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Proper Etiquette

By cscs - March 14, 2008, 10:54AM

A stylistic note here on the blog.

In the future, when you call people "stupid," or "idiots," you must precede these terms with something much more vitriolic and virulent.

For example, try "you stupid cock." Or "you fucking idiots."

Because simply using the milquetoast "stupid" or "idiot" doesn't really demonstrate the contempt you seem to hold for all the other bloggers with whom you share this blog.

So folks, remember: Don't be shy! Go for the jugular!

The other people here are just bloggers. Words on a page. It's not like there are any real people behind these accounts.

On another note, while I have the floor, I'd like to address a question I often get in my posts:

What gives you the right to say this?

Well, isn't that what blogging is supposed to be about? Isn't this the alternative to the "mainstream media," the technology that's going to give all us little people a voice? The people-powered movement that's going to help revive our democracy through political dialogue and discourse and debate?

That's at least what I was taught in Blog 101.

Is it possible, then, to make a broad assumption here? That we're ALL entitled to say what we think, simply by virtue of showing up here and taking part in the conversation?

In the future, let's at least try and not question who has the right to state an opinion around here, k? That's pretty much a given -- it comes with the territory.

Got that, you fucking idiots?

Comments (10)

Got it, you stupid cock.

Posted by nedbalzer
March 14, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink

I wish TPM let you have signatures...

--You Stupid Cock

Posted by elliottness
March 14, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink

Were you the stupid cock who told me I didn't have a right to copy off of your exam back in Blog 101?

Goddamn class. Thought it would be an easy A...

Posted by Dramatist
March 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink

Does the same apply when complimenting our fellow bloggers? If so, you are a brilliant asshole.

Posted by whoffman
March 14, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink

No, we're not all "entitled to say what we think". We have the right to say what we think but we also have the responsibility to think about what we say. Just because you think it, it doesn't mean you have to blog it, and not everything you think is grist for the mill. If you are going to publish then you must exercise due dilligence in what you publish - that means you must research, you must consider sources, you must check sources and you must have an awareness that publishing has consequences and meaning that extend beyond the blogger. You are contributing to the political discourse of this nation whether you know it or not.

Freedom of speech isn't an "entitlement" it is a right, and a hard won right at that. Everytime it is abused, everytime it is squandered in humiliating and degrading other human beings, it makes it that much easier for any government to squelch. The fact that people can't respect other people's boundaries and they use that right to promote hate and bigotry and lies and calumnies causes the contraction of that right by societies, not the expansion of it. So no, you can't say whatever you want whenever you feel like it because that is irresponsible - all speech is active and reactive. Blogging is a great new tool in communication, but it is still subject to standards of decency and honesty and truthfulness.

Posted by BevD
March 14, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink

"And that's why -- there was an earlier question about has the President said anything to people in his own party -- they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is."

- Ari Fleischer

Eh?

So, did you simply not understand my post, or intentionally misrepresent me?

Or are you saying you're agreeing with me?

Because I'm saying exactly what you're saying, but, somehow, you seem to be doing it in a way that makes it seem like I'm not saying what you're saying.

You know?

Posted by cscs
March 14, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink

Of course I understood it, that's why I wrote what I did. Your "lucky Black people" blog entry is a case in point. Very funny, but it wasn't what she said, nor was it what she meant - but now that's the working meme - Geraldine Ferraro thinks black people are lucky. This is exactly the same tactic used on Al Gore and I mean the SAME, EXACT tactic and it helped to put Bush in the White House.

Why don't you look at Bob Somerby's blog and scan his archives to see just how insidious and corrupting this is to the political discourse. I'm serious, go take a look.

Posted by BevD
March 15, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink