For those of you who haven’t already seen it, what follows is video of New York Times columnist and recovering crack addict (NTTAWWTIYKWIMAITYD) David Carr — in an answer to Bill Maher’s assertion that Kansas and Alabama aren’t “smart states” — feigning edgy candor and playing to the progressive base that makes up the vast majority of Maher’s audience:
I spoke last week about Deepak Chopra’s strained attempts to throw out the proper cultural markers to those he so wishes to please, and Carr is no different, pandering to an audience he hopes to impress with his willingness to break with media taboo and “let slip” a bit of politically incorrect “candor” that we all know to be as consciously intended as is Carr’s entire wannabe-elite persona. That is, he is dancing for claps on the back from those he needs to love him — and when viewed from that perspective, his comments are less offensive than they are sad, just another iteration of a public progressive making sure the hive knows that he’s with them should he ever really let slip something that could cause them to turn on him and question his commitment to the cause.
It was, as utterances go, meant as a resume builder. And so far, what have been the consequences?
Carr is free to say whatever he wishes, so far as I’m concerned. But it seems to me that, increasingly, it is the self-styled smart set that seems to keep getting caught up making such public — and then publicly available — gaffes.
Which, I guess that’s smart if it leads to a new book deal or some such. I mean, if you can make crack work for you, career wise…
So, Phrenology is making a comeback with the NYT set? Interesting.
Carr has accomplished what few others have: Seal act for the Obama 20!2 Reelection Magazine, a rag those he disrespects have the sense not to waste their money on.
Speaking of dumpster-scraping scum, apparently when he’s not walking around stone drunk with a plastic stingray barb in his chest or beating up on the children of former US governors, Maher sees his dismal program as a second rate blog. His network should too. His audience obviously does.
You assume it went away in the first place?
heh
As far as “smart states” go, wasn’t there a news story last week, the second story this year, if I recall, that red states have higher ranking public schools than blue states?
On behalf of Minnesota, I’d like to state that we sent him to New York just as soon as we realized how fucked up he was. Kinda like how we sent Keith Ellison to Washington, except different.
The other thing to remember is the Twin Cities (known as “the metro area” to those of us from “outstate” Minnesota) vies with Chicago to become NYC’s sixth borough. Alternatively, you can think of Minneapolis/St. Paul as just like San Francisco, only less hilly, and snowier.
Over the winter, one of the train people wrote about the dream of turning University Avenue into something resembling Market Street. As I stood atop a seven-foot snowdrift waiting for a bus in wind chills that hovered around ten below, I thought to myself, “Yup — this is exactly like a Rice-A-Roni commercial!”
I still want to know if New York City attracts midwestern crazies, or if NYC drives midwesterners to substance abuse and insanity. Correlation v causation, and all that.
I don’t think the Twin Cities is exactly like San Francisco. For instance, our homeless population is lower, and they aren’t nearly as aggressive.
Right now University Avenue is, in some places (like near the U of MN), a disaster area. I can’t see it being much better when the tracks are in and the trains are running. There will be even less parking. I expect local business to suffer. But we’ll have even more light rail, so all will be well with the world. Or something.
Welcome back, Jeff!
Minnesota thank you for Dylan but keep this one whatever his name may be.
Prince is a wackadoodle but pretty harmless I think.
I still want to know if New York City attracts midwestern crazies, or if NYC drives midwesterners to substance abuse and insanity. Correlation v causation, and all that.
New York just attracts weirdos and miserable people from everywhere, I think. People who think moving there is in and of itself a personal accomplishment and who are desperate to ingratiate themselves by shitting on where they come from. Southerners are the worst, though. I don’t know why exactly, but New York seems to attract an especially loathsome lot from there.
soldiers are a marching they’re writing brand new laws
will we all fight together 4 the most important cause?
Will we all fight 4 the right 2 be free?