By Michael J. Smith on Thursday June 15, 2006 12:44 PM
I don't know whether other folks are finding this billmon exchange as amusing as I am. If not, tell me. Here's the latest:
Editor's note: billmon, or whoever this is, apparently objects to our publishing "private correspondence." This is a little tricky. Normally we wouldn't do it, but when the correspondence is mere abuse, respect for its privacy tends to drop. As well, the exchange started with a public comment in pretty much the same tone as the correspondence, so... Ed. is not losing much sleep over this particular moral quandary.
From: J S Paine ... Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 2:56 PM To: billmon Subject: faux billmons still think you're a faux billmon my reason for pushing this another step is to prevent a response that is unwarranted or i should say misdirected because though a worthy crtique its not from THE billmon legendary blogger strikes me the "real" billmon might well agree...more or less.... with the negative currency of the faux billmon squib shotz but why can't i free my mind of the notion the "real" would if anything use an instrument less blunt as a further source of unsettlement i notice in my non geek benightedness there seems to be two billmon e mail addresses floating about is that a clue to faux-ness ????
From: "billmon" ... Reply-To: billmon@verizon.net To: J S Paine... Subject: RE: faux billmons Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:21:51 -0400 Oh no, it's me all right -- and someone at your pathetic blog must believe it, since they've already posted our private email correspondence. As for the "bluntness" of my response, that's usually how I react when assholes compare me to a KKK klavern leader: "Recently I've taken to drawing insulting parallels between today's Demo party blog klaverns (like TCBY Cafe, Call Me Elmo, and Adipose Express) and yesterday's sheeted klaverns." I would cheerfully slice your pathetic little nuts off for that, you miserable piece of human excrement, but you wouldn't be worth the trouble. Now go away and leave me alone, fucktard. Billmon
Editor's note: billmon, or whoever this is, apparently objects to our publishing "private correspondence." This is a little tricky. Normally we wouldn't do it, but when the correspondence is mere abuse, respect for its privacy tends to drop. As well, the exchange started with a public comment in pretty much the same tone as the correspondence, so... Ed. is not losing much sleep over this particular moral quandary.
Comments (9)
"Fucktard." Wow. Billy must be reverting to childhood. He's having himself a good old fashioned temper tantrum now. Can't wait to see what he spews up next. "Nob?" "Goober?" Could be anthing.
Posted by AlanSmithee | June 15, 2006 1:12 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 13:12
[scribbles frantically in notebook.]
Okay, so today's lecture highlight is:
Comparing Bush to Hitler: Good.
Comparing Nader voters to Franco-philes in 1930's Spain: Good.
Comparing Demoblogs to the KKK: Bad.
Will this be on the exam ?
Posted by ms_xeno (fka alsis39.9) | June 15, 2006 1:32 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 13:32
You've been linked over at Moon of Alabama, so here I am. Faux billmon? perish the thought.
Fauxreal, however, is just who I say I am/am not. what-evuh -ish.
Anyway, from my years of reading at the Whiskey Bar and as a survivor of the Whiskey Bar rebellions of 2003/2004, I would say that Billmon is a cunning linguist, until he gets really pissed...in the anger way, not the whiskey way.
Then, like most of us, his whiskey-mellow voice can be somewhat harsh.
In fact, I recently found myself using the word "fucktard" in a moment of online anger, so I know this from personal experience too.
(not to mention that fucktard is a very satisfying word to say in your head when you're angry...the aspirated fuh...the hard "k" followed by the spitting "t" and hard at both ends of the stick, monosyllabic stop with "duh." all in all, a satisfying, if less than exemplary form of expression for frustration.)
I thought it was bad netiquette to post a private email, so bad, bad blogger. Present yourself for a spanking.
but, really, what do you expect if someone did compare billmon to a kkk leader? (if that's what it was...I dunno.) time for a little ultra-violence, blogger style. words as the big dick sculpture of milk bar dreams if I were the subject of the same.
anyway, come on over to Moon of Alabama if you really want some dancing on the head of a pin blog fights.
Now kiss and make up with billmon. You know you like to read his posts.
Posted by fauxreal | June 15, 2006 1:42 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 13:42
I like my whiskey Irish. Otherwise, I stick to bourbon, because Scotch tastes like laundry soap no matter how much you spend on it. The neon is nice, though.
Honestly, though, my point is that Demobloggers routinely tar their idelogical opponents--Left and Right-- with slurs and volleys of hype no better nor worse than JSP's comparison. It thus seems more than a tad hypocritical for Billmon to jump around gasping and sputtering as if his morning whiskey had a clot of fresh wasabi lurkiing at the bottom of the glass...
Posted by ms_xeno (fka alsis39.9) | June 15, 2006 1:59 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 13:59
billmon is actually a taste I never acquired -- don't quite see what the fuss is about. But de gustibus, etc.
The KKK comparison didn't refer to billmon's politics or couture, but to the structural role of the Klan in Demo politics of yesteryear, as compared with the liberal bloggers' these days. The offending text is here. Billmon's fury suggests to me that he didn't read past the lead graf; in his place, I don't think I would have been quite so furious, tho' I'm easily annoyed.
Posted by MJS | June 15, 2006 2:08 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 14:08
fauxreal..you lost me there
rounding
the far "milk bar" pole
but nice comment up till that point
i can only speak for myself on this
but being a raging
priss about
spoof mud
flung at
your spotless antiracist
soul
--if that's whats up---
strikes me as taking one's
personal moral reputation
too seriously
certainly
more then its
actually
worth to the rest of us
to me
the cash surrender value of someone elses personal morality and right mindedness
is a matter between
'themselves '
and their' god '
displays of moral vanity are fit for
the comedy of manners
i recall fallwell flynt
and the maternal outhouse incident
would that i were moliere to do this spat justice
Posted by jsp | June 15, 2006 2:21 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 14:21
I've never really acquired a tast for long winded faux-liberal donkey-spew, so I'll pass on billy's blatherings. And, honestly, if 'fucktard' is the best he can come up with, billy-bob doesn't even rate for light bloggertainment.
Posted by AlanSmithee | June 15, 2006 2:50 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 14:50
It was a pleasure to read the offending piece again. It is a nice piece and goes to the heart of the problem.
Klavern is imflammatory, no doubt, but "invisible empire" is hilarious. Perhaps it's more like the "White Citizens Council". They were much more sophisticated.
You probably are a "fuckwit" and a "fucktard" but having established that it would be interested to know what the great one thinks about the point of the piece.
I dont think it is the real Billmon either but I am willing to suspend disbelief long enough to be titillated
Posted by Jesus Reyes | June 15, 2006 3:05 PM
Posted on June 15, 2006 15:05
I really don't care.
watching this play out has given me a mild case of Montezuma's ennui.
Posted by Flying Fuck | June 17, 2006 12:57 PM
Posted on June 17, 2006 12:57