Candidates Who Believe Man Saddled Up The Dinosaurs
Americans actually consider electing these yahoos instead of simply laughing them out of the public square. Another good'un by the UK's Pat Condell:
Don't miss the bit about Mitt Romney's underpants.
via machineslikeus
I've watched quite a few of Pat Condell's videos. He's very well spoken, but this is not one of his best. I wonder how he does it so well. Do you think he has cue cards off camera? I'm not being facetious here, just curious.
Norman at January 8, 2008 3:36 AM
I'd vote for someone like this but he's too sane to run and would never be elected if he did because he was dead on. Thanks for the clip, Amy. We need more forthright statements of the facts like this.
Donna at January 8, 2008 4:39 AM
I agree, Norman, but Pat at not his best is better than most at theirs.
Amy Alkon at January 8, 2008 5:51 AM
He's well-spoken because in many British schools they actually teach diction, deportment, public speaking and debate; and actively discourage "teen-speak" like, y'know? Gnarly.
I actually think he misrepresents the particular American flavour (shall I say flavor) of Evangelical Christianity when he describes the "miserable sinners" bit near the end. Rather,evangelicals have a particular brand of "feel-good" religion - God loves you unconditionally, therefore you deserve money and power and good hair - as long as you are "born again" into a "personal relationship with Jesus." The brand of Christianity he is characterising here is actually very old-school Church of England. Until very recently the Canadian Anglican prayer book had a prayer in its weekly service that went something like "Oh God, save us miserable offenders .. we are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table..." and on and on.
How can you tell I was an Anglican for many years. I've seen the light of reason.
But anyway - good video, overall point well taken, I enjoyed it.
Plum Skeptic at January 8, 2008 7:35 AM
I mean this with complete respect: I don't know anyone who uses the word "gnarly." Granted, I'm an East Coaster so there might be a geographic divide. But, I'm pretty sure gnarly died, in, like, the 70s, dude.
Great video. I'm going to watch some more of this fellow. Romney makes me sad to be from MA.
Good follow up video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wPglHZQf-0&feature=related
Gretchen at January 8, 2008 9:24 AM
I don't remember hearing of this guy before, but I'm going to have to keep him in mind. That was fun.
Plum Skeptic, I didn't think his description was far from the conservative religion of my childhood in the US. I agree that preachers here also emphasize "God loves you," but in my experience the most effective of them know how to sell both the imaginary carrot and the imaginary stick.
Gretchen, I still say gnarly every once in awhile; generally ironically when I'm drunk.
Shawn at January 8, 2008 11:37 AM
OK, so what does "gnarly" mean?
Norman at January 9, 2008 12:59 AM
I would say it's sort of outdated surfer slang for "cool." There's much more here, though: http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/gnarly
Shawn at January 9, 2008 1:57 AM
I have to second Shawn, Plum. The shit I grew up with promised you heaven but gave you hell for, well, for being human. No wonder I was a suicidal teen. Funny thing. As soon as I left my fundy mother's home and stopped going to church, the suicidal tendencies disappeared, literally overnight, no shrink needed. No, no harm in religion.
Donna at January 9, 2008 9:46 AM
Wow, Gretchen, thanks for the link! She was terrific and stated her point so well that the Muslim cleric could do nothing but point his finger and scream heretic! I was breathless and all I could think was you, go, girl!
Donna at January 9, 2008 10:06 AM
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