1). I am, in point of fact, awake. I retain a full sensorium (I don’t usually dream smells or tastes) and I can read printed text (something that I almost never do in dreams, if ever). There are none of the freighted psychological images associated with dreams or nightmares currently present, and the rules of the universe seem to be in effect.
2). I am not currently suffering from a fever or delirium. My nose is clear, my throat unscratchy; I do not especially feel sudden bursts of heat or cold and I can freely breathe without coughing.
3). While I did consume a standard bottle of beer earlier, it was only one – not enough to cause inebriation, let alone visions. I am not currently taking any sort of mind-altering drug for either medical or recreational use; it is highly unlikely that any such substance exists in sufficient concentration in my bloodstream to cause hallucinations.
4). Mental illness does not notably run in my family; indeed, I cannot think of a single documented case schizophrenia or general hallucinations among my known genetic relations. I have shown no symptoms to contradict that.
5). The link works and goes to his official site, as far as I can tell. Other members of my household have confirmed this.
(pause)
I must therefore conclude, incredibly, that this Ted Rall blog post about Air America actually exists, regardless of the fact that it completely lacks frothing mad partisan attacks against the Right – indeed, Rall actually manages to type out ‘Rush Limbaugh’ without modifiers – and that it shows every sign of being written by a sane, fully sapient human being. I can only assume that this means that Ted Rall has been replaced by a pod person, a la Invasion of the Body Snatchers. To which I say, kudos to our Pod People visitors, and let me be the first to welcome you to the cool, green hills of Earth. You can convert Ann Coulter next, if you like.
No, really. Feel free.
Ha, that’s great. I was wondering where all that buildup was leading.
Nah. Still Ted Rall.
Anybody who thinks supporting the war in Afghanistan disqualifies you as a true liberal has to be Ted Rall.
He makes some decent points that time will decide. Liberals may simply not enjoy strident radio the way conservatives do, and I was never sure the audience was ever there to be found.
The farm system idea was not bad. I might have tried starting in Austin and Lawrence Kansas( medium size college towns), but I think those dial slots are real hard to buy in smaller markets.
“Anybody who thinks supporting the war in Afghanistan disqualifies you as a true liberal has to be Ted Rall.”
I didn’t say that he was right, just that for once he wasn’t giving off that vibe that makes a person want to make soothing noises while looking for a nice, heavy rock to throw. 🙂
I can only conclude from your use of the word sensorium that you’ve been reading far too much William Gibson.
I did like the following line:
Second, moderation is death.
I think Rall’s in no mortal danger.
Oh, and:
Democrats want to hear a strident voice echoing their opinions; Republicans want to throw something at those Goddamn commies.
So, Democrats want an echo chamber, eh? Damn. Well, it’s Rall, so I have to weight accordingly.
So, Democrats want an echo chamber, eh?
I don’t think that’s what he’s saying. I think he’s saying liberals want a strong voice speaking strongly. That’s different than an echo chamber, though, the distinction I’m making might not make much difference.
“…true liberal has to be Ted Rall.”
Key missing point: Ted Rall is neither an actual liberal, nor has ever claimed to be one. He is a rather extreme leftist (though not, so far as I know, a communist — and, yes, there are still a number around), and regards himself as a “radical.”
There really are differences between these things, greatly significant ones, much as they’re invisible from many POVs on the right, just as, say, a libertarian is different from a paleoconservative or a racist.
I don’t think that’s what he’s saying.
I’d agree with you, if he hadn’t used the word “echo”. I’d also probably have used a different word than “strident” if I were him; thank God that’s not the case.
And just so we’re clear, Gary, I don’t think Rall’s opinions are reflective of those of everyone left of center. Or even a sizeable percentage of the country.
Blog Rolling
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Blog Rolling
* OxBlog…. As many of us know, ‘Al Qaeda’ means ‘the base’ or ‘the foundation’. However, it does not just refer to physical objects, but also to concepts. Thus, the plural of Al Qaeda, ‘Al Qawaid’, means ‘grammar’. Why? Because…
Rall’s a nutjob.
I think that liberals, on the whole, are actually fairly moderate, which is why Air America is the way it is. Nobody’s calling for public ownership of the means of producation over there.
Dogs and cats living together..
A shocking moment from Atrios…. You know, I was really pretty astounded by Franken’s interview with Howard Fineman just now. First of all, I want to say that I think that Franken is proving himself to be a master interviewer,…
Blog Rolling
* OxBlog…. As many of us know, ‘Al Qaeda’ means ‘the base’ or ‘the foundation’. However, it does not just refer to physical objects, but also to concepts. Thus, the plural of Al Qaeda, ‘Al Qawaid’, means ‘grammar’. Why? Because…