As all Readers know, I prefer that comments be more or less attached to the post topic, because otherwise things can get out of control, and I lack the patience and good humor to keep going back to the thing to fix it up.
But I suspect that a lot of you would like to get things off your collective chest, and sound off about something that has irritated / angered / pleased / aroused you, whatever.
This has become evident in the popularity of “Open Post” features (Insty can get thousands of comments in his free-for-all posts, for example).
So from now on, I am declaring my News Roundup posts to be open for all or any comments, regardless of topic. As you know, they appear every Tuesday and Friday, so each week you get two whacks of the axe, so to speak. (If you have trouble logging in to comment, let me know by email; I’ll pass it on to TSII, and he will get to it as time permits.)
Enjoy — I’m not going to censor or delete anything, unless it’s completely horrible or egregious ad hominem attacks on other Readers (my back porch, my judgment, no appeal). I think you all know my limits by now, so it should be easy.
And FFS, please don’t use this freedom to try to fuck me over, because that will not end well (for you).
That’s quite the striking frock you’re wearing, Mrs. Cleaver… 😉
Well, hell, he said anything.
Oh, goody! Two more weekly opportunities to shout at the sky, or internet, or anyone foolish enough to read comments for recreation. Today Splendid Isolation, tomorrow, the World!
Oh, Good Lord! What have I done?
Now, about this fascination, nay absolute devotion to English side-by-sides….
“…I’ll pass it on to TSII,”
In all this copious holiday free time, TSII might also investigate why some folks (specifically ME) get a timeout when posting a comment. On the bright side, the comment DOES get posted; I just have to invoke the software-engineering-fix-a-flat solution to see it. You know, stop the car, turn off the ignition, everyone get out and run completely around the car, get back in, and restart the car. Yeah, that’ll fix it.
Let’s hear about the merits of Gin For Breakfast!
I have it on good authority that a Gin Rickey is a great breakfast drink; Vitamin C for youthful looks and immunity enhancement, as well as a dose of positive mental well-being for a great start to the busy workday (or leisurely weekend).
I’m grateful for this opportunity to voice a question which has nagged me for many years: is Kim DuToit really an American?
Look, I know you faced the choice: legally immigrate to America or be beaten to death in a cargo container. Anyone who has not faced that situation has no standing to say which is the moral choice. Nevertheless, your choice is questionable.
No reasonable person can doubt your commitment to constitutional, republican governance; to the public order so essential to the thriving of civilization; to entrepreneurship and the creative power of capital; to national defense; and ultimately to the rights and prerogatives of the individual.
However, you have certain…cosmopolitan tendencies, which cast doubt on your true allegiance. You have traveled to England and maybe even to Stockholm; places where child molesters are tolerated. We patriotic, heartland Americans might overlook such peccadilloes…except for one thing.
We can’t pronounce your name. Americans have made no secret of this: we cannot hear or pronounce French vowels or terminal consonants, and we understandably become violent when anybody points this out.
Previous generations of immigrants had the good sense to Americanize their names, is all I’m saying.