15... 14... 13... Flush!

January 7, 2009 1:39 PM

Proving that humor can be found in any tragedy, conservative website PajamasTV has named "Joe the Plumber" its "war correspondent" in Israel. Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, who claimed that a vote for Obama was a vote for the death of Israel, has recently been writing an "insider" book critical of John McCain's campaign for the presidency.
posted by orthogonality (114 comments total)

Andy Warhol underestimated so, so badly.
posted by Jimbob at 1:42 PM on January 7, 2009 [22 favorites]

He's not even a licensed journalist.
posted by swift at 1:45 PM on January 7, 2009 [15 favorites]

...and his name isn't "Joe."
posted by Floydd at 1:48 PM on January 7, 2009

Can someone remind me again why the world is supposed to give a rat's squirt of piss about Joe, what he does, or what he has to say?
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 1:49 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Don't they know he's related to Chemical Ali!
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:49 PM on January 7, 2009

From the guy who lied about his name, his prospects for the future, his income, his tax liens, and pretty much everything else, pjtv.com brings you...The Truth!
posted by jamstigator at 1:50 PM on January 7, 2009 [21 favorites]

Joe, Sarah, Bristol, Levi, First Dude -- go away, please. Far, far away.
posted by ericb at 1:51 PM on January 7, 2009

The best thing about this is the anticipation of an epic fail.
posted by Pants! at 1:52 PM on January 7, 2009 [7 favorites]

I find it shocking that a respected bastion of journalistic integrity like "PajamasTV" would stoop to such levels.
posted by dersins at 1:53 PM on January 7, 2009 [11 favorites]

Oh no! Between Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, the RNC is an unstoppable juggernaut!

c'mon guys, work with me
posted by fleetmouse at 1:53 PM on January 7, 2009

A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha *collapses*
posted by Damn That Television at 1:55 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

Politics, the election, I/P, partisanship, snarkiness.... please can we not do this?
posted by dios at 1:55 PM on January 7, 2009

Is it just me or does anyone else get the feeling that this guy is only a 'plumber,' in the Watergate sense of the word? I for damned sure wouldn't let him anywhere near my drain. Of course, this guy(scroll down a bit) probably got some publicity, so at least some good came out of this, I guess.
posted by jonmc at 1:55 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

The fact that the McCain campaign consistently referred to Joe the Plumber even after it was shown that he was being untruthful about just about everything in his life was a little scary; the fact that Sarah Palin was the second most respected female in this country according to a recent poll makes me want to divorce myself from this country.
posted by leftcoastbob at 1:57 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

dios writes "Politics, the election, I/P, partisanship, snarkiness.... please can we not do this?"

Come one, dios, we can't have a laugh at a talentless attention whore snagging a job entirely beyond his competence? How's that goring your ox?
posted by orthogonality at 1:58 PM on January 7, 2009 [8 favorites]

Who says there are no second acts in American lives?
posted by Joe Beese at 1:58 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

But before you go ... Levi and Bristol, congratulations on Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston's recent birth. How go the wedding plans?

Levi, I see you quit your electrical apprentice job, since you weren't qualified legally to have it -- and it looks like there might have been nepotism at play by your future mother-in-law in getting you pushed to the front of the line for such a post. No, really, ya' think?

Oh, and sorry to hear, Levi, about your Mom being arrested for possession and distribution of Oxycontin (aka Hillbilly Heroin). A lot of great role models for you and your new son, huh?
posted by ericb at 2:00 PM on January 7, 2009

I'm sure this was inevitable, but did it have to be?
posted by tommasz at 2:00 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

It's not goring my ox, orthogonality. And you are better than relying on such an assumption as a retort.

There just is not anything to do with this post other than revisit the stupid partisan warfare of the election which we have, thankfully, moved beyond. Add in the I/P angle...

Let's look forward with optimism instead of looking to revisit the revolting features of our presidential campaigns. Why give this guy more press? Let's let the ugliness of the election go.
posted by dios at 2:04 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Geez, this is a real step down for PJTV. I mean, say what you will about Joe the Plumber's trenchant commentaries, he's no Bill Whittle:

Bill wanted to fly jets and go to Mars. A slight defect in vision kept him from that dream.

