Mahmoun's Style

isn't his name "Mahmoud"?

Similarly, Hugo Chavez has his own TV talk show in Venezuela.

If this trend toward entertaining politicians keeps up, the 2016 election will be between Michael Moore and Ann Coulter.

Bush hardly ever wears a red tie. By far, the most common color is blue. Weird, but true.

"If this trend toward entertaining politicians keeps up..."

The trend of electoral politics pushing forward charismatic leaders is not exactly a new phenomenon...

"Mahmoun Ahmadinejad has a pretty sweet hipster style."

While I'd tend to agree that Ahmadinejad has a pleasing visual style, (and a better looking beard than Matthew's), it's worth remember that the dude is a right-wing reactionary in terms of Iranian domestic politics.

Josef Stalin likewise always looks pretty groovy to me in photos.

More casual hipster Joe...

Better watch out. Andrew Sullivan is gonna give you a Saiselgy Award for making a moral equivalance between Mahmoun's whiskers and Bush's tie.

Back when America was the world's only Superpower!, seeing these strange third world leaders getting together to discuss things was kinda humorous, like coming across some bizarre public access TV show.

Now though, when you realize these guys are the people shaping the future and our president is the joke, it's not so humorous any more.

I made a comment similar to this a couple weeks ago. The casual dress, the stubbly beard, the diminuitive frame, he really looks more like a 70s-era singer/songwriter.

Really, all our enemies need to grow little mustaches so there's less visual confusion.

I always did like that young Stalin picture. Trotsky was kinda hot in his own way, too.

Background on the whole no-tie thing here. Then again, we've become used to seeing Iranian leaders in uniforms (pre-79) or clerical garb (post).

As for Bush: given the hoohah about his Oxxford suits, they could at least do the bespoke measurements when he's in his kevlar underwear: the fit on his jackets is atriocious these days.

"Trotsky was kinda hot in his own way, too."

True, but unlike Stalin and Ahmadinejad, Trotsky had a somewhat defensible politics. It makes more sense that he should look good.

Personally, I prefer it when political bad guys to have the lousy personal style of a Hitler or a Mao.

What are Ahmadinejad's politics, Petey?

I kinda seem him as the rock that broke the nose of the most idiotic leader our country has had.

I think he also reminded Israelis that they can't keep the doors to their Middle East Disneyland open if they keep electing mediocrities to run it...is General Tummy Ache still in charge of the "People's" Army, btw?

"What are Ahmadinejad's politics, Petey? I kinda seem him as the rock..."

His politics are heavily militaristic, pro-clerical, anti-liberal, and anti-reform.

He's a right-wing nutjob in the context of Iranian politics - the polar opposite of Khatami.

In short, if you like Ahmadinejad, you ought to love George Bush.

If you're looking for a hero among American adversaries, I have a fair amount of sympathy for Hugo Chavez. Chavez has elements of being a good lefty politician, although he has some serious faults as well. But Ahmadinejad? You gotta be kidding.

Iran isn't an island, Petey.

Militaristic?

America has invaded two of Iran's neighbors recently.

Pro-clerical?

In a country run by clerics? Is that a shock?

Anti-liberal and anti-reform?

If some half-wit wielding a $500 billion a year chainsaw was banging on your door, would you be thinking about redecorating your kitchen?

My feeling is that anyone being smeared by the morons who got us into Afghanistan and Iraq can't be all that bad...

"My feeling is that anyone being smeared by the morons who got us into Afghanistan and Iraq can't be all that bad..."

Well, that's certainly one outlook. It may not be a particularly coherent or moral outlook, but, hey...

Given that outlook, I'd guess you must be a fan of Bin Laden and Kim Jong-Il too.

Personally, I tend to dislike right-wing nutjobs, no matter whether the Bush administration is friendly or unfriendly to them. But that's just me.

Well, OBL looks like a mystic spiritual leader and natural-healing wellness-practitioner, and Hitler was a vegetarian, but let's not carry this shit too far.

It seems Bush has been getting his ass kicked by 3rd world nations for a few years now. If you define getting an ass kickin' as being the combatant who is worse for the wear after a period of fisticuffs we qualify. Degraded military, materially poorer, lotsa dead with little to show for it, diminished respect and increasingly an object of scorn and derision. I saw a bully get his ass kicked in high school once. Pummeled to the pavement. It was at a football game and hence a sizable crowd witnessed the entire scuffle. The little guy that rose to the occasion was roundly cheered and bought more than a few beers in celebration. Kinda reminds me of Bush and the rest of the planet right now. Every black eye and blow we receive is cheered by quite a few people. I can't say as I look back any of the bullies I remember from the past ever turned out OK. Sociopaths are a pretty tough group to cure of their pathologies.

You're crazy. When he's wearing the khaki jacket and a shirt with an unbuttoned collar, no tie, he resembles nothing so much as a dad who took off from work half an hour early to watch his kid's baseball game. A cool dad with a hipster past, perhaps, but a domesticated fellow nonetheless.

Okay, I think I get it.

Matt Y. is actually a giggly middle school girl. She's just decided that she's going to put up a cool pic of that cute Mahmoudinejad guy right next to her poster of Orlando Bloom.

Monkyboy is her big sister who has a thing for Death Row cuties like that hottie Richard Ramirez.

Bush looked a lot crazier and scarier than Ahmadinejad. The guy just doesn't come across as the scary lunatic the neocons are trying to portray him as.

I agree that Chavez has an entertaining style. Speaking at the UN, he dramatically said that "el diablo" had been at the lecturn the day before, crossed himself, then said he could still smell the sulphur. It was hilarious. Also, I read an article about him a while back in the Atlantic. If I remember correctly, it was mentioned that Chavez sometimes refers to Bush as the devil, but usually just calls him shithead.

isn't his name "Mahmoud"?

Yes. Matthew may be confusing the the leader of Iran with Mamoun's, the great felafel restaurant on MacDougal Street.

Funny, Ahmadinejad always reminds me of Rolf Harris:
http://www.panopticist.com/graphics/rolf_harris.gif

I keep expecting him to break into a chorus of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down."

Thanks for this post Matthew. Sometimes in the midst of the bungling of Iraq and debates over intelligent design I begin to wonder if the liberals really do, after all, have it right. "Maybe they do get all the social science right. Maybe we do hyperbolize the threat Islam."

And then I read something like this and realize, No these people fucking deluded.

"Bush should try it." Are you kidding me with that shit. Photo-ops with Kofi is diplomacy.

However incompetent Bush may be, it really is scary that people like you could have a serious role in determining our foreign policy.

As an aside, Muslims have a long history of rejecting tie wearing because they think it is reference to the Christian cross.

uh, Mark...? Matt's post seems pretty lighthearted to me. maybe it's not the best thing to draw sweeping conclusions from.

Petey,

I wouldn't get too carried away with Chavez. I had to laugh when I read that he called Bush a "dictator." Yeah, Dubya might have stolen an election or two, but I'm fairly certain that he'll leave office in 2008. When does Chavez plan on leaving?

Anyway, the point is: death to all dictators, left-wing or right-wing.

