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| Home Front: Culture Wars |
| Lileks: Elite Affectations |
| 2009-02-25 |
| Okay. Ed Driscoll noted something today - a webpost about the Mayor of San Francisco being caught with . . . bottled water. Full story here. This sums up with exquisite precision the people we elect to guide our institutions: Fix on something small and symbolic, and demonize it; Propose a response that does little to address the fundamental problem; Forbid the thing to others; Reserve its use for yourself; Adopt a penitent tone when caught which underscores the hypocrisy and makes you look like a dweeb for apologizing for something which, while petty, you have infused with moral failings. IÂ’m not big on shouting HYPOCRITE, for the most part, because failing to do a thing you endorse does not mean the thing youÂ’re endorsing isnÂ’t a good idea. But that equation changes when itÂ’s something they want to take away from you, but reserve for themselves. In any case, itÂ’s just laughable to see a weightless fool who, for the sake of public image and sending the right messages, has to apologize for having the wrong kind of water container - and has an aide describe it as an indulgence. Sir. Six oysters for breakfast with a rasher of bacon is an indulgence. Three showgirls in your lap is an indulgence. Racing a car at high speed on weekends is an indulgence. Having a moral tuning fork that twinges when someone drinks water from a plastic bottle is an affectation. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #7 Corporate Water Fascist! |
| Posted by: ed 2009-02-25 13:11 |
| #6 "The mayor will be the first to admit that he occasionally indulges in bottled water," Ballard said. "ItÂ’s not something heÂ’s proud of." Yeah, like banging the wife of your campaign manager and good friend? Kinda like that? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2009-02-25 12:54 |
| #5 Fix on something small and symbolic, and demonize it; Propose a response that does little to address the fundamental problem; Forbid the thing to others; Reserve its use for yourself; I'm guessing no one reads "Animal Farm" in school anymore. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2009-02-25 12:47 |
| #4 Looking over my shoulder? Yes, the short leash has served her well over the years. The victuals are excellent and I seldom leave the rug. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-02-25 09:24 |
| #3 I think Besoeker was saying he enjoyed the showgirls with chips and beer. I know I do . . . |
| Posted by: GORT 2009-02-25 08:00 |
| #2 Besoeker, I noticed you glossed over the 3 showgirls. Is the missus looking over you shoulder? |
| Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 2009-02-25 07:49 |
| #1 Sir. Six oysters for breakfast with a rasher of bacon is an indulgence. Three showgirls in your lap is an indulgence. Racing a car at high speed on weekends is an indulgence. Having a moral tuning fork that twinges when someone drinks water from a plastic bottle is an affectation. I used to love them with chips and beer, but oysters and too much bacon give me indigestion and heartburn these days. My eyesight and response time is a bit lagging for fast race cars, but give me five minutes to empty my bottle and I'll be ready for the show! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-02-25 07:22 |