With the economy falling off a cliff, and this shaping up to be the worst Christmas shopping season in many decades, it is almost impossible to imagine a major scientific periodical advising readers to not buy video games for their kids because of how they exacerbate climate change.
This seems even more preposterous coming coincident with the release of a new international study that found the public less interested in making personal sacrifices in order to ward off the liberal bogeyman known as anthropogenic global warming.
Yet, there it was Friday at Scientific American's 60-Second Science blog (h/t American Thinker's Marc Sheppard):
If you're planning this holiday season (perhaps even today) to become one of the tens of millions of people in the U.S. to buy a video game system, you may want to consider how the purchase of a Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox will impact your carbon footprint (or, at very least, your electric bill).
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a New York-based environmental organization, in a new report says that video game systems are huge energy wasters, mostly because people (read: kids) tend to leave them on even when they're not using them.
Makes you wonder if author Larry Greenemeier also believes in Santa Claus. More comically, his paranoic concern for all that "excess" carbon dioxide must have blinded him to this study reported by the Windsor Star Thursday:
There is both growing public reluctance to make personal sacrifices and a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the major international efforts now underway to battle climate change, according to findings of a poll of 12,000 citizens in 11 countries, including Canada. [...]
Less than half of those surveyed, or 47 per cent, said they were prepared to make personal lifestyle changes to reduce carbon emissions, down from 58 per cent last year.
Only 37 per cent said they were willing to spend "extra time" on the effort, an eight-point drop.
And only one in five respondents - or 20 per cent - said they'd spend extra money to reduce climate change. That's down from 28 per cent a year ago.
Now, to be fair, I'm all for saving energy, and think that these units should have automatic power-down idle features much like computers. However, it does seem the height of stupidity on the busiest shopping day of the year -- one that could make it or break it for many retailors given the condition of the economy -- for a major scientific publication to recommend readers not purchase a product due to its impact on one's carbon footprint.
All I can say to Larry is Bah humbug!
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Now I know why the Grinch is green
November 28, 2008 - 14:19 ET by mizflame98This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Some good Thanksgiving news
November 28, 2008 - 14:23 ET by ArchConservativeI think that people are finally coming to realize that the man-made global warming "disaster" thrown in front of us by people like Algore and Obama and even McCain is a farce. At least that is some consolation.
My kid and I play video games all the time and leave the game on and I don't see a jump in my bill. I will not make any changes in my life because I don't have to. I still have the freedom to buy an XBox360 or Wii.
That's what is being lost in this whole debate is the loss of freedom of choice. Screw you if you think my carbon footprint is too big. It's mine and if I can pay for it then leave me the hell alone. It's none of your business. I work so that I can receive money to purchase merchandise I deem a want or a need.
Sadly, a large number of people still don't understand that simple concept. That's ok, they can find me by following that glowing little green light in my new XBox360 console. I might even let you play a game or two.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
Arch
November 28, 2008 - 14:30 ET by littlemissmuffinAll I can say to you is: BRAVO!!
I especially like what you say about supporting our troops. You got that one exactly right, my friend!!!
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
Maybe if they weren't
November 28, 2008 - 16:26 ET by motherbeltMaybe if they weren't constantly beating us over the head with this new "religion" people would be a little more willing to make a few adjustments.
And that's what it is; a new religion!
The thing that really frosts my cupcakes is the blatant hypocrisy.
We are supposed to deprive ourselves of conveniences, for the sake of the planet, even if we are willing to pay the price in higher electric bills or gas bills.
However, Al Gore can use 20 times the average amount of electricity because he pays for "carbon offsets."
So if you pay higher electric bills PLUS carbon offsets, it's OK to destroy the planet.
And speaking of carbon offsets, the video here the other day was hilarious; the woman saying (paraphrasing) A carbon offset is something that you buy to offset the carbon that you produce...
"And that's what it is; a
November 28, 2008 - 16:40 ET by HeavyChevy"And that's what it is; a new religion!"
And that is where you hit it dead square MB it's a religion nothing more nothing less. It's funny how liberal Hollywood and the MSM expects us to believe in Mother Earth but then mock us when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Being Green is BS
November 28, 2008 - 21:40 ET by PopularTechEnvironmentalism as Religion (Michael Crichton, A.B. Anthropology, M.D. Harvard)
Al Gore's Electric Bill:
Gore home's energy use: 20 times average (WorldNetDaily)
- Al Gore's Inconvenient Electric Bill (FOX News)
- Al Gore's residence uses considerably more energy than the average American home = True (Snopes)
Gore’s personal electricity consumption up 10%, despite "energy-efficient" home renovations (Tennesse Center for Policy Research)
- Al Gore's Epic Hypocrisy (FOX News)
- Gore's Mansion Uses More Energy After 'Going Green' (CNSNews)
MB, this video?
Bullshit! - Being Green (Google Video) (29min)
Censored Global Warming Videos
Yeah, that's the
November 28, 2008 - 21:57 ET by motherbeltYeah, that's the one!
Thanks!
And I swear, I didn't even know about Crichton's book when I made that "religion" comment!
there are better reasons NOT to buy video game consoles
November 29, 2008 - 15:17 ET by abeautifulperson1. they contribute to childhood obesity.
