Holy touchy subject. Who's gonna be first to get their panties in a twist?

Ace, can we agree now that if CF comes in on the side of pedo's you'll ban him forever? Hehe

That is a weird concatenation of ...tastes? While I have no special place in my heart for AV geeks and D&D nuts, I do realize that many people who feel themselves to be outsiders join these groups. This is no excuse for tarring them all with the same brush. One might, if one were old or well-versed in history, recall HUAC.

Ace, the "even though there is a war on" thing is hilarious. Keep it up. It sure makes the point that there are MANY things to get upset about and fight for EVEN with a war on.

Sounds like somebody's Profiling Star Trek Fans! Call the ACLU!
Don't you know there's a war on?
(Would it be any better if I said 'There's a war OFF?')

...must...restrain....Trekkie....jokes.......

sorry

i'm glad the good guys are out there

Kausfiles has a link up pointing out that the LA times has oversold the Trek-Pedo link. It's there, just not as strong as they sell it.

Maybe, the connection merely reflects those pedos that use the internet to troll. However, there are plenty of pedos out there who do not. Whether they also are trekkies, I don't know. But, I kinda doubt it.

What we have here is a demographic shortage of strange people, so some are having to do double duty. That's all.

Weird, like the strange coincidence of so many serial killers owning VW Beetles.

Cite? Other than Ted Bundy (who was caught speeding in one), I've not heard about this particular connection.

Should I be worried that I'm a Trekkie who's also an air-cooled VW nut? Who knows what I might be doing when I sneak out while I'm not paying attention...

Holy touchy subject.

What? Do I detect another Batman acolyte?

Ace, can we agree now that if CF comes in on the side of pedo's you'll ban him forever?

Who do you think you're kidding? You would miss Cedarford horribly if he were banned. Who else would you beat up on if he were gone?

*Gulp*

Erm, me???

Strange stuff. I'm also blown away by the strong, almost 1 for 1, Deadwood-'Furry' correlation. Bizarre.

I'm sure all pedos share the same interests of that of the age group they are targeting. Hardly shocking.

That's true too. But pedos can be of any age, right? They're not like serial killers, so famously "25-35, male, white, single," are they?

VW Beetle cite:

I don't know. I think Sigourney Weaver said it in Copycat.

I really think I've read that before, but that's the only cite I can come up with off the top of my head.

Loose shit? Maybe. I'll delete it.

Way to ignore the deadwood vs. furries thing Ace. ;)

Sigh. A decent mood ruined.

Fat Kid,

And if I dress up like a big squirrel and rub myself up against people dressed like marmosets, what fucking business is that of yours?

Who's the victim?

There are many more weird correlations that are not widely publicized. For example, 7 out of 10 necrophiliacs drink Val-U-Rite vodka and disrespect the Sgt. Pepper album.

No kidding. Just check here:

www.michaelisnotkidding.com

CT serial killer Michael Ross also drove a bug.

No, no jokes. For some weird reason the first thing I thought of was Hubris' recent bit on the top 10 reasons moderate conservatives might consider leaving social conservatives behind. I'm not in any way bashing on it, but this sort of thing brings to mind my number one reason why I love social cons even when I don't agree with 'em: Because only a social conservative would ask the question, "Is it maybe just possible that the striving for a free and open approach to human sexuality of the last five decades might have unleashed some of this garbage along with the 'normal' stuff? Is it maybe just possible that once you open the floodgates, you can't control everything that flows through them?"

I'm not saying whether the answer's yes, no, or maybe. I'm saying social conservatives are the only people I know who will ASK. I'm saying the resultant huffing and puffing from the libertines when they do ask-- the "OMG how can you even SUGGEST that, I mean what I do in the privacy of my own HOME has NOTHING to do with these sick freaks, OMG you are such a THEOCRAT" responses--shuts down the discussion before it can start.

I'm rambling. Look, it's just that I talk to older people and they're always like, "This shit never happened in my day. Or if it did, we didn't know about it." And the usual response is, that's why it's so important that we take a free and open approach to sex, so we can correct the underreporting of abuse that certainly occurred in olden times. And it's kind of taken for granted that this is the only sane answer.

What I'm wondering is, back when the threat of eternal damnation and torment was still held over these creeps' heads--how many of them simply killed themselves rather than continue their lives of hopeless depravity? Maybe teaching them that There Is Hope, and You Can Change, and Rehabillitation with Pharmaceuticals Can Help You--maybe that's a BAD idea. I'm certainly not seeing any evidence that it was a good one.

Just riffing. Not trying to start any blog wars or, heaven forbid, scold anyone, except maybe the pedophiles, for whom scolding is not enough. I dunno, delete this if you think it's going to just stir up bad blood, or if you think some dipshit is going to get the idea that I just said libertarian conservatives support pedophilia, which I think it's pretty clear I did NOT say; but you know, friggin' people sometimes.

Oh. The Trek thing? That's just weird. Very, very weird.

Who's the victim?

