All In Good Fun?
By Mitch Berg
Brodkorb notes a Robin Marty post at MN Campaign Report:
This post from MN Campaign Report is so insensitive and extreme:
“If God took out New Orleans because of the homosexuals, why’d he go after the boyscout camp? (Note: I can make fun of it because my cousin was there [he’s fine], your mileage may vary).” Source: MN Campaign Report, June 12, 2008
Er, sorry, Robin, but no, you can’t; having a cousin there doesn’t buy you a pass on this one.
The notion that anyone would say G*d “went after” either place “because of” gays, scouts, or anything else is as noxious to most Christians as the events themselves were horrifying.
The difference? I don’t know a single credible conservative commentator who didn’t slap their head in transferred embarassment at the whole “Katrina was a punishment for gays” thing. The impossibly vast majority of us are very loathe to try to tell our Creator what his motivations are.
Being the optimistic sort that I am, I’m going to cross my fingers and hope that the post was really just random characters her baby pecked, inadvertently and yet miraculously, into the keyboard. Or perhaps Rew is woozy from spit-up fumes. I’ve been there and seen what it can do; perhaps that is an example of one’s brain on eau de garf.
The interesting part, I suspect, is going to be seeing which leftybloggers leap to MCR’s defense, and their rationalizations for trying to turn this on my friend and radio colleague Brodkorb. That is going to be fun to watch.
UPDATE: Of course, Gary’s right:
Robin’s faux paus does not reveal a black soul — only a misbegotten lampoon.
And I sincerely hope nobody reads my post to imply anything more than that, as well!
June 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
“The notion that anyone would say G*d “went after” either place “because of” gays, scouts, or anything else is as noxious to most Christians as the events themselves were horrifying.”
Right. That is what makes the joke work. If you really think God went after the Scouts to punish them, then I don’t see how it works as a joke. The whole point is to highlight the absurdity of saying God would go after anyone, gays, Scouts, and ect.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I can make fun of it because I own a helmet and have a son!
June 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
The interesting part, I suspect, is going to be seeing which leftybloggers leap to MCR’s defense, and their rationalizations for trying to turn this on my friend and radio colleague Brodkorb.
Actually Bodell (blogging from the road) already did that on MCR. Guy’s a class act all the way.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
That is what makes the joke work.
Er, no. I “get” it, but the joke does not work.
The whole point is to highlight the absurdity of saying God would go after anyone, gays, Scouts, and ect
It looks to me like the “whole” point is to go “look, bitter gun-clinging bible-thumping jesus freaks! This ‘anti-gay’ “christianist’ group got theirs, just like New Orleans and the gays did! Isn’t that ironic?”
Anyway – dead kids are never, ever, ever funny.
On this, I will brook no debate.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
“your mileage may vary”=you may have a relative who died, unlike me. My cousin is safe so on with the political statement. Crass and tasteless. And she was the one who got her undies in a bunch when Swiftee did the joke about her embryo wearing a helmet? Seems like it only matters when it’s about her. Or her cousin.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
The notion that anyone would say G*d “went after” either place “because of” gays, scouts, or anything else is as noxious to most Christians as the events themselves were horrifying.
Mitch, it’s been a pretty old question that Christians have asked – “why did God allow this to happen? – What did we do wrong?” Pretending that it isn’t a question any longer in whatever situation – among conservative Christians or liberal Christians- isn’t really true. I don’t know of a single Conservative spiritual leader (who is reasonably credible) – who has made such nonsensical statement as “Gays caused this”, but it’s long been a staple of discussion that “god is punishing us.” Suggesting that sentiment no longer exists is silly, and this person’s contrast between saying God may be punishing us (in one breath) – and that it doesn’t jibe with this kind of tragedy – is simply pointing out that ‘punishment’ is a canard. It’s what you said (I agree) – but saying the idea (of punishment) is dead, is not accurate.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Mitch:
“It looks to me like the “whole” point is to go “look, bitter gun-clinging bible-thumping jesus freaks! This ‘anti-gay’ “christianist’ group got theirs, just like New Orleans and the gays did! Isn’t that ironic?””
Well I suppose you could feel that way if you are mean spirited and unwilling to think charitable thoughts. Do you really think Robin thinks the Scouts got theirs because God wanted to punish homophobia? If that was the case why not just say ‘God killed the Scouts because they banned gays’.
The whole point of the Hagee reference is that in this moment of sorrow we can all join together to mock one really stupid preacher.
