And So Castles Made of Sand Fall In The Sea Eventually
October 22, 2007 7:53 AM Subscribe
Castle Kashan, the castle on the hills above Malibu, is gone. The home of an Iranian oil minister's daughter, Castle Kashan was built in 1977, appeared in episodes of The Rockford Files, and was the setting for numerous weddings and the Malibu Film Festival. Fret not, America has lots of other castles. Canada, too! (previously on MetaFilter)
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- frimble
I felt bad when I first clicked the "is gone" link and saw the burning remains.... but then I saw what the thing had looked like before and y'know what? I feel a lot better now.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 8:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 8:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
That's the problem with this new-fangled stone construction. Burns right up in a fire.
posted by DU at 8:05 AM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by DU at 8:05 AM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure if this image link will work, but if so: heh.
posted by delmoi at 8:07 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by delmoi at 8:07 AM on October 22, 2007
If God has not the power to cleanse the Earth of the stain that is SoCal, why call Him God?
posted by mkb at 8:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by mkb at 8:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
The Canada link is missing Single Castle in the 1000 Islands. Which is pretty awesome. Not much chance of any wildfires getting over there.
posted by GuyZero at 8:12 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by GuyZero at 8:12 AM on October 22, 2007
heh.
Too bad there isn't anything that makes any sense in Revelations Chapter 4. And nothing gets burned. God needs some better writers.
posted by GuyZero at 8:15 AM on October 22, 2007
Too bad there isn't anything that makes any sense in Revelations Chapter 4. And nothing gets burned. God needs some better writers.
posted by GuyZero at 8:15 AM on October 22, 2007
This photo looks amazingly apocalyptic.
I guess if you are superstitious it might. I thought it looked like a grass fire at night.
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:16 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
I guess if you are superstitious it might. I thought it looked like a grass fire at night.
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:16 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
CitrusFreak's got a point. It did look like a theme restaurant where some unemployed actor serves you an expensive turkey leg in an atmosphere of atomized horse shit.
*shivers*
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:16 AM on October 22, 2007
*shivers*
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:16 AM on October 22, 2007
I have to agree that as castles go, this one is no great loss, though it will doubtless be rebuilt at tremendous expense and coke will be snorted in its hallowed halls once again.
Incidentally, I presume it's named for the Iranian city of Kashan (کاشان), whose Farsi pronunciation is more or less caw-SHAWN, if you want to impress any Iranian acquaintances.
posted by languagehat at 8:17 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
Incidentally, I presume it's named for the Iranian city of Kashan (کاشان), whose Farsi pronunciation is more or less caw-SHAWN, if you want to impress any Iranian acquaintances.
posted by languagehat at 8:17 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
It was uniquely hideous. Maybe they'll build a nice rehab centre there, instead. It's not like Malibu could ever have enough of them.
posted by chuckdarwin at 8:22 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 8:22 AM on October 22, 2007
These are some really messed up comments...
posted by AspectRatio at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by AspectRatio at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
care to tell us why?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:42 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:42 AM on October 22, 2007
We here in Southern California love wildfire season, because afterwards it gives us a chance to look around and see who's making snide remarks. A couple of years back, while wildfires were destroying a massive number of homes all over the state, Saturday Night Live made not one, but two jokes about it in their shitty Weekend Update. We dutifully made note of it as something to keep in mind the next time someone decides to use a couple of planes to make their skyline two buildings shorter.
Whatever you might think of the design of that particular home or its occupants, people are losing their homes, firefighters are risking their lives, acres of beautiful land are being scorched to the ground. A few months ago, the largest municipal park in the country went up in flames, right here in Los Angeles. Whether you like our city or not (and it's quite clear that a lot of you don't), you're not going to prove to anyone how awesome you are by withholding compassion from people in the face of disaster. Yes, I get that this particular home was an eyesore owned by someone who can most likely afford to replace it with something ten times larger and more horrific-looking, but not everyone who has lost homes or is in danger of losing a home is in such a lofty position.
I've heard people say that Angelenos have no souls, but if this board reflects on the rest of the world, I have to wonder what they're using as a basis for comparison.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 8:48 AM on October 22, 2007 [46 favorites]
Whatever you might think of the design of that particular home or its occupants, people are losing their homes, firefighters are risking their lives, acres of beautiful land are being scorched to the ground. A few months ago, the largest municipal park in the country went up in flames, right here in Los Angeles. Whether you like our city or not (and it's quite clear that a lot of you don't), you're not going to prove to anyone how awesome you are by withholding compassion from people in the face of disaster. Yes, I get that this particular home was an eyesore owned by someone who can most likely afford to replace it with something ten times larger and more horrific-looking, but not everyone who has lost homes or is in danger of losing a home is in such a lofty position.
I've heard people say that Angelenos have no souls, but if this board reflects on the rest of the world, I have to wonder what they're using as a basis for comparison.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 8:48 AM on October 22, 2007 [46 favorites]
Possibly the quintessential Californian attitude: Bad day for fires, great day for surf. This is how we roll in LA.
posted by the_bone at 8:51 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by the_bone at 8:51 AM on October 22, 2007
care to tell us why?
Yesterday afternoon, it might have seemed funny that a kitschy architectural folly of a castle was caught in one of the seasonal conflagrations we have here, but now, with 6 wildfires burning in my county with 0% containment and no hope of stopping them until the winds change, and a third of my co-workers being evacuated from their homes, it's not so funny any more. It's going to be in the 90's today, with about 5% humidity and wind gusts up to hurricane strength blowing from the east--none of which is going to help firefighters. The sky over the entirity of San Diego county is grey with smoke, the sun is a sickly shade of dim orange, it's raining ash, the entire area bounded by the 78, 15, 5, and 56 freeways has been evacuated, and they're expecting this to hit the ocean before it's through.
You have fun with that.
posted by LionIndex at 8:52 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
Yesterday afternoon, it might have seemed funny that a kitschy architectural folly of a castle was caught in one of the seasonal conflagrations we have here, but now, with 6 wildfires burning in my county with 0% containment and no hope of stopping them until the winds change, and a third of my co-workers being evacuated from their homes, it's not so funny any more. It's going to be in the 90's today, with about 5% humidity and wind gusts up to hurricane strength blowing from the east--none of which is going to help firefighters. The sky over the entirity of San Diego county is grey with smoke, the sun is a sickly shade of dim orange, it's raining ash, the entire area bounded by the 78, 15, 5, and 56 freeways has been evacuated, and they're expecting this to hit the ocean before it's through.
