Divisive drumming humdrum: republican speculation unecessary

August 24, 2003 10:31 AM

In a thread about "unifying humanity", the poster drops this curiously divisive little gem: Ever...wondered why virtually no republicans practice African or indigenous drumming techniques? Are hand drums, to the US far right, a spooky talesman which evokes lurid fantasies of wild satanic or Santeria (Voodoo) rituals.

Supporting evidence? Congruity with the topic? It's perplexing. Are any of us supposed to have insight into this? It just seems like a lame (and lazy) tactic for inciting a flamewar, complete with dopey stereotypes about both Republicans and Africans.
posted by dhoyt to Etiquette/Policy at 10:31 AM (39 comments total)

And no, I don't say that as a Republican (or an African), but as someone loathe to see the site live up to its hypocriticially non-inclusive & one-sided stereotype.

I don't usually post threads to MetaTalk either, but I didn't want to derail what could be a fine thread about drumming.
posted by dhoyt at 10:34 AM on August 24, 2003

I'm a Republican and I like drums. *pffffft*
posted by konolia at 10:38 AM on August 24, 2003

I'm glad you posted this, dhoyt. It struck me exactly the same way.
posted by timeistight at 10:38 AM on August 24, 2003

Weird, I'm not sure why it posted twice. Sorry.
posted by dhoyt at 10:38 AM on August 24, 2003

Hand drums evoke in me lurid fantasies memories of hordes of white kids with dreadlocks.
posted by turbodog at 10:57 AM on August 24, 2003

Struck me the same way too, and I'm far from a Republican.
posted by languagehat at 10:58 AM on August 24, 2003

Well, this is a thread that certainly bears repeating!
posted by y2karl at 10:58 AM on August 24, 2003

Maybe he typed "republican" when he meant "quadriplegic." As we can see with the double post, sometimes weird things happen if you don't pay enough attention during Preview.
posted by jonson at 11:00 AM on August 24, 2003

I was a semi-pro drummer during the early 90's and I'm a registered republican. Just because you beat a drum, doesn't mean you subscribe to a certain political belief or religious direction, and as I said in the entry. Trying to ignite a flame war goes against that spirit that many in that circle community believe in.
posted by mkelley at 11:06 AM on August 24, 2003

We've got a regular drum circle in Salt Lake City, where there are no Africans and only Republicans, so clearly it's hyperbole.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:09 AM on August 24, 2003

struck me as the usual mefi bias - maybe a little more in-your-face, but pretty much normal. rather than trying to create a flame war i suspect the poster was just trying to fit in.
posted by andrew cooke at 11:12 AM on August 24, 2003

("usual" being a side-swipe at republicans rather than anything racist)
posted by andrew cooke at 11:13 AM on August 24, 2003

well, Lee Atwater played with BB King, so you never know


I'm not sure why it posted twice

literally, a double post
posted by matteo at 11:15 AM on August 24, 2003

Republicans have no sense of rhythm.

It's an established fact. Look it up. I'd cite a source, but I'm far too busy...
posted by jpburns at 11:16 AM on August 24, 2003

Well, Elvis was a Nixon fan, jpburns
posted by matteo at 11:19 AM on August 24, 2003

dole dole dole dole, dole dole dole... dole dole dole...


DOLE!
posted by poopy at 11:23 AM on August 24, 2003

A google search for "republican drummer" yielded this eye-damaging website dedicated to Peter Criss.

Five bucks to the first person to do a hilarious Photoshop depicting a Republican playing the skins.
posted by dhoyt at 11:27 AM on August 24, 2003

Well, Elvis was a Nixon fan, jpburns
posted by matteo at 11:19 AM PST on August 24

But that was just for the drugs.

Yeah... I picture Dick Nixon as quite the rhythmic dude... But in reality, he was no Spiro Agnew.
posted by jpburns at 11:32 AM on August 24, 2003

"Five bucks to the first person to do a hilarious Photoshop depicting a Republican playing the skins."

All right, but I don't know who's pulling the strings.

