One last time
Thursday, July 30, 2009
THIS COLUMN is running on my last day at The Gazette, and it is hard to know what to write.
This could be a nostalgia column, harking back to that September day in 1966 when I first walked into the newsroom to begin work. I would recall the faces of old co-workers, now preserved in faded, mellowed photographs, like insects trapped in amber. But that would be an exercise in navel-gazing. The past was a fine place, but to fully appreciate it, you kind of had to be there.
It is more tempting to write a codger column, pointing out how my profession, the English language and the world have gone to hell over the past 42 years. But that would not be true. There are a lot of good reporters and editorialists just starting their careers and they are working with a language that is richer and more flexible than the newspaper English of my youth. In spite of wars, the world itself has improved. Fewer people live under the threat of imminent violence. More diseases have been wrestled under control and humankind is taking its first hesitant steps toward global stewardship.
We do not inhabit Eden, but some optimists claim to be able to see it from here. I’ll believe it when I see it.
But newspapers are not as much about the past and future as they are about today. A little nostalgia goes a long way, and it is not wise to predict the future unless you can be sure that nobody will be able to rub your face in your prediction in five years or five minutes.
What is interesting today?
Well, Sunday morning I was listening to CNN and Debra Saunders, who writes for the San Francisco Chronicle, said something that caught my attention.
“There’s an umbrage industry,” she said, “where, when a president of one party says one thing, there’s a group of people who just can’t wait to jump up and be offended.”
I don’t know if she thought up the phrase “umbrage industry,” but it is as beautiful and perfect as a flawless pearl and so true that it shines with its own light.
These days, thanks to a 24-hour news cycle, the Internet and the intoxicating addiction to blogging, the umbrage industry has franchises in every town. Emporia has its share.
I think of the umbrage folks as yahoos — not a flattering term, but suitable for people with one-track minds and an insatiable appetite for sharing misinformation.
Let me be clear. There are plenty of people I don’t agree with who are not yahoos, but they are people who value rational thought and logical argument. A yahoo is something else — nothing but a hair trigger and a bullet. The blogosphere is full of them and so, sometimes, are the comment sections of the online Gazette.
The current hobby horse of the yahoos is the “birther” conspiracy theory, which claims that Barack Obama was not really born in the United States and so is not legally the president. His American birth, they say, is a fiction, part of a deep plot to wreck the nation.
The birthers ignore all evidence, even the assurances of the state of Hawaii and its Republican governor and the microfilm files of Hawaiian newspapers that recorded Obama’s birth at the time.
Now we even have a unanimous resultion by the U.S. House honoring the 50th anniversary of Hawaiian statehood and recognizing it as the birthplace of Obama. But don’t expect that to quiet the yahoos.
The whole birther thing is, of course, nonsense. But so great is the birthers’ hatred of the president that they yammer on and on about their silly delusion and believe themselves to be courageous patriots.
Over the years, by mail and then e-mail, The Gazette and I have received a great number of communications from yahoos. Those letters questioned my sanity, my motives and my patriotism, demanded my head on a platter and threatened my immortal soul. Many of the letters were published in the newspaper and the e-mailed comments were left undisturbed on the Web site.
Why? Because censorship is never a good idea. Also, if you want to know how big a fool a fool is, let him have his say.
The yahoos have had their say and I have, for many years, had mine. It would have not been half as much fun without the yahoos.
I will watch their future careers with interest.
Good-bye and thank you for your kind attention.
Comments
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sundancekid (anonymous) says...
Happy trails to you, Mr Kelley!
July 30, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
The "umbrage industry" began years ago, and has been in full swing for quite some years now, and the "yahoos" who are "people with one-track minds and an insatiable appetite for sharing misinformation" are both some bloggers....... and some editorial writers. (Which makes it extremely noticeable when some editorial writers constant "can’t wait to jump up and be offended" articles are all pretty much in a 100% direction aimed at 1 party only. Your own definition of "umbrage industry", right?). That's the nice thing about the rise in blogging. Sometimes you get a chance to correct the misinformation spread by the article :).