Now, an inner vision keeps Bill writing about the values that have made America strong:

Courage. Honor. Responsibility. Self-reliance. Ingenuity. Character.

Here's the blurb for his Xmas broadcast: "Bill Whittle fondly recalls the toys he grew up with - and why they are so much better than the toys kids have today..."

Tune in next week for Bill's three-part investigation of the kids on his lawn and the places other than his lawn they should be going to.
posted by gompa at 2:06 PM on January 7, 2009 [8 favorites]

Let's look forward with optimism

Not an option.

So by all means, let's take what grim amusement we may from jeering at this putz.
posted by Joe Beese at 2:07 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Politics, the election, I/P, partisanship, snarkiness.... please can we not do this?

Yes, let's do it. Hard. Let's make the server whine like Sean Hannity at a gay wedding.

Let's look forward with optimism instead of looking to revisit the revolting features of our presidential campaigns.

Right, because clearly this is what conservatives are doing.
posted by fleetmouse at 2:10 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

Metafilter: I like to think I’m a little more educated than some out there
posted by Dumsnill at 2:13 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." - Andy Warhol

"As fast as Rhapsody adds tracks to its library, those songs find an audience, even if it's just a few people a month, somewhere in the country. This is the Long Tail." - Chris Anderson

"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes and then internet famous to 15 people forever. This is the Long Fail." - ND¢
posted by ND¢ at 2:14 PM on January 7, 2009 [60 favorites]

Sure dios, let's just put our fingers in our ears and go LALALALALALALA, and it will all go away. Seriously, everything in this FPP deserves to be mocked. PJTV. HAHAHAHAHAHA.
posted by Eekacat at 2:14 PM on January 7, 2009

Let's look forward with optimism instead of looking to revisit the revolting features of our presidential campaigns.

I think it's actually helpful to look back and to analyze what went wrong and what went right for the two campaigns.

Requiem for a Maverick -- "John McCain ran one of the most incompetent, schizo campaigns in history — and for that we owe him big-time."

Obama's Secret Weapons: Internet, Databases and Psychology.

The 'Obama Way': Seven steps to success -- "What his distinctive approach reveals about his possible administration."

No need to close one's eyes, plug one's ears, all the while chanting "nyah, nyah, I can't hear you."
posted by ericb at 2:15 PM on January 7, 2009

What Eekacat said!
posted by ericb at 2:18 PM on January 7, 2009

oh well uh gosh I dunno much about wars but there are definitely dudes shootin each other out here in sv... sarv... far ets. Back to you, Jitney.
posted by boo_radley at 2:24 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

There just is not anything to do with this post other than revisit the stupid partisan warfare

It's only ok when you do it? dios, you were part of the partisan ugliness and, unfortunately, a partisan ugliness that continues to do funny and ridiculous, embarrassing things which we on metafilter will relentlessly mock. Were it not for your association with such bizarre political movements, you'd be better able to see the humor in it all.
posted by deanc at 2:25 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

Never was the word "douche" more in need of application.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:25 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

Hmmmm...Anyone want to lay some money on whether his "reporting" reveals that the average Israeli-on-the-street just happens to be...by amazing coincidence...scared shitless by Obama's coming administration? I mean...the story just writes itself.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:26 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Warhol Factory Outlet Store
posted by The Whelk at 2:34 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Joe's number three on my list of "People I Would Like to Hit."

1. Mike "The Mouth" Matusow
2. Phil "Poker Prick" Hellmuth
3. Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher

Wow, I sense a pattern here. I be just as happy to see any of the above fall from a great height.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:35 PM on January 7, 2009

the stupid partisan warfare of the election which we have

Who is this "we."

Ohhhh. I get it. The guys that lost. Got it.
posted by tkchrist at 2:36 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

dios, you were part of the partisan ugliness...Were it not for your association with such bizarre political movements
posted by deanc at 4:25 PM on January 7

Way to pull shit out of your ass without a lick of basis to do so.

