To: ScrappleFace Readers
Fr: Scott Ott, editor, ScrappleFace.com
[You can listen to a portion of this post at ScrappleFace Audio.]
In the four and a half years since ScrappleFace began, my little satirical stories have reached millions of people. Those who read them on the website, for the most part, understand the satirical context. However, thanks to the magic of clip-and-paste, many stories have been ripped from their context and distributed via email, listserv and forum, causing consternation and ill-will in some cases. Normally, the vast editorial staff at ScrappleFace when notified of such offenses, dutifully ignores them, preferring to let the work speak for itself. We simply continue to ply the trade of creating “fake but accurate” news that we learned in journalism school, and at the feet of Dan Rather and The New York Times.
However, today we received the note below from an apparently “real” editor, and felt moved to respond. The following, both the email we received and our response, is non-satirical. (That means it is not satire.)
On Dec 28, 2006, at 10:08 PM, SF Bay View wrote:
Dear Scott,
I hope the story you wrote, “One Year Later, Some Katrina Victims Still Slow to Respond“, is satire and is not based on comments actually made by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. An excerpt from your story had been sent to me, and I forwarded it to this list, which is read by Katrina survivors and people who want to support them. I had thought the excerpt was authentic until just now, when I read the full story on your website and detected that the entire website is satire. I might not have been fooled (assuming the story IS satire) if I didn’t know Pelosi. But I do. I live in her district and know her as extremely cold and callous, often blaming the victim - just the way you portrayed her.
If your story is satire, please tell that to the people on this list. As you can see, your story has caused them immeasurable pain. Think for a moment how it would feel to be condemned by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the person next in line to become president of the U.S. if something should happen to the president and vice president … and a woman at that! We all expect a woman to have some empathy or at least some compassion.
To me and to the readers of our newspaper, Katrina survivors are heroes. Just having survived the worst catastrophe ever to hit the U.S. is heroic. And the fact that they are members of this email listserve, where every day they reach out from their own pain and loss and give material help, resources, encouragement and love to others in desperate need, is heroic. I even read on this list the last words tapped out by a man who then died from the Katrina floodwaters that had poisoned his body.
After reading these messages, I hope and expect that you will be moved to use your writing talent and your very impressive and obviously well read website to generate great waves of help and support for Katrina survivors. The members of this listserve can no doubt give you suggestions and guidance about how you can be most effective. We need you to be a hero too!
Mary Ratcliff
San Francisco Bay View
editor@sfbayview.com
www.sfbayview.com (badly hacked but coming back - soon)
The following is the non-satirical response from ScrappleFace editor-in-chief Scott Ott:
Dear Mary Ratcliff,
First, here’s a link to a site that contains dozens of links that provide ways for people to help Katrina survivors. May all who read this visit and give.
Your email address indicates you are an editor of something. Part of an editor’s job is to check sources before “going to press.” You clipped and pasted a bit forwarded to you from a satire website and sent it out as if it were something that Rep. Nancy Pelosi said. Now, you have asked me to write to this group of people (on a listserv) who have endured some of the harsh realities of life, that I might somehow atone for the confusion you have caused.
I embrace the opportunity.
In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, journalists sought someone to blame. They, predictably, found President George Bush was the best scapegoat. But in lashing out, yet again, at their favorite source of all discontent, they missed a bigger target. If anyone “out there” is to be blamed, it is the large, remote, centralized federal government which has become a surrogate father to so many millions of Americans.
Over the decades, we have ceded power, authority and responsibility to the federal government far beyond anything envisioned or desired by our founders. As a result, instead relying on our own intelligence, resources and ability to work with others in our communities to solve problems, we have turned to Washington D.C..
This is not a matter of ‘blaming the victim’, because the victim has become so immersed in this twisted view of human life that he cannot see what has happened. The federal government’s dehumanizing effect has torn up neighborhoods, torn apart families and turned brave, capable people into compliant recipients of redistributed wealth.
The problem is that the morsels of that wealth never provide enough to do anything other than keep folks in a perpetual state of dependence upon the State. Even if those morsels became chunks big enough to choke a horse, the dependency would remain. The federal government has become not only the safety net, it is everything from the crib blanket to the casket lining.
The danger of centralized government control is not that it robs a few dollars from rich people and gives them to the poor. It’s not even that such a bureaucratic behemoth spawns the waste of billions of dollars. After all, it’s just money.
No, the threat of this system is that it strips a man of what makes him a man, and turns him away from his inner resources, or the inclination to partner with neighbors to solve problems. It humiliates him, blinds him and ultimately cripples him.
Of course, when a government-built levee bursts, and a government-subsidized house is immersed, the natural, reasonable reaction of the displaced person is to turn to the government; both to blame for the disaster and to petition for relief. Many of the homes that were destroyed belonged to middle- and upper-class citizens as well, and yet still somehow even some of those people turned toward Washington to vent anger and cry out for restoration.
Sadly, the story that rarely gets told are the daily acts of bravery, fortitude and cooperation in dozens of communities where people — often through the agency of local churches — have pulled together in reliance upon each other and in a shared dependence upon superintending grace. Work crews that report to no one in Washington have poured into the region to cart off debris and help lay the foundations for a better future. Against all odds, many of the washed-out residents have worked long hours, endured separation from family and almost-overwhelming hardship in order to rebuild what the waters ravaged. These people are beyond number, and below the media radar.
Journalists, by habit, prefer stories they can receive from the tip of a spoon held by an “expert” or official. They, too, have turned to big government and have become dependent upon her for their sustenance. What most Americans know of the situation in the hurricane zone is only what TV or other news sources tell them. Most of that information comes from “authorities” in the government. The reporters have told us that the real story is all about the government’s response. They have largely ignored the responsible activities of thousands of unseen hands restoring towns, parks, homes and lives.
