dagblog - Comments for "The U.S. Should Privatize and Subsidize Torture"

I cannot split the hairs of

TimDanahey — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:39:34 +0000

In reply to The U.S. Should Privatize and Subsidize Torture

I cannot split the hairs of satire and sarcasm. The intent of the article was to illustrate the twisted logic which seems to be accepted by wide swaths of the American electorate. If it brings humor to some, wonderful. My mood when writing the article was incredulity. The incredulity is heightened because one political party advocates it while the other tolerates it. To those who wrote kind comments about the article: thank you. To those who do not appreciate my intent: you've honed my style and thank you.

Britannica is a bit stuffy

Michael Wolraich — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:47:14 +0000

In reply to "Artistic form in which human

Britannica is a bit stuffy for satire, no? I prefer Ambrose Bierce's definition:

SATIRE, n. An obsolete kind of literary composition in which the vices and follies of the author's enemies were expounded with imperfect tenderness. In this country satire never had more than a sickly and uncertain existence, for the soul of it is wit, wherein we are dolefully deficient, the humor that we mistake for it, like all humor, being tolerant and sympathetic. Moreover, although Americans are "endowed by their Creator" with abundant vice and folly, it is not generally known that these are reprehensible qualities, wherefore the satirist is popularly regarded as a soul-spirited knave, and his ever victim's outcry for codefendants evokes a national assent.

"Fifty Yard Dash to the Bath

we are stardust — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:50:39 +0000

In reply to Now, now, good man. I

"Fifty Yard Dash to the Bath House by Willie Makeit, illustrated be Betty Wont." LOL!

Now, now, good man. I

Michael Maiello — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:13:07 +0000

In reply to "Artistic form in which human

Now, now, good man. I believe he was suggesting you read "swiftly," which will get you to the good parts faster and save you from the drudgery of facts, figures and argument.

"Artistic form in which human

we are stardust — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:35:39 +0000

In reply to I didn't say it was funny.

"Artistic form in which human or individual vices, folly, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to bring about improvement. Literature and drama are its chief vehicles, but it is also found in such mediums as film, the visual arts (e.g., caricatures), and political cartoons. Though present in Greek literature, notably in the works of Aristophanes, satire generally follows the example of either of two Romans, Horace or Juvenal. To Horace the satirist is an urbane man of the world who sees folly everywhere but is moved to gentle laughter rather than to rage. Juvenal's satirist is an upright man who is horrified and angered by corruption. Their different perspectives produced the subgenres of satire identified by John Dryden as comic satire and tragic satire."

Old school I likely am, but I was weaned on Aristophanes; I don't even see this as an example in th Juvenal style. Sorry. It's fine wit me that you do; each blogger should expect comments as they come. IMO, of course. Suggesting I read Swift is a bit ...well, never mind.

I didn't say it was funny.

Michael Wolraich — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:54:51 +0000

In reply to Each to his own, I guess.

I didn't say it was funny. Absurdist humor is only one type of satire--the Daily Show variety that everyone is so familiar with these days. That's a perfectly good form, but it certainly isn't the only one.

If you have never read Swift's Modest Proposal, I highly recommend it. Many consider it to be the archetype of English-language satire, but it probably won't make you chuckle either.

PS "Republicans" was my insertion. The author doesn't specify.

Each to his own, I guess.

we are stardust — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:28:15 +0000

In reply to It's not sarcasm. It's

Each to his own, I guess. Satire usually makes you chuckle at the absurd twist; this sure didn't me. And again, to me, the Republicans are merely worse about privaitzation, corporate subsidies, deregulation, subsidies.

It's not sarcasm. It's

Michael Wolraich — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:14:41 +0000

In reply to Your point may be right, but

It's not sarcasm. It's satire.

And in my opinion, it's friggin' brilliant--cleverly highlighting not only the obvious insanity of torture but also the complex web of Republican hypocrisy over privatization, corporate subsidies, taxes, deregulation, and due process.

Long story short. Not only

theiFyoU — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:18:32 +0000

In reply to John Su? do you man 'Torture

Long story short. Not only was water boarding considered a war crime, several low ranking Japanese Officers were hung by the neck for it.

Luckily we are moral enough to determine the exact amount of time beyond which it goes fron "enhanced interrogation" to Torture.

Your point may be right, but

we are stardust — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:04:07 +0000

In reply to The U.S. Should Privatize and Subsidize Torture

Your point may be right, but I'm not a fan of sarcasm, especially at this length. And I'd hope that given your interest, the US has outsourced torture for years, not only to dark prisons in other nations, but given contract organizations the jobs of running interrogations and Gitmo and Abu Ghraib.

There are some concerns that prisoners are still being tortured at Bagram Prison today.