Band at JSU Banned at LGF:
Time for a Neo-Confederate Music Fest!

Posted on | January 2, 2010 | 61 Comments

Fight on, fight on for ole Jax State
We’re proud that we’re from Alabama . . .

The lyrics of the fight song at my alma mater, Jacksonville (Ala.) State University, would almost certainly result in immediate banishment from Little Green Footballs.

“Proud that we’re from Alabama“? It would be worse than down-dinging a comment by Sharmuta.

The latest Johnsonoid insanity at LGF escaped my notice because of the new site launch. But we got linked by one of the commenters at an Ace of Spades thread discussing Charles Johnson’s latest madness. CJ accuses Jim Hoft of “a textbook case of libel” for a Gateway Pundit post that describes Johnson “Supporting Child Porn in Classrooms.”

This is another of those “Bwaaahahaha Heard ‘Round the World” moments of unintentional irony. Johnson, who called Pamela Geller a “poster girl for Eurofascists,” suddenly decides that he is the victim of defamation?

Tonight, Johnsonoia is all over Memeorandum — American Power, iOwnTheWorld, Weasel Zippers, JustOneMinute, Snooper Report, Big Government and Conservatives for Palin — and I feel like I’m not doing enough to drive CJ nuts nuttier. When even Patterico is joining the LGF beatdown, if I’m not in on the action, it could erode my Right Wing Crazy-Hater street cred. So tonight I Twittered this:

Yeah. I’m considering posting something neo-Confederate just to distract CJ from Jim and Patterico ;=)

Hmmmm. It took me about two seconds to think to myself: Who do I know that plays a really fine version of “Dixie”? If you click “read more,” brace yourself for the finest sound on the planet. Ladies and gentlemen, the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners!

First of all, notice that this video was recorded on the opening day of pre-season band camp — the Southerners hadn’t even started practicing for the season yet. They were just warming up on some of the band’s standard tunes, beginning with an a capella chorus of a Russian Orthodox chorale, “Salvation Is Created.”

So you’ve got the creationist/theocrat action, right off the bat. You just know Sarah Palin would dig it. (Palin’s collaborator Lynn Vincent attended Jax State, where she was news editor of the student newspaper, the Chanticleer.)

Next, it’s “Stars Fell On Alabama,” and you can ask anyone who has ever heard the Marching Southerners perform live, when they hit that opening fanfare, the sheer power of the low brass makes the bleachers rumble. And guess what? The original lyrics of the song were written by a Southerner whose family lived in Louisiana. But — bonus LGF hate points here — Mitchell Parrish’s name at birth was Michael Hyman Pashelinsky. He was Jewish! Just like Pamela Geller!

As we continue through the repertoire of oppression, we hear the aforementioned fight song, with lyrics like, “Courage, pride and honor will lead you on to victory.” Don’t you think Killgore Trout is probably just a wee bit suspicious about all these references to “pride”? What kind of “pride” are they singing about down there in Alabama? Nudge, nudge.

Plus there’s the thing about “courage” and “honor,” quite possibly a reference to Jacksonville’s great Confederate hero, Maj. John Pelham. Just 20 years old when the War came, he left West Point and led J.E.B. Stuart’s famed Horse Artillery. With two cannon, Pelham stood off an entire division of Burnside’s army at Fredericksburg, earning high praise in Robert E. Lee official account of the battle, so that he is forever known as “The Gallant Pelham.” He was slain in a cavalry charge at Kelly’s Ford and is buried in the Jacksonville cemetery, not far from Alabama Highway 21, also known as Pelham Road.

The fight song is followed by a Jax State exclusive, “Southerners Special.” Anybody with an LGF Nirther Crazy-Hater Secret Decoder Ring can figure out why these Southerners think they’re special, right? Also, if you play the recording backwards, it says, “Global warming is a myth.”

Last — but by no means least — the Southerners play that notorious song beloved by every Vlaams Belang-embracing ultra-nationalist worldwide, the Horst Wessel Lied “Camptown Races” . . . er, whatever. Kejda Gjermani hates it.

UPDATE 11:35 p.m. ET: Our new WordPress analytic software is so sophisticated, I can now tell you that Geert Wilders just spent 47 minutes listening to the Marching Southerners play “Dixie” over and over. And it brought tears of joy to his eyes.