The guy just doesn't come across as the scary lunatic the neocons are trying to portray him as.

Bush didn't seem crazy in 2000.

"Yeah, Dubya might have stolen an election or two, but I'm fairly certain that he'll leave office in 2008. When does Chavez plan on leaving?"

I don't think Venezuela has term limits, so I'd guess he'll leave when he loses his electoral majority.

Chavez is a democratic politician with good, although not perfect, adherence to democratic principles. He's got power because he's a vote-getter.

At the end of the day, he's more like Huey Long than like Castro.

If he tried to maintain power after losing or canceling an election, I'd drastically downgrade my estimation of him.

I'm with Petey on all points. Chavez has (mostly) good politics and (mostly) solid democratic credentials. Ahmadinejad, not so much. Altho, one shouldn't confuse him with the Iranian state in general. No question that for ordinary Iranians it's a vast improvement over the previous setup and over what most of the third world has to live with.

That said, it's natural, reasonable, and maybe even helpful that as the US strikes a more belligerent atitude in the world, other countries respond in kind. With both their neighbors invaded and occupied, the US nosiing about regime change and establishing quite clearly that the dipmlomatic rules offer no protection, Iran would be nuts not to be pursuing a nuclear deterrent.

Yes. Matthew may be confusing the the leader of Iran with Mamoun's, the great felafel restaurant on MacDougal Street.

Indee, that was precisely my mistake. I used to hit up Mamoun's all the time. DC has nothing that compares.

"shooting the shit with Kofi Annan. It's like diplomacy! Bush should try it."

Shooting the shit with Kofi is, like, diplomacy? Like, Oh Please.

Here's a better idea for you: discuss whether Imadinnerjacket is really the Muad d'ib or the Kwisatz Haderach. A much better use of your time, and ours.

I suppose putting your political opponents in jail and torturing them to death would be an integral part of that "sweet hipster style". Barf!

An interesting discussion -
What exactly is our foreign policy supposed to be? Enforcement of treaties, e.g. The Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty? How is any of this to be accomplished, and what happens when the other guys don't want to go with the program?

Also, last I heard Chavez was proposing a referendum for himself to stay in power for the next 25 years. Democratic? possibly. But one must remeber that we ourselves do not have a fully democratic government, and for good reason - consider that democracy in its most extreme is the right of 51% of the population to pee in the cheerios of the other 49%, to put it crudely. For a darker example, consider the civil rights record of the American South - left to their own devices, the granting of civil rights and liberties to racial minorites would likely have taken considerably longer than it did were it not for what is perhaps the most nondemocratic institution in the US, the Supreme Court.

"I used to hit up Mamoun's all the time. DC has nothing that compares."

If you'd gone to Yale, you could have eaten at the Mamoun's branch in New Haven. It's yummy, though not as atmospheric as the WashSq branch.

Tangentially, it's interesting that the number of falafel joints in the East Village has exploded since the Iraq invasion. My working theory is that it's an odd version of culinary blowback.

And apropos of nothing, I'll note that Henry Abbot showed up on the WoW thread...

Shorter Mark Adams: Because some liberal, somewhere, made a joke, we must bomb Tehran!

Yglesias' concern that MA and Chavez showed Bush up at the UN ignores the fact that the UN has long fawned over thugs. recall Araft's reception when he appeared armed before the GA. besides, lots of states in the UN are run themselves by thugs - of course they appreciate the style.

If this trend toward entertaining politicians keeps up...

We might elect a movie star to be President.

Bush is the devil and he dresses like shite. There, I said it. I'd much rather have Chavez or even Ama-whatsit running this country. Look at the profile of the U.S. since Bush took over- down, down, down. Look at the profiles of Iran & Venezuela- all up arrows.

Any questions?

Instapundit, who apparently doesn't recognize light-hearted banter when he reads it, just featured this post as his "dumb liberal of the week".

Get ready for the deluge of deeply offended right-wingers who object to Matt's "cozying up" to terrorists!

No "Rite Wankers" allowed. This was a light-hearted post about the leader of Iran, not some kind of political screed. So what, the guy looks cool, and at least he represents his country well. Our "president" makes us look like a bunch of buffoons, um, because he IS a buffoon.

Maybe we can get a real leader next time that could be seen in the same hallway with Kofi Annan and not look like a retard.

Chavez wiped the floor of the UN with Bush. It's a fact.

Next!

Or that recognize a paroxysm of stupidity when they see one.

Light-headed is more like it.

As for instapundit, that is rich. I haven't been to his site since last week, but...

I can still smell the sulfur!

Get ready for the deluge of deeply offended right-wingers who object to Matt's "cozying up" to terrorists!

Nah. We're not offended. We find you amusing.

crickets

"Chirp"

/crickets

Indee, that was precisely my mistake. I used to hit up Mamoun's all the time. DC has nothing that compares.

'Tis true (at least that's my recollection of DC from 10+ years ago). Anyway, just wanted to add... this thread may get a bit odd due to the expected Instalanche. Nonetheless, I don't understand why Matthew thinks that shooting the sh*t with Kofi is diplomacy, nor why he thinks the multilateral negotiations with Iran we are currently engaged in isn't. Anyway.

Most hipsters I know aren't into hanging gay teenagers and rape victims. He denies the holocaust and hates all Jews. This is the leader of Iran's domestic policy. But at least he hates Bush, he has that going for him. Fits right in with the left these days.

Stormy, don't confuse being against the policies and wars of Israel with hating Jews. Thanks.

Dude, Hugo called bush the devil, the devil, man he wiped the floor with bush, just wiped the floor. can you imnagine if he called bush a retard? hands down, hugo can not be messed with, he calls people names like no other. hugo will eliminate the bushaliburtonevilconspiracywarmongering threat with names you righties can't even fathom. we try it here, but we are no match for hugo's talent.

Wouldn't have been even hipper if he'd worn flip-flops, hiking shorts, and a Notre Dame hat on backwards?

Lionizing this lunatic in any way is the work of a complete moron. In this case, that's you, Matt.

Iran's leader in not so discriminating in his hatred of the Jewish race. He hates all of them, not just the Israelis. Like I said, more and more the left is emulating him.

This thread is so totally reminiscent of a Fark political discussion.

You generation Y'ers! you are all so cute with your cynicism, left wingnutism, with your Jon Stewart/Stephen Cobertism....

Man, I remember back in the day when 20 somethings used to actually know how to construct an argument and debate.

oh no, it's coming, run run run for your lives! this instalanche is huge, oh crap, FOX news is right behind it, it's like godzilla and mantra all at once. ugh, it got me, run while you can brave left, run, save yourselves, i can't be saved, it....got....me ad;ljgk;adfigfi

And the way he wants to wipe out the Jews? Is that Cool enough for you?

Matt, you are an utter mucking foron!

Wow. A beard like yours and no tie! With those cred's you'd think he'd be leader of the world or a super hero or at least have his own blog or be a household name. What are you going to blog about next Matt? I hear Brad and Angelina's baby only has 10 toes.

Jeff, let me just ask this- who has more respect around the world- Hugo Chavez or Bush?

