Side Dishes

Let's see...

Shall we have salmon with our mercury?
Shall we have chicken with our antibiotics?
Shall we have water with our arsenic?
Shall we have television with our commercials?
Shall we have democracy with our corporate-fascism?
Shall we have conservatism with our obstruction?
Shall we have liberalism with our timidity?
Shall we have nutrition with our genetically modified foods?
Shall we have tolerance with our xenophobia?
Shall we have sense with our faith?
Shall we have restraint with our greed?
Shall we have reason with our fear?
Shall we have enlightenment with our education?
Shall we have moderation with our gluttony?
Shall we have rationality with our defense?
Shall we have air with our smog?
Shall we have care with our discarded elderly?
Shall we have sanity with our fringe?
Shall we have thrift with our profligacy?
Shall we have humility with our pride?
Shall we have hope with our inevitable ruin?

I'm starving.

 

Follow Steven Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@TheStevenWeber

Comments

[ALipschitz]

12:40 AM on 08/23/2010

Hi Steven,

Quagmire is right. Wings was awesome!

[annschneider1]

08:13 PM on 08/20/2010

Steven...love that you are here.

[Steven Weber]

07:10 PM on 08/20/2010

TO ALL READERS: I feel I must apologize to you. I have, in the last several blogs, engaged in an overly personal exchange with several people who have posted comments. The tone of these exchanges, while contentious, was generally affable but did occasionally veer into nastiness.

As the writer of these blogs and a low-level preacher of civility I pretty much violated whatever principles I occasionally try to express (but which are far more frequently expressed with greater depth and eloquence by a number of regular commentors---you know who you are) and for that I humbly ask forgiveness. This should be a safe place for anyone, regardless of their opinions, to be.

So, that's it. Carry on and thanks for listening.

Weber

[JohnLorenzo]

07:22 PM on 08/20/2010

Very well put Steven. But personally I enjoy your posts and your rapier sense of humor. Ah, shucks, you know that!

[alowe31]

08:03 PM on 08/20/2010

I, sir, in turn apologize to you for all my previous posts. I have been shi***** on you on a regular basis, and for that I am sorry. You are an excellent actor and a superb debator. While not agreeing with your views, I will never doubt your sincerity. Have an excellent weeknd!

[Steven Weber]

08:49 PM on 08/20/2010

C'mere, you big lug...

[DOGnIT]

06:55 PM on 08/20/2010

Oh and here's another little factoid for those who buy into this gem of Conservative talkers that the teachers union is ruining our education system: The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916. This is irrefutable. So stop blaming the unions for today's broken education system and help solve the problem of future generations of uneducated and manipulated minds.

[DOGnIT]

06:42 PM on 08/20/2010

Oh and read this for more perspective on our changing perception of words: The word "Gringo"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gringo

[DOGnIT]

06:35 PM on 08/20/2010

Since Steven is such an excellent "wordsmith" I became even more driven to find out why the meanings of words change. Example "Gringo". It means "foreigner" in Spanish. If you look it up though you will find other offerings including that it is derogatory. Hence a long search for the root of this problem. It does wind up coming down to politics as most things do.

I found a really interesting assessment of "wordsmithing" and dictionaries in the *gasp!* New York Times entitled "Wordsmiths: They Also Serve Who Only Vote on ‘Ain’t’ ". Read it and learn a bit more about the disconnect: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/23/books/23word.html

[BethS]

05:59 PM on 08/20/2010

Why does kams always dominate here? I, for one, don't appreciate the thread being hijacked and used to "argue" beliefs and opinions not relevant to the topic. kams-get a church and "go and make disciples"...that is what Jesus commanded-it is evident that this is not your pulpit. To continue makes it all about YOU and not about Him you say you believe in. Please-can't we just move fward now and really ignore her?

[kams]

06:30 PM on 08/20/2010

Why do you care? Generally, activity on new posts lasts about 2 or 3 days. ( And I don't make of the subject comments in those 2 or 3 days.) Then people move on to new posts. What is the harm in trading views on a blog where the initial subject has run it's course and the post is pretty much "dead"? I don't get when people (liberals) make these complaints. Well, no, I do get it. You don't like what I'm saying so you want to silence me. And when others respond to my comments it's because they want to. Why do you want to stop people from doing what they want? I truly don't know what I'm doing wrong.

[ChrisDWard]

10:10 PM on 08/20/2010

Spirited debate with informed people of differing opinions is always interesting. Unfortunately, kams, you do not come across as informed - you are just disagreeable, contrary, obstinate in the face of reason, and think you know it all because God is on your side. There are probably other reasons, but that's enough to start with.

[MsMassachusetts]

01:48 PM on 08/21/2010

Dr. Laura, is that you? Another First Amendment victim. So sad. Too bad.

[JohnLorenzo]

07:30 PM on 08/20/2010

I hear ya Beth.

But you know, the strange thing is, kams is actually welcome here on HP. I admit, welcome like an annoying sister that becomes contrary every time you talk to her. Sorry, kams, but it's the truth from my perspective.

If liberals try and post calm points of view on conservative sites they get much worse treatment than kams ever has gotten here. That alone basically proves a great deal of what we liberals here say most of the time. Tolerance anyone?

[DOGnIT]

04:57 PM on 08/20/2010

I left this thread to read emails and found a link leading to a link to a trailer I caught in the movie theater last night. It's a documentary called "Waiting for Superman". I just watched it again so I could post it on facebook and wound up in tears thinking about how what is in that documentary relates so completely to kams and people who think like kams.

