa todo el debt free programs que usted puede conseguir.Compliments, Elliott debt free programs

Anonymous said...

Hello,

When I went to blogger.com I understood that there is a free way to create a blog. Maybe I can build a web blog like yours.
My last try failed because I had few experience about all these
web blog Keep up the good work!

Regards,
start business online

Anonymous said...

You should check out www.pharaohspokerpalace.com

They are giving all players 48% of the casino profits with a share program. All you have to do is play. I think they are also offering a 200% bonus. Bill

Anonymous said...

You should check out www.pharaohspokerpalace.com

They are giving all players 48% of the casino profits with a share program. And they pay you monthly! All you have to do is play. I think they are also offering a bonus of like 200%. Bill

Anonymous said...

You should check out www.pharaohspokerpalace.com

They are giving all players 48% of the casino profits with a share program. Just like Poker Shares. And they pay you monthly! All you have to do is play. I think they are also offering a bonus of like 200%. Bill

Anonymous said...

Check out www.pharaohspokerpalace.com

They are giving all players 48% of the casino profits with a share program. Just like Poker Shares. And they pay you monthly! All you have to do is play. I think they are also offering a bonus of like 200%.

For real. You get a part of the casino profits! No joke.

John

Anonymous said...

Has anyone heard of www.pharaohspokerpalace.com? They are taking signups for a Poker Share program. They are giving all players 48% of the casino profits with a share program. Just like Poker Shares. And they pay you monthly! All you have to do is play. I think they are also offering a bonus of like 200%. Anyone know anything about these guys? Bill

Anonymous said...

Hi, great blog. Will come back soon.
Ben