Success stories are buried. Tragedy is blared from the housetops. It’s a self-reinforcing cycle that further deepens dependence upon the government, and further strips the dignity of the person.
The victims of Katrina are not really the victims of Katrina herself. The tragedy began long before the hurricane hit.
Natural disasters have always happened and always will. While, mercifully, they don’t occur every day in every place, they are common enough that we ought to have an expectation that bad things can and will happen. We need to cultivate the inner resources in ourselves, our children and our neighborhoods to cope with the inevitable. When we cede that power and responsibility to the federal government, we surrender a part of what makes us human and leave ourselves more vulnerable to the tempest.
Whether you believe in God or not, you have surely experienced how the human soul sings when we gather in chorus to accomplish a great purpose in the midst of tragedy. It’s as if we were designed to work together with our family, friends and neighbors. There is a blessing in it that exceeds the penalty of the curse.
When my own community was hit by flooding some years ago, people stepped off their porches, shouldered sandbags, delivered meals, took in the homeless, wielded shovels against the muck, and generally helped each other in the task of restoration. As awful as that flood was, I will always remember it fondly, not for the harm it did to us and to our property, but for the good it did in us and in our community.
Our state-run schools and spoon-fed media have conditioned us to look to government. They’ve also trained us to take offense at any expression of love that doesn’t result in government intervention and redistribution of taxpayer dollars. ‘Compassion’ has been redefined as ‘entitlement’ and thus stripped of its power and utility.
The devastating impact of this mindset is the apparent withering of the individual spirit and of community cooperation which have been the hallmarks of this great nation.
But all is not yet lost, and perhaps not so much is lost as we have been led to believe.
Since what we know about America flows mostly from the media, we can be certain that most of what we know is just plain wrong, or at least atypical. My old journalism professor used to say, ‘News is coups, earthquakes and three-legged chickens.’
In other words, Walter Cronkite was exactly wrong to say ‘That’s the way it is.’ Journalists don’t report the truth about life. They are carnival barkers selling the unusual, the atypical, the freaks. And we continue to reward them for doing so.
The actual truth about life in our great Republic is quite different from the daily portrayals in the media.
Everywhere in this God-blessed America covert radicals roam, committing seemingly-random acts of kindness — unmonitored, untallied, uncontrolled, unshackled from the federal government. It is, in effect, a shadow government that we have set up for ourselves to promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty.
This decentralized movement of men and women accomplishes most of the great work of charity, compassion and community building. Their individual efforts are a drop in the bucket compared to the ocean of government largess, but in the aggregate and ultimate their service far exceeds anything that government can deliver.
In fact, the vast majority of Americans behave as if the federal government did not exist in their day-to-day lives. This underground movement is entirely healthy and necessary for the maintenance of our Republic and for our pursuit of happiness.
We don’t have time to blame anyone for our misfortunes. We’re too busy working to overcome them. We don’t have faith in some distant bureaucrat, rather we turn to the resources that God has placed near at hand. We lean on our brothers. Many of us call on our Father in our time of need, and He sends our neighbors who love us more than we love ourselves. Later, we will turn to our helpers when they need us and repay the debt, only to learn that no debt existed because acts of compassion shower blessings on giver and receiver alike.
We find these local (and spiritual) solutions not only adequate, but invigorating and inspiring because it is only when we are pressed hard by life that we discover there is more life in us, among us and beyond us than we had imagined in carefree hours.
Sincerely,
Scott Ott, editor
www.ScrappleFace.com
94 responses so far ↓
1 RedPepper // Dec 29, 2006 at 9:37 am
God Bless Us, Every One.
2 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 9:45 am
Amen, Scott. The perfect answer to an editor that has fallen into the trap of trying to blame someone else for their unprofessionalism in not either factchecking or vetting a quote themselves. That’s how we got the “Bush lied” meme. Shades of AP and Reuters! News editors don’t even blink an eye when they ceaselessly cite bogus atrocities in Iraq on the word of one “Captain Jamil Hussein” who apparently doesn’t even exist! That’s how we get stories about four mosques being torched when one was only lightly damaged and eight men being set on fire with kerosene - stories which have yet to be properly documented despite making headline news. Sheesh! Now you’ve become a news media scapegoat!
3 Libby Gone // Dec 29, 2006 at 9:46 am
Morning all,
Honestly, even with the satire, Scott you make more sense than the rest of the media. It’s because you cause us to think and laugh about the news. While I like to be informed I don’t waste my days worrying about what “So and So” is up to. If you can’t change it, laugh at it………
4 a440hz // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:13 am
SOMFAC!! (standing on my feet and clapping!)
Scott- Great job with this post. What an eloquent explanation not only of the virtues of a small federal government and personal responsibility, but of the need for compassionate people to help their fellow men. Virtues that I hold dear!
It’s not enough that we tout the small government thing; there is a need in our fallen world for the hands and feet of Christ to reach out to the lost and hurting. It is true religion that helps widows and orphans, as the book of James teaches.
Thanks for the great post.
Joe
5 chrisp // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:13 am
Well said, Scott. Great response. I hope Ms. Ratcliffe’s brain doesn’t explode after reading this. The points you’ve made may be too much for her to handle.
6 spd rdr // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:13 am
I wonder if she’ll run your response. Oh, wait it contains the word “God.” Forget about it.
7 bill-tb // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:14 am
We got hit by Katrina before New Orleans. Then later Wilma did a direct hit. Katrina winds were about 100 mph as it blew by, about what they had in New Orleans proper.
Wilma’s winds were 125+ mph sustained at our front door. But we at least had a house that could take most of it. Here it is a year later and we are still repairing. Today over the holidays it’s the front doors, which were badly damaged and initially patched up. Now the permanent fix, replacing.
So we are slowly working our way through the recovery, ourselves. The insurance covered some, but the deductible ruined that fairy tale. None of the lawn and the 100 yards of fill needed to replace what was washed away was covered.