Thanks for warning away all the Jokey McJokertons, Ace. There are enough jokes made at my expense around here already.

Oddly enough, in every law enforcement agency in the country, this so-called "debate" doesn't even exist.

Sorry, but if you're looking for a pedophile, you look at people who attend Klingon language seminars first. If you're looking for a serial killer you look at white males between 27 and 38 first, preferably with a religious background (disowned or not). If you're looking for a serial rapist, a pot dealer, or a 7-11 robber, you look for a black male.

Just as we should look for brown and/or Moslem males when we're hunting for people who're likely to smuggle a bomb onto an airplane, rather than white, female, blonde hairdressers from Iowa.

Denying racial, religious, or cultural identification patterns in crime helps more criminals kill more people. That's about it.

Shit, I think I hear the ACLU/NAACP alarms wailing already...

Racist! ;)

LOL

Well, since my absolute favorite exchange from South Park is probably the following -

"All right, Token, give me a smooth bass line."
"I don't know how to play bass."
"Token, how many times do we have to go through this? You're black. You can play bass."

- the "racist" label-train seems to left the station.

:)

+have

Ace, give us a goddamn #@$^%! Invision board goddamnit so I can edit for slips like that. :( I like to look like an idiot based on the substance of my comments. I'm sure you can identify?

I say whatever the heck it is that is making and perpetuating pedophiles - everyone should care. I worry, though, when the discussion turns to "Porn that looks like kiddie porn is bad" -the libertarians will start screaming. The old "you can't censor what's not illegal crap." From my perspective - I think it is some of that nasty crap that is "making" pedophiles. I'm fine with you horn dogs looking at nekkid women - but some of the stuff is just - to much. There is story in the paper today about some pictures that have been going around for YEARS of a girl. It's the kiddie porn Gold/collectors cup kinda stuff. Someone just keeps abusing, and sending out the pictures - FOR YEARS.

On that note, can we make grannie porn illegal too?

Seriously.

Someone just keeps abusing, and sending out the pictures - FOR YEARS.

...

(but where's Dave?)

pinky: What was wrong with HUAC?

Lonley Trekkie scans his 'phaser' to email to the cops. We listen in:

"Captain's Log (!?). I'll fulfill the prime directive alright. To boldly go where no man has gone before"

Cue Star Trek theme, fade to black.

Stop it, Joe Mama. I don't give you grief for your predilections.

You have the Con, I'm going down to the surface.

He's dead, Jim.

You know, that description fits me to a tee, but I'm no serial killer. Since I lack a consistent victim profile, I'm more of what you'd call a "spree killer."

CT serial killer Michael Ross also drove a bug.
Posted by lauraw

That sucker is getting close to execution and Connecticut hasn't executed anyone in 45 years, so the ACLU and the usual panty-wetters are going ballistic that their Blue State could act like ...shudder...Texas..

Anyways, the NY newspapers ran a ton of stuff on Michael Ross recently. He was nabbed driving a light blue Toyota, not a Volkswagen.

The Star Trek predilictor is interesting. I wouldn't have expected that. Disney product, circuses, that sort of stuff....but not Star Trek. I wonder what other oddball predilictors of kiddie pervs exist. Maybe certain pets that work as lures to reel the kiddies in....

That's true too. But pedos can be of any age, right? They're not like serial killers, so famously "25-35, male, white, single," are they?

Taking in consideration puberty, correct. However, my implication was that adult pedos are familar with and own what their target age group is interested in. Instead of, "Do you want to come up and see my etchings?" -- it's, "Do you want to come up and see my Hello Kitty collection?" I mean, really, what do you think Neverland was all about? Child er*tica does not necessarily have to be of a sexual nature. It can be anything to lure a child into having sex. But, are kids even interested in Star Trek these days?

Okay. It won't let me submit. What is the naughty word here? Can't be pedo. How about er*tica?

I have a theory that pedo's have very small willies, why else do they need kids?
Also what happened to the list of pedos the USA police kindly gave the UK law? a few high profile arrests of the rich and famous but what happened to the high ranking church, police and politicians? (just answered my own question there)
As Blair has been fucking all the UK for the last 7 years and some of our population is under 16 does that make him a pedo?

FAt kid - go ahead with that granny porn thing, perhaps you'll find a niche market.

As for not making a joke regarding my comments, I'm sorry if I rambled, but I read this story yesterday and it got my blood boiling. Add to that- my local paper announced (Sunday) that 22 teachers/school workers were convicted in the last 15 months of sexual abuse of a child- including child pornography. I just don't find much funny about this subject.

HAH! A light blue toyota you say?

Another car stereotype I have developed over time: people who drive light blue cars have mental problems.
Weird.

O Give Me A Break.

So what if these weirdoes had "some" passing interest in Star Trek?

I heard most of these offenders had ice cream in their freezers. You know what that means? People who like ice cream are more likely to be PEDOPHILES. Dun-dun-duhhhhh....(Creepy music ensues)

These guys all also had some blue button-up shirts in their closets. You know what THAT means? People who wear blue button-up shirts are more likely to be PEDOPHILES. Dun-dun-duhhhhh....(Creepy music continues)

Are folks clueing in yet?

