These are swing states full of angry, uninformed, self-oriented, paranoid, xenophobic wage workers and people worried about preserving their wealth and position in this world.

McCain & Palin are catering to them like butchers giving prime rib to puppies.

I'm glad others are able to see this for themselves.

I wish it would make even one bit of difference.

Anyone have any ideas for how to make that happen?
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:04 PM on October 9, 2008

I'd like to see opinions from gay people in here regarding their feelings on it, whether it's being used by kids or adults.

Personally, having been on the other end of a fist or boot from a hate-fueled bigot screaming out words like "gay", "faggot", and other words intended to insult my multi-culture/skinshade/gender/preference group of friends, I'll never be okay with those words being used by someone who isn't one of those things.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:26 AM on October 9, 2008

One of the things that has informed my approach is the concept of prejudice.

Not just to keep from spreading prejudice in general, but holding down someone else from acknowledging and accepting themselves because they have been exposed to prejudice which can reinforce the feeling of being trapped in an impossible situation - be what they are and learn what that means, or hold it inside to protect/keep the people in their lives who would be disappointed to learn they are... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 1:08 PM on October 9, 2008

From what has been explained to me, the concept is that criminals have been shown to consider themselves as outside of society so should not be allowed to participate in it.

Spurious logic when broken down, but I'm sure it seems very compelling to those who buy into it.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:58 PM on October 8, 2008

If the restriction were only limited to those who have committed violent acts with direct and provable consequences to actual victims, it would make more sense.

If it were applied evenly, it also would make more sense.

Since it isn't and doesn't, it doesn't make sense.

It cannot be applied fairly. It's a false restriction.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 3:51 PM on October 8, 2008

mattholomew: what kind of citation would be helpful there?

My objection is probably considered philosophical, and relating the tales of those I've known who faced this restriction would only be anecdotal. Neither are proper cites, but I'd be game to at least know what you'd qualify as a proper citation.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 4:02 PM on October 8, 2008

mattholomew - sorry I missed this:
"Maybe we should just stop convicting anyone of felonies for anything?"

That's ridiculous. How does one even relate to the other?
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 4:04 PM on October 8, 2008

I explained my objection, mattholomew - the rule doesn't make any sense and doesn't aid in deterrence or prosecution of crime. It places an unfair burden on those who cannot afford the type of defense that would allow them to at least retain this right after release. GW's wife, as mentioned above, is a pretty good example of the unfairness of the application of these restrictions.

While I don't believe we should end all imprisonment of criminals, I do think it should be... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 4:23 PM on October 8, 2008

On time-lapse non-preview: What maxwelton said.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 4:39 PM on October 8, 2008

Cool Papa Bell:
"Sounds like you're really angry at the lack of good, free public defense. Which is a different subject altogether."

Not "really angry", no. Passionately disappointed, sure, but then I'd hope anyone else wanting to be a member of a just society would feel the same way.

Anyway, my thinking on it does truly have those related - if we can't provide the defense, we can't... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 5:04 PM on October 8, 2008

Cool Papa Bell:
"Not to belabor the issue, but if we think we truly can't provide the defense, we've got bigger problems than keeping the bad guys from voting."

Well, I agree, but it's the same as cleaning your house - you can't clean the whole thing at the same time. You start with one room or one type of task and go from there.

I do see that this could end up dividing actions which could help correct the greater issue, but... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 5:25 PM on October 8, 2008

Peach! Well put. Precisely. Very clarifying.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 6:01 PM on October 8, 2008

Sometimes our best moment is also our last.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:51 AM on October 8, 2008

flapjax at midnite: great collection. I can't play them all right after each other, but I've started off with Otis Redding and will insert one into today's playlist every half hour or so 'til I get through 'em.

Potomac Avenue: I'd be extremely interested in seeing a post on meta songs. Would you have any interest in putting that together?
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:22 AM on October 8, 2008

Hate.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 4:28 PM on October 7, 2008

I don't care how many others are doing it. I don't care how little an amount it was compared to everything else they've done.

None of it should have been allowed. None of it.

It is infuriating and humiliating the way they (and others like them) are given the ability to live more freely, more advantageously, and with less compromise than the rest of us and when their house of cards has been proven to be just that, there are no... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 5:49 PM on October 7, 2008

Wait, no, not almost sickening. It is sickening.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 5:50 PM on October 7, 2008

Watching people make excuses for the sheer avarice and abuse of public trust shown by these predators is both fascinating and repugnant.

