Who says Republicans don't have class?

June 17, 2008 2:27 PM

"Patriotic" and Republican Products at Republican Market.
posted by mrducts (120 comments total)

It's a sad commentary on the country, but if this pig can get away with wearing a purple heart band-aid, it seems doubtful enough people will get worked up over the racist Obama button for it to be an issue.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:31 PM on June 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

LOLGODWIN

Also, there are two things wrong with this statement.
posted by Avenger at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2008

Oh, the irony.
posted by Brak at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2008

I'd be far less upset about these if any of them were remotely funny. NTM, this? That's a little nasty, picking on your own, too, guys?
posted by jonmc at 2:37 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Seriously, I want to know.
posted by konolia at 2:38 PM on June 17, 2008

Not that I approve of that Obama button. Thought I better clear that up immediately...
posted by konolia at 2:38 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Republicans have a sense of design?

Ugh.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [16 favorites]

ha ha. good one.
posted by R. Mutt at 2:39 PM on June 17, 2008

Actually, I lost my sense of humor about eight years ago.
posted by R. Mutt at 2:40 PM on June 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

This one does, and I'll happily mock Hillary, Obama, or anybody (not that I won't vote for them, too) on the general principle that anyone who thinks that they are fit rulegovern a nation needs to be taken down a peg, but these just aren't all that funny.
posted by jonmc at 2:41 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

about the purple heart bandaids: They were extremely insulting to veterans and serving personnel, but no one seemed to take the Republicans to task for this. How can they have the reputation of being the pro-troops party with such insulting behaviour? Why was this not the scandal of the election?
posted by jb at 2:42 PM on June 17, 2008

It's going to get a lot worse than this. Bigotry is going to have one spectacular flameout, then hopefully Obama's election will close the thread.
posted by cashman at 2:44 PM on June 17, 2008 [12 favorites]

Not only do we have a sense of humour, we have tact.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 2:44 PM on June 17, 2008 [13 favorites]

Not that I approve of that Obama button. Thought I better clear that up immediately...
posted by konolia at 2:38 PM on June 17 [+] [!]

But you're cool with the rest of those?
posted by Caduceus at 2:45 PM on June 17, 2008

I think this is the best one I've seen so far.
It could be called misogynist, but I can't tell if it is Democratic or Republican.
posted by the Real Dan at 2:45 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'm sure all of the Proud Republican Women are thrilled with the buttons calling a female candidate an ugly bitch with fat thighs and small breasts. This is what Republicans find humorous?
posted by turaho at 2:48 PM on June 17, 2008

Creators of ‘The Sock Obama’ toy plan to move forward with production.
posted by homunculus at 2:49 PM on June 17, 2008

Come to think of it, most of the funnier parodies of liberal-left figures (Phil Hartman's 'Clinton At McDonald's' sketch, the 'I Have A Scream' Howard Dean internet gags, MADtv's 'Mrs. Jackson' sketch) didn't come from the right but from the mainstream media if not liberals themselves.
posted by jonmc at 2:51 PM on June 17, 2008

NObama is actually pretty funny.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:55 PM on June 17, 2008

It's going to get a lot worse than this.

Especially if Obama opens up a sizable lead heading into the autumn.
posted by R. Mutt at 2:55 PM on June 17, 2008

The pin was a stupid unfunny joke, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to call it racist. I guess I'd put it in the category as the family edition of the Amazing Race where some people found it funny that an African American family was continually referred to as "the Black family" because their last name was Black.
posted by gyc at 2:58 PM on June 17, 2008

Conservatives on Cafepress also have some very witty designs:

OBAMA SUCKS OBAMA SUCKS OBAMA SUCKS
MUSLIM OBAMA REFUSES TO SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG
OBAMA LOVES AMERICA LIKE OJ LOVED NICOLE
FUCK BARACK
The only difference between Obama and Osama is BS
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR TURBAN?
OBAMA SUCKS
I'D RATHER VOTE FOR A BORING, OLD WAR HERO THAN AN ANTI-AMERICAN RACIST!

