Category Archives: Etiquette

Egos In The Anchor’s Chair

Ann Coulter, Etiquette, IMMIGRATION, Journalism, Media

On the rare occasions that Fox News entertains edifying guests, the Ego in the Anchor’s Chair can’t help but make sure he or she is heard above all others.

A case in point: The Megyn Kelly extravaganza (my, is she becoming a waste of time). The woman invited Ann Coulter to educate one of the stupidest men on TV: Geraldo Rivera. Instead, Rivera was allowed to noodle on endlessly and Megyn stole precious time from Ms. Coulter to work through her own ignorance of the word “polemicist” (which is also how my book is often described).

Sean Hannity’s act is way worse. The Egos have their clique. Larry Elder is not as close to Fox News’ hosts as Juan Williams is. The result: Hannity invited Williams to scream over Elder. Why is this good TV? Why don’t their ratings suffer?

Unruly Kids Trespass At A Pool Party

Crime, Etiquette, Law, Private Property

As CNN reports , “Craig Ranch is a planned community,” in McKinney, Texas. It imposes “strict homeowners’ association rules.” These “prohibit bringing more than two guests to the pool.”

According to the reports,

… crowds of teenagers showed up, huddling by the gate and shouting to let them in, things got out of hand. Some kids jumped over the fence, … A security guard tried to get them to leave but was outnumbered, so the guard called police.

Other than the one officer, the cops generally acted the way you want them to act when strangers swarm private property. You do not want the US becoming like the UK, where politicians and police chiefs side with the criminals.

The officer in question is “seen … cursing at several black teenagers, yanking a 14-year-old girl wearing only a bikini to the ground and kneeling on her back. He also unholstered his firearm and chased teenage boys as they approached him while he was trying to control the girl. ”

The practice of  sitting on the spine of a person must cease. We don’t want more Freddie Grays.

Otherwise, move along. There’s nothing here to see, except police doing their thankless jobs in a society without mores.

UPDATED: “Unruly Kids Trespass At A Pool Party” would have been a better title.

Dumb, Duplicitous Techno Geeks On #Facebook

Etiquette, Intelligence, Internet, Technology

Techno geeks can be such dumb f-cks (a good honest word when used sparingly). This is especially so when they know nothing but technology. And it is all the more so when they routinely underestimate those of us who manipulate technology to our own ends quite adequately, but do not worship it.

Every idiot knows that one can remain a Facebook Friend with a former pal, just to keep up appearances (otherwise known as duplicity), while barring them from one’s Timeline and from other forums. Don’t you love cretins who think this fatuity is uncommon knowledge?

Most of this writer’s interactions on Facebook are for the purpose of furthering the work done and are with people interested in this work. But mistakes have been committed in cultivating shallow, two-faced friends (who know the price of everything and the value of nothing, to quote Oscar Wilde).

Enough said.

Readers’ Remarks On ‘Into The Cannibal’s Pot’ & Pence Column

Etiquette, Ilana Mercer, Liberty, Morality, South-Africa

Manners are a species of morals. Other than to hate mail or rude mail, I try and respond to all letters I receive—to each and every one. Many thousands since 1998, which is when I got my first newspaper column. Due to time constraints, my replies are laconic. Sometimes I slip up. But if a reader has bothered to read my work and comment on what I have to say—then it’s only decent to acknowledge the gesture.

Most American opinion-merchants, however, don’t reply to their mail. That smacks of hubris and pride, almost always unwarranted. Since most are so uninspiring and mediocre, one wonders what they’re playing at, and why they’re not more humble.

George Will once wrote that “manners are the practice of a virtue. The virtue is called civility, a word related—as a foundation is related to a house—to the word civilization.”

In this context, a Golda Meir zinger comes to mind: “Don’t be so humble, you’re not that great.” It’s a relic from a time when false humility was at least still practiced.

A riff on the Meir quip might go as follows: “Can’t be bothered to answer your mail? Don’t be so arrogant, you suck.”

Here are some gratifying notes, received in response to “Get Off Your Knees, Gov. Pence! (You’re Not In A Gay Bathhouse),” a hot favorite.

Naturally, I replied to these and to others.

From: W.J.
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2015 9:17 AM
To: imercer@wnd.com
Subject: “Into the Cannibal’s Pot.”

Ilana,
Just read your advice to Gov. Pence and was reminded that I wanted to complement you for what is without a doubt one of the most important and brilliantly written books I’ve ever read (“Into the Cannibal’s Pot”). Sadly, what passes for “conservatism” in America today can’t seem to grasp that individual discrimination is the essence of freedom. Sanctimonious conservative talking heads, who seem to believe that Indiana is all (only) about freedom of religion and are incapable of registering a connection to “civil rights” legislation of 50 years ago, would do well to read you.
Thank you for being a beautifully intelligent voice in the wilderness of 21st century American political discourse. And thank you for finding your way to America – your arrival in your adopted homeland has come none too soon.
Respectfully,
Bill

From:
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2015 8:03 AM
To: imercer@wnd.com
Subject: Get Off Your Knees, Gov. Pence (You’re Not In A Gay Bathhouse)

Ilana —

A friend of mine forwarded me your excellent column. You did a terrific job of articulating one the basic aspects of liberty (enshrined in the First Amendment): the freedom of association. I live in Indianapolis (and know Mike Pence slightly). This issue has become so polarizing here, and, as you noted, the law itself is innocuous. …

… At any rate, please keep writing. You have a great gift for expressing important ideas through everyday examples.

Best to you,

DL