Propeller Week In Review: March 14, 2008 — Mar 14th 2008

By James Marcus

HEY, BIG SPENDER

After a week-long hiatus (which found most of the Propeller team in the Lone Star State), we will now resume normal WIR broadcasting. Which story got the most attention during this last period? That would be "Report: Governor Linked To Prostitution Ring," with 266 votes and 512 comments. After BoBo in Texas indicated his good cheer at the governor's fall from grace, he was seconded by SwampFox-82nd: "I am PO'd at any politician who swears one thing, but does the opposite. Further, my Texican friend, I think America is finally getting tired of all this jive from the very people who make and enforce our laws. When did God grant them immunity from the truth?" Radiofreeeuropa found an upside (at least a microscopic one) to the whole mess: "Jeez, at least he had the decency to get a room, instead of a public toilet stall." Not surprisingly, the thread veered into a discussion about the legalization of prostitution--too late for Spitzer, of course--and at least one female member suggested that the men were due for a rude awakening. Said lvrofwolves: "Yeah, like prostitutes are going to raise your kids, clean up after your butt, cook your food, shop for you, [do your] laundry, etc." Meanwhile, when one member argued that Democrats were applying a double standard to the case, splitrch had a vehement response: "I'm not the holier-than-thou type. 'Cold Cash' Jefferson can go to jail. Spitzer can see all of his ambitions turn to ashes in his mouth for all I care." A related story, "Eliot Spitzer Resigns in Disgrace," bagged 182 votes, 186 comments, and the most charitable assessment of the situation, from Silverghost: "Governor Spitzer is a very intelligent man, but our hedonistic society & other bad examples, especially amongst politicians & celebrities, have made faithfulness in marriage more difficult in recent times for all people."

ANIMAL MAGNETISM

The Propeller community paid serious heed to the animal kingdom over the past week. There was "Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds," with 180 votes and 189 comments. GHOSTWHOWALKS was quick to defend man's best friend: "Bad dogs are usually owned by bad people who have no idea how to raise a dog in the first place. I've owned all kinds of dogs and not one has ever been dangerous." But another member, tkyrchncs, called for a dose of realism: "One of the sweetest dogs I have ever known was a neutered female pit bull. But just look at these dogs, guys. They are bred to be able to kill more easily than most dogs are, and are likely to be trained and owned by people who like that aggressive and dangerous image." Poodledo put in a good word for, well, poodles: "Get a standard poodle, or two or three, you'll have no worries about aggressive behavior, just lots of fun, love and great companionship." Mutainia, meanwhile, plugged the Boston terrier, comparing the wound-up little mutts to "Peter Lorre on speed." Another story, "Where do abandoned pets go?," did nearly as well, with 169 votes and 55 comments. For bubba2, the ultimate culprits were the fickle owners of abandoned pets: "People treat pets like pieces of furniture--nice to have until they wear out a little, or until it is 'inconvenient' to keep them. Totally and completely irresponsible and ignorant." Without forgiving such behavior in the least, ranchhand noted that we all have our human weaknesses: "I just got a six week old puppy. My daughter can't say no to pets and I can't say no to my daughter." Meanwhile, "Pictures Of Cats: Tabby Cats," rang up 163 votes and 15 comments and this enthusiastic response from THOMNH162: "My heart is filled with kitty joy, it still amazes me what makes the front [page]." And finally, it was Mitt Romney who expressed his devotion to former rival John McCain and called the Arizona senator Big Dog. Just remember: sometimes he bites.

ATTACK AT ISRAELI SCHOOL

Which story generated the most extensive conversation this week? That would be "Muslim Gunmen Kill Eight at Israel School," with 88 votes and 658 comments. The Middle East remains a hot-button issue at Propeller--at times the conversation is so polarized that there seems to be no common ground whatsoever. Yet there were some exchanges that were conducted in a fairly level tone. "Plenty of Muslims shrink in horror at this type of insanity," blinkers told Thinker22, "as much as you do." Replied Thinker22: "So? I do not have any problems with them. I have a problem with even larger 'plenty of Muslims' who dance in joy at this type of insanity, dear." Which led to a comment from AbuAmirah: "Muslims don't support these kinds of attacks. You don't see them dancing in the streets in Mali, Senegal, Malaysia, Sulu, Indonesia, and other Muslim countries." Said muhairi8: "The Prophet said that in times of war we shouldn't kill innocent men, women, children, and religious people. We should not destroy a house, a place of worship, and never kill any animal. That is what I know, and what I believe in." Responded Bobo in Texas: "Unfortunately, millions of your fellow Muslims don't agree with you."

AND DON'T OVERLOOK....

Propeller members raised their hands for "Barack Obama Wins Wyoming Caucuses," with 216 votes and 121 comments. They also made some noise about waterboarding, the deficit, and the, uh, sluggish site performance at Propeller (we're working on it, we promise!). "A New Hope in Cancer Therapy" earned 161 votes and 6 comments, and this caveat from Francisca about the cancer-fighting properties of aspirin: "Thanks. But we must never forget that nothing is harmless." On a lighter note, there were 173 votes and 35 comments for a post from the Onion, "Shroud Of Turin Accidentally Washed With Red Shirt." (Yes, the quips came thick and fast. Said ind06: "Vatican plans to present a more youthful face by tie-dying the Shroud have been put on hold indefinitely." And a riposte from Beau7890: "The Holy Whirlpool 24934 top-load washer! I have one of those!") And finally, there was "What Girls Always Notice On A Date!", with 154 votes and 23 comments. One member, hurr1, sounded a little surprised at the article's revelations: "I always though the first thing women noticed was the shoes the man wore." A reality check came from wasntme: "In my case girls notice the big hands, the big nose, and if they hang around a bit longer they will notice the empty wallet, too." Apparently none of this has prevented the latter member from being a ladykiller--news that globalwarmer greeted with audible relief: "So the package has nothing to do with it? Boy, am I relieved!"

Tags: week in review, wir

0 Comments