2. their prolonged use (which they are built for this type of usage) stunts social development in children.
3. they are bloody expensive. how many parents/children spend the same amount on books?
4. too often kids get ahold of games for MATURE users. GTA is not for kids.
if these games were built for short stints of play, it would be one thing, but they aren't.
the fact that they burn energy is should be a minor reason. driving your kid to the YMCA to play basketball burns more energy. taking the family to the grand canyon probably burns more. what about quality of life?
*raises hand*
December 1, 2008 - 15:26 ET by katainkentI would put our book expenditures at 4:1 against video games (we buy used). More, if we didn't hit the library every other week.
All very good reasons. Moderation is possible if you're determined.
"If you think you're finished shopping for Christmas, why not start on next year"
Less than half of those
November 28, 2008 - 14:36 ET by R D HelmLess than half of those surveyed, or 47 per cent, said they were prepared to make personal lifestyle changes to reduce carbon emissions, down from 58 per cent last year.
That's all well and good, but a little too late, as once Obama gets coronated, I mean sworn-in, our participation in "stamping out AGW" will cease being voluntary.
-Dave
When in doubt, always side with freedom, as it sure beats the hell out of the alternative.
Dave, as I said above, I
November 28, 2008 - 16:28 ET by motherbeltDave, as I said above, I think people are getting fed up with this new "religion" the liberals have invented, and are beginning to rebel!
motherbelt,
November 28, 2008 - 16:41 ET by R D HelmYou are correct, as AGW is the "religion" of the left, but resistance to it is going to be ultimately futile.
Now that the messiah is coming, their religion is going to be forced on us all.
-Dave
When in doubt, always side with freedom, as it sure beats the hell out of the alternative.
The First Green President
November 28, 2008 - 21:44 ET by PopularTechThe First Green President (FOX News)
We are so screwed.
Censored Global Warming Videos
Good golly...these critters
November 28, 2008 - 15:52 ET by bigtimerGood golly...these critters try every thing! I'd be laughing if I wasn't so sick...and this ridiculous BS is sick...always an agenda with these people.
By the way, worry not, why I heard on some radio news station this morning as one of their top news stories at the top of the hour, I think it was called INR (could be wrong) that a man named Joe Jackson I think it was, who is Santa every year somewhere, reports some of the kids are now requesting Santa bring their Dad a job and bring Mom money so she can buy their old house back.
Priceless....grabs right at your heart-strings does it not?
No agenda here either...nah...none.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
That's it
November 28, 2008 - 16:06 ET by DarkCurrentNo Wii, no PlayStation. I'm buying my kids .22 rifles and stuffing the stockings with a couple of boxes of cartridges instead. If they want an XBox they can go liberate one by themselves.
Another reason to buy a
November 28, 2008 - 16:06 ET by danboAnother reason to buy a video game!
I see Al Gore finally discovered that climate change has caused the downfall of a civilization. Was he clueless when he indicated that the climate never changed before?
Al was that cooling? Or warming?
Buy a new video game, a trip to europe, stock up on incandescent light bulbs, leave the lights on, get a bigger truck, buy more food that's been shipped in. (support the world economy) Get another BBQ and smoker, eat more meat.
What more can I do to vote on AGW and support the world and US economy.
Almost forgot. Put out a big CHRISTMAS light display. (A 2fer there.)
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
delete
November 28, 2008 - 16:22 ET by motherbeltdelete
I Just Bought Rock Band
November 28, 2008 - 16:56 ET by deerjerkydaveI just bought Rock Band and love it. If the liberal media want me to stop playing I guess I'd better go out and do the complete opposite and buy more games. These extreme liberal types will never be content until people cease existing.
Aren't these some of the same whiny liberals
November 28, 2008 - 17:03 ET by mizflame98that do voice over work for the video games (the hollyweird ones, of course)?
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
You are correct!
November 28, 2008 - 17:48 ET by HeavyChevyI can't think of them right now but yes a few of them do a lot of voice over work.
You've convinced me!
November 28, 2008 - 17:35 ET by Kirk TurnerIn honor of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), I pledge to double the number of video games from two to four that I will buy my son this Christmas.
Those at the NRDC should fret the entire holiday because my son will be playintg 24/7.
I'll be here all week; enjoy the veal.
Also . .
November 29, 2008 - 10:26 ET by Kirk TurnerIn addition, I have Christmas lights that can be seen from a 767--the kinds of arrangements you NRDC types love--Jesus, Mary, Joseph, plus a 440 megawatt sound system playing Christmas hymns with words like "Jesus," "God" and "Christmas" in them.
better reasons not to buy a video game
November 28, 2008 - 18:09 ET by jackie3I can think of better reasons not to buy such systems. It takes away from outdoor time for kids who need exercise. Carbon footprint? Oh, please. Get real. No more of a carbon footprint than a TV or computer.
I take a 2 mile walk (usually everyday in the summer) and I know there are loads of kids down the road. But I never see them. They are inside playing their Xbox, Wii and whatever.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
Is there such as thing ,,,
November 28, 2008 - 18:18 ET by MichiganVetas a carbon butt-print? If so, I'll happily create one and send it to algore.
