Xmas Vacation

If Barack Obama can take a 12 day vacation, I figure the world will get along just fine without any blogging from me for a few days or so.

47 Responses to “Xmas Vacation”

  1. Listener Says:

    Happy holidays, Marc.

    Best wishes to your readers, too!

  2. Randy Paul Says:

    What Listener said. I hope everyone has a happy and prosperous 2009!

  3. reg Says:

    In the spirit of the season, folks incensed by the Rick Warren invitation should check out this insightful commentary by Melissa Etheridge.

    http://tinyurl.com/9jdsyq

  4. Woody Says:

    You’ll never guess who used to do the taxes for the Indigo Girls. He was replaced by an EXTREMELY pretty friend of theirs. What does she have?

  5. Mavis Beacon Says:

    Fine, but you’ll have to post a shirtless photo.

  6. jim hitchcock Says:

    I’d like to think this site has some standards, MB.

  7. Susan W. Says:

    Knowing your true B’Day…the 18th — a very belated Happy, happy — may you live well and long…and may the coming year bring you and yours all that you may desire.

  8. capt Says:

    Merry Xmas Marc.

    The very best to you and yours!

  9. GM Roper Says:

    Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to friends and friendly political aversaries. Lets “hope” that the new year will bring all Glad Tidings and Great Cheer

  10. Ahmed Says:

    Roper your message of goodwill woud come across as more sincere if you stopped posting vile stuff like this on your blog, which was featured only days ago. As usual no comment is neccesary.

    “You have to pinch yourself – a Marxisant radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshipped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, [has been elected] President of the United States. And apparently it’s considered impolite to say so.”

    Yuck.

    ps Max Blumethal argues that progressives have correctly drawn a line when it comes to Rick Warren, and that they should not budge.

    http://tinyurl.com/3erd6x

  11. GM Roper Says:

    Ahmed, you truly are pathetic aren’t you. “Yuck?” How juvenile!

    It is neither vile nor outregious… it is opinion… and preytell, specifically where is phillips wrong or mistaken.

  12. GM Roper Says:

    It also says you still come around the blog (despite your having been run off – or was it your word to quit Ahmed?) or subscribe to it via rss. I’m glad, any opportunity I have to cause you to yuck on yourself or on some’s blog is a good day.

  13. reg Says:

    It’s my opinon that Roper is a pedophile. Just saying…although it’s impolite.

  14. Ahmed Says:

    Explaining the ways in which that creepy and delusional rant is “mistaken” or “wrong” would ultimately require a systematic and pathological exploration into a what is clearly a deluded, hate inducing, nativist and ugly mindset. Since I’m not interested in the kind of project, and I trust that most rational people can read what you posted and come to their own conclusions, I prefer to let that filth stand on its own. Just saying, man. I’ll admit to appreaciating the “marxisant radical” part as it’s not too often that I would read such a term. Oh well

    Ropes, it didn’t take you very long to get out of the holiday cheer. To you and everyone else merry christmas

  15. GM Roper Says:

    Ahmed your message of goodwill woud come across as more sincere if you stopped posting vile stuff like this in your comments, which was featured only today. As usual no comment is neccesary.

    “deluded, hate inducing, nativist and ugly mindset.” [...] oh, and don’t forget “filth.”

    Ahmed, it didn’t take you very long to get out of the holiday cheer. To you and everyone else, Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas.

  16. GM Roper Says:

    “Explaining the ways in which that creepy and delusional rant is “mistaken” or “wrong” would ultimately require a systematic and pathological exploration”

    Oh, I guess that means you can’t.

    Ahmed, you really are a piece of work you know that? Oh, and reg, kiss my ass!

    Oh, and a very merry Festiva to you!

