I Plumb, Therefore I Am

For some reason The American Spectator asked Samuel Joseph "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher to contribute to its "books for Christmas" recommendations list. Joe recommends three (3) books on plumbing, including Flushed with Pride: The Story of Thomas Crapper, as well as this book:

The Theory of Money and Credit by Ludwig von Mises. The book is a 1912 study of monetary theory. It brought monetary theory into the mainstream of economic analysis. It is important reading for these troubled times.

I never believed that Joe was an "undecided voter." He was clearly an free market conservative who thought Social Security was a "joke."

Comments

[R C Dean]

I never believed that Joe was an "undecided voter." He was clearly an free market conservative who thought Social Security was a "joke."

He could have been undecided. Plenty of folks around these parts who are claim to be free marketeers who think Social Security is a joke were Obama supporters, after all.

[concerned observer]

What an idiot free market fanatic. I wonder if Rove ever paid the moron for being a plant. If nothing else he should be rotting in jail for making an undisclosed campaign contribution to the McCain campaign. What loathsome individual. I am sure the book list is a put on to. An illiterate plumber reads dead discredited Austrian economists. Yeah sure.

[Rich Ard]

Would you guys for chrissakes at least add an optional registration for the comments? I can't tell who to make fun of any more.

[concerned observer]

Pay attention to me!

[madmikefisk]

I wonder if Rove ever paid the moron for being a plant.

Because he completely sought out Obama. Right. Barack came to his residence... that's when this all started.

His 15 minutes of fame are up, but it doesn't stop the slash-and-burn types from pissing on the grave of his political celebrity.

[concerned observer]

I am not concerned at all.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You see, but you do not observe.

[Brian Sorgatz]

A plumber's favorite book titles? Out of financial self-interest, he is presumably grateful that Everyone Poops.

[Drink.]

"An" what, Shilly? What'd you last-second catch and make yourself not say?

"Arch-?" "Extreme?"

Show us the Dem press release you cut-and-pasted from.

[concerned observer]

This is a comment pertaining to the possibility of a lawsuit for impersonating myself over the internet, wherein I threaten legal charges and perhaps insult the person[s] responsible. I also allude to a prior court case that would make it seem more likely.

!

[concerned observer]

I'll sue every last one of you, or die tryin'!

[Pro Libertate]

C.O.,

There are lawyers posting here. Perhaps one will take your case.

[kleinfan92]

free-market capitalism is what is causing the market to crash. im so glad that joe the plumber lost the election to obama.

[concerned observer]

I haven't posted on this thread yet. You people must have a lot of spare time on your hands to spend so much time trying to spoof me.

[mediageek]

Sure, Kleinfan. Just like the majority of people with well-informed opinions have email addresses that end with "@aol.com"

[Pro Libertate]

I think I'm a fan of the performance art that is kleinfan92.

[Pro Libertate]

mediageek,

Hey, now!

[concerned observer]

Though with regards to the fake post upthread, I agree that it's unlikely that Wurzelbacher would have read at all. He didn't even know the difference between gross business income and real income. While I don't think he was a McCain plant, it seems odd that he was portrayed by the right as an "undecided" voter.

[Episiarch]

I think I'm a fan of the performance art that is kleinfan92.

I'm with you on that one, ProL.

mediageek,

Hey, now!

He does have a point, dude.

[John]

Pro,

I prefer the performance ar that is concerned observer. But, that is a matter of taste. Sort of like preferring the Beatles to the Stones. When it comes to spofing jackass leftist views, you really can't beat them can you?

[concerned observer]

You would probably think any left-leaning poster is a spoof, because you're so convinced that your own ideas are gospel that anyone who disagrees with you must be stupid or joking.

[John]

CO,

I think Joe is a real person. He is a total partisian Democrat but his views are believable. You, however, are pure performance art. I have to hand it to you, you are really good at it. Just believable enough not to be silly, but a completely rediculous strawman of leftist opinion nonetheless. I commend you.

[mediageek]

You would probably think any left-leaning poster is a spoof, because you're so convinced that your own ideas are gospel that anyone who disagrees with you must be stupid or joking.

Well, yeah.