Stay classy, Republicans.
posted by EarBucket at 2:59 PM on June 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

This is really "patriotic": a silk tie with a picture of general Lee and several Confederate flags. But not a single tie with a picture of Abraham Lincoln.
posted by iviken at 3:01 PM on June 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

You can buy political buttons on the internet? Who knew! Thanks metafilter!
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 3:03 PM on June 17, 2008

for god's sake konolia, I usually don't bother responding to you, but there's not a whiff of humor to sense on any one of these. I can't even imagine what's going on in the empty little skull of anyone willing to put one of these things on, but it can't be the thoughts of anyone who belongs at the Grownup's Table.

These are profoundly stupid slogans peddled to shockingly stupid people. I can't be nice about this. Anyone still willing to vote republican after the unmitigated disaster that the last eight years have been simply isn't paying attention. Since the GOP is well aware there's no way they can win any of the debates of the day on the merits, they're gonna fall back on the reliable old Bigotry Block. There's nothing but the Race Card in their deck.
posted by EatTheWeak at 3:07 PM on June 17, 2008 [20 favorites]

Hey now, This one is actually kind of funny. Hell I'd probably wear this one if just for the cognitive dissonance.
posted by Skorgu at 3:10 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Yes, but please pass the soap.
posted by sleepy pete at 3:10 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

It was adopted by someone.

Regarding the purple heart bandages: Everything that is wrong with our country is summed up by those; by leaders of a party who actively slandered an actual war veteran while their own leaders was cowardly; by party members who insulted all servicemen and women by laughing at those who have made life-altering sacrifices to do what they thought was right, and most especially by the media, who went along with the joke.

The former two are as expected, intelligence and tact not being a strong point in those groups, but the latter was inexcusable. I recall watching GWB smirking on the podium as the cameras passed over endless fat fucks at the 2004 Republican convention wearing those bandages of dishonor.

Fuck them all.
posted by maxwelton at 3:13 PM on June 17, 2008 [13 favorites]

I'm torn.

On the one hand, I hate these kinds of mass-produced political tchotchkes. They're an ugly blend of blind political cheerleading, rampant consumerism, and paying to shill (which is even worse than being a paid shill). Perfectly emblematic of so much that blights modern society.

On the other hand, I'm a big fan of anything that harmlessly and honestly parts genuine fools from their money.
posted by PsychoKick at 3:15 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Seriously, I want to know.

Wow. This is the first time I've ever wished for an "Unfavorite" button.

(and I wish I could push it several dozen times)
posted by Flunkie at 3:19 PM on June 17, 2008 [5 favorites]

psst...Hey guys, these fucktards actually think Obama's a terrorist. Isn't that hysterical?

Actually, I am quite enjoying this. What if this was the last time this kind of political "viewpoint" was given any kind of legitimacy? I mean, these people are going to wake up on November 5 and realize their total ignorance may have permanently disenfranchised them from the process. What if a competent black man was elected president, the sky didn't fall, he turned out not to be a communist or a terrorist, and now the right wing dumbfucks have no one to represent them because they couldn't manage to give coherent, reasonable argument against voting for Obama?

Yeah, these people are going to take their guns and bibles and Confederate flags and probably do something drastic, but honestly from what I've seen, we are smarter, richer, and stronger than them, we'll be able to handle it. So fuck off you hillbillies.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:24 PM on June 17, 2008 [6 favorites]

They're just asking because they know that Obama intends to use the bop gun to paint the white house black.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:27 PM on June 17, 2008 [6 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Do Republicans have a sense of humor? Barely. Remember FOX-TV's attempt at a political comedy show? It was called '1/2 Hour News Hour' and was intended to be "The Daily Show for conservatives,' according to reator Joel Surnow. It lasted only 15 episodes. One of the show's hilarious skits -- starring Rush Linbaugh and Ann Coulter.
posted by ericb at 3:28 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

I'm an independent with a sense of humor and these are just not funny. Although the one with the Prosperity point right and Clintons pointing left is laughably surreal, considering the current economic climate.

So yeah, Konolia, I have a sense of humor, but aftter 8 years of no progress in any measurable scale (to say nothing of the outright losses in life and dollars), I'm just a little too pissed off to laugh.
posted by doctor_negative at 3:30 PM on June 17, 2008 [5 favorites]

Since the GOP is well aware there's no way they can win any of the debates of the day on the merits, they're gonna fall back on the reliable old Bigotry Block. There's nothing but the Race Card in their deck.

I worry that this type of thing is happening in both the liberal and conservative camps. People who have already decided who they're going to vote for could easily kick back 'til November, tuning out information about the candidates stances on various issues. How many people plan to vote for Obama just because he's a Democrat?

