What happened to "Day Without US Politics"?

October 22, 2004 11:04 AM

What happened to the US politics moratorium? Was it a joke all along?
posted by timeistight to Feature Requests at 11:04 AM (66 comments total)

HEY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EASTER BUNNY?
posted by quonsar at 11:32 AM on October 22, 2004

If a tree falls in the woods, which most of the villagers don't go to 'cos they're scared, and only a handful saw it fall, would it make a blind bit of difference before November 3rd anyway?
posted by dash_slot- at 11:36 AM on October 22, 2004

you didn't actually think our rabid political sect would go for that, did you?
posted by bob sarabia at 11:41 AM on October 22, 2004

It was superceded by a secret moratorium on moratoriums.
posted by troutfishing at 11:42 AM on October 22, 2004

I forgot. I slept in late, and had to get a haircut, and didn't see the site until almost 11am PST today.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:45 AM on October 22, 2004

"Honest... I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts. IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD."
posted by y6y6y6 at 11:51 AM on October 22, 2004

So I guess a quick drink while you're in town is out of the question, eh Matt?
posted by briank at 12:11 PM on October 22, 2004

Just as well I guess. We wouldn't have wanted to miss this.
posted by timeistight at 12:24 PM on October 22, 2004

Oh, c'mon, if we had a moratorium on politics here some of our members would have to return to their life of beating off during Meet The Press.
posted by jonmc at 12:25 PM on October 22, 2004

If you really need to go take a shit, then you've just gotta go...
posted by gyc at 12:37 PM on October 22, 2004

They aren't political posts. They are anthropological enquiries, with topical hooks.
posted by Opus Dark at 12:53 PM on October 22, 2004

You wanna pick a day next week, then? It can be, like, oh, next Wednesday.

Just the 24 hours. Spread the word, let people know, not because any random one of us hates politics necessarily, but just to kind of give anyone thinking of posting some KerryBushblowsuck thing something to think about instead of spewing party line across the inside of yet another room without thinking.

(Also, there's always Devoter. Really. Give it a look and a spin.)

I still think this is a great idea. Can we try it, for real?
posted by chicobangs at 1:00 PM on October 22, 2004

*lets down pants, deposits large steaming pile of excrement on desk for peer approval*
posted by Krrrlson at 1:02 PM on October 22, 2004

They aren't political posts. They are anthropological enquiries, with topical hooks.

*burns piece of sheepskin that says B.A. in Anthropology in protest*
posted by sciurus at 1:02 PM on October 22, 2004

"My dog ate it."

what if the day you pick is the day of the October Surprise?

how about some random december day--say the 24th or 25th?
posted by amberglow at 1:02 PM on October 22, 2004

I like the amount of corn kernels you managed to get in that one, Krrrlson.
posted by sciurus at 1:03 PM on October 22, 2004

Isn't it still going to be Friday yet somewhere out west of here?
I really need to to figure out this whole international date line thing some day....
posted by mmahaffie at 1:06 PM on October 22, 2004

Whose going to top shelf this site?
posted by juiceCake at 1:32 PM on October 22, 2004

*lets down pants, deposits large steaming pile of excrement on desk for peer approval*

You're such an anti-semite.
posted by The God Complex at 1:33 PM on October 22, 2004

My little brother got his arm stuck in the microwave. So my mom had to take him to the hospital. My grandma dropped acid this morning, and she freaked out. She hijacked a busload of penguins. So it's sort of a family crisis.
posted by terrapin at 1:37 PM on October 22, 2004

Silly rabbit.
posted by rocketman at 1:38 PM on October 22, 2004

Let's have a moratorium on everything that's not a moratorium. Also: ice, Marie Osmond, and tractors.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 1:50 PM on October 22, 2004

what if the day you pick is the day of the October Surprise?

how about some random december day--say the 24th or 25th?

