Comments for I See Invisible People

Comment on Just good, clean fun by Sherry Chandler

Sherry Chandler — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:56:51 +0000

What is more, this kind of behavior limits intelligent dissent. There is much in this healthcare bill that is less than satisfactory — the deal on abortion funding for example — but considered doubts can’t be heard above all the yelling, which turns it into an our side/their side kind of thing.

Comment on Just good, clean fun by Sherry Chandler

Sherry Chandler — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:54:26 +0000

I was reading about this in Salon. It’s frightening. Mob rule.

Comment on Because they have decided not to continue the pregnancy. Period. by Ahistoricality

Ahistoricality — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:35:20 +0000

Yeah, but the thing is that we already know what the answers are to these questions, in aggregate. There’s been plenty of survey and interview research done on women who have had, or who have considered, abortions. Real social science. This is an attempt to intervene in the process itself: it’s like a sin tax, where the goal isn’t really to collect, but to deter.

Comment on Because they have decided not to continue the pregnancy. Period. by george.w

george.w — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:47:33 +0000

If everyone answered truthfully, it would paint a picture they do not really want to see. Starting with no social safety net and no protection from abusive ex’s (or abusive current spouses)… If they really want to reduce abortion, they’d need to address those problems in a meaningful way, which is something conservatives don’t seem to want to do.

Comment on You could always ASK her by Sherry Chandler

Sherry Chandler — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:38:56 +0000

Ick here too

Comment on Quote of the day by Ahistoricality

Ahistoricality — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:12:21 +0000

From my experience in the Ozark regions and Appalachia, I’ve seen ‘hillbilly’ used as a kind of identity/pride marker much more than I’ve ever heard it used in a derogatory fashion. But there are, as noted above, words like that. That said, I can’t find more than a couple of references to ‘chillbilly’ which aren’t derogatory — though I would have sworn that I’d run across it in the Alaskan context before.

Comment on You could always ASK her by Ahistoricality

Ahistoricality — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:49:37 +0000

Ick.

Comment on Quote of the day by Harriet Leach

Harriet Leach — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:25:13 +0000

Hillbilly, is, I think, among Appalachians (I’m not one) somewhat like the n-word among black people–they frequently use it among and about themselves with some pride, but definitely don’t want to hear it from non-blacks–and “queer” among gay people, same thing. I guess for people with mental illness it would be “crazy”. I say this about hillbilly because very recently I heard a group of Appalachian musicians sing a song that had the line “I’m a hillbilly” or something to that effect.
I can tell you I definitely don’t like to hear “non-mentally-ill” (as if anyone has perfect mental health) people talk about “crazy” people but in some moods I’m OK saying it about myself–SOME times it doesn’t feel self-deprecating. All these words of course have negative baggage so using them about yourself kind of says “I hear what you’re trying to say about me and maybe I AM that but I’m a lot more besides that you can’t begin to comprehend.”

Comment on Quote of the day by Terry

Terry — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:55:40 +0000

More thoughts about what you said about bullies, A. I agree that the Right is functioning from a bully mindset, and that the press has let them get away with it. I’m really at a loss on how to deal with it, though. Without an objective media fact checking and calling out BS, they’re getting away with it. I want to strike back, too, but I’m not sure it’s the best strategy, particularly in a newsletter going out to his constituents of all persuasions. I’m concerned it’s going to do us more harm than good.

Comment on Quote of the day by Terry

Terry — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:46:58 +0000

Devil’s advocacy is always welcome here. :)

Excellent point about “sticks and stones,” Harriet. But coming out against people who say retard is just about the only thing I agree with Ms. Palin on. Stigmatizing language is a huge issue to me. Hillbilly/chillbilly falls in that that category for me, though perhaps it shouldn’t. Louisville isn’t really Appalachia, but how would hillbilly play in Eastern Kentucky? Would they say it’s stigmatizing?

You’re also right that name-calling should never be illegal. That said, I don’t think it should be encouraged, either. That’s why what my son said made such an impression on me – there’s a good likelihood of turning off the Middle, who the Democrats need if they’re going to stay in power.

This is definitely worth more thought. Thanks!