Case closed.

Reading the inane comments comparing Chavez and Ahmadinejad favorably to W, I have this sense most posters are politically illiterate Customer Service geeks writing from their garbage strewn cubicles.

Sample from "Hewgo is boss":

"I'd much rather have Chavez or even Ama-whatsit running this country. Look at the profile of the U.S. since Bush took over- down, down, down. Look at the profiles of Iran & Venezuela- all up arrows."

Yeah, that's the ticket. 'course, if you are gay, Ama-whatsit would have you hanged. 'course if Ama-whatsit were in charge you wouldn't be posting, since his thugs go round Tehran destroying every satellite dish they can find. 'course, if Ama-whatsit were in charge you would be forced to convert to Islam or be killed.

'course if Chavez were in charge you would have a man who openly wants to stay the President until 2025. 'course if Chavez were in charge, you lefties' grousing about Bush being a dictator would find out what a REAL dictator is. 'course if Chavez were in charge, he would likely rip up the Constitution as he did in Venezuela, and ram through a new one reflecting his personal views.

Yer a bunch of maroons.

Ties would just remind people of the nooses his regime uses to hang "unchaste" 14-year-old girls.

Oh wait, is hanging 14-year-olds "hip" too now? What about wiping out the Jews?

I can't believe a rational adult wrote that puerile post about Ahmadinejad. That is the silliest thing, Matthew. Your father and grandfather, who are fine writers, ought to be ashamed of you.

I think yelling at Matt as if he likes the guy because he seems to be the fit for a Benneton ad is a little off base. I didn't see the interview that he refers to so I cannot tell if I agree with him, but assuming that I would, I think this link might be appropriate.

http://behindthelyrics.com/serendipity/archives/22-The-Rolling-Stones-Sympathy-for-the-Devil.html.

Sorry I cannot seem to get the link to work.

Hey, it did work! Sometimes, the worst dart player will toss a bullseye.

Matt,

There are plenty of fools shuffling down the streets of New York with scruffy beards thinking they know the will of God, it’s just that most of them are either homeless or tenured. None are worth the fawning adoration you bestow on a man that denies the Holocaust while advocating its return.

J. Elink:

Thanks for the nice tone, nothing like civilized debate! Take a look back at your list of the sins of the Chavez and Amadinijahd. Seems like a Republican wish list to me. Let's see:

1. Destroy satellite dishes. Right-wing churchocrats censoring culture, check.
2. Hanging gays. Enough said.
3. Being president for 25 years. Um, do 2000 & 2004 ring a bell *cough*stolen elections*cough*
4. Ripping up the Constitution. Um, already underway, Patriot Act much?

Next!

"...a pretty sweet hipster style"

"...and while there was no sound, he certainly looked witty and charming."

Is this Yglesias kid too young to know of JOE ISUZU?

Or too dense to make the connection?

Cripes. With the sound on you don't need Farsi to recognize that same vocal energy.

hugo is boss,
definitley hugo, he is by all means more respected, did you see when he said the podium smelled like sulfur? dude that was awesome, i was clapping so hard. my frineds in estonia told me chavez is way more popular than bush there, way more, and they follow venezula politics daily. my friends in eritrea said the same thing, bush sucks hugo awesome - one even got his card signed. why are you asking? we are on the same page here. remember when hugo said bush thought he ran the world, oh my God - I was all like DUDE, that's exactly what I'm thinking too!!

"Shorter Mark Adams: Because some liberal, somewhere, made a joke, we must bomb Tehran!"

No Pithlord I didn't say anything of the kind nor is what I think; I don't advocate bombing Tehran. But if it's between the people wanting to bomb Iran and the people who are inspired by pictures of dictators walking with Kofi, then I guess I will have to take the warmongers.

yeah, Stormy, don't go generalizing. Just because he says Jews are the children of pigs and apes, and Israel must be wiped off the map, and Jews have caused all that is evil in the world, and the holocaust never happened, and that it's the duty of every loyal moslem to kill Jews wherever they live, and his country assinates Jews all around the world, and they sponsor Hezb'allah, it doesn't mean he hates Jews, OK?

hewgo is boss,
where did you get that sign off "case closed". that is perfect? how come no one ever thought of that one before. I'm sure who i like more now, the actual hugo or you. you rock dude!!

case closed (man that works awesome)
any questions (dude that works better)
QED (that's all me, cool huh?)

J. Elink, I am pretty sure Hewgo is Boss!!! is a satirical character.

Yes, he is particularly witty and charming in this clip : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SDRcirpmXI

He has that hipster beat as he chants " Death to Isreael". What is wrong with all of you?

If there's one good thing about Ahmadinejad, it's that he disrespects the corrupt, incompetent, and worthless U.N.

Dressing like a slacker to speak to them is a step in the right direction. It would have been better if he dropped trou and took a dump on the floor.

Like, I told my girl friend I'd do those 2 guys any day. She was like, NO! I was like, yes! So what if that Armin-guy would have me stoned afterwards, it would be sooo worth it!

My feeling is that anyone being smeared by the morons who got us into Afghanistan and Iraq can't be all that bad...

You know a mind is a terrible thing to waste. So much ignorance.

I guess that when you are short, skinny, dirty, ill dressed, substitute reason with fanaticism and sport grungy neck fur, you might think that a short, skinny, dirty, ill dressed, savage who substitutes reason with fanaticism and sport grungy neck fur is a pretty sweet hipster.

Hello Tiffany,

Don't even get the "who's sexier" thing started. I mean Amajinimad is def. sexier than Bush- no contest. With Chavez, it's a bit of a toss-up, but I think most people who are not Laura would have serious qualms about "doing it" with Bush. Chavez, as more of an unknown quantity, has to take it on points.

Only in America do we swoon over people who advocate our destruction...

How many americans have been killed by this Iranian asshole (either while he was holding hostanges in our embassy or every day in Iraq where Iranian soldiers are giving insurgents more that just weapons and advice.) When I was in Iraq for a second trip he could have looked like Angilina Jole and I still would have rather watched Rosie Odonnel. The only way I want to view this guy is through the nose camera of a GPS guided tomahawk missle. How many americans have to die before you say... hey, this guy is dangerous.

When we have a democratic president...nothing will change. Ahmadinejad is a nut who thinks he is here to bring about the apocolypse... he will always ask for more until the price is too high. One day he will make do on his promise to "wipe Israel off the map". I hope you remember how cool and hip he was then... But I predict typical liberal surprise and outrage... you know like when that criminal they just paroled commits another crime or like when everyone was mad at Clinton for handing out suspect pardons his last week in office like they were "surprised" he did something dishonest. Your niavity would be so sweet if it wasn't so dangerous.

A truely revolting post ... This monster from Iran is real evil ... not some actor playing a "bad guy" ... a man that would murder all you 20 something hipsters just for existing if he had the means ...
Have you progressives gotten so scared of confrontation that you can't even recognize what this guy is ? You go on about Bushitler but never seem to face the reality that there are millions of Muslims in this world that will KILL you for being gay, a woman or an infidel.

