From Orcinus, I've learned a useful new term ("spockoed", referring to using aggressive tactics to shame the right-wing extremists) and that Michael Savage and Ann Coulter are suffering for their calumnies, which is always satisfying. There might be a little too much self-satisfaction, though: I think there's a large enough culture of right-wing extremism to keep them both profitable for a long time to come, and I suspect that knocking down one or two sleaze-artists just means new ones will rise to take their place.
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« Career day at the Discovery Institute preschool | Main | Uh, yeah, I guess I do read some SF now and then »
Kicking 'em where it hurts
Category: Politics
Posted on: March 10, 2007 2:42 PM, by PZ Myers
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Comments
Posted by: TWB | March 10, 2007 2:45 PM
... Or worse, that you spocko one sensationalist and someone much worse takes her place.
Posted by: Carlie | March 10, 2007 3:13 PM
But hopefully, the knocking down of each one will send a little shiver of fear down the small spines of all the wanna-bes who would take their places if they could. Once someone gets tremendously shamed in public for a specific act, it gets more difficult for anyone else to get away with that exact same act. It may be chipping away at a mountain, but every little bit helps.
Posted by: fred | March 10, 2007 3:13 PM
WORSE THAN ANN???????
:
I shudder.
Posted by: Kansas Gang of Four | March 10, 2007 3:21 PM
Hw r ths "scntfc" pblctns nd bk cmng, PZ?
Hhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: Ktesibios | March 10, 2007 3:28 PM
I sonewhat agree with Carlie, but I think the really important point is being missed here. It isn't likely that we'll suffer a serious shortage of lunatic hatefreaks in society anytime soon nor that such people will stop spewing bile in some way, since anyone with a computer and basic literacy can start a blog.
What matters is that the major media, and their advertisers, get the idea that spittle-flecked lunacy isn't the saleable commodity it used to be. Spockoing the worst of them helps to accomplish that.
Posted by: CalGeorge | March 10, 2007 3:32 PM
Seven newspapers do not a big dent in a reputation make.
Nice to hear, though.
Posted by: Eamon Knight | March 10, 2007 4:13 PM
So, they're looking for another female wingnut to take Coulter's place? Paging Debbie Schlussel.....
(Here's a chuckle: I couldn't recall her last name just now, so I googled 'debbie wingnut' -- and 9 of the first 10 hits were for her).
Posted by: Zeno | March 10, 2007 4:26 PM
Melanie Morgan is another Coulter wannabe, but she has the distinction of being one of the first to deservedly get spockoed.
Posted by: Norman Doering | March 10, 2007 5:25 PM
Ktesibios wrote:
"...anyone with a computer and basic literacy can start a blog."
Hey! I resemble that remark! (well, except for that basic literacy thing):
http://normdoering.blogspot.com/
The major media and their advertisers may get you money, but I bet Andrew Sullivan's blog has more influence than Ann Coulter because she is always preaching to the choir, but Sullivan can make converts.
"... spittle-flecked lunacy isn't the saleable commodity it used to be."
If you want a commodity -- check out how long Harris' and Dawkins' books have been on the best seller list. Why ain't the media taking note? Do they have an agenda besides money?
Posted by: QrazyQat | March 10, 2007 6:33 PM
For those who don't know, Spockoed refers specifically, or especially, to using the rightwinger's own words to hang them with -- just show people what they're saying. It refers to a blogger, Spocko, who did just this with Disney's support of rightwing talk radio. Here's a kos story on it (Spocko had legal troubles with a "chilling effect" attack by Disney, but all he did was point out what their people were saying on the air).
Posted by: Steve_C | March 10, 2007 7:06 PM
GUATEMALA CITY - Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group said Thursday.
"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture," Juan Tiney, the director of a Mayan nongovernmental organization with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders, said Thursday.
Join the club my mayan brothers.
Posted by: Mooser | March 11, 2007 1:45 PM
I would hardly call quoting someone their words which they promulgated over a public broadcasting network or in a public speech "agressive"!