You have fun with that.
posted by LionIndex at 8:52 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
The L.A. Times has created a Google Maps interactive with markers for all the current fires in CA.
posted by gwint at 8:53 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by gwint at 8:53 AM on October 22, 2007
Yes, I get that this particular home was an eyesore owned by someone who can most likely afford to replace it with something ten times larger and more horrific-looking, but not everyone who has lost homes or is in danger of losing a home is in such a lofty position.
I don't get it, Parasite Unseen.
The point you made above - this mildly reasonable, yet po-faced, humorless and somewhat banal point is worth the staggeringly stupid 9/11 jab you subsequently made?
Really?
posted by Jody Tresidder at 8:58 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
I don't get it, Parasite Unseen.
The point you made above - this mildly reasonable, yet po-faced, humorless and somewhat banal point is worth the staggeringly stupid 9/11 jab you subsequently made?
Really?
posted by Jody Tresidder at 8:58 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
"The castle belonged to Malibu philanthropist Lilly Lawrence....She didn’t seem too worried about losing most of her belongings in the fire. 'My parents taught me not to allow my possessions to possess me,' Lawrence told KABC-TV. 'So, that’s the story. The house is a house.'"*
posted by ericb at 9:01 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ericb at 9:01 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
It wasnt's an "OH SHIT! CALIFORNIA IS ON FIRE" post. It was a snarky post about an ugly house... and it inspired snarky comments. It's metafilter, after all.
posted by chuckdarwin at 9:03 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by chuckdarwin at 9:03 AM on October 22, 2007
Yes, I get that this particular home was an eyesore owned by someone who can most likely afford to replace it with something ten times larger and more horrific-looking, but not everyone who has lost homes or is in danger of losing a home is in such a lofty position.
I guess that explains why only the owner of the eyesore in question was being mocked, and indirectly at that.
Also, in the spirit of your post, I'm going to take your use of the phrase "horrific-looking" to mean you hate children and would leave them in a house fire.
posted by DU at 9:04 AM on October 22, 2007
I guess that explains why only the owner of the eyesore in question was being mocked, and indirectly at that.
Also, in the spirit of your post, I'm going to take your use of the phrase "horrific-looking" to mean you hate children and would leave them in a house fire.
posted by DU at 9:04 AM on October 22, 2007
We here in Southern California love wildfire season, because afterwards it gives us a chance to look around and see who's making snide remarks.
You live in a place that annually catches on fire. Take it up with God and your insurer.
posted by Nahum Tate at 9:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
You live in a place that annually catches on fire. Take it up with God and your insurer.
posted by Nahum Tate at 9:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [4 favorites]
You know, I feel bad for the owners and all, I mean, it sucks when one of your estates burns up along with some of your furniture and a bit of some of your art and jewelry, but really, think about what it would be like if your trailer burned up along with your entire collection of Hustlers and that six-pack you were looking forward to drinking after you third double shift down at the rendering plant.
posted by Pollomacho at 9:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Pollomacho at 9:10 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
snide remarks are always expected at this site. I had posted pictures of the castle at my site, early today, but also this video, which shows the actual fire taking place--a video
http://one.revver.com/watch/443533
posted by Postroad at 9:14 AM on October 22, 2007
http://one.revver.com/watch/443533
posted by Postroad at 9:14 AM on October 22, 2007
The point you made above - this mildly reasonable, yet po-faced, humorless and somewhat banal point is worth the staggeringly stupid 9/11 jab you subsequently made?
The "9/11 jab" was a comment on my view that a group, any group that has recently seen first-hand the effects of thousands of lives being ruined, as the writers of Saturday Night Live must have, should have known that making jokes about ongoing disasters is not merely in poor taste, it's reprehensible. Literally thousands of homes were lost in those fires. People were losing their homes in those fires as those jokes were being written, just like people are losing homes in these fires while people on this site are joking about God wiping away Southern California.
When Hurricane Katrina hit, I didn't make jokes. When Southeast Asia got wiped in the tsunami, I didn't find it particularly funny. I sure as Hell didn't crack wise during 9/11. I kept any pithy comments to myself, because I realized that I live on planet Earth, and there isn't a spot on this rock where disaster won't someday strike. Until we're all safely living in Valhalla, where nothing bad will happen to anyone, can we at least hold off on making jokes about large-scale disasters that are causing problems for thousands of people until those disasters have ended?
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007 [5 favorites]
The "9/11 jab" was a comment on my view that a group, any group that has recently seen first-hand the effects of thousands of lives being ruined, as the writers of Saturday Night Live must have, should have known that making jokes about ongoing disasters is not merely in poor taste, it's reprehensible. Literally thousands of homes were lost in those fires. People were losing their homes in those fires as those jokes were being written, just like people are losing homes in these fires while people on this site are joking about God wiping away Southern California.
When Hurricane Katrina hit, I didn't make jokes. When Southeast Asia got wiped in the tsunami, I didn't find it particularly funny. I sure as Hell didn't crack wise during 9/11. I kept any pithy comments to myself, because I realized that I live on planet Earth, and there isn't a spot on this rock where disaster won't someday strike. Until we're all safely living in Valhalla, where nothing bad will happen to anyone, can we at least hold off on making jokes about large-scale disasters that are causing problems for thousands of people until those disasters have ended?
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007 [5 favorites]
As always, Nature is doing a half-assed job of it. I demand we stop letting the freaking planet get away with poor quality work.
The time has come for us to burn our own cities. This task is too important to be left to the caprices of the winds and fickle weather patterns. Let us join hands, grab some gasoline, and get to work! I have faith in all of you. Let today be the day the survivors can look back on with joy. The future should be limned in fire.
Our children deserve no less. Think of the future you will be giving them -- a blank slate on which they can create their own dreams, free of the shackles of our miserable misbegotten past. The Holy Zippo awaits you. It's in your pocket, calling your name.
posted by aramaic at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007
The time has come for us to burn our own cities. This task is too important to be left to the caprices of the winds and fickle weather patterns. Let us join hands, grab some gasoline, and get to work! I have faith in all of you. Let today be the day the survivors can look back on with joy. The future should be limned in fire.