JC on a PS, people. Star Trek has been wildly popular for close to 40 years, and not just with those into science fiction. It would be harder to find homes WITHOUT any Star Trek materials than it would be to find homes with them.

There's Zero causal relationship here, and the writer of this story was just projecting his own prejudice about Trekkies into this story.

And uh, please don't think I'm necessarily defending Trekkies here -- despite my geekiness, I'm not one -- but trying to link pedophilia with an interest in Star Trek is like trying to link cleptomania with a love for cheeseburgers.

Later,
bbeck

PS on Star WARS...

FYI, tickets for Epiosde III are on sale online for opening weekend, so those of you who used to wait in line for hours to buy tickets for such things don't have to.

Later,
bbeck

It would be harder to find homes WITHOUT any Star Trek materials than it would be to find homes with them.

No way, bbeck. Nuh-uh.
I am certain that nobody in my family and no one I personally know has any of the stuff.
I think you're geekitude is clouding your judgment here.

-I mean, the whole reason that trekkie conventions have become a comedy skit is because its considered a 'strange' set of people. Out of the ordinary, not common.

ilyka,

How dare you say that libertarian conservatives support pedophilia?

Just kidding.

My view on stuff like pedophilia is actually more of a traditional "conservative" perspective, I think. I see it as an outgrowth of the inherent evil in some people rather than the result of environmental influences. I actually see the environmental stimuli cause/effect/justification theory and the "There Is Hope, and You Can Change, and Rehabillitation with Pharmaceuticals Can Help You" view as a "liberal" view (not that the label really matters or speak to the truth or falsity of the theory, I guess).

I can't really claim to be a libertarian, I'm probably more of a moderate who's a libertine. I don't want to have to build my own highway to get to work. I think that both extreme libertarians and extreme social cons are, to employ meyfavorite phrase, sitting in the corner rubbing shit in their hair. They're just doing it in different corners of the room.

The funniest trekie movie was on last night -Galaxy Quest ... I stayed up 'till midnight watching it.

As for Trekkies/child abuse link - I have no idea. Star Trek certainly didn't TURN 'em, so it doesn't bother me.

I see it as an outgrowth of the inherent evil in some people rather than the result of environmental influences.

Where this falls apart - is when you look at statistics regarding pedophiles (virtually all pedophiles were abused- although the reverse is not true.) I would say it is a direct result of environmental influences. But, experiences has taught us that it cannot be "undone." Once those sexual proclivities are created, they cannot be erased.

carin,

Of course I overstated that, and my apologies.

Most people are abused by their own parents, so it's hard to separate out environment versus genetics (with the overlying dynamic of free will - we can overcome the influences of both, I think, and that's why the statistics don't go both ways as you pointed out). I like the description I read somewhere years ago: Trying to attribute a behavior solely to genetics or environment is like trying to say the area of a rectangle is entirely dependent on either its length or its width. I'd add free will and make it a rectangular prism, but that makes for a clumsier metaphor, I guess.

If you do feel that it's pretty much solely a result of childhood, I don't see where the porn/sexually permissive society argument fits in.

Laura, so no one in your family owns a single Star Trek movie? A single computer magazine? A single TV Guide? A single entertainment magazine? A single newspaper?

You may not be able to be classified as a Trekkie -- most people who have some ST in their homes aren't -- but I would bet you and/or your relatives have SOMETHING in your home that has to do with Star Trek; it just isn't intentional, and that's the point I'm making.

Furthermore, just because YOUR family doesn't have anything doesn't make it the norm.

And, I don't know who posted this, but...

I mean, the whole reason that trekkie conventions have become a comedy skit is because its considered a 'strange' set of people. Out of the ordinary, not common.

And they are "strange" to whom? The "normal," "common" people? The reason they're made fun of is because these cons are easy targets. It's not exactly tough to make fun of a grown up dressed as a Klingon...but you know, I really fail to see how that's any more 'strange' than having brunch in $100 shoes and a Gucci purse -- except that one is accepted by the "common" people and the other isn't, thanks to good marketing by the designers of accessories. Not only that, the former is something we can all make fun of (including the person dressed as a Klingon), and making fun of the latter would REALLY pi$$ some people off.

Later,
bbeck

Trekkies are weird, ok? Come on....grown adults with an obsession over a corny Tv show from 30 years ago is not the same as being brand-conscious or buying nice things

they made up a Klingon language for cripes sake

Hubris - well, take an abused child. Add in (hard core) porn later, and sexually permissive society (although I don't necessarily see a link between sexually permissiveness and pedophilia), and I do think you might see why some abused children "become" pedophiles and some do not. I think they whys and hows of developing sexuality are very complex and confusing. W/o getting too personal, there was a time I was afraid of adult men. This never developed into a sexual desire for children, but then again, I was NEVER exposed to any sort of porn that might have encouraged that.