I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy
The Natural Resources
November 28, 2008 - 18:35 ET by SlicksterThe Natural Resources Defense Council is real energy waster.
Global Warming Causes More Sex
November 28, 2008 - 18:47 ET by dboNow that I've got your attention, there's now a 9 minute video on all the silly things global warming will do. At the 1 minute mark there is a link to a Noel Sheppard article (Circumcision on Decline in Africa Due to Global warming).
http://www.youtube.c...
Good grief! This is like
November 28, 2008 - 18:56 ET by motherbeltGood grief! This is like Six Degrees of Global Warming!
Is there anything that can't be blamed on global warming?
As for the kids being terrified; gee, I wonder why that is!
Uh, maybe it's not "global warming" per se, but the fact that the media have convinced them that there will be no world for them to grow up in.
Everything is caused by Global Warming
November 28, 2008 - 21:35 ET by PopularTechA complete list of things caused by global warming (Number Watch)
Censored Global Warming Videos
Hey dbo... Great
November 28, 2008 - 19:10 ET by bigtimerHey dbo...
Great video...a keeper and I'm passing this on...thank you.
I also noticed there were at least 4 maybe 5 other NBs article, Geoffrey Dickens and Brent Bakker were a couple if I'm not mistaken, they were all within the first 4-5 minutes also, it really tickles me...
The crab-grass menace headline killed me, I'm still chuckling...
My favorite part though was the very end...THE CHART! Arrows, red arrows say it all...
Unless of course you are a leftist and can't follow the bouncing ball, let alone the arrows.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Right now
November 28, 2008 - 22:09 ET by littlemissmuffinRight now, I'd really like to have some of that global warming. It's been downright COLD here in Florida! Maybe if I call Al Gore, he will send some this way.
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
Just a thought
November 28, 2008 - 22:56 ET by KC MulvilleForgive me for wondering ... what was this holiday all about? You know, in the first place?
its about your kid demanding the latest console
November 29, 2008 - 15:23 ET by abeautifulpersonso he can sit in a dark room and blast zombies 14 hrs a day throughout the entire christmas holidays.
getting fat, being anti-social, dodging school & family and affecting his eyesight. sounds like the perfect gift.
I'm guessing that your kids
November 29, 2008 - 16:48 ET by PeskyDaneI'm guessing that your kids will be writting a series of essays on Dark Matter Theory between now and the first thaw, Hawking.
I doubt ABP has kids. Hs
November 29, 2008 - 23:35 ET by NL207I doubt ABP has kids. His kind of liberal is far too selfish to do that voluntarily.
if you must know: 2 children, 2 and 5 yrs old
November 30, 2008 - 10:58 ET by abeautifulpersonmy 5-year old went into school a year early. he's been reading since he was 3 1/2. we don't want to move him ahead another year because that would put him in w/ 7 year olds. he gets bored but the schooling he gets at home keeps him plenty busy.
no TV.
no video games.
team sports (but not too much)
5 different country stamps in his passport. (travel is a priority)
and he does write stories, but not about physics... yet.
when you are going to make snarky comments, try to avoid the spelling mistakes. i can overlook them when a point is being made in a debate, but when its a malicious poke it does make you look foolish (writting).
When I mispell something
November 30, 2008 - 21:38 ET by NL207When I mispell something it's usually a typo. Make no mistake about that.
Speaking of snarky comments, who here or anywhere else cares how many stamps are in your kid's passport? Rhetorical question: Why do arrogant liberals always assume they are better traveled or more educated than everyone else?
Tell you what, Mr. Second string debater, my current asignment will be winding down in about 3 or 4 weeks. Sounds like an excellent time to take you to the woodshed if you've the starch for it.
I'm going to give you the
November 30, 2008 - 22:17 ET by PeskyDaneI'm going to give you the benefit of considerable doubt when you say no TV.
Team sports? You're reaching. Yes, there are "leagues" (really divisions) for that age group, but talking your kid up like that when all he is doing is running up and down the field with a jersey and a foam helmet in a scoreless "match" is a bit much.
no cable. no channels picked up where we live.
December 1, 2008 - 05:48 ET by abeautifulpersonteam sports: learning a sport. learning team play. learning technique. developing coordination.
he's 5, so yeah you're right. its mostly about play. too often kids are pushed too hard to be the next gretzky or tiger woods.
back to the video game topic. unfortunately, busy parents hustling to make ends meet, use TV and video games as sitters. my generation was raised on 30+ hrs a week. what a waste of a life to spend more waking time playing video games (or watching TV) than in school or quality time with parents.