YOU CAN ALREADY SEE AMBERGLOW SHAKING FROM THE IDEA OF A POLITICS-FREE METAFILTER.
posted by eyeballkid at 1:51 PM on October 22, 2004

Yeah, how can i read my recommended daily requirement of snark otherwise? even so, if you do it, someone will post political stuff anyway--i'm betting postroad, and others--so i'm not too worried)
posted by amberglow at 2:01 PM on October 22, 2004

Speaking of dogs, why are there no dogs in those Kerry hunting photos? By using his aides to retrieve his geese, isn't Kerry putting decent, hard-working american retrievers out of work? What does John Kerry have against dogs!?

And isn't that a Canada Goose he killed? Don't try to tell me that isn't significant!

See? I can play, too.
posted by timeistight at 2:02 PM on October 22, 2004

I posted about Paul Nitze's death because in my view Nitze's life and legacy are about geopolitical issues, not US politics per se.
sorry if I somehow broke the moratorium
posted by matteo at 2:06 PM on October 22, 2004

There was no moratorium, matteo. Matt's dog ate it.
posted by timeistight at 2:14 PM on October 22, 2004

I propose a moratorium on moratoriums.

timeistight, why do I have an image of Matt following his dog around for a day or two waiting for him to "process" it and redeposit it?

Kind of like in that Cheech & Chong movie.

Far Out Man!
posted by fenriq at 2:35 PM on October 22, 2004

A moratorium on the proposal of moratoriums on moratoriums!
posted by cortex at 2:55 PM on October 22, 2004

Why can't you people just skip the moratoriums you don't like?
posted by timeistight at 3:03 PM on October 22, 2004

Father, adonoi, author of all things,
of the three states,
the soft light on the barn at dawn,
a wind that sings
in the bracken, fire in iron grates,
the ram's horn,
Furnisher, hinger of heaven, who bound
the lovely Pleaides,
entered the perfect treasuries of the snow,
established the round
course of the world, birth, death and disease
and caused to grow
veins, brain, bones in me, to breathe and sing
fashioned me air,
Lord, who, governing cloud and waterspout,
o my King.
held me alive till this my forty-third year-
in whom we doubt -
Who was that child of whom they tell
in lauds and threnes?
whose holy name all shall pronounce
Emmanuel,
which being interpreted means,
"Gott mit uns"?

Anthony Hecht
posted by y2karl at 3:06 PM on October 22, 2004

tit : "Was it a joke all along?"

I like abbreviating 'timeistight' to 'tit'. No reflection on timeistight, the individual, mind you. I just think it looks neat to start a comment with:

tit :

That is all. ;-P
posted by mischief at 3:18 PM on October 22, 2004

Afterthought: That's not sexist, is it?
posted by mischief at 3:19 PM on October 22, 2004

Tits are equal opportunity, Mischief.
posted by orange swan at 3:24 PM on October 22, 2004

I just dropped by to note that I am hereby released from my commitment not to bitch about political posts for the next month. Y'all had your chance, I swear. I don't want to hear any bitching about the bitching, now. Is that clear? I offered a 30-to-1 exchange rate in good faith. Wankers.
posted by scarabic at 3:28 PM on October 22, 2004

mischief: what's wrong with being sexy?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:28 PM on October 22, 2004

It's all in how you role-play it, Matt.
posted by mischief at 3:43 PM on October 22, 2004

Gee, and I thought I was going to be able to slip my Daffy Duck for President post under the radar...

But see? My post proves that it's possible to ignore a thread you don't like...
posted by wendell at 3:44 PM on October 22, 2004

This thread is getting on my tits.
posted by five fresh fish at 3:49 PM on October 22, 2004

fff, May I get that on film? We'll split the profit 50-50.

*plans to distribute it for free*
posted by sciurus at 3:57 PM on October 22, 2004

No! Sex-IST! Sex-IST!
posted by turbodog at 4:40 PM on October 22, 2004

FUCKNG LIARS! MATHOWIE I WILL SUE YOUR FUCKING ARSE OFF!!! YOU PROMISED US SANITY FOR 24 HOURS!!!
posted by SpaceCadet at 4:49 PM on October 22, 2004

Okay, after far more digging than I should have had to do, I've discovered that Kerry has a German Shepherd named "Cym" (pronounced "Kim"). While a shepherd is no retriever, it still beats Bush's terrier by a long shot, so you have my approval to vote for Kerry.