We lost the rear lanai roofing and had to structurally rebuild it. Not trivial. Some roof damage but not fatal.
Fortunately we only had a few inches of water in the house, so most of the damage was down low. Almost all interior damage is now repaired. Paint and plaster is my trade, a steam cleaner is your friend.
The welfare state has learned a hard lesson, it’s the individual who is responsible for their own safety and most of their recovery. The state falls flat every time, makes an easy target for blaming, does nothing to fix the problem. The world does not have enough money to replace the efforts of millions.
And yes we evacuated inland, they said Wilma was going to be bad, we took them at their word. Glad we did. Florida must have different people, the numbers of hurricanes over 2004 and 2005 was much higher than a Katrina hit. All totaled Florida had over $30 billion in damages for 2004 and 2005.
BTW, up the road, Charlie’s debris still litters the area.
Scott, you keep it up, it’s obvious you hit them where it hurt. You make more sense than the ones who want to spread the New Orleans lifestyle ever will.
Back to work for me …
PS: No one in their right mind would live below sea level in a hurricane zone, government levee or no levee, just my 2 cents.
8 Beerme // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:15 am
This is my all-time favorite Scrappleface article! It so perfectly describes the situation in this country that needs fixing and the actual solution, while highlighting the fact that the problems in this country are daily being fixed by dedicated individuals and community efforts, that it makes me proud to be one of the “covert radicals”, Scott writes about!
Scott, you ROCK!
9 meadebros // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:27 am
Scott, this is a great New Year present. What really makes me chuckle is that the editor hoped that your original piece was a satire.! How we all wish it weren’t and that elosi had actually said those things. . . .
10 azredneck // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:43 am
cc: 535 Congress critters!!!
11 myword // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:48 am
Scott Ott for President - 2008 - puleeeeeeze! Bravo, Scott.
12 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:00 am
SCRAPPLEFACE EDITOR RESPONDS TO REAL(LY UNPROFESSIONAL) EDITOR.
Suckerpunched by a parody quote! Buwahahahahahaha!
13 Fred Sinclair // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:00 am
Great piece of work Scott - late in December and it is without question the best I’v read this year.
As I read your response I was brought recall Gulfport, Mississippi.
A very close friend and his wife, starting as soon as possible began work there, through their church here in Michigan. They have been back and forth dozens of times, a week of heavy work each of their trips. They are there again, even as I write. They tell me of the hundreds of folks they’ve met from all over America. Dozens and dozens of churches sending volunteers to help where they can.
I’m proud of my friends and they know I would be there with them if I could. Being disabled, my prayers are the best I can offer and all they have ever asked.
I can only wish that this piece could be printed on the front page of ever newspaper in America (and the world for that matter). This would be a much better world.
Thank you, Scott, for ‘making my day’.
Heirborn Ranger
14 robinwilson2 // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:01 am
First, I have to say that was some of the best writing I’ve read since Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense”… WOW!
Second, 2 days after Katrina cleared out of Louisiana and Mississippi, four youth ministers from the Austin, Texas area gathered up a trailer full of commercial kitchen equipment, a party awning (like a big tent without walls), and as much food, clothing and cleaning supplies as they could collect and headed toward the area. They drove along Interstate 10, to a little community in the heart of the worst devastation, Waveland, Mississippi. (Waveland was where the storm surge hit the highest level - 30+ feet, and was hit by the North-eastern quadrant of the eye-wall of Katrina - the most powerful part of the storm.) The four youth ministers didn’t know anyone there, but they found a parking lot of a grocery store (the store was swamped by the surge, and uninhabitable) and setup their awning and kitchen equipment in the parking lot. They began to serve food, and hand out supplies to whomever showed up. This was without any discussion with “officials” or even notification of folks in the area. Yet people began to come by and pick up essentials, and get some hot meals.
I arrived on the weekend with another trailer full of clothes, food, and supplies. By the time I got there, the entire parking lot was filled with “supplies” for the victims. (It was like a Walmart; clothing, cleaning supplies, food, toys, medical supplies, etc.) Just as I arrived, 2 Captains from the National Guard had stopped by to talk to the youth minister who was sort of “in charge”. They asked him if he needed anything. He said he could use some more generators, and some communications (the National Guard was setting up WiFi Internet connections so people could notify relatives that they were OK). But other than that, they had all the food, clothing, etc. that they needed. The two Captains asked him, “Where are you getting all the supplies from?” And the youth minister said: “It just shows up! We need stuff, and a truck pulls in and unloads it just as we need it.” The Captains asked who was staging all of the trucks and the youth minister’s reply was simply miraculous: “God is: because we don’t know the stuff is coming and we’ve never talked to any of the folks who bring it.” (A few minutes later, I witnessed this myself. An elderly gentleman asked me if we had any socks, since the pair he was wearing was all he had left. We were out of socks. But just as he was about to walk off, a guy in a Ryder truck from Pennsylvania pulled in and asked if we needed any underclothes - he had several boxes of brand new socks, underpants in all sizes, tee shirts, women’s undergarments, etc. The guy in the truck had loaded up in Pennsylvania and headed south. He stopped where we were for no other reason than it seemed “right” to him.)
After the National Guard Captains asked about what we “needed”, they asked about the food service we were offering. They asked the youth minister how many people he was serving. The youth minister replied: “Uh… I think a couple of thousand.” The Captains said: “since you’ve been here?” (Visibly impressed - since we had been setup for about 4 days at that point.) But the youth minister replied: “No, that’s per-day…” The Captains both had a confused and agog look on their faces. The youth minister continued: “We serve about 600 for breakfast, 1000+ for lunch, and 400-800 for dinner each day.” The Captains stammered that the Red Cross (setup with a professional food service rig) down the street was only able to serve about 250 people a day, and that was with the Guard’s assistance. (Before I left, several folks from the Guard, the local Police, and the State Police had started to visit our food line every day.)