ABP - agreed. Its a waste
December 1, 2008 - 09:49 ET by PeskyDaneABP - agreed. Its a waste of a life. In all sincerety I admire the lack of television in your home.
the next challenge is the internet
December 2, 2008 - 07:17 ET by abeautifulpersoni confess i am on the computer far too much. its my business. but as much as my 5-yr old is drawn to it, i keep him off it much of the time. the computer is just a more intelligent type of TV.
the movie THE MATRIX comes to mind. we all plug in. we have our avatars. we communicate virtually. we have our overlords ('cept they aren't machines). some folks can unplug. some folks can't. some folks don't want to. as one who is semi-unplugged (i live on a removed, low population tropical island), it does seem like a huge programme which does a pretty good job controlling the masses.
we are programmed to stay at home. be afraid. crime is everywhere. if a group of teenagers are hanging out. we are afraid. the police will arrive and disperse them.
i was in paris france one night and came upon a huge crowd in the bastille district. i came into a large crowd. what was the event? nothing specific. it was friday night and about 300 young people had unofficially massed. what was the draw? drummers seducing dancers. it was fantastic. people sipping beer in the STREETS >gasp<. no trouble. no public drunks, just young people hooking up. my first thought was, WHERE ARE THE POLICE? but why? did they have a permit? of course not. it was the beginning of one of the best trips of my life. it was also one of those epiphanies when i realized how we have issues in north america. yeah, i realize what works in paris may not work in north america, but perhaps its worth trying.
Video games vrs watching An
November 30, 2008 - 11:53 ET by danboVideo games vrs watching An Inconvenient Truth or reading the IPCC report. Both are fiction. The video games do help develope hand eye coordination, many video games do train them to hunt for clues.
Though I'd hope they read the IPCC report just to see science at it's worse. The video games have 2 up on it.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
As another commenter
November 28, 2008 - 23:51 ET by maggieqpublicAs another commenter mentioned above, there are plenty of reasons for parents to limit video game-play….. homework, family time, fresh air, etc. But the suggestion that we should restrict video game purchases because of a ‘carbon footprint’…. well, that makes my brain ache. Liberals love latching-on to simplistic truisms (video games destroy the planet), and they want to drag the rest of us down with them.
(I’m still trying to figure out how many rolls of toilet paper Sheryl Crow used this year in her endeavor to save the planet…. remember one square per visit to the loo.)
maggieq... LOL...and you
November 29, 2008 - 00:10 ET by bigtimermaggieq...
LOL...and you can be sure good ol' Sheryl would report the truth about that now doncha'?
It should be 'A square a day, will keep Sheryl away'... ;-)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
'A square a day, will keep Sheryl away'... ;-)
November 29, 2008 - 00:22 ET by maggieqpublicThat is wonderful, BT… words to live by!
The Death Star
November 29, 2008 - 02:49 ET by shawn228Thats not a moon......Thats a Playstation!!!
He had my vote
Frankly Noel, when I read
November 29, 2008 - 22:44 ET by JasonCFrankly Noel, when I read about this, and was reminded of what a heartless, over-entitled, porcine rabble American consumers tend to be, I found it incredibly difficult to care whether retailers clear the red on the silly little gadgets with which they try to tempt us further into debt each year. Do we deserve a healthy consumer economy when people are this desperate to save a few bucks on name-brand junk?
A man killed so a bunch of suburban white trash could get flat-screen TVs. This is one of the saddest articles I've ever read.
JC
November 29, 2008 - 23:01 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
A man killed so a bunch of suburban white trash could get flat-screen TVs.
I think you should look at the videos from that Walmart in Valley Stream and rethink who was doing the trampling my friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ObKm4w9igM. ns
JC
November 29, 2008 - 23:09 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
You might also rethink that "suburban" crack, for Valley Stream is just east of Brooklyn and Queens. If you think this is the suburbs, you don't know what suburbs are. ns
JC
November 29, 2008 - 23:12 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
That said, don't feel bad. Your view that this was done by suburban white trash is exactly what media want you to think. And this is why we work so hard to expose it.
Thank you for playing my game. ns
Just a quick drop in--
November 29, 2008 - 23:26 ET by misterbill-- and back to the news. Re: the incident at Walmart's-- had the people controlled themselves and waited until after the inauguration --everything will be free. No need for early rising, no need in their stupid greed and ignorance to ignore the value of a human life.
May God have mercy on the poor man's immortal soul. I do not know how the lady fared after her miscarriage. I pray that all is OK.
Noel... Thank
November 29, 2008 - 23:29 ET by bigtimerNoel...
Thank you.
Jason, I just read your post first, so I am not going to add anything more to what Noel already posted here in all three of his replies to you.
You may want to look into yesterdays OT, motherbelt has a link there, you can find them all over the internet, you have a lot of audicity to post what you did here in my humble opinion...but then again, that is how you work.
I also posted how I felt on down the same thread on OT...you will know my full opinions on this matter also.
Btw...if this whole situation was reversed with the race...the msm along with Union leaders, ACLU, trial lawyers galore and Jackson/Sharpton leading the way would be non-stop 24/7....nothing about any of the racial make-up is even mentioned at all regarding this matter.
It is absolutely despicable, deplorable, disgraceful.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT
November 29, 2008 - 23:37 ET by Noel SheppardBT,
This is why media talked about "Long Island." To idiots all around the country, that implies white suburbs. However, this mall is almost on the border of Jamaica, Queens. This is NOT white suburbia. Not even close.