I see it as more correlation than causation (i.e., someone with those proclivities and engaging in those activities is naturally going to seek out the porn, versus it being someone who would otherwise act innocently being stoked into wrongful action by the porn).

Sorry for any personal situation you went through.

I'm fine with civil disagreement on the issue, I respect your viewpoint.

Brak, an OBSESSION with anything is bad.

Automatically classifying all Trekkies as being "obsessed" is simply ridiculous.

Your prejudice is is showing when you compare Trekkies with obsession and brand name-mongering as just "buying nice things."

You probably know and/or interact with Trekkies all the time. You just don't realize it because they're not wearing their silly uniforms.

Incidentally, new ST episodes/movies are still being made, so it's still part of popular culture.

Later,
bbeck

http://jessicas-law.blogspot.com/

these mosters should be locked up for life on their first offense.

ok, but is someone who watches an occasional episode a "trekkie?"

when you say trekkie, i am thinking someone who is a big fan of the genre, probably spends time online discussing it, collects merchandise, maybe goes to the shows

I'll be honest, I've never met anyone like that. But $100 shoes isnt a big deal, and I just didnt think it was a valid comparison. Yeah, 40 pairs of $300 shoes and refusing to wear anything else, that's a snob problem. But I still don't think it holds up to a subset of people that spend a whole lot of time projecting themselves into a fantasy world. Whereas materialism and shallow snobbery is a part of the real world.

And everyone whose ever eaten carrots will die. Big deal.

Laura, so no one in your family owns a single Star Trek movie? A single computer magazine? A single TV Guide? A single entertainment magazine? A single newspaper?

OK, I can see how somebody might have non-trekkie publications that may occasionally contain star trek references in it.

But no, I can't see any of us with trek stuff, definitely no computer stuff. You are more likely to find us in the garden if we're not working. I have a physically demanding job. Not a white collar in the lot of us. I stumbled upon the internet less than five years ago.

I don't think we are the poster child for Normal American Family, but in my asshole opinion, yes, I DO think there are more folks like me than there are trekkies out there.
I would not characterize anyone else as 'strange' for being a trekkie. I am not like that. Don't know where you are going with the Gucci thing.

But this unintentional possession of star trek stuff stuff is quite the leap to "at least a passing interest in Star Trek, if not a strong interest."

Just having a TV Guide with Leonard Nimoy on the cover is not going to create this association in the mind of a detective who goes after pedophiles.

$100 shoes ISN'T a big deal? To whom? :)

The price alone wasn't quite what I meant, Brak. I associated the cost with the designer label, and I personally think it's whacked to overpay for something just because it has a certain NAME attached to it. And lots and lots of people do that. That's what I was talking about, so I hope we're on the same page there.

And yah, I would agree that there are Trekkies out there who go overboard...but it's a real minority of those who actually attend cons. I think we can agree that the folks running this web site...

http://homepage.mac.com/starshipexeter/

...which I've posted before, are a few bushels short of a load.

I also think that women who coo over the latest Manolo Blahnik need to have their heads examined.

As for what you say here...

Whereas materialism and shallow snobbery is a part of the real world.

...I would disagree. It's not that there isn't materialism or snobbery, but people who believe they're better than others because they own certain things are living in a bigger fantasy world than Trekkies could ever imagine. Not only that, Trekkies KNOW that their world is fantasy, whereas snobs don't, so in a sense the Trekkies are healthier and more grounded...which seems pretty darn scary. ;)

Later,
bbeck

Hubris- I think that the development of sexuality just too complex to say that abused children -develop an interest, get the porn, and become pedophiles. Absent porn I, personally, believe that many would never develop the way they do. The building of the pedophile psyche is more parasitic. The existence of child porn, the ability to find it - see it- enables these men to explore things they might otherwise not.

While I have an interest in doing away with these monsters (reliapundit) I think it's also important that they are not "grown" in the first place. Of course, one of the ways to avoid it, is to break the cycle.

"I don't think we are the poster child for Normal American Family, but in my asshole opinion, yes, I DO think there are more folks like me than there are trekkies out there."

I would agree, but we're not talking about only the most immersed Trekkie, we're talking about people with, at the very least, a "passing interest," which could be classified as any number of things...hence my point. The Star Trek stuff that you have in your house may very well classify you as having a passing interest in it, depending on how it's defined.

All I have in my house related to Star Trek are some TOS movies, some of the hubs' computer games, and a box full of unused Starfleet Battles junk. Would that classify us as a "passing interest" or something more? Who knows.

"I would not characterize anyone else as 'strange' for being a trekkie. I am not like that. Don't know where you are going with the Gucci thing."

That was addressed to the anonymous post after yours.

"Just having a TV Guide with Leonard Nimoy on the cover is not going to create this association in the mind of a detective who goes after pedophiles."

Actually I think it would, because detectives are trained to look for any similarities and common interests. But, since "passing interest" isn't really defined here, that can be interpreted several ways.

Later,
bbeck

That anonymous post was me being a nitwit.