But it's been enlightening and fun. Nothing but Best Wishes for Pat in whatever future endeavors his path takes him. Thanks for the forum and Good Luck :)
July 30, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
under_score (anonymous) says...
Holy crap! I was mentioned in Pat Kelley's final address!!!
Good riddance Pat. I hope you are being forced out by your lack of attention to detail in your C Street Article. And Pat, you are very much a part of the umbrage industry. Many of us who have joined you in that industry have been forced to do so because of the last 8 years of listening to yahoos blather on about every single thing our last President did. We are returning the favor now, in kind.
Regarding the President's birth certificate, now that they are responding through his press secretary why not just have Hawaii produce the original long form?
I first started posting information on these message boards to get under the skin of certain individuals on here. Glad to see that worked. I assumed that the lack of response from the White House on the Birth Certificate situation was simply due to them not wanting to lend credence to it. Now they are responding to the allegations but are still not giving skeptics proof positive. Now I'm actually becoming skeptical that they are hiding something. Especially given the amount of un-truths that Obama constantly spits from his pulpit.
July 30, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Remember, under_score, when certain people refer to you as a "yahoo", it's actually a badge of honor, depending on who it was. In this case consider yourself elevated to near-knighthood :)
BTW, you can get this book in Hardcover at Amazon:
"THE UNPOPULAR MR. LINCOLN: The Story of America's Most Reviled President"
at
http://www.amazon.com/UNPOPULAR-MR-LI...
He was such a yahoo in his day..... :)
July 30, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
under_score (anonymous) says...
crackpipe,
Graceful exit? He basically called everyone who disagrees with him a yahoo. Had a couple of paragraphs dedicated to some hypocritical blather about the umbrage industry, for which the liberal movement is mostly responsible. They are the party of victims.
Better place where he won't have to deal with people who disagree with him??? He must be moving to Berkley.
I've said everything about the birth certificate he produced that I'm going to say. The clear solution is to simply produce the original and this thing goes away forever.
Entries in the newspapers regarding Obama's birth are pretty hard evidence. But if he's taking time to have is press secretary talk about it why not get serious and show the birth certificate? It just makes me wonder what he's hiding.
July 30, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allintogether (anonymous) says...
I guess I won't get Kelley's clarification on his C street story. Its unfortunate. Hopefully the next person will be objective in their writings and not an ideologue. Insightful, genuine, well supported and above all, not lazy. I welcome them to the fold.
Labeling the people that challenge Kelley's published works as "yahoos" and tearing into people that just want to see the original copy of their President's birth certificate leaves Kelley's departure undignified. I guess I should have expected that.
July 30, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjensen44 (anonymous) says...
Good Job, you'l be missed
July 30, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
You know you've been a biased journalist when you leave one group has nothing good to say about you and the other has nothing but good to say. I can't speak for his entire carrier but this last few years he has definetly been slanted.
July 30, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A quote comes to mind:
"You won't have Pat Kelley to kick around anymore."
July 30, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
Best wishes, Mr. Kelley!
I was going to say I am surprised that even as you go the right wingers have to get in their digs. But what I am thinking? It's the Gazette posters. Negative to the end!
July 30, 2009 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Kinda reminds you of the behavior of the left as Bush left office and even beyond, doesn't it, rcakmon? :)
July 30, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
noel_stanton (anonymous) says...
Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Kelley. Over the years I have admired your skill at finding a language that did not offend while discussing a topic that many Kansans would see diametrically different than you. Some of those posting comments online were unable to recognize the nuances and seem to have instantly identified wild prejudice and unremitting heresy in anything signed with your name. In the past months, I stopped reading their posts: they were only exploiting the chance to mob and project their hate onto a local victim.
You once noted that you read 50 papers daily. Will you now still have the resources or the desire to follow the world's events at such depth?
July 30, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (anonymous) says...
Adieu, Mr. Kelley. I wish you well.........from one of your trigger happy, hair triggered yahoos.