Alas, the press can paint a picture, and even folks with JC's intellectual capacity buy it hook, line, and sinker. If folks like him can be so easily duped, imagine how simple it is to con the great unwashed.
Maybe simple enough to get a freshman senator without any legislative accomplishments elected president when the nation is in the middle of two wars and the country is mired in its worst recession in decades?
God help us!!! ns
Hey Noel... Thank you for
November 29, 2008 - 23:58 ET by bigtimerHey Noel...
Thank you for explaining the demographics area wise to us out here who did think different when hearing the first reports without watching the videos....I had no idea, but I did assume, heck this is a mostly caucasian area...like I said, once again I thank you.
This is complete madness...my husband didn't pay any attention to this yesterday, we were talking about it this afternoon, I told him how disgusted I was with Fox also with their reporting on this matter...ect ect...filled him in on all of this....he knew nothing about it all.
Noel, I want to just give up anymore, the fight against the msm seems useless at times anymore.
They rule, we lose.
Like I said long ago when you and I were going back and forth awhile back, have you ever seen anything like this, meaning O and the tent-revival meetings, the msm in love, showing their complete adoration, and most of all, picking McC for us, just like I feel they are going to attempt to do once again on down the line.
I am just filled with sadness what I see coming on down the road.
I know I will rally on down the line....sure don't feel that way now though.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
First of all, a hearty
November 30, 2008 - 20:07 ET by JasonCFirst of all, a hearty congratulations vis-a-vis the uncanny ability to turn my comments into having something, apparently, to do with the recent election.
Second, my designation of these idiots as "white trash" might seem strange - if you prefer to reserve that label specifically for people who live in certain demographic areas, be my guest - but I'm saying that their behavior makes them white trash, not that they were already that based on any particular socio-economic status (or race). I mean, plain and simple, the kind of imbecile who spends 24 hours waiting outside for the privilege of shopping at Walmart and then freaks out about being told they have to leave after they cause an employee's death. Oh, and apparently some of those people were black. Big deal.
Third, many people would consider West Long Island suburban. Some of us consider anything outside Manhattan suburban. Some East Village dwellers call mid-town "upstate New York". Your attempt to debunk my comments based on geographical nitpicking doesn't hold up.
How about the core of my comments: that with American consumers behaving in this way, it's rather difficult to give two shits about what and how much they purchase?
"The family values response, unless it is combined with a radical
renunciation of all aspects of modern society, is not an authentic
alternative."
JC
November 30, 2008 - 21:23 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
We've had good interactions here in the past, and will have good ones in the future, but you should just apologize for jumping to conclusions here, and admit that you got played like a fiddle by the folks at the New York Times.
After all, that article you linked to chose not to report that the Green Acres Mall is practically a war zone, and that given its proximity to Jamaica, Queens, the patrons that could be considered white trash suburbanites are largely in the minority.
Why do you think they left that out, Jason? Why do you think the racial makeup of the crowd was ignored by the Times? Do you think that if this was INDEED a white suburb, the racial makeup would have been addressed? Just curious.
Regardless of your answer, in your castigation of this event, you chose to accuse "white trash." Maybe you owe white trash around the country an apology, hmmm? :-)
As for what snobs in Manhattan consider to be suburbs, I really could care less. Of course, I doubt any of these liberal elites would venture near this "suburb" in the dark.
Why did you think that is? ns
Thank you for the unsult Jason
November 30, 2008 - 21:46 ET by cocodrieI don't play video games but I'm one of the working class white folks you called white trash. Thanks again. It's sad that you have so much hatred inside.
Coco, while I appreciate
December 1, 2008 - 07:56 ET by JasonCCoco, while I appreciate your attempt to resuscitate Sarah Palin's "Regular America" nonsense, my remark clearly went right over your head. I am not calling you white trash. My whole point is that my designation of white trash was NOT based on occupation, income, or geographical location, but on these people's actions. I don't care if you live in Montana or Manhattan, it's this kind of childish behavior, this sort of uber-entitlement which the almighty American consumer believes is his or her due, which makes these people trash.
I'm willing to remove the modifier "white" since people seem eager to inform me that some black people were involved as well; but I didn't really mean it in a racialized sense anyhow.
And I don't play video games either, but that only tangentially relates to my original post. I do watch TV and movies, but that doesn't mean I'm so dead inside that I'll spend 24 hours, including Thanksgiving Day, camped out in the cold for the privilege of buying some name-brand fad item at Wal-Mart. That's depressing enough before you factor in the murdered employee.
Noel, I'm not sure how I've been duped by the NY Times, but I guess it just wouldn't be a NB article if you didn't try to make that case. Suffice to say, I didn't get any of my ideas or designations from the article, which was written in a perfectly evenhanded way. So if you want to say I'm wrong, fine, but give me enough credit to believe that I came to my own conclusions. And no, there is nothing aberrant about referring to that part of Long Island as suburban.
Jason that is precisely the point
December 1, 2008 - 08:27 ET by cocodrieSarah Palin's "regular America" actually exists and I am part of it. Many of my friends wait in these lines in hope of a bargain. For some it is a way to afford something above their means.
Apparently you consider yourself above us socially and economically. This reminds me of when Slick willie excused his attenpted rapes by branding his victims as trailer trash.