We're in for a whirlwind of flametacular bandwagonry. Liberals will plaster their hybrids with Obama bumper stickers, and conservatives will keep on forwarding poorly-worded fearmongering e-mails about how Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein.

We may not be able to drown out all of that static through informed political discourse, but damn I hope we give it the ol' Mefi try.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 3:32 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Seriously, I want to know.

It is funny watching your party eat itself alive, I must admit.
posted by odinsdream at 3:33 PM on June 17, 2008 [10 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor? Seriously, I want to know.

konolia -- You have an African-American son-in-law and a mixed-race (just like Obama) grandchild I am surprised that you find any hint of humor in that button pin!
posted by ericb at 3:36 PM on June 17, 2008

ericb: in all fairness to konolia, she said explicity that she disapproves of that pin.
posted by jonmc at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

Stop responding to konolia, you dorks. No one reads your special snowflake retort because everyone is too busy trying to come up with their own.
posted by mullacc at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [22 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Seriously, I want to know.

Seriously? You really don't know whether or not Democrats have a sense of humor? You don't know whether, for example, Jon Stewart and Janeane Garofalo have a sense of humor or not?

Golly. You must be extremely dumb.

Either that, or you just felt like insulting most of metafilter all at once.

Which is it? Seriously, I want to know. Also, did you know your favorite band sucks? I want to know that too.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [4 favorites]

These slogans and messages are clearly very offensive and ignorant, but perhaps they should not be taken for very much more than what they are--the hasty wares of an ordinary and unimaginitive hack (with horrible design skills) trying to make an easy buck off of Election '08.

The current Whois public record listing for the Republicanmarket.com domain registration indicates that this domain registration is owned by one Johnathan Alcox of Lake Mary, Florida. (His home address, phone, and email address is also contained in the Whois public record, although I won't include this information here.)

..But wait, it gets better...

Guess who is also the apparent owner of democratmall.com?

You guessed it. Anything-for-a-buck Alcox.
posted by applemeat at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [26 favorites]

ericb: in all fairness to konolia, she said explicity that she disapproves of that pin.

I know. But she did say that she found some humor in it. What's the humor angle?
posted by ericb at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008

jinx!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:39 PM on June 17, 2008

To be more precise she inferred that she saw humor in it ... and that Democrats do not.
posted by ericb at 3:40 PM on June 17, 2008

Buttons like these are for people who don't have their own sense of humor and must attach themselves to someone else's. Since these people are also the sort who think these particular jokes are absolutely hysterical, it's bound to be a long-lasting relationship regardless of the button-wearer's political affiliation. It comes from both sides, by the way. Even as a Democrat, I want to roll my eyes every time I see a "BUCK FUSH" bumper sticker, but I don't because my mom said my eyes would get stuck that way.
posted by katillathehun at 3:41 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

...Although I will add the the the Democrat products and the Republican products are not at all on the same par in terms of tastelessness. ...Perhaps Alcox knows his market.
posted by applemeat at 3:41 PM on June 17, 2008

ugh! 'That" not "the the the"

geez.
posted by applemeat at 3:42 PM on June 17, 2008

Well, humor is subjective. Some people might find that button hilarious. I would distrust those people in their ability to reason, do math, and bathe themselves, but they have a right to find the button funny.

Objectively, the button is rooted in suggesting that having a black president will somehow fundamentally undermine one of the essential symbols of American democracy. So while I don't know whether it is funny or not, it is racist, and I don't throw around that charge lightly.

I have a sense of humor. But I also have a sense of moral outrage that members of one party is stopping so low as to pander to racism, and that others aren't speaking out in outrage. And, as someone who prides himself on being funny, I have a comedians distaste for easy jokes and jokes that seem rooted in a bullying sense that it is fun to make fun of someone for irrelevant differences in melanin levels.

Besides, Obama's Irish.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:43 PM on June 17, 2008 [7 favorites]

Huh. Some real class at his democrat site, too. Cool guy all around.

Oh, and I can think of exactly one funny Republican: P.J. O'Rourke. But he can be a pretty big cock, too.
posted by COBRA! at 3:43 PM on June 17, 2008

Your Mom is wrong! Crossing your eyes will get them stuck that way, not rolling them!
posted by ericb at 3:43 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Absolutely. For instance, this guy does a spot-on McCain impression, probably the best I've seen. He really captures his essence as a bitter, cranky, out-of-touch old man, marching doggedly toward November like a geriatric lamb to the slaughter.