UPDATE 11:51 p.m. ET: Breaking! Charles Johnson has seen this post, and Paco has the video of his reaction. It’s the strawberries!

UPDATE 1:45 a.m. 1/3: Taunted by my Twitter friends, I decided to add this video — 2 minutes and nine seconds of raw hate:

The Marching Ballerinas are JSU’s Ambassadors of Wholesome Down-Home Hotness. Here you see them performing at homecoming to Dr. Walters’ bouncy swing arrangement of “Quilting Party.” It ain’t homecoming at Jax State until the Ballerinas do their kickline routine on one of those Walters arrangements — “C’est Si Bon” was always my favorite, but “Quilting Party” is right up there.

Excuse the amateur video quality. No one will hit the tip jar hard enough for the producer of a certain highly-praised documentary to travel down home to get professional footage for “The Making of the Marching Ballerinas.” Nor could anyone ever hit the tip jar hard enough to get me out of the doghouse I’d be in after that trip . . .

UPDATE 2 a.m.: How much right-wing creationist theocratic crazy-hate can you handle? From the JSU Web site:

After football games when the Southerners perform their show post-game, before everyone disperses, the band members gather close in to the 50-yard line, put their arms around each other and sing an old gospel favorite . . .

Yeah, they not only play “Dixie,” they sing “I’ll Fly Away.” To say nothing of the shameless anti-feminist objectification of the Ballerinas. Let’s face it: I’m an alumnus of arguably the most politically incorrect state university on the planet.

Oh, and our mascot? Don’t tell PETA, but here’s the cheer:

With a big C, little O, C-K-S!
Jax State Gamecocks!
Oh, Hell, Yes!

Or, as the coeds used to write on their dorm-room windows with white shoe polish, “GO BIG COCKS!”

Keep your Harvard, your Cornell, your Yale and your Columbia. What kind of moron would want to go to those kind of Yankee places, when Jax State has so much to more to offer?

UPDATE 2:45 a.m.: Just so you don’t get the idea that all JSU coeds are high-kicking eye-candy, let me introduce you to Jax State undergraduate blogger Amanda Read, with an excerpt from her “about” page:

A 19 year old Christian homeschool graduate, I have been Classically educated . . .
I am now a college student majoring in History and minoring in Political Science at Jacksonville State University . . . My constant prayer is to glorify the LORD far beyond my finite imagination!

Oh, and Amanda’s on Twitter, where the other day she Tweeted this:

Listened to Rush since I was a toddler! RT @michellemalkin Prayers for Rush – http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/30/prayers-for-rush/ #tcot

Amanda’s Tweeps include Jackie Seal and some guy named Greg McElroy. You probably haven’t heard of him, but he’s the guy who hands the ball to Mark Ingram.

Category: Alabama, Blogging, Charles Johnson, Education, humor, Music, Racism, Rule 4

Comments

61 Responses to “Band at JSU Banned at LGF:
Time for a Neo-Confederate Music Fest!”

USCitizen
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:24 am

We welcome JSU to the Banned of Brothers list.
USCitizen
January 2nd, 2010 @ 10:24 pm

We welcome JSU to the Banned of Brothers list.
Joe
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:25 am

She has a point, and I will conceed there are degrees of mendoucheruy…till you think of Patterico going on one of his racist outing jihads or banning Jeff because one of Patterico’s commentators threatened him lynching.
Joe
January 2nd, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

She has a point, and I will conceed there are degrees of mendoucheruy…till you think of Patterico going on one of his racist outing jihads or banning Jeff because one of Patterico’s commentators threatened him lynching.
Americaneocon
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:27 am

It’s been a heckuva couple of days for LGF news. I hammered him on his hypocrisy. Charles linked me in the comments, but only responded to the title of my post — where I noted he was caught in the vice grip of the conservative blogosphere. You GOTTA be part of the vice, McCain!
Americaneocon
January 2nd, 2010 @ 10:27 pm

It’s been a heckuva couple of days for LGF news. I hammered him on his hypocrisy. Charles linked me in the comments, but only responded to the title of my post — where I noted he was caught in the vice grip of the conservative blogosphere. You GOTTA be part of the vice, McCain!
Maryk
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:46 am

What I find fascinating about the Gatewaypundit thing is that Chuck is so easily hoisted on his own petard.

