tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post682675137334017451..comments2024-02-24T00:37:43.087-05:00Comments on The Other McCain: The Geek at the Prom vs. Mark LevinRobert Stacy McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084541621503669804noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-50545806229205731532009-05-27T01:58:10.595-04:002009-05-27T01:58:10.595-04:00One more thing: Mark Levin is a big man. His nasal...<I>One more thing: Mark Levin is a big man. His nasal tenor voice might lead the uninformed listener to picture him as a diminuitive nebbish. He is not. He's the size of a Big 10 linebacker and I'd bet dollars to donuts Levin could take out Rod Dreher with a single punch.</I>I would imagine that Levin is, himself, quite familiar with dollars to donuts transactions, Stacy. The guy's a fat piece of shit with a bad ticker who likely gets winded walking to his car. My little sister could kick his ass just by dancing around him for couple of minutes sustained.<br /><br />Jeebus, but you wingnuts are desperate for heroes, even if they sound like a chihuahua.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-76049513211042306492009-05-26T16:43:18.189-04:002009-05-26T16:43:18.189-04:00"To be a journalist in Washington is to live one's..."To be a journalist in Washington is to live one's life surrounded by men who have never driven 110 mph, never spent a night in jail, and never won a fightfight in their lives."<br /><br />And who wants to hang out with non-violent non-criminals?ignatovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05645074772976786048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-28510783919215648542009-05-26T12:41:51.132-04:002009-05-26T12:41:51.132-04:00It is somewhat ironic that you paint Levin as this...It is somewhat ironic that you paint Levin as this heroic fighter by attacking a woman who had the audacity to "lie" to the call screener. That's right, the call screener, as in the person who makes sure that Levin only takes calls from people who either agree with him or are clearly unequipped to be talking on the air and therefore can easily be made to look foolish. How manly is it to only fight on your home turf, with everything stacked in your favor? I'd say, not very, and like so many of the right wing talk show hosts, he never served in the military to fight for our country. Odd how you never find Levin engaged in a true debate with someone where the playing field is level. He's a coward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-81919252613206085722009-05-26T12:34:04.956-04:002009-05-26T12:34:04.956-04:00I love how you quote yourself to make your points....I love how you quote yourself to make your points. It must be so hard being the smartest man in the world. Who can you turn to when you need a supporting quote, when nobody else can say things as well as you do?Dinklenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-73923485684778629922009-05-26T00:31:04.100-04:002009-05-26T00:31:04.100-04:00Who is Rod Dreher?Who is Rod Dreher?Col. B. Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590364016079745156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-50598909038234436292009-05-25T23:33:08.549-04:002009-05-25T23:33:08.549-04:00And this is why RSM is a well known journalist/blo...And this is why RSM is a well known journalist/blogger and I am not. You just laid out in this post exactly what I was trying to explain to some dense commenters over at Reihl World View with regards to Mark Levin and his show, yet you did it so much better and clearly than me. Kudos, sir. Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-25027330230876200532009-05-25T11:27:33.783-04:002009-05-25T11:27:33.783-04:00Reading the quotes here -- and now over at Tim Bla...Reading the quotes here -- and now over at <A HREF="http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/beta_is_alpha/" REL="nofollow">Tim Blair's site</A>, I have to wonder... is the reason lefties seem so much more <I>bitter</I> than even the angriest conservative because they've never done any dumshit? Maybe they don't have the leveling perspective that comes with saying, "Oh, crap. remember the time I..."<br /><br />Maybe jumping a bonfire with an open glass of tequila in your hand once in a while is good for the soul...richard mcenroehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659450906647134430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-19599714285379935802009-05-25T08:44:36.855-04:002009-05-25T08:44:36.855-04:00Oh, just by listening an hour to talk radio, you c...Oh, just by listening an hour to talk radio, you can hear what trouble it is to fill. I never fail to appreciate the sacrifice. Good memorial day to all.Doug The Unahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753071669562594194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-5083094563110553532009-05-24T21:47:55.709-04:002009-05-24T21:47:55.709-04:00I'm totally unimpressed with the "it's really hard...I'm totally unimpressed with the "it's really hard to do talk radio" argument for why we should respect these guys.<br /><br />I'm sure it is hard, and it requires real skill and talent, no question.<br /><br />But so does shooting ping pong balls out of your vagina.<br /><br />The difficulty of doing something is not an automatic reason for valorizing it.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08880954093268167472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-90671148821876082122009-05-24T21:25:37.413-04:002009-05-24T21:25:37.413-04:00"If you don't buy Rush, Coulter or Levin, if they ..."If you don't buy Rush, Coulter or Levin, if they ALL leave a bad taste in your mouth, then you really aren't part of the conservative base."