Nothing can excuse the behavior of those responsible for killing this man but blaming those of us who live in "regular America" is not right either. I am proud, however, to be included with the two patriots Sarah Palin and President Bush in being blamed for everything wrong in this country."
JC
December 1, 2008 - 10:33 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
You're the one that linked to the NYT piece, correct? You felt it was disgusting, correct? Wanted readers here to share your outrage by reading that piece, correct? Did I write an article on this NYT piece? No! Was the article thread you posted this link in either about what happened in Valley Stream or with reference to your NYT piece? No! So, WTF are you talking about?
That asked, now you're suggesting that you didn't get any of your ideas or designations from the NYT piece that you linked here to evoke outrage? Really?
Okay. So, where DID you get your ideas concerning what transpired in Valley Stream on Friday? ns
Noel, I linked to the
December 1, 2008 - 12:30 ET by JasonCNoel,
I linked to the NYTimes piece simply to demonstrate what I was talking about. I actually first read about it in a local paper in the town where I stayed for Thanksgiving, NYTimes was simply the most convenient thing to link to. The article simply gives facts; as I am not on the editorial board, I cannot tell you if it would have read differently had it been an all-white crowd. This is beside the point. The thoughts and conclusions which I posted are my own, and I am not going to blame the NYT for them if people think I was wrong. So if you think it's wrong for me to call people - people who camp out in front of WalMart for 24 hours, cause someone's death in their bovine-like stampede to get the best deal on mass-produced indulgences, and then use the fact that they camped out in front of WalMart for 24 hours as an excuse to sweep their manslaughter under the rug and finish their transaction - "trash," rest assured that I did not get that designation from the Times.
I posted my original comments, in pseudo-nihilistic disgust which I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge was on the bombastic side, as a response to the idea that a healthy consumer economy ought to be considered more important than environmental concerns and wanted to articulate that I see this trampling death as indicative of larger trends concerning attitudes of consumer entitlement - I should own a flatscreen TV; name-brand electronics will make me happier; so what if consumption choices affect exploited people in other parts of the world? - trends which, really, have their logical terminus in making people indifferent to needless death so long as they save a few bucks on something they've been conditioned to believe they need and deserve.
This is simply my visceral, gut reaction to reading an objective report on what transpired.
JC
December 1, 2008 - 13:49 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
That's all well and good -- but why blame white people? ns
Noel, As I believe I said
December 1, 2008 - 14:02 ET by JasonCNoel,
As I believe I said elsewhere, I did not really have a racial context in mind. The term in question seems to me to connote more about behavior than about being specifically directed at caucasians. At least that is how I meant it.
"The family values response, unless it is combined with a radical
renunciation of all aspects of modern society, is not an authentic
alternative."
JC
December 1, 2008 - 14:59 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
Ummm, no, because white trash is to caucasians what n****r is to African Americans.
With this in mind, assuming the media would have been more accurate in relaying the true racial makeup of that crowd, would you have posted "A man killed so a bunch of n****rs could get flat-screen TVs"? Not likely, right?
Assuming I'm correct, and the reason is your discomfort with that epithet, would you have posted "A man killed so a bunch of poor blacks could get flat-screen TVs"? ns
Ummm, no, because white
December 1, 2008 - 17:33 ET by JasonCUmmm, no, because white trash is to caucasians what n****r is to African Americans.
According to....who, exactly? And if this is such a truism, why did you see fit to censor one but not the other?
As a very caucasian person, I'd have to say I consider the latter to be far more offensive, both in historicity and in usage.
→ Jason is soooo busted
December 1, 2008 - 17:59 ET by Cool Arrow"but I'm saying that their behavior makes them white trash" - JasonC
And if African Americans exhibited the same behavior, you would call them "black trash"?
You will recall murdering kids for their Air Jordan Sneakers was predominantly a black on black crime.
Go ahead, Jason, I dare you. Call them black trash.
I've rescinded my use of
December 1, 2008 - 18:53 ET by JasonCI've rescinded my use of the "white" portion of the term and explained that I never meant it in a racial sense. What more can I do?
Nonetheless, I certainly maintain that that term, even when used intact, is nowhere near as offensive as the common counterpart that Noel invoked.
"The family values response, unless it is combined with a radical
renunciation of all aspects of modern society, is not an authentic
alternative."
→ Good one Jason
December 1, 2008 - 19:02 ET by Cool ArrowSorry I didn't hear you unring that bell.
--> cool
December 1, 2008 - 19:06 ET by MrShyYeah, CA, didn't you know? Jason "rescinded" it. It's been repealed. Annulled. Moveon.org.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
I'm not entirely sure what
December 1, 2008 - 19:12 ET by JasonCI'm not entirely sure what you mean by that. It seems straightforward, but there must be a kernel of sarcasm there somewhere.
"The family values response, unless it is combined with a radical
renunciation of all aspects of modern society, is not an authentic
alternative."
→ Missing kernel
December 1, 2008 - 19:15 ET by Cool ArrowAnd for sarcasm to be funny, it must contain the ingredient of truth.
