My Ears Are Ringing

February 15, 2008
9:21 AM CST

...and among the vast majority of my Men Readers, yours should be too:

There is one group no one has recognized, and it is the group that will decide the election: the Angry White Man. The Angry White Man comes from all economic backgrounds, from dirt-poor to filthy rich. He represents all geographic areas in America, from urban sophisticate to rural redneck, deep South to mountain West, left Coast to Eastern Seaboard.

His common traits are that he isn’t looking for anything from anyone — just the promise to be able to make his own way on a level playing field. In many cases, he is an independent businessman and employs several people. He pays more than his share of taxes and works hard.

The victimhood syndrome buzzwords — “disenfranchised,” “marginalized” and “voiceless” — don’t resonate with him. “Press ‘one’ for English” is a curse-word to him. He’s used to picking up the tab, whether it’s the company Christmas party, three sets of braces, three college educations or a beautiful wedding.

He believes the Constitution is to be interpreted literally, not as a “living document” open to the whims and vagaries of a panel of judges who have never worked an honest day in their lives.

The Angry White Man owns firearms, and he’s willing to pick up a gun to defend his home and his country. He is willing to lay down his life to defend the freedom and safety of others, and the thought of killing someone who needs killing really doesn’t bother him.

The Angry White Man is not a metrosexual, a homosexual or a victim. Nobody like him drowned in Hurricane Katrina — he got his people together and got the hell out, then went back in to rescue those too helpless and stupid to help themselves, often as a police officer, a National Guard soldier or a volunteer firefighter.

His last name and religion don’t matter. His background might be Italian, English, Polish, German, Slavic, Irish, or Russian, and he might have Cherokee, Mexican, or Puerto Rican mixed in, but he considers himself a white American.

Add more than a few angry Black men who have escaped the Liberal Plantation, and fit in all the above categories, and you probably have about 99% of my male Readers.

Hell, I’m willing to bet that most of my Lady Readers fit the above description pretty well, too.

Hubba hubba.

Thanks to Reader Bart S. for the link.

-----------------------------------------

Update: The Mrs. adds her thoughts.

Comments

Bottom of Comments | Original Post

Speaking as an angry white male gun owning conservative college graduate redneck, can I vote for “none of the above”?  Can we add guillotines to the trees and ropes available for politicians?

And did anyone notice the recent testimony by college students concerning the effectiveness of Gun Free Zones during the most recent colllege wacko ("off his meds") shooting at No. Illinois Univ.?  These are direct quotes from students who were in the lecture hall when the shooting started.  Definitely a recommendation for calling 911 on your cell phone and waiting calmly for the authorities to arrive and save you:

Allyse Jerome, 19, said she “felt like an open target. ... I thought for sure he was gonna get me.”
Lauren Carr, 20:  “I said I could get up and run or I could die here.”
John Giovanni, 20 said “the gunman fired calmly at the greatest concentration of students.”
Yepper, yepper, another wonderful story about making students feel safe, knowing that they are in a Gun Free Zone (aka target rich environment) where they don’t have to worry about any eeevil gun owner with a concealed carry permit making them feel bad, or accidentally shooting someone.  All they had to worry about was a nutjob WITHOUT a carry permit, who was shooting them deliberately.  I am sure this made them feel MUCH safer.  Yeah, and now Barack Obama has called for ending the “culture of guns” in this country.  THAT will help.

Hey Kim, aren’t you glad you left the People’s Republic of Daley (oops, Illinois)?

Author ID: 8099 | 2/15/2008 09:56 AM CST | #113283


I would add one thing to the description of the angry white man.  He doesn’t have a burning need to be classified as part of a group.

Author ID: 86 | 2/15/2008 10:03 AM CST | #113288


He also votes, and the Angry White Man loathes Hillary Clinton. Her voice reminds him of a shovel scraping a rock. He recoils at the mere sight of her on television. Her very image disgusts him, and he cannot fathom why anyone would want her as their leader. It’s not that she is a woman. It’s that she is who she is. It’s the liberal victim groups she panders to, the “poor me” attitude that she represents, her inability to give a straight answer to an honest question, his tax dollars that she wants to give to people who refuse to do anything for themselves.