[kleinfan92]

w/e I'm not a spoof, I was just writing a paper comparing the internet presecense of varoius political polciies and came here to see libertarians. obviously your ideas cant grow cause you are so closed off from other ideas.

why don't you try engaging other philos instead of treating everything like a big joke?

[Pro Libertate]

Episiarch,

Well, at least I'm not part of Google ("Let's do some evil").

[John]

"obviously your ideas cant grow cause you are so closed off from other ideas."

Really? I guess that is why everyone agrees about everything around here. No one ever agrues about anything. Nope, we all beleive the same thing and never disagree about anything. Project much do you? What possible evidence is there that you would listen to any idea that wasn't leftist, statist drivel?

[John]

Well, at least I'm not part of Google ("Let's do some evil").

LOL. I have a g-mail account and am starting to feel really guilty about it. The only thing that causes me to keep it is the idea that it is free and maybe I am stealing something from those bastards.

[Pro Libertate]

One question, of course, is who is behind all of the new characters. I discount the C.O. impersonators, which is more of a random free-for-all, but there have been long-term impersonations, like Juanita and Neil. Usually from the right, but I've noticed a leftwards shift, likely associated with the same shift in Congress and the POTUS. Hmmm.

In any event, let me participate: I'll engage philosophies that don't involve justifying the use of force to make me believe in them, thank you very much.

[concerned observer]

John doesn't care about the corporations that are paying slave wages and cooking us off the planet! He probably doesn't want food inspectors or minimum wage laws, either!

[Derrick]

why don't you try engaging other philos instead of treating everything like a big joke?

The sad truth is that we laugh to keep from crying.

[concerned observer]

The Wingnutty Wingnuts are coming to wingnut me!

[John]

That is a good point Pro. If CO is the Beatles of performance art on here, Juanita is Elvis. I had forgotten about her. Times change. Juanita just isn't quite topical now. I think the Obama people lend themselves to good performance art.

[concerned observer]

Believe it or not, I'm an actual poster here. The problem is that idiots spoof me when they get defeated in an actual argument, and theres no way short of finding the IP addresses to find out who they are.

[Episiarch]

Well, at least I'm not part of Google ("Let's do some evil").

Dude, I'm pure evil! Chaotic Evil, in fact. So it's a perfect fit for me.

[kleinfan92]

Sometimes I post as phalkor (or just troll, or just spoof co or lefiti), but yeah, kleinfan is probably my best troll to date. Kept me entertained throughout most of the afternoon. I hope you all enjoyed it.

*bows*

-phalkor

[John]

"John doesn't care about the corporations that are paying slave wages and cooking us off the planet! He probably doesn't want food inspectors or minimum wage laws, either!"

So lets get rid of the corporations then. God knows no wages would be so much better than slave wages. The global warming bit was a nice touch. It always goes back to the hairshirt religion doesn't it?

[concerned observer]

John doesn't care!

[concerned observer]

"I think the Obama people lend themselves to good performance art."
It's actually quite easy to spoof McCain people.

[David Ross]

For more crap, another interesting book may be "The Big Necessity" by Rose George.

There's a reason poo smells bad. Same reason it hurts when you cut your finger...

[phalkor]

I refuse to keep a character alive for more than a thread, though. Recurring special guest just aren't my cup of tea.

[concerned observer]

5:06 post not mine.

[John]

Phalkor,

I can't spoof. I wish I could sometimes. But I just can't type that stuff with a straight face.

[Marc]

w/e I'm not a spoof, I was just writing a paper comparing the internet presecense of varoius political polciies and came here to see libertarians.

Don't forget to run a spell check before you turn it in.

See, some of us are helpful and engaging.

[concerned observer]

We should raise the minimum wage to $200/hour to eliminate poverty!

[Episiarch]

kleinfan is probably my best troll to date

Well done. I particularly liked "joe, I still think you are awesome".

[BDB]

Some people are impossible to spoof. I could never spoof joe or John for example, I couldn't get the tone right. But folks like co and LoneWacko and whatnot are just way too fucking easy.

[concerned observer]

5:09 post is not mine either. If you want to fight straw men, please do not post under an actual handle to do it.