<br /><br />I guess so; I'll have to vote for the Dems next time. But seriously, would we rather build a meaningful political movement or a club for tough guys? Because we all know there aren't nearly enough tough guys left...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-18400354024967940032009-05-23T23:49:18.598-04:002009-05-23T23:49:18.598-04:00Speaking as a member of the nerd wing of the liber...Speaking as a member of the nerd wing of the libertarian movement, all I have to say is:<br /><br />Say it now and say it loud, I'm a nerd and I'm proud!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720409839023747889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-17473575641867779102009-05-23T15:28:33.884-04:002009-05-23T15:28:33.884-04:00I tried to get his book at the library and there w...I tried to get his book at the library and there were literally dozens of holds on that book alone. So I had to settle for 1776 instead. <br /><br />Mark is abrasive which is why I can take about 10 minutes of him before I need a breather.The Vegas Art Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800692010017718392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-28110034529401531102009-05-23T13:40:16.858-04:002009-05-23T13:40:16.858-04:00Check out the portable people meter ratings, not t...Check out the portable people meter ratings, not the diary ratings. MAL is at number 16. That's less than satisfying.Joe Mariernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-10519364243197073582009-05-23T12:58:20.662-04:002009-05-23T12:58:20.662-04:00"To be a journalist in Washington is to live one's..."To be a journalist in Washington is to live one's life surrounded by men who have never driven 110 mph, never spent a night in jail, and never won a fightfight in their lives..."<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC9mqbImrC8" REL="nofollow">Damn! Then WE could be doing Beer Commercials!</A>richard mcenroehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659450906647134430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-82679873576401265812009-05-23T11:33:30.943-04:002009-05-23T11:33:30.943-04:00Little Rod, shut down the comments sections for hi...Little Rod, shut down the comments sections for his big bad post on Mark Levin after under 50 comments of mostly pro Mark Levin defense. He said his comments section was being "spammed" by Mark Levin fans. The little boy doesn't even seem to have his tech lingo figured out yet but he did learn something in 1st grade yesterday, "Mark Levin is.. what's that big word again... oh Disgusting". I can't stand the conservative dandies like Rod.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-12199630719795331842009-05-23T11:00:57.460-04:002009-05-23T11:00:57.460-04:00Umnnhhhh...
I have kids. Some of them are IQ-sma...Umnnhhhh...<br /><br />I have kids. Some of them are IQ-smart, some of them are street-smart.<br /><br />Love 'em all, but I'll take the street-smarts when it comes to a fight.<br /><br />(Along with a couple of large guns.)Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-29948151736590751222009-05-23T10:40:04.021-04:002009-05-23T10:40:04.021-04:00Ah, Joe, you may want to check out real DC radio r...Ah, Joe, you may want to check out real DC radio ratings:<br />http://arbitronratings.com/radio_stations/home.htm...<br /><br />MAL is doing better than you suspect...<br /><br />JJessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-70607685506707932252009-05-23T08:46:24.060-04:002009-05-23T08:46:24.060-04:00I am getting sick of pretenders and stooges acting...I am getting sick of pretenders and stooges acting conservative just to screw up the stupid. Guys like Dreher are the reason why we have Charlie Christ in FL and (had)Arlen Specter in PA and Tom Ridge....<br /><br />If you don't buy Rush, Coulter or Levin, if they ALL leave a bad taste in your mouth, then you really aren't part of the conservative base.Mr. Smarterthanyouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07863413328142551684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-21495797075662443322009-05-23T07:45:46.119-04:002009-05-23T07:45:46.119-04:00All true enough, but... Rod Dreher and David Frum ...All true enough, but... Rod Dreher and David Frum do talk radio. NPR commentaries and interviews count. Yes, it's hard to do an hour of conservative political commentary and insult comedy, but it's hardly relevant to whether that's the style we need right now.<br /><br />Check out the current DC ratings for radio at dcrtv.com. My beloved (left-leaning) guy-talk station WJFK is at the bottom, Levin's station WMAL is slightly higher but still low, and those are the only long form talk stations that even register. Number 1? WTOP. Which is short-form news in 5-10 minute chunks, designed to keep you minimally informed as you make the drive to work or drop the kids off at preschool. Essentially, it's a commercial version of NPR (which is beating both JFK and MAL, by the way). What are conservatives doing to compete with that style?<br /><br />Regarding reinforcing success: huh? As Chesterton said, we're all successful at something. Levin's successful at selling books to conservatives. Others are not as successful as that, but are pretty successful at insinuating themselves into the mainstream press, etc., even if they have to present their criticisms other conservatives to do it. But, presenting SOME conservative ideas in hostile venues, is a form of success that shall not be reinforced. It shall be run down as illegitimate at every opportunity.