  17. Ahmed Says:

    You realise that according to you our host Marc and many others on this blog supported a candidate who is deeply influenced embedded in “jew hatred”, anti white racism, black supremacy and the like? It’s sad that you lack the neccesary critical awareness which would allow to realise what a fool you’ve become. Why do I bother? Who knows. I guess that Im committed to making sure you cannot come back here under the false pretence that you’re an honest conservative or a more reasonable than Woody.

  18. reg Says:

    Very sad news via Celeste…I really can’t comment or express anything appropriate right now, but I wanted to pass this along. Also, Celeste – contrary to her emotional reaction – did an enormous amount to try to help and communicate when Richard most needed it.

    http://witnessla.com/street-stories/2008/admin/my-name-is-richard-and-im-homeless-the-last-chapter/

  19. Rob Grocholski Says:

    Professor Cooper — Thank you for this little patch of cyberspace called “marccooper.com” Best of wishes to you and friends and family. Apparently you’re signing off for a while so thanks also for this ‘open mike’ thread…

    I’m not religious but I do like this time of year because folks seem to try a little harder to be nice and civil towards their fellow man. A bit of sad news, but I’d like to invite your readers to check out witnessla. Celeste Fremon has somberly posted a final chapter in memory of Richard Lociero. A regular of this site and a few other smart blogs, he has passed away.

    I recall first reading Richard’s comments at this site. I thought Richard was very smart and an overall good contributor to many, many, discussions. He had a strong point of view on a number of topics and issues and he argued them passionately.

    ..don’t know exactly how to round this off, except to say, here’s to you rlc…
    Rest in peace, brother.

  20. Alan Mittelstaedt Says:

    I can’t wait for Cooper to open my Christmas present. It’s an “Off” switch for the comments section to this otherwise wonderful blog. But don’t tell him. It’s supposed to be a surprise.

  21. Marc Cooper Says:

    Thanks for the present, Al. Might just open it.
    I’m having for too serene a time in Carmel this Xmas to get into blogfights. Hardly worth it.

    I do want to say that I was saddened to read of RLC’s death on Celeste’s blog. She did more than anyone could have expected but of course will continue to carry the burden in her very big heart.

    Some years back, maybe in 2005 or so, I met RLC in person. He drive up from Orange County to attend a live dialog between me and John Powers. He came up and introduced himself afterward and we had a great chat. We disagreed on many things but agreed to do so.

    His story is tragic and only reaffirms my budding pessimism.

    Merry Xmas.

  22. Ahmed Says:

    I’m very sad to hear about RLC’s passing. He was for a very long time on the more interesting, informed and prolific of the regular commentors, someomne who consistently expanded the diologue here. I knew nothing about him personally until I found out months ago while reading Celeste’s blog that he was a former college professor who fell on hard times and that he was not onl homeless but also sufffering from series of serious health problems. Celeste ran a series called “my name is richard and i am homeless” which features some of Richards where he documented some of his experiences on the street along with the personal narratives of others, like him, who were homeless. His writting was incredibly powerful and always humane.

  23. Michael Balter Says:

    Just dropped in and got this terrible news about our friend Rlo. He was one smart guy, for sure, and a real mainstay of this blog for a long time. Very sad day.

  24. Listener Says:

    I’ve been missing Richard from Marc’s threads for some time. Days I would drop in to see if Richard was around. When he was, I stayed, or checked back frequently. When he wasn’t, less so.

    IMHO, Richard was more than smart, he was deeply knowledgeable. Intellect less measured by an IQ score (although I’m sure his wasn’t insubstantial), than by a breadth and depth of understanding.

    Richard was an honest and fair interlocutor. A dialogue with Richard was a genuine dialogue; not much time spent talking past each other. If the mark of a teacher is the ability to get within someone’s language window, then Richard was a teacher. A good one.

    Now that my condition of missing Richard is permanent, I am grateful for the archives at Witness LA, Beautiful Horizons, and here. If there are other archives by which to capture Richard’s spirit, I hope folks will point me to them.

    To the extent that anyone can genuinely know another person on the internet, I’m glad to have known Richard. I wish there had been more time to share with him. I’ll cherish what I had.

