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March 12, 2004
Stupid Fucking Liberal
This morning I posted a link to a list of news stories covering the FCC vs. Howard Stern showdown and how that relates to freedom of speech in general. Shortly afterwards I got this comment: IP Address: 216.127.82.98 You forgot to add "stupid fucking liberal" to your bio page you fucktard. Before I get into my main topic here I just want to point out that I'm being insulted by someone who doesn't have the guts to use their real name, AND who listed a link to a website that exists to make fun of the Bush administration. whitehouse.ORG is a parody site, I'm guessing he meant to link whitehouse.GOV but then again, I'm the stupid one, so who knows. Which brings me to what I really want to talk about. This guy could have responded saying "I think your point is full of holes for reasons X, Y, and Z and here's my proof to back that up" but instead of responding with some intelligent discussion he just insulted me. And trust me, I'm crying a river over here that some person I don't even know just called me a "fucktard" but that's beside the point. Why would anyone want to have a fact based conversation when it's so much easier to just talk some shit and run away. Do you think this strengthens your argument? Really? Because it doesn't. I also like how I'm labeled a "liberal" first of all as if that's a bad thing, and second of all as if one sentence could sum up my entire political stance. For the record, I don't think being a liberal is bad, I don't think being a conservative is bad. Their are opinions and everyone has a right to their own, I just happen to not agree with either across the board. I have enough conservative beliefs that no self respecting liberal would ever embrace me, and likewise lean to the left on enough topics that I'm not on the other team either. Of course mystery man isn't interested in that, so why should anyone else be? This is actually one of the reasons I helped start Americaforsale.org. I'm sick of people from both sides not being able to make their point without insulting the other side. Why is that required? Obviously because your facts are strong enough to stand on their own. Now, the topic that is being covered on AFS is highly critical of the Bush administration, but there's no editorializing. It's all factual, with proof, and links to solid news sources. It's not opinion based, and it's not insulting. I would LOVE to read a site with the same respect, and the same dedication to basking up with their claims but with an opposing viewpoint - unfortunately one doesn't exist. Maybe because the facts aren't there to support it, which is why the sites I've found arguing the other side all resort to name calling. I would love to start a website with several bloggers from the left, and several from the right who were committed to discussing the issues at hand, rationally, with intelligent back and forth, and facts to back up their claims but I don't know if I can find people to do it. I would love to read a blog like that, but where is it? I guess the point of all this is that it's a pretty sad state of affairs that the default response to hearing something you don't agree with is to insult whoever said it, rather than talking to them to find out what makes them feel that way, and trying to explain what makes you feel the way you do. Posted by sean on March 12, 2004 12:58 PM | View blog reactions
Previous Entry: Required Reading Next Entry: New Phone Really, the best part about the "fucktard" comment is that it's apparently meant as a rebuttal to criticism of the Senate's ruling to make saying "fucktard" on the air punishable by a $500,000 fine. Posted by: Bronwyn on March 12, 2004 01:45 PM
This article is relevant to this post: http://www.centerforbookculture.org/context/no9/miller.html Posted by: Ed Illades on March 12, 2004 02:58 PM
WatchBlog was suppose to be a blog like you are talking about. It is really three blogs presented on one page. One blog for the Dems, one for the Republicans, and one for third parties. You might want to check it out, sounds like what you are looking for. Posted by: Grant on March 12, 2004 04:15 PM
Looks like I can't put html in the comments. WatchBlog's URL is http://www.watchblog.com Posted by: Grant on March 12, 2004 04:16 PM
Listen, man, doesn't it seem kinda ironic that this person wrote this in response to your essay on the FCC as concerning Howard Stern? Why would you get bent out of shape about someone excersizing their own liberty of "free-speech"? I feel like you should laugh off labels like "liberal", of even "fucktard"; even wear them with pride. It sure seems like everyone is on their high horse until they're the ones in the hot seat. Besides, can you even describe what a "fucktard" is supposed to be? If it is a mentaly chalenged porn-star, at least then you're a happy charachter..... Posted by: m.j.friedensreich on March 12, 2004 05:09 PM
M.J. - Do I sound bent out of shape? Maybe this line "And trust me, I'm crying a river over here that some person I don't even know just called me a "fucktard" but that's beside the point." was too sarcastic for you? I'm just asking some questions. Posted by: sean bonner on March 12, 2004 05:25 PM
Go back to Russia. Posted by: Jason Mojica on March 12, 2004 06:44 PM
What his answer wasnt well thought out? Hey, at least he took the time to read your bio and make sure you didnt have fucktard listed on your resume. heh. There's sarcasm hidden throughout this comment, I'm wondering if the not-so-elusive GW will be able to find this. I love how you posted his IP by the way. Posted by: Seven on March 12, 2004 06:58 PM
I could be wrong, but it says that it is coming from whitehouse.org. That's a parody site that does nothing but make fun of Dubyah. Them calling you a stupid fucking liberal was a joke. I think. Posted by: Ian on March 12, 2004 11:10 PM
Ian, way to completely not read what Sean wrote before writing a comment. I don't know how you could miss this part since it's the first paragraph: Posted by: John on March 13, 2004 03:37 PM
for the most part, people are too small minded and self absorbed to see any point of view other than their own. But I thin think the ideal has merit, and I'd love to see it too (in reference to the blog of left/rightism). I think the reason you see so much name calling is because its the combination of several factors that are contrary to gender roles in the US (those roles being male roles, because you rarely see women trying to compare the size of their penises). One of those is a juvenile tendancy for people to NOT want to be wrong, and indeed it is difficult to admit when one is wrong (especially me). the second is related to the first one, and that is a desire to win. the third is simple power-lust. And I guess you could say a fourth is a need to feel superior. Posted by: technoanarkst on March 13, 2004 06:18 PM
for the most part, people are too small minded and self absorbed to see any point of view other than their own. But I thin think the ideal has merit, and I'd love to see it too (in reference to the blog of left/rightism). I think the reason you see so much name calling is because its the combination of several factors that are contrary to gender roles in the US (those roles being male roles, because you rarely see women trying to compare the size of their penises). One of those is a juvenile tendancy for people to NOT want to be wrong, and indeed it is difficult to admit when one is wrong (especially me). the second is related to the first one, and that is a desire to win. the third is simple power-lust. And I guess you could say a fourth is a need to feel superior. Posted by: technoanarkst on March 13, 2004 06:18 PM
sorry that didnt make much sense... trying to write that and take care of a toddler. Please decipher that as best you can. Posted by: technoanarkst on March 13, 2004 06:20 PM
Those dumb hippies always start stupid fights. I'm joking. Sort of. Posted by: stacy on March 14, 2004 09:39 AM
This is only a tangetial concern, but does AFS have an XML syndication feed (RSS or Atom)? Posted by: Michael Bernstein on March 14, 2004 10:38 AM
People fall back on personal insults when they cant argue their issues or when they dont have facts to back up their positions. Like you said, its easier to just shout an insult than spend the time trying to formulate a reasoned response or discussion. That involves thinking. Posted by: Stacy on March 15, 2004 11:07 AM
Yeah, I've been wishing for this too. On the "watchblog" recommendation - visited it, but it looks like an "enemies" discourse. - to quote Jay Rosen - 'one way of judging whether there is an "enemies" discourse going on is whether clear areas of agreement are, in fact, noted when they exist, or ignored.' Philosoraptor is good on reasons for the decline of civil civic discourse, apologies for the URL (Nov. 14 post I thinK) Posted by: Anna on March 15, 2004 09:51 PM
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