I’ve been keeping an eye on Wonkette of late and have been enjoying the view. Here are a few descriptions, as posted on the site:
"Swims in the libidinal current of American politics." – The Village Voice
"Gossipy, raunchy, potty-mouthed." – The New York Times
"Profanity-laced and sex-obsessed...[a] vain, young, trash-mouthed skank." – Michelle Malkin
For those of you are not familiar with Ms. Malkin, suffice it to say that she is in League with Ann Coulter, which equates to being in Cahoots with a Dark Power that Shall Not Be Named.
So sounds pretty good so far, right?
Here’s a fun snippet from yesterday, in which Wonkette sizes up various appliances and machines and such that would be an equal match in a battle of the wits with White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan:
Wonkette occasionally answers questions. Send yours to: questions@wonkette.com . A reader asks: "Do you think that engaging Scott McClellan a battle of wits could be considered 'asymmetrical warfare?'"
The reader poses an interesting question. (That's what they told us to say at CSPAN even when the lady called to blame us for her missing toaster pastry.) It's hard to judge symmetry without knowing who is on the other side of the air hockey table from the precarious Mr. McClellan. If you are a lobster, certainly a battle of wits would be scored in your overwhelming advantage. An automatic coin sorter, probably. (Those things are so neat!) Folger's tin of millet? No... Well, if it's really finely ground millet, maybe on domestic policy issues you could best him.
We kid because we love. We were reminded why we like Scott again today when we learned that Ari Fleischer's book on his years behind the lectern is showing up in bookstores in March. The release seems to be very closely guarded. Only Lying Liar and Ha! Ha! Watch Me Lie! magazines have been granted access to the galleys. Everyone else in the media is being left in the cold until the actual publication date, much like they were routinely left holding the warm bag of poop during Ari's tenure. At the White House this was considered a wonderful thing by Mr. Fleischer's former employer. In the media world though, it reminds us that they didn't let reviewers see Gigli or Ishtar until they were in theaters, either.
The Left is in dire need of brash, intelligent, and most importantly, fun voices. Let’s cheer Wonkette on… because if you’re a Democrat these days, there’s not much else to do (sniff). And even if you're not a Dem... well, we can all use a laugh or three nowadays.
Article comments
1 - Dawn
Well, while I am not a "fan" of Wonkette but - at least she (unlike virtually all on the right of the political spectrum) has a sense of humor. And in life, that will often take you further than any other single attribute.
So, she gets a kudos from me for being able to laugh at life at even sometimes herself - plus she really annoys a lot of self-absorbed bloggers who are brimming with misplaced jealousy!
2 - Mark Saleski
i'm completely burned out on politics.
american has been taken over by conservatives.
they can now fuck it up as they see fit.
gawd bless america.
3 - Eric Berlin
Mark - I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way after the election and completely expected to continue feeling that way for a number of years.
I'm actually surprised that I have any energy to talk/write about politics at all. It must be cathartic for me, is all I can do to explain it.
~ Eric B.
4 - Dawn
Mark,
I feel your pain - whereas I once enjoyed sparring with my political adversaries (especially my mother in law) the very utterance of anything political causes mini seizures throughout my body and I just go slackjaw, shrug my shoulder and let drool dribble out of my mouth - such is my lack of interest or concern.
Wake me up in four years, then again, maybe don't.
5 - Eric Berlin
I must have gone through all of the psychological reactions to loss (denial, anger, acceptance?... don't really know what the other ones are).
I went through a period where a line from a song that was featured in a really weird/bad sci fi movie from the 80s called Hardware kept slamming through my head:
"This is what you want. This is what you get."
In other words, no more excuses for us in the US. "We" voted for Bush twice, so whatever happens from here: don't say it wasn't coming. Nihilistic, I was feeling.
Now? If anything positive has come out of the experience, it's that I feel motivated and energized about politics in general in a way I never real felt before. It's not something that I fell I can just shut off.
I'm actually (slightly) excited about the race for new DNC chair, especially if Howard Dean wins. I'm hungry for change, a spark of excitement, a spark of Different, I suppose.
Anyway, that's where I'm at right about now.
6 - Eric Olsen
back to the original post: twat did you say?
7 - Eric Berlin
So you're not a fan, I take it?
8 - Eric Olsen
I am less of not a fan than I was when she first arrived on the scene
9 - Eric Berlin
"Twat" is a little bit harsh then, wouldn't you say?
10 - Eric Olsen
a small word play that fits the overall tone rather well I'd say - she would appreciate it
11 - Eric Berlin
Okay, fair enough. I was just wondering if I should amend the post to include you in the Coulter/Malkin section (emoticon winks).
12 - Eric Olsen
at first she REALLY rubbed me the wrong way but she's harmless and not unlikeable
13 - Eric Berlin
I've only picked up on Ms. 'Ette of relatively late. What rubbed you the wrong way? Has she changed, or did she just grow on you (like a fungus, as Howard Stern likes to say about his fans)?
14 - Big Time Patriot
She does make fun of both Republicans and Democrats. That is a good thing...
15 - Eric Berlin
I think those that can "take the piss" (as the Brits like to say) with both sides and do it in a funny and smart way is where it's at.
Let's face it: there's loudmouth windbag two-sided pork-barreled idiocy on both sides of the aisle. Anyone who doesn't admit is stupid, blind... or in politics.
That's why Jon Stewart has elevated past the level of entertainer or "fake news" anchorman. He's become a truth-teller in a sea of bullshit.