I wish I could find a picture so I could be sure, though.
posted by timeistight at 4:50 PM on October 22, 2004

it is weird that there aren't any pics of Cym online. Ok, i'm decided---on no politics day, i'll do a post on it. ; >
posted by amberglow at 5:01 PM on October 22, 2004

what if the day you pick is the day of the October Surprise?

DON'T YOU SEE?!!! POLITICAL MORATORIUM ON MEFI IS THE OCOTBER SURPRISE!
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:06 PM on October 22, 2004

so Rove has his hand up Matt's butt too? ewwwww
posted by amberglow at 5:30 PM on October 22, 2004

No moritorium, and no ducks in sailboats, either. I feel cheated doubly.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:30 PM on October 22, 2004

In languagehat's apparent absence, I will point out that the proper term is moratoria when there's more than one. Here, you might say there is a plethora of moratoria.

You're welcome.
posted by yhbc at 7:08 PM on October 22, 2004

I wasn't joking, but apparently Our Leader thought sleep and stylieness were more important than a day of sanity for his loyal flock. Just for a handful of hair oil he left us/Just for a whisk broom to whisk off his coat...

However, I took the day off of work and the Internet and went to a museum and for a walk around historic Salem, Massachusetts. So there.

I actually don't think that "moratoria" is a correct plural for "moratorium", because "moratorium" is a late-Latin back-formation from the gerund. "Moratoriums" is really more correct in English.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:20 PM on October 22, 2004

"Let's have a moratorium on everything that's not a moratorium. Also: ice, Marie Osmond, and tractors."

Dude, Marie Osmond is totally a fuckin' moratorium. Married in the temple and everything.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:44 PM on October 22, 2004

From the OED:

1972 Times 27 Jan. 14/4 Those who wanted to agree to moratoria to assist businesses in financial difficulties.

If moratoria is good enough for the Times, it's good enough for me. Besides, the OED doesn't say anything about a gerund: "post-classical Latin moratorium delay (5th cent.), use as noun of neuter of classical Latin moratorius," that being a perfectly normal adjective based on morator 'delayer.' I has spoken!
*bangs gavel, winks at court reporter*
posted by languagehat at 8:09 PM on October 22, 2004

So, judge hat, does the word "moran" (as in that famous political placard calling the other side "You Morans") also come from the Latin morator; and by 'delayer', do you mean one who lays a de?
posted by wendell at 8:56 PM on October 22, 2004

Stop the music! Scarabic has ended his bitching moratorium! Those of you with nanosecond hands on your watches, please report on how long it lasted. ;-D
posted by squirrel at 10:43 PM on October 22, 2004

Lets talk some more on issues of God and faith
posted by troutfishing at 3:41 AM on October 23, 2004

sweethomealabama
posted by mr.marx at 6:48 AM on October 23, 2004

(Punch it, Hurb
Yo, I don't think we should talk about this
Come on, why not?
People might misunderstand what we're tryin' to say, you know?
No, but that's a part of life)

Come on

[CHORUS]

Let's talk about sex, baby
Let's talk about you and me
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let's talk about sex
Let's talk about sex
Let's talk about sex
Let's talk about sex

Let's talk about sex for now to the people at home or in the crowd
It keeps coming up anyhow
Don't decoy, avoid, or make void the topic
Cuz that ain't gonna stop it
Now we talk about sex on the radio and video shows
Many will know anything goes
Let's tell it how it is, and how it could be
How it was, and of course, how it should be
Those who think it's dirty have a choice
Pick up the needle, press pause, or turn the radio off
Will that stop us, Pep? I doubt it
All right then, come on, Spin

[CHORUS]

