Handyman, I do agree with you about name calling. It seldom wins arguments as you say. However, when people like Melissa Harris-Perry make such idiotic statements, it does feel good to call them something. "Twit" is pretty inoffensive not like more colorful language that could be used. "Twit" is kind of a verbal rolling of the eyeballs.

When morale improves, the beatings will stop.

I have pictures of things that inspire me on my wall. If I were to have a cotton picker on my wall, it would be to remind me of where I came from; it would give me a sense of pride. I would not sit there, swimming in my juices, thinking about something that hasn't been around for 150 years.

Herb, thanks for the reply. I appreciate the advice. I don't spend too much time disparaging myself but wanted it clear that I don't mess with an iconic title like AS without a lot of thought. Original or adapted.
My last favorite President RWR said you can get a lot done around here if you don't care who gets the credit.
As long as I'm thinking about it-no matter where the best idea comes from-I would like to see a vomit, puked, or plain stupid award. I believe we are approaching the tipping point in our country. I believe since the Great Society up to Yale students not knowing what the First Amendment is..... stupid is winning. I think it makes perfect sense for like minded Gulcher's to at least recognize publicly and in a amusing way--the award winner. Frankly I want to see TAS or GG taking some face time and recognition going into not only the election but to start conditioning the potential audience for AS the Mini Series. Spend the next year pointing out this ridiculous illiterate garbage and by the way stay tuned for our TV series..... Maybe wishful thinking

Thanks, Herb;;; I coulda had the mom and dad roles
reversed, also!!! -- j
.

They dislike the phrase "Hard Work" cause the are incapable and put to the test, having been weighed and measured, they'd be found wanting.

It all comes down to them, what they think, what you make them think, because they really believe that their shit doesn't stink.

Suzanne43: thanks for the suggestions. I like the rolling of eyes and walking away parts. Name calling, however, is like an ad hominem quip - they seldom win arguments or wins over others. It's often satisfying, but if one doesn't wish to engage with a reasoned rebuttal, just registering your disagreement then disengaging would seem to work better.

I can surmise the closest Harris-Perry came to hard work is the pictre on the wall. There is no sense of relativity in what she implies, demeaning underprivileged or those who won't work, and those who do really didn't do it on their own. I would consider what she does as non-work, the there was the mention of Republicans, the presumption is that Democrats work. She should be 'super careful' about insulting people who ahve jobs.

MA: I appreciate your comments and understand the impulse to want to dismiss MH-P and those like her. I often do also. Sometimes, though, an inane comment like she made just hooks you the wrong way and you want to vent (or maybe puke like Dennis55 suggested). Sorry if some of my puke spattered onto your monitor!

Using this rant by MH-P as an example, there is a danger in dismissing people who make destructive comments like this. The danger occurs in face-to-face encounters, not in second-hand ones like this. There is nothing we will say here that will ever get back to MH-P, but thinking about this incident serves an instructive purpose for me by providing an incentive to think about ways to respond to such asinine comments if I encounter them face-to-face. That’s why I asked the question about how you Gulchers might respond. I think the worst thing would be to not respond at all. The second worst thing would be to respond with snide or derogatory comments.

The most important thing is to register some kind of disagreement. In many face-to-face encounters, there are often other participants or just listeners. You might not say anything that will change the mind of the perpetrator, but you might of another listener. I ‘m thinking here of the many social situations one finds one’s self in on almost daily a basis. Except for committed hermits, I’m sure these situations arise often. I think of these “situations” as opportunities to let it be knows that the perpetrator’s view isn’t the only one and isn’t valid. They are opportunities to influence others and get them thinking about reasonable alternatives to the tripe that often comes out the mouths of progressives. Teachable moments, one might say.

Dismissing or ignoring destructive comments like MH-P’s carries some dangers – both substantive and tactical. (Again, this applies mostly to in-person encounters.) I’ve sort of addressed the substantive issue above – bad ideas need to be countered. Tactically, it is also mistake. A non-response reinforces to the perp and to anyone else aware of the discussion that the perp is winning. Undermining the validity of a destructive idea should be taken at every opportunity. Another tactical point is that you need to understand your enemy. Not just his ideas, but his tactics. Suggesting that one should not think of people like MH-P (like freedomforall) or take the time to look in on what people on msnbc are saying (like wiggys) and just ignore them concedes the entire battlefield to them.

You didn't need the disparaging remarks about yourself. I quite enjoyed your move into the bizarre. I especially enjoyed your diatribe at the end.

You'll need a special kind of laugh. The kind that starts with your lips vibrating into a chuckle and then a full-fledged, full throated laugh as you turn on your heel and walk merrily away.

I'd never heard of this gal, before, but after watching a couple of her YouTube videos...I wanted to throw up. "Hard worker" reminds her of slavery...?

She truly has to be one of those folks who stay up late, nights, thinking this stuff up.

BULLSEYE again, John.
Productive=hard work=$for all.

We go hungry, they don't get enough widgets.I never understood why that is so hard for them to comprehend. And all the formulas, polemics, and excuses never justify the result.

People like her should be ignored, as you can’t argue with a absolute dolt.

LOL, and that, too.

"hard work" is a trigger warning for "productive" and a
virtue for all those who deserve it! . whether it's a mom
changing a diaper or a dad designing a building, a son
mowing a lawn or a daughter digging a ditch, they are
all productive and deserving of praise. . if it drags up
memories of slaves, it should be thoughts of praise
for people who were productive and valuable! -- j
.