[Also, "hilarious" is subjective]
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:53 AM on August 24, 2003

someone loathe to see the site live up to its hypocriticially non-inclusive & one-sided stereotype

This MeTalk post itself is much more indicative of the humorless, anal-retentive stereotype of MeFi.

trout was making a joke. Lighten up! Sheesh! ;-P
posted by mischief at 1:13 PM on August 24, 2003

O.

MI.

GOD.

This could turn out to be the funniest MeTa thread ever!

troutfishing: My hat off to you. Twice. Once for the original comment & a second time for inspiring this sack of idiots.

*grabs popcorn & reclines*
posted by i_cola at 1:13 PM on August 24, 2003

mischief: Pah! Now you've ruined the fun ;-)
posted by i_cola at 1:16 PM on August 24, 2003

If it's a joke, then so is half of MetaFilter.

And why don't you kiss my ass, i_cola? How namy idiots in your sack?
posted by timeistight at 1:46 PM on August 24, 2003

Republicans have no sense of rhythm

My fellow musicians on the worship team would be surprised to hear that. Besides haven't you ever heard of "The Baby Elephant Waltz?"
posted by konolia at 1:55 PM on August 24, 2003

How namy idiots in your sack?

Hahahahahahaha!

*blows big sloppy one @ TIT's ass*
posted by i_cola at 2:30 PM on August 24, 2003

*blows big sloppy one @ TIT's ass*

Okay then, I forgive you.
posted by timeistight at 2:33 PM on August 24, 2003

If it's a joke, then so is half of MetaFilter.

Only half? ;-P
posted by mischief at 6:57 PM on August 24, 2003

So this is what Metatalk is for...
posted by SweetJesus at 7:43 PM on August 24, 2003

Listen to those confounded drums, Carruthers, the natives are restless tonight. Another gin and tonic, old boy?
posted by Joeforking at 10:18 PM on August 24, 2003

Hmmm. I guess that answer to my ( politically tendentious and sniping ) question was: no. That's too bad. I was hoping to troll up a drumming Republican. --troutfishing

Total number of posts regarding evil scourge 111's "trolling": 132

Total number of posts regarding trout's admitted flagrant trolling: 29
posted by dhoyt at 6:48 AM on August 25, 2003

Some people aren't aware that they are 'trolling', they are in the mistaken belief that they are the sole posessor of knowledge which they alone understand.

Troutfishing was aware of the trollish nature of the sentence, but chose to keep it in, which may be worse than 'naive' trollery depending on your POV.
posted by asok at 7:34 AM on August 25, 2003

The Pocket Fishermen?
posted by dangerman at 8:50 AM on August 25, 2003

Second crash's comment. I've lived enough time in Utah where almost everyone is a republican that I've known a fair number of talented rhythm players that favor their right wing.
posted by namespan at 4:45 PM on August 25, 2003

I *currently* live in Utah, grew up with a brother who played the drums (set or ethnic percussion) well and liked reading Rush Limbaugh (and even played them at a Senator Hatch speaking event once).

He's over Mr. Limbaugh now, tho', and we have solstice parties. We may not be your typical example. But that's the point. There's a lot of exceptions to the ill-concieved stereotype.
posted by weston at 4:59 PM on August 25, 2003

More importantly, for how long has Utah had the internet? And what do they intend to do with it?
posted by jonson at 5:03 PM on August 25, 2003

"...how long has Utah had the internet? And what do they intend to do with it?"

The Internet was handed to Joseph Smith on golden DVDs.

Expect two virtual missionaries in your mailbox.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:16 PM on August 25, 2003

And what do they intend to do with it?

If the history of Hatch's website is any indication, their sinister plan has something to do with "sweet black," "new innocent" and "jizz catcher."
posted by homunculus at 5:17 PM on August 25, 2003

The Internet was handed to Joseph Smith on golden DVDs

now I get all those obscure references to Cisco Routers in the Book of Mormon
posted by matteo at 6:33 AM on August 26, 2003

what do they intend to do with it?

My guess is that this would be the equivalent of watching Smoke Signals if you're not a Mormon, but The Sugar Beet is minty fresh satire if you're somewhat familiar....
posted by namespan at 6:11 PM on August 26, 2003