I used some punctuation around the word strange because I don't quite buy it. How about offbeat?

You're right that 'passing interest' is undefined.

But, I can't help arguing with you, no way is star trek as ubiquitous or mainstream as ice cream or cheeseburgers. IMAO again of course.
Not in a million years.

I guess what I would call the first indication of 'passing interest' in anything is if you have actively collected something for yourself and the theme was the reason why.

So, that Leonard Nimoy on a current TV Guide and some page 14 article in your local newspaper is no big deal and in fact unavoidable for everybody who has a subscription.

But if that TV Guide is from 3 years ago and is in a box with three other magazines all with trek pics on them, well there ya go. Passing interest.

"But, I can't help arguing with you, no way is star trek as ubiquitous or mainstream as ice cream or cheeseburgers. IMAO again of course.
Not in a million years."

First of all, I was NOT saying that Star Trek is AS common as ice cream or cheeseburgers. Put in context, I was stating that there was no cause and effect in the relationship between pedophilia and Star Trek by drawing similar unrelated comparisons between demented behavior and interests that are common with lots of other people.

As for whether or not Star Trek is common: well, I think that the fact that the Star Trek franchise has produced some of the biggest grossing films of all time, has spawned several successful series, has exhibits in museums and an interactive museum in Las Vegas, has given today's lingo certain phrases such as "Beam me up, Scotty," and has had a space shuttle named after it -- just to name a few of its influences -- sort of proves my point. But hey, if you think all those billions and an undeniable impact on fields ranging from science to pop culture is due to a group of consumers that's not even close to being the majority, then there's no convincing you.

Later,
bbeck

I own every single TNG and VOY season ever produced on DVD, as well as every movie. I still have old posters of Patrick Stewart from my college dorm. (Didn't want to be him, didn't want to marry him - just think he's hot.) I've read all the "X of Star Trek" (Biology, Physics, etc) books written by real-world scientists, because they're good books on interesting subjects and they're written about a show I like.

On the other hand, I don't have any pins, "phasers," costumes, or Klingon language books. I've never been to a "con." I can probably name the show if you give me a rough outline of the plot, but I don't memorize "stardates," and I have no fucking idea what the energy output of a "warp drive" is. I don't want to BE a Trek character - I just like a couple of the shows.

That's where the line is, bbeck. A real "Trekkie" would look down on me and other people who are merely fans of the show - we aren't identified as part of their group.

And, as Hubris noted, there is a correlation between being a Trekkie and being strange in other ways. Of course putting on a costume or learning Klingon doesn't turn a man into a child molester - but it points to the fact that you're a pretty fuckin' weird guy. And child molesters are pretty fuckin' weird guys as well.

I'm sorry, but there's no bloody parallel between learning Klingon and buying a goddamn purse. What total BS.

Oh, and if you ever find a pair of Gucci shoes for $100 that aren't factory rejects, used, or covered in paint and/or dog crap? Call me. I wouldn't mind paying less than a fifth of what I usually do.

"That's where the line is, bbeck. A real "Trekkie" would look down on me and other people who are merely fans of the show - we aren't identified as part of their group."

Uh, Megan, you don't have to tell ME where the line is between ST fan and Trekkie. I've known where it's been for 30 years. I'm not one, either.

Here's how those of us who know really define it...

A Trekkie runs after Mr. Spock.

A Trekker walks after Mr. Spock.

A Star Trek fan says, "Hey, was that Leonard Nimoy?"

"I'm sorry, but there's no bloody parallel between learning Klingon and buying a goddamn purse. What total BS."

You're right. Buying an overpriced purse is MUCH more moronic. Silly me.

"Oh, and if you ever find a pair of Gucci shoes for $100 that aren't factory rejects, used, or covered in paint and/or dog crap? Call me. I wouldn't mind paying less than a fifth of what I usually do."

I don't waste my time looking for such things. I do things like, oh, spending time with friends instead and spending my extra money on others. Once again, silly me.

Later,
bbeck

How did this get hostile?

If any of my posts came off as hostile, I apologize. There was no such intent.

Are either of you natural redheads, or did you convert?
OK, that may have been a little catty, there.
; )

You know what should usually happen now?

Everybody abandons this thread and leaves me, the thread-killer, twisting unattractively in the wind, the last unanswered post.

It's OK.
I'm used to it.

A Star Trek catfight? This is my geeky 13 year old perv dream cum true. Hold up. What are you all wearing? Describe in detail.

star trek fans= perfectly cool

people who like nice clothes/shoes= the real morons

i see, it always comes back to high school

I had a really long, really bitchy rant typed up. I'm not entirely certain I want to post it anymore, for two basic reasons:

1. This is all so fucking dumb
2. Brak pretty much summed things up already.

Then again, that holier-than-thou condescension is still annoying me. Slightly.

I'd suggest a group hug but I think that will cause Guy to blow his load.

Yeah, that's a third reason, too.

Megan, your rants are typically great...don't deny us

Aw Shit! Don't stop now!

