MSM types and their soulmates in the Dem party like to profess their deep and abiding respect for average Americans. But in an unguarded moment this afternoon, MSMer-in-good-standing Jonathan Alter pulled back the curtain on his disdain for them.
Discussing the wildly enthusiastic reception that Barack Obama received in New Hampshire yesterday, Alter -a Newsweek writer and NBC consultant - told host Joe Scarborough:
"If you had been there you wouldn't have been under any illusions about the extent of interest in him. this was a huge crowd. It would have been a huge crowd by any standards even right before an election. 1,500 people. Very, very enthusiastic. Very interested. So he's not going to have to do this 'Joe Schmo's living room' thing in New Hampshire. He's way past that."
Joe Schmo? As Alter well knows, 'schmo' derives from the pejorative Yiddish term "schmuck," It is defined as "a stupid or obnoxious person; one deficient in judgment and good sense." Synonyms: "fool, idiot, imbecile, jackass, dope."
Is Jonathan letting his Harvard elitism show?
There was a lighter moment later in the segment. As the screen flashed the phrase "Don't Tell Mama, I'm for Obama," Alter explained its meaning:
"There are people who are long-time Democrats, they have a lot of connections to the Clinton folks, but they have been swept up in this Obama fever and what they're telling us is 'don't tell the Clinton people. I can't tell you for the record, but I'm going to be with this guy if he's in.'"
As you can see, Alter and fellow guest Pat Buchanan had a good laugh at Hillary's expense. "Mama" will not be pleased!
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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But he will have to deal with
December 11, 2006 - 17:28 ET by Prester JohnBut he will have to deal with Dennis "the Menace" Kucinich!!
Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2004, said Monday he is planning to run again because his party isn't pushing hard enough to end the war in Iraq.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/11/D8LUSC2G1.html
Alter the moron
December 11, 2006 - 17:32 ET by Six String SpiffHey Alter, after you are done circle jerking with all your MSM gimp friends, I suggest you take look at the very serious situation of NAtional Security. This is what sickens me. You F*cks are so easily impressed with the simplest litte slogan, whilst our brave men and women are DYING FOR YOUR RIGHT TO STEAL MY OXYGEN!! I have HAD IT with you arrogant fools! "Joe Schmo living room.. way past that". F*CK YOU!! You wouldn't know what a real job is if it kicked you in your bag (if you HAVE one that is). It's people like YOU, you son of a bitch, that don't deserve the freedoms that this country provides. So yuck it up while you still can, you fat piece of trash. How DARE you!? How DARE you insult the hard working public? You silly Democrats just DON'T GET IT. So, after you are done giggling, and gloating, there are quite a few real issues that need to be addressed.
Oh and btw... What constellation of accomplishments has elevated Mr. Wanderful(Obama) to presidential candidate status? Would it be the traffic light he had installed? Or perhaps a few new sidewalks put in? Nah, it must have been when he changed the timing on the yellow to red sequence of said traffic light. It is truely FRIGHTENING the criteria you fools use to decide who should be our next Commander in Chief. Think about that....
Not all Muslims are Terrorists. However, all the Terrorists have been Muslim.
Armand
December 11, 2006 - 17:56 ET by ArmandMy Christmas wish is Alter getting punted in his teabag. What a douche.
Space, be kind!
December 11, 2006 - 18:07 ET by misterbillSpace, be kind! Alter is not his name, that is what happened to him!! There is nothing he can take to relieve that chronic ache, hes not sick,he's just in love!!
He and obummer can KMA! Another a$$h**e american folly. The dark Ted Kennedy!
Barack Obama Orgasma
December 11, 2006 - 17:50 ET by P.J. GladnickThe Democrats are in a state of ECSTASY over their new rock star, Barack Obama:
Obama Orgasma
I DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE HIM
December 11, 2006 - 17:58 ET by P.J. GladnickAny radio talk show hosts out there? Take a look at the most PERFECT song parody I have ever seen. It was written by that famous Tin Pan Alley songmeister, Charles Henrickson, on my suggestion to write a song parody about Obama based on "I DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE HIM" from the play and movie, "Jesus Christ Superstar."
This is a song parody that MUST be perfomed on the air!!!