Pretty funny if I do say so myself. Definitely funny if you feign a lack of understanding of it.
JasonC
December 1, 2008 - 19:17 ET by MrShyIn layman's terms, you did a bad thing, knowingly really, and then said "oops, okay, I got caught".
You'll do more bad things but then "rescind" them. You're a liberal.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
So as a conservative,
December 1, 2008 - 19:29 ET by JasonCSo as a conservative, you're averse to realizing that you made a rhetorical mistake, correcting that mistake, and then proceeding with your argument from there? It's rather foolish, don't you think, to claim that one flaw in a person's rhetoric or phrasing makes their entire argument null.
"The family values response, unless it is combined with a radical
renunciation of all aspects of modern society, is not an authentic
alternative."
→ That's better
December 1, 2008 - 19:38 ET by Cool ArrowI'm willing to remove the modifier "white" since people seem eager to
inform me that some black people were involved as well;
Meaning: If black people were not involved your "white trash" comment would have been valid?
but I didn't
really mean it in a racialized sense anyhow.
Meaning "white trash" is in no way racist?
I'm just having fun with you now. Disregard my efforts to read your comments literally. I know I shouldn't ... you're a liberal.
Jason
December 1, 2008 - 18:49 ET by MrShyYou're being constantly cornered and served by Noel.
You realize you look like an antagonistic moron who just enjoys a good, yet pointless, argument throughout this thread, and nothing more, do you not?
Yes, that was a rhetorical question.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
You do realize that your
December 1, 2008 - 19:04 ET by JasonCYou do realize that your schtick these days seems to be limited to butting into days-old threads to add your unsolicited two cents, don't you? What are you, Free Stinker now? Where's the scoreboard?
I got called out on white trash and said myself (several times now) that I was wrong to use a term that could be interpreted as race-specific. Not a big deal. Now get back to synching beats on your 2-octave Casio. Noel can surely speak for himself when he gets around to it.
"Noel can surely speak for
December 1, 2008 - 19:12 ET by MrShy"Noel can surely speak for himself when he gets around to it."
Oh, you better believe he can, and has.
You should bring closure to this thread with, "I'm JasonC, and I plead guilty to throwing a flame into this discussion by exploiting the racial make-up of the stampeding crowd and linking to an article in the a NYTimes."
Then close with, "I'm a schnook."
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
It's funny
December 1, 2008 - 18:48 ET by MrShyMoral equivalency liberals like JC are free to literally say anything, and later damage-control it (or try) by explaining they meant it "this way" or "that way".
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
suburban white trash
December 1, 2008 - 11:06 ET by maggieqpublicJason,
Regarding your explanation…. you felt comfortable using the phrase in your comment. That tells me you live in an environment where saying such a thing is acceptable.
I also live in such an area. It’s ‘ok’ to say ‘suburban white trash’ in nearly every venue I can think of here in the Bay Area. It is not ‘ok’ to say ‘urban black trash’.
I’ve never been able to come up with an explanation other than that there is a politically correct double standard for speech where I live.
-
December 1, 2008 - 12:55 ET by JasonC---
While I do fully regret -
December 2, 2008 - 19:58 ET by JasonCWhile I do fully regret - and hereby apologize to all those offended by - my use of the term white trash, I must present a rebuttal to this point of yours:
This is why media talked about "Long Island." To idiots all around the
country, that implies white suburbs. However, this mall is almost on
the border of Jamaica, Queens. This is NOT white suburbia.
Demographics of Valley Stream, NY:
Total Residents: 36,368
White Residents: 92.79%
African-American Residents: 1.46%
So while, again, I wish I had not used racially suggestive terms to express my anger at the WalMart incident, it would seem that you are way off-base in decrying the NYTimes allegedly skewed reporting. Besides which, the incident took place in Long Island, 22 miles from Manhattan - so why would the paper not say it took place in suburban Long Island?
JC
December 2, 2008 - 22:19 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
Cool. Now, tell us the makeup of the people on line that day, and the makeup of those that shop at Green Acres Mall. We'll wait.
Furthermore, as Valley Stream is indeed next to Queens, would you call that borough a Long Island suburb? Here's what Wiki says: "Green Acres Mall is an indoor shopping mall located in Valley Stream, New York, off Sunrise Highway in Nassau County right off the border of New York City."
And here's what people who have shopped there say: http://www.yelp.com/...
Hehehehe.
Yeah, I bet we'll be seeing you at this mall REAL SOON JC!!!
Honestly, JC, you make yourself look more and more foolish with every post on this subject. Might I suggest you just admit you're wrong? ns
I did admit to being wrong,
December 3, 2008 - 07:58 ET by JasonCI did admit to being wrong, Noel. I'm waiting for the same admission from you viz. your accusation that the NYT article was misleading.
Now, tell us the makeup of the people on line that day, and the makeup of those that shop at Green Acres Mall.
I have no idea, do you?
Furthermore, as Valley Stream is indeed next to Queens, would you call that borough a Long Island suburb?
Um, yes?
"Green Acres Mall is an indoor shopping mall located in Valley Stream, New York, off Sunrise Highway in Nassau County right off the border of New York City."
