Did you ever read Gone with the Wind? Scarlett O'Hara goes through a list of the different ways of treating people, and mentions how one has to be a bit saucy with old men.

I don't think that is going to change. Old people say all sorts of outrageous shit.

I love hat, NicoleK. (Never read it, though.)

And I can't see one of today's campus feminists -- writing scoldy emails to professors about microaggressions in their speech, and the like -- flirting with an old man.

Ageism is the one form of bigotry I will never understand. When Crid decided to lambaste veteran reporter Helen Thomas (long before she made as ass of herself with her anti-Israeli remarks) over her tenacity in holding a politician's feet to the fire, he made the mistake of calling her a "shriveled loon."

If you're prejudiced against black people, for instance, you don't have to worry about becoming black...unless you're Craig Cobb whose white supremacist friends turned on him upon learning he was 14% subsaharan African.

If you hate men, chances are you're not going to become one...barring surgery, hormones and a liberal interpretation of what constitutes "male."

However, if you're prejudiced against old people...well, I have some bad news for you. Barring a premature death, you're going to become one.

It simply makes no sense to hate old people.

One thing I've noticed as I get a bit older. Used to be, if I smiled at an attractive young lady, they would tend to look away. Now that I've officially become an Olde Phart, they almost always smile back. I believe they no longer think of me as hitting on them, and know I've become more like the dog chasing a car. Wouldn't know what to do if I caught it!

When I think of a name for Helen Thomas, "rabid senile bat"comes to mind.

If you want to treat old people with the same respect as everyone else, don't pull your punches.

Like the democratic party's pandering to minorities, coddling old people or anybody really, you are disrespecting them, as a child who cannot handle criticism.

Family members are different. They deserve good manners and respect, but not public figures, like Helen Thomas.

I don't much watch this guy, because I don't like his queeniness, but he raises a very valid point about the ageist contempt that goes on the gay bar scene.

When I think of a name for Helen Thomas, "rabid senile bat"comes to mind.

I see. And do you have some evidence that Helen Thomas suffers from senility? Does she forget to take her meds? Has she been found wandering around in strange neighborhoods, having forgotten where she lives?

Or, instead, did you latch onto the most convenient stereotype assigned to the elderly and decide to throw it at her because she's old?

No surprise to me, since you obviously adore Crid, but you're just as bigoted as he is.

Newsflash, dear, but barring a premature death, you're going to be old one day. And when someone young person starts hurling the same abuse at you that is generally reserved for senior citizens, maybe you'll spend some time thinking about your ageist attitudes.

Her anti-Israelism is disgusting, but senile she is not. Hope you're as lucky as she is when you start growing older. I wouldn't count on it, though. Karma's a mean, unforgiving bitch.

"Like the democratic party's pandering to minorities"

Or the Republicans using brass knuckle to hospitalize their opponents.

I never liked Helen Thomas. I've watched her since the Carter presidency and I always thought she reserved her harshest venom for Republican presidents and gave a pass to Democrat ones.

She was an avowed fan of John F. Kennedy and blamed an "personal vendetta against the Clintons" when a Congressional vote didn't go Clinton's way. She claimed Reagan was fostering an "uncaring society," that Reagan "lacked soul" and was an "uncaring man," and that Jimmy Carter was our "best past president." This is not an unbiased reporter, this is a partisan. She, like her colleagues, worshipped at the alter of liberalism.

However, I do agree with her statement that the press is the only societal institution that is able to question elected officials on a regular basis and hold their feet to the fire - and has a responsibility to do so. The press has failed in that responsibility for too many decades now. And she is a part of that failure. She said nothing as Democratic presidents usurped power and expanded the government, while wrapping herself in the mantle of "tough but fair" watchdog during the administrations of Republican presidents.

Or the Republicans using brass knuckle to hospitalize their opponents. ~ Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at May 9, 2016 9:28 AM

From the linked article: "Jonathan Porter of the Whitman's Creek area of Logan County has been arrested as the primary suspect in the incident, although no motive has been provided as of yet."

From another article: "West Virginia State Police told WSAZ that it too soon to know if the attack was politically motivated."

Let's see, "no motive has been provided as of yet."

By all means, let's jump the gun and assume the suspect was a Republican. Oh, and tar all Republicans with a broad brush for one deranged person's actions.

"instead, did you latch onto the most convenient stereotype assigned to the elderly and decide to throw it at her because she's old?"

Nope just calling it as I see it.

Also I find it interesting that in your original post, you considered criticism of Thomas off limits, until she said something you didn't like about Israel and Jews.

So the Patrick standard of civility is *show respect for the elderly right up until the time they say something that offends ME*

Crid has a very fine mind, and good reasoning skills. He also is a very kind person. You don't, and you aren't.