PJ Gladnick
December 11, 2006 - 18:03 ET by misterbillFantastic, I found myself trying to sing the words.I can't sing for s--t! No experience, but OBummer can't govern for s---! (same reason),so we are even!
LMAO!!!!!!!
Song Parody On Radio
December 11, 2006 - 18:24 ET by P.J. GladnickI didn't write that song parody. I only suggested it and Charles Henrickson took the ball from there. Anyway, I would LOVE to hear this song performed on the radio. It is the most PERFECT song parody I have ever seen.
PJ,That's great. It's very ha
December 11, 2006 - 18:06 ET by Chris NormanPJ,
That's great. It's very hard to satirize Liberals because the exaggerations of them in the morning are what they are actually saying and doing by the afternoon.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
PJ.... Paul Shanklin would do
December 12, 2006 - 00:09 ET by bigtimerPJ.... Paul Shanklin would do a great job performing it with a gal of his choice (or just him...hehehee)...he is absolutely great doing this, Rush uses him for his song/ parodies, he also has his own site as you most likely know, anyway I love the words to the tune, I hate being that old to remember Jesus Christ Superstar! ....lol!....
It would reach at the least 20 million ears to start with! Go for it!
It scares me so! LMAO!
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
I always took Joe Schmo to
December 11, 2006 - 18:06 ET by balboaI always took Joe Schmo to be Joe Average, Joe Sixpack, and not as a derogatory term. Sounds to me as if Alter is saying that Obama's recognition is beyond the point of doing visits in the living rooms of people because they already know who he is.
But I'm probably wrong...
WWRRRROOOONNNGGGG!!!!
December 11, 2006 - 18:11 ET by misterbillJoe Schmo to Alter is the lowest level human on the planet. You, Bal, are a decent guy, misguided, but decent. You tend to see good things, sometimes , when they are not intended. Alter is being nasty when he said it!!!!
This Urban Dictionary defin
December 11, 2006 - 18:26 ET by Mark FinkelsteinThis Urban Dictionary definition does suggest "Joe Schmo" is not necessarily pejorative, but look what it goes on to say: "Etymologically related to . . . 'schmo' a Yiddish word for idiot."
And check out the way the dictionary uses it in a sentence: "I'm scared as hell of becoming some Joe Schmo, watching football, drinking beer that my fat wife brings me, and blaming my farts on my dog."
Hard to see it as other than insulting, wouldn't you agree?
If you use that definition,
December 11, 2006 - 18:33 ET by balboaIf you use that definition, sure. I'm just saying how I perceive Joe Schmo, and I think you can suggest that Alter is being elitist. But I don't know that it's empirically true, Urban Dictionary definition notwithstanding.
Now, I have referred to a random person as "some schmo" and intended it to be derogatory. I've used "schmo," "yokel," "pinhead," um, "doofus," "goofus," "Regis"...
The Urban Dictionary defini
December 11, 2006 - 18:38 ET by Mark FinkelsteinThe Urban Dictionary definition is the closest I found for support for your position. If you can find another definition more favorable to your interpretation please come forward with it.
It is indisputable that 'schmo' derives from the Yiddish 'shmuck,' a highly insulting term literally meaning the male member. Alter, as a Jewish guy from the NYC area, is surely aware of the word's meaning. Trust me - as someone who grew up in the Bronx and Queens myself - when Alter refers to Joe Schmo there is a pejorative, or at the very least condescending, implication.
I got nuthin', Senor Finkel
December 11, 2006 - 18:51 ET by balboaI got nuthin', Senor Finkelstein, except my own interpretation, and that Wikipedia says it's "one of the most commonly used fictional names."
And I get no reaction for throwing Regis in there? None?
schmo –noun, plural schmoes
December 11, 2006 - 18:56 ET by misterbillschmo –noun, plural schmoes. Slang. a foolish, boring, or stupid person; a jerk. Also, schmoe.
[Origin: 1945–50, Americanism; of obscure orig.] Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source schmo or schmoe also shmo (shmō)
n. pl. schmoes also shmoes Slang
A stupid or obnoxious person.
[From Yiddish shmok, penis, fool; see schmuck.]