I hope he puts out some more videos soon.
posted by EarBucket at 3:44 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

well... one thing's for sure. they laid that out in freakin' word. the real question is 'do any republicans know a designer?' wonderful typography, there.
posted by mrballistic at 3:46 PM on June 17, 2008

good find, applemeat!


... wow, these left-wing buttons are also stunningly unfunny. Now I'm just embarrassed for reacting to this hack at all. Hope he enjoys his quick buck.

oy ....
posted by EatTheWeak at 3:46 PM on June 17, 2008

Oh, yeah, Reagan's joke about the bombing beginning in 5 minutes was pretty good. So that's 2.
posted by COBRA! at 3:47 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

I thank the heavens that buttons like this exist. There are so few times in your life when you have such an blatant, unambiguous cue that someone is not worth the time to get to know.

I will actively encourage anyone who finds them funny or apt to spend money on obtaining one and wear it as visibly as possible.

You'd be helping me out a lot.
posted by quin at 3:47 PM on June 17, 2008 [5 favorites]

Reagan's joke about the bombing beginning in 5 minutes was pretty good.

Yeah McCain can be outright hilarious, too.
posted by ericb at 3:49 PM on June 17, 2008

I think the issue is that, speaking generally, to a conservative, "humor" means something more similar to things that a normal person would call "hatred" or even "cruelty". It's funny because shut up, you suck, fuck you.

That explains "The 1/2 Hour News Hour", it explains the even worse "The America Show", it explains those Purple Heart bandaids, it explains these buttons, and it explains konolia's bizarre conflation of raw, unadulterated and thoroughly nasty demagogic bigotry with "humor".

Obviously I'm overgeneralizing. But it really does seem to be a trend. There really seems to be a significant portion of the conservative populace that is just fundamentally broken in this manner.
posted by Flunkie at 3:50 PM on June 17, 2008 [23 favorites]

konolia writes "Do Democrats have a sense of humor? "

Nope, none of us. Too busy shrilly screaming for terrorists' rights, infiltrating gays into your Boy Scouts, giving Mexicans sovereignty over California, and getting pregnant just so we can have abortions.
posted by orthogonality at 3:50 PM on June 17, 2008 [21 favorites]

This is going to be a long and ugly election season.
posted by Leon-arto at 4:08 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Liberals can generally laugh at themselves and even laugh at their most cherished ideas. Conservatives, of any political stripe and in virtually any nation on Earth, can't.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go rescue some terrorists from Gitmo and then rape a few Boy Scouts while simultaneously teaching them Evolution.
posted by Avenger at 4:10 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

But, seriously, how does a site with crappy products on both sides of the aisle suddenly become a damning condemnation of conservatism and anyone who has ever voted for anyone other than Obama?

This site is run by one person in Florida who owns BOTH republicanmall and democratmall. But somehow everything negative applies only to one side?

We get it, many MeFites doesn't like conservatives. But they also appear to be jumping to conclusions and ignoring the evidence in the process. Given that this one person owns both sites, there's no way to know whether it really is the case that "republicans like buttons with bad design" or its that this one person in Florida thinks that republicans like buttons with bad design.

The difference is pretty significant. Anybody (democrat, republican, offshore, whatever) could put up a site called McCainMall.com and fill it with offensive tripe. But it wouldn't reflect one tiny bit on actual republicans in the US unless it was made by a real life republican.
posted by Leon-arto at 4:16 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

Conservatives, of any political stripe and in virtually any nation on Earth, can't.

Oh come on. Everyone knows that conservatives are just too busy eating babies to have time to laugh.
posted by Leon-arto at 4:17 PM on June 17, 2008

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go rescue some terrorists from Gitmo and then rape a few Boy Scouts while simultaneously teaching them Evolution.

Don't forget to marry a few gays on the way!
posted by jonmc at 4:18 PM on June 17, 2008

I think the issue is that, speaking generally, to a conservative, "humor" means something more similar to things that a normal person would call "hatred" or even "cruelty".