In short, I think you are a psychiatric mess, who hides behind a nebulous PTSD diagnosis to snipe at people who aren't as *sensitive* as you are.

Also, I'm already old Patrick. Didn't you know that?

You know what the great part about being old is? You are no longer offended by much, you say what you think, and you don't care what anyone, except maybe your children think of you.

So if you respect her so much, why don't you let Ms Thomas fight her own PR battles?

She doesn't need your approval or protection, and neither do I.

"Helen Thomas was the prom queen of Olduvai Gorge High School. She came to the U.S. on plate tectonics."

— @iowahawkblog

Nope just calling it as I see it.

Then I'm still waiting on your evidence that she suffers from senility.

Senility is a word that has a meaning, dear. It isn't just a pejorative for old people. Generally, it refers to a loss of mental function due to age-related illness, such as short-term memory loss.

Also I find it interesting that in your original post, you considered criticism of Thomas off limits, until she said something you didn't like about Israel and Jews.

Strawman argument, dear. I never said Helen Thomas was off-limits as far as criticism goes.(Perhaps you suffer from senility?) I was pointing out that attacking someone for their age with ageist insults is bigotry. That should go without saying, but nothing ever goes without saying to you, does it?

Conan, for instance, just did a very good job of criticizing Helen Thomas. His only shortcoming was misspelling "altar." (Just kidding, Conan. I couldn't resist the urge to nitpick. For what it's worth, I think you did a brilliant job of your takedown of Helen Thomas.) And not once did he feel the need to mention her age.

Go figure.

Crid has a very fine mind, and good reasoning skills. He also is a very kind person. You don't, and you aren't.

Ooh, obviously, I struck a nerve.

Is he? Perhaps someday I'll see some evidence of this. I've posted on this blog with him since the inception, and during that time, he has expressed every form of bigotry I can think of. He is completely unable to attack person for what they do or say, without resorting to attacking them for what they are.

I've often thought that a list of people that Crid doesn't hate would be much shorter than a list of people he does hate.

In short, I think you are a psychiatric mess, who hides behind a nebulous PTSD diagnosis to snipe at people who aren't as *sensitive* as you are.

But you don't care what I think and you don't need my approval. Well, obviously...

Thanks for the meltdown. I enjoyed it. I give it 7/10.

Hey! I'd already been mentioned here!

For the love of Sweet Baby Jesus, why?

Son, we live in a world that has blogs, and those blogs have to be tidied by men with principles. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Commenter Radwaste? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Artemis, and you curse the Washington Times. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Artemis' humiliation, while tragic, probably minimized irritation. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, diminishes stupidity. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that blog, you need me on that blog. We use words like incentive, clarity, cooter. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very insight that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a laptop, and read a twitter feed. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

" assume the suspect was a Republican"

Ok, and let's assume that Democrats "pander to minorities", while Republicans "work their base".

Crid, loved the paraphrase of Jack Nicholson's famous speech from "A Few Good Men."

That movie actually came out when I was in the army. I hated the title, though. I would say something, "Hey, I saw 'A Few Good Men' the other day."

And invariably the reply would come back, "What were they doing?"

Ok, and let's assume that Democrats "pander to minorities", while Republicans "work their base". ~ Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at May 9, 2016 11:34 AM

'cause a middle aged white woman turning her Twitter logo into a Kwanzaa tribute isn't pandering. And blogging "7 things Hillary Clinton has in common with your abuela" and how much she demands respeto" to a Hispanic audience isn't pandering.

You're right. Let's not assume Democrats pander. Let's take it from them that they do.

Bakari Sellers, an outspoken supporter of Hillary Clinton and vice chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, advised her via CNN, “Be organic in your thoughts, and no more pandering to specific groups.” [emphasis mine]

The Daily Beast, not noted as a conservative site, opined, "The Democratic frontrunner needs to show she really gets what black and Hispanic voters want—and that doesn’t mean giving your Twitter feed a Kwanzaa makeover." This was in an editorial headlined, "Hillary Clinton’s Tone-Deaf Racial Pandering." [emphasis, again, mine]

As far as "work their base" vs. "pander," I don't know. Politicians pander. And Republican politicians are not immune to that.

@ Crid. Absolutely well done. That was fun to read.

"'cause a middle aged white woman..."
WAIT! I have to nitpick this. Hillary Clinton isn't middle-aged, Hillary Clinton is a senior citizen. She's 68. Gen X-ers are middle-aged. Baby Boomers are seniors. Once you're halfway through your expected lifespan, you're middle-aged. Once you can collect social security and get the discount at Luby's, you're old.
Why are we still pretending that Boomers are young?

ahw: Once you're halfway through your expected lifespan, you're middle-aged.