“dead kids are never, ever, ever funny” Maybe, but John Hagee is really funny. But seriously, what about kids with cancer? Kids in pain? Would the Three Stooges not be funny if they were kids? How old does a corpse have to be before you can make fun of a dead person? Painful tragic situations are the lifeblood of comedy.
“Er, no. I “get” it, but the joke does not work.”
A very interesting phenomenon. A wise philosopher once said:
http://americanphilosophy.blogspot.com/2006/07/ted-cohen-jokes-after-reading_06.html
“jokes provide reassurance that we are like each other, and that we have similar values and interests and find the same things funny”
I think just maybe, although you condem Hagee, you do not want to admit you might share some values with people like Robin.
That Obama blog of yours may be starting to wear off on you.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
It looks to me like the “whole” point is to go “look, bitter gun-clinging bible-thumping jesus freaks! This ‘anti-gay’ “christianist’ group got theirs, just like New Orleans and the gays did! Isn’t that ironic?”
No apparently you don’t ‘get it’- apparently you felt compelled to suggest this guy/gal was suggesting something horribly ugly, and I think you know pretty well that’s EXACTLY NOT what this person was saying – but instead was saying the ‘punishment’ canard is stupid – it was stupid about Katrina – it’s stupid here. You instead choose to ignore the duplicity that WAS the point, and accuse the person of saying exactly the opposite of what he/she was saying.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
but it’s long been a staple of discussion that “god is punishing us.” Suggesting that sentiment no longer exists is silly
The sentiment no longer exists in the mainstream of Christianity. God doesn’t “punish” us. He redeems us.
God may allow people to punish themselves, and He certainly doesn’t interfere in people punishing each other. One more simple fact that this tragedy displays profoundly:
Humans are not outside of Nature, nor are we immune to it’s laws irregardless of creed.
It’s a simple fact those who are not people of faith misapprehend about people of faith.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Damn it, penigma, learn how to quote!
June 12th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
In the spirit of charity and while I wait for my earlier comment to post, let me just add that I think there is one audience with a legitimate complaint about the joke. The joke does challenge the religious and political beliefs of those opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage. While a fine thing to do with the general public, it is not something you should do with the families and local community members in Iowa. With them politics and religion should take a back seat to sympathy and comfort. So while OK for a MN blog post, it is not a joke you a strange ought to run around Iowa telling in the next couple of months.
June 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I understand your point, Rick.
I disagree, but I understand it.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Mitch:
“I disagree”
OK Why?
Are we to close in time/space to the event?
June 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
RickDFL:
OK, so dead kids are funny to you with enough distance in time/space? Wow. Disgusting.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Troy:
“Comedy is tragedy plus time”
Generally attributed to Carrol Burnett.
Dead kids are never funny, but jokes that reference dead kids can be funny in some circumstances. So too infidelity, war, and racial prejudice are never funny, but they are great subject for jokes.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“So too infidelity, war, and racial prejudice are never funny, but they are great subject for jokes.”
Sorry Troy should have used examples closer to home for you like impotence and incontinence – they are never funny, but great subjects for jokes.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Mitch:
“I understand your point, Rick.
I disagree, but I understand it. ”
Did I miss a reference to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdv0q6FHPZg&feature=related
If so, damm clever, you deserve a tip of the hat.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Troy,
When someone choses to actually say how to quote in these comments, or to italicize, I’ll be happy to, rather than simply insulting.
BTW, Mitch, do you know who Rick is? I mean, I’m reasonably confident his last name isn’t DFL – so I guess that makes him a scared kitten too, and AC, and for that matter, Troy, since his last name isn’t used.
To that end, I’ll say this, Mitch, First, I don’t trust your twisted little sychophants – certainly not lunatics like AK- and I’m sure as hell not compelled to tell them my name.
However, if that level of prudence makes me a scared kitty – well, as opposed to being a gutless hack who doesn’t have the guts to make his outrageous comments in a venue where he’ll actually be held accountable, and where, if he makes comments like “Anti-semitism is a key tenet of the left”, he’ll get shown the door, where he isn’t allowed to call people liars, and then bloviate about his honor. In short, where he doesn’t whine and cry in a place of his safe little cocoon – and has to account for his words.
