Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Gilbert in Irmo, SC on January 26, 2009:

Randy, I consider myself a conservative, and I find the joke funny. Just, probably not in the way you intended it. Working in software development, I see these kinds of announcements all of the time. Almost none of them are actually fulfilled. :^) Take care and please keep pointing out all of our foibles.

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Actually, that's exactly why I think people would find it funny: it's patterned after the sort of "service interruption" notices so many of us have actually received. Conservative or liberal, I'm glad you enjoyed the item; that was the point, and it doesn't really matter "why". -rc

Posted by Ken, Virginia on January 26, 2009:

Personally, I just don't find the joke funny. As simple as that. There is no humor that crosses the political divide as I see it today. The other jokes you gave as links did provide something to laugh at/with. I don't think anybody would argue that "Dubbya" had an easy presidency with 9-11, Afghanistan, Iraq etc. but what is "normal service" in a hostile world?

Sure, its thought provoking but, as far as world politics are concerned, there is no easy "normal service resumed" answer to any of it.

On a lighter note... I will not be unsubscribing.

Posted by Dave, Illinois on January 26, 2009:

No comment, just sadly shaking my head at Ray and Les's comments.

Posted by Cory Topeka, Kansas on January 26, 2009:

Seems like everybody is willing to laugh at something until you joke about something that they take so seriously that in their own minds, it shouldn't be joked about.

People say this is endemic to those of us who live in the United States, but the truth is - this is a problem that spans the globe.

The question is: what is it in our fellow humans that causes us to cease to find the funny when it goes against the grain of what we think of as good taste?

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I think in large part it's politicians' incredibly stupid "us vs them" methods, which pits citizens against each other rather than builds consensus toward achieving solutions to the real problems we face. People buy into that "the other side is evil" garbage, and to challenge this ridiculous thinking brings up the possibility (in their minds) that they could be wrong about something. That's especially true when they're not really clear on what it is they believe in the first place, so challenging it just increases their confusion and feeling of being questioned. I've found that those who are secure in what they think don't lash out with a tiny challenge, but rather see the point and laugh along, or thoughtfully ask, "Why do you think that? Help me understand your ideas a bit better." And what a better world it is when we seek understanding over confrontation. -rc

Posted by David, Denver, CO on January 27, 2009:

"All comedy is tragedy that happens to someone else." When it hits too close to home, "it ain't funny". People don't lose their sense of humor, some humor just fails to meet the definition for them.

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Sure. And in those cases they roll their eyes and move on. That's not what happened here. -rc

Posted by Danny, Philippines on January 27, 2009:

Conservatives are a bit too touchy with humor, in my experience. Maybe they take themselves, and their political position, way too seriously.

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Except it's not just conservatives; I've had liberals scream that I'm a "Rush Limbaugh heartless conservative" too. -rc

Posted by Mark, Minnesota on January 27, 2009:

I think Ray proves John Stuart Mill's observation that, "[a]lthough it is not true that all conservatives are stupid, it is true that most stupid people are conservative."

Posted by Allan, Rancho Cucamonga on January 27, 2009:

Mark from Minnesota quoted John Stuart Mill saying:

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.

I have to disagree. I've known stupid liberals and stupid conservatives. The most ridiculous person I knew (haven't seen him in many years) claimed to be a Libertarian, although I don't know if his views match the views of other Libertarians or not. His position was that government ought to have only one purpose: national defense (armies, and so on), to make sure that the country wasn't overrun. Other than that, government shouldn't ever interfere with anybody. Using tax money to pay for police was ridiculous; anybody that really needs protection, can afford to hire their own body guard. Using tax money to pay for fire department was ridiculous; anybody that really had flammable things, could afford to fireproof it. Using tax money to pay for a post office was ridiculous; in a free-market economy, there would be plenty of people offering to deliver your letters for a modest price. And so on.

In case it matters to anybody, I believe in smaller government (even though I personally work for a government agency), but I consider the positions above to be extremist to the point of being ridiculous and - yes - stupid. But certainly not conservative!

I certainly don't believe that "most stupid people are conservative."

Posted by Brandon - St. Louis on January 27, 2009:

Actually, I rather liked Arthur from Texas comment. It summed up how I feel.

I don't really agree with the joke, but I wouldn't unsubscribe over it. A Childish, funny little response seemed quite appropriate to a joke with which I disagree, and rather sounds like something I might have "said" if I were told this joke in person.

That, or I would have rattled off an alternative joke.

In the end, having a BETTER joke is the best comeback to a political joke you don't like. Running home to mama with tears in your eyes is pretty pathetic.

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Yes! A better joke is definitely a far superior comeback. I think that was what was behind my linking to several other political jokes, especially the "Trump" one, which I think is superb. -rc

Posted by Chris, Indiana on January 27, 2009:

Unsubscribe because one joke hit a political nerve? Seriously? Is that how it works now? "You said something I don't like. I'm going to tell you about it and then, so I can be sure to have the last word, never speak or listen to you again."

It is impossible to surround yourself with people who never challenge your ideology and still have a full life. Those challenges are what will either strengthen your beliefs or show you the errors in your thinking. That is what's known as a win/win situation. The losers are the ones who never take the time to listen to what the opposition has to say.