And the SS had truly awesome looking uniforms. Very sharp! Stylish! Sassy.

Why wasn't Kim Jung il invited to the party? There is nothing like a man in a uniform with a messed-up haircut. And those big framed glasses are to die for. All the movie stars are wearing them now! Heard he has hundreds of mistressesess. How cool is that? That is like, so hollywood hipster!

Instapundit linking to this thread is a pitch-perfect simile to someone lifting a rock and shining a light underneath. Look at what has gathered together outside the light of day...

Star-struck useful idiots revealing their man-crush on a theocratic Holocaust denier. Like women drawn to the guy from the other side of the tracks... except this guy will happily tie you to the tracks if you are, say, Jewish, or want to engage in free expression in his country.

What an outright embarassment for you, sir... obsequiously fawning over a man purportedly involved in seizing the US Embassy and holding our citizens hostage. But man, look at his no-tie post-Miami Vice chic!

All because your unquenched thirst for political validation at the ballot box leaves you on the outside looking in, and in a state of perpetual vituperation toward the President.

Does this blog have a moral compass, or does it restrict itself to awarding style points?

This post is getting out of control. People seem to forget that if someone wants to kill you, just maybe you might have done something to piss them off a little bit? Maybe you should figure out what that thing is, and I don't know, stop doing it? Or maybe rather than arming yourself to the teeth and killing everyone in your path in "self defense", you should sit down with this guy, and ask, "Why are you so mad at me?" It's called diplomacy, and it's a word that most righties seem to have forgotten the meaning, or existence of.

Also, apparently being witty, charming and well-dressed gets you respect and approval on the world stage. Bush should try it. I've certainly learned that being stupid, looking like a monkey and pissing the whole world off just gets you a boat load of trouble.

Case Closed, Part II: The Return!

Hugo had his picture taken with a parrot on his shoulder, and it was a very pretty parrot. Did you see it? If mcchimpbushitlerrepug tried to have his picture taken with a parrot, the parrot would probably die or poop on him! Wouldn't that be funny??!! The pooping I mean, not the dying part. If the parrot died, it would just prove once again that the repugs hate nature and the animals that live in it. Why can't Hugo be my daddy and tuck me in at night and tell me he'll keep me safe from the bad guys by chopping off everybody's head that disagrees with him? I get a really warm feeling in my pants when I think about how cool Hugo and his pal from Iran would be to hang out with. I'll bet they both like to barbeque and play jarts. mchitlerbushhaliburton probably would try to throw a jart right through our eyes if we had him over for a party. he's such an evil jerk. I am sooooo glad I am a progressive liberal. repugs are just hateful and stupid.

I was wondering which right-wing site had linked here a bit before 1 p.m. From MEC2, I see it was Instapundit.

Kim Jung il is way better and more nuttier. Plus he has that pompadour and nukes.

Two very interesting pieces in the NYTimes today. One was about Amadinijahd's appearance at a Council on Foreign Relations event. He played it very well and left his opponents frustrated, though he did question whether the Holocaust really happened.

Another piece on Chavez had him saying Americans should read Chomsky instead of watching movies about Superman and Batman. (Can't we do both, Hugo?) He then said he most regrets not meeting Chomsky before he died. (Chomsky's still alive, btw). And my favorite:

"At that same news conference, just after his speech, he made eyes at a pretty Colombian journalist who asked him why he went around calling President Bush names. “Are you Colombian?” Mr. Chávez asked, performing a quick merengue move with his upper body and flashing her a grin."

The dinnerjacket dude is getting a little scary with all this 12th immam talk--end of the world in 2 years, and all.

But Chavez--last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it.

The logic of some posts astounds me: we did something to make them want to kill us. Hmm. So rape victims asked for it? Gays are just begging to get beat up for acting weird? Battered wives must be making their husbands mad enough to drag them behind a car? the Klan has legitimate reasons to run around in white sheets?

Posts like these are why republicans will stay in power. Just when democrats get their act together, their cohorts in anti-Americanism/hate America/blame America open their mouths and alienate 75% of the thinking public. The left wing is on display with Chavez, and all his sympathizers should hang their heads in shame.

Dear F.S.

Disgusting name, disgusting post. Please take your fake posts elsewhere.

Dear FS: Nice post. Still laughing about it.

Hewgo is Boss said Bush looks like a monkey (and smells like one, too, na na na na) and is hated because of it. He would be loved if only he dressed like a hipster. BAM! The problems of the world are solved, just like that, by one lone idiot.

Funny that a liberal would support the Iranian President. Did he not just have a teenager girl hung because she fought back on a rape and killed her attacker?

Nice to support that lunatic. Meanwhile we have an actual traitor in John-boy who will live a long life in prison. And who is supposed to be the nut to you?

Crazy crazy.

Hmm. Looks like it might be just about time for another one of these.

It's pretty disturbing how Instapundit has turned into a literally fascist blog with literally fascist readers. Substantive extreme-right views are bad enough, but the comments here go well beyond that and into "bloodthirsty mob" territory.

Rumor has it that dinnerjacket and chavez will be on tour the next few months in the US. The Dixie Chicks will open for them. Also appearing will be St. Cindy Sheehan and super-duper spy PlameWilson. There is also a special "Denial of Holocaust" Exhibit.

F.S. I'm laughing too!

Matt, I totally agree about the style. I love the jacket & open shirt look-- relaxed but professional. He's comfortable and ready for anything. Personally, I'd like to see him in cooler, more formal colors, instead of his usual earth-tone palette, but hey, the guy knows what he's doing when it comes to his look.

It goes without saying that the West is in serious trouble if Mahmoud makes headway in developing dangerous "Magnum" technology to augment his already formidable "Blue Steel."

"Stuck on Stupid" is no way to go thru life, kids!

Sounds like the sound of steam escaping in here.

JP, I thought fascism is good as long as the fascist is well dressed and/or sports cool facial hair? I'm confused.

It's pretty disturbing how Instapundit has turned into a literally fascist blog with literally fascist readers.

Oh, yes, anyone who mocks a man-crush on a nutty little Iranian president must certainly be a fascist.

Dear Tiffany's Alter Ego,

So are you saying that looking like a monkey is an advantage? I think not. Imagine sitting across the table from this guy as another world leader, as Bush bumbles, fumbles, mumles and stumbles. It would be a joke! Chavez is only pointing out the obvious, and it looks like it finally took a non-American to have the balls to say it. Many in this country have certainly been on the case since even before the "election" of '00, but when Hugo Chavez talks, people listen. When our president talks, people protect their dictionaries' ears.

I'm ashamed to say it, but the emperor was shown to be clothes-free yesterday at the U.N. If Chavez has the guts, and humor, to inform the world, then more power to him. If Amadinijad feels threatened by the U.S., who wouldn't? If you lived in Iran you'd be calling for nukes just to protect you from America. Unfortunately we citizens of America have nothing to protect us.

Democrats in '08, that's all I can say. For our sake.

I see Matt reads his comments.

