Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
A VERY SERIOUS, THOUGHTFUL, ETC.
I can't tell you how relieved I am that Jonah Goldberg's forthcoming Liberal Fascism looks, if anything, to be even worse than we all imagined. I was totally stealing myself for the possibility that I'd have to apologize for the mockery, but lines like "the quintessential liberal fascist isn't an SS storm trooper; it is a female grade-school teacher with an education degree from Brown or Swarthmore," suggest that it will be, instead, "a very serious, thoughtful, argument that has never been made in such detail or with such care."
Meanwhile, for more fun deployment of the "a very serious, thoughtful argument" catchphrase, keep your eyes peeled for Alex Rossmiller's forthcoming book on America's broken, politicized intelligence system. He works it into a totally earnest paragraph praising Juan Cole (who has a bit of a history with Jonah), making it an Easter Egg for progressive bloggers on a variety of levels. All other progressive authors should endeavor to do the same. One day, I want historians to write about the propagation of the phrase, which has proven so helpful in helping them date progressive literature from the early-21st century.
COMMENTS (22)
1 and 2. They've tried the tactical levers to force things through, only to hit a veto and not have the votes to over-ride or only one chamber will have the guts to use it, or have the option of using it.
Posted by: William Smith | December 17, 2007 6:38 PM
I would like to see the publishing industry declare a moratorium on contemporary, politically-themed, mass market books.
So few of them are of any quality while so many of them are poorly written partisan claptrap that I can't see a justification for publishing them. Sure they may make money but I'm sure that, were there better books on the subject available, sales would be higher than they are now. At least, I like to think so.
Posted by: Thomas | December 17, 2007 7:32 PM
I love how conservatives are willing to take our enemies at their word when it serves their purposes. Like when Osama bin Laden supposedly "endorsed" John Kerry. (Liberals probably do this too, but fuck that.)
Case in point: Nazis must have been liberals because they called themselves Socialists! Hasn't Jonah noticed that half the military dictatorships of the world call themselves the "Democratic People's Republic of..."?
Posted by: Anthony | December 17, 2007 7:57 PM
Only three years, 18,000 bags of Chee-tos, and 15 viewings of the first 10 Simpsons seasons' DVDs in their entirety in the making.
Should be error-filled comedy gold for years. BTW, I heard most of these arguments in AOL political chat rooms in 1995.
Posted by: norbizness | December 17, 2007 8:23 PM
"stealing myself"? Do you want to to perpetuate the EzraGlesias meme?
Posted by: Warren Terra | December 17, 2007 9:09 PM
Even as we speak, somewhere in America, "Liberal Fascism: The Musical" is being created.
Please, Lord, let it star David Hasselhoff.
Posted by: calling all toasters | December 17, 2007 9:27 PM
"a very serious, thoughtful, argument that has never been made in such detail or with such care."
I've always wondered -- did someone actually say this originally?
Posted by: yep | December 17, 2007 10:14 PM
Eeeee-haw.
Swarthmore doesn't offer an education degree or major.
Apparently Brown's was discontinued in 1929.
Go doughy!
Posted by: pigearth | December 17, 2007 10:15 PM
calling all toasters:
Did you see Atrios' post about Doughy Pantload's new book last week. It's a classic.
Posted by: Joe Klein's conscience | December 17, 2007 10:16 PM
Yep: Yes. It was originally uttered by Jonah Goldberg himself!
Posted by: Ezra | December 18, 2007 12:55 AM
yep:
Here is the link if you are curious to read it in its original context:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MGY3ODg1ZGEyYjQ0OTYxYzc0Yzc0ZDNhN2Q1MzhjMDE=
Posted by: d | December 18, 2007 8:19 AM
That's a comedy classic D, I imagine people will still be laughing about that in 50 years.
Posted by: witless chum | December 18, 2007 9:16 AM
Nuts, I thought I had more time to cut-and-paste his posts into my epic book:
Fascist Fascism: Why the Republicans Hate Our Freedom.
On the plus side, it's good to see that his struggle against reality is out in the open.
Posted by: Aaron | December 18, 2007 9:34 AM
More on Quota-boy Jonah Goldberg. This is pretty funny too (I cross-posted this over at Matt's blog because it was relevant to the discussion on the thread):
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmY4YTA4N2FmMWFlMWMzY2VkZTg1ZWY1NmVkNTlhNzM=
"As many longtime readers know, I went to an all-women's college. In my freshman year there were 30-odd men (and I do mean odd) and just over 1,000 women. The full answer to why I went to Goucher college is lost in the mists of time, but surely no explanation would be complete without recognizing the fact that no other college saw fit to accept me. But that is a story for another time."
Unfortunately it seems the place he did explain why he went to Boucher in more detail is lost to the mists of time. For good reason I guess.
Posted by: d | December 18, 2007 10:17 AM
My upcoming book: Conservative Communism--From Mao's People's Republic to Saddam's Republican Guard
It is, of course, a very serious, thoughtful &c.
Posted by: rea | December 18, 2007 10:21 AM
D:Oh man, I've never seen the context for that quote. He just throws it RIGHT out there. That's not something you say about something you've done.
Talk about an egomaniac.
Posted by: Karmakin | December 18, 2007 10:44 AM
Ya know, Ezra,
I don't know anything about the book nor to I claim to agree with Goldberg. BUT, I always look forward to thoughtful commentary and I was hoping to see your selected quotes of Goldberg presented with more context and explanation by the author followed by a thoughtful response from you.
Perhaps you could put those quotes by Goldberg into a little more context and give a more developed response.
Posted by: John V | December 18, 2007 12:19 PM
John: if you want more context go here and scroll down. Ezra won't have any more context than that.
http://www.sadlyno.com/
Posted by: d | December 18, 2007 12:47 PM
Ezra,
Steeling not stealing
Posted by: MonaL | December 18, 2007 2:47 PM
I'd pay good money to see him say that to a camp survivor's face.
Asshole.
Posted by: calipygian | December 19, 2007 2:35 PM
Goldberg is right on. Any good historian will tell you that belief in the dignity of the individual and equality of opportunity have been the hallmarks of every fascist regime...
Posted by: Roddy McCorley | December 19, 2007 3:17 PM
Jonah could never have gotten into Brown or Swarthmore on the merits. His lifelong inadequacy and dependence on nepotism has really made him hate actual smart people.
Posted by: Slim Tyranny | December 19, 2007 3:23 PM