Jim Hoft, you magnificent bastard!
Maryk
January 2nd, 2010 @ 10:46 pm

What I find fascinating about the Gatewaypundit thing is that Chuck is so easily hoisted on his own petard.

Jim Hoft, you magnificent bastard!
Obi's Sister
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:13 am

That warms the cockles of my Redcoat heart! If you can sing it, you can play it.

Those wide-bores rattled the hinges of my laptop. Oh, to be young again and have chops of steel!

While we watched Ole Miss dominate the Cotton Bowl tonight, we heard the band play Dixie. The arrangement I grew up playing. Loved it!
Obi's Sister
January 2nd, 2010 @ 11:13 pm

That warms the cockles of my Redcoat heart! If you can sing it, you can play it.

Those wide-bores rattled the hinges of my laptop. Oh, to be young again and have chops of steel!

While we watched Ole Miss dominate the Cotton Bowl tonight, we heard the band play Dixie. The arrangement I grew up playing. Loved it!
Robert Stacy McCain
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:17 am

Charles Johnson to denounce Obi’s Sister in 3, 2, 1 . . .
Robert Stacy McCain
January 2nd, 2010 @ 11:17 pm

Charles Johnson to denounce Obi’s Sister in 3, 2, 1 . . .
Joe
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:24 am

Charles is a poor blogger and he knows it:

And just who are “they,” anyway? Charles’ definition of “white supremacist” is proving tremendously elastic. His latest target of the epithet is the blogger and longtime journalist Robert Stacy McCain, who apparently has known several openly supremacist assholes and belonged to or said nice things about groups that have, on occasion, said something vaguely intemperate.

I never really read “the other McCain” before of late, but he’s been getting a lot of attention (good and bad) of late, so I started poking through his stuff. And I came to this conclusion:

The guy is a good blogger. Quite frankly, he’s a hell of a better blogger than Charles.
Joe
January 2nd, 2010 @ 11:24 pm

Charles is a poor blogger and he knows it:

And just who are “they,” anyway? Charles’ definition of “white supremacist” is proving tremendously elastic. His latest target of the epithet is the blogger and longtime journalist Robert Stacy McCain, who apparently has known several openly supremacist assholes and belonged to or said nice things about groups that have, on occasion, said something vaguely intemperate.

I never really read “the other McCain” before of late, but he’s been getting a lot of attention (good and bad) of late, so I started poking through his stuff. And I came to this conclusion:

The guy is a good blogger. Quite frankly, he’s a hell of a better blogger than Charles.
Joe
January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:23 am

Villainous Company proves her name by breaking out the ban hammer!

I knew that marmasett was no f****** good.

Oh Miss Attila notes the injustice.
Joe
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:23 am

Villainous Company proves her name by breaking out the ban hammer!

I knew that marmasett was no f****** good.

Oh Miss Attila notes the injustice.
uberVU - social comments
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:31 am

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by rsmccain: @TCOAmerica Joining the Charles Johnson LGF Weekend Beatdown http://tinyurl.com/ykpm3jw “DIXIE”!…
The Johnson wars continue « DaTechguy's Blog
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:58 am

[…] Robert Stacy saw it and is really having a lot of fun with it. […]
serr8d
January 3rd, 2010 @ 6:04 am

Huh. Neo-confederate, huh? Beat you to it, by some 22 days! And, not a battle flag in sight! WTF?

In the heat of the Patterico vs. Everyone, “There’s Raaaaacists! Everywhere!” meltdown, I posted photos of a Nashville Confederate Cemetery, still tended by (GASP!) obviously Raaaaacist! gardeners! How can that be allowed?

Charles Johnson edges ever closer to breakdown.
serr8d
January 3rd, 2010 @ 1:04 am

Huh. Neo-confederate, huh? Beat you to it, by some 22 days! And, not a battle flag in sight! WTF?

In the heat of the Patterico vs. Everyone, “There’s Raaaaacists! Everywhere!” meltdown, I posted photos of a Nashville Confederate Cemetery, still tended by (GASP!) obviously Raaaaacist! gardeners! How can that be allowed?