Please Matt, tell us that this was a light-hearted joke, and that you weren't seriously thinking the president of a country that executes someone for being gay is cool. Tell us you don't seriously think that someone who prays at the U.N. for the return of the Imam (and the accompanying Apocalypse) is worthy just because he's stylish. Was it a joke, or were you serious?

It's pretty disturbing how Instapundit has turned into a literally fascist blog with literally fascist readers.

Yes, because Insty's blog is physically beating people and depriving them of liberty, as are the readers. I myself have been jailed, and was hospitalized several times with severe injuries from routers, servers, and (shudder) bold typeface fonts. Who will stop this madness called "free speech?"

No president has been so vilified as George Bush since Lincoln. Lincoln was called--in major northern newspapers--an idiot, a baboon, incompetent, an unconstitutional tyrant, and the worse president ever elected. 50 years from now, Bush’s reputation may be similarly revised. He has done a remarkable job under the circumstances. America is still free, safe, and prosperous.

Wow. monkyboy wuz here. Thought I smelled sulphur.

"This post is getting out of control. People seem to forget that if someone wants to kill you, just maybe you might have done something to piss them off a little bit? Maybe you should figure out what that thing is, and I don't know, stop doing it?"

Mmm-hmm. It's too bad you weren't around to explain that to the girls at Chi-Omega. They might still be alive today.

Has anyone seen those elegant pix of Adolph Hitler in a pair of traditional Bavarian lederhosen? (If you haven't, just google "adolphsummerwear" and you'll find them.) Anyway, he looks like the kind of guy who KNOWS what fashion is all about. The kind of guy who can say, "I am confident in my masculinity, but still in touch with my nurturing, sensitive side. Come have a mug of beer with me! I promise not to shove you in the oven until last call." I also think it's pretty cool that Mr. Hitler cared enough about the health of his office staff that he wouldn't allow smoking. Now that's a guy who'd go to bat for you! Plus, he sure told America where to stick it! The United States could use a strong but personally decent leader like that right about now, let me tell you. Guess I'm pretty much preaching to the choir though on that note.

It's called diplomacy, and it's a word that most righties seem to have forgotten the meaning, or existence of...you should sit down with this guy, and ask, "Why are you so mad at me?"

You first...

"We are not fighting so that you will offer us something. We are fighting to eliminate you." - Hussein Massawi, Hezbollah

Hewgo is boss wants toss Mahmoud and Chavez's salads because it's like diplomacy.

.
.
.
.

Case closed!

...you should sit down with this guy, and ask, "Why are you so mad at me?"

Exactly. And when a woman is being raped, she should (politely!) ask her rapist whether wearing a longer skirt next time would dissuade him.

That's just common sense, people.

BTW, we are all aware that MA's refusal to wear a tie is a political statement, symbolically rejecting Western culture, yes? Oh, now I get it. That's why it's cool. Damn, liberals find more in common with this guy every day.

People seem to forget that if someone wants to kill you, just maybe you might have done something to piss them off a little bit?

Something those slutty little 14-year-old Iranian girls who allowed themselves to be molested should have kept in mind. Then they'd still be alive, instead of being hung by Ahmadinejad's government, which was made very angry by their unchasteness.

Let's not repeat their mistake!

Dear F.S.

Blah, Blah, hitler comparison, blah blah.I'm not saying that Bush is Hitler, I'm just saying he has certain, shall we say, Hitler-like qualities I could do without. Kind of like the difference between eating a can of straight anchovies and having an anchovy pizza. Now the pizza isn't anchovies, but it does have a certain unmistakable anchovy aftertaste...

But please, do go on Bush men (and ladies, but I have a feeling there are no ladies here). You amuse me.

"Has anyone seen those elegant pix of Adolph Hitler in a pair of traditional Bavarian lederhosen? (If you haven't, just google "adolphsummerwear" and you'll find them.) Anyway, he looks like the kind of guy who KNOWS what fashion is all about."

Only a mouth-breathing right-wingnut would think Hitler looked like a hipster.

-----

BTW, how's this November looking for you puppies?

"Was it a joke, or were you serious?"

Do you have reading comprehension issues, or just an advanced case of Alzheimer's?

Dear Instapunditans,

I'm very sorry that MY's jokes are too subtle for you.

It might help if you had been reading MY for awhile.

In any case--probably best for you to run along, now.

You're only going to look sillier, the longer you keep up the misdirected outrage.

Did middle school let out early today? I have never read such a group of juvenile, uninformed posts in my life. What next arm pit noises and talking about the new really hot Phys. Ed. teacher.

If all you can do in name-call, get out on the playground.

(I came across these posts accidentally, it is really time to go, before grammar school lets out, too.)

Disgusted,

Fritz

"50 years from now, Bush’s reputation may be similarly revised."

After lying his way into a war he then proceeded to fucking lose !?!?!

Dream on. American history has a pretty low circle in hell for those types of Presidents. LBJ would be ranked near the top of US Presidents for his many accomplishments, rather than near the bottom were it not for the insanity of Vietnam.

In 50 years, the 35% of Americans who approve of his job performance will have fallen in half.

Matt,

The most impressive thing about the guy's style is how fucking smart he is. He absolutely destroyed Mike Wallace ("are you a representative of the Zionist regime or a journalist?" ZING!!!) and, from the looks of it, the Council on Foreign Relations as well.

Ahmadinejad may be a right-winger back in Iran but he sure talks about justice, oppression, etc a lot more than any right-winger I've ever seen.

If Venezuela and Iran can have shrewd, savvy presidents, why can't we?

"Please Matt, tell us that this was a light-hearted joke, and that you weren't seriously thinking the president of a country that executes someone for being gay is cool."

Yes, it was a joke. It seems to be true what they say about conservatives, that they're idiots.

Matt, no more fun and games. Don't tease the animals. Running this famous, highly lucrative blog here means you have a lot of responsibility.

I never thought you were worth reading Yglesias because you were just a punk kid with little life experience giving out opinions. Looks like I've been right.

Also, some of Matt's really stupid supporters here are probably trolls. Where do these people come from?

I must have missed the part of Matt's post where said, "and since Mahmoud What's-his-face is so stylish, I think he's a generally admirable fellow." Could you guys point it out to me, please?

"It seems to be true what they say about conservatives, that they're idiots."

Don't be so harsh. They're good at being able to breath exclusively through their mouths. It's a talent.

Of course we were jes' funnin' witcha. BTW, Mahmoud is only 5'4", so you could dress him any way you wanted. Kinda like your very own Islamofascist Ken Doll....

"I must have missed the part of Matt's post where said, "and since Mahmoud What's-his-face is so stylish, I think he's a generally admirable fellow." Could you guys point it out to me, please?"

The right-wingnuts are stylo-fascists.

"You could dress him any way you wanted. Kinda like your very own Islamofascist Ken Doll."

The part I never get is the right-wingnuts defending the rights of Iranian gays when they have zero interest in defending the rights of American gays.