You're right. It's in keeping with Dick Armey's “sense of humor” when he publicly called Rep. Barney Frank “Barney Fag.”
posted by ericb at 4:18 PM on June 17, 2008

OK, this one's actually kinda funny.
posted by jonmc at 4:23 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Dick Armey's “sense of humor”

Of course, having to go through childhood named 'Dick Armey,' would probably stunt anyone's sense of humor.
posted by jonmc at 4:25 PM on June 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

But, seriously, how does a site with crappy products on both sides of the aisle suddenly become a damning condemnation of conservatism and anyone who has ever voted for anyone other than Obama?

The button referenced in the FPP and the Obama Sock Monkey (mentioned and linked by homunculus) are indicators that some people are actively and blatantly injecting racism into this election. These attempts are joined by the racist T-shirt sent to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and others for sale in Georgia. This stuff isn't funny, it's despicable and shameful.

This is going to be a long and ugly election season.

Yes, indeed.
posted by ericb at 4:29 PM on June 17, 2008

And don't forget the hilarious joke McCain told at a Republican fundraiser: Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
posted by turaho at 4:34 PM on June 17, 2008

Of course, having to go through childhood named 'Dick Armey,' would probably stunt anyone's sense of humor.

Ah, brings back an old fifth-grade "joke": Dick Armey before he dicks you.
posted by ericb at 4:34 PM on June 17, 2008

are indicators that some people are actively and blatantly injecting racism into this election.

The button is on a website that sells both democratic and republican stuff. Based on that website, that "some people" could just as easily be a democrat as a republican. There's nothing on the republicanmall/democratmall website that proves that republicans are the ones putting race into the election. It's equally plausible that the website owner is a democrat trying to make a quick buck as it is that it's a republican trying to make a quick buck. If a democrat were honestly trying to figure out what republicans might want to buy, racist crap might be on the list. But the fact that some random democrat in Florida thinks that republicans are racist doesn't prove that they are.

Heck, if I were a democrat trying to make sure that Obama won I'd make McCainMall.com and put KKK and NAMBLA merchandise on it. Given that we know that the website owner also runs democratmall.com, we don't know a damn thing about the views of "real" republicans from this, and whether "republicans" (as if it's possible to speak for the entire class of "republicans" or "democrats" as one unified entity) are trying to inject race into the election.

Anyway, try meeting some Republicans. I think you'd be surprised to learn that many have excellent table manners when eating babies.
posted by Leon-arto at 4:35 PM on June 17, 2008 [4 favorites]

The button is on a website that sells both democratic and republican stuff. I don't care that the site owner maintains another for democratic gear.
posted by ericb at 4:37 PM on June 17, 2008

The button is on a website that sells both democratic and republican stuff. I don't care that the site owner maintains another for democratic gear.

Great, so if some republican set up a site called ObamaGear.com that sold buttons saying "Kill Whitey - Obama 08" then you'd be equally outraged at "liberals" and "democrats"?

Of course not -- you'd accuse the site owner of individually having no taste whatsoever and of trying to sabotage Obama's campaign.

See how that works?
posted by Leon-arto at 4:40 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Anyway, try meeting some Republicans. I think you'd be surprised to learn that many have excellent table manners when eating babies.

I know many...including my parents and a brother. I come from a long line of "dyed-in-the-wool Republicans" who have been active in the Connecticut Republican party for decades.
posted by ericb at 4:40 PM on June 17, 2008

Great, so if some republican set up a site called ObamaGear.com that sold buttons saying "Kill Whitey - Obama 08" then you'd be equally outraged at "liberals" and "democrats"?

Yes, I would. And I'd be outraged if there were buttons taking shots at McCain for his adultery, his war record or his age. In my mind it's all shameful politics. Let's "stick to the issues" even if it involves buttons and bumper stickers -- or, bandaids.
posted by ericb at 4:43 PM on June 17, 2008

Of course not -- you'd accuse the site owner of individually having no taste whatsoever ...

I don't accuse the site owner of anything. I, however, would accuse those who buy those particular buttons and wear them to be shameful and "tasteless."
posted by ericb at 4:45 PM on June 17, 2008

Yes, I would.

In that case, I admire your consistency, but I think your anger would be misplaced. If it were a republican (or just someone out to make a buck) that set up the site, then it wouldn't be a reflection on "liberals" or "democrats." The existence of a website selling buttons that are cheap shots at McCain doesn't prove that all liberals are dirty human beings. It means that the site owner sucks, in the absence of any evidence that the site owner is a liberal or that liberals are actually buying the cheap shot buttons.
posted by Leon-arto at 4:47 PM on June 17, 2008

PJ O'rourke is a Republican and is, on occasion, very funny. He also makes jokes about Republicans.