One of the interesting things is that a group of “hippies” (actually they called themselves the “Rainbow Family” - look them up on Google - but they sort of maintained the lifestyle of what I knew in the 60’s and 70’s as “hippies”) joined our group in the parking lot and sort of took over the cooking duties. And they were simply _AMAZING_ cooks. They made meals fit for any fine restaurant from the most humble of ingredients (even without a normal compliment of “spices” and food choices). Every meal was different, and every meal had choices for different tastes. It was truly miraculous to behold.
The point of my comment is to reinforce Scott’s essay. God provided “manna from heaven” to feed his people, and folks who were obedient to Him went and helped their neighbors. I _KNOW_ I am blessed for the small effort I was able to put forward, and my blessings exceeded my efforts by many multiples. I can’t speak for anyone else there, but I suspect that they have experienced multiplied blessings as well. I stand in awe of my God, who not only provided for those people, but provided in abundance. More importantly, the people who’s lives were devastated by a horrible tragedy were able to see that they were still loved, and still cared for by a loving and compassionate God.
15 FM - VRWC (founding member - vast right wing conspiracy) // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:02 am
You write the most consistently excellent satire I have ever read, but your inspirational prose is also top shelf.
You should start a website or something so more people can read it.
16 sojourner // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:08 am
You have a gift, Scott, for getting to the meat of the matter. That by itself is exceptional. That you usually make us laugh at things that would normally exasperate us is quite incredible.
Today, you decided not to make us laugh, but in doing so, showed much more of the fallacy of big government. It would be great if lots of aspiring politicians and established politicians read your words of wit and wisdom and changed the course of this special country, this “city on a hill”.
Thank you for keeping the fight going, and not just letting the politically correct and nanny government triumph. May God bless you and our country!
17 Reverend Martin Luther King Junior // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:08 am
Scott:
I think this may be the single finest thing you’ve ever written, and that’s saying quite a bit.
Best,
Cassandra
18 Lorilei // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:18 am
Very well said Scott! We too experienced Katrina and Wilma last year in south FL and it was the most wonderful thing to see how a neighbors can come together to help each other out cleaning up the downed trees and debris. It was not every man for himself sitting and waiting for help. When everyone works together to help each other a lot can be achieved, and it is so ever satisfying. After a week without power, a man from 2 blocks away drove down the street with his pickup truck loaded with bags of ice and was offering them to anyone who needed to refill their coolers. I didn’t even know this man…that was just the coolest thing!
19 CalGirl // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:25 am
Yep, like I have said many times before, Mr. Ott should be writing speeches for people in the White House. His reality is even better than his satire, which is saying something.
20 ric ottaiano // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:33 am
Scott: you are dead on and i appreciate reading something so heartfelt, articulate and inspiring. please keep up your great work.
21 JamesonLewis3rd // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:51 am
Well said, Scott.
In my opinion, you gave the Email more respect than it deserved, but that’s just one of the many things that makes you a far better man than me.
One look at the website, San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper, gives context to the letter from the so-called “editor”-particularly the subsection entitled “New Orleans: Gentrification by Genocide” a little ways down on the left side. There you will find literally dozens of broken-linked articles and, well, just reading the article headings will tell you all you need to know about the agenda of the so-called “editor.”
Looking at the broken-linked article headings on the right side of the page is even more revealing.
I find it quite pathetically amusing, personally, that these “victims” of a satirical jab at Nancy Pelosi (if, in fact, they even exist) would broadcast their pathological self-victimization mania to the world. I would be mortified to display my ignorance in such a way.
This so-called “editor” should be ashamed. This so-called “editor” should be apologizing to those alleged “victims” of her “listserv,” if they exist. This so-called “editor” should learn how to use the Internet for, at a minimum, verification before jumping to conclusions. This so-called “editor” should be smacking her forehead and saying, “D’oh! You had me going there for a second,” rather than looking for yet another person to BLAME.
My opinion: This “controversy” is concocted from whole cloth.
22 Richard of Oregon // Dec 29, 2006 at 11:58 am
I enjoy your satire, but your serious essays are fantastic!
I would like to see a little more of your serious side.
23 mig // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Scott this is absolutley the best!
I say we should all write a letter to the editor, tisk tisk! Goes to show anyone can have a paper, and call themselves an editor… But it takes great talent to get anyone to read it.
Scott I love you! THE BEST!!
24 puzzletop // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Way to go Scott.
Standing up to power and rebuking the “truth tellers.” I love the idea of saying that Cronkite got it wrong and that is NOT ‘that’s the way it is.’. then calling journalists carnival barkers was the icing on the cake. You just couldn’t leave it there so you go on and mention God as the Father who bestows our blessings. I don’t know if that San Fran editor will understand that but it was “right between the eyes”. This was great. You wrote it so elequently and encouraged so many of us to take up the cause of telling the truth and not the news we were told.
25 SassaFrassin.com » Awesome // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:14 pm
[...] Today he daparts - most excellently - from his usual satire to respond to a news editor regarding Scott’s satirical piece on “One Year Later, Some Katrina Victims Still Slow to Respond.” The editor, confused, had clipped Scott’s piece and forwarded it to a list group, whose members, not understanding Scott’s satire, took offense. [...]
26 The Anchoress » Tim Robbins’ “chill wind” blows via Pelosi et al // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:16 pm
[...] Also, Scott Ott writes a real - not satirical - letter to an editor. [...]
27 SeaDog // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:19 pm
What can I say, Scott? You have written the analysis of where our Country has been headed for the last 70 years, in a near-perfect way. This document should be posted in every public place for the people to see. Maybe then, a reversal of the brain-washing could begin. I fear it will take decades to return our Nation to its former greatness, and I fear that it will be at least 2 years before we will even be able to begin. I intend to send this to everyone I know.
