Weighing Myself
October 3rd, 2010Deletion
I decided to take down a post I wrote yesterday. A famous person known for his large ego made some anti-Semitic remarks and got fired for it, and I wrote a critical post. There is nothing wrong with that, but I also put up some videos in which a TV comedian ridiculed this person’s intelligence.
I just awoke from a terrible dream that got me thinking about the ugliness of cruelty, and I realized I had crossed the line on my blog. You can control egotism and anti-Semitism, but you have no control over your IQ, and it isn’t right to make fun of a person for a defect that isn’t his fault.
Sorry I set such a poor example for other bloggers and other Christians yesterday.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:45 AM
From a link off another blog, I was expecting some interesting videos of Rick’s earlier career, showing some of his problems with ego, and perhaps willful ignorance.
I don’t think Rick’s IQ is particularly low. Probably in the low 100s. I think most of his gaffes are due to a belief he is above doing his homework, or showing normal deference to other POVs.
Maybe you were coming down too hard on him… I didn’t see this post you deleted, but I think it’s possible to laugh at something like that while learning not to fall prey to human weaknesses, without crossing the line.
Maybe you could give it another go?
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 AM
Then again, holding up ignorance and bigotry to the cleansing light of day can have a salutory effect for that person, and for society in general.
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:15 AM
Yeah, you’re probably right – regardless of one’s religion petty cruelty is just a bad thing. People of Walmart strikes me as 8th grade elitism and though it’s easy to slip, we should be better people as we grow older.
It’s still proper to criticize messages and behaviors, but it’s really not necessary to be personal.
Thanks for the good example.
I hope your truck, guns, hot peppers, birds and tools are all well.
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 AM
There is such a thing as reaping what you sow and I think Sanchez got his due. The videos you posted were from national TV and were seen by a lot of people. I am not sure how bright Sanchez is or is not, I just recall that his hosting did little to educate me and I am sure, others.
October 3rd, 2010 at 12:17 PM
I think you are being too hard on yourself.
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 PM
People who aren’t bright tend to be insecure about it. They notice that others find it easier to learn stuff and figure stuff out. They notice that when they speak their minds, they are often mistaken or ignorant, and they suffer socially as a result. So they adapt by keeping quiet, avoiding attention, and trusting others to help them know what to do or think. Making fun of someone like that is pusillanimous and cruel.
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But then there are people like the fellow you mention. People so vain (he is good-looking) and egocentric that they don’t even notice the social consequences of being wrong about everything. They care nothing for the opinions of other people. This fellow is a domineering, attention-whoring, oblivious and obnoxious boor. It would never occur to him to be humble about his own shortcomings.
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That’s Pride, dude. It’s a sin. It’s fair game. Now, if you think being mentally challenged is mitigation for the sin of Pride, then of course you ought to go with your conscience. But Stewart had good reason to liken that guy to a cokehead. No one but a sociopath would laugh at Stewart making fun of him, if he was just a dumb guy. As it was, the act was pretty funny.
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:57 PM
From what I’ve seen of Sanchez, I don’t think he’s all that stupid. Arrogant, entitled, generally ignorant, massively egocentric, snotty, and a very thin skinned jerk with it, but not particularly stupid.
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 PM
You need not laud yourself.
God forgives those who speak the truth.
Racist douchbag talking heads are one of the reasons this country is transitioning to a third world status.
When the news is no longer news and is now personal opinion,,,