Our children deserve no less. Think of the future you will be giving them -- a blank slate on which they can create their own dreams, free of the shackles of our miserable misbegotten past. The Holy Zippo awaits you. It's in your pocket, calling your name.
posted by aramaic at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007
You know, it's California. Something's gonna catch on fire. Sad but true. So can't we all just be happy it was an eyesore that did, and move on?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by kittens for breakfast at 9:18 AM on October 22, 2007
I understand where you are going PU, but the post was about one particular domicile, not the broader wildfire per se
posted by edgeways at 9:26 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by edgeways at 9:26 AM on October 22, 2007
I guess that explains why only the owner of the eyesore in question was being mocked, and indirectly at that.
If God has not the power to cleanse the Earth of the stain that is SoCal, why call Him God?
Right.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:29 AM on October 22, 2007
If God has not the power to cleanse the Earth of the stain that is SoCal, why call Him God?
Right.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:29 AM on October 22, 2007
"... We dutifully made note of it as something to keep in mind the next time someone decides to use a couple of planes to make their skyline two buildings shorter..."
Parasite Unseen,
Perhaps some people's tasteless jokes about kitsch castles going up in flames today are pay back for previous west coast cracks about 9/11?
Your own retributive attitude towards what is tasteless and when seems part of the general problem, frankly.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:33 AM on October 22, 2007
Parasite Unseen,
Perhaps some people's tasteless jokes about kitsch castles going up in flames today are pay back for previous west coast cracks about 9/11?
Your own retributive attitude towards what is tasteless and when seems part of the general problem, frankly.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:33 AM on October 22, 2007
previous west coast cracks about 9/11?
Cite, please.
posted by LionIndex at 9:36 AM on October 22, 2007
Cite, please.
posted by LionIndex at 9:36 AM on October 22, 2007
can we at least hold off on making jokes about large-scale disasters that are causing problems for thousands of people until those disasters have ended?
Here's a simpler plan, and one you can achieve all by yourself:
When there's a thread that seems likely to have comments that really get under your skin, can you at least not load it?
In any case, you yourself have said that whatever pain is caused to the thousands of people whose lives are ruined is more than outweighed by your ability to be offended at people snarking about it, so you're hardly in any position to bitch.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:36 AM on October 22, 2007
Here's a simpler plan, and one you can achieve all by yourself:
When there's a thread that seems likely to have comments that really get under your skin, can you at least not load it?
In any case, you yourself have said that whatever pain is caused to the thousands of people whose lives are ruined is more than outweighed by your ability to be offended at people snarking about it, so you're hardly in any position to bitch.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:36 AM on October 22, 2007
Cite, please
Well, in all honesty, I made a crack shortly after 9/11 (maybe on the day itself?), while residing in Oregon. It was almost immediately mod-nuked.
Of course, it has been well-established that I am an amoral monster, and so probably not the best yardstick by which these things should be measured.
posted by aramaic at 9:43 AM on October 22, 2007
Well, in all honesty, I made a crack shortly after 9/11 (maybe on the day itself?), while residing in Oregon. It was almost immediately mod-nuked.
Of course, it has been well-established that I am an amoral monster, and so probably not the best yardstick by which these things should be measured.
posted by aramaic at 9:43 AM on October 22, 2007
Cite, please.
posted by LionIndex
No cite needed, LionIndex.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
To echo ROU_Xenophobe, (above), if you offend people when you lecture people about being offensive, you'll just bite your own tail.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:50 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by LionIndex
No cite needed, LionIndex.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
To echo ROU_Xenophobe, (above), if you offend people when you lecture people about being offensive, you'll just bite your own tail.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:50 AM on October 22, 2007
Honestly, I had a chuckle myself when I heard about the castle going up, so I can understand the motivation behind the post. But with the way things are going, it's just hard to reconcile that with the larger context of what's happening. Things got *much* worse overnight, and from all appearances, they're not going to get better for most of this week. Officials are saying these will dwarf the fires of 2003.
The Google map thing linked above was missing a few fires when I checked it--it's only showing 2 fires in SD, when right now we actually have 6.
posted by LionIndex at 9:51 AM on October 22, 2007
The Google map thing linked above was missing a few fires when I checked it--it's only showing 2 fires in SD, when right now we actually have 6.
posted by LionIndex at 9:51 AM on October 22, 2007
re: lots of other castles link
-Looks like it's International type in H1 and H2 font day, too.
posted by MtDewd at 9:55 AM on October 22, 2007
-Looks like it's International type in H1 and H2 font day, too.
posted by MtDewd at 9:55 AM on October 22, 2007
They appear to be playing a bit fast and loose with the definition of castle on that Canada page, but there were some nice pix of placed I didn't know existed. Thanks.
posted by Zinger at 9:55 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by Zinger at 9:55 AM on October 22, 2007
If a tiny little fire kills it then it's not a proper castle.
posted by Artw at 9:56 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by Artw at 9:56 AM on October 22, 2007
if you offend people when you lecture people about being offensive, you'll just bite your own tail.
Sure, but I don't think I've done that; although I can see where you'd say that Parasite Unseen had done so. I've just tried to inform you of the scope of the fires, and that it's not just one silly house that burned down.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
No, the "perhaps" in your prior statement refers to the motivations of people cracking wise about the fires, not speculation about whether or not west coasters made cracks about 9/11.
posted by LionIndex at 9:58 AM on October 22, 2007
Sure, but I don't think I've done that; although I can see where you'd say that Parasite Unseen had done so. I've just tried to inform you of the scope of the fires, and that it's not just one silly house that burned down.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
No, the "perhaps" in your prior statement refers to the motivations of people cracking wise about the fires, not speculation about whether or not west coasters made cracks about 9/11.
posted by LionIndex at 9:58 AM on October 22, 2007
She got the Elvis memorabilia out (a flight jacket?).
So all is well...she wasn't concerned about the rest.
And Hearst Castle is still A-OK.
posted by rmmcclay at 10:01 AM on October 22, 2007
So all is well...she wasn't concerned about the rest.
And Hearst Castle is still A-OK.
posted by rmmcclay at 10:01 AM on October 22, 2007
personally, as a L.A. resident, I really don't get offended by the jokes. They're not funny, but then the people making them aren't funny people and they're doing their best. They might want to consider why they choose to parcel out their humanity on a sliding scale and yet still continue to think of themselves as "good" people, but that's their business.