July 30, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
open_eyes....yes, Bush and friends received quite a bit of negative press and critique on the way out. And for good reason. It's funny that you equate a failure in the oval office to an editorial writer in a small town newspaper.
When I come here from time to time to read the articles and comments I routinely find negative comments. Even articles that should be uplifting and enjoyable...there are Gazette posters that add their negative spin. It's really kind of sad. I guess some people just thrive on the negative.
July 30, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (anonymous) says...
rcakmon, It seems that when I read something that makes me feel good, I have a tendency to believe everything is going right. When I read something that I believe to be "off track", I have a tendency to want to point out the flaw in what has been written. I don't feel that is necessarily a "negative spin". It is possible that others feel the same way. I'm sure I get carried away at times. I don't normally consider someone's attempt at communication to be sad.
July 30, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Obviously there is joy tonight in Yahoo land.....and I'm not a bit surprised.......these are the same yahoos that would laugh at a funeral. I didn't always agree with you but had the common decency to disagree with respect and dignity.....a trait not often found in Yahoo land.
If I were a couple of you people on here tonight I would be ashamed of myself......how's that for respect and dignity. But of course these are the people that wail the loudest at the slightest umbrage expressed about Yahoo kings like Glen Beck.
Enjoy your new life......like somebody else just posted..... they won't have you to kick around any more.
July 30, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
My above post was not aimed at everybody who did not like or agree with PK's editorials.....there were times I didn't agree. My post was aimed only at a couple of the most rabid ones. If you think that might have been you....your probably right.
July 30, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I find it humorous that when something is stated in an article and posited as fact with nothing whatsoever to back it up, and someone can instantly pull up plenty of studies and links to refute it as false, that it is referred to as "nuances", and backing up your disagreement with some facts is "wild prejudice and unremitting heresy". I'm not saying there haven't been cases of what you describe, but I guarantee you there have been cases of what I describe as well.
But even then, everyone is still entitled to their free speech. We all know how it works. If you agree, then it's "nuances" and everyone of a different view is "wild prejudice and heresy". What people who routinely disagreed with Pat here complained about, for the most part, (me included), is that there was rarely if ever another editorial from anyone on the Gazette staff showing the other side of the story. If you're only going to have one editorial writer, then it would be nice to at least see some balance. I would wager a fair amount of money that had someone on the Gazette staff regularly posted editorials from a different point of view than Pats, (like a point/counterpoint scenario), we would have the other half of the bloggers here responding to the writers "nuances" with "heresy and wild prejudice".
I can also say that there are times an editorial writer can receive quite a bit of negative press and critique on the way out............ with good reason............
July 30, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
We had quite a few people (bloggers and others) in the news displaying their glee and joy at Tony Snow's death, the only thing that made them sad was that he didn't suffer enough.
A trait I've seen Way, Way too often in "non-Yahoo land", as well. Personally, I have trouble finding where to draw the line. It's nowhere close to being straight down the middle, and wanders just as far on one side of the fence as it does the other.
July 30, 2009 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Yes it does open_eyes but will anybody ever again be able to say anything about anybody without the other side immediately begining to caterwahl....."well you did it too".
My god it sounds some times like a bunch of grade school kids on the playground saying..."they started it" or "he did it to me first".
Have any of you thought about just how many post on here are composed almost entirely of trying to out umbrage the other side. And please don't repond by saying well they do it too. I know they do.....in fact that's just about all we do.
July 30, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I agree biscuitboy, but they started it.;)
July 30, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
open_eyes
This is not the first time you have made those allegations about Tony Snow's death.....but I don't recall any such thing....at least not in the mainstream. If you can provide links to any person in the mainstream media expressing such glee I would love to see the link. But I am talking mainstream.....not some yahoo out in LaLa land like post on here sometimes.
If you can't provide such a link I wish you would quit saying it.