  25. David Says:

    I am saddened at this news. Ric was an insightful, wise, and good natured (even with the turkeys, where I on the other hand am not) commenter here for so long!

  26. Woody Says:

    I’m as sorry as anyone about Richard’s death. However, “society” cannot be responsible for everyone. Personal responsibility plays a part in our lives. That’s also a lesson from this.

  27. David Says:

    You’re all heart, Woody, around the holidays. Sheesh.

  28. bunkerbuster Says:

    R.I.P. RLC

    He was indeed a model of maturity, intelligence and good judgment. His contributions invariably focused on facts and either broadened or deepened the discussion — sometimes both.

    To hear that he’d fallen on hard times is a real shocker. You’d never know it from his posts. His disposition seemed to be that of a very knowledgeable retired professor who happily kept up on public affairs and had been doing so for decades.

    He may have been homeless, but died a far richer man intellectually than many who comment here can hope to.

  29. bunkerbuster Says:

    and, yes, I include myself in the last sentence.

  30. reg Says:

    A few thoughts on Richard…

    http://www.beautifulhorizons.net/weblog/2008/12/rlc.html

  31. Ahmed Says:

    A very fine and fitting tribute to RLC. That’s a great post Reg

  32. Randy Paul Says:

    What Bunkerbuster said; every word of it.

    Great tribute Reg. Thanks for putting in the Frank Norris quote. I added that quote to the site when I invited you and Richard to start posting at BH. I thought the quote was the essence of Richard.

    Someone needs to read Matthew Chapter 25.

  33. DanO Says:

    Reg –

    Thanks for that. Well said.

  34. Woody Says:

    David: You’re all heart, Woody, around the holidays. Sheesh.

    Well, David, in great part, rlc agreed with me in the information that he wrote:

    I’m largely responsible for being where I am. That’s not because I’ll let society off the hook.

    In response on the first post about him, I tried to find solutions rather than blame society or Richard.

    To say the least, I was surprised and I hurt for Richard. I admire his courage to open himself to many of us who know him in a fashion.

    It’s not important for Richard to blame himself or for anyone to say what he should have done. What’s important is to fix the problem, for which we are willing to help…if he will vote against Obama. Okay, not really on that last part. I assume that Celeste is working on a process where many can pitch in and that she will let us know about it. Maybe a paypal account for Richard is a possibility, but I think that they do require a credit card.

    Richard’s situation has been known to his confidants, and I wonder if they have been helping him and others in need or just campaigning for laws to do that with other people’s money. With all the liberals in southern California, surely someone has a garage or basement apartment that could be put to use for his shelter. Surely someone has an extra car that sits around mostly unused. Perhaps, someone has a job that requires his brain (even though I wouldn’t completely trust the right hemisphere.) Fortunately, he seems to be getting medical care through the VA or some public facility.

    Finally, there are other resources in times of need–family primarily, the church, friends, etc. I suppose those avenues have not worked or ran their courses, but it’s always worth considering again.

    And, what’s this “even the conservative posters, like Woody” business? I am a compassionate conservative.

    I’m praying for you, Richard.

    I was looking for solutions while you guys used Richard’s situation to place blame on our system.

    Then, I wrote, ini response to the liberals:

    I should have known that President Reagan would get blamed. It’s funny how homelessness is only an issue when Republicans are running things but instantly go off the headlines when a Democrat is in office. …Still, while I very much sympathize with Richard, pointing fingers at others for what may be a lifetime of missteps isn’t necessarily correct and is not helpful. What is he doing to improve decisions that he makes so that this doesn’t become a cycle? This help and attention can make a permanent difference rather than be a temporary patch, if Richard takes advantage of it to do that.

    and

    Now, besides throwing money at the problem like typical liberals, what about solid solutions to other needs that I previously mentioned: “Besides sending money for short-term survival, what progress is being made for a long-term job, housing, transportation, and spiritual support? What needs remain?”