As for the SNL thing, I say "let 'em have it." I wouldn't really call them New Yorkers, most of them are L.A. hacks who had to go east because they couldn't even write up to the hacky standards of Leno's monologue or "everybody loves raymond." They are the Special Olympians of the comedy-writing world, and they need to applauded for their effort, pathetic as it may be by our normal standards. If they finally thought of a joke that got a few laughs, who are we to take it away from the poor things?
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
As for the SNL thing, I say "let 'em have it." I wouldn't really call them New Yorkers, most of them are L.A. hacks who had to go east because they couldn't even write up to the hacky standards of Leno's monologue or "everybody loves raymond." They are the Special Olympians of the comedy-writing world, and they need to applauded for their effort, pathetic as it may be by our normal standards. If they finally thought of a joke that got a few laughs, who are we to take it away from the poor things?
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
If a tiny little fire kills it then it's not a proper castle.
This one didn't die exactly, but it pretty much counts as a castle.
posted by vbfg at 10:13 AM on October 22, 2007
This one didn't die exactly, but it pretty much counts as a castle.
posted by vbfg at 10:13 AM on October 22, 2007
Well, I don't think anyone ever thought it was a proper castle.
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 10:15 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 10:15 AM on October 22, 2007
This one didn't die exactly, but it pretty much counts as a castle.
Pff. Surface damage to the fixtures and amenities of one part of it only, mainly to fancy pants 19th century stuff from when it got all gussied up as a "palace" rather than a proper fortified castle.
Though to be fair, most "castles" in England are that way. Oliver Cromwell blew an awful lot of the real ones up, and knocked holes in the rest with cannons, and the ones that got restorded in the 18th century are basically glorified stately homes. Most likely similar things happened elsewhere with the invention of gunpowder rendering proper castles obsolete.
posted by Artw at 10:27 AM on October 22, 2007
Pff. Surface damage to the fixtures and amenities of one part of it only, mainly to fancy pants 19th century stuff from when it got all gussied up as a "palace" rather than a proper fortified castle.
Though to be fair, most "castles" in England are that way. Oliver Cromwell blew an awful lot of the real ones up, and knocked holes in the rest with cannons, and the ones that got restorded in the 18th century are basically glorified stately homes. Most likely similar things happened elsewhere with the invention of gunpowder rendering proper castles obsolete.
posted by Artw at 10:27 AM on October 22, 2007
Perhaps some people's tasteless jokes about kitsch castles going up in flames today are pay back for previous west coast cracks about 9/11?
Your own retributive attitude towards what is tasteless and when seems part of the general problem, frankly.
And are you saying you disagree with Parasite Unseen's point that
The whole 9/11 crack is pretty obviously to point out how tasteless the whole kind of exchange could be, though some people seem bent on reading into it an earnest desire to get into a tit-for-tat exchange.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
Yeah, well, at least we don't have to speculate about the cheap jabs at L.A.
posted by namespan at 10:31 AM on October 22, 2007
Your own retributive attitude towards what is tasteless and when seems part of the general problem, frankly.
And are you saying you disagree with Parasite Unseen's point that
<nelson>Ha-ha!</nelson> is not a great response to disaster?The whole 9/11 crack is pretty obviously to point out how tasteless the whole kind of exchange could be, though some people seem bent on reading into it an earnest desire to get into a tit-for-tat exchange.
I said "Perhaps" there were too swiftly uttered offensive comments about 9/11 from people geographically distant at the time.
Yeah, well, at least we don't have to speculate about the cheap jabs at L.A.
posted by namespan at 10:31 AM on October 22, 2007
Parasite Unseen: "can we at least hold off on making jokes about large-scale disasters that are causing problems for thousands of people until those disasters have ended?"
I still don't see anyone making fun of the disaster. Or California for that matter. Just one ugly house.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 10:32 AM on October 22, 2007
I still don't see anyone making fun of the disaster. Or California for that matter. Just one ugly house.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 10:32 AM on October 22, 2007
"No, the "perhaps" in your prior statement refers to the motivations of people cracking wise about the fires, not speculation about whether or not west coasters made cracks about 9/11."
posted by LionIndex
I fuzzily meant both - but I didn't put it clearly. Sorry. (And, no. I didn't think you were remotely offensive).
The real problem is that the corpse of Castle Kashan is a hopeless image as a sympathy-wringer.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 10:35 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by LionIndex
I fuzzily meant both - but I didn't put it clearly. Sorry. (And, no. I didn't think you were remotely offensive).
The real problem is that the corpse of Castle Kashan is a hopeless image as a sympathy-wringer.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 10:35 AM on October 22, 2007
kittens for breakfast:
You know, it's California. Something's gonna catch on fire. Sad but true. So can't we all just be happy it was an eyesore that did, and move on?
Well, it's ONE thing that caught on fire. Also burned: thousands of acres of land, houses, farms, gardens, churches, people. There are still six fires burning here in San Diego county, and last time I heard, they're 0% contained because the wind's still too strong for firefighting planes and helicopters. Here where I work, there's a smoke stench, the sky is orange, you can look directly at the sun with no pain, and it's starting to rain ash.
I'd say some of us aren't ready to move on quite yet.
kuujjuarapik: I still don't see anyone making fun of the disaster. Or California for that matter. Just one ugly house.
Well, did you look? I don't know if any thread cleanup has been in progress already, but as it stands, the fifth comment still reads "If God has not the power to cleanse the Earth of the stain that is SoCal, why call Him God?" Just a few posts down is a crack on Malibu, and there are various people chuckling about a church going up in flames. Did you just overlook all that?
posted by cobra_high_tigers at 10:48 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
You know, it's California. Something's gonna catch on fire. Sad but true. So can't we all just be happy it was an eyesore that did, and move on?
Well, it's ONE thing that caught on fire. Also burned: thousands of acres of land, houses, farms, gardens, churches, people. There are still six fires burning here in San Diego county, and last time I heard, they're 0% contained because the wind's still too strong for firefighting planes and helicopters. Here where I work, there's a smoke stench, the sky is orange, you can look directly at the sun with no pain, and it's starting to rain ash.
I'd say some of us aren't ready to move on quite yet.
kuujjuarapik: I still don't see anyone making fun of the disaster. Or California for that matter. Just one ugly house.
Well, did you look? I don't know if any thread cleanup has been in progress already, but as it stands, the fifth comment still reads "If God has not the power to cleanse the Earth of the stain that is SoCal, why call Him God?" Just a few posts down is a crack on Malibu, and there are various people chuckling about a church going up in flames. Did you just overlook all that?
posted by cobra_high_tigers at 10:48 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
Wow, this is like 2Pac vs. Biggie. Just waaay lamer.