28 iron mike // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:26 pm
That was beautiful man (sniff, sniff). Your letter was inspiring but it is sad to think the points you mentioned actually have to be made. There are people out there who would never leave the public teat but spend all their energy complaining about the monotonous diet.
29 A Crippled Society at Being Right is Not Wrong // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:28 pm
[...] Read the full post here. [...]
30 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Deconstructing moonbat lies regarding photo of John Kerry over at Powerlineblog.
Moonbats (and liberal lamestream media editors) will twist “facts” in the darkest way, bolstered by any number of conspiracy theories. Their view of “Occam’s Razor” is not using the simplest explanation but rather using the darkest explanation that fits the real facts.
The “religion of peace” is at it again. Where’s the outrage from “moderate” Muslims?
This is how you deal with Islamists, raw merciless force. Get a clue Iraq Surrender Group.
BTW, my prediction: Saddam dead by weekend … liberals decry capital punishment saying the rights Saddam denied others during his reign were denied him by Iraqi court of law!
31 Ms RightWing, Ink // Dec 29, 2006 at 1:31 pm
It took a long time to get on Scrapple today and I see why. Bravo x mc2.
I hope those words are someday put on a permanent marker where our socialistic school children can read them and be amazed such independence still exists
32 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 1:33 pm
The Purpose-Driven Lie
The lamestream media’s “America’s pastor”, Rick Warren, is caught obfuscating about his betrayal of Christians who suffer under the Syrian government. Check out the various links at the end of the news alert.
Though Mr. Warren claims he has been mischaracterized by the western media based on the original news report from the Syrian media, an audio link all but proves Mr. Warren is either in denial or in a CYA mode. I’m sure Warren apologists are now on the warpath like they were on an earlier Scrappleface thread regarding “America’s pastor”.
Why is the liberal media’s token evangelical smoozing up to Islamic dictators instead of holding them accountable for the atrocities committed upon Christians in the name of Islamic governments and Allah?
33 Jack Olson // Dec 29, 2006 at 1:35 pm
I couldn’t find out much about Mary Ratcliff from the website she mentioned, but I can tell from her letter that she is an ignoramus. According to her, Katrina was the worst natural disaster in American history. How could any newspaper editor in San Francisco not know that the earthquake there in 1906 killed three thousand people-three times as many as Hurricane Katrina?
Katrina wasn’t even the worst hurricane. According to my encyclopedia, the 1900 hurricane in Galveston, Texas, killed 6,000 people, which is several times as many as Katrina.
The SF Bayview’s website proudly announces that somebody called it the best black newspaper in the country. That’s an even bigger lie than what Ratcliff wrote about Hurricane Katrina.
34 Hawkeye // Dec 29, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Most excellent post Sir Scott… and through your amazingly accurate analysis, the Holy Spirit has convicted me of my need to do more to help those less fortunate. God’s Blessings be upon you my friend.
Regards…
35 gafisher // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Stunningly well done, Scott.
36 markyunque // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:27 pm
I am read Scrappleface religiously (food, clothing, scrappleface, shelter) and really enjoy the satire. Your response shows what I often thought, you need to be really smart to write good satire. I am going to print off your response, frame it and perhaps have it tattooed. Thanks.
37 CatHouse Chat // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Scrappleface hits it out of the park!…
…
38 Scott Ott // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:35 pm
ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor…
To: ScrappleFace ReadersFr: Scott Ott, editor, ScrappleFace.comIn the four and a half years since ScrappleFace began, my little satirical stories have reached millions of people. Those who read them on the website, for the most part, understand the……
39 Sites That Don’t Suck» Blog Archive » Mandatory reading of the year // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:58 pm
[...] To: ScrappleFace Readers Fr: Scott Ott, editor, ScrappleFace.com You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. RSS 2.0 [...]
40 woodnwheel // Dec 29, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Rather than repeat a lot of what has already been said, let me just echo the words of a pastor I used to know of (I won’t say where to protect his anonymity):
“Amen and amen and amen!”
41 The World According to Nick - Better Than I Could Ever Have Said It // Dec 29, 2006 at 3:22 pm
[...] at 14:21 by Nick | No Comments | Add to del.icio.us | Digg this Post | Filed Under:Politics [...]
42 Fred Sinclair // Dec 29, 2006 at 3:25 pm
I’ve just finished reading the 2nd best thing I’ve read this year on Scotts subject today with Scott’s being the 1st best - a tad long for posting - I’ll send it to anyone who would like it and perhaps feel like posting it anyway. (It’s really that good).
heirborn_ranger@sbcglobal.net
November 20, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern By Craig R. Smith C 2006
Heirborn Ranger
43 RedPepper // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:32 pm
I don’t recall another thread that moved so many different Scrapplers to comment. I think that in itself says something …
Thnk you, Scott.
44 RedPepper // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:34 pm
And thanks again …
45 spd rdr // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Well written and well argued, Scott. You would make a darned fine journalist is if wasn’t for your ethics.
Happy New Year to you and to Scrapplers everywhere.
-spd rdr
(whose login is busted)
46 lgeis // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:52 pm
A+, Scott, and hopefully not just pearls before sw…ummm…
47 Gop3.com: The Triumvirate » Blog Archive » This is what America is all about… // Dec 29, 2006 at 5:13 pm
[...] Rarely does a typed message generate withing in me the kind of gusto for God and country that Scott Ott’s recent response piece to a San Francisco editor. This largely sums up not only the slippery slope that our country is sliding down but, the everyday heros that pick eachother up and work to preserve the way America was meant to be. Here are some of my favorite portions, please read the whole article and be prepared to feel inspired. (first linked in the Gop3.com Rapid Links before this post) In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, journalists sought someone to blame. They, predictably, found President George Bush was the best scapegoat. But in lashing out, yet again, at their favorite source of all discontent, they missed a bigger target. If anyone “out there†is to be blamed, it is the large, remote, centralized federal government which has become a surrogate father to so many millions of Americans. [...]