Hot to trot, make any man's eyes pop
She use what she got to get whatever she don't got
Fellas drool like fools, but then again they're only human
The chick was a hit because her body was boomin'
Gold, pearls, rubies, crazy diamonds
Nothin' she ever wore was ever common
Her dates heads of state, men of taste
Lawyers, doctors, no one was too great for her to get with
Or even mess with, the Prez she says was next on her list
And believe me, you, it's as good as true
There ain't a man alive that she couldn't get next to
She had it all in the bag so she should have been glad
But she was mad and sad and feelin' bad
Thinkin' about the things that she never had
No love, just sex, followed next with a check and a note
That last night was dope

Let's talk about sex, baby (sing it)
Let's talk about you and me (sing it, sing it)
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let's talk about sex (come on)
Let's talk about sex (do it)
Let's talk about sex (uh-huh)
Let's talk about sex

Ladies, all the ladies, louder now, help me out
Come on, all the ladies - let's talk about sex, all right
[repeat]

(Yo, Pep, I don't think they're gonna play this on the radio
And why not? Everybody has sex
I mean, everybody should be makin' love
Come on, how many guys you know make love?)

[CHORUS]
posted by darukaru at 7:34 AM on October 23, 2004

Languagehat, I'm surprised—I would've thought you'd endorse "moratoriums" and fuck the Latinists.
posted by kenko at 8:43 AM on October 23, 2004

whatever happened to salt n pepa? : >

Yo, yo, yo, yo, baby-pop
Yeah, you come here, gimme a kiss...
posted by amberglow at 9:42 AM on October 23, 2004

So has anything actually been figured out about a possible moratorium or is everyone focused on mischief and tits?

Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. In fact, I think I'm going to queue up Joe Walsh's "I Like Big Tits" in honor of this lovely, lovely thread.
posted by fenriq at 10:41 AM on October 23, 2004

cue up.

Unless you have one of those multiple-disk players and it's in line behind other selections.
posted by soyjoy at 1:47 PM on October 23, 2004

has anything actually been figured out about a possible moratorium

Yes: that it isn't ever going to happen. Even if you get 50 people to unanimously agree to it, someone will chime in at comment 51 to say they think moratoriums are bad, or that scrolling down is good, or that politics are important, or that whining sucks. So despite the fact that maybe half the people on the site would be in favor of it, for a single day mind you, the other half don't give a shit and would see a moratorium as controlling and oppressive.

Therefore, the two halves of the population shall continue beating one another's brains out year round.
posted by scarabic at 5:01 PM on October 23, 2004

y6: What is that dialogue from? It sounds so familiar...
posted by pmurray63 at 6:17 PM on October 23, 2004

soyjoy, actually both, I had to wait in line to download a copy of it before listening to it.

But I've listened to it at least five times this afternoon, its a catchy tune.

scarabic, Hooray!
posted by fenriq at 9:38 PM on October 23, 2004

Languagehat, I'm surprised—I would've thought you'd endorse "moratoriums" and fuck the Latinists.

Oh, I do, I do! I wasn't deprecating "moratoriums," I was responding to the suggestion that "moratoria" wasn't the correct Latin plural. I figure most people know my preference for non-elitist usage by now, so I didn't bother to spell that out. But you notice I did wink!
posted by languagehat at 10:24 AM on October 24, 2004

"Moratorius" is a masculine adjective formed from the gerundive; it would seem that whoever decided to make it nominal and neuter didn't really think about it as a declinable noun, and I would suggest that there is no exemplar of the word "moratoria" in Latin.

If the only cite for "moratoria" that the OED has is 1972, then that's cod-Latin anyway, made up by someone who probably never got any farther than De Bello Gallico.

Even if it was in the Grey Lady, I'm not buying it, 'hat, and I have read more fifth-century Latin than almost anyone who doesn't work at the Vatican. Now if Browne or Burton or someone who really knew Latin had ever used it, I might be more favorably disposed.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:19 PM on October 24, 2004

OK, I'm switching sides. If Sidhedevil has read more fifth-century Latin than almost anyone who doesn't work at the Vatican, her opinion is dispositive, and my previous decision is hereby revoked, rebuked, and rendered null and void. I has re-spoken!

*bangs gavel, gooses court reporter, slips into chambers for a quick snort*

I like threads where we argue about gerundives.
posted by languagehat at 3:43 PM on October 24, 2004