[phalkor]

I can't either, the people in the office must think I'm insane. I've been stifling hysterical laughter all day.

Another problem is if you spoof too frequently and really don't try to engage you run the risk of H&R losing whatever value it had in the first place. It needs to be less than 20% spoofs and giggles and the rest of the comments need to be somewhat on topic for the formula to work.

Stay Classy, H&R.

[Pro Libertate]

Sorry, C.O., I didn't mean to suggest that you weren't real. Albeit with many, many spoofers.

phalkor,

Excellent work--I enjoyed it. You should perform over at Kos to see how it goes over.

Episiarch,

You're neutral evil. Don't lie.

[BDB]

Then again, co is also a little bitch. He should really consider suicide.

[Derrick]

As time goes on, the Austrians start to make more and more sense to me. I'm starting to think they're right about a lot of stuff, and that there may be something to Austrian Business Cycle Theory.

But, it's really hard to take that school seriously when it is so intertwined with Lew Rockwell and his conspiracy-theory-spewing web site. Who wants to be associated with that crap?

[Derrick]

concerned observer wrote: 5:06 post not mine.

Nobody cares. Please just go away.

[Episiarch]

You're neutral evil. Don't lie.

I oscillate back and forth. Depends on what drugs I'm on.

[joe]

That poor guy. Everything he's been through. All he ever wanted was his privacy.

I've seen people try to spoof me. It's pathetic. A bunch of yammering about "the corporations."

[joe]

I personally am somewhat embarrassed whenever concerned observer posts here.

[Jeff Balla]

Do you have a link to that book list?

I can't seem to find it.

Thanks.

[concerned observer]

5:11 post is not mine either. You people are shameless.

[Pro Libertate]

joe,

Oh, I don't know. I think I could spoof you, if I were a spoofer. I don't generally like the spoofing of actual posters hereabouts (purely fictional spooks are okay on occasion), but maybe we should have a joe-spoofing contest. All entries could post under the name, Joe'cuse.

[concerned observer]

I haven't even posted on this thread yet, free market fascists!

[joe]

I, personally, enjoy felching.

[stoned observer]

why so uptight co? just relaxxxx

[joe\'cuse]

You see, ProL, your problem is that you think you know what I'm thinking, but it's just a reflection of your own partisan mindset. You could try and spoof me, but you'd just fail.

But hey, it's all about me anyway, right? I love how important I am to you that you've even thought about spoofing me. Where's Other Matt to make a pathetic attempt at it?

[Pro Libertate]

joe,

I'd have to give Episiarch a pretty good score with that one. He started to get weak in the middle, but I liked the shot at Other Matt at the end.

[Pro Libertate]

In unrelated news, the Internet is destroying children: "There's a strong link between media exposure and childhood obesity, smoking and sexual activity, according to U.S. researchers who reviewed 173 studies on media and health conducted over the past three decades."

Interrete delendo est.

[Episiarch]

He started to get weak in the middle

Hey, it was completely off the top of my head, without going and looking at other joe posts for style and word choices. If I took the time to do it right, you would have a hard time telling.

[Pro Libertate]

So say many amateurs. I'm disappointed. Professional spoofery is clearly a lost art.

[John Thacker]

I never believed that Joe was an "undecided voter." He was clearly an free market conservative who thought Social Security was a "joke."

Isn't that a non sequitur, though? Or are you arguing that he was clearly a Libertarian party voter? Or that he clearly hated McCain and would never vote for him, like so many Reason contributors who may also be committed free marketers who think that Social Security is a joke?

[joe]

Well, Pro Lib, Episiarch does spent an inordinate amount of time obsessing over my comments, so I can see him coming close.

Still, that just doesn't sound like me.

[concerned observer]

5:11 post is not mine either. You people are shameless.
This one isn't mine, either.

[PapayaSF]

Does anyone else think the original post is rather odd for a libertarian website? I know Weigel has had the hots for Obama for months, but sneering at Wurzelbacher because he's a free market conservative is a bit much. Wurzelbacher seems like more of a libertarian than Obama or Weigel.

[concerned observer]

8:11 is not mine...

[concerned observer]

8:11 is not mine...
Is too.