48 onlineanalyst // Dec 29, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Excellent prose, Maestro Ott. Your message appeals to the head, the heart, and the soul. It definitely is one of my “saves” and forwards.
49 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Mary Ratcliff does deserve some credit, she actually nailed Nancy Pelosi (D-Moon) perfectly:
I had thought the excerpt was authentic until just now, when I read the full story on your website and detected that the entire website is satire. I might not have been fooled (assuming the story IS satire) if I didn’t know Pelosi. But I do. I live in her district and know her as extremely cold and callous, often blaming the victim - just the way you portrayed her.
I bet Mary still voted for her. Just a hunch.
50 MathMom // Dec 29, 2006 at 5:54 pm
testing
51 MathMom // Dec 29, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Ahh. That’s better.
Woot! Quite the smackdown, Scott! I am pleased that first you took her to task for sending your stuff around then asking you to mop up the hurt feelings. But you may have given her a view of a world she had never before imagined.
After Little Nancy Pelosi became Speaker and was toying with putting Alcee Hastings somewhere besides prison, I tried to write to her to express my opposition to that appointment. My email was refused, because I am not in her district. I did receive an email saying if I wanted to learn more about Little Nancy Pelosi I could visit her website blah blah.
Well, though I know enough about Little Nancy Pelosi, and felt that she should know about me, since she now directly affects my life, I went to the website thinking there would be a way to send another message. There is only a form you can fill out if the website is not working. I looked for a way to contact her for 30 minutes, but she is more the “I’ll talk, you listen” sort, it appears.
There is a form you can fill out to tell the world about how government has helped you, however. When I wandered around the site, I felt like I was in a foreign country and was not well versed on the customs of this strange place. Hard to describe, actually.
And now, Scott has written a nice tutorial for all those on the listserv, as well as the clueless “editor”, so that they might get a taste of conservative thought. It might make some heads explode, however…
Again, I say, WOOT!!!
52 Dasher // Dec 29, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Scott — All I can say is, Wow! What an outstanding response you made to this “editor”. Food for thought for all Americans.
53 This is what America is all about… at Conservative Times--Republican GOP news source. // Dec 29, 2006 at 6:08 pm
[...] Rarely does a typed message generate within me the kind of gusto for God and country that Scott Ott’s recent response piece to a San Francisco editor has. This article largely sums up not only the slippery slope that our country is sliding down but, the everyday heros that pick eachother up and work to preserve the way America was meant to be. Here are some of my favorite portions, please read the whole article and be prepared to feel inspired. (first linked in the Gop3.com Rapid Links before this post) In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, journalists sought someone to blame. They, predictably, found President George Bush was the best scapegoat. But in lashing out, yet again, at their favorite source of all discontent, they missed a bigger target. If anyone “out there†is to be blamed, it is the large, remote, centralized federal government which has become a surrogate father to so many millions of Americans. [...]
54 conserve-a-tips // Dec 29, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I am typing in the dark on I-40, heading for home after a week with my very liberal parents and I can’t believe the awesomeness of this piece Scott…it addresses, so eloquently, the very discussions that I endured for the past few days. Thank you so much for your words. I am not cutting and pasting, but sending the WHOLE thing to my relatives and I will let the chips fall where they may. God bless you and your silver pen.
And to the rest - Hi! I’ve missed getting to check in with you everyday. BTW, if you are interested there is an interesting discussion on Rick Warren going on Worldnetdaily.com (I am going to have to just put in the full address because I am typing in the dark and don’t want to fool with tags in case of making a mistake) at: http://forums.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=21&forumPage=1 The discussion is the result of Warren’s subtle declaration of war on Joseph Farrah in Christianity Today.
55 Solomonia // Dec 29, 2006 at 8:29 pm
ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor…
But it’s no joke. Absolutely excellent. [via Soccer Dad (who has a lot of other links)]……
56 GnuCarSmell // Dec 29, 2006 at 8:45 pm
A very fine manifesto, Mr. Ott! I go out of town for Christmas and return to discover my favorite satirist is also a superb essayist. Well done, sir. (My only regret is the “immeasurable pain” you caused Ms. Ratcliff’s readers, poor babies.)
57 Godfrey // Dec 29, 2006 at 8:47 pm
Katrina survivors are heroes.
That’s the very height of absurdity. Victims aren’t heroes, they’re victims. And two years after a natural disaster, if they’re still looking for handouts, they’re bums.
Very nice piece, Scott, although you seem to have forgotten the cardinal writer’s rule. Namely, that brevity is the soul of wit.
Not that I have room to talk.
58 mig // Dec 29, 2006 at 8:57 pm
I have reread this three times! It is so awesome. I love that “crib blanket to casket linning.”
I marvel at your talent Scott.
59 Darthmeister // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:53 pm
That’s the very height of absurdity. Victims aren’t heroes, they’re victims. And two years after a natural disaster, if they’re still looking for handouts, they’re bums.
Dittos! The real heroes were the men in the Armed Forces rescuing many of these people from their housetops because they refused to leave or expected government to bail them out and stayed too long. The other heroes were the Christians and other philanthropists who within days acted as real first responders when the local, state and federal governments failed to act in time to feed and clothe these people.
60 Chapomatic » // Dec 29, 2006 at 10:58 pm
[...] Scott Ott of Scrappleface gets all serious on us. [...]
61 Rvee01 // Dec 30, 2006 at 12:48 am
Great!!! This should be mandatory reading in every school, and definitely in Political Science courses.