July 30, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
That's absolutely true, biscuitboy. That's why I like to see a counter point of view. What should we do when we see something we believe to be incorrect and have some evidence to back it up? Stay silent? Lie to ourselves and agree?
I guess the reason I constantly put up instances of the "you did it too" type (and I know I do) is the overabundance of hypocrisy I see at times. And I am guilty of it too at times. But if people once in awhile had a memory longer than 4 years, and owned a mirror, we'd all be able to meet in the middle ground with some compromise everyone could live with alot more often than what we currently do. Especially our politicians. I'm already seeing headlines about the Dems threatening the Repubs with "retributions and consequences" if they vote against Sotomayor. Why? Why can't our elected officials just vote their conscience, and what the people elected them to do? Because we KNOW, that once the tide turns, they will be doing the exact same thing right back at them. When our "leaders" act like grade school kids on the playground, its not hard to figure out where we learn it from.....
July 30, 2009 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy, Perrhaps you should eat a few more biscuits and you'll feel better. I don't feel "joy tonight in yahooland". I was not trying to be exultant or disrespectful. I don't feel any elation at all. I would take exception from one "kid on the playground". aw........just go eat some more biscuits.
July 30, 2009 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Now see that's where I wish the Dem's were more like the Repubs. If the Repubs had a filibuster proof majority do you think for a minute they would be threatening the Dems with retribution and consequences? Not just no.....but hell no. They would be confirming the nomination in a New York minute and be damned with what the Dems thought about it.
I'm so mad at the Dems right now I could spit. What they should have done with their super majority was passed the health care reform measure already and let the Repubs eat cake. That's how the Repubs did it when they held the power.
But no...the Dems fight amoung themselves and mamby pamby around wanting a bipartisan bill....and watch the whole dog and pony show go down the crapper.
July 30, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
oxen....I really wasn't refering to you in my above post.... although I realized to late that you were one of the people that had taken umbrage to my Glen Beck remarks. Sorry about the confusion.
July 30, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Wait a minute, let me get this straight. Your comments were about yahoo's on THIS board... that would laugh at a funeral..... directed at those who disagree with Pat (and since he is always left-wing, it was directed at right-wingers)........ a small-town blogosphere.......NOT mainstream, but small-town newspaper........ and when I point out that we have the same type of people, (who would laugh and be gleeful at a funeral)..... who are, yes, yahoo's out in la-la-land (only they post on a much larger/national/well-known boards) - it doesn't count just as much? I never said it was anyone in the mainstream. Bloggers, just like here. Only bloggers on much more well-known and read boards. But since you asked, here is a list of comments that were posted on the DailyKos: (the Kos averages around 800,000 hits daily, and Wikipedia defines them as "directed toward influencing and strengthening the Democratic Party."
http://tennesseefree.com/2008/07/12/d...
Or, here's some that were posted on the LA Times: (slightly larger circulation than the Emporia Gazette, I'm going to guess), from
http://patterico.com/2008/07/13/which...
1) There is special place in hell for Mr. Snow. As a co-conspirator of the Bush administration, I have no special sympathy for him. I only wish his suffering were more prolonged.
2) I hope he suffered at the end. Just a terrible person.
3) CANCER WAS TOO GOOD FOR HIM
HOPE IT WAS PAINFUL.
NOW FOR THE REST OF THIS SCUMMY ADMINISTRATION. COME ON CANCER, DO YOUR GOOD WORK..
The writer of the above article tried to post a comment slamming the above posters, but it was rejected.
The point that I was trying to make, and possibly it wasn't clear...... is that it isn't just right-wing yahoo's on tiny small-town boards that would laugh at a funeral. Nobody in mainstream would...... but....... mainstream will sure allow others to do it.
YouTube also allowed the yahoo's to jump on the bandwagon.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/danny-gl...
How many things like this did we see from the right-wing "yahoo's" when Tim Russert died? When Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer? I'm sure there were, somewhere, so can we total them up and possibly find out which side has more "yahoo's" than the other? Does it matter?