"Citer, please."
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:55 AM on October 22, 2007
"Citer, please."
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:55 AM on October 22, 2007
Christ, does the pompous fuckheadery that surrounds 9/11 now have to be expanded to surround everything? Blech.
posted by Artw at 10:56 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 10:56 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
I just want to make it clear that I didn't know that anyone was currently making a home out of that place anymore. From the description it sounded like a building that was used for weddings and the film festival and that's about it.
My comment about one hideous building burning to the ground should not be applied in any larger context, nor should one use it to attempt to interpret my feelings for the city in which it resided, or my attitude towards the people in said city.
I can understand local residents being defensive, I guess. I've seen jokes about the Station nightclub fire made on various sites, and they disgust me. I know that when things hit close to home, it can be unthinkable that anyone would find it funny.
That said, if the local community college building were to burn down in the middle of the night, I wouldn't find it "funny" per se, just extraordinarily overdue. It's just as hideous, if not more so, than the castle. What is it with 1960's-1980's architecture and concrete? Maybe I just can't appreciate the aesthetic qualities of concrete and cinderblocks...
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 11:01 AM on October 22, 2007
My comment about one hideous building burning to the ground should not be applied in any larger context, nor should one use it to attempt to interpret my feelings for the city in which it resided, or my attitude towards the people in said city.
I can understand local residents being defensive, I guess. I've seen jokes about the Station nightclub fire made on various sites, and they disgust me. I know that when things hit close to home, it can be unthinkable that anyone would find it funny.
That said, if the local community college building were to burn down in the middle of the night, I wouldn't find it "funny" per se, just extraordinarily overdue. It's just as hideous, if not more so, than the castle. What is it with 1960's-1980's architecture and concrete? Maybe I just can't appreciate the aesthetic qualities of concrete and cinderblocks...
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 11:01 AM on October 22, 2007
Is the deathtoll in the thousands yet?
posted by Artw at 11:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 11:02 AM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
Is the deathtoll in the thousands yet?
posted by Artw
Be careful, Artw.
Cromwell is still a sensitive subject for some of us:)
posted by Jody Tresidder at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by Artw
Be careful, Artw.
Cromwell is still a sensitive subject for some of us:)
posted by Jody Tresidder at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2007
Well, it's ONE thing that caught on fire. Also burned: thousands of acres of land, houses, farms, gardens, churches, people. There are still six fires burning here in San Diego county, and last time I heard, they're 0% contained because the wind's still too strong for firefighting planes and helicopters.
And that's really awful, but...it's not the subject of the thread. Personally, I don't see why the immolation of this hideous fucker warranted a thread, but here it is.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2007
And that's really awful, but...it's not the subject of the thread. Personally, I don't see why the immolation of this hideous fucker warranted a thread, but here it is.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2007
kittens for breakfast: I don't either, but I also don't see the mods letting through another FPP about the fires while this one's still open.
Either way, I'm going to ignore Artw's failure to understand the concept of mandatory evacuations and duck out of this thread at least until it's a bit nicer.
posted by cobra_high_tigers at 11:32 AM on October 22, 2007
Either way, I'm going to ignore Artw's failure to understand the concept of mandatory evacuations and duck out of this thread at least until it's a bit nicer.
posted by cobra_high_tigers at 11:32 AM on October 22, 2007
someday you may own a castle and it could burn down too and then you won't think it so funny and maybe some people will think your castle was ugly too and if you don't burn alive and you read what they say you will be sad because it was your castle and you liked it so why can't people stop making fun of castles in the mutnains, in the woods, or in the air?
posted by Postroad at 11:35 AM on October 22, 2007
posted by Postroad at 11:35 AM on October 22, 2007
There are still six fires burning here in San Diego county...
Nearly 250,000 flee fires in San Diego area.
posted by ericb at 11:45 AM on October 22, 2007
Nearly 250,000 flee fires in San Diego area.
posted by ericb at 11:45 AM on October 22, 2007
Either way, I'm going to ignore Artw's failure to understand the concept of mandatory evacuations and duck out of this thread at least until it's a bit nicer.
I'm not really sure what it is about them I'm not supposed to be understanding, except possibly that we must be deadly serious at all times when dealing with subjects even tangentially related to the yearly evacuations because it's an experience equivalent to Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and the holocaust happening ALL AT ONCE. Or something.
Also that "castle" is stupid, and LA remains a hole.
posted by Artw at 11:49 AM on October 22, 2007
I'm not really sure what it is about them I'm not supposed to be understanding, except possibly that we must be deadly serious at all times when dealing with subjects even tangentially related to the yearly evacuations because it's an experience equivalent to Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and the holocaust happening ALL AT ONCE. Or something.
Also that "castle" is stupid, and LA remains a hole.
posted by Artw at 11:49 AM on October 22, 2007
this is what tv anguy Glen Beck says:"Beck: "[A] handful of people who hate America ... are losing their homes in a forest fire today"
more on this insightful slug here:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200710220003
posted by Postroad at 12:28 PM on October 22, 2007
more on this insightful slug here:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200710220003
posted by Postroad at 12:28 PM on October 22, 2007
cobra_high_tigers writes "Either way, I'm going to ignore Artw's failure to understand the concept of mandatory evacuations and duck out of this thread at least until it's a bit nicer."
I would also recommend not working in an emergency room nor in a morgue. Gallows humor is necessary for both jobs.
posted by krinklyfig at 12:34 PM on October 22, 2007
I would also recommend not working in an emergency room nor in a morgue. Gallows humor is necessary for both jobs.
posted by krinklyfig at 12:34 PM on October 22, 2007
Well, I for one mourn the Magical Creatures that now will never be.
You cynical motherfuckers.
posted by IcyJuly at 12:59 PM on October 22, 2007
You cynical motherfuckers.
posted by IcyJuly at 12:59 PM on October 22, 2007
Huh. So Artw is actually Glen Beck. Interesting.
posted by eyeballkid at 1:10 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by eyeballkid at 1:10 PM on October 22, 2007
Last night on 60 Minutes, they led with a piece about fires currently burning in the Western US. Even though they went a little over the top with the "Forest fires are climate change" bit, it was still a good lesson about how destructive these fires are.