Charles Johnson edges ever closer to breakdown.
vanderleun
January 3rd, 2010 @ 6:16 am

I work my keyboard to the bone with this post and still I gets no respect!
===

In Stunning Reversal, Charles Johnson Claims Caucasian Ancestry

[Raaaaacist Johnson Palin Pix]

Where’s the birth certificate, Charlie?

Jowls dropped all over the LGF comment stream as both commenters reacted to Little Green Footballs – ‘Is This Racist, Charles Johnson?’ in which Johnson walks the cat back from his Darwinist/DNA ledge by claiming:

“It apparently escaped this wingnut’s notice that I’m white.”

Johnson’s parents, A. Sullivan-Johnson and B. Frank-Johnson of Washington, D.C. would not comment but instead released a Certification of Live Birth issued in Hawaii from an undisclosed hospital on an undisclosed date.

This afternoon, however, NAAAJBM (The National Association of African-American Jazz and Blues Musicians) released the following statement, “We told you that boy had no chops.”

Sara Palin’s spokesperson, reacting to the photograph, said only, “Not fit to lick let alone shine.”
=====
vanderleun
January 3rd, 2010 @ 1:16 am

I work my keyboard to the bone with this post and still I gets no respect!
===

In Stunning Reversal, Charles Johnson Claims Caucasian Ancestry

[Raaaaacist Johnson Palin Pix]

Where’s the birth certificate, Charlie?

Jowls dropped all over the LGF comment stream as both commenters reacted to Little Green Footballs – ‘Is This Racist, Charles Johnson?’ in which Johnson walks the cat back from his Darwinist/DNA ledge by claiming:

“It apparently escaped this wingnut’s notice that I’m white.”

Johnson’s parents, A. Sullivan-Johnson and B. Frank-Johnson of Washington, D.C. would not comment but instead released a Certification of Live Birth issued in Hawaii from an undisclosed hospital on an undisclosed date.

This afternoon, however, NAAAJBM (The National Association of African-American Jazz and Blues Musicians) released the following statement, “We told you that boy had no chops.”

Sara Palin’s spokesperson, reacting to the photograph, said only, “Not fit to lick let alone shine.”
=====
Sharon
January 3rd, 2010 @ 7:32 am

How deliciously charming!
Sharon
January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:32 am

How deliciously charming!
archer52
January 3rd, 2010 @ 7:37 am

I did not know you hail from Alabama! It is my favorite state and my second home (during turkey and deer season and any other reason I can figure out to get away from Florida).

People ask me why I love it so, and I tell them the people up there are the most decent folks I’ve met.

Besides,when the country unwinds, I suspect the great state of Alabama will be the center of gravity for the next American revolution against an oppressive government.

Just remember, we didn’t loose the “war” we only took some time off!

Good luck “bama.
archer52
January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:37 am

I did not know you hail from Alabama! It is my favorite state and my second home (during turkey and deer season and any other reason I can figure out to get away from Florida).

People ask me why I love it so, and I tell them the people up there are the most decent folks I’ve met.

Besides,when the country unwinds, I suspect the great state of Alabama will be the center of gravity for the next American revolution against an oppressive government.

Just remember, we didn’t loose the “war” we only took some time off!

Good luck “bama.
Phineas
January 3rd, 2010 @ 7:48 am

I’m a Lincoln-man through and through, but, dude!, that was a beautiful post! Long live JSU, and Roll Tide!

(And CJ can eat bitter Twinkies for breakfast)
Phineas
January 3rd, 2010 @ 2:48 am

I’m a Lincoln-man through and through, but, dude!, that was a beautiful post! Long live JSU, and Roll Tide!

(And CJ can eat bitter Twinkies for breakfast)
Mike LaRoche
January 3rd, 2010 @ 8:06 am

Texas Tech’s fight song would probably offend Chuckles, for it’s about “Red Raiders” from the deep-red state of Texas, and the school’s mascot is a Yosemite Sam-lookalike white guy who carries guns:

“Fight, Raiders, Fight! Fight, Raiders, Fight!
Fight for the school we love so dearly.
We’ll hit ’em high, we’ll hit ’em low.
We’ll push the ball across the goal,
Tech, Fight! Fight!
We’ll praise your name, boost you to fame.
Fight for the Scarlet and Black
We will hit ’em, we will wreck ’em.
Hit ’em! Wreck ’em, Texas Tech!
And the Victory Bells will ring out.”