I understand that's why we're at this point (again, even; Keating Five wasn't that long ago), so it's odd to me that apparently intelligent, aware people are capable of justifying malfeasance of this degree.

The reasons one could possibly entertain for excusing their wastefulness and greed ring hollow when... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:14 PM on October 7, 2008

dirtynumbangelboy:
"Attrition and cancellation penalties are immense."

But not as immense as not taking the trip at all.

Also: rewarding malfeasance and poor performance with a sweet trip? Makes no business sense whatsoever.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 1:42 AM on October 8, 2008

Wow, rokusan, thanks for that - I tried watching syndicated episodes a few years ago and the cognitive dissonance was too much for me largely because of the bizarre music and dialogue changes, and now I know why!

Danged broken copyright/licensing laws. Phooey. This was one of my favourite shows growing up and it was at least partially because of the real music they played. It felt very much grounded in its time.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:23 PM on October 7, 2008

I dunno. I'm supremely conflicted in my feelings about this, mostly because of the human inclination to take advantage in a way that's detrimental to whatever they're taking advantage of and my strong feelings about consent. And this is something a human could do, so there's the erosion of jobs thing in my head, too.

Based on the collars around the monkey's necks, I'm not entirely certain they want to be doing this. And he's now specifically raising baby monkeys to join... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:24 PM on October 7, 2008

On Vote for Change, I tried using it to update my registration but it stays jammed up on the registration address page.

At one point when I tried to go back to see if it was a lack of info elsewhere, it opened the "you're almost ready to absentee vote" screen...other than that, it just hangs out on the other page and mocks me :(
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:02 PM on October 3, 2008

I understand that, halcyon_daze; thank you. I was using the tool as intended to get a pre-completed registration form printed off. It's one of the several features of the tool.

Also probably should have updated that I did get it to work and now have my convenient form with full instructions ready to take in tomorrow morning. Woo-hoo!
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 5:11 PM on October 5, 2008

I saw Warlord and thought it was a new one covering a new level of bad guys.

Nostalgia isn't a bad thing on Saturday morning, though.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 9:11 AM on October 4, 2008

Excellent. I loved the oblique way he revealed the whole "money matters" thing as he went.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:44 AM on October 4, 2008

No, I don't think this kid is "hilariously awesome". I think he's got issues and needs help.

I do hold it against him. 7 is old enough to have empathy, to know that something is alive. Even if you don't, you're old enough to know that other people's property is not yours to destroy. You learn that before kindergarten, generally.

I'm troubled that others see no problem with this, but it does help me to understand... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:08 AM on October 3, 2008

Also: those who are saying the zoo should have been more secure to prevent a 7yr old from doing this...

I'm pretty sure nearly all zoos, when making the argument for how to spend their tiny sums of money, would rather spend that money on providing superlative care for their animals and wouldn't even begin to imagine a member of their target demographic doing something like this. How could they possibly have foreseen something so unwell?

It makes... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:33 AM on October 3, 2008

Also also: I don't think anyone finds the comments stating the kid should die or be harmed for this to be appropriate, other than those making them. Just because others are ignoring those comments doesn't mean they're meeting with approval.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:41 AM on October 3, 2008

polyhedron:

The kid *is* deeply disturbed. Breaking into someone else's property, violating habitat space for living creatures, and killing living creatures in a barbaric manner (bludgeoning isn't a fast death) are all the actions of a disturbed person. These are the actions of someone who feels powerless suddenly releasing a LOT of anger. That's a pretty clear cut case of disturbed behaviour.

You over-generalise to the degree that I wonder... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2008

nushustu:
"And batmonkey, I think you CAN put some blame on the security system of the zoo. "

Only if you completely ignore the importance of culpability for one's own actions and see some sort of relief in shifting blame to an entity other than those who had responsibility for what was done. The zoo does not deserve blame for this kid's actions.

We shouldn't need to overlock everything. That we do is... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:18 PM on October 3, 2008

Jimbob:

That kind of thinking must be why several medical professionals have said they were amazed I don't have bodies hidden somewhere and other such silliness.

Even without many strong role models throughout my life - particularly when living in environments like the one you describe - I somehow managed to figure out the rules of society. I'm not special. I'm just a person like millions of others. And I'm not the only one who made it through... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:18 PM on October 3, 2008

Jimbob:
"I'm sorry if I ever suggested I was excusing the behaviour - as I said, I tried to phrase my post carefully. As you say, I was just hoping to provide a possible background."

To be clear, especially since I think my attempts at being crisp tend to come off as brusqueness, I don't think you were excusing it and I get why that seemed like a good thing to point out.