I honestly tried to find derogatory links to blogs or otherwise regarding the above two, but were unable to find any. I'm not saying there aren't any, I'm sure there are......... they just seem an awful lot harder to find than the others....... and that's what many of us see in todays media. In many different ways and areas.
July 30, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
And biscuitboy, please re-read the last paragraph of my very first post on this thread. I'm almost certain I wasn't laughing at anyone's funeral.
July 30, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
open_eyes
"We had quite a few people (bloggers and others) in the news...."
If I misinterpreted that statement as including mainstream media.....I stand corrected....but it was a misinterpretation that would not have been hard to make.
July 30, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Okay open_eyes.....don't get your knickers all in a bunch.
Remember how much umbrage you took to crackinsack's taking umbrage to your rope statement. Well maybe this would be a good time for you to look in that mirror you were just talking about.
Laughing at a funeral is just such a saying meaning to take pleasure from someone else's misfortune. NOt to be taken literally any more than you expected crack to take you rope statement literally. A little less umbrage please.
July 30, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Actually, I was just typing that I probably needed to simmer down just a tad and apologize, biscuitboy, before I saw your last post. Not that I got rude but I did get a little carried away making my point. I'll go take a cold shower now - LOL :).
July 30, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
Since when have postings gone unedited? free speech my ass!! They remove comments all the time, especially if they are against the gazette staff. Glad to see that the propaganda machine has run out of gas. maybe they'll get someone younger, less out of touch.
July 30, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
DON"T WORRY;
We still have Gwen to pile on. I will miss my semi-daily Pat Kelley blood pressure raising articles. Enjoy your retirement, hope you beat the smoking habit:)
July 30, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I'm gonna kind of miss him, actually. Just recently I came across 3 news articles about the campaigns last fall. One was about a man who grabbed a sign from a McCain volunteer - a small, middle-aged woman with glasses, broke the stick in 2 over his knee, and then hit her in the face with it, complete with a copy of the police complaint. Second was a news article detailing the arrest (and pictures) of 2 young men caught throwing molotov cocktails at McCain signs in a yard. Along with links to some more stories about political graffiti scratched into automobiles and painted on houses. Third article showed a line of T-Shirts stating "Sarah Palin is a c**t" (without the asterisks, of course. Modeled by several women, gee I wonder how they would have reacted if I had called THEM that word????).
Anyway, the point of all this is, it reminded me of the steady stream of articles from Pat during the campaigns Never heard the slightest whisper from good old Pat on any of this, or any of the many stories similar. However, I did see mention of the Palin/Africa story (hoax), and of the supposed yell of "Kill Him" at a McCain rally (also apparently made up by a left-wing reporter), during the articles condemning the right for their bad behavior. I'm sure there were some crimes being committed on the McCain side too, I just wish they both would have gotten equal airing. I remember the idiot lady who carved a "B" in her cheek and then claimed it was done by an Obama supporter. Well, at least she only did it to herself. Now THERE'S a yahoo for ya.
Sometimes I have a really hard time telling the difference between "nuances" of a hoax and the "wild prejudice and unremitting heresy" of an official police report.
That's one of the reasons it was so fun sparring with Pat. Finding the holes in a fishing net is just too darn easy sometimes...... (sigh)....
Ah, sweet reminiscing. Gosh, now I've went down memory lane and gotten myself all sentimental. I think I'm about to tear up.... (sniff, sniff)......
Vaya con dios, old sparring partner..... (sniff, sniff)...... :)
July 30, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
If you say something not flattering about Warren Beatty around this place and they remove it faster than something they would remove slightly less fast. It's crazy I tells ya!
Seriously R. Folks
July 30, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Observer (anonymous) says...
Vaya Con Dios Patrick Kelley.
Well written, well read, well spoken and an amazing ability to churn out editorials on a daily basis.
You certainly have grown over the years to fill Ray Call's chair, and have worn his editorial mantel well.
While disagreeing with your political perspective, and your selective filtration of "facts", I have respected your wordsmithing and editorial artistry.