Hey CO3X1S+ did you see the rawkN shot of Hugo with that peasant woman who was getting ready to nurse her baby? This was about a year ago when Hugo was traveling all over his country making sure everyone understood that if they didn't vote for him, they'd have to be brutally murdered for the good of the country. Anyway, you could see the chick's entire boob! I'm talking nipple and everything. And check it out - Hugo was all acting like he didn't notice or didn't care! THAT'S diplomacy, man. chimpymcshrubhitlerbushcheneytexasrangers would prolly have gotten red in the face and said 'NUKE-ular" instead of "NUKE-lee-er" if he'd been presented with a ripe, nude can like that! Hugo IS the man! repugs suck!!!!

I must have missed the part of Matt's post where said, "and since Mahmoud What's-his-face is so stylish, I think he's a generally admirable fellow."

Well, to be fair, wasn't Matt not too long ago saying that this guy should be allowed to have nukes? Imagine how much more stylish and charming he would be then!

Instapundit, who apparently doesn't recognize light-hearted banter when he reads it, just featured this post as his "dumb liberal of the week".

Get ready for the deluge of deeply offended right-wingers who object to Matt's "cozying up" to terrorists!

Posted by: LaurenceB

(Approximately 100 posts that subsequently did exactly that)

Well called, LaurenceB! Evidently Instapundit's habit of linking to articles that say the opposite of what he says they do has had a bit of an effect on the reading comprehension skills of his commenters.

Chavez is a democratic politician with good, although not perfect, adherence to democratic principles. He's got power because he's a vote-getter.

Yeah, he's a vote-getter alright. He got all kinds of votes from people who didn't even like him! Just ask Doug Schoen, from Clinton's polling firm:

Schoen has little doubt what happened. “I think it was a massive fraud,” he told me. “Our internal sourcing tells us that there was fraud in the central commission.” This was not the first time he has encountered such things. “The same thing happened in Serbia in 1992, by [President Slobodan] Milosevic. He did it again in the local elections in 1996. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people died. Had he been caught [in this fraud] in 1992, this would not have happened.”

But Saddam, he was a REAL vote-getter! He got 100% of the vote. It's like democracy! Bush should try it.

Plus, that mustache? To die for! Unlike our hip host, Bush has no facial hair at all, and it's really not a proud moment for the United States.

Dear Instapundit readers,

Please get Glenn to open comments at his site, so we can join together every day for merriment.

Sincerely,

The Very Image of The Left Today

Instapundit readers: You are all a bunch of stupid pussies. George Bush has been raping you up the ass for 5 years, while Glenn Reynolds has been egging him on. He's like your pimp, except when the john slaps you around, unlike a real pimp he doesn't do anything, just counts his money.

Anyone who has read Matt's stuff long enough would already know he isn't exactly the biggest fan of the Iranian regime. Some people just can't see snark when they see it. When Ali G goes around as Gunther and asks people if Hitler had good style, is he being offensive? Umm, bad example, but he is being funny. If Family Guy or South Park comes on, do you guys spend the entire time arguing with the TV that it is being rude?

" People seem to forget that if someone wants to kill you, just maybe you might have done something to piss them off a little bit? Maybe you should figure out what that thing is, and I don't know, stop doing it?"

Yeah, get right on that "non-believer" thing immediately.

Geezzz, some of you people are stunning in your foolishness...

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I wonder if Hugo watches "Family Guy." If he did, he'd laugh a lot, I'm betting. That is a funny program. Another good show is "Ramsay's Kitchen," starring reformed soccer player and current world class chef Gordon Ramsay. Gordon is British, but don't hold Tony Blair the Poodle against him - because his show is great. (I know, I said it was just 'good' earlier, but in the time it took me to type these last few words, I've upgraded it to "great.") Does anyone know if Hugo still cooks for himself? Knowing him like I do, I'd have to say "Yes!" with a capital "Y." And I'll bet Gordon would give him at least two michilan stars for anything he made. Gordon's got class and recognizes class when he sees it. REPUGS SMELL BAD!!!!

I saw a mouth like Chavez's once. I had to rip the hook out with my pliers. Fried it right up that night, though. Tasted good...like freedom.

Instapundit readers don't watch Family Guy. We watch South Park.

Don't you ever, EVER compare me to Family Guy, you hear me Kyle? Compare me to Family Guy again and so help me, I will kill you where you stand! Do you have any idea what it's like? Everywhere I go: "Hey Cartman you must like Family Guy, right?" "Hey, your sense of humor reminds me of Family Guy, Cartman!" I am nothing like Family Guy! When I make jokes they are inherent to a story! Deep situational and emotional jokes based on what is relevant and has a point, not just one random interchangeable joke after another!

Instapundit readers don't watch Family Guy. We watch South Park.

This is really beautiful. Instapundit readers, having come to this site to regurgitate Insty's complete misconstrual of Matthew's joke, are quoting Cartman straight.

I think Petey missed the other special skill of these winners. Not only can they function by mouth-respiration alone, but they are utterly immune to irony of all sorts.

Only a mouth-breathing right-wingnut would think Hitler looked like a hipster. BTW, how's this November looking for you puppies?

Trending up. Keep posting the Bush-Hitler nonsense. Shout it from the rooftops. ;)

Funny story about that, Fen. If you search this thread for the word Hitler, you'll find that every comparison between Hitler and Bush is made by someone attributing it to liberals, and none of them are made by liberals. So I can't quite tell who your instruction to "[k]eep posting the Bush-Hitler nonsense" is directed at. Right-wingers, I suppose, since people can't keep doing things they weren't previously doing.

Everyone knows the red tie is *so* last season, and the failure of Bush to recognize this precisely demonstrates how the DC bubble destroys politicians' ability to keep their finger on the irregular pulse of their fashionable constituents.

If you search this thread for the word Hitler, you'll find that every comparison between Hitler and Bush is made by someone attributing it to liberals, and none of them are made by liberals.

Yeah, thank God somebody finally used the "ChimpyMcHitlerBurtonetc.etc." strawman--I was beginning to wonder if Insty's sheep were sleeping. If they keep using it often enough, someday an actual liberal may use it!

"This post is getting out of control. People seem to forget that if someone wants to kill you, just maybe you might have done something to piss them off a little bit? Maybe you should figure out what that thing is, and I don't know, stop doing it?"

Yep, Hewgo, if only we'd tried to figure out why Hitler was mad at us, he wouldn't have killed 6 million Jews or tried to overrun Europe. Damn, I wish you'd been around in 1939 so we could have avoided WWII!

Thanks to Instaidiot, we have Al Qaeda's useful idiots stampeding the site. My favorite piece of right-wing stupidity so far, from Mark Adams:

"But if it's between the people wanting to bomb Iran and the people who are inspired by pictures of dictators walking with Kofi, then I guess I will have to take the warmongers."

Typical conservative "logic": if it's between starting a stupid and destructive war that will kill tens or hundreds of thousands of innocent people, cause irreparable harm to the interests of my own country, and help Al Qaeda and Muslim radicals enormously, and sticking it to some left-wingers I don't like...I guess I'll have to choose the war. Osama bin Laaden and his friends in the Arab world have been playing U.S. conservatives like a violin, to produce exactly the results they want -- a radicalized Arab world and a degraded U.S. military.

