To those who cut people off in the crosswalks; to those who leave raw meat in the chip aisle to rot; to those who call me an “ugly bitch” when I turn down your advances; to those who leave their dogs in hot cars; to those who treat the world like their personal trash cans; thank you. Thank you for giving me confidence. Thank you for helping me learn to accept myself. Because no matter what I do in life, whether I achieve my dreams or fail miserably, I know I will never be as much of an asshole as you. And that makes me more comfortable with myself than success ever will. —Not a saint, but not an asshole
This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2015.
You’re welcome. Now, allow us to get back to being successful.
A COMPLEX BITCH
“Because no matter what I do in life, whether I achieve my dreams or fail miserably, I know I will never be as much of an asshole as you.”
This is a complex bitch. Are there degrees of being an asshole? Are some people just more asshole than others? One thought that being an asshole was a steady state, that one either was or was not an asshole but the steady state interpretation appears to be under challenge, appears to have been de-stabilized.
The question then arises, if there are degrees of being an asshole, how are the degrees of being an asshole determined? Is there an asshole chart? Would one be less of an asshole, say, if one failed but did not fail miserably? Conversely, does the concept “complete asshole” have application here? What would it take to be a complete asshole? Would it mean that one was an asshole in every way it was possible to be an asshole? How many ways are there? Further still, is the concept reflexive? Can one actually fail at being an asshole? Would this be a separate category?
As we can see, it’s a complex bitch.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
So you’re a sasshole.
My reply to Poop Deck Pappy was deleted. This is odd since I understand that this happens only in cases of personal insults which “So you’re a sasshole” clearly is. I would tell you what I wrote but unfortunately I’ve forgotten.
There’s many deletions here. I suspect a monkey has been acting as moderator.
‘It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times….’
“I suspect a monkey has been acting as moderator.”
Better watch that boy, you’re skating on thin ice.
So there’s a struggle going on behind the scenes? This certainly adds a dramatic dimension which lends a certain piquancy to the proceedings, one which was not previously apparent. However, there is a clear power imbalance here so that one must be careful not to push the limits. Good luck and Godspeed!
^^^ paingirl, one of the kindest, sweetest people ever to grace this board.
Hear! Hear!
How do I feel about having many of my posts deleted? It’s a good question. While not normally given to introspecting the contents of my emotional states I have noticed a certain reticence, a certain caution in connection with my comments. I suppose you could say that it’s like walking a line between a cloying obedience on the one hand – hardly a noble prospect – and endangering the continued life of my comment flow on the other – a flow which fertilizes the quality of other comments on this site, raises them up to new and unexpected levels, and so is of considerable value. It’s a balance between caution and philosophical depth, one which requires a form hand on the tiller.
I recognize the name Painey but who’s Mamie?
That should be, um, “a FIRM hand on the tiller.” I posted this addendum a moment ago but it was deleted. Am I skating on thin ice? Am I pushing the envelope?
Well, there you go, it’s TTFN. But is this letting the cat out of the bag? Will Whisk Broom survive or succumb to unfriendly fire? I didn’t realize that post-menopausal women are fearless. I will never forget that.
It hardly matters, MM, given all my posts are deleted.
A CHANGE IN STRATEGY?
I think what is called for here is a change in strategy. You must not continue falling on your sword. Instead of confronting the Mod over the September Cull of your near and dear, why not simply address the bitch itself, perhaps with the emphasis on things like the lack of fairness, injustice and so on which could be unobtrusively linked with your principal concern. This will work, over time, to allay her hostility which, given the nature of your comments, is understandable.
An additional strategy, assuming you are in communication with your near and dear, would be to serve as their sounding board. This must be done with care. For example, if she doesn’t read this board anymore, you might send Painey the bitch you intend addressing and get her opinion on it or, more elaborately, you could compose your own response and ask her if she agrees. If she does you could incorporate into your own comment in the form of a third-party perspective. This has the benefit of a claim to objectivity.
As you can see I have given this matter some thought. The main thing is to avoid continually falling on your sword. Noble perhaps, but lacking any discernible effect.
Good luck & Godspeed.