May the paths which lie ahead bring you peace, joy and fulfillment, and you will long be remembered, and most certainly be missed.
July 30, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gazette_reader (anonymous) says...
I didn't always agree with you, Mr. Kelley. Once in a while, I wondered if *you* were the yahoo. But I always took the time to think about what you wrote, because you wrote things that merited consideration.
Even when it was just obvious you were wrong. :)
Best wishes.
July 30, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Mr. Kelly I wish you well. I'm sad that reporters of your ilk are a dying breed. No controversy is a dangerous thing. I think you helped those of a sane nature pick out the yahoos among us. You will be missed!
July 31, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (anonymous) says...
i have known pat for 43 years and you were always polite, kind and a perfect gentleman. today for the first time in 43 years, i saw the top of your desk. you will be missed. w l white and ray call taught you to stir the pot and you were ranked right up their with them. you sold a lot of papers. i would like to leave you this little story by max lucado. you may be going home soon. you may not have noticed it, but you are closer to home than ever before. each moment is a step taken. each breath is a paged turned. each day is a mile marked, a mountain climed. you are closer to home than you have ever been. before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come, and you will descend the ramp and enter the city. you will see faces that are waiting for you. you will hear your name spoken by those that love you. and, maybe , just maybe, in the back, behind the crowds the ONE who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and applaud.
July 31, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
open_eyes
It is possible.....not certain but possible.....that some of the horror stories that you alluded to in your latest list of umbrages just might have fallen into the same category as the woman who carved the "B" on her cheek. Not the ones with police verification.....but the others might have been a little of the old reverse psychology.
And I can't see where they were worse than the "B" cheek lady.....because thy were all mean't to unfairly disparage a candidiate. You see that's the trouble with much umbrage.....when it happens to your side it's an outrage......when it happens to their side...it's a harmless prank.
And before you fire back at me I will already concede in advance that the same thing was done by "them"
reddog
I don't practice your religion. But that was a beautifully worded story about going home.....I loved that.
July 31, 2009 at 4:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
open_eyes
After rethinking your post I realized I had misunderstood your statement about the "B" cheek lady only hurting herself. Of course you were referencing that to the little lady that got roughed up. My apologies.
The "B" cheek lady almost certainly got the idea from the discredited story of a racial attack on a little black girl a few years ago where racial epitahs were placed on her face. Problem was they were placed there by blacks wanting to discredit whites.
It's an unfortunate sign of our times when such incidents always have to be approached with a skeptical eye for just such shenanigans. And that sword does cut both ways.
July 31, 2009 at 4:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Taking bets this morning......even odds that by the end of the year the Gazette will have closed this site. Any takers?
I have no inside information to support this......and I certainly hope it doesn't happen. But my bet is based solely on the low regard most of the movers and shakers in this town have for this forum To a lot of them...and to some gazette staff that I know....this space is oocupied primarily by rabble rousers playing to the lowest common denomintor.
July 31, 2009 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I thought by now, one of these yahoos would bring up the original use of the word. Leave it to an English teacher.
From Wikipedia: In "Gulliver's Travels," Jonathan Swift describes the Yahoos as vile and savage creatures, filthy and with unpleasant habits... The Yahoos are primitive creatures obsessed with "pretty stones" they find by digging in mud, thus representing the distasteful materialism and ignorant elitism Swift encountered in Britain. Hence the term "Yahoo" has become synonymous with "cretin," "dinosaur," and/or "Neanderthal."
I love it! Enjoy your retirement, Pat. I've enjoyed your editorials and always thought you were a brave soul indeed for being a liberal swimmer in such a big red sea. Aloha nui loa!
July 31, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Observer (anonymous) says...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Posted by biscuitboy (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Taking bets this morning......even odds that by the end of the year the Gazette will have closed this site. Any takers?