Which means a man is middle-aged at 36.

And a woman is middle-aged at 39.

Correct, Patrick.
At 35, if I get pregnant, I'm considered a high-risk pregnancy because of my "advanced maternal age." I can have a perfect yoga body and shiny-smooth skin, but I've still got a 35-year-old uterus and am about a decade away from the beginnings of The Change. So let's not pretend that somebody whose (similarly-aged) husband is old enough to have draft-dodged the Vietnam war is still only middle-aged.
It can be hard for us ladies when we realize that we shouldn't be shopping in the Juniors section any more, and I'm sure it's hard for men to accept when they've become The Old Dude in the Club.

Pandering

"Hillary talks to black people as if we're children or pets." ~ Azealia Banks

A shame more people in their declining years don't appreciate people their own age.

Yes, you can believe that Anna Nicole Smith J. Howard Marshall, but what could those two possibly have to talk about? Or even do?

I was writing for *you*, Patrick. That your resentment at my offhand (yet howlingly astute) comments about ancient, addled media weasels burns so deeply in your heart for so many years is... Well... Appropriate. You need guidance, kiddo.

I can have a perfect yoga body and shiny-smooth skin

Got pics?

Oh, that was hypothetical, lujlp.
...but I do try to take care of myself!

Wouldn't know what to do if I caught it!

Dude. You're older, not dead.

If you need tips, Pr0nHub is around the corner -> that away.

Or you can do some reading...on your kindle, of course:

https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Positions-Before-Guide-Kamasutra-ebook/dp/B01E1PP5G8?ie=UTF8&keywords=B01E1PP5G8&qid=1462837996&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Crid:

I was writing for *you*, Patrick. That your resentment at my offhand (yet howlingly astute) comments about ancient, addled media weasels burns so deeply in your heart for so many years is... Well... Appropriate. You need guidance, kiddo.

Sorry I no-sold what was intended to be a searing burn. I'll try harder next time.

As for my supposed offense taken over Helen Thomas, I couldn't care less what you think of her. Just too bad you have such a contemptuous attitude toward them.

Especially since, since you revealed your age on this blog, you qualify or are about to qualify for every senior benefit I can think of.

I wonder how you'll feel when people start speaking about you in those terms. Probably not too good.

And surprisingly, I find myself pitying you for that day.

Patrick; Daveywavey hit the nail on the head with that rant.

"So, shut up and show some fucking respect!"

Maybe not as eloquent as "dwarfs standing on the shoulder of giants." But, he bitches right back at the bitches in their own language. Gotta love it!

Geeze Louise, why are you all arguing about Helen Thomas? What about me?

"Son, we live in a world that has blogs, and those blogs have to be tidied by men with principles. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Commenter Radwaste? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Artemis, and you curse the Washington Times. You have that luxury."

I am surprised. Why bring me up, when was this, why do you care, and who decided you have this sort of responsibility? I suspect the answer is all some form of "you". This hints that I am of concern, contrary to ten years plus of your testimony.

Nonplussed, yet curious,

Me

You're a commenter here, and people were gonna recognize your name. Coulda been Pirate Jo, but I haven't seen her here lately. I think she rides bicycles this time of year.

Also-

Shoulda replaced "defending" with "mocking," and "punchline" with "non-sequitur." Right? Totally. Woulda been better... Even the best can improve.

Patrick would have missed the point anyway.

Anybody else catch the news last night that the average age for the White House Press Corps is something like 27?!!!
It was on Fox, so I guess we can debate the accuracy...

"Hillary talks to black people as if we're children or pets." ~ Azealia Banks

After tweeting racist abuse at former One Direction star Zayn Malik, Azealia Banks has been dropped from the line-up of grime and hip-hop festival Born & Bred.

Gog, just because Banks is a racist and a jerk doesn't mean she doesn't know when she's being pandered to. Backed up by the other comments I provided, Banks' comments about Hillary are supportable.

And Hillary has a big problem with pandering, more so than most politicians (of either party). Even Jon Stewart, normally a prominent supporter of the Democratic front runner, laments that she lacks the courage of her convictions and that everything she does feels calculated and inauthentic.

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, there's no Hillary there.

Hey, I'm an old coot and if some young lassie took it into her mind to lead me along by "flirting", i.e. saying silly obviously untrue "compliements" she didn't mean for her own condescending amusement, I might be constrained to pelt her with my dentures.

I can't believe you have not read Gone With the Wind! I feel like you would love it, Scarlett is so practical and would give advice like yours (but not to her enemies because she would not be helping them)