<br /><br />Liberalism has populist and elitist elements. So should we.Joe Mariernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-58279548042554857812009-05-23T06:52:41.724-04:002009-05-23T06:52:41.724-04:00Excellently put, Mr. McCain. I listen to Mark ever...Excellently put, Mr. McCain. I listen to Mark every chance I get, and I quickly overcame my initial shock with regard to his style when I realized the essence of his cause and the brilliance of his argument. I am one of the guys who would have slapped my dashboard and shouted an expletive or two in support of Mark.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-17412991909496534592009-05-23T01:41:05.000-04:002009-05-23T01:41:05.000-04:00As a fellow Christian it really annoys me to read ...As a fellow Christian it really annoys me to read the likes of Dreher. He is, to be blunt, a weenie of the first order. Mark Levin's style on the radio has no import on his ideas, which are superb. <br /><br />I also enjoyed how he shut the comments thread down, because he found himself in a hornets nest of Mark Levin supporters (who were pretty civil unless there were comments he deleted). <br /><br />My disposition is to be nicey nice. But we need, desperately, warriors, people who can stand up and shout the truth without fine print or worry about hurting feelings. That's why I support Mark Levin; that's what he does. Rod Dreher does nothing for our cause, except drag it down and divide us when he trashes our own people. <br /><br />@ Paul: Lol, dude, simply lol.Rob Howardhttp://www.rumblepak.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-81565566152432335322009-05-23T01:36:04.482-04:002009-05-23T01:36:04.482-04:00"...men who have never driven 110 mph, never spent..."...men who have never driven 110 mph, never spent a night in jail, and never won a fightfight in their lives."<br /><br />Ummm, do you get bonus points if you once did all three in a single night? In the same incident?<br /><br />The latest election had made one thing perfectly clear to me - while I am as conservative as they come, I will never be welcome at the tables of the conservative glitterati. While I enjoy Christopher Buckley's books immensely, I would not appreciate spending personal time with him, nor he with me. As for Dreher, I eat food I enjoy for flavor and preparation and the company it's consumed in, and not from some higher moral urgency.<br /><br />People inside the Beltway are not "normal." Which is not a disqualification, but their unwillingness to tolerate those who are is. I'd much rather hang with the Palins than with that incestuous "intellectual elite" circle.Steve Skubinnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-19055271099259219672009-05-22T22:29:40.341-04:002009-05-22T22:29:40.341-04:00Awww, is poooow widdle Rob jeaowous?
People liste...Awww, is poooow widdle Rob jeaowous?<br /><br />People listen to Levin because, while Dreher's trying to develop a political movement based on the food one eats, Levin's actually addressing issues people give two craps about. Maybe if Dreher spent less time discussing the sacramental elements of his free range roasted turkey dinner he might get people to bother paying attention to him as well.<br /><br />And I've read <I>Liberty And Tyranny</I>. Great, great book.<br /><br />And as for Captain Obvious: slowpoke.paul zummohttp://crankycon.politicalbear.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-34717215358135500322009-05-22T21:15:08.631-04:002009-05-22T21:15:08.631-04:00The smash-mouth style is a traditional part of tal...The smash-mouth style is a traditional part of talk radio, granted. It takes its cues from the Don Rickles - George Carlin brands of comedy. In the DC market, though, WTOP has been killing it with more of an NPR style, and that's the style Rod Dreher (and Frum, for that matter) has been pursuing.<br /><br />Speaking personally, I think we need both sides. And, I agree with Jonah Goldberg that we need to continue to attempt to revive Firing Line.Joe Mariernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-57127347897842782212009-05-22T20:57:39.789-04:002009-05-22T20:57:39.789-04:00I made a similar point at Infinite Monkeys, but I'...I made a similar point at <A HREF="http://www.infinitemonkeysblog.com" REL="nofollow">Infinite Monkeys</A>, but I'll make it again where people are actually reading: I know Mark Levin. I first met him in 1996 and I've spoken and corresponded with him many times over the years, most recently in March. Although I've never met his kids or dined at his home or anything, I'm willing to vouch for his good character. And I know and like Rod Dreher. But I dispute Rod's characterization. It isn't right.<br /><br />Mark Levin off the air wouldn't say what he said to that caller in the way that he said it. But I think he meant what he said, which boils down to the straightforward observation that the caller prefers her despotism with a Democratic rather than a Republican hue; and, secondly, he wouldn't want to be married to her. De gustibus non est disputandum, as the sages say.<br /><br />The caller was a fool if she expected to have a genuine conversation with the host. When you call a radio show like Levin's, prepare for combat. And you should know that you will <I>always</I> lose to the guy with the dump-button. If you listen even for an hour, you'll learn that Levin even throws jabs at friendly callers. That's the show. <br /><br />Levin's latest book, Liberty and Tyranny, isn't a typical radio book. It isn't schtick on a page. It's a tightly argued brief against what he rightly sees as a rising tide of statism in America today. And if Levin gets worked up about the subject on the air and yells at some dumb callers, well, that's really no concern of mine. May not be Rod Dreher's cup of tea, but it's still a free country. More or less.Ben Boychukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12636929217899041497noreply@blogger.com