I did not post in election threads, and I took off most of the past year not visiting this site because I did not want to see any of the bullshit from either side. Moreover, you have no idea about my political associations and your comment is so completely wrong that it shows you can't think beyond your boogeyman understanding of me.

So know what you are talking about before you go running your mouth in the future.

___

I came back because I thought we were done with this obsessive gazing at political minutia and partisan snapping now that we were months past the election. I fail to see why we need to revisit that garbage.
posted by dios at 2:36 PM on January 7, 2009

Also, I'd like to see someone ask him when he last did some plumbing.
posted by boo_radley at 2:38 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

Bill wanted to fly jets and go to Mars. A slight defect in vision kept him from that dream.

I thought it was the slight defect in gravity.
posted by tkchrist at 2:38 PM on January 7, 2009

Somebody got kicked off of Little Green Footballs.
posted by tkchrist at 2:40 PM on January 7, 2009 [9 favorites]

Christ, what an asshole.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:43 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

obsessive gazing at political minutia

An update on Joe the Plumber is really more of a "what crazy thing is That Guy doing now" post.
posted by DU at 2:45 PM on January 7, 2009 [5 favorites]

As a certified plummer, he'll be bringing this conflict to an end due to breaches of municipal there-are-too-many-opinions-I-just-don't-understand-clogging-up-this-toilet-right-now regulations.
posted by Dumsnill at 2:46 PM on January 7, 2009

I can only imagine what Joe's first broadcast will sound like.
posted by KokuRyu at 2:46 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

One can only hope his coverage will be as riveting as his educational videos about digital TV.

And the conservative blogosphere can't figure out why no one will take them seriously? Here's a hint, guys: it has something to do with you acting like morons 24/7.
posted by EarBucket at 2:52 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

Wow, are conservatives really that desperate? They want to make guys like him and Ann Coulter the face of their movement? Are they really this media blind? It really is incredible. Between this, Sarah Palin, and that recent Michael Moore parody movie its kinda sad what happens to them when Rupert Murdoch isnt involved.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:57 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

I do have to give Joe some credit. He's literally his own man, a sui generis, by-his-own-bootstraps, attention whore. I mean, it was pretty clear that after his first pandering question, the McCain campaign wanted nothing more than to be don with this self-aggrandizer, this self-appointed mascot and hanger-on, but couldn't quite rid themselves of this human flypaper.

Now Joe's gone from unemployed loud-mouth to "compensated endorser" (for his digital TV ads; I'm not suggesting the McCain campaign paid him), to "war correspondent". It really is the American Dream, or at least some absurd parody thereof.
posted by orthogonality at 3:02 PM on January 7, 2009 [8 favorites]

Now, it's easy to mock Pajamas Media for this unusually stupid stunt, and it's equally easy to lampoon Wurzelbacher for playing "war correspondent," but it's worth tying this back to a dynamic we talked about last week. The Weekly Standard's Michael Goldfarb complained that the right lacked an "equivalent outlet" to offer TPM-like reporting, and to revive the Republican Party, conservatives will need "the kind of online infrastructure the Democrats now have in place."

Pajamas Media hiring Wurzelbacher to cover a war in Israel helps prove the point I was trying to make -- the right has the capacity, but can't get their act together to do real work. As Matt Yglesias put it, "The issue ... isn't that the right doesn't have an outlet equivalent to TPM or other progressive sites. There are tons and tons of conservative media outlets, most of them with a web presence.... What the right lacks are people with the skill to do the job."

Someday, conservatives will probably understand this, but not until after Wurzelbacher finishes his hopelessly ridiculous gig.
posted by EarBucket at 3:03 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

[Metatalk and email are both viable options, but please let's drop the squabble in here.]
posted by cortex at 3:08 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

"Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the...."
posted by orthogonality at 3:09 PM on January 7, 2009

And seriously, dios is right in one big respect: This is political trivia; hell, it's effluvia. Sure, it's a grin to get all HURF DURF about a 2 bit web site who bought themselves a brand name crank to call a "war correspondent", but honestly, who cares? I don't. Clearly, most people who've commented don't, beyond the point of HURF DURFing.
posted by boo_radley at 3:09 PM on January 7, 2009

I'm still waitin' on his country album.