[james_joyce]

But, it's really hard to take that school seriously when it is so intertwined with Lew Rockwell and his conspiracy-theory-spewing web site. Who wants to be associated with that crap?

Exactly. Is there no Austrian website or blog that doesn't involve this gang of semi-racist curmudgeons? I'd really love to know.

Lew Rockwell probably turns more people off to Austrian economics and Libertarianism in general than he turns on. Did you see Walter Block's latest stunt? I actually like Block, but he's a social idiot.

[Pro Libertate]

Sorry, Episiarch, but the judges are split. While I gave you an overall 6.8, joe gave you a 5.1.

[gmatts]

"He was clearly an free market conservative who thought Social Security was a "joke."

I don't think that Joe the Plumber could give an accurate definition of what a free market is. Because I don't think he's the sharpest turd in the tank.

"I never believed that Joe was an "undecided voter."

I'm starting to believe that Joe isn't even a fucking plumber. I can imagine that getting an invite to the Fox & Friends studio every day must be tempting, but at some point doesn't he have to actually do some plumbing in order to buy the business that he appears to be 75 years away from being able afford?

[TROLLTARD]

http://www.heurtley.com/richard/xtroll/index.html

[Nigel Watt]

I really don't get the hate for Lew Rockwell here. Sorry.

[affrnkopf]

Exactly. Is there no Austrian website or blog that doesn't involve this gang of semi-racist curmudgeons? I'd really love to know.

http://austrianeconomists.typepad.com/

(Mises.org still rules though, yes Rockwell can be a loon but there's so many great stuff on that site)

[concerned observer]

OK, this is getting out of hand. 8:22, 8:18, & 8:11 weren't mine.

[R C Dean]

co, I'm not convinced that 2:52am is you.

[Richard Heurtley]

It's a little shocking to be browsing through Hit & Run and see one's name appear.

I've updated XTroll to include embedded URL filtering. Hit & Run is a complex web site that includes many references to off-site information and seems to load slower as time goes on. XTroll now can remove URLs that appear in an embedded block. My xtroll.conf file includes the following lines:

# Remove embedded video
xurl reason.tv
xurl youtube.com
xurl ytimg.com
xurl macromedia.com

# Remove tracking
xurl google-analytics.com
xurl urchinTracker()
xurl mavenapps.net

# Remove advertising
xurl ads.reason.com

The first group removes embedded video that I never look at anyway. The second group removes web site tracking references. The third removes Reason served advertising and saves Adblock Plus a bit of work.

Loading Hit & Run pages is now MUCH faster.

[phalkor]

thanks richard, sorry if it shocked you much when I posted that link. I just thought it was a handy bit of code and I wanted to see what H&R looked like without joe.

[Impartial Observer]

I never believed that Joe was an "undecided voter."

So, if he wasn't undecided, for whom did he cast his vote? It he agrees with von Mises, it obviously wasn't McCain or Obama.

But, it's really hard to take that school seriously when it is so intertwined with Lew Rockwell and his conspiracy-theory-spewing web site.

Can I get a link to one of the conspiracy theories being "spewed"?

Is there no Austrian website or blog that doesn't involve this gang of semi-racist curmudgeons?

What is a "semi-racist"? And how does one differentiate between a racist, a semi-racist and a non-racist?

[james_joyce]

IO,

re: conspiracy theories, I just picked the first blog post that came up when I hit the site: here you go. I'm sure if you browse the blog it won't be hard to find more examples.

The reason I refer to them as semi-racist is because of the frequency with which they allude to the Bell Jar theory of racial intelligence. Now we can debate about whether or not that theory is plausible based on the data, but they argue it with seemingly no sense that there might be anything unfortunate about it if true, and with shock every time someone has a visceral reaction against it.

However I'm not gonna go so far as to say they're simply racist. They clearly bear no malice or prejudice against anyone because of their ethnicity, and frequently speak out against injustices done to minorities as most libertarians do. I just find it unbearable that they keep bringing up the damn Bell Jar.

[james_joyce]

I should clarify my comment: they don't actually argue the Bell Jar theory of intelligence. They just bring it up all the damn time.

[james_joyce]

I must have Sylvia Plath on the brain: I mean the Bell Curve theory of intelligence.