And that’s the only reason that McCain stands any chance at all.  Because regardless of their actual policies, Obama doesn’t cause that reaction.

Author ID: 8330 | 2/15/2008 10:22 AM CST | #113290


I would add one thing to the description of the angry white man.  He doesn’t have a burning need to be classified as part of a group.

....and feels that grouping furthers the whole discrimination thing in general. When are we just going to be “Americans”?

Author ID: 6879 | 2/15/2008 10:26 AM CST | #113291


Amen, brothers and sisters, amen.
And it’s going to get worse. And it might not get any better.

Oh, and by the way- America, stop shopping in WalMart. You’re going to kill us all if you persist in indulging in this noxious habit.

Author ID: 8614 | 2/15/2008 10:26 AM CST | #113292


Amen.  Just… Amen.

I agree with Steve L.  I don’t feel a need to be identified by any particular group.  I’m not some singular entity.  I’m a geek, I’m a white guy, I’m a student, a writer, a conservative, a gun owner.  But if someone asked me to pick one group, I’d tell them to fuck off. 

I will never understand how, for example, liberal blacks (and its only liberal blacks—they don’t invite conservative blacks to the party) are so intent on being identified by their race.  I’ll never understand why female politicians have to make such a stink about their genitals (pun intended). 

Though, it would be hilarious if Hillary were the eventual nominee, and someone asked McCain (spit) why he’d be a better president, and he said, “My dick is bigger than hers.”

Then I might actually vote for him with a smile.  (Sorry, was that too crass?)

Author ID: 7717 | 2/15/2008 10:48 AM CST | #113296


I hate to remind people of this, but John McCain fits this description pretty well.

And I suspect that has been part of his appeal.

Author ID: 200 | 2/15/2008 10:49 AM CST | #113297


Hillary wants to go after corporate America to make sure they pay (what ever she decides is) their fair share,all so she can fund her giveaway programs.She also wants to take more from those making $100k or more,again to pay for a redistribution of wealth.Think my measly $65k(with both of us working full time) a year will be safe?I don’t.Even if the commieratbastardbitch doesn’t touch me directly,the cost of the things in my lifestyle is liable to increase so much that the effect would be the same.
Yes I would fit the AWM mold.I just hope the revolution comes while I’m still young enough to make a difference.

Author ID: 9658 | 2/15/2008 11:08 AM CST | #113298


Just think of who you want in charge of the most powerful military force on the face of the earth.

< CRINGE >

Author ID: 2187 | 2/15/2008 11:15 AM CST | #113300


Though, it would be hilarious if Hillary were the eventual nominee, and someone asked McCain (spit) why he’d be a better president, and he said, “My dick is bigger than hers.”

I’d advise him to be sure before making such a claim.

Author ID: 7384 | 2/15/2008 11:27 AM CST | #113302


I do object to the opinion’s depiction of the NRA as 4 million angry white men, though....

Author ID: 2586 | 2/15/2008 12:13 PM CST | #113308


I would say that description fits MOST of the modern American military, male and female. That is why so many of us despised slick willy back in the 90’s and find his creepy wife even more loathsome.

Author ID: 8320 | 2/15/2008 12:19 PM CST | #113312


count me in amoung the angry white males.And whatta you MEAN we can’t claim “group membership”?you mean I can’t be an angry German/scots Irish/Albanian/American Indian-American anymore?

Author ID: 8957 | 2/15/2008 12:44 PM CST | #113314


I haven’t read the whole piece, just what Kim quoted.... to me the excerpt boils down to:

grownup

So the grownups are finally going to be the deciding force in an election? Somehow I doubt it.

Author ID: 362 | 2/15/2008 12:54 PM CST | #113318


A McCain v. Clinton Throw Down? I don’t want to see either, uh, members, er…

Getting angrier by the day…

Author ID: 10034 | 2/15/2008 01:04 PM CST | #113321


Aspen?  Wow.  Maybe Colorado goes back on the list with Idaho and New Hampshire, for “Where do we go when we win the lottery.”
.