I simply feel that background... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:43 PM on October 3, 2008

Flitcraft: you're right; easily findable using the correct string. The members there are...well, let's just say they make the "lock 'im up!" crowd here look like Pollyannas.

For the record, I still don't think the kid should be harmed or locked up. I think he should receive intervention from social services, and I dearly hope they can help.

If there is a culturally-appropriate aspect to his actions - and that would very much surprise me,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 6:26 PM on October 3, 2008

I don't think they're telling us what to do. I think they're encouraging us to do what we know needs to be done.

Fair enough, I think, for them to leverage the attention share we've invested by consuming the media they appear in to be supportive of civic responsibility.

If I had any renown at all, I'd likely do the same thing. I mean, I do it already without having any renown, but having some would mean access to better ways of getting the word... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:15 AM on October 2, 2008

How weird...I was just looking at this Depression art gallery via StumbleUpon.

Great post.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:18 PM on September 29, 2008

Reading through the memories others had of this interesting and chaotic time in our history, when people who had never imagined themselves poor were suddenly experience it first-hand.

My maternal grandfather had negative memories of the Depression, but his time in WWII helped him work through it and he had a fairly healthy viewpoint for the remainder of his life. He felt the Depression was unfortunate but inevitable, and he only wished that whatever could have been... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 3:56 PM on September 29, 2008

um...i shouldn't write when thinking of work; first sentence should be, "Reading through the memories others had of this interesting and chaotic time in our history, when people who had never imagined themselves poor were suddenly experiencing it first-hand, makes me glad my grands talked about their experience. I feel like it makes me more prepared."
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 3:57 PM on September 29, 2008

.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:54 PM on September 28, 2008

Dang. I know it had to happen...just wish we could have had longer.

.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:34 AM on September 27, 2008

My brother - who has the type of genius wherein one can teach themselves the principles of quantum mechanics over a summer and prefers formulas to novellas - is going to vote for McCain & Palin for the exact same reasons he voted for G.W.:

Doing so makes him feel part of the status quo.

Asking him questions about why he votes for these people, what he thinks they're going to do for the country, and you get all kinds of random answers that... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:22 PM on September 26, 2008

Also, more on topic to Palin in general:

I grew up mostly very poor with occasional bursts of lower-middle-class in an intensely dysfunctional family and city. My first job started when I was 8. I worked every summer and during parts of most school years. I passed 9th grade and never completed another level of school. My first official job was at a Wendy's. By sheer determination and the blessings of autodidactism, I burned through one employment step-up... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:55 PM on September 26, 2008

ericb:
"Brings to mind a certain MeFite!"

Lots of people do this. Some realise at some point that's it not productive, not helping their cause, and/or holding them back from real understanding and effectiveness. Some don't.

That said, I hope you're not trying to re-purpose those words to enable passive aggressive sniping on any MeFite. I took the time to type them out to provide an example of a person... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:22 PM on September 26, 2008

Yeah, this situation is completely normal. Absolutely. No one should be worried about this at all. I mean, sure, it's one more thing that goes against everything this country has said it's stood for since the beginning, but, honestly, who cares? Our government takes great care of us and listens to our concerns. And we've all made sure to vote consistently over the last forty years or so to make sure we don't have corruption or power-hunger or abuse of our various constitutional guarantees, right?... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 9:18 AM on September 24, 2008

I mean, you know, it's not like anyone's been warning us about this or anything...
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 9:20 AM on September 24, 2008

Phalene:

There's no way to know what it all really is, what it all really means, until whatever is inevitable begins to happen. It's been like this for long enough that anyone even twice your age is pretty worn out from being told it's all going to end any minute now.

Your best course of action is to try to be as equally informed as you can be - learning about the positions of each "side", paying attention to the gaps between our... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:10 AM on September 24, 2008

That Tabasco bottle should have been a Coke bottle.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 2:48 PM on September 23, 2008

Middle is so close to modern that it's basically still unfunny and is then rendered pretentious.

The commentary is more interesting, however.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 10:47 AM on September 23, 2008

Thank you, Marisa Stole the Precious Thing - excellent post.

And thanks also to you, Panjandrum - you rescued the excellence of it (for me, at least).

Brilliant to see the Neanderthal woman for a change, as Countess Elena said.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:37 PM on September 22, 2008

dance_with_sneetches - Well played!

that's a pretty good fit for the thread Blazecock Pileon referenced, too
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 12:14 PM on September 20, 2008

Great post, great thread.
posted to MetaFilter by batmonkey at 11:23 AM on September 20, 2008