Jon Stewart is a Democrat, or leans that way. He is also funny and makes jokes about Democrats.

This small sample of largely unfunny jokes does not damn everyone who is a Republican.

The failure of people to recognise that people that disagree with them have, usually, may positive qualities is tragic. No wonder it is so easy to convince people to go to war.

Grow up.
posted by sien at 4:47 PM on June 17, 2008 [16 favorites]

Do Democrats have a sense of humor?

Reminds me of every time Ann Coulter gets called out on publicly calling for some innocent person to be murdered: It was a joke!
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:54 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

The existence of a website selling buttons that are cheap shots at McCain doesn't prove that all liberals are dirty human beings.

No it would not. Nor can one conflate this Republican Market website as being indicative of Republicans, conservatives, etc. in general.

The existence of the "black White House" pin, as well as the Obama monkey merchandise does indicate, however, that there are some^* people who are injecting race into this election.

^* -- ["The button referenced in the FPP and the Obama Sock Monkey (mentioned and linked by homunculus) are indicators that some people are actively and blatantly injecting racism into this election."]
posted by ericb at 4:54 PM on June 17, 2008

But, seriously, how does a site with crappy products on both sides of the aisle suddenly become a damning condemnation of conservatism and anyone who has ever voted for anyone other than Obama?

BTW -- who in this thread made such an assertation?
posted by ericb at 4:58 PM on June 17, 2008

*assertion*
posted by ericb at 4:59 PM on June 17, 2008

Ericb, remember a few weeks ago when what "begging the question" really meant was the new black?

I think you have to admit that some sort of assertion was made somewhere along the line, right?
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 5:09 PM on June 17, 2008

Ah, begging the question.
posted by ericb at 5:13 PM on June 17, 2008

Do Democrats have a sense of humor? Seriously, I want to know.

I am sincerely embarassed for you, konolia.

How many people plan to vote for Obama just because he's a Democrat?

I suspect many people plan to vote for Obama just because he's not McCain.

It's not like there's a whole lot of choice in this election: you either vote for a candidate who speaks of hope for changing the dismal course the Bush administration has set these past eight years, or you vote for a candidate who will staunchly continue carrying the handbasket to hell.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:20 PM on June 17, 2008

They should make one that says "You either are or you aren't, and he aren't!"
posted by homunculus at 5:29 PM on June 17, 2008

In addition to the ugly design, their buttons look totally crappy. Like they were printed with an $49 ink jet printer.

I can't believe I actually clicked through about half of those on that page.
posted by glycolized at 5:32 PM on June 17, 2008

Speaking of political humor, I thought this was pretty funny, myself. (really not safe for work language)
posted by Bookhouse at 5:39 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Okay, that was totally the wrong link. This is not safe for work funny. The other one is a martial arts trailer, and not funny. Just awesome.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:43 PM on June 17, 2008 [6 favorites]

That's some strong linkage there, Bookhouse, bravo.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:54 PM on June 17, 2008

It's a sad commentary on the country, but if this pig can get away with wearing a purple heart band-aid, it seems doubtful enough people will get worked up over the racist Obama button for it to be an issue.

That looks to me like some serious bacon.
posted by notreally at 5:55 PM on June 17, 2008

I was coping with things. Up until it was reelected. I've been pretty depressed ever since.
posted by notreally at 6:00 PM on June 17, 2008

Bookhouse - that whup-ass trailer might be the best thing to come out of this thread. thank you!
posted by EatTheWeak at 6:03 PM on June 17, 2008

That's it. This next election, I'm voting for Tony Jaa.
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:11 PM on June 17, 2008

Konolia: If you're still reading this thread, let me come to your defense a little bit here.

It seems like Konolia was saying that she didn't find the "can we still can it the White House" pin funny, but that we might have been a little oversensitive about the other ones on the site. Konolia's a conservative, which is brave enough coming around here, and she found some humor in the buttons. I didn't, but then, I'm not a Conservative.

I also get really pissed when all of MeFi gangs up on Konolia, who in my opinion is a great voice of dissent around here. Konolia, please keep commenting.