Ahmadinejad and Chavez combined haven't caused one tenth of the damage to the U.S. that George Bush has.

Ohhh...first appearance of the Ahmadinejad/Chavez/Hitler comparison! Which is just as brilliant a move as the Bush/Hitler comparison.

In case y'all didn't notice, Mahmoud & Co. are inciting violence against the US. And making some gradious threats.

Let's invite him to speak to our group because we hate Bush too. And he seems like a nice guy.

Its too bad he consistently threatens the US with attack, denies the Holocaust happened, and threatens the genocidal destruction of Israel.

Any US leader who ignores these "warnings" would be SUCKER like Clinton, Carter, and friends. Yet the Left wants so badly to be liked.

FYI, Iran has never threatened the U.S. with aggressive attack. They have however made threats about what will happen to us if *we* attack *them* first. Which, since we are constantly threatening to attack them, is an entirely understandable thing for them to do.

It is also interesting to note that Iran has not invaded another country for the past 200 years.

I tremble for the future of my country when I reflect on the fact that some of the people commenting above can vote.

Cool! Let's all wear T shirts with Mahmoud on the front and Hugo on the back! So hot.

I'd hardly call a talk in the hallway between Venezuela's TinPot President and the UN's Thief-In-Chief "diplomacy".

Sorry. I was thinking about that other Tinpot President, not Iran's Midget Nutjob. But the observation stands.

Wow. I didn't think it was possible to be a bigger dork than Instapundit, but his clueless fans have made me reconsider.

They even admit it:

Instapundit readers don't watch Family Guy. We watch South Park.

I'll take all of the winger comments on here seriously when I actually see them criticizing Bush and Condi for sucking up to the ruthless dictator of Equitorial Guinea because he has oil. The type of Instapundit-style conservatives (as opposed to, say, Milton Friedman, Fareed Zakaria or Fukuyama style conservatives that have actual brain cells) only care about cruel dictators when they criticize Bush or they can lash at the left. Chavez sucks. Ahmadinijad sucks. Kim Jong-Il sucks. Islam Karimov sucks. Than Shwe sucks. Hu Jintao sucks. Robert Mugabe sucks. Musharruf sucks. Putin sucks. Castro sucks. They all suck regardless of whether or not they like the US or Bush or simply find them useful. The crimes of all of these governments are horrible on their own. However, when such right-wingers as the ones on the board today only seem to care about the ones that make Bush look like the stupid, incompetent and strategically impotent fool that he is do his minions care.

His name is spelled Mahmoud, not Mahmoun. But I see someone already pointed that out. Those kind of mistakes kill your hits from search engines.

Wowie, Reality Man, I am so glad I have you reality-based people to illuminate the world for me.

FWIW folks I spent some time working in Iran and they don't wear ties anywhere. They reject them as a western irrelevance; about the best example of Iranian rational behaviour that I can think of. And funnily enough THEY ALL CONFORM TO IT. Getting jailed, raped and murdered by the Revolutionary Guard is not only for women who let their hair show.

Hewgo is Boss wrote"

"Thanks for the nice tone, nothing like civilized debate!

Riiiiiiiiight! Equating President Bush with Chavez and Ahmadinejad is really "civilized". LOL!

"Take a look back at your list of the sins of the Chavez and Amadinijahd. Seems like a Republican wish list to me. Let's see:

1. Destroy satellite dishes. Right-wing churchocrats censoring culture, check."

Stuck on stupid. No one is going around America destroying satellite dishes. Who the EFF knows what "censoring culture" means? Is it something like lefties trying to get people personally and professionally destroyed for having political views they disagree with?

"2. Hanging gays. Enough said."

Not enough at all. who's doing that in Bush's America? It happens routinely in Iran and other Muslim countries. Ditto for women convicted of committing adultery, or even being raped, in the Muslim world. You betray a colossal ignorance, plus a certainty that you are right. IOW you are like Chavez and Ahmedinajad.

"3. Being president for 25 years. Um, do 2000 & 2004 ring a bell *cough*stolen elections*cough*"

Idiocy. Bush has not declared a wish, which he would need to override the Constitution to effect, to be come President for the next 20 years, without elections, to boot.

And if the 2000 and 2004 elections were stolen, then why do Dems show up at SOTU speeches? Why did Al Gore concede? Why did he as president of the Senate pro tem ratify the 2000 eleciton? As for 2004, you're an effing idiot. Kerry lost. You can't even get the NYT to agree with you.

Bottom line: please explain why your guys, the Dems, if they believe Bush to be illegitimate, have not revolted. Is there not a single Brass Ball among them?

"4. Ripping up the Constitution. Um, already underway, Patriot Act much?"

LOL!

Chavez didn't just ram through , he ripped up the Venezuelan . But, being a pony-tailed software guy, as I think you are, I guess the "nuance" is lost on you.

As for the Patriot Act:

Why did the Dems sign up so solidly to pass it AGAIN? Rcall that when it came up for renewal:

First it passed the House. The final vote was 257-171.
Lotta Dems had to vote for it.

Then the Senate voted on March 2, 2006 with a vote of 89 to 11. Lotta Dems had to vote for it. About 30, by my reckoning. Please explain why the Dems didn't filibuster the bill. (clue: go look up filibuster on Wiki)

"Next!"

Next, indeed. You have no case. Your command of the facts is zero, and your intellectual wattage approaches that of a refrigerator bulb, one that winked out a long time ago.

Hugh Hewitt said it best today and this thread of inane comments is proof positive he's right:

"Democrats are going to wake up on November 8 wondering why their promised landslide refused to materialize. Their echo chamber will assure them that it has to something to do with the wondrous evil genius of Karl Rove and a few crooked Diebold machines."

But we will all know why. You dudes are some sick puppies.

I like it when commenters begin with "Hugh Hewitt said it best today", 'cause then I can safely ignore everything they say from that point forward as total fantasy.

You're all a bunch of very sad small people if you admire Admidenejad...nothing about the man is admirable. He supports the oppression of women, execution of homosexuals and is pursuing nuclear weapons to use agains Israel...the ONLY democratic country in the middle east...grow up people

"...his stody red tie-wearing ass..."

Dictionary.com says: "Sorry, stody was not found."

Rich V, it's funny you suggest that people should grow up because all the outraged, talking point spewing wingnuts in this thread put me in mind of something my mother used to tell me back when I was but a teen: "Hon, if you need the grown-ups to explain their jokes you ought to go back to the kids table..."

Will Cate, tpyo falmes are teh l8mest falmes. Any idiot could tell he meant "stodgy".

Dear Matthew,

During the Iran-Iraq War, Ahmadi Nejad was a commander in the Basij and ordered thousands of Iranian chilren to march into Iraqi minefields with plasic keys to paradise on a stringh hanging from their necks. He later held a job as an "interogator" (ie. torturer) at Evan prison. The man is a monster, but all you can say is he has a "sweet hipster style"?

You are sick and morally banckrupt.

On Saddam's similar fashions: http://www.slate.com/id/2136333/

Well, we've seen quite the sample of Perfesser Ernest T. Bass's readership, haven't we? Not very good readers, but given that they normally don't have to cope with anything more challenging than 'heh' or 'indeed', that's hardly surprising.

