Labeling Bin Laden "The Evil One" Is Excessively Judgemental (Commentary from watsonfellow)

Channeling watsonfellow | October 26, 2001 | PJ-Comix (channeling watsonfellow)

[PJ-Comix]

I am growing vey disturbed with President Bush. I initially supported him because I considered him to be a traditional conservative. That is, one with the proper Tory attitudes (as personified by my hero, Evelyn Waugh) and is non-judgemental. However, now I find, much to my horror, that he is turning into a populist conservative.

The most recent evidence that Bush is displaying those horrid populist conservative attitudes, is his his labeling of Osama Bin Laden as "The Evil One." I find this term to be excessively judgemental. Even worse, it is impolite. Can't we, as conservatives show better form (remember, good form while not everything, is indeed something) than this? I suggest that President Bush call Mr. Bin Laden, "our distinguished opponent." Not only does that sound less judgemental, it is also much more civilized.

[PJ-Comix]

This is another commentary by the Genius that is Me, a Thomas J. Watson fellow currently traipsing about Europe. Please feel free to stand in the warm glow of my brilliant radiance and post your comments.

[abner]

I'm getting scared.

[Movemout]

Could we refer to him as the "nearly departed" in lieu of our distinguished opponent? Distinguished opponents are distinguished because they observe some rule of law when fighting, i.e. Marquis de Queensbury Rules for pugilists and The Geneva Convention for opposing armies. I see nothing distinguished about the Evil One and his MO. Perhaps after his anticipated demise we can refer to him as our "extinguished" opponent.

[Orual]

Couldn't agree more strongly. I would like to suggest that we all convert to the Honorable Mr. Bin Laden's religion in order to better understand the peaceful philosophy that motives him.

[BlueCat]

Righto Watsonfellow!

Unfortunately, I am shocked no more at what flows from the the masses..er..populists. Evil doer, indeed. Tut tut.

[PJ-Comix]

Distinguished opponents are distinguished because they observe some rule of law when fighting, i.e. Marquis de Queensbury Rules for pugilists and The Geneva Convention for opposing armies.

But this is what distinguishes traditional convervatives from populist conservatives. Traditional conservatives will always play by the rules even if their opponents don't. This is what makes traditional conservatives such good losers and why I admire them. Populist conservatives, however, do not play by the rules defined by others. True, they often win their battles but they do so without displaying the good form in which I and my hero, Evelyn Waugh, would be proud of.

Much better to lose graciously than than to show bad form and win. This is why I was such an enthusiastic supporter of Bob Dole and Jack Kemp in 1996. Both were good losers.

[PJ-Comix]

Couldn't agree more strongly. I would like to suggest that we all convert to the Honorable Mr. Bin Laden's religion in order to better understand the peaceful philosophy that motives him.

You will note that I am currently studying Islamic culture. Today I even made an important discovery in this area. You are supposed to read those funny squiggly lines backwards, not the correct way.

[Unam Sanctam]

Come, come, my dear fellow. One can have good form and still be judgmental. Let's just call him the loathsome creature from the nethermost infernal rings of Tartary. After all, the rum fellow is the most frightful bounder and cad.

[SamAdams76]

Ah, some much needed civility at Free Republic at last. I can now traipse through the streets of Boston today, knowing that my fellow brethren at Free Republic are finally coming around to the point of view of our most distinguished "watsonfellow."

As we ponder our next move in the current war, ah, excuse me, our current disagreement with our distinguised opponent Mr. Bin Laden and his fine fellow freedom fighters of the Taliban.

It would be most useful to achieving our objectives if we were to invite Mr. Bin Laden and some of his distinguished cohorts from the Taliban to join us in some tea and capers over the weekend here in Boston or perhaps over in London, if it would be more convenient for our worth and distinguished opponents. I am certain we can get President Bush and Prime Minister Blair to join us so that we can hash out our differences in a civilized and constructive manner. If we are able to reach an agreement, ah, excuse me, compromise with the distinguished Mr. Bin Laden, then perhaps we could raise a toast together with some fine Irish single-malt whiskey. If Mr. Bin Laden and his fine and merry band of freedom fighters object to the use of, ahem, alcoholic libations, why then we can seal the deal with a fine cup of the Queen's finest tea instead. Ah, that would be most civilized indeed.

[Movemout]

I'll stick with the Evil One. I never could stomach Evelyn Waugh. He had a hard time dealing with reality.

[KirkandBurke]

How about "the soon to be late" Usama Bin Laden? Or the "presently unexpired?" "The terminal terrorist?"

[milagro]

How about a reference to our "extinguished opponent." I really like the sound of that!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Dear watsonfellow,
Let me put down my cucumber sandwich and reply forthwith. The "Evil One" does seem to be a base calumny.
Perhaps we can take a hint from the English (or as you prefer to call them "The People of the Waugh"), and refer to Osama and his ilk as a Worthy Oriental Gentleman.
Toodles,
T_Slim ESQ

[PJ-Comix]

I never could stomach Evelyn Waugh.

I am shocked SHOCKED that you would dare to criticize my hero, Evelyn Waugh. His "Brideshead Revisited" was absolutely brilliant and perhaps one day I shall be able to figure out what he was trying to say but I somehow know that Waugh was brilliant, BRILLIANT! And even more important he demonstrated proper Tory manners.

[Tijeras_Slim]

PS: You realize the reason most people actually read Brideshead Revisited is to see how many pages it takes for Julia to get laid.

[MFSanders]

You mean we are not supposed to be judgemental over the slaughter of thousands of innocent people and the attempt at destroying our economy??? WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!!!! It is not judgemental to refer to the Evil One - it is simply a statement of fact!!!! bin Laden is evil - and saying so is nothing more than a statement of the truth.

[wimpycat]

Oooooooooh....and one mustn't ever, ever be *gasp* judgemental, must one? Being "judgemental" is worse than whatever it is one is judging, apparently.

What is Osama bin Laden, if not evil? He is evil, so what's wrong with coming out and saying it?

Actually, I would prefer he be referred to as that evil, delusional, maniacal son-of-a-b**ch, or am I being too hard on the poor fellow?

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

Is this a take-off on another WatsonFellow opinion piece ? If so, please link so that we may share the joke.

If not, I must wonder at the motivation behind the current feud. I have seen flame wars erupt on pre-existing threads, but I was not aware that one could start a thread for the sole purpose of making fun of the foibles of a fellow FReeper.

Of course, neither you nor I have ANY ridiculous traits, so we're safe. (Whew, that's a relief!)

[gedeon3]

"This is what makes traditional conservatives such good losers and why I admire them"

And if we add you to those conservatives, they would have an extra loser.