    Does Richard have a resume’? That would be a start. I asked for this information early on and haven’t gotten an answer. Is there a project schedule for making Richard self-sufficient, with target dates–which presumably would be met before the short-term money runs out. Does anyone have a garage or basement apartment? Where’s his family? Good grief. Is anyone thinking ahead? How much more money could Richard use at the moment? Surely, there is more to this than appearing to care and to get a story.

    I sought ways to help Richard rather than sitting around “feeling helpless.” Out of all of the concerned people in southern California and on the blogs, no one had a car or a room for him. Maybe “no room at the inn” is appropriate for the holidays.

    How many more “Richards” are there that you folks are ignoring today?

  35. David Says:

    Well, if i had known that ric was homeless, he certainly could have hung out in my flat here in ks, though i live far away from any hospitals or cancer treatment centers. i think also he needed more intense treatment than i, or anyone on here, could have provided. this is where society let him down. you should thank your lucky stars that you have never gotten ill, W. as for “personal responsibility”, your republican party has no leg to stand on as far as this is concerned. Your party’s legacy will be that of passing all of the blame, buck, and bills onto anyone but themselves.

    What false piety on your part.

  36. reg Says:

    We are thankful that you did so much for Richard, Woody, despite, as you suggest, “what may be a lifetime of missteps.” Usually people who have written blog comments to promote personal responsibility among the homeless and sick – or to accuse others of not doing enough – are more humble. But “in response to the liberals” you have no choice but to blow your horn as the one man who sought solutions. And it’s particularly important that Ronald Reagan be defended in this dark hour.

  37. Woody Says:

    David, I don’t expect you to solve homeless problems in other states, but are there people with similar needs in your area that you could help?

    reg, if you had spent 1% of the time to help Richard that you did in getting Obama elected, he may still be around. You guys are so self-righteous but spend more time placing blame on others and demanding more help from others than you are willing to contribute yourself.

  38. reg Says:

    Fuck you. You are an ignorant ass.

  39. Randy Paul Says:

    Some comments deserve to be ignored, reg.

    Perhaps it’s time to invoke this.

  40. Woody Says:

    You can tell when the truth hits home. Liberals get mad and call you names.

  41. Randy Paul Says:

    Some of us just can’t stomach trolls and people who dance on graves.

  42. Woody Says:

    Well, don’t forget that it’s you guys who used Richard’s plight and death as an opening to attack our system and Republicans. You can’t stomach anyone who points out your hyprocrisy.

  43. David Says:

    I admire your deep love for mankind, Woody. I spose your house is full of adopted kids who would otherwise have been aborted, you know, doing your part instead of relying on “laws”. And…would it be ok if you and I approached the IRS, and fixed it so you could pay my share of expenditures run up by your hero george w bush? i don’t see the point in me having to pay so much in taxes for “defense.” then again, you may not even have a real job, since you obviously spend so much time on here.

    Say hi to all of your adopted children for me.

  44. reg Says:

    “You can tell when the truth hits home.”

    Given your bizarre, puke-inducing reactions and ignorant accusations against others in this context triggered by simple suggestions that “the system” should have better provisions for sick and homeless people, this is an understatement. You’re a pathetic little man.

  45. Randy Paul Says:

    I honestly cannot recall anyone on my side of the aisle posting at this blog who has made fun of anyone’s disability or physical limitation, certainly not to the extent of calling someone Stumpy, for example. When Ronald Reagan, a man for whom I had little more than contempt, died, I chose not to vilify him on my blog.

    Some people grow; others just mutate.

  46. Woody Says:

    All your time attacking me has helped no one. You liberals care more about causes than you do real people. Great work, guys.

  47. Randy Paul Says:

    You liberals care more about causes than you do real people.

    Given that you have no idea what any of us do when we’re not commenting on this blog, you’re just talking out of your ass again.

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