To the People
We laugh because we don't know how else to react. If you didn't post offesive stuff (like the NSFW crack-whoring), you wouldn't have an edge.
Keep it up.
For what it's worth I obviously don't wish that Vollmer's sister or anyone else had actually died. It was a joke* to emphasize the fact that I'm sick and tired of people abusing our legal system. To sue Bacardi in this instance is an outrage. Such lawsuits do not belong in a free society and we should cast scorn on those who seek to take advantage of others in this way. I understand that the victims went through intense suffering and will carry that suffering for life. They also probably have huge medical bills. But just like robbing your neighbor's house to compensate for your house being robbed by someone else is morally wrong so is this lawsuit, and I'm not ashamed to say so.
*I'm not saying it was a good joke.
CROSS-POSTED AT Nobody's Business
Rob wrote: "But I can't imagine a day where we didn't offend someone out there. I wouldn't want that day to come, truthfully, because it means we are dull, boring and serve very little purpose in existing."
Really? I've certainly offended my share of people, sometimes deliberately (or at least skating right on up to the edge of deliberateness), but I can't say that my day is shite if I don't hurt or antagonize someone. In fact, I think that attitude's messed up.
And for the record, there are multitudes of great bloggers and other writers out there who rarely rip people gratuitously and who manage to be anything but "dull, boring."
I like TtP, and I've guest-blogged for you guys and it was fun, but I'd like this place even better if especially Cicero were just a little less hellbent on anonymously lobbing all manner of (often misogynistic) verbal grenades. Sometimes I laugh (I'm as juvenile as the next guy), but mostly I cringe. My point, Cicero: If you only hit the mark 20 percent of the time (YMMV), it might be time to choose more suitable weapons. Think darts, not bombs.
And why blog anonymously? I think you'd do better without a nom de plûme. You've skewered politicians and other 'official' miscreants for lack of transparency and accountability, so why not offer those fine qualities yourself? To misquote Ronald Reagan: Mr. Cicero, tear down that mask!
[I'm not trying to pick a fight, and if my words don't resonate in the slightest, just ignore them, that won't offend me. But hey, since offending is what you're after, take my advice, and see if THAT gets me all riled up! You never know! 
]
Well, I can't think of anything misogynistic I've ever said but point taken. My whole goal is to say things other people don't to make people enjoy this blog. But if people are tired of my antics I can stop. As for the nom de plume, Cicero is a character. An invention not a cover. Totally different than the actor who plays me. Even to the point of some political views differing.
Rogier, I'm not sure you actually read any of what I wrote...
Rob wrote: "But I can't imagine a day where we didn't offend someone out there. I wouldn't want that day to come, truthfully, because it means we are dull, boring and serve very little purpose in existing."Where to start?
Really? I've certainly offended my share of people, sometimes deliberately (or at least skating right on up to the edge of deliberateness), but I can't say that my day is shite if I don't hurt or antagonize someone. In fact, I think that attitude's messed up.
First, what I wrote -- "But I can't imagine a day where we didn't offend someone out there. I wouldn't want that day to come, truthfully, because it means we are dull, boring and serve very little purpose in existing."
I’m talking about blog, not myself, and certainly not for anyone else who has or currently writes her. My day isn't shit -- to use your words -- if we haven't offended someone that day. I was merely making a point that if we weren't offending people, whether it’s their sensibilities, or their feelings then we probably are boring. Dull. Not fun to read. As an irreverent, blog, that among other things likes follow pop culture, and vice issues like drugs, sex, etc, it probably wouldn't serve us to boring or dull. The blog would lose its point of existence. It would cease to be what it is. That’s all I meant.
Clearly you and me have a different perspective, which is fine, but I don’t see offending people as such a bad thing. “Offending” someone doesn’t involve wishing that his or her sister was dead in every case. You know that. You can offend people with language and content, or even just an opinion. It’s not always, “You’re a fat cow, and I hope you die.” I agree with you in that case -- you shouldn’t set out on your day looking to hurt people like that and for the most part we don’t.
I’m not going to sit here and list the ways we offend people. That would be silly. But I think we could agree that we do not just offending people with our insults and barbs. Opinions, language, etc…If you don’t believe me, I’ll forward the e-mail. Let’s just not act like “offending” someone is a blanket definition for insulting them personally. I certainly wasn’t using the term in that way.
Only thing I'm ever going to say about this:
The only person I can think of who's happy about this: Matt Vollmer.
Rogier: I love your blog. And it doesn't offend me.
Rob: I love your blog. And it doesn't offend me.
I do have to speak out in favor of anonymous blogging, however. Of course I agree that blogging under your real name allows greater credibility than blogging under a pen name. But who doesn't?
Not everyone can blog under the cover of his/her real name and post pictures of his/her kids online. In my case, I work for a large corporation who may or may not fire my punk ass for blogging about its policy on homosexual relationships or (coming soon) stupid smoking policy.
The point is: I don't doubt that you should have more credibility if you can blog under your real name. Not everyone can or should. Whether it's for good reasons, bad reasons, or no reasons at all is not important. Take it at face value, I guess. Let the "marketplace" of blogs decide.
Anyway, I just thought I'd comment on something I don't really have the expertise to comment on. But that's the beautiful thing about blogs.
I'm happy about this. What's the point of having a forum if you're not going to discuss this sort of thing. The beauty of the internet is that I could be a guy named Terrence sitting in his living room, or I could be a 300 lb Russian transvestite posting from an internet cafe in Georgia, you don't know. All that matters is that one makes a salient point that furthers the conversation.
The ability to be anonymous is a fantastic thing, and shouldn't take away from anybodies argument.
Also, its because of Matt Vollmer that I started reading this blog, so good things can come out of angry people...or something.
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