A comment in yesterday's Smoke-Worth Moments post suggested that both Al Gore and I are "blowhards." As someone who doesn't fly a private jet all around the world, lecturing everybody else on how their carbon emissions are destroying the planet, I thought it was an odd comparison. But perhaps I am mistaken. So let's have a poll. To make things interesting, I've included the author of the original comment as well. The poll closes tomorrow afternoon, so make sure you vote (over there on the right) before then. As always, comments are welcomed. Finally, so we're all on the same page, lets define blowhard to mean "someone who blusters and boasts in an unpleasant way."
Update: While it was a veritable nail-biter - WOHJR and I were tied at 13 with less than a minute to go - some serious latecomers voted at the very last second and gave me the win (or loss, depending on your view, I guess). Thanks to all for participating and to Al Gore and his hot air for inspiring the poll.
Final Tally: Scos - 17 (47%), WOHJR - 13 (36%), Al Gore - 6 (16%)
Photoshop Work: Block
6 comments:
Let's take a look at Scos' photo choice. Gore is visibly blustering, WOHJR is solemnly reading what one can only assume is some "liberal rag," and you're making an adorable face and having so much fun at my birthday party.
Frankly, I think this is an attempt to bias the voters. I can't pick Gore out of spite. I can't pick you because you're at my birthday party. And I can't pick WOHJR because we have similar ideology.
The only solution? Write in: Michael Moore
Ha, love it.
First I was condescending, now in the running for Blowhard of the Week-- whats next, the most puerile humor?!
Your poll is deficient though, the one who boasts in the most unpleasant way is definitely Oconn. God, my knees hurt just thinking about trying to chase those things down. That sneaky cross court drop, too.
Transitioning into blowhard mode for a moment, Makens- lets talk about mr. moore. Scos has demonstrated this in comments in the past, but you are making the mistake of dismissing what he has to say for reasons other than the content of his work. Call him fat and annoying if you wish, but this becomes empty when you have no serious issues to dispute with him. It becomes 21st century shoot the messenger. His last film, Sicko, wasn't particularly successful here in the states (it killed overseas) because folks just turn off when they see Moore. But why? Insurance companies spent months drafting PR strategy to counter Sicko, including deriding him as a blowhard as you do here...
Here's a clip from Bill Moyers Journal with the ex-head of Corporate Relations for CIGNA. If you think Moyers is a blowhard too, well, I guess I can't help you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmEwhakknkk
I don't know puerile humor means, but I'm pretty sure I dominate that category. Anyway, as of 12:45, I'm beating both you and Gore by 2 votes. But it looks like you may want it more, with your defense of both Moore and Moyers.
Makena, you sure you share WOHJR's ideology?
I was mostly joking to pwease Scos.
However, at least semantically speaking, it's possible to be a blowhard and to also be right or at least justified in what you're saying. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.
For instance - I applaud Mr. Gore's attempts to bring global warming to the forefront, as I respect Mr. Moore's attempts to raise awareness about issues that matter to him. But just because I intrinsically agree with their views doesn't mean their personalities and the way they present these issues are not arrogant and/or blustering and boasting at times. And I've felt that way about Michael Moore since way before there was any PR affront by insurance companies. I think you can present information in a way that's useful, interesting and relevant without being sanctimonious.
I initially intended on voting for scos (even though I have to admit I don't think blowhard is a good description of him - maybe wiseass?) just for the purposes of teasing him, but WOHJR's comment above - just on the language choice alone - is glaring evidence of blowhardiness.
Perhaps more determinative is the fact that he's a law student (right?). And EVERYONE knows law students = blowhards!
I'm glad you defined blowhard. Were a read to not look past the title and pictures it wouldn't be much of a contest.
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