Blogcritics Comments on So What's Wolcott's Point?

Comment by mike

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 11:08:23 EDT

James Wolcott is a genius, probably the most brilliant prose stylist on popular culture alive. His language skills are matchless. Wolcott's coverage of pop culture for the Village Voice in the late 1970s/early 1980s is a neglected masterpiece, worth trudging on down to the library for. An interesting aspect to his writings is that he was once a neoconservative, and has steadily moved to the left in recent years, especially since 9/11. He has publicly reputiated his post-9/11 attacks on Susan Sontag and Edward Said. And he is well compensated for his work. Columnists for Vanity Fair are rumoured to earn at least $250,000 a year. I haven't yet read this piece, but I'm sure it's as brilliant as the rest.

Comment by CW Fisher

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:34:40 EDT

What was the subject? Had to look. Yes. The subject is: What is the subject of somebody named Wolcott's piece in some other magazine. Should I comment on a comment on a post about an article? Nah.

Comment by Shark

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 09:48:01 EDT

I usually eat oysters raw, but I'll be quiet and listen while you talk about "The Subject". I'm all ears, Shelly.

Comment by Oyster

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 08:51:03 EDT

Shark, You have appropriately named yourself. However, even a shark knows what to bite and what to leave alone. I suggest you spit this one out and go after easier prey. I think you missed the entire point here by grabbbing one statement and creating an entirely new argument, not once but twice. Resorting to petty, personal insults in the end only proves the point Punditz was trying to get across. Let's stick to the subject. Memorize that. Understand it. Use it. Just trying to be helpful.

Comment by Shark

Tue, 15 Jun 2004 00:57:24 EDT

BTW: Punditz, I visited your web site. It holds the indoor record for the worst web site ever. Shark's Rule #1: "The world is overdesigned and under-edited." Your site epitomizes the breaking of The Rule. Read it. Memorize it. Understand it. Use it. Just tryin' to be helpful.

Comment by Shark

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 18:27:43 EDT

Yah, they both had an intimate knowledge of Satan. just kiddin'! Look, Bush said his favorite philosopher was Jesus. He could have said "Adam Smith" or "Thomas Jefferson" or "C.S. Lewis" or any number of other answers. But no. He didn't. He was on stage speaking into a microphone, and he said, "JESUS". I'm trying to understand what that means for the leader of the free world. Want would you say, in a nutshell, was Jesus' philosophy? What I'm saying (is it clear yet) that Bush is a grandstanding, blathering, pus-filled, lying, manipulative, semi-literate HYPOCRITE. HYPOCRITE: "...one who plays a part on the stage, a dissembler, feigner. One who plays a part; especially, one who, for the purpose of winning approbation of favor, puts on a fair outside seeming; one who feigns to be other and better than he is; a false pretender to virtue or piety; one who simulates virtue or piety."

Comment by Punditz

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 16:54:12 EDT

"Better yet, imagine Jesus not doing the right thing because he gives a flying fuck about what others [the press] think." Are you seriously suggesting that there's a comparison between George Bush and Jesus?

Comment by Shark

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 16:19:29 EDT

But I do have to admit: the women in his life are some hot babes. Condi and Karen Hughes in a threesome; I get excited just thinking about it... but then again -- I'm attracted to men.

Comment by Shark

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 16:17:22 EDT

Better yet, imagine Jesus not doing the right thing because he gives a flying fuck about what others [the press] think. State Governors can and HAVE stopped executions in the past. (Check the Republican Gov of Ill. who put executions on hold due to the high percentage of innocent people MURDERED by the state. Bush is still a fucking hypocrite. And a Murderer.

Comment by punditz

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 13:22:46 EDT

"No, it doesn't make him a cold-hearted bastard; it makes him a raging fucking HYPOCRITE." I beg to differ. I think it made him a Governor who abided by the law of his state, and one who adhered to the verdict of Tucker's jury. Imagine if he'd caved to Born Again pressure. He'd have been branded a religious nut, Bible deliveries to Death Row would have increased 400%, and the press would have lost its mind crucifying him. Tucker herself said she was ready to meet her Maker. But the bottom line is, Justice was served.

Comment by Shark

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:29:58 EDT

re: Classic openings "...Reading James Wolcott is like watching someone who just swallowed a can of drain cleaner and is in the process of vomiting up a lung, the errant kidney, and the entire contents of his lower intestine." This is right up there with: ""It was the best of times. It was the worst of times..."

Comment by Shark

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:26:14 EDT

"...Bush did not order a stay of execution for Karla, and she was executed." Bush said his favorite 'philosopher' was Jesus. Bush professes to be a "born-again" Christian (just like Karla Tucker) who believes in the Ten Commandments, one of which is: "THOU SHALT NOT KILL". "...This [no stay of execution] makes him a cold hearted bastard because he didn't allow his daughter's difference of opinion to decide legal matters in the state of Texas." No, it doesn't make him a cold-hearted bastard; it makes him a raging fucking HYPOCRITE. (Interesting to picture Jesus administering the lethal injection.) A Faith-Based execution?

Comment by Eric Olsen

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:08:12 EDT

excellent job Punditz: well-written, amusing, apt commentary on pointless commentary - thanks and welcome!