No snark from me. Best of luck to anyone who is being threatened by this.
posted by ninjew at 1:12 PM on October 22, 2007
No snark from me. Best of luck to anyone who is being threatened by this.
posted by ninjew at 1:12 PM on October 22, 2007
Wow, I totally understand anyone who is going through loss or disruption - their own or that of relations or friends - being hair trigger about this matter. Yikes, when we've had huge debacles before, mefi has been at its absolute best with info sharing, offers for help, news links, etc. I had my nose to the grindstone today and expected to find some of that going on in this thread since it is the only fire-related post.
But those comments cobra_high_tigers cites and some that still remain? Not out finest hour today, that's for sure.
I can understand the topic of the post - it's an interesting one and bound to get some snark - but certainly, the seriousness of the situation has ratcheted up in recent hours, and with a quarter of a million people evacuated, there isn't too much funny about any aspect of this now.
So sorry for any mefites who are in the thick of things. Be safe & be well. (Oh, and I am an L.A. fan and SoCal fan)
posted by madamjujujive at 2:12 PM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
But those comments cobra_high_tigers cites and some that still remain? Not out finest hour today, that's for sure.
I can understand the topic of the post - it's an interesting one and bound to get some snark - but certainly, the seriousness of the situation has ratcheted up in recent hours, and with a quarter of a million people evacuated, there isn't too much funny about any aspect of this now.
So sorry for any mefites who are in the thick of things. Be safe & be well. (Oh, and I am an L.A. fan and SoCal fan)
posted by madamjujujive at 2:12 PM on October 22, 2007 [2 favorites]
I have friends who live in Malibu. Four neighbors lost their homes in January due to a swift-moving fire whipped up by Santa Ana winds. Needless to say, they're quite concerned right now.
posted by ericb at 2:29 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by ericb at 2:29 PM on October 22, 2007
Have they ruled out terrorism yet?
Who ya' gonna call? Terrorist Busters!
Joking aside, "Officials reported yesterday electrical lines down in the area of the fire's origin are the likely the cause of the fire, yet that is not yet confirmed."*
posted by ericb at 2:33 PM on October 22, 2007
Who ya' gonna call? Terrorist Busters!
Joking aside, "Officials reported yesterday electrical lines down in the area of the fire's origin are the likely the cause of the fire, yet that is not yet confirmed."*
posted by ericb at 2:33 PM on October 22, 2007
Clearly the terrorist have lost, since back in the day the media would have been ruling Terrorism an unlikely cause every five minutes just to remind us it *could* have been terrorism.
posted by Artw at 2:36 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Artw at 2:36 PM on October 22, 2007
I'm a Southern Californian, and my teensy, mostly-Mexican, poor-ass town is being evacuated. While I'm worried about my parent's crappy little house being burned down and losing our (pretty much monetarily valueless possessions), I feel nothing for the rich people in Malibu. I know there should be some SoCal solidarity going on, but I can't work up a lot of tears for the loss of a multi-million dollar home. Those poor, poor rich people. It must be rough losing all those price-y handbags. Kri, kri, kri.
posted by Marquise at 3:22 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Marquise at 3:22 PM on October 22, 2007
Marquise - Will no one think of the insurance companies? The terrible thing about insuring rich people must be that if you refuse to pay out for some ridiculous reason they can most likely sue for the money.
posted by Artw at 3:33 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Artw at 3:33 PM on October 22, 2007
Marquise, me too, kri kri kri, indeed! The last I heard we (San Diego's East County) were up to 250,000 evacuees! Ouch.
posted by snsranch at 4:11 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by snsranch at 4:11 PM on October 22, 2007
When I was a kid, I'm pretty sure I heard my first Challenger joke within 24 hours of the disaster. Humor is pretty much always at someone's expense. Whenever humorless folk start gettin all pissy, I think about how quickly the daily show got back to work, and say to myself, "suck it up".
posted by nomisxid at 4:29 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by nomisxid at 4:29 PM on October 22, 2007
SnsRanch, do you know if any San Diegans (that is the term for you all, right?) were injured? I've heard a lot about property damage, but I can't find any information on deaths/injuries.
posted by Marquise at 4:37 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Marquise at 4:37 PM on October 22, 2007
Shorter Marquise -- Unless your poor, a member of an ethnic minority and disenfranchised in some way you shouldn't be sorry for the fate that becomes you. Your house burns down. Sorry. You have cancer. Sorry. Your son dies in an automobile accident. Sorry. No one cares.
Oh, did you hear me before Marquise? Fuck you!
posted by ericb at 5:13 PM on October 22, 2007
Oh, did you hear me before Marquise? Fuck you!
posted by ericb at 5:13 PM on October 22, 2007
It appears that those who are interested in updates regarding the fire tragedy in SoCal are posting is this new thread.
posted by ericb at 5:32 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by ericb at 5:32 PM on October 22, 2007
Well, someone is having their daily meltdown...
posted by Foci for Analysis at 5:43 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Foci for Analysis at 5:43 PM on October 22, 2007
Well, someone is having their daily meltdown...
Honey, me or Marquise? No meltdown here. I'm just getting started!
posted by ericb at 5:48 PM on October 22, 2007
Honey, me or Marquise? No meltdown here. I'm just getting started!
posted by ericb at 5:48 PM on October 22, 2007
eric, you're better when you just post links in situations like this. Apparently, it's news to you that some folks reserve more sympathy for folks at the bottom end of the economic ladder, but that's hardly "fuck you!" material.
Off to the better thread...
posted by mediareport at 5:51 PM on October 22, 2007
Off to the better thread...
posted by mediareport at 5:51 PM on October 22, 2007
it's news to you that some folks reserve more sympathy for folks at the bottom end of the economic ladder
I'm of the stripe that we all are human, connected and worthy of concern and sympathy no matter what defines us -- economics, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social class, etc.
My friends in Malibu who have a home there and found it "at risk" this past January are very much concerned today. They are successful and wealthy. They both came from meager backgrounds. Each were "first generation" Americans. They are the epitome of the "American Dream." They "made it." Not only do they enjoy the fruits of their success, they "spread it around" as committed and engaged philanthropists.
Because of their "path in life" should we have no concern for their current plight?
posted by ericb at 6:05 PM on October 22, 2007
I'm of the stripe that we all are human, connected and worthy of concern and sympathy no matter what defines us -- economics, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social class, etc.