62 popeye123 // Dec 30, 2006 at 1:49 am
Scott, If ever there was any doubt that you are truly inspired by the creator of the universe and all that exists therein, this letter should dispell those doubts completely.I know that you are inspired by the almighty. I just wonder if you felt the power coming through when you were writing. I know I felt the power when reading it. All I can say sir is this is truly amazing and worthy of printing and framing. I mean nailed on every point. Without question one of your best ever! May God continue to keep and bless you. Happy new year Scrapplers!
63 hford42 // Dec 30, 2006 at 2:09 am
I salute you, Sir. You indeed have a grasp on the real American and the real America and have developed as a true wordsmith. Thank you for sharing your response with all of us.
64 everthink // Dec 30, 2006 at 2:24 am
Hateful, even evil, characterizations of political opponents is bad enough, but I believe it is wrong to put words within quotation marks, and then to attribute those words to another person falsely. I believe it bears false witness. It is not satire; it is a lie! However poorly you think of me here, I will never do that to another person (again).
On the one hand, you of the “religious right†can’t seem to satisfy your desire for a theocracy when it comes to exerting your control over others; but, you insist on a separation of church and state with it comes to demonstrating governmental Christian Agape; no wonder so many in the world think you are hypocrites!
65 MargeinMI // Dec 30, 2006 at 6:12 am
Scott, You’ve captured the spirit of what it is to be American brilliantly!
As I reread, I’m finding it more and more difficult to pick my favorite paragraph. Is it the bounty and blessing we receive when we help others? Is it the belief that we help ourselves before looking to government? (Any sane person I know dreads any interaction with the government!) Is it the spot on observation that media and government perpetuate the victim status? I could go on…
I can’t decide. I guess I’ll just digest it as a whole and most satisfying meal.
God bless you, Scott. You are a treasure!
66 mig // Dec 30, 2006 at 8:33 am
Oh ET-
“So many of the world”… come on. You sound like a second grader. (Quotation marks used in full compliance with ET’s commanding post.)
67 allan37 // Dec 30, 2006 at 8:41 am
Does this editor know how atypical she is being. Blaming someone else for her mistakes. People like her are the reason for the need for satire. Satire is creeping towards reality,or is it the reverse. Allan
68 seneuba // Dec 30, 2006 at 8:55 am
Scott,
Amen and amen! It’s obvious in the posts above and in your (likely) very full inbox that you are greatly loved and appreciated. Know this: your work has a great impact - Kingdom Impact. You bring relief, encouragement, insight, and a heartly laugh to so many through Scrappeface. You are indeed a blessing.
Sure, there are people lurking about casting stones, sowing seeds of discord, and not edifying each other. But Satan, who currently roams this the earth, continues to deceive and kill and destroy. We will pray for the truth to be revealed to them and that they will be saved.
Our hope is in the God whom we serve - He offers a greater love and greater grace. And He reminds us in His Word that He has overcome this world and offers His victory freely to all who would receive it.
Blessings to you Scott!
And Happy New Year to all Scrapplers out there!
69 Harry Daschle // Dec 30, 2006 at 9:04 am
Simply GREAT, Scott!
The real irony is more people probably read this “real editor’s” tripe, while not near enough get your inciteful words Scott!
Oh and imagine the troll being outraged by quotes on a fake story when the liberal left does nothing but lie and bear false witness everyday!
Reminds me of a couple of brothers I used to work with. One would tell a tale then laugh like the dickens to let you know it was a joke, (like Scott), the other one would tell a whopper, then SWEAR to it, (like the left wing loons, including trolls that feign outrage!
70 everthink // Dec 30, 2006 at 12:49 pm
mig:
Actually, I said: “so many IN the world”; but, I guess I’d be wrong to make a big deal out of your quotation marks, even though it does completely change my meaning. I guess that must be satire, too.
Thanks though, your comments are kinder than I expected. As a child, I did fail the second grade. I hoped I had moved past that, by now.
71 Daily Pundit » Local Editor Angling for Job As NYT Propaganda Hack // Dec 30, 2006 at 1:22 pm
[...] Scott Ott responds to its somewhat confused editor. (Hat tip: fellow San Franciscan WC Varones). These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
72 Beerme // Dec 30, 2006 at 2:19 pm
“It is not satire; it is a lie! However poorly you think of me here, I will never do that to another person (again).”
A lecture on ethics from Dirty Sanchez?
I think not.
73 who’s to blame for our imminent war against Iran? at infotainment rules // Dec 30, 2006 at 5:18 pm
[...] {{reader advisory: please read “ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor” in its entirety—which I hereby nominate as the Best Blog Post of 2006—and memorize its contents before proceeding to read the post that follows}} [...]
74 everthink // Dec 30, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Once again Beerme,
I am not Liger, or Dirty Sanchez, or Cleveland Steamer! I am Everthink, Laughing@You, Laugh@This, and Bravo39.
I would have no problem in telling you, if I were anyone else.
75 links for 2006-12-31 « Steve Miller’s Blog // Dec 30, 2006 at 11:22 pm
[...] ScrappleFace » ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor (tags: opinion politics conservative) [...]
76 ZardozZ News & Satire // Dec 30, 2006 at 11:43 pm
ScrappleFace Responds to San Francisco Bay View .C…
It is not often that one finds a satirist and freelance writer who can eloquently articulate the problems facing modern journalism in the world of instant media communications. Scott Ott over at ScrappleFace, a first rate satirist in his own right ha…..
77 The Liberty Papers»Blog Archive » Our “Shadow Government” // Dec 31, 2006 at 3:17 am
[...] Read the whole thing, it’s worth it. [...]
78 mtpolitics.net » Blog Archives » Well Said // Dec 31, 2006 at 10:15 am
[...] about responsible journalism, among other things. Posted by Craig in Blogosphere | Trackback | del.icio.us | Top OfPage [...]