Me and Guy at least are still on the sidelines waiting for the hair-pulling to start.

Rip her shirt off! RIP HER SHIRT OFF!!!!!!!1!!!!!!11!111!1!!1

You gonna post it megan?

Quick, Hob, let's grab a hose and make some mud!

Meh. If you get the men to leave, Laura. They're turning me off.

OK, OK. All us guys are leaving. Really.

*Sound of retreating footsteps, door slams shut.*

All right, here it is.

NB: for executive summary, see brak's post, cited above.

-----

"Buying an overpriced purse is MUCH more moronic."

Than learning an imaginary language? I'm sorry, but was that supposed to be a fucking joke?

"I do things like, oh, spending time with friends instead and spending my extra money on others."

Well, whoop-dee-fucking-doo. You're a splendidly moral person and an example for us all to follow. Though wouldn't the time spent with your friends be better used building hospitals brick by brick for starving infant Rwandan orphans with AIDS?

I'm too hung over for this bullshit. No one's arguing that ST hasn't had an influence on our culture. What a fucking straw man. All anyone's been saying in this fucking worthless thread is that there is a weirdness deficit between most normal people and most Trekkie-convention people.

I have no fucking clue why that seems to be such a fucking controversial point.

And yes, I'm so fucking glad you're too fucking cool to have submitted to the marketing-materialism craze of OUR SINFUL MODERN WORLD. I'm glad you can see through the advertising campaigns that make the rest of us brainless fashion retards rush lemming-like into designer stores and spend our hard-earned money on overpriced leather accessories.

Seriously. This is the very first time in my life that I have realized that products from well-known designers have artificially-inflated prices above the cost of production. Thank you for this blinding revelation. Let's commission a government study to determine the minimum cost of labor and resources required to produce one pair of designer shoes. Then we can force Gucci and Armani and Prada to sell their crap at cost. Wait, let's just have them sell directly to the government and set up Prada distribution venues. We can have a five-year plan to determine exactly how many people are likely to require designer shoes so production never exceeds market capacity, and... uh... wait a sec, any of this starting to sound vaguely familiar to anyone?

Or, alternately, OMG GUYS IT DOESN'T COST $1000 TO SKIN A COW LET'S ALL MAKE OUR OWN SHOES AND CARRY OUR COMPACTS IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. OH AND WITH ALL THE MONEY WE SAVE WE CAN TAKE A VACATION TO SUNNY ARUBA AND LEARN KLINGON WITH ALL THE FRIENDS WE LOVE SO MUCH!

You know what? Perfume doesn't cost anywhere near as much to produce as it sells for, either. So what do you do? Pony up the excess for that one product alone while sneering condescendingly at anyone who DARES to buy a pair of fucking Gucci shoes (God forbid anything upmarket) while you hypocritically indulge in the same sin yourself?

Do you stick with your principles, buy a $4.99 bottle (assuming one exists) from Wal-Mart, and go around smelling like a charming mixture of patchouli and crap?

Or do you go au naturel, like the French? Because when you get down to brass tacks, EVERY FUCKING THING IN A CAPITALIST ECONOMY IS OVERPRICED. THAT IS THE FUCKING POINT.

I'm not kidding you, honestly. Go read an economics textbook. You find out what the market will bear for the qualities of your product, tangible and intangible, and then you sell it at or above that point.

But somehow when it comes to something you personally disapprove of, like Gucci shoes or designer purses, paying above cost is suddenly equivalent to learning a fucking imaginary language.

An imaginary grammar. An imaginary syntax. Imaginary references to imaginary things that never have nor ever will happen, set on a planet that never formed, invented by people who aren't real, who grew up in a culture that doesn't exist.

And taking the time to memorize this, teaching yourself to pronounce this imaginary language, ingraining it in your mind so you can speak it fluently and easily, and to some degree even thinking in this pretend language of an imaginary alien race - this, for you, this is the equivalent of passing my credit card over a glass counter and signing a receipt? Are you out of your fucking mind? Seriously now, are you a fuckin' crazy person? Because the latter takes me less than 2 minutes and has zero long-term effect on me while the former would probably take 2 years and drive me fucking insane, not that I'd ever do it in the first fucking place.

But according to you, it's buying the shoes and the purse that's dumb.

Yeah, okay. Shut the fuck up and go "later" yourself.

yeah, leave well enough alone I guess.

wow

first-rate work

[Note to self - don't piss off Megan.]

Yeah, Laura, that's what I was thinking too. But what the hell, I'm still cranky and I've got a headache. It's not like I'm going to get any work done right now.

I think I saw a tittah there.

LOL!! I posted that before I saw your piece.

Ah. Whoops. [g]

If I could buy you a drink (which would help with the hangover) I would.

...

Can't believe that hadn't occurred to me until now. I'll go get a shot of Lagavulin to ease the pain. (Oh no! Another overpriced product of our dastardly brand-obsessed culture!)

[smooch] Thanks, darlin'. You're a peach.

right back at ya.
Just glad there aren't any clumps of my hair on the ground.