But to answer your question, yes, Democrats have a sense of humor. Some of them have a sense of humor along the same lines as the cheap shtick on these websites, but for the most part the liberals who populate the majority of MeFi are a little more sophisticated than the rest of the web. John Stewart's humor, while sometimes relying on cheap shots and obscenities, is still a lot funnier and more based in actual facts than in the rumormongering and distortions and outright lies that Rush and Hannity et al rely upon for their bullying tactics.

That's not to say that there aren't funny conservative comics. Rich Vos and Ron White come to mind (although White's views on gay rights and the stupidity of homophobia might turn off a few right-wingers) and so it's not all about politics, but the general state of things is that "Right wing" humor comes from slurs and attacks and lies, and the "Left wing" humor comes from frustration at all the fucking lies the right-wing is telling. And then backing that up with facts, rather than rhyming Obama with Osama.

You know, that sort of humor.
posted by Navelgazer at 6:15 PM on June 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

At least I don't trowel on the makeup like a trollop, you ...

What?

What???

Honey.... It was a joke...you know me, baby, I was kidding... a joke... jesus, can't a guy tell a fuckin' joke around here?
posted by R. Mutt at 6:16 PM on June 17, 2008

metafilter: No one reads your special snowflake retort because everyone is too busy trying to come up with their own.
posted by elwoodwiles at 6:27 PM on June 17, 2008 [6 favorites]

Yeah fuck this opportunist - that trailer is fantastic, Bookhouse! Wow. Everytime something stupid surfaces about the election, from anybody, I'd love it if the thread was just filled up with kick ass martial arts trailers. That was the best of the best - naming the moves, ridiculously awesome and impossible jumping, incredible kicks and moves - all the best elements of a good martial arts flick. I wanna see that.
posted by cashman at 6:32 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

What was the nation's prosperity like under the Clinton administration compared to the Bush years (Snr and Jnr) ?

I don't remember much from the Clinton years, I remember Monica Lewinsky, oh, and I seem to remember I had a job. Oh yeah, and I did have a house. That's right. I used to live in a house.

My memory ain't what it used to be.
posted by mattoxic at 7:34 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Creators of ‘The Sock Obama’ toy plan to move forward with production.

I plan to bust some heads with a pipe.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:56 PM on June 17, 2008

The best of all of these is clearly this one.

Cuz, you know, a values system shouldn't just be competitive. It should win.
posted by Mr. Anthropomorphism at 8:03 PM on June 17, 2008

Clinton administration? Isn't that the one that had budget surpluses? Turned out to be about a zillion times more fiscally conservative than any Republican?

...but, then, that's always the case: Republicans spend the public's money as if it were water slipping through their fingers, and Democrats conserve the public's money.

It's shocking to view graphs of the US deficit, and see how the Republicans consistently ramp up the debt as if the public will never have to pay the piper.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:16 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

The difference is pretty significant. Anybody (democrat, republican, offshore, whatever) could put up a site called McCainMall.com and fill it with offensive tripe. But it wouldn't reflect one tiny bit on actual republicans in the US unless it was made by a real life republican.

Yeah it would, because only Republicans would wear them. Therefore it would reflect on Republicans no matter who made the buttons.
posted by Liquidwolf at 8:20 PM on June 17, 2008

Libruls and conservatives have a sense of humor, unless, you know, stuff ain't funny.

My ultra-conservative friend laughed at this, and said it echoed her feelings exactly.
posted by lysdexic at 9:24 PM on June 17, 2008

If I were a Democratic strategist, I would put pins like this on the internet to rile up the base.
posted by anotherpanacea at 11:15 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

If this site didn't exist, we'd have to invent it.
posted by anotherpanacea at 11:17 PM on June 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

This really is great -- thanx for posting.
posted by dancestoblue at 11:41 PM on June 17, 2008

If I were a Democratic strategist, I would put pins like this on the internet to rile up the base.

Yeah! The kerning on the text on the pin sure looks fishy, doesn't it.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:29 AM on June 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

Konolia isn't a valuable right wing voice... just like the site isn't an example of Republican humor. Funny isn't just elementary-school-mean. Funny takes talent and hard work. Republicans aren't a group known for their sense of humor because the party has been suffering for a long time from religious domination. Religion doesn't mix well with irreverence, which is one of the cornerstones of humor. Neither does nationalism, come to think of it.