From the guy who lied about his name, his prospects for the future, his income, his tax liens, and pretty much everything else, pjtv.com brings you...The Truth!

Why doesn't the lying bother conservatives? Isn't honesty one of the family values they claim to own? Shoot, it's even one of the Ten Commandments^* they want to install everywhere and base our laws on. Shouldn't his rampant dishonesty make anyone who claims to value honesty refuse to take him seriously?

Sarah Palin, same question. Why wasn't she laughed off the ticket after every single qualification she presented turned out to be untrue?

* Protestant version, of course.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:15 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

...and his name isn't "Joe."

Of all the reasons that people have panned "Joe the plumber" during the election cycle (and there are a lot of good reasons) the whole "his name isn't really Joe!" thing seemed (and seems) really weak and petty. So what, Joe is his middle name; if he wants to be called by Joe then who the hell cares? Criticize something of substance.
posted by the other side at 3:15 PM on January 7, 2009

Criticize something of substance.

I know, but criticizing this guy is like swatting a fart with a flyswatter. It smells bad, but there's just nothing there!

couldn't resist after that analogy came to mind. Sorry.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 3:20 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

So what's the difference between what he's doing and the citizen journalists on sites like indymedia, besides being on the opposite side of the political spectrum?
posted by gyc at 3:25 PM on January 7, 2009

I don't know, after days and days and days of depressing I/P threads, it's nice to have something about the conflict to laugh at.
posted by graventy at 3:37 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

graventy writes "I don't know, after days and days and days of depressing I/P threads, it's nice to have something about the conflict to laugh at."

Thanks, that was a big part of my motivation.
posted by orthogonality at 3:39 PM on January 7, 2009

No one has mocked the idea of "Joe the Plumber is writing a book" yet? I can only assume that he's going to "write it" in the same way that Milli Vanilli "sang" their own songs.
posted by Saxon Kane at 3:49 PM on January 7, 2009

A job in the media? But the media is biased!
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:50 PM on January 7, 2009

Joe's number three on my list of "People I Would Like to Hit."

Most unfortunate reset of the Cooter Clock ever.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 3:54 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

So what's the difference between what he's doing and the citizen journalists on sites like indymedia, besides being on the opposite side of the political spectrum?

Not much. Now, who here respects the immature activists who will give up Leninism as soon as their parents buy them that BMW after they finish their social studies degree citizen journalists on Indymedia?
posted by Jimbob at 3:54 PM on January 7, 2009

Journalism doesn't pay very well. I hope Joe gets that tax bracket he's always wanted.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:58 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

"Joe" The Opportunist. Honestly this whole thing is such a publicity stunt it is kind of tedious.

Man, this fellow wants to find any way to make money other than actually work... how, dare I say, American? apologies to all "real" Americans, and everyone who gets it done
posted by edgeways at 4:02 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Metafilter: goring your ox.
posted by tinatiga at 4:03 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

So what's the difference between what he's doing and the citizen journalists on sites like indymedia, besides being on the opposite side of the political spectrum?

Er, a history of actually doing it, being consistently serious about your cause and method of delivering it, not seeming like you are jumping on anything that comes your way to gain notoriety and fame with the hope of a big cash payout in the end? I mean this "joe" fellow has been all over trying to find the angle to pimp his campaign experience I just have the hardest time taking him seriously... who knows perhaps he is a real Israeli supporter who will be serious about what he is doing, but all evidence to date suggests he is a bit of a joke.

Why the hell isn't "joe" going after that plumbing license and chasing a fullsilling life like the rest of us doing the things that keep things moving?
posted by edgeways at 4:08 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

No one has mocked the idea of "Joe the Plumber is writing a book" yet? I can only assume that he's going to "write it" in the same way that Milli Vanilli "sang" their own songs.

