The Sheila Variations

Wow. That's a pretty high pedestal Lars has set himself up on.

Lars, I think any sane person would have a problem with a plastic toy depicting ANY nation's tragedy being distributed in bags of candy to children. I don't call that bigotry - I call it humanity.

(I'm sorry for jumping in on this before you had the opportunity to defend yourself first, Sheila, but...)

Lars,
First of all, I don't think you know what the word "prostitute" means. Second, Sheila has *been* to Ireland before (which, by the way isn't "exactly Europe," but it's in Europe. I think the Irish spending their Euros and voting in EU elections would be quite surprised to be told otehrwise). Third, you missed the entire bloody point of her post. That toy is a sick, disgusting homage to the murder of 3,000 innocent people in a terrorist attack. I don't see why Sheila should be expected to extend any understanding towards someone that would produce a "toy" like that.

I think you should worry more about your own comprehension skills before you deliver some patronizing rant against a person you don't know. Point to one bigotted thing Sheila has ever written - ONE. Sheila happens to be a friend of mine, and is one of the most open-minded, fair, unassuming and intelligent people you should ever be so lucky to meet. Condescending creep.

Ok, kids, lets review.

If a person makes idiotic statements in an attempt to get attention, DO NOT reply to them.

If their goal is to get attention, they win if you respond, no matter how reasoned and intelligent your answers are. This jerk is playing a different game and logic can't win.

If you acknowledge creeps in any way, they win. Just wait for our dear Sheila to yank his post.

Dan,
I couldn't help it. Like I said, Sheila's a friend of mine and it pissed me off to read some halfwit addressing her as if she were an ignorant four year-old.

Sorry. Full stop to troll feeding.

I wrote a scathing tirade at lars but deleted it before posting...Must. Resist. Urge. To. Feed. Troll.

Don't know what the intent of the manufacturer was, but it is possible it was just a matter of toy design, (have to suspend it between something so you can spin it) no malice aforethought.

OTOH I would be interested where the toys were imported from. I think the people who packaged the toys should have been paying more attention and been a bit more sensitive to the images this invokes.

Oh, and Lars, Shelia is the least political, nasty, cynical, snarky etc. of the bloggers I read.

So you might cut her a break and go chew someone's ass at Eschaton, KOS, Little Green Footballs, Tacitus et. al.

Thanks

Tasteless without doubt-
karma will take care of the prick who did that......

:: Pressing pause ::

Trolls suck!

:: resuming his mindless video game ::

Miami. Something like that would only come from Miami. It's like something straight out of Carl Hiaasen.

The thing is, I'm not sure that old Lars doesn't represent a fairly large percentage of the European populace at this point. Americans may fight like cats and dogs over the proper strategy for fighting the terrorists, but very few of us reject the idea that terrorists must be dealt with in a way more forceful than just asking them nicely to please stop.

Many Europeans, on the other hand, seem to believe that appeasement is the only answer. If we would only be nicer to the terrorists and stop provoking them, we could all live happily ever after. If you think about it, that philosophy really bears a lot of similarities to Battered Wife Syndrome. In that mindset, I guess Sheila objecting to a toy that glorifies the death and destruction of 9/11 must have been seen by Lars as "provoking" the terrorists by denigrating the feelings of empowerment and pride they derive from their great victory on 9/11.

History overflows with proof that appeasement is a hopeless strategy when someone is trying to kill you. We obviously must do more to promote democracy and freedom and economic growth around the world, but once someone decides to take up arms against the United States, we will not beg them not to attack us. Rather, we will do our best to plant them six feet under - no matter who our President happens to be at the time.

Lars reminds me of why I prefer dogs to people. Perhaps, in this case, I even would prefer lizards...

{opens box of paella mix, looks for "MadridBlast™ Train Toy", wants to collect whole set for lars' stocking stuffer; shocked, shocked he can't find it}

i'm listed #1 on the Ugly Merkun™ hit parade; take that, mccabe!

{does monkey dance}

It's right over there, Mr. B. Next to Suicide Bomber Barbie™.

got it! thanks!

long as i'm here, might as well pick up Burhka Barbie™ for my daughter...

Wow. Looks like I missed all the fun.

I guess the only thing I could say to Lars is a repeat of what my original post said, only in a different context:

"I don't want to understand someone who makes such a rude and condescending comment like that."

Glad my parents taught me manners.

I'm deleting his comment. It's a waste of bandwidth.

Thanks everyone - for leaping to my defense - since I don't have internet hook-up at home, and only came to this now.

It's interesting, too - most of my posts are about Cary Grant, or the books I've read, or movies I love, or Cashel stories. The trolls only focus on the posts that confirm for them how terrible and unfeeling and shallow Americans are. Lovely filter they've got going there!! Unintelligent indeed.

Onward.

It's a beautiful day, I've got a barbecue to attend, I have some cold beers to drink, and tomorrow I'm going to the Guggenheim with a great friend.

As ever, red, you are a most gracious blog hostess. I had penned a seething bit of poison for mr. lars but, thankfully, I then saw Big Dan's post reminding me that this is your party and I am but a guest.

Enjoy the show.