So yeah, Mitch, in the choice between you and I, I’d happily be the cat, while you’ve obviously elected to be the puss. And just for the record, Mitch, I don’t read your every jot – and you’re no psychologist – but thanks for the armchair diagnosis. I suppose you were just kidding about that comment too, and calling me a liar, how about that one?
You’re a real class act.. when you’re not on the air, or writing on this blog. Maybe you should take a break for a while – it might help you.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
“The joke does challenge the religious and political beliefs of those opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage.”
Right. Every brain dead asshole that looks to Robin Marty for wisdom is shaking their empty heads and clucking…”Yup, she’s done it again”.
Glad to see that you “got it” too.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Peev\leftover\penema\whatever he’s calling himself today ventured:
“I don’t trust your twisted little sychophants ……and I’m sure as hell not compelled to tell them my name.”
That’s right little man, you just keep your keyboard up and your pointed little head down…everyone will take you more seriously that way.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I don’t trust your twisted little sychophants
Now THAT’S rich, seeing as how repeatedly Peev has shown just how psychiatricly unstable he is, at least as it applies to his rampant narcissism and obsessive compulsive leanings. Let’s just say I’m glad he’s chosen to focus his symptoms here, on Mitch’s blog couch, rather than someplace else I enjoy online.
At least the majority of Mitch’s lilliputians recognize blogs and comments are little more than interesting work diversions between completing tasks; Peev views it all as vein-poppingly important battlegrounds from which he must, must, MUST vent his impotent, though prolific, rage.
Plus, Peev does a lot of drugs and touches children, so that’s why I comment pseudonymously.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Hey, now the Lefties out there are blaming Global Warming for killing the Scouts, too. http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport I guess invoking one religion called for invoking another.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Peev/Penigma/Hasslington/Elmer Fudd Gantry instructed Mitch:
Maybe you should take a break for a while – it might help you.
Physician, heal thyself.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Maybe you should take a break for a while – it might help you..
Actually, you are going to take a break for a while. It it is going to do everyone – not the least of all you – a lot of good.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Thank you Mitch
June 12th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
peevish:
Use quote marks, or italics, or ANYTHING that would make it less painful to read.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
RickDFL:
So you think Carol was thinking tragedy plus maybe a day or so? Pretty damn dense, sir.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
What MoN said, Mitch.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:14 am
The sentiment no longer exists in the mainstream of Christianity. God doesn’t “punish” us. He redeems us.
God may allow people to punish themselves, and He certainly doesn’t interfere in people punishing each other. One more simple fact that this tragedy displays profoundly:
Humans are not outside of Nature, nor are we immune to it’s laws irregardless of creed
Trebec: A Lutheran.
Jeapordy Contestant: What is Kermit?
June 13th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Troy:
“So you think Carol was thinking tragedy plus maybe a day or so?”
I don’t know. I suppose it varies with circumstances. But now that you have climbed down from ‘never’ to ‘not so soon’, how long should Robin have waited? I can not be too long because than the story is out of mind and the no one will get the joke.
June 13th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Trebec: A Lutheran.
Jeapordy Contestant: What is Kermit?
June 13th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Peev/Penigma/Hasslington/Penigma/Mikey/Molly/Jbaueer/PB,
Although you can’t respond, I’m going to leave a comment anyway.
Yes, I disabled your account(s). I have no problem with people disagreeing with me; Fulcrum and DiscoStooj always add a lot to the discussion; RickDFL falls back on condescenscion and talking points too fast for my taste, but I value the challenge he occasionally provides. TimInStP snarks first and asks questions later, but – this is important – he leaves comments. He doesn’t seem to see this blog as his mission, the platform from which he feels the need to beat back the “night” (that’d be me, naturally) with hundreds and hundreds of thousand-word, meandering screeds. And as tart as he is, he doesn’t take the tone of the entire site down with him.
So go work on your own blog for a while. Maybe your perspective will either develop a bit, or at least you can take some of that anger out on your own bandwidth. (Or you and Hasslington’s? I dunno).
June 13th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Although I’m in the middle of a blogging hiatus, maybe I’ll create a post that Peev\leftover\penema\what ever he’s calling himself today can conduct an in-depth comment thread with all of his ,i>nom de plume’s.
It’d be nice and quiet for them.
June 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
RickDFL:
You are quite dense, sir.
I “climbed down” from nothing. I asked what time period you thought the comedy “authority” you appealed to meant by in their quote and nothing more. You say you don’t know, and I appreciate your honesty, but also note that you write on may things of which you seem to know little.