The "physical" Milli Vanilli went on to form Rob & Fab, wrote one album, and disappeared. The "vocal" (real) Milli Vanilli also released one album, but ended up with some singles as well. There were various spin-off projects, and none did well. In the end, they all did something "real," but it failed in the long run (The Real Milli Vanilli's album actually reached the top 20 in Germany, but there was no follow-up album). Maybe the GOP will form spin-offs for their various ideologies that seem to be warring. Now that would be entertaining.

And is PJTV really known beyond conservative webviewers? This is the first I've heard of it. And I think Bill Whittle was trying to be a member of Captain Scarlet's team.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:08 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Why the hell isn't "joe" going after that plumbing license and chasing a fullsilling life like the rest of us doing the things that keep things moving?

Because traveling to other countries for free is a lot of fun?
posted by filthy light thief at 4:10 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

... the RNC is an unstoppable juggernaut!

Or maybe an unjuggable stoppernaut!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:12 PM on January 7, 2009 [22 favorites]

I say get used to it.

Everything I hear coming out of right wing/RNC circles is that the main reason they lost was that they weren't conservative enough.

There's serious talk about getting Palin in at the top of the ticket for 2012 if they can get her a seat in th senate (which is looking bad, since she's polling 25+ points behind Murkowski).

The right wing sees this as their future:

Find a plain talkin' "outsider" that has real heartland values (i.e. hates gays, taxes, "terrorists"/others, loves God, guns and fetuses), enough charisma to come off like a natural on TV, and beat the press into giving him/her airtime and get back into power before they lose all hope of ever getting back into power at all.

Seriously, if they had their way, they'll nominate Palin. If they have two brain cells to rub together, they'll put in Romney.

One way or the other, this country better make damn sure these knuckle-dragging troglodytes are banished to the East of Eden once and for all, or they'll just come back, meaner, stupider, more belligerently violent and more corrupt than ever.

They need a stake driven through their heart, and right quick.
posted by Relay at 4:17 PM on January 7, 2009 [6 favorites]

Joe's number three on my list of "People I Would Like to Hit."

Most unfortunate reset of the Cooter Clock ever.

I just had a horrifying image of a character from the Dukes of Hazzard.

On dios' point, I kind of see what he means. But I think the post should still stand, due to the LOL potential.
posted by JHarris at 4:21 PM on January 7, 2009

Maybe pjtv.com is really a secret Israeli front organization. Their devious plan to earn American goodwill:

1) Offer media-whore Joe a newscaster role.
2) Put Joe in front of cameras to remind Americans why they hate him.
3) Drop a missile on Joe (and blame Hamas).

Sheer genius.
posted by jamstigator at 4:21 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

Note that the Israel govt is not allowing regular qualified journalists to ave access to the fightihng. I don't need a torrent of comments about Israel etc but what will Joe report since those who know how to report have nothing to report? The good news: gets him out of the country. The bad: he might return.
posted by Postroad at 4:23 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Or maybe an unjuggable stoppernaut!

You just invented my new favorite phrase. I'm totally stealing it, fyi.
posted by dersins at 4:28 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

the bats have left the fundraiser
the wingnuts have been bled
red velvet lines the ballot box
joe the plumber's dead

UNDEAD UNDEAD UNDEAD
posted by fleetmouse at 4:32 PM on January 7, 2009 [13 favorites]

Sending Joe the Plumber to the middle east is the best idea Pajamas Media has ever come up with. I look forward to hearing their ideas for sending other pundits into combat zones. This could lead to a huge image boost for them.
posted by mullingitover at 4:40 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

Joe's number three on my list of "People I Would Like to Hit."

I'm glad the fabulous Tony G. wasn't on that list, or you and I might have had a falling out, cjorgensen.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:45 PM on January 7, 2009

I would like to volunteer Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Bill O Reilly and Sean Hannity to really do a full court press over there. Hopefully right in Gaza, film the terrorists where they live.
posted by empath at 4:45 PM on January 7, 2009

Can someone remind me again why the world is supposed to give a rat's squirt of piss about Joe, what he does, or what he has to say?