Author ID: 6570 | 2/15/2008 01:18 PM CST | #113324


On one hand, Clinton would likely be resoundingly beaten by McCain.

On the other hand, Obama will likely squash McCain.

Clinton and Obama are terrifying, but McCain isn’t much better, if at all. Any such determination would come down to a very “nuanced”, weighed, characteristic and issue rating system, I think. Which doesn’t really set one’s self apart.

So do I want to see Hillary or Obama win the Democrat ticket? In other words, do I want to see McCain or Obama as the next President? Damn that’s a hard choice.

Author ID: 8152 | 2/15/2008 01:33 PM CST | #113326


In Robert Heinlein’s universe, the Angry White Man is known as the Competent Man:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competent_Man

Look at the quote by Lazarus Long; how many of us can do all those things?

Author ID: 10866 | 2/15/2008 01:54 PM CST | #113328


The Angry White Man is not a… homosexual

That isn’t necessarily true. They just aren’t the “march in the gay pride parade, proclaim your sexuality, define yourself by it” type.

They are more likely to be members of the Pink Pistols…

Author ID: 7478 | 2/15/2008 02:05 PM CST | #113331


Look at the quote by Lazarus Long; how many of us can do all those things?

How many of us need to?  Answer:  NONE.

Specialization is what enabled rapid technological advancements, and is the foundation of trade/economies.  Generalization too broadly applied is inefficient and counter intuitive.

0 Author ID: 2 | 2/15/2008 02:06 PM CST | #113332


It’s long been a favorite quote of mine (and words to live by!):

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

Great standard for self evaluation.  I can do most of those things to varying degrees of competence, but I still have a lot of improvements to make.  Many I’ve done, others I’ve just had some training… of course, there’s another good measure of a man:

“Ride well, shoot straight, and speak the truth.”

Cheers.

p.s. Kim, please explain to the Mrs. the difference between Gene Autry and Audie Murphy, I think she may have confused the two.

Author ID: 10828 | 2/15/2008 02:12 PM CST | #113334


For every specialist (think Newton, Einstein, even Bill Gates for that matter) there is a generalist like DaVinci or Edison.  Progress and innovation comes in many forms.  In some areas (mathematics, physics) specialization is much more necessary due to the years of preparation required to understand the issues.  In others, generalists are more suited to the task (think of many entreprenuers, or successful heads of some large conglomerates).  All I’m saying in the end is that there is a need for both.

Author ID: 10828 | 2/15/2008 02:26 PM CST | #113336


That was one damn fine article.

Author ID: 372 | 2/15/2008 03:15 PM CST | #113341


That fine piece was published in the Aspen Times Weekly?  As in Aspen, Colorado?

Talk about bearding the lion...good for him.  Hope he has an unlisted number, though.

Author ID: 9587 | 2/15/2008 03:59 PM CST | #113344


That fine piece was published in the Aspen Times Weekly?  As in Aspen, Colorado?

Talk about bearding the lion...good for him.  Hope he has an unlisted number, though.

I had the exact same reaction, Grumpy. Having never been to Aspen, maybe it is not as loony as I had imagined. Or perhaps there is still a contingent of hearty outdoorsmen scattered amongst the effete, metrosexual set.

Author ID: 9888 | 2/15/2008 04:18 PM CST | #113347


I love Obama!! That wonderful man belongs in the White House, he and his kind need to make the Black,Brown, and Yellow world better places. These fine folks have helped build Our civilization, and have achieved all the Civil Milestones that we have.  I don’t want to hear another word from any racist pile of shit about how much they hate black Americans.

[slightly edited for content, to fit on your TV screens—Kim]

Author ID: 10597 | 2/15/2008 04:58 PM CST | #113351


Clean-up on Aisle 26, please!

Author ID: 2489 | 2/15/2008 05:55 PM CST | #113356


His last name and religion don’t matter. His background might be Italian, English, Polish, German, Slavic, Irish, or Russian, and he might have Cherokee, Mexican, or Puerto Rican mixed in....

Yup.