The funniest trekie movie was on last night -Galaxy Quest ... I stayed up 'till midnight watching it.

The DVD has an alien language soundtrack. Watching it in the alien language with English subtitles is fun.

Batman: "Perhaps crimefighting is better left to the men, Batgirl, perhaps not. But this isn't exactly women's work."

Batgirl: "But I'm no ordinary woman, Batman."

Batman: "Agreed."

Robin, about Batgirl: "Do you think she's trying to double-cross us?"

Batman: "No, but she's a woman, Robin, with a woman's inborn desire to outsmart men."

Batman: "You constantly amaze me, Batgirl. I can't figure out how you manage to stay on top of a caper as quickly as we do."

Batgirl: "Tea leaves, stars, crystal gazing. All part of a woman crimefighter's arsenal, Batman."

star trek fans= perfectly cool

people who like nice clothes/shoes= the real morons

i see, it always comes back to high school

Is that the limit of your ability to comprehend ANY of what I've said?

FYI, I never said that.

But, as you've demonstrated, you're going to believe what you want to believe.

Later,
bbeck

bbeck

You just wrecked my theory that I can kill any aging comment thread with three Batman quotes in a row.

Give it another shot, Michael.

Egad, Megan, obsess much? Brevity isn't just a word, it's a suggestion.

Sorry, I'm not going to wade thru all the PMSing, so you wasted your time on my account...but it does appear you picked up a cheerleader or two.

OTOH, I WILL re-post a couple of lines I already wrote:

*****

It's not exactly tough to make fun of a grown up dressed as a Klingon...but you know, I really fail to see how that's any more 'strange' than having brunch in $100 shoes and a Gucci purse -- except that one is accepted by the "common" people and the other isn't, thanks to good marketing by the designers of accessories. Not only that, the former is something we can all make fun of (including the person dressed as a Klingon), and making fun of the latter would REALLY pi$$ some people off. (Emphasis added)

I also think that women who coo over the latest Manolo Blahnik need to have their heads examined.

Trekkies KNOW that their world is fantasy, whereas snobs don't, so in a sense the Trekkies are healthier and more grounded...which seems pretty darn scary. ;)

*****

Gee, that makes me look awfully prescient, eh?.

Later,
bbeck

"If any of my posts came off as hostile, I apologize. There was no such intent."

No worries, Laura. You and I just disagree. And Megan's 'thing' is to come off as the junkyard dog, so she doesn't offend either.

Later,
bbeck

OH, sorry, Michael, still trying to catch up.

Be careful, though; too many Batman references just may turn you into "f'ing weird." If you were quoting Star Trek, you'd already be there.

And Hob, knock it off! Only men are allowed to do that to me.

Later,
bbeck

Blew it again, I guess. I thought Batman quotes would make me appear normal, as opposed to composing squeekhole jokes, sick spambots and haikus for Lauraw.

Sigh.

Michael,

The batman quotes would be fine if they, y'know, pertained to anything being discussed on the thread in any way shape or form.

And I'll admit my shoes cost $100 + (not much, really), but hiking boots and Black Cats aren't cheap and they last for years.

bbeck, really what you're saying is that the concept of monetary value is a fiction. I don't know if people who "buy into" that delusion are "abnormal"

Sure money's fake, but it's all we got. That why everyone should exchange as much useless currency for brass, lead and gunpowder at the soonest possible opportunity

and I was just hoping a shirt would get ripped off.

Is that really so wrong?

bbeck asked: "Gee, that makes me look awfully prescient, eh?"

...

"Look, Mommy! I annoyed Sally down at the playground and she beat the living shit out of me! And I knew she'd do that all along! Aren't I smart?"

Um. Sure, honey. Let's go back in the house and put some iodine on that, mmkay?

Hob -

Hey, I did my best. You think I wasn't kinda hoping to see everything that photo didn't show?

:)

sounds like megan's got a crush.

isn't that cute

oh, I mean hawt (as in hot l3sbian action)

[now l3sbian's on the spamword list, jeez. why not just say we can't type "fuck")

Uh, because that would utterly cripple my vocabulary.

No worries, Laura. You and I just disagree. And Megan's 'thing' is to come off as the junkyard dog, so she doesn't offend either.

Niiiice backhanded jab toots. Just pointy enough to barely sting, then a cold compress at the very end.

F'n beautiful. Can I be your protege?

and I was just hoping a shirt would get ripped off. Is that really so wrong?

No, Hob, it just creeps me out when you sound so much like my husband. :)

Um. Sure, honey. Let's go back in the house and put some iodine on that, mmkay?

And aw, Megan, I'm so sorry the first limp, "I'm sorry, but was that supposed to be a f***ing joke?" lacked the ability to intrigue. But thanks for not launching into another novella of unrestrained *itchiness to prove how o so tough you are.

F'n beautiful. Can I be your protege?

Why Laura sweetie, I don't think you need ANY lessons in the ol' backhand!

Later,
bbeck

I wish I could say how much I love the way people inevitably make things personal when they can't argue on substance, but I don't. It's simply tiresome.