Because 9/11 9/11 9/11 John McCain was a POW 9/11 9/11 POW POW POW 9/11 POW, you America-hating, terrorist-loving community organizer.
posted by Flunkie at 4:58 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

Let's look forward with optimism

Why, yes! Let's!
posted by scody at 5:07 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

The idea of Joe the Plumber being *inside* Gaza right now seems like a pretty good idea, considering.
posted by markkraft at 5:10 PM on January 7, 2009

I'm looking forward to an Iraqi writing him, from their dependable Commodore 64, which they use to watch divx & listen to mp3, & his writing about it as an amazing show of resourcefulness & reliable American technology.
posted by Pronoiac at 5:16 PM on January 7, 2009

What, Pajamas Media doesn't have Jeff Gannon/James Guckert's phone number?
posted by Ron Thanagar at 5:21 PM on January 7, 2009 [3 favorites]

the McCain campaign wanted nothing more than to be don with this self-aggrandizer, this self-appointed mascot and hanger-on, but couldn't quite rid themselves of this human flypaper.

You are giving his campaign way too much credit. How about McCain trying to call an absent Joe to the stage at a rally? 46% of the popular vote? Seriously?
posted by Gary at 5:38 PM on January 7, 2009

As a certified plummer, he'll be bringing this conflict to an end due to breaches of municipal there-are-too-many-opinions-I-just-don't-understand-clogging-up-this-toilet-right-now regulations.

No, he'll bring the conflict to an end by promising both the IDF and Hamas weapons. They'll pin all their hopes on him, and then he'll take a coffee break. Then a lunch break. When they ask him about their weapons, he'll say, "Welp, guy I know can't get the parts we need, cuz they're out of stock, but we should be able to get 'em in three, four weeks or so" then his pager will beep, and he'll say, "Whoops, emergency call, gotta go" and leave.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:42 PM on January 7, 2009 [4 favorites]

So what's the difference between what he's doing and the citizen journalists on sites like indymedia, besides being on the opposite side of the political spectrum?

No one notices that they're writing anything until they've accumulated a history of good (or at least competent) coverage of some issue or region. That, ultimately, is the frustrating part.

It's the same reason that people don't take "celebrity musical projects" seriously. If Cindy Sheehan released a pop single and Warner promoted it, I would say the same thing. While her attempts might be just as good as a lot of the schlups laboring away in their basements with ProTools and putting out MP3s on MySpace, they're trying to make music and promote it on its own merits.

Joe will have a chance to prove himself as a journalist, but until (or unless) he does train-wreck-curiosity is the only reason to tune in.
posted by verb at 5:48 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

See? This is what the end of print is going to doom us to...
posted by elwoodwiles at 5:50 PM on January 7, 2009

To be fair, Qassam rockets are in fact made with common plumbing pipes loaded with fertilizer (as rocket fuel), a TNT warhead and four stabilizers -- maybe they need him as a plumbing pipe/ rudimentary rocket expert. The plumber as rocket scientist --literally.
posted by matteo at 6:35 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

By picking Joe the Plumber they're sending a message.

In all fairness, that message is, "Ashley Todd wouldn't return our calls."
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 7:30 PM on January 7, 2009

"Joe" The Opportunist.

Don't get me wrong-- I think that pajamas media is pretty much only proving how shallow the right-wing online journalism talent pool is, but I actually can't blame JtP for making the most out of his 15 minutes of fame. Opportunities are tough to come by, especially for a guy like Joe, and ridiculous as his various schemes appear (ads for the DTV switchover, his newsletter, his album, etc.), I can totally understand wanting to make as best a living as he can by grabbing the opportunities that come by in front of him. I really don't view the term "opportunist" as an epithet. The guy sees opportunities and he takes them. Granted, if he'd been a bit better about that in the past, he'd be a master plumber, rather than an apprentice, and PJMedia should think more about who will produce good-quality content for them, but you go with the right-wing journalists you have, not the ones you wish you had.
posted by deanc at 7:42 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Joe Beese writes "Who says there are no second acts in American lives?"

We gained two parasites. We'll see how long the GOP lets them attempt to ingratiate themselves. I get the rumblings the wingnut neocon wing is in decline among the party intelligentsia, what's left of that anyway.
posted by krinklyfig at 7:46 PM on January 7, 2009

deanc writes "The guy sees opportunities and he takes them."

