Second, Jon talks at some length about the media, and in particular about the Republican ability to get journalists to harp endlessly on supposed character flaws of Democrats, while their own candidates get a free pass. He emphasizes the right-wing echo chamber, but there’s more to it than that. It’s also – as I can report from my own experience – a result of asymmetrical intimidation. Quite simply, if you point out character flaws in a conservative, there will be an all-out effort, involving major media as well as blogs and talk radio, to discredit and ruin you, personally. This just doesn’t happen on the other side. (Emphasis added)

What’s the name of McArdle’s blog? Oh, right.

Attaboy, Paul.

However, as J points out, the real story is that she was invited by TPMCafe to discuss a book which she admitted that she had not read.. Now that’s some quality inallechualizin’ there. You gotsta go to yer Ivy Leaguers fer THAT kinda thinkin’!

Also, regarding Spackle Plenty, or whatever her nym is:

No, no, it was a “font of material”. Inquiring minds are still wondering which font he has in mind… Comic Sans?

I like Comic Sans MS.

Because it’s sans MS.

Works for me on soooo many levels.

Welcome to the TPMCafe Book Club, where we invite authors to discuss their most recent works with readers and invited commentators.

This week we’ll be discussing Jonathan Chait’s new book, The Big Con…

Memo to TPMCafe – next time, perhaps you would be so kind as to explain to Megan that “readers and invited commentators” are not mutually exclusive and that she is in fact allowed, even expected, to read the book before discussing it.

I understand why this might not have struck you as necessary before … but now you know.

With kind regards,
Dog, etc.
papertrained … on the new york times

It seems to me that the trifling errors are an excellent indication of her mediocrity. She really couldn’t go over a seven-line post to locate a couple of whoppers? Wherever I comment (& on my one-person, two readers blog) I’m continually going over my typing (& writing) mostly ’cause I’m a poor typist, partly ’cause I know my grammar & spelling & can do it correctly, & have some pride & self-respect. (Not an excessive amount, mind you.)

It’s hard to tell where her personhood separates from her typing/writing/thinking, though I don’t think I’ve been terribly mean. She may be charming, but that alone is not a good basis for hiring any one, except as a con man/woman. We may be jealous & bitter, but not unjustifiably so.
And I don’t think our kind & generous hosts here have been that mean-spirited, they usually manage to call her on facts. If you’re ticked @ the commentariat, well, better that the lonely, sad, pathetic & jealous who waste our days, nights & afternoons here are @ our keyboards rather than our triggers. (Other than Mikey, of course. The LASD confiscated my rifle, so the world is safe from me.)

When is any half-way legitimate outpost of civiliation going to invite Confederate Yankee or some troll from LGF to review a book from a recognized pundit?

Revuu uh whuuuut?

Mona, I disagree.

Few people diserve ridicule as much as McArdle. It’s the banality of evil types that needs to be pointed out and disposed of, not the wingnuts Sadly, No usually attacks, but those types rarely reach McArdleness.

McArdle, for instance, is taken seriously enough to be invited to critique Jonathan Chait’s books, for the luv of gawd. Can’t you see the irony of that? When is any half-way legitimate outpost of civiliation going to invite Confederate Yankee or some troll from LGF to review a book from a recognized pundit?

That’s why McArdle deserves all the scorn that can be heaped on her. She has an undeserved air of legimitacy, ridiculous and loathsome opinions, and a platform. Unlike the ordinary wingnut, her voice can actually be heard. Pile on, Sadlynauts.

Because they’re the really visible ones. If you look really closely, pretty much all the others seem stupid too.

has been up since 1338 EDT today (it’s now seven hours later) it’s hard to resist. You’re an editor, how does it make you feel that someone is that lazy or undisciplined

My situation is cool now, thanks for asking — got work out of the bleg, as well as very generous donations that relieved the pressure.

Look, every blogger makes illiterate mistakes, myself included, unless they have an editor. That said, I find McArdle to be a mediocre thinker and writer, at best. If that’s the criticism — that the Atlantic has a helluva lot better choices available to them — you won’t get an argument from me. (If they want a libertarian with a background of being published and who actually is a fine writer, they could opt for Jim Henley.)

Rant away about that. It is just the ad hominem excesses at McArdle as a person, and at her trifling errors, that I think are unwarranted and make SN look petty and mean.

The reason I lean lib can is encapsulated right here.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2715792117793977759&hl=en

adb, was that you?

Also: Don’t think I have forgotten the fake Gary comment that placed him in the city in which I currently have the misfortune to reside.

If I everI find out who posted that, you are so getting a sleepover visit from Ganesh Bengal Cat. Off his meds.

You will pay. Well, not you, exactly. More like everything breakable you own will pay, and so, I suppose you really will pay, eventually…ah, fuck it. It was damned unkind, is all I’m saying.

As Jillian wrote early on, what gets me is, sure, McCardle is shockingly ignorant on so very many subjects, but she also just refuses to do any basic research, making it all the more painful. She’s sorta like a thread troll – “explain to me this…” “Dance for me, monkey!” She may be a pleasant person, but she’s a complete twit.