I have no inside information to support this......and I certainly hope it doesn't happen. But my bet is based solely on the low regard most of the movers and shakers in this town have for this forum To a lot of them...and to some gazette staff that I know....this space is oocupied primarily by rabble rousers playing to the lowest common denomintor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I would disagree, for the Powers That Be, consider forums such as this to be similar to "religion", an opiate for the masses, a pressure-relief valve where they can throw the out-spoken "pit-bulls" of the unwashed masses a bone to chew-on, while TPTB go right ahead and do what they want without opposition.
The ruling classes will meet secretly in their ivory towers, decide what is best for Emporia, and formulate the path of least resistance past the unwashed peons. Reactionary ignorance, short attention spans, devoid of either imagination, power, or collective memory, intrinsic to the peons, TPTB can safely affix a Rolls Royce grill to a rusted-out Chevy, and pat themselves on the back with glee.
How many white elephants are going to be swallowed and paid for by the Blue-collar "clueless in Emporia"?
Water Park?
Clock Tower?
Court House?
Sterling infrastructure, shimmering new schools, showcases of excellence in the NW, while south of 12th the city crumbles, the sewage accumulates, and TPTB slash necessary workers from their budgets.
Minimal and substandard for the peons and luxury for the elite. TPTB have gravitated to the north and west, while "south of the tracks" has moved from South Avenue to 12th, while the social stratification continues unchecked.
Is Nero tuning up his bow?
July 31, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
under_score (anonymous) says...
Even though Pat has gone I still believe the gazette has the obligation to print a retraction on the C street story if they had their facts wrong.
Pat continually wrote negative articles about people he did not agree with. He was very good at it and someone like the average gazette reader may have mistakenly taken his word as fact at one time or another.
What is the difference between what Pat did in his editorials and what I'm doing on here with my comments? I'm more direct with my crticisms, not as good a writer, and I don't get paid to do it.
One other difference, I am fully aware and admit that I am critical of those who don't agree with me at times. I don't fault others for treating me the same way that I treat them. Pat apparently doesn't have the ability to look at himself and understand that many people did not agree with him and many took offense to his political attacks.
This forum, just like any other that often discusses politics, is filled with people who disagree. People who disagree will argue their points and will sometimes offend others. Maybe I get a little too much enjoyment out of that but that is why I come here. I never post in a forum where everyone agrees with what I'm saying, what would be the point?
create, if you or Pat Kelley want to call me a yahoo, I really could care less. I have never taken offense to anything anyone has said to me on this forum because I really don't take it that seriously. In fact, there are several people on here who I have had disagreements with and whose political views I often disagree with that I think would be very good representatives of our community. biscuitboy is one of them.
But if you want to call someone a yahoo at least have a little bit of self knowledge and look at yourself and see that we are all yahoos at one time or another. Nobody likes a hypocrit.
They pulled the Old Friend editorial from the site for comments? And I thought newspapers were supposed to be bastions of free speech.
July 31, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Observer
Your post shows a political sophistication and savy far beyond where I was allowing my mind to go. It also vibrantly recognizes the importance of various opiates to keep the great unwashed in line.
I stand in awe.....and I withdraw my wager!
July 31, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy, the molotov cocktail throwers were also arrested and confessed. As for the T-shirts, they also were advertising a complete line..... such as "Sarah Palin: Republic**nt", and so forth.
I will respectfully continue to have an extremely low opinion of the (I'm willing to bet) non-Fox-News-viewing women (yahoos) who would model such references proudly. But if anyone really wants one of the shirts (Probably some hypocrites who are calling people yahoos here who would) they can follow the link from the other forum, I won't repost it here. Another example of "giving them some rope".
And no problem on my point about the "B" lady, as you say, its a sad sign of our times. I remember how much the "Kill Him" comment got people riled up. BOTH sides resort to such low and underhanded tactics anymore its hard not to be skeptical and jaded. And of course, if someone did come along who in a large part stood up for what he or she believed in, I'm sure the press will wage an all-out war to discredit and belittle them.
Under_score, I re-read your last post 3 times carefully before I went out on the limb to say I agree with it 100%. (Learned my lesson, I just recently got bitten there). Whether you spell-checked it or not :)
July 31, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Don't know about the rest of you rabble, but I am ready for some Seriously R. Folks.