It's hard to take him seriously, though. I guess there's always room for audaciously ambitious people like Palin and this Joe character, who are reaching far beyond their abilities and pretending like they are supposed to be there. At one end of the spectrum we have qualified professionals with impostor syndrome, and at the other end you get these guys. Sure, take any media job, I get it, but a war correspondent in Israel?
posted by krinklyfig at 7:54 PM on January 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

Palin and JOE TP in 2012 FTW OLOLLLOL
posted by Hands of Manos at 8:07 PM on January 7, 2009

See? I found out about Impostor Syndrome, learn about the Long Fail, and pick up the phrase Unjuggable Stoppernaut all in the same thread. This is great!
posted by JHarris at 8:10 PM on January 7, 2009

edgeways: Why the hell isn't "joe" going after that plumbing license and chasing a fullsilling life like the rest of us doing the things that keep things moving?

See, now that was exactly "Joe's" point : "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250 to 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"

IF Joe lived in a country that had a Republican president, he'd be MOTIVATED! He'd Get That Damn License! He'd plumb like there's no tomorrow! He'd buy the company! The American dream would be fulfilled!

Unfortunately, Obama's plan would tax his quarter million hypothetical dollars more than McCain's plan (and redistribute it to negroes bad people). So, goodbye motivation. Instead of being "Joe the Plumber", he's Sam the unemployed Cheeto-eating masturbater.
posted by swell at 8:12 PM on January 7, 2009 [2 favorites]

"What, Pajamas Media doesn't have Jeff Gannon/James Guckert's phone number?"

Oh, they do... they most certainly do.
posted by markkraft at 8:39 PM on January 7, 2009

...and his name isn't "Joe."

Stop calling me Warren. My name isn't FUCKING Warren!
posted by lunit at 9:38 PM on January 7, 2009

No one has mocked the idea of "Joe the Plumber is writing a book" yet? I can only assume that he's going to "write it" in the same way that Milli Vanilli "sang" their own songs.

There's only really one room of the house for it...
posted by Artw at 10:51 PM on January 7, 2009

As the old plumber adage goes, shit runs downhill. Knowledge which will come in handy, once the rockets start flying overhead.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:19 AM on January 8, 2009

> jessamyn said the clock is going away, that she'd proved her point, and I don't think my comment counts anyway, since I am being literal! My list of people I'd like to hit is quite long. I have to adjust it constantly though.

> Tony G. was a total prick in that link, but I like that guy. That clip's a bit frustrating though, as I can't see if the hand was played correctly from the Russian's part. If he was pot committed or short stacked to go all in with two paint cards seems reasonable to me.
posted by cjorgensen at 4:58 AM on January 8, 2009

Man, I miss the old days when plumbers just hunted ghosts.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:30 AM on January 8, 2009

Why the hell isn't "joe" going after that plumbing license and chasing a fullsilling life like the rest of us doing the things that keep things moving?

Joe's tireless pursuit of wealth and fame through schemes which are always part bullshit and part malarky is TV stuff—or the American Dream, whichever is optioned first. Now if this gig works out for Joe there's a FOX show with his name on it and all the crap he can swim in; if not, there's always Amway or Scientology.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:39 AM on January 8, 2009

Joe The Plumber as a war correspondent, eh?

This is why the Republicans lost. At some point, they decided to choose symbols over substance. Joe The Plumber is a symbol, as is Sarah Palin, as is Fred Thompson. They are symbols of what The Right wants, not The Thing Itself. In order to reconnect with American voters, Republicans need to stop confusing the map with the territory. Symbols don't solve problems. It's time to put away the symbols and return to the real.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 9:58 AM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

For the record: Dios is not someone you should pay attention to. He advocates strict deontological ethics. Meaning, if it is against the law, it is necessarily morally wrong.