Here’s a link if you want to hear the tune: http://fdelgadillo.ba.ttu.edu/fight.htm
Mike LaRoche
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:06 am

Texas Tech’s fight song would probably offend Chuckles, for it’s about “Red Raiders” from the deep-red state of Texas, and the school’s mascot is a Yosemite Sam-lookalike white guy who carries guns:

“Fight, Raiders, Fight! Fight, Raiders, Fight!
Fight for the school we love so dearly.
We’ll hit ’em high, we’ll hit ’em low.
We’ll push the ball across the goal,
Tech, Fight! Fight!
We’ll praise your name, boost you to fame.
Fight for the Scarlet and Black
We will hit ’em, we will wreck ’em.
Hit ’em! Wreck ’em, Texas Tech!
And the Victory Bells will ring out.”

Here’s a link if you want to hear the tune: http://fdelgadillo.ba.ttu.edu/fight.htm
BigFurHat
January 3rd, 2010 @ 8:12 am

For a guy that looks very waxy and doughy, Johnson is the thinnest skinned blogger on the intranetz.
I posted a twit pic on the Patterico thread, the next day it’s a full blown call-out post on LGF.
I have to admit, I needed a DoucheSnuggie ™ to keep from getting douche chills.
It called for maybe a response comment in the thread, not a post; particularly when he failed to grasp the meaning of the Twit pic.
BigFurHat
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:12 am

For a guy that looks very waxy and doughy, Johnson is the thinnest skinned blogger on the intranetz.
I posted a twit pic on the Patterico thread, the next day it’s a full blown call-out post on LGF.
I have to admit, I needed a DoucheSnuggie ™ to keep from getting douche chills.
It called for maybe a response comment in the thread, not a post; particularly when he failed to grasp the meaning of the Twit pic.
dr kill
January 3rd, 2010 @ 1:10 pm

No one can perseverate like you, RS. You got so carried away you even forgot to shamelessly beg for money.
dr kill
January 3rd, 2010 @ 8:10 am

No one can perseverate like you, RS. You got so carried away you even forgot to shamelessly beg for money.
Robert Stacy McCain
January 3rd, 2010 @ 1:58 pm

Dr. Kill, perhaps you need to read the post again. I’m going to Pasadena, baby!
Robert Stacy McCain
January 3rd, 2010 @ 8:58 am

Dr. Kill, perhaps you need to read the post again. I’m going to Pasadena, baby!
datechguy
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:21 pm

Cripes have one little party and I miss the latest chapter in the Johnson County wars.

I’m reminded of that old reading is fundamental commercial that used to be on when I was a kid. There was a young boy with a book called I am somebody. Looking at what’s happened to Charles all that comes to mind is him as that little boy almost alone trying to convince him of his own importance.
datechguy
January 3rd, 2010 @ 10:21 am

Cripes have one little party and I miss the latest chapter in the Johnson County wars.

I’m reminded of that old reading is fundamental commercial that used to be on when I was a kid. There was a young boy with a book called I am somebody. Looking at what’s happened to Charles all that comes to mind is him as that little boy almost alone trying to convince him of his own importance.
Preston Taylor Holmes
January 3rd, 2010 @ 3:58 pm

Racists!!111!1!!!

The mere fact that I live in Tennessee and don’t listen exclusively to obscure jazz while riding my bicycle and fondling my ponytail (and I’m white!) makes me a racist. I got banned from LGF before I even visited the site, much like the haters from JSU.
Preston Taylor Holmes
January 3rd, 2010 @ 10:58 am

Racists!!111!1!!!

The mere fact that I live in Tennessee and don’t listen exclusively to obscure jazz while riding my bicycle and fondling my ponytail (and I’m white!) makes me a racist. I got banned from LGF before I even visited the site, much like the haters from JSU.
LifeoftheMind
January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:06 pm

Excellent blogpost. You are right about the continuing hate flowing from LGF. That combined with a breathtaking lack of ability to set priorities in the face of real threats could do real harm. The saving grace is that thanks to CJ’s own aggressive self marginalization and isolation it truly doesn’t matter. Does anyone go there or read it any more?

