Nordlinger Watch 2
Nordlinger Watch: The conservative commentator’s latest A2 reference concerns Michael Moore’s visit to campus. “Do they invite conservative speakers? Are you smoking some of that hash so prevalent in Ann Arbor?”
Nordlinger Watch: The conservative commentator’s latest A2 reference concerns Michael Moore’s visit to campus. “Do they invite conservative speakers? Are you smoking some of that hash so prevalent in Ann Arbor?”
As if. Hash is hardly prevalent in Ann Arbor, especially compared to the ubiquitous student-grade schwag or townie’s chronic. But hash? Maybe behind Cafe Zola on a slow Tuesday. What an ignoramus. heh
posted by ulo on October 4th, 2004 at 2:18 pmAAIO, in addition to congratulating you for the fine work you do on this site, I’d also like to thank you for sifting through NATIONAL REVIEW for this poor dope’s opinions so I don’t have to even touch the thing. Man! You think he’d be more flattering about a town with such an “investor” (i.e. slumlord) presence and such an aggressive anti-panhandling lobby. Good Lord, Jay–just because people say a town’s “progressive” doesn’t mean it actually IS (though I exaggerate). Simmer down, lad.
posted by Lazaro on October 4th, 2004 at 5:18 pmMicroanecdote summing up the “progressive” nature of AA: while I was walking past the Michigan Theater last night, two prosperous-looking modern-day Babbitt types strolled confidently by, joking about the film “Festival Express.” Sniggered one, “Buncha [deleted] hippies on a train.”
posted by Laura on October 4th, 2004 at 8:27 pmLaura, they were probably going to meet the crowd of frat-looking guys that walked past me last Thursday night talking about how terrific Bush was in the debate.
posted by Nick on October 4th, 2004 at 8:50 pmThanks, Lazaro, although I’ve got to admit I actually like reading National Review. They’ve got some pretty clever writers sometimes. I especially like the Corner on their website. For a hard-right blog, it’s a lot less obnoxiously partisan than you’d expect. Plus, they support decriminalizing marijuana and lowering the drinking age to 18. As for Nordlinger, he’s obviously unaware of Tree Town’s solid conservative values, but we A2-haters need to stick together.
I think I might have to mock Festival Express too.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 4th, 2004 at 9:19 pmFunny thing, someone is right, Ann Arbor proper is fairly conservative.
posted by Kozzie on October 4th, 2004 at 10:52 pmShouldn’t be that much of a surprise to anyone. The combination of new money, a family-oriented suburban environment, and a high cost of living tends to get you lots of conservatives.
posted by Nick on October 5th, 2004 at 10:11 amThe thing is, I bet a lot of them wouldn’t even describe themselves AS “conservative.” They probably believe in saving the environment and helping poor people unless they have to sacrifice something themselves or deal with panhandlers or support workers on strike (the often fulfilled “bobo” stereotype, from what I understand, even though I haven’t read Brooks’ book). That said, I’m sure there’s a colossal conservative fifth column in the city anyway.
I’d love to mock FESTIVAL EXPRESS, but there’s no way in hell I’m shelling out eight bucks to go see it. From what I saw of the trailer, I honestly can’t disagree so far with the prognosis of the “modern-day Babbitts” (great phrase).
posted by Lazaro on October 5th, 2004 at 4:04 pmRight. Being a liberal is hard work when it involves more than putting a Kerry-Edwards sticker on your bumper. Much easier to live in a horribly economically segregated town and listen to NPR.
posted by Nick on October 5th, 2004 at 11:01 pmDoes hosting a MoveOn house party push one over the edge into “activism?”
Although Nick, I’m not sure I get your point: putting a Kerry sticker on one’s car is WAY easier than living in a horribly economically segregated town and listening to NPR.
posted by Alex(andra) on October 6th, 2004 at 7:48 amJust for you, Alex:
posted by Nick on October 6th, 2004 at 9:46 pmLet A = Doing some kind of meaningful progressive activity.
Let B = Putting a Kerry-Edwards sticker on your bumper.
Let C = Living in an economically segregated town listening to NPR.
A > B
Prove that A > C iff B = C.
apparently my humor isn’t traveling on the interweb these days…
posted by Alex(andra) on October 6th, 2004 at 10:42 pm