Listen up, people:

Good invective isn't personal abuse. It's abuse, yes, but it isn't personal. What I wrote to bbeck could, and indeed would have been written to Ace, KCTrio, Allah, or anyone else who made the same remarks she did: my "novella" was provoked solely by the idiocy of her thoughts and not her person.

Therefore (unless the circumstances are exceptional or the rhetoric demands it) I rarely make any comments about the specific person I'm addressing. Those whom I truly despise (Cedarford, for instance) I don't even bother to address.

This is why I can chew out bbeck in one post and compliment her breasts in two other posts, effectively bracketing it.

Yet a number of people (BillINDC, Jeff G, and most recently, bbeck) can't seem to have an argument without snarking back in some boring "flamewar" mode. Their tone, and the way in which they attempt to counterattack, is remarkably similar.

Paraphrasing:

"You're a dried-up internet hag looking for attention"

"She's just trying to prove she can run with the big boys"

"Looking for a gold star from Ace"

"Territorial sorority girl"

"You're obsessed with me and you try to act like a junkyard dog"

"[You were trying] to prove how o so tough you are"

Honestly. Are you all so destitute of arguments that you feel the need to descend to the exact same boring ad hominem routine each and every time someone rips on what you've said?

Argue the fuckin' substance, morons. Even if every word every one of you has ever said to or about me were true - every word - all it would mean is that you've all been hauled out and strung up to dry by a bitchy, ugly, attention-seeking loser of a territorial sorority girl suffering from more delusional mental conditions and venereal diseases than y'all could shake a stick at, who lives and breathes on her obsession with Ace, or alternately, your utterly fascinating selves.

Now I'm confused: is this supposed to make you look good?

On the other hand, lame Batman quotes qualify as personal abuse. I just don't get the rules.

I don't do this for a living.

Megan, there's no need for me to respond (or even read) when you keep burying yourself with all the long-winded ramblers. Which makes it a good time for this...

Long and short of it:

This thing is just burning rubber.

You disagree with me.

And I don't care.

There are no variations of "stinky poopyhead" you can come up with to make me care.

And that, as they say, is that.

Now, Ace tends to get tired of threads when all they do is deteriorate into mere flaming. I tend not to indulge except when I can make it fun, but when it gets redundant (or in this case, I don't want to slog through a borefest) then I get nervous that Ace is going to come along and tell us to STFU, which I've seen him do.

So, I'm going to take Michael's advice and start quoting Batman before Ace comes here and does just that. I suggest you give it a try, too.

Later,
bbeck

Michael, I for one have enjoyed your breaks.

The only Batman quotes I can come up with are...

"I'm Batman!"

...and...

"How much do you weigh?"

...and he asked Vicki Vale that, which just wasn't right.

I haven't seen any of the Batman movies for a while.

Later,
bbeck

"there's no need for me to respond... You disagree with me. And I don't care."

Except you do care, because respond (well, reply, at least) you do. Every time.

With "You want attention" instead of "You're wrong and here's why" ("stinky poopyhead" optional).

I'm saying that's a stupid way to reply, and it's fucking boring. Everyone's done it before, so find something new to say or don't say anything at all.

I'm not saying there's some grand intellectually redeeming value to this stupid thread. I'm saying that calling someone who disagrees with you names is not a fucking argument.

Because whether I'm "burying myself" or not, your ideas are still shit, your comparisons are still false, and your indictment of capitalism is still downright bizarre.

And people who speak Klingon are still fucking daft.

bbeck

Holy Schmoly. You don't think I've been dishing up the Batman quotes from memory, do you? That's just creepy. They're available on a lot of web sites. I've mostly been culling them from http://members.tripod.com/~AdamWest/quips1.htm

Megan:

Before I go to bed, I just wanted to mention that "Well, whoop-dee-fucking-doo" was pretty much the high point of my day.

Well shoot, Michael, and to think I was impressed! :)

I just read up higher where you were quoting in another thread, too.

So, is it better to quote Batman or to defend Cedarford?

Later,
bbeck

It's strange, but you acquire a sense of nobility when you defend Cedarford. It's sort of like joining the Noble Army of Martyrs. While the lions are tearing you to shreds in the coliseum, you look to the sky and tell yourself, "I actually agreed with him." The pain becomes irrelevant.

On the other hand, when Hobgoblin tells you that your carefully selected Batman quotes are "fucking annoying," you just want to go hide in a cave.

Screw Hob. He's just another freaking lawyer. Way too many lawyers on this site.

"Before I go to bed, I just wanted to mention that "Well, whoop-dee-fucking-doo" was pretty much the high point of my day."

Man, and I thought I had a shitty Friday.

"On the other hand, when Hobgoblin tells you that your carefully selected Batman quotes are "f***ing annoying," you just want to go hide in a cave."

Yeah, but you have to admit his timing was impeccable.

Later,
bbeck

Yeah, but you have to admit his timing was impeccable.

LOL. It was.