Far more important is the issue of Kejda Gjermani and Commentary. She is genuinely dangerous and is in exactly the wrong place. They published her, yes she is articulate and most important productive, and hard as it is to say at this moment her voice in the greater conversation is now far more influential than is RS McCain’s. The thought of everything that Norman Podhoretz built being put at risk by this talented but extremely unstable person is frightening. Years ago at LGF she said that she walked past the WTC site and laughed at us. Many years ago I knew John Podhoretz but now I have no way to contact him. Can anyone get through?
LifeoftheMind
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:06 pm

Excellent blogpost. You are right about the continuing hate flowing from LGF. That combined with a breathtaking lack of ability to set priorities in the face of real threats could do real harm. The saving grace is that thanks to CJ’s own aggressive self marginalization and isolation it truly doesn’t matter. Does anyone go there or read it any more?

Far more important is the issue of Kejda Gjermani and Commentary. She is genuinely dangerous and is in exactly the wrong place. They published her, yes she is articulate and most important productive, and hard as it is to say at this moment her voice in the greater conversation is now far more influential than is RS McCain’s. The thought of everything that Norman Podhoretz built being put at risk by this talented but extremely unstable person is frightening. Years ago at LGF she said that she walked past the WTC site and laughed at us. Many years ago I knew John Podhoretz but now I have no way to contact him. Can anyone get through?
Roux
January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:21 pm

How is Ryan Perrilioux working out for yall?
Roux
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:21 pm

How is Ryan Perrilioux working out for yall?
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:30 pm

It’s absolutely typical for these creeps to show up at other sites and paint themselves as poor persecuted victims, who were just politely asking questions when I brought down the fascist ban hammer on their innocent heads.

The word for this is “bullshit.”

Football is also a fascist sport, so I am not suprised RSM would be into it. Now if he showed some interest in bicycle riding, I might reconsider my rejection of him. I do not care for cheerleader girls, I much prefer Kilgore and Sharmuta in that role.
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:30 pm

It’s absolutely typical for these creeps to show up at other sites and paint themselves as poor persecuted victims, who were just politely asking questions when I brought down the fascist ban hammer on their innocent heads.

The word for this is “bullshit.”

Football is also a fascist sport, so I am not suprised RSM would be into it. Now if he showed some interest in bicycle riding, I might reconsider my rejection of him. I do not care for cheerleader girls, I much prefer Kilgore and Sharmuta in that role.
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 5:37 pm

Now Glenn Reynolds is also denying the racism.
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 12:37 pm

Now Glenn Reynolds is also denying the racism.
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 6:08 pm

One of my followers made this very excellent suggestion:

I haven’t read anything from Instapundit or Glenn Reynolds, but I have a recommendation for Glenn as he seems a little confused. He needs to run a poll from his site asking his readers to respond to a simple question: “Do you think this photo is racist” or “Do you think this photo would offend some people?”

Has anyone ever said something that you thought would make people laugh, but were met with blank stares? This is the best way to gauge how far off you were – if you actually care what other people think.

If Reynolds were to get some feedback and see the large percentage of people who call BS on this, maybe he would back off IMHO. Just sayin’.

Reader polls are definitely the way to go. But let me suggest it is important to have properly selected and screened readers before you do so.
Charles Johnson
January 3rd, 2010 @ 1:08 pm

One of my followers made this very excellent suggestion:

I haven’t read anything from Instapundit or Glenn Reynolds, but I have a recommendation for Glenn as he seems a little confused. He needs to run a poll from his site asking his readers to respond to a simple question: “Do you think this photo is racist” or “Do you think this photo would offend some people?”

Has anyone ever said something that you thought would make people laugh, but were met with blank stares? This is the best way to gauge how far off you were – if you actually care what other people think.

If Reynolds were to get some feedback and see the large percentage of people who call BS on this, maybe he would back off IMHO. Just sayin’.

Reader polls are definitely the way to go. But let me suggest it is important to have properly selected and screened readers before you do so.