79 Pursuing Holiness » Blog Archive » ScrappleFace on Katrina and Big Government // Dec 31, 2006 at 11:38 am
[...] We knew Scott Ott was brilliant, as his many parodies have so deftly illustrated. But this thoughtful and non-satirical post in response to an editor’s query about a Katrina parody is something everyone should read. Ott’s reply to the editor is a sensitive, thoughtful, and damning indictment of society, government, and the media. Here’s a sample: The victims of Katrina are not really the victims of Katrina herself. The tragedy began long before the hurricane hit. [...]
80 da Bunny // Dec 31, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Scott, this is one of your most brilliant articles to date! God Bless you, good man!! This one is a “keeper.”
81 pauldow // Jan 1, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Scott, I really enjoy reading your work (and I bought the book too.) I was wondering if you’ve heard back from Ms. Ratcliff or any of the readers on that listserv. It would be interesting to know what the reaction was.
82 Hang Right Politics - Archives » Random Blogging Thoughts part 3 // Jan 1, 2007 at 2:37 pm
[...] Three. Profound wisdom from Scott Ott, A.K.A. Scrappleface: “Walter Cronkite was exactly wrong to say ‘That’s the way it is.’ Journalists don’t report the truth about life. They are carnival barkers selling the unusual, the atypical, the freaks. And we continue to reward them for doing so. The actual truth about life in our great Republic is quite different from the daily portrayals in the media.†Read the whole piece (and it isn’t a usual Scrappleface parody). Four. One of my favorite cartoon strips, FoxTrot, ended its weekly run on Dec. 30. Bill Amend will continue to draw Sunday FoxTrot strips, but he said that “after spending close to half of my life writing and drawing FoxTrot cartoons, I think it’s time I got out of the house and tried some new things.†[...]
83 Krusty // Jan 1, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Well said, Scott, well said. Your satire is great, but your non-satirical writing is truly inspirational.
84 Amoritaspice // Jan 1, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I understand your disillusionment, however not everyone living off the government is looking for a handout. I am an Iraqi veteran and a Hurricane Katrina survivor. I never got anything from FEMA for my destroyed home. I was still in the US Navy Seabees helping out at that time. I do believe that people and churches do not get the recognition they deserve. BUT a LIE is a LIE. If she didn’t say it, it is a lie. It is harder for me to know these things because I have a brain injury from Iraq. I take things more literal. I do not believe that it is the governments problem that people can be lazy. There are lazy people everywhere. Some people in any country would rather starve than help themselves. It is not because of the government. People who believe that are disillusioned.
85 Beerme // Jan 2, 2007 at 12:07 pm
OK, L@Y, et.al.,
I will never call you Dirty Sanchez (again)…
See how much better that makes you feel?
86 Beerme // Jan 2, 2007 at 12:08 pm
push…
87 seawitch // Jan 2, 2007 at 2:00 pm
As someone who lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I find both of Scott’s posts appropriate. While we have needed much federal aid(it’s kinda of hard to deal with over a 100,000 homes that were either destroyed outright or had to demolished later), we all have pitched in. It’s been the volounteer and church groups that have helped us the most.
The media has largely ignored the story of us in Mississippi. Perhaps it is that can-do spirit that causes us not to make the news. After all, how many Americans want to see their follow Americans standing in front of their demolished homes saying, we’ll rebuild, we’ll better and stronger in few years? Just watch us.
That’s the way the vast majority of us on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have responded. I’m sure there are just as many in New Orleans whose story hasn’t been told who have the same spirit. In fact, I can give you a few names like Royal, Mark, Paul, etc. And others in places like Delcambre, there’s Rocky and Derek. In Mississippi, there’s Arny, Brian, Trudy, Shannon, Denise, Mike, Dale, and countless others.
Sadly, their stories aren’t being told. I try my best to post about those I know and those I have seen come to Mississippi and work grueling hours to clean the mud, mold, & mildew. The volunteers have kept our hope up and give us the courage to keep going.
88 Scott Ott on the Nanny State « Pieces of the Puzzle // Jan 10, 2007 at 12:42 pm
[...] Scott Ott on the Nanny State I’ve never heard this stated better in my life. [...]
89 Entitlement Mentality | Ocean Guy // Jun 16, 2007 at 10:27 am
[...] Instead of correcting her mistake, Mary Ratcliff writes to Scott Ott and asks him to straighten it out… That’s right, she, Mary Ratcliff, blamed the satirist for her own ignorance. [...]
90 Don’t Blame Bush for Katrina! // Sep 28, 2007 at 12:48 am
[...] shouldn't have been counting on the Federal Government in the first place. According to This [...]
91 scrappleface // Mar 27, 2008 at 7:53 am
[...] a Pelosi fave or "phased redeployment" or "refocus America’www.crosstabs.orgScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real EditorScott Ott delivers honest, moving and NON-satirical response to a Bay-area news editor’s misguided [...]
92 who’s to blame for our imminent war against Iran? « the infotainment follies // Jun 15, 2008 at 9:46 am
[...] Posted in Uncategorized by veronica on December 30th, 2006 {{reader advisory: please read “ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor†in its entirety—which I hereby nominate as the Best Blog Post of 2006—and memorize its contents [...]
93 who’s to blame for our imminent war against Iran? « the stories of our lives // Jun 17, 2008 at 9:55 am
[...] Filed under: Uncategorized — hepzeeba @ 4:20 pm {{reader advisory: please read “ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor†in its entirety—which I hereby nominate as the Best Blog Post of 2006—and memorize its contents [...]
94 who’s to blame for our imminent war against Iran? « infotainment still rules // Jun 18, 2009 at 5:48 pm
[...] to blame for our imminent war against Iran? By author {{reader advisory: please read “ScrappleFace Editor Responds to Real Editor” in its entirety—which I hereby nominate as the Best Blog Post of 2006—and memorize its contents [...]
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