My friends in Malibu who have a home there and found it "at risk" this past January are very much concerned today. They are successful and wealthy. They both came from meager backgrounds. Each were "first generation" Americans. They are the epitome of the "American Dream." They "made it." Not only do they enjoy the fruits of their success, they "spread it around" as committed and engaged philanthropists.
Because of their "path in life" should we have no concern for their current plight?
posted by ericb at 6:05 PM on October 22, 2007
Ugly stuff, Marquise - what goes around comes around. No karma points for you.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:14 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by madamjujujive at 6:14 PM on October 22, 2007
ericb - Jesus, give it. And you can stop stinking up the other thread with your moaning as well.
posted by Artw at 6:54 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by Artw at 6:54 PM on October 22, 2007
Artw -- thanks for the advice. I'll take it into consideration.
posted by ericb at 6:56 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by ericb at 6:56 PM on October 22, 2007
I love Parasite Unseen's point. But hey, let's not get all soft because we showed love on 9/11. The idea that LA is a town that has the cultural identity or unity of thought to "show feelings" is pretty ludicrous. And the Internet is no place to question anyone's compassion.
And, I mean, come on, this fire thing is such a complicated issue, and depending on what you believe, you can twist the issue to your advantage. Such as the idea that many of SoCal's high-priced homes are built in areas that are carry a high risk of fire, landslide, and flooding, and that leads into the idea that, on some biblical level, these people deserve their fate. I can even appreciate the contempt that some people carry regarding what Malibu stands for - the uber-rich standing around in line in their flip-flops and sunglasses waiting for a triple mocha frap with soy milk. I mean, it's bigger than life. And we are socially conditioned to hate those who have more than us. So I would take that kind of cynicism with a grain of salt.
I suspect the fact that "Malibu" is somehow involved, only adds fuel to the fire, pardon the pun. Only last year, SoCal lost five young firefighters to arson. That was a very sad story, but isn't getting the national attention that this story is. Instead of calling people out, I think we'd all be using our time better if we prayed and gave ourself to service to those in need.
posted by phaedon at 7:08 PM on October 22, 2007
And, I mean, come on, this fire thing is such a complicated issue, and depending on what you believe, you can twist the issue to your advantage. Such as the idea that many of SoCal's high-priced homes are built in areas that are carry a high risk of fire, landslide, and flooding, and that leads into the idea that, on some biblical level, these people deserve their fate. I can even appreciate the contempt that some people carry regarding what Malibu stands for - the uber-rich standing around in line in their flip-flops and sunglasses waiting for a triple mocha frap with soy milk. I mean, it's bigger than life. And we are socially conditioned to hate those who have more than us. So I would take that kind of cynicism with a grain of salt.
I suspect the fact that "Malibu" is somehow involved, only adds fuel to the fire, pardon the pun. Only last year, SoCal lost five young firefighters to arson. That was a very sad story, but isn't getting the national attention that this story is. Instead of calling people out, I think we'd all be using our time better if we prayed and gave ourself to service to those in need.
posted by phaedon at 7:08 PM on October 22, 2007
When Hurricane Katrina hit, I didn't make jokes. When Southeast Asia got wiped in the tsunami, I didn't find it particularly funny. I sure as Hell didn't crack wise during 9/11.
we are all truly impressed by your incredible sensitivity.
hey, at least next year the SoCal mc'mansions will be rebuilt. the sophisticates of new york are still powerless to fix a gaping hole in the ground six years later.
posted by quonsar at 7:48 PM on October 22, 2007
we are all truly impressed by your incredible sensitivity.
hey, at least next year the SoCal mc'mansions will be rebuilt. the sophisticates of new york are still powerless to fix a gaping hole in the ground six years later.
posted by quonsar at 7:48 PM on October 22, 2007
...some folks reserve more sympathy for folks at the bottom end of the economic ladder...
Ha..ha..ha...bwahaha -- Mel Gibson, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson, Olivia Newton-John, James Cameron and David Geffen. Let your homes burn, baby, burn!
Artw says "Stop moaning!"
posted by ericb at 7:56 PM on October 22, 2007
Ha..ha..ha...bwahaha -- Mel Gibson, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson, Olivia Newton-John, James Cameron and David Geffen. Let your homes burn, baby, burn!
Artw says "Stop moaning!"
posted by ericb at 7:56 PM on October 22, 2007
hey, at least next year the SoCal mc'mansions will be rebuilt. the sophisticates of new york are still powerless to fix a gaping hole in the ground six years later.
You have got to be kidding me. Have you seen the size of these fires? SoCal McMansions? Sure. Also one-bedroom apartments, three bedroom family homes, storage facilities, offices, churches, stores, you name it. These fires aren't some sort of Robin Hood phenomenon; they don't care how much money a person has, or what color they are. The people of all wealth catagories and backgrounds are suffering for this.
I honestly wish that the situation at the former WTC site could move along at a pace that's more satisfying to you, but I fail to see what that has to do with people in this thread taking an open shot at California's ribs while the state is down.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 8:11 PM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
You have got to be kidding me. Have you seen the size of these fires? SoCal McMansions? Sure. Also one-bedroom apartments, three bedroom family homes, storage facilities, offices, churches, stores, you name it. These fires aren't some sort of Robin Hood phenomenon; they don't care how much money a person has, or what color they are. The people of all wealth catagories and backgrounds are suffering for this.
I honestly wish that the situation at the former WTC site could move along at a pace that's more satisfying to you, but I fail to see what that has to do with people in this thread taking an open shot at California's ribs while the state is down.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 8:11 PM on October 22, 2007 [1 favorite]
madamjujujive and ericb, I didn't mean to be a fuckwad by following up Marquise's comment that way.
