Comments on: Rat-Patootie

By: Charles S

Charles S — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:35:15 +0000

Sad news about an actual heroic journalist from the unreported (in the Western Press, as far as I can see) war:
The editor of a major paper in Sri Lanka, Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated last week. He wrote about the fact that he was about to be killed shortly before his death (it was published after his assassination). I’d never heard of him (I don’t know much about Sri Lanka), he seems like he was a very heroic man in the best sense of that word.

He doesn’t deserve the insult of being associated with Joe the Plumber in any way whatsoever, but there was no recent open thread.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:32:18 +0000

Is it possible to interpret one of his points as, “Journalists reveal the locations of our troops, which is dangerous, and that is one reason that journalists shouldn’t be allowed near war?” He seems to be making that claim.

By: marmalade

marmalade — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:28:45 +0000

Personally, I think that journalists (and those that just play them on YouTube) should have a better command of the English language if they are reporting for an English-speaking audience.

But, then, I think that U.S. presidents should also :)

By: Jeff Fecke

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:37:12 +0000

He IS aware that USA != Israel, right?

I’m guessing not, but who can be sure?

By: RonF

RonF — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:21:03 +0000

By: Nobody Special

Nobody Special — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:35:53 +0000

Note, he’s also not saying that just about our own wars. He’s saying that about foreign war. He’s saying that a country that is NOT the US should be able to give the US citizenry propaganda and spoon-fed happy talk.

He IS aware that USA != Israel, right?

By: FilthyGrandeur

FilthyGrandeur — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:21:19 +0000

i love that you began this article with the moral of Ratatouille (it’s my fave pixar movie, although all pixar movies are technically my favorites). i’m reminded of another quote from that movie that would be appropriate here:
Gusteau: What do I always say? Anyone can cook.
Remy: Yeah. Anyone can, that doesn’t mean that anyone should.
lol. so true little rat; so true.

By: Ampersand

Ampersand — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:58:38 +0000

Ron, as I recall — and how sad is it that I even know this? — Joe doesn’t actually have a plumber’s license. Unless he’s gotten one recently.

Edited to add: Whoops, crossposted with SiF.

By: Silenced is Foo

Silenced is Foo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:57:08 +0000

@RonF

iirc, he’s not actually licensed as a plumber.

By: idyllicmollusk

idyllicmollusk — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:56:21 +0000

Watching that video made my brain hemorrhage.

“I’m a “journalist” overseas reporting to you that journalists shouldn’t be over here reporting to you!”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

He wants America to lay down and consent knowingly and willingly to stupidity. How “American.” How “folksy” and “authentic.” Nothing seems real anymore, which is why I must use so many “scare quotes.”

By: RonF

RonF — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:54:37 +0000

I won’t defend Joe’s attempt at journalism. But I do wonder why you describe him as a faux plumber?