"BTW, how's this November looking for you puppies?"

A lot better since you guys decided to make Mahmoud Ahmadinijad the face of the Democratic Party and send Hugo Chavez on a speaking tour around the country right before the election.

It's fun to see you leftards drooling over Amadaboutjihad and Hugomaniacal while beong absolutely convinced that Saddam would never embrace Usama.

BTW, what did you think of A's reference to the 12th Imam?

Oh, yeah. He's a real snappy dresser. I'll bet you can smell the guy 50 feet away. They don't like to use dedorant, you know. Think it's a "manly smell". Makes about as much sense as wanting to have sex with 72 virgins for eternity. I don't know about you, but I would think after awhile I'd rather use a pro.
If you people love these barbarous psychos so much why don't you throw away your razors, and your soap, and deodorant for the next year and then move there. You'll fit right in. Oh, don't forget to subjugate your women, keep them in Burkhas and be sure to beat them every day with an electrical cable. Yes, Nirvana!!!

How weird is this? Just a couple of days after that awesomely rad dude from Tehran showed America what a true freedom-loving head of state looks like, this Iranian chick I work with bowled a 142. Her average is like 87 or 86, and here she goes and rolls the game of a lifetime while her homeland head of state is still here! I teased her and told her that if she had tried to even get into a bowling alley in her home country, she would have been tossed in a sheet, buried up to her clavicles in a field and then beaten to death with medium sized stones, but she didn't find it very funny. "If it is Allah's will, your eyeless head will rot in a Dairy Queen dumpster by sundown," she replied. We're supposed to go bowling again next week, but now I'm not so sure. What do you think Hugo would do if he were in my situation? This young lady is smoking fine, so I'm willing to overlook a whole lot. But I don't want to be stupid about it.

This is why you idiots can't win an election. Tone deaf, morally bereft, and so deranged by your feelings about Bush that you'll fall for any murderous asshole with something negative to say about your president.

There is a substantive difference between obliviousness to irony and not thinking someone's irony is terribly funny. Humor is a nuanced thing. It is often difficult to laugh about things that you take very seriously.

Ahmadinejad does behave cartoonishly, and if all you pay attention to is his posturing, lying and buffoonish antics, you'll miss all of the really objectionable things he's accomplishing within Iran.

The US has more than sufficient justification for just about any aggression they'd care to impose upon Iran. The hostage situation, the many terrorist acts funded by, enabled by or committed by agents of the Iranian government, their war by proxy against our ally and their pursuit of nuclear weapon capability all support the use of force to neuter their offensive capabilities or enforce regime change. Unfortunately, whatever Bush or his successor chooses to do about it, we won't get to know if doing something else would have worked better. If I had to guess, I'd guess that Bush will play hard-ball diplomacy with Iran for the remainder of his term, unless something occurs that gives him a more political cover for a military response. The odds of an Israeli strike seem much greater, but still questionable.

I think that Ahmadinejad's apocalyptic shtick is just that--an act. I suspect that he guages the US MSM correctly in betting they will find such over-the-top rhetoric to be irresistable, and that in their inability to see past their OJesque fascination, they will neglect to seriously analyze his hyperbole for what it is, and therefore work for him in convincing the average American that he is just a harmless nutjob instead of a cold, crafty adversary. He correctly assumes that he has no real hope of ever defeating the US in a stand-up fight. His course is to avoid that fight but still get what he wants. What he wants is to be the biggest fish in that particular pond. Nukes will do that for him, and for that reason (among others) we should oppose him, even if you believe as I do that he is unlikely to use such weapons against Israel. How much damage could he realistically inflict before provoking a massive nuclear response of unparalleled devastation against himself and his nation?

No, Ahmadinejad knows the game. His intent now is to either avoid anything more than the proverbial "strongly worded memo" or, if he's lucky, a Clinton-style 'gesture' attack that will have the effect of polarizing world opinion and offering him greater cover to flex his development muscles without seriously degrading his progress. He's likely to succeed too, unless Bush and company come up with a clever way to neutralize him.

Perhaps it is the result of too many cartoons and sitcoms, or perhaps it's just lazy and uncritical thinking, but there seems to be a propensity on this thread to paint one's adversaries, whether foreign or domestic, as two-dimensional villians. Very few villians are actually that simple and predictable, and the majority of those wind up as Democratic presidential nominees.

Anyway, in all seriousness, we are all laughing Matthew. Not all of us with you, mind, but all laughing.

I don't watch TV and don't know how Charismatic Ahmadinejad is. But I read his Interview with CNN's cooper and found his views rational and loved his welll argumented opinions about Palestine and Holocaust that the Media is not reporting clearly. As someone who visited Bauchenwald, a Nazi concentration camp in Germany, I am ver sad about what happend to the Jews people there, but the question is why the Media is all the talk about the Jews when 60 million people, most of them, Civilians were killed in the 2nd WW. And why the Palestinians, 5 millions of them refugies, have to suffer from the Zionist occupation of their homeland?

Sorry for the long comments.
Have a nice time!

Not all of us with you, mind, but all laughing.

Not all are laughing. Some are yawning. At you.

Big Worm: Way to put the big hammer down on that big weenie Immolate. I especially admired the manner in which you took the time to address each of his points, and debunked them with facts and logic - rather than avoiding an actual debate by dribbling out a nancy girl, nine-word reply that says nothing except "I'm in wayyyy over my wee widdle head." Progressive liberals rewl! Repugs drewl! Pelosi for Head Commissar in '08!!!!

Too many comments, so I didn't read them all. But, if someone else mentioned this, it still bears repeating. Ahmadinejad doesn't wear a tie because he maintains that ties are symbolic representations of the Cross!!! Insane but true. You will notice, by the way, that NO ONE in his Iranian posse wears a tie. Ever. That's because it is forbidden!! Because... it reminds the lil' Hitler dude of a CROSS!!! One more time-- he forbids the wearing of ties because he considers them "Crusader" dress, and they represent the CROSS. It is not a style issue for him, it is a visible reminder of the fact that the man is a complete religious fanatic/nutjob.

Now, don't you feel the least bit silly for totally misreading Ahmadinejad's dress code? Nah, I didn't think so.

This is why you idiots can't win an election. Tone deaf, morally bereft, and so deranged by your feelings about Bush that you'll fall for any murderous asshole with something negative to say about your president. Sometimes a guy just hits a nail square on the head. Well said, Mickey.

Big Worm: As much as I'd like to rebutt your rebuttal, you didn't actually say anything rebuttable. I've been posting on opinion forums for a very long time. Sometimes the topics are controversial and the opinions heated. Sometimes an antagonist will draw blood with some particularly well-crafted rhetoric. When that happens, I prefer my groupies remain silent and let me handle it to avoid embarassing themselves. I'm sure Matthew feels the same.

I usually don't respond to these blag things, but your entry really ticked me off. I knew your grandfather, Julio, and let me tell you he would hit the roof if he could read your little essay. He loved America and Americans (well, at least the 51% of