Here's the trailer. Grab a hankie..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awirom2bh0s

[alowe31]

02:56 PM on 08/20/2010

Wordsmithee, I'm sitting here in my office browsing over your responses to some of the people on here. I see a pattern here that when someone disagreeds with you, you get very nasty. I understand you getting all pissy with me, I have no problem with it. I am jerking your chain. But, your responses down below in regards to someon's religious beliefs are, in my opinion, over the line. I'm not saying the person is correct in their statements about religion, but, hey, man, lighten up. No need to go overboard about someon's religious beliefs. Crap all you want on me, I'm just here for s**** & giggles, but when someone has a difference of opinion about religion, try taking the high road every once in a while. You may be surprised at how much more effective your arguements may be.

[DOGnIT]

01:48 AM on 08/20/2010

Please ignore kams people. This person is ignorant and has lots of time to kill.

http://www.usconstitution.net/constnot.html

[Pjbf]

12:12 PM on 08/20/2010

You can’t convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it’s based on a deep seated need to believe.

[Pjbf]

12:22 PM on 08/20/2010

“You can’t convince a believer of anything;
for their belief is not based on evidence,
it’s based on a deep seated need to believe.“
— Carl Sagan

[Social Construct]

06:19 PM on 08/19/2010

Well, the silver lining to all of this, both the contents of the blog post and the ensuing commentary, is that it's never boring. Keep on agitatin', Steven Weber.

[alowe31]

06:47 PM on 08/18/2010

Shall we...delete the posts of those who disagree with us???
Shall we...encourage honest debate with those who see things differently?


1) But of course we shal..Who dares to disopute me...
2) NAHHH ...they aren't as smart as we liberals!
What a joke you bloviators are out there inn LA-LA Land...Too much sun!

[Steven Weber]

07:39 PM on 08/18/2010

Who deleted your posts? Me, tough guy? ME? Another uninformed bit of spew. La-La Land! Go sleep it off, Otis...

[alowe31]

07:42 PM on 08/18/2010

We think you doth protest too much...

[TomR]

01:07 AM on 08/19/2010

My best guess is the moderators deleted the entire thread because it started with you resorting to an Ad Hominem attack (name calling) against Steven Weber. I didn't flag it as abusive and I responded to what you wrote. But alas, now all of our messages are gone.

The Trees by Rush:

There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their please.

The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.

There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZiDME3bajU

- Tom

[NoFactsJustTruth]

06:09 PM on 08/18/2010

Shall we have conditional circumstances with our Rule of Law?

Apparently, if it's spying on OUR citizens, breaking treaties or committing war crimes...

[kams]

02:20 PM on 08/18/2010

"Shall we have television with our commercials?"

So true! And logic says it's only going to get worse. But at least that forces advertisers to come up with more entertaining commercials... and Geico is (was) doing an excellent job I have to say.. I miss the cavemen!

Shall we have coffee with our sugar?
And from the lefties... shall we have socialism with our "democracy"?

[Steven Weber]

07:40 PM on 08/18/2010

Yes! We shall have some aspects of socialism with our democracy!

[rebt]

08:07 PM on 08/18/2010

The country would be healthier with more social interventions. We already have a tried and true social program... "social security".. . The current conservative movement, born of the Narcissistic DNA is ignorant of how socialism and democracy can blend for the betterment of all.

[kams]

11:54 PM on 08/18/2010

I do agree that SOME social programs would be good but not so much that our liberties begin to steadily slip away. Which is exactly what Obama and co. are clearly doing. I think what I should have said was... "shall we have democracy with our socialism?" or "democracy in our present "democratic" administration"? Anyway... another great article.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

07:52 PM on 08/18/2010

"Lefties"...???..."socialism"....??
Are you hoping to provoke from liberals more than a knowing chuckle at closed-mindedness?

OK.
How anyone NOT in the top 2% of wealth in OUR country can be so disconnected to say anything benefitting MOST of 'society', and NOT just that greediest top 2%, should be labeled as 'socialism' - and therefore dismissed out of hand - is beyond me?
Such words from the republican'ts in CONgress - already BOUGHT by those wealthiest 2% is expected, but from ANY of the other 98% it's pure hypocrisy, blind or not, to imply what's best for the wealthiest is ALWAYS what's best for OUR country, or that any liberal program that's real help for everyone is in fact (be afraid now) 'socialism'. That's just the BIG LIE of a proven FAILED ray gun 'capitalism', and has absolutely zero to do with OUR ‘democracy’. But I'm betting you already knew that and are only sight challenged by choice, anyway. What was the GWB initiated bail-out of 2008 losse$ by those wealthiest if not 'socialism', or more correctly 'communism for the rich'.
Do you also call yourself 'Christian' while spitting this meanness on the poor and those in need, or just close your eyes and tell yourself they’re faking?
Can you find ‘Christian’ OR ‘capitalism’ in OUR Constitution?

Tell us again how returning to the FAILED policies of republican'ts will help OUR country somehow, while conveniently forgetting how we got here - no doubt.

[rebt]

08:18 PM on 08/18/2010

NoFactsJustTruth, I am going to agree with you with conviction. However, I would look at your observation regarding, .......GWB initiated bail-out of 2008 loose$ by those wealthiest if not "socialism," or more correctly 'communism for the rich." I respect your perspective. But in my view it is pure FASCISM that GWB was practicing with his decisions.

[kams]

12:05 AM on 08/19/2010

Can you find "socialism" in our constitution? Our Constitution is about freedom and the democrats are not. It's that simple. You whine about the top 2%. If the top 2% are not FREE to obtain their wealth then NONE of us are. THAT'S the point! The very point that the liberal left can't seem to grasp. You all need to stop being so concerned about the "2%", (they are none of your business).... and just focus on making your OWN fortune.... not take it from those that did.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

10:27 AM on 08/18/2010

Under the category of 'sense with faith'...
Shall we have even a hint of Christian remorse with the a winger's daily lies and blatant hypocrisy?

It could be a long wait. Let's eat.