Dios: "I have already said I several times on this site that I am a libertarian authoritarian. That is, I don't care where democratic majorities set the line, but wherever it is, you better damn well follow it. For all I care, a democratic majority could authorize public pedophilia sex while smoking crack in public squares as long as one doesn't wear a purple shirt (and if one does, its a life sentence). And I wouldn't have a problem with the person smoking crack and nailing a 5 year old in public, but if that fucker wears that purple shirt, his ass needs to go to the clink for life.
posted by Freen at 10:19 AM on January 8, 2009

Hey, Freen-- what do you think about Joe The Plumber?
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 10:24 AM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

That is, I don't care where democratic majorities set the line, but wherever it is, you better damn well follow it.

Dios should introduce himself to people by explaining that he's lawful neutral.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:23 PM on January 8, 2009 [3 favorites]

Thank heavens, we don't need to speculate any more.
posted by verb at 8:28 PM on January 11, 2009

Jesus Christ, he's stupid.

"I’ll be honest with you. I don’t think journalists should be anywhere allowed war. I mean, you guys report where our troops are at. You report what’s happening day to day. You make a big deal out of it. I think it’s asinine. You know, I liked back in World War I and World War II when you’d go to the theater and you’d see your troops on, you know, the screen and everyone would be real excited and happy for’em. Now everyone’s got an opinion and wants to downer–and down soldiers. You know, American soldiers or Israeli soldiers.

"I think media should be abolished from, uh, you know, reporting. You know, war is hell. And if you’re gonna sit there and say, “Well look at this atrocity,” well you don’t know the whole story behind it half the time, so I think the media should have no business in it."
posted by EarBucket at 9:04 PM on January 11, 2009

He's so precious! It's, it's--just adorable! Bless his little cotton socks! He should totally run in the next election.
posted by cytherea at 10:30 PM on January 11, 2009

A vote for Joe is a vote for FLOW!
posted by cytherea at 10:33 PM on January 11, 2009

Oh, Joe the plumber? A slightly less advanced troll-bot. It's quite difficult to get the shadows exactly right with live video in the background.

Thanks for asking!
posted by Freen at 2:24 PM on January 12, 2009

Joe the Plumber berates Israeli press for not being patriotic enough.

"The people of Sderot can't do normal things day to day, like get soap in their eyes in the shower, for fear a rocket might come in," he said. "I'm sure they're taking quick showers. I know I would."

They should make him one of the first journalists into Gaza so we can see him lecturing the bleeding homeless and grieving parents. With any luck someone might put him out of our misery.
posted by Grangousier at 3:01 PM on January 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

But Grangousier, you're missing Sam's whole raison d'etre there. The man just said that journalists shouldn't be allowed near a war, that they should be banned from covering it. So when he says he "can't think of any questions" and spends his time berating the Israeli press for not being at home with their families, he's trying to lead by example. By not actually being a journalist.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:21 PM on January 12, 2009

B-but he reports on how fear of rocket attacks are interfering with people's cleanliness regimes, doesn't he? Imagine what shower time in Gaza City must be like at the moment - they probably don't even get enough time to soap up!

He is extraordinary, isn't he? He seems to think that wisdom and stupidity are the same thing - that if you do stupidity forcefully enough it somehow becomes wise.
posted by Grangousier at 3:52 PM on January 12, 2009

It's folsky!
posted by Artw at 3:53 PM on January 12, 2009

Isn't he that Polish guy?
posted by Grangousier at 3:58 PM on January 12, 2009

He is extraordinary, isn't he? He seems to think that wisdom and stupidity are the same thing - that if you do stupidity forcefully enough it somehow becomes wise.

Exactly. Sam's problem is nobody told him that in order to be a journalist, you have to actually possess curiosity. This is why he can't think of the "right question". He was hoping to show up and just talk about what he thinks about the war. And while I'm pretty certain every journalist goes into their share of situations with pre-conceived notions, slanting their coverage to confirm their beliefs, even unconsciously, you do still have to possess some semblance of curiosity about the people in your story. But Sam's got it all figured out ahead of time. He doesn't want to ask anybody anything. This is also why he spends a lot of time telling the press to shut up and go home. What's there to cover, after all, in a situation that he's got all squared away beforehand?
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:20 PM on January 12, 2009 [1 favorite]