So because of the way the wikipedia article is phrased, we have to make assumptions about whether the area qualifies as suburban or not? It's outside of the city limits; around here that generally qualifies.
So what's your beef? That they didn't go out of their way to mention that the mall is proximate to Jamaica, Queens? That they didn't mention that, although the racial makeup of Valley Stream is overwhelmingly white, a disproportionate number of African-American people may have been shopping there that day? That they said "a shopping mall in Long Island" without adding that it's actually pretty darn close to the city? Any of those additions would have weirdly out of place and inappropriate.
They do, however, mention that the mall tends to draw customers from Brooklyn and Queens, unlike most other suburban stores.
So, again, how exactly was the Times article misleading? I fully admit that I jumped the gun on my knee-jerk comments because I was fuming about it at the time. I have yet to understand how you are able to argue that the Times played me like a fiddle, as opposed to me letting my own preconceptions get the better of me. Really, all I ask is that you let me take credit for my being wrong, instead of saying I was duped by the NYT.
JC
December 3, 2008 - 11:13 ET by Noel SheppardJC,
If you're going to stick to your assertion that Queens and Brooklyn are suburbs, we've got nothing to discuss. These are considered boroughs of NYC. Period. Or haven't you heard that NYC has five boroughs? That idiots don't see it that way is their problem!
Furthermore, your demographic information for Valley Stream was for the Village of Valley Stream. You might want to check the makeup of North Valley Stream as well as Jamaica. After all, malls don't only serve the community they're based in, correct? They are built to be shopping destinations which serve a large area. If you would check that link I sent you concerning reviews of this mall, you'll find the majority depict it as unsafe.
Taking this a step further, my wife lived in Jamaica in the '60s. Her family didn't shop at Green Acres due to how unsafe it was. They would drive out to Roosevelt Field or even Sunrise so as to feel safer when they shopped -- and that was the early '60s!
As for why I believe you were duped by NYT and the rest of the media it's because you bought into their misdirection that this was a Long Island suburb -- and their lack of specificity concerning the war zone that is this mall!!! -- and were so confident in your assessment that you posted in a public forum that the culprits of this tragedy were white. That's what NYT and other media WANTED YOU and others to think.
It just saddens me that someone of your intellect can be so easily duped, but it does explain a lot about just how powerful propaganda is in our nation when even folks that consider themselves part of the intelligentsia can be so taken. ns
P.S. What was the makeup of the people at this store that day? You tell me: http://www.youtube.c...
P.P.S. The person killed wasn't from Valley Stream. He was from Jamaica!
Gore, Stop playing with yourself.
November 30, 2008 - 10:58 ET by CrashUnlike picking stocks, real science is never based on a consensus by supererogated mouthpieces, idiotic notions, voodoo, or fortune tellers. Science is based on proving both the positive and the negative (1+1=2, therefor 2-1=1).
So far Christmas shopping is up 3% over last year. I purchased five new games in the name of carbon emissions.
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." Hilmar von Campe
Consensus isn't how to pick
November 30, 2008 - 11:59 ET by danboConsensus isn't how to pick stocks either. The consensus usually likes a stock after it's past it's run up. And selling for too high a price.
Though there are exceptions. The best time to buy a stock is usually when everyone thinks it's a dog.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
power-down idle
November 30, 2008 - 11:36 ET by katainkentx-box, if left on will eat itself alive. My sister's husband has gone through 2 consoles. I think a power-down idle makes sense. One would almost wonder, with all the drive problems the xbox alone has, why someone hasn't thought of it yet. We make sure that our kids console is OFF when they arent playing it in that they are required to pack it back in its carry-case when they are done.
My children have a playstation 2 that we bought several yrs ago. We have maybe 6 games for it. The kids are allowed to play it on the weekends for an hour or so each if they maintain a B average. If they maintain straight A's they get a weekday 'electronics choice'. So our choice in vid-games probably impacts the economy a micro-percentile and our carbon footprint for the PS2s 3w idle/35w active disk access is probably also neglible.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Despite the best intentions
November 30, 2008 - 12:16 ET by maggieqpublicDespite the best intentions of both parents, our children grew up to become liberals. (It must have been the video games and the early exposure to MSNBC.)
Our condolences Maggie
November 30, 2008 - 12:31 ET by choselife3xWith age and experience come wisdom; they'll come around eventually.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
I believe you’re right…
December 1, 2008 - 01:09 ET by maggieqpublicI believe you’re right… wisdom comes as soon as the kids disengage from the pseudo-intelligentsia… the rubber-stamp college profs who are unable to express an original thought in their classrooms (hard science departments excluded).
The ivy league liberal arts types read the same books, spout the same theories and ‘teach’ the same dogma. And these folks take great comfort in their alikeness. It’s the ‘sameness’ that gives the liberals comfort in their convictions.
(It’s like a typical sociology class on deviancy….. the group defines the deviants as those who differ from the group in power. This year the deviants are Republicans and Christians.)
Even your kids will feel
November 30, 2008 - 14:53 ET by wiwfEven your kids will feel the pain of global warming as we take away their video games! What a bunch of BS getting spewed by the leftists.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy