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UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
Mr. Bauder, I think you are a great moderator, but before you doff the black robes and take up the gavel, let's make sure you understand what kind of "stone throwing" you are protecting. Below you will find an admittedly cherrypicked and abridged list of PistolPete's "greatest hits." I have not included all. One of the first posts from him on this site contains a link to a sign that says "F**k N****rs!" There was no call for it. I do believe in 99% of speech being unrestricted, and should add that I have NEVER reported a single post to admin for removal. I think it is more important to get it all out there and see it for what it is. The kind of "stone throwing" I referred to is baseless personal attack, in lieu of true dialogue and supported opinion. Basically, Pete's point about free speech is that he should be able to say whatever he wants, with no consequences. He typically slings personal insults and racist/misogynistic epithets in lieu of real thinking in discussion. When he does provide a semblance of the latter, it is generally in the form of a red herring, or reductionist thinking that does not allow for reasonable exchange of ideas. He does not truly listen to an interlocutor, or respond point by point. He just reacts from the gut, and without provocation, hurls baseless insults. Useful Context: At some point, there was what seems to be a genuine change. Pete posted blogs to let us in on why he is such a bitter, angry character, and gave posters the chance to connect with him as a human being. I was one of the first to jump in there and embrace him, and encourage him to continue to write in therapeutic fashion. My reward? I found out yesterday that I have the H1N1 virus, which is making me unable to take my usual injections for an autoimmune condition. Instead of expressing, however briefly, any kind of sympathy, Pete decided to jeer at what he perceives to be mass hysteria over swine flu, stating he doesn't "believe" it exists. Hence my comments about narcissism. It appears that while Pete has great need for others to understand and empathize with trauma in his own past, it does not seem that he is able to truly empathize with others, based on the evidence of his postings over the last couple of months on the Reader site. I leave it to you, Mr. Bauder, to determine the usefulness of PistolPete's rhetorical legacy:— October 16, 2009 1:52 p.m.
Rare Burgers? Rarely
Two more cooking questions for Ms Wise or whoever might like to answer--maybe FullFlavorPike? 1) I have also been thinking about putting dried Montmorency cherries and some nuts into the wild rice cooked in stock, but need to figure out the proper seasoning for a fruited rice. 2) I'd also like to do some fruit glazes or sauces with a gamey fish like salmon or a totally fatty fish like swordfish. A cherry demi-glace, for example, but reduced down with what alcohol? Bourbon? The sauce should complement, but not overpower the fish...— October 16, 2009 5:13 a.m.
UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
"Most of what he says, as I pointed out to him, is merely posturing." And that goes to my point about honesty and opinion. I see that Pete postures and brags constantly; he is very focused in on himself, and then when he says that he is 'humble,' it makes me laugh in disbelief. He is a total narcissist, and they are not known for being completely honest--they are known for being concerned with creating public images of themselves; something Pete is continuously doing, building on his 'character' for us. Yes, he has used phrases of politeness lately, apologizing to people here and there, but why should he need to apologize all of the time? It is disingenuous; he means what he says the first time, and had the satisfaction of blurting it out, just as a child does, with no thought to others' feelings. Yes, I do hope I am totally wrong about that. I would just need to see some real proof. As you say, let's see what happens...— October 16, 2009 5 a.m.
Bonus Blog: Funny Things Cats Do
I'll try to be more diligent about learning such things, because it would be nice to post some pictures with the blogs, including one of Mica. I might do a cat blog, who knows? And I still have to do the celebrity romance, and one about my grandmother I've been thinking of doing, too. I wish I could just slam them out the way some of you people do, and be more consistently entertaining, but for some reason, just can't.— October 16, 2009 4:40 a.m.
UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
I hope cooler heads prevail in the morning, because you two have had productive--and caring--communication in the past. xoxox SD— October 16, 2009 4:34 a.m.
UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
Why don't we talk about exactly where lies the source of contention here? The conversation was about Rush Limbaugh. CuddleFish is of the opinion that he is a racist doing damage with his rhetoric, and refried counters that Limbaugh is just capitalizing on the popularity of right-wing sensationalism with the shock jock stuff. Am I correct so far? And then...— October 16, 2009 4:17 a.m.
UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
Whoa, people. I have a lot of respect for the two of you, and know that it can be worked out with the kind of intelligent dialogue and non-stone throwing gringo mentioned, and the perfect imperfection invoked by Cuddle--right? :) :) :)— October 16, 2009 4:13 a.m.
Bonus Blog: Funny Things Cats Do
I don't know how to post a picture here. I am about as handy with computers as your cats :) It looks like when AG posts a pic, she makes an html link to a file somehow. ERg.— October 16, 2009 4:01 a.m.
Bonus Blog: Funny Things Cats Do
Right now he, the pasha, is splayed out on his back with back feet sticking out in opposite directions, furry tummy proudly displayed, and then his big mitten paws crossed as though in prayer.— October 16, 2009 3:54 a.m.
UCSD's Gary Jacobson frets about polarization
PS: I agree that opinions can be wrong. Opinions can be based on misinformation or expressed with duplicitious intent. So of course they can be as wrong as any other kind of statement. If we get really deep, we can say that there is no such thing as a fact, but we may not want to get that deep ;)— October 16, 2009 3:49 a.m.