The power of the great American melting pot hit me about two years ago. I was celebrating thanksgiving with my Dad’s side of the family, and I looked around and suddenly realized that I was the only person at the table who had been born in the US- everyone else had earned their citizenship.

Where I disagree is that I think the attitude described above isn’t exclusive to white males. There are members of the naturally tanned set who agree with us on pretty much all of the above, and IMO we should welcome them to the community.

As far as Larry Graham is concerned, that turd he left on the porch will be obliterated as soon as Kim sees it.

Author ID: 353 | 2/15/2008 07:11 PM CST | #113358


Re: No. 26-

Please don’t feed the troll.

Author ID: 9505 | 2/15/2008 08:06 PM CST | #113367


Kim, You certainly hit that one square on the head. I think it was Einstein who said that: “The difference between Genius and Stupidity was that Genius has it’s limits.

The way I see it, we Americans have not had to deal with the likes of rampaging armies, Jihadist suicide bombers, etc. on a personal level for so many years that we don’t believe we could ever be in any danger.  Soldiers from wars past and present hope that our children don’t have to see blood in the streets. Unfortunately it seems that something is dragging us in that direction and is being manifested through our leaders. For that matter the whole insane world.

You lived in SA and saw what a hell-hole that place has become. Did socialism deliver. Yes it did. From Hitler’s Germany, Stalins Russia, Cambodia and just about the whole middle east are living examples of what happens when men play the fool.

Socialism is a curse that promises to absolve men of their personal responsibility but places them in chains and punishment instead. God will not allow but that men face their sins, one way or another. “We will not go quietly into the night” was said by a famous man that knew the score. Will we?

Author ID: 8264 | 2/15/2008 08:19 PM CST | #113368


Beautiful.

Just ... beautiful

Author ID: 8257 | 2/15/2008 09:28 PM CST | #113370


The article is OK as far as it goes--but am I the only one who has a problem with the derogatory label Angry White Male™? I shouldn’t be.

By calling us “angry,” the liberals and leftists are marginalizing us and dismissing our legitimate concerns. By labeling us as “angry,” it implies that we have no logical or rational basis for our protests against the liberal/leftist agenda. Since we’re “irrational,” it means that we and our concerns can be ignored. After all, we’re nothing more than “haters,” “bigots,” and--bringing out the deadliest epithet of all--"racists™." Once so labeled, we almost cease to exist, our voices silenced.

When a liberal starts to use such terms, it means that you’re winning the argument. However, since acknowledging that you’re right would be the first step leading to the abandonment of their liberal views--and since abandoning those views would mean their spiritual death--they cannot acknowledge that painful truth. Rather than concede defeat and let some of their precious ideology crumble away, they dismiss from polite society those who challenged them.

I’m a white male--but I’m not “angry.” I have real reasons and valid arguments, and I will NOT let my enemies label me.

Author ID: 10536 | 2/15/2008 09:43 PM CST | #113371


[all gone, now—Kim]

Author ID: 10597 | 2/15/2008 09:55 PM CST | #113372


The article got ridiculous with “mextrosexual/homosexual”. Glad to see we are still labeling people based on how they choose to represent themselves, not their actual thoughts or convictions. This shrieks of “white man’s burden” despite the attempt of “it doesn’t matter what the race is...” while slamming those who are not heterosexual. Other than that, it was pretty good.

Author ID: 9624 | 2/15/2008 09:57 PM CST | #113373


But anger need not be irrational if it is informed and directed by reason...I have good reason to be angry..

Author ID: 10764 | 2/15/2008 10:02 PM CST | #113374


Comment/Forum Posting Rules:

[...]

Be polite. Rudeness/attacking other members will be punished with deletion or banning (or your comment may be edited to something like �Kim, I love you, and I wish I were a woman so I could bear your children.�).

[...]

Author ID: 353 | 2/15/2008 10:28 PM CST | #113375


Mr. Graham,

You’re welcome to attempt your “serious head kicking” with me any time, any place. I don’t care if you’re an actual Kluxer or a leftist wannabe provocateur. (And seeing as how Dukkke’s crowd has been hanging with Sheehan’s crew outside of Crawford with neither side complaining about their bedfellows, I don’t see much difference anymore.)