ALTER noun singular
An incredibly insulting fool
My dictionary has a picture o
December 11, 2006 - 20:39 ET by Ten7sMy dictionary has a picture of Jonathan Alter under both "schmuck" and "schmo".
Wait a sec - didn't you jus
December 11, 2006 - 19:01 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWait a sec - didn't you just admit that you use 'schmo' as a derogatory term?
As for 'Regis' - eh. Why not 'Rosie'?
Yes, Schmo by itself. When
December 11, 2006 - 19:04 ET by balboaYes, Schmo by itself. When used WITH Joe to form "Joe Schmo," you get a different feel.
C'mon, Finkel! I'm trying to split hairs here! WORK WITH ME! ;-)
split hairs
December 11, 2006 - 19:27 ET by misterbillA sledgehammer is not the correct tool for that job!
So if someone called Alter
December 11, 2006 - 21:18 ET by Mark FinkelsteinSo if someone called Alter a "Joe Schmo" he wouldn't be insulted?
Yes, Alter is being elitist.
December 11, 2006 - 23:44 ET by Scout FinchYes, Alter is being elitist. He's saying Obama won't have to do 'Joe Schmo's Living Room' because after all, the elite media have already anointed him. Joe Schmo's thoughts are irrelevant to their process.
Sorry Bal--Alter is clearly s
December 11, 2006 - 20:44 ET by CaringwhiteguySorry Bal--Alter is clearly stating that Obama will not have to dirty his shoes walking up to the door of some ordinary guy. And the reason Alter thinks this is so cool is because it's something he would never do himself. Jonathan Alter drips with disdain for Joe Schmoes. Too bad for Alter that most Joe Schmoes have never heard of him and wouldn't give a rat's ass about what he thinks.
I really hope that as a natio
December 11, 2006 - 18:07 ET by MassConservativeI really hope that as a nation we are smarter than the people in the state of Mass. who were taken in by the hype of Deval Patrick who ran on sound bytes and empty promises instead of substance. As predicted by the people with common sense in this state, he turned into the perfect 'bait and switch' Dimocrat the day after the election...
http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO36307/
MA voters
December 11, 2006 - 18:16 ET by misterbillThre is no f****ing hope for the voters of MA, How can so many nice people be so blindly loyal to a party that has decayed so badly? I mean, BLINDLY loyal!
I mean keep electing girl drowner, booze swilling, give America away, Ted Kennedy.
I doubt it, but maybe Alter's
December 11, 2006 - 18:16 ET by Chris NormanI doubt it, but maybe Alter's was a Freudian slip. After all, "schmucks" is how I would charitably describe most Democrat voters...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
But how do you really feel?
December 11, 2006 - 19:02 ET by CTBut how do you really feel? Alter is a certified A$$ and is feeling pretty proud of himself right now. No doubt he thinks he is a key player in the Bush/America destruction team.
Look, at some point in time,
December 12, 2006 - 01:02 ET by SvenLook, at some point in time, Mr. Obama is going to have to discuss his stands on the issues and answer for his very liberal voting record in congress.
Lets also remember, the Dems and their liberal agenda did NOT win this past election, rather the GOP lost it because they weren't bringing forth a conservative agenda (which wins everytime it's tried).
Even if you look at this from an entirely superficial perspective, the Dems are going to burn folks out on this guy way too early. It isn't even '07 yet!
Senator Obama is handsome, he
December 12, 2006 - 02:41 ET by jdhawkSenator Obama is handsome, he's smart, he's charasmatic, he's this, and yes, he's that. You know what? I'm handsome, smart, and charasmatic, but no one is touting me for president.
This guy is a dyed in the wool liberal, but at least he's honest about it. Compared to Illinois's other senator who is an opportunistic chameleon whose tack to the left corresponds in lock step with his ascendency in his party, at least with Obama you know what you're getting.
I'm grown quite tired of all the hype around this guy. Sure, he's smart and he might be the only immovable object in the path of the irresistable force of that other junior senator, the one from New York. But point to ONE thing he's done (besides pen no less than two memoirs within a couple of years of each other--imagine being in your forties and having compiled two memoirs!). Name one piece of legislation with his name on it. He's non partisan you say? Show me one vote in the senate where he's broken ranks with the democratic caucas.
Tick, tock, tick, tock . . . brinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng! Times up.