Stewart will be shifting into humor at the Democrat's expense as soon as they win the White House. He'll have no choice. And he won't feel too bad about it.

The irony is that Konolia isn't sincerely asking a question, and the customers of these sites aren't really Democrats. This is all just the nationalist-religious community passing off their anger and fear as sincerity wearing the mask of humor. Worked in the third grade, still works.
posted by ewkpates at 4:11 AM on June 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

If I were a Democratic strategist, I would put pins like this on the internet to rile up the base.

Would you also get the Texas RNC to confirm that they had been sold at their convention?
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:16 AM on June 18, 2008

Is there a "McCain/Truck Nutz '08" button on there? I've been looking for one.
posted by octobersurprise at 5:58 AM on June 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Huckabee: Demonizing Obama is a ‘fatal mistake’

"Former GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee called Barack Obama's candidacy 'a landmark achievement' Tuesday, and warned fellow Republicans not to demonize Obama.

'Republicans will make a fundamental if not fatal mistake if they seek to win the election by demonizing Barack Obama,' Huckabee told reporters in Tokyo, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.

Huckabee praised the country for getting 'to a point where we did not see his color but we truly saw his charisma, his message and what he brought to the campaign trail.'

'When people are really hurting — and they are right now — they're not looking at a person's race,' he added.

Huckabee said he hopes John McCain beats Obama, but that Republicans should focus on policy differences, not race."

posted by ericb at 7:59 AM on June 18, 2008

Speaking of political humor, I thought this was pretty funny, myself. (really not safe for work language)

Bookhouse; your trailer link makes this thread worthwhile.
posted by odinsdream at 8:31 AM on June 18, 2008

Obama/Jaa '08.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 9:02 AM on June 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

I saw a beautiful thing the other day.

I was stuck in traffic on I-15 in Utah. Just south of Salt Lake and southbound, which is to say I was headed into the red-statiest part of a cloyingly red state. Out my side window and a little in front of me was a pickup truck. I mean it was a real pickup truck, of a practical size, with the wear and the rust to show it lived out on the farm, not one of those enormous rounded glossy jobs that people buy because their penis made them do it. And that was beautiful in and of itself, but that isn't my point here. I was looking at the back bumper, and there was a sticker there, with an American flag billowing over a deep blue background, and gold lettering that echoed the design I had seen so many times before holding a belligerent message to somebody's bumper. Especially in Utah, where even driving a practical pickup rather than a penis pickup doesn't really make a person less likely to be a true believer in the Republican party. But I was bored enough to keep looking, and then I read the words:

DISSENT IS PATRIOTIC

Lemme know when they sell that in the Republican store.
posted by eritain at 1:01 PM on June 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Would you also get the Texas RNC to confirm that they had been sold at their convention?

I'm actually claiming they're fake. I'm claiming that the damage they do the candidate is nil, and the benefits to the candidate in mobilizing supports is large. Strategically, it's a net win for the candidate to have someone say scurrilous things about him: turns the whole political process into a football game where the supporters of each side hurl invective and start brawls.
posted by anotherpanacea at 1:38 PM on June 18, 2008

I'm NOT actually claiming they're fake, I mean.
posted by anotherpanacea at 1:39 PM on June 18, 2008

Texas GOP distances itself from vendor who sold racist Obama buttons.

"A booth at last weekend’s Texas GOP convention sold offensive buttons asking, 'If Obama Is President…Will We Still Call It The White House?' After strong public criticism, the state Republican party said that it plans to 'donate the $1,500 rent it collected from the vendor, Republicanmarket.com, to Midwestern flood victims.' Additionally, in the future, the party will begin vetting the merchandise being sold. 'This vendor need not apply to another Texas GOP state convention,' GOP spokesman Hans Klingler. 'We will neither tolerate nor profit from bigotry.'"

posted by ericb at 3:34 PM on June 18, 2008

Excellent to hear that, ericb. A Republican party that gets its shit back together will be a valuable asset.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:56 PM on June 18, 2008

The Obama Smear Merchants Keep On Smearin’
posted by homunculus at 6:33 PM on June 18, 2008

"This vendor need not apply to another Texas GOP state convention,'" GOP spokesman Hans Klingler said. "'We will neither tolerate nor profit from bigotry. Unless it's against gay people. We're fine with bigotry against gays. In fact, it's part of our official platform."
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:44 AM on June 19, 2008