Author ID: 47 | 2/15/2008 10:32 PM CST | #113376


[Usual racist bullshit]

Larry Graham | 2/15/2008 05:58 PM CST | #113351

Don’t be an asshole.  We don’t like Obama, but it’s his socialist politics we detest, not his skin color.
I would be happy to vote for a black man for Persident; like Walter Williams, or Thomas Sowell.  But not Obama. 

You’ll note we don’t much like John McCain here, either........

Author ID: 372 | 2/16/2008 02:01 AM CST | #113381


Good piece. Of course, the “angry white man” is not necessarily angry, white or a man (or heterosexual, if the truth be told). The misdirection of the label just adds spice to the real description in the body of the article.

Author ID: 10848 | 2/16/2008 04:26 AM CST | #113383


Or Larry Elder.

I agree that anger can be reasonable.  Frequently sparked by foolish & careless behavior by children over the age of 21 in elected office.

Author ID: 9305 | 2/16/2008 04:30 AM CST | #113384


Lovely thoughts, but then I am becoming accustomed to being placed in a box and thought thoughtless. I am and that says it all, because one day I will become I was.  You are and that is more important than you were. You have a name, loves and abilities and they are all out of the box.  Enjoy

Author ID: 6503 | 2/16/2008 06:21 AM CST | #113391


Larry Graham,

First, and last, warning. Next time, you’re gone. Hold it back or take a hike.

0 Author ID: 1 | 2/16/2008 06:51 AM CST | #113393


HarryK,
The term “Angry White Male” actually has a long pedigree, predating this article by years. The funny part is that it was originally intended as a slight insult—derogatory to redneck White men—but was adopted with pride by, well, angry White men who were sick of all the PC / multi-culti bullshit.

0 Author ID: 1 | 2/16/2008 06:57 AM CST | #113394


Yes, the “Angry White Man” label was a pejorative, taken as a rallying cry.  It is similar to the roots of the Pajamahadeen, after someone (Gore who?) called bloggers a bunch of brown shirts, sitting around in their pajamas, trying to assert their fascism on the world.

It became a badge of honor, but since the brown shirt label was an anathema, even in jest, it morphed into Pajamhadeen instead.

0 Author ID: 2 | 2/16/2008 08:10 AM CST | #113403


It’s the same as “Nascar Dads” thought to be an insult, now (also) a badge of honor by those who subscribe to it.

0 Author ID: 2 | 2/16/2008 08:12 AM CST | #113404


Shows you how much the Nazis are hated, when the Muslim -hadeen is preferable to brownshirt.

Myself, I wanted to challenge Gore to a duel when he called us “brownshirts” (we’d just come back from Dachau), but was talked out of it by a lawyer.

Just think how much better the world would have been if I hadn’t…

0 Author ID: 1 | 2/16/2008 08:14 AM CST | #113405


How is it we’re meant to decide this thing, with this ocean of Oprahfield daydream believers voting for hope and change and “yes we can!” etc?  This is not what I left Europe behind for.  Grrr.  Grrr.  As much as I’d like to move Idaho and secede, that is not our creed.  Much stewing is ahead of us.

Author ID: 9534 | 2/16/2008 12:03 PM CST | #113426


Move ZIG for great justice!

Author ID: 9624 | 2/16/2008 02:23 PM CST | #113433


Yes, I know that the Angry White Male epithet has a long pedigree. I was just trying to show two things: one is that it is dismissive and derogatory; the other is that it’s liberal propaganda against those who disagree with the liberal agenda.

Notice how the MSM treats anyone who opposes the liberal/leftist New World Order: by branding them as irrational. This is done with various pejoratives, including AWM.

This does upset me--but the reason for my anger is rational.

Author ID: 10536 | 2/16/2008 05:11 PM CST | #113437


I think it could also just be angry MAN.

Author ID: 8294 | 2/16/2008 05:59 PM CST | #113442


I’m not heterosexual. Does this leave me out?

Author ID: 7729 | 2/16/2008 06:59 PM CST | #113445