But Marquise's comment recalled for me the catastrophe in New Orleans and how it was dealt with/handled so differently. Yea, I'm down here in the extreme U.S. SouthWest, tonight inundated by smoke, not flames, thankfully, but as I'm checking out my neighbors, and making sure everyone I know is OK, I'm still thinking about New Orleans. I think that was the sentiment about rich/poor-white/black. Something like that.
posted by snsranch at 8:12 PM on October 22, 2007
But Marquise's comment recalled for me the catastrophe in New Orleans and how it was dealt with/handled so differently. Yea, I'm down here in the extreme U.S. SouthWest, tonight inundated by smoke, not flames, thankfully, but as I'm checking out my neighbors, and making sure everyone I know is OK, I'm still thinking about New Orleans. I think that was the sentiment about rich/poor-white/black. Something like that.
posted by snsranch at 8:12 PM on October 22, 2007
*laughs at ericb*
posted by mediareport at 8:13 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by mediareport at 8:13 PM on October 22, 2007
*pees on ericb's head, waits for more forgiveness*
posted by mediareport at 8:51 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by mediareport at 8:51 PM on October 22, 2007
*pees on ericb's head, waits for more forgiveness*
ericb is not into "water sports," but is more than happy to introduce mediareport to others who'd like to spend time with him. Check your e-mail!
posted by ericb at 9:07 PM on October 22, 2007
ericb is not into "water sports," but is more than happy to introduce mediareport to others who'd like to spend time with him. Check your e-mail!
posted by ericb at 9:07 PM on October 22, 2007
Jesus, people. My 21 year old diet-conscious niece is sitting there gnawing a tube of cookie dough trying to calm herself down as her boyfriend rushes to photograph all of their belongings for insurance purposes before they're evacuated, and meanwhile it looks like my second-oldest sister has lost her house in Rancho Bernardo. Oh, but whatever. Just continue reciting your endlessly predictable "Ha ha! I hate Southern California!" bullshit script as though we've never heard it before... because gee, basting in your implied superiority will show everyone how cool you are, right? Even though there are homeless and terrified human beings barely hanging on right now, who cares when there's a good "LA sucks!" joke in it, right?
I'm sorry, but fuck you. Seriously. Because like it or not, there but by the grace of God go you. And when your life is negatively affected by a natural disaster, I don't care where the Hell you live, most of us are not going to be making jokes at your expense and saying you deserved it because of the area code you live in.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:35 PM on October 22, 2007 [7 favorites]
I'm sorry, but fuck you. Seriously. Because like it or not, there but by the grace of God go you. And when your life is negatively affected by a natural disaster, I don't care where the Hell you live, most of us are not going to be making jokes at your expense and saying you deserved it because of the area code you live in.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:35 PM on October 22, 2007 [7 favorites]
I really wish I had stayed in the other thread... people were right. This one was beyond obnoxious & I wish I'd missed it.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:35 PM on October 22, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 9:35 PM on October 22, 2007
Unfortunately this kind of disaster is spreading. Mediterranean regions experience it every summer. It strikes both the mountains of Greece and the French Riviera. But it develops on such a large scale in California... There's no point judging people by the way they react to such news, especially when humor is present (or tries to). Nevertheless, it's the first time I've witnessed such bitter comments aimed at inhabitants of the "other coast". I wasn't aware of that kind of antagonism.
posted by nicolin at 2:04 AM on October 23, 2007
posted by nicolin at 2:04 AM on October 23, 2007
I don't want to excuse the horribly insensitive comments in this thread—which are made much worse than they were undoubtedly intended to be by the context of the facts that the other regional disasters reported on MeFi have been commented upon much differently—but I think it's worth pointing out that the link and post deeply influences the tone of a thread. This post was about a hideously ugly pseudo-castle burning down, which irrevocably sets the tone for the comments to follow.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:19 AM on October 23, 2007
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 5:19 AM on October 23, 2007
go fire! straight into compton!
yo fire! yo fire! its ya birthday!
posted by quonsar at 7:13 AM on October 23, 2007
yo fire! yo fire! its ya birthday!
posted by quonsar at 7:13 AM on October 23, 2007
Jesus, people. My 21 year old diet-conscious niece is sitting there gnawing a tube of cookie dough trying to calm herself down as her boyfriend rushes to photograph all of their belongings for insurance purposes before they're evacuated, and meanwhile it looks like my second-oldest sister has lost her house in Rancho Bernardo.
Jesus back atcha, miss lynnster.
The first image in that quote does not belong with the grim possibility in the second!
Ethereal Bligh is correct that the first picture in this thread knocked us off the prescribed course.
But cookie dough doesn't help!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 7:49 AM on October 23, 2007
Jesus back atcha, miss lynnster.
The first image in that quote does not belong with the grim possibility in the second!
Ethereal Bligh is correct that the first picture in this thread knocked us off the prescribed course.
But cookie dough doesn't help!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 7:49 AM on October 23, 2007
"Though to be fair, most "castles" in England are that way. Oliver Cromwell blew an awful lot of the real ones up, and knocked holes in the rest with cannons, and the ones that got restorded in the 18th century are basically glorified stately homes."
I was going to call bullshit on this statement, having grown up in the shadow of the still magnificent Dover Castle and the very much smaller but still fantastic and fascinating Walmer Castle and others [much explored in my bicyling youth]. On review though, I see that you are right. Vale castellum.
posted by tellurian at 8:17 AM on October 23, 2007
I was going to call bullshit on this statement, having grown up in the shadow of the still magnificent Dover Castle and the very much smaller but still fantastic and fascinating Walmer Castle and others [much explored in my bicyling youth]. On review though, I see that you are right. Vale castellum.
posted by tellurian at 8:17 AM on October 23, 2007
"Oh, did you hear me before Marquise? Fuck you!"
Yeah... I heard you. It made me feel pretty lousy the first time, but the second time you said it? Man! It kicked down all four walls of my poor and disinfranchised existance.
posted by Marquise at 8:23 AM on October 23, 2007
Yeah... I heard you. It made me feel pretty lousy the first time, but the second time you said it? Man! It kicked down all four walls of my poor and disinfranchised existance.
posted by Marquise at 8:23 AM on October 23, 2007
miss lynster, get a grip. The general "OMG poor Southland" thread is here; this one is about an ugly fake castle. If you hate it so much, I suggest you stay out of it. Shrieking "fuck you!" just makes you look like an asshole, which we know you're not.
posted by languagehat at 10:50 AM on October 23, 2007
posted by languagehat at 10:50 AM on October 23, 2007
Lynnster's right...
posted by AspectRatio at 12:41 PM on October 23, 2007
posted by AspectRatio at 12:41 PM on October 23, 2007
If you mean she's right about massive, out-of-control fires that drive hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes are a bad thing, yes, she is, and I don't think anyone's disputing that. If you mean she's right that anyone who commented in this thread about an ugly castle without utter reverence is an evil bastard who should rot in hell, I respectfully disagree.
posted by languagehat at 1:09 PM on October 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by languagehat at 1:09 PM on October 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
« Older UK Under Seige From A Plague of Cannibal Ladybirds | Van Halen Off Key Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:01 AM on October 22, 2007