July 31, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
And along the lines of Observation's subject, here's how alot of the "infrastructure" stimulus is being spent so far.....
http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/2009...
July 31, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
under_score (anonymous) says...
open_eyes,
I think that is why the press disliked President Bush so much. He always did what he felt was the right thing and in the best interests of American and he was unapologetic for it. That is why I liked him so much. He always said what he was going to do and he did it, or at least tried.
I never spell check.
July 31, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
under_score, what gives you the idea that I was leaving myself off the yahoo list? Whoa, hoss, no need to jump on your keyboard and ride away screaming. Just ride away.
BTW, you said, "create, if you or Pat Kelley want to call me a yahoo, I really could care less." Sweetie, it's COULDN'T care less. If you could care less, that means you can still care a little. Language, language.
Hee hee heeeeeee!
July 31, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Steve
Are you suggestin' I take over fer Pat? Not a bad idea but I'm feelin' kinda blue cuz I can't help but feel some of the name callin' is somewhat pointed in my general direction since I find myself aligned with the ones who the name calling is obviously intended for. I don't mind being aligned with those folks just as I didn't mind bein' aligned with the antiban crowd, if we have commonalities then great! There are people on here I rarely agree with but I still like and that's OK too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiJN...
sorry that wasn't the typical post by .............
Seriously R. Folks
July 31, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...
Enjoy your retirement. Your insight and thoughtfulness will be missed.
July 31, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks......You make an important point.....you and I rarely agree on anything of substance [except for the smoking ban] but we still respect each other and treat each other fairly....at least i think we do and hope you agree.
So disagreement can be conducted with an underlying respect. My alter-ego however knows that a good ole brawl sometimes can be fun also. under_score is right about that. And he/she should know....we have had some doozies .
I just hope that Observer is right about their not shutting this site down because this old piece of unwashed masses needs his opiate.
July 31, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
under_score (anonymous) says...
Maybe I could care less. Maybe my feelings are hurt.
I think that is actually a very common mistake. It actually bugs me when I catch myself or others saying it.
It ranks right up there on the annoyance scale of someone saying "that away" vs "that way" when pointing someon in a certain direction. Or someone calling someone "sweetie" in an attempt to talk down to them.
July 31, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
A personal note......
For those of you who know that I am usually at work at this time.....I'm home this morning tending to a sick dog [not Biscuit]. Greater love hath no man than he would clean up dog poop and spend much of his night nursing a sick animal.
I know....I'm wierd......but my mama loved me....I think?
July 31, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"Don't know about the rest of you rabble, but I am ready for some Seriously R. Folks." Steve
"Are you suggestin' I take over fer Pat?" Seriously R. Folks
"seriouslyfolks......You make an important point" biscuitboy
"sweetie" under_score
Thanks guys. I get the message.
Seriously R. Folks
July 31, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Let's all just agree to agree that we all should have bought alot of yahoo stock way back when.
Create, PULEEEZ don't become you-know-who. One is already two too many :)
Seriouslyfolks, you've put me in quite a pickle. Sometimes I think we get too carried away with joking around, and it's time to get serious, but that can be taken as just the opposite, or when someone needs some comic relief and flashes the big "S" spotlight on the clouds (You DO wear a caped costume with an "S" on your chest, right? :) - similar to the BatSignal, it might be misinterpreted as meaning just the opposite.......... I'm so confused.....
Now I'm dizzy and my head hurts too :(
July 31, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I don't have complete control of my power yet, kind of like The greatest American Hero, so it's hard for me to just turn it on and off when called upon. Sometimes I still fly into the side of buildings at just the wrong time. I guess I'm not "on" today but I promise I will be back to bring comic relief to my fellow yahoos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Q3or...
Seriously R. Folks
July 31, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
A long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
July 31, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (Gwen Larson) says...
to a forum:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
August 1, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )