We have seen evil, and it is us » « Guess who caused the recent earthquake in California?

A poll for Minnesota Blogger of the Year?

I fear I’m about to stomp a bit hard on another poll — this one has my name on it, and is for Minnesota Blogger of the Year. This is kind of a nice friendly poll, so I feel a bit bad about demolishing it, but I have to stand on principle. Crush it, gang, crush it bad.

It might be nice if you looked at the list of nominees, of course, and the fellow in the lead, Robert Erickson, was very amusing in his confrontation with teabaggers…but it’s an online poll. I cannot resist. It must be pharyngulated.

We have seen evil, and it is us » « Guess who caused the recent earthquake in California?

Comments

  3. bungoton says

    Not quite Pharyngulated yet, the masses have not arrived.
    Current standings are:

    Robert Erickson (95 Votes)
    Ed Kohler (45 Votes)
    PZ Myers (42 Votes)

  4. aratina cage says

    I can see where this is going, so I just want you to know that I cast the fifth vote for you, dear leader!

    /sycophant

  6. Sili says

    I don’t know any of those people. It’s so much easier when there’s a kook to vote against.

    Hmmm, … that PeeZed Mahirs fellow? …

  7. jidashdee says

    Wow. As a very young man of questionable moral development, I shot a squirrel at close range with a 12 gauge. I never even found any of the expected rodent bits.

    This seemed a lot like that.

  8. daveau says

    I sense a slaughter. However, it is fair when you consider that all the other nominees can attempt to rally their hordes, too. (snicker)

  9. Sastra says

    It says “Please vote for one Minnesota blogger of the year.” They asked very politely. And it’s not a poll skewed to feed into some pre-assumed dogma. Very reasonable, as well as nice and friendly.

    I voted once.

    Just because they didn’t say vote once, for one blogger, doesn’t mean we should take advantage. We know what they meant. Now, now.

  11. eeanm says

    The top three blogs win, so don’t feel so guilty about demolishing the poll. :)

  12. Kevin says

    I have to admit, though. Robert Erickson is quite amusing in his decimation of the Tea Baggers.

  16. Tigger_the_Wing says

    Voted.

    Top three at this moment are:

    Ed Kohler (45 Votes)
    Robert Erickson (122 Votes)
    PZ Myers (594 Votes)

    Yesssss…

  17. John Twilley says

    Hmmmmmmmm.

    It seems that the Corporate Websense Filtering product blocks this site:

    Access to this web page is restricted at this time.

    Reason: The Websense category “Potentially Damaging Content” is filtered.

    URL: http://mnpoliticalroundtable.com/?p=239
    ———————————————

    That usually means that the site is infected.
    Please proceed at your own risk!

    Current Stats:

    # PZ Myers (651 Votes)
    # Robert Erickson (122 Votes)
    # Ed Kohler (45 Votes)
    # Neal Kielar (17 Votes)
    # Jessica Pieklo (15 Votes)…

  19. PZ Myers says

    Yes, be nice about it. But still, this is like a small village in 13th century Hungary sending a note to Genghis Khan: “we’re trying to decide who the best barbarian horde leader is, and it’s between Gunther the Thuringian, Fredigern of Saxony, Withaulf the Leper, and you, Genghis Khan. Could you mention this to your Horde and see what they say?”

    And then, of course, the horde howls the Mongol battle shout and hoofbeats pound across the steppe and every small hut on the way is aflame. If you’re trying to settle something with an internet poll, you don’t raise your hand and bring it to my attention unless you expect one resolution.

  20. Antiochus Epiphanes says

    Ahh…but the metaphor ignores one salient fact. No plunder is possible here. I can’t very well rob those that I help defeat in your name. Although, I suppose Khan had other more efficient ways of motivating his forces.

    Ummmm…

    Voting now, sir!

  23. Die Anyway says

    I voted and then couldn’t find PZ’s name on the results list. Finally I realized that the big line across the page wasn’t the separator between the heading and the list, it was PZ’s vote count. But I’ll tell you what, I almost had to vote for the guy with the name Eric Pusey. I mean, c’mon, a name like that is a real winner.

  24. ldcornett says

    #1 – 1087 – PZ
    #2 – 139 – Robert Erickson

    I think the poll has been pharyngulated.

  26. kiyaroru says

    On the Interwebs how do you even know that a blogger is really from Minnesota?
    Where is this Minnesota place anyway?
    *wikipedia*
    How does that clump of states qualify as Midwest?

  28. Mandolin says

    I voted for Erickson. I figured the way this post was phrased was a subtle hint that maybe the polite pharyngulation of this poll would be to vote for someone who’s not p-zed.

  30. shonny says

    Everything considered . . . who has heard of any of the other ones, unless you’re a sibling or parent?
    And even then!

  31. John M says

    #24 ldcornett

    Surely ‘significant’ pharyngulation needs at least a 95% of the votes cast. At 99% it should become ‘very significant’.

  33. Toast says

    Like die anyway:

    I voted and then couldn’t find PZ’s name on the results list

    Majick!

  34. Robert Erickson says

    PZ What have you done!?

    You have Unleashed waves of illegals unto the contest for MN’s best blogger. Though you compare yourself to Gengis Kahn, the way you “discovered” (and invaded) this poll reminds me more of COLUMBUS!

    http://columbusgohome.com/

  35. Caine, Fleur du mal says

    Robert Erickson:

    PZ What have you done!?

    He unleashed the horde, sir. Call forth your minions to do battle!

  36. Lynna, OM says

    Robert Erickson, I might be in love with you. I watched the “Columbus Go Home” video (which I would not have seen if PZ hadn’t plugged it), and I like your style. I also like the style one of your friends, the guy in the hat who stood there smiling while a teabagger repeatedly bumped him while shouting, “Fuck you!” What a lovely smile, what a lovely hat.

    However, I must protest that I am as legal a voter as can be. I voted once. Professional Poopyhead, it is done.

  37. ungodlyfossil says

    Your demand for pharyngulation of this poll probably made little baby Jesus cry, so I did it. :-)

  39. Tigger_the_Wing says

    NixNoctua @ #38

    Now I feel bad. None of those other guys even had a chance…

    Don’t feel bad – the top three get to be winners, so two of the others still have a chance!

    Well, one and the lovely Robert Erickson.

  42. JackC says

    Had I even known about Robert Erickson before the poll, I probably would have voted for him.

    Sir, you have some balls. And your friends too. Good on ya!

    JC

  43. varlo1930 says

    In an act of shameless treason I voted for Erickson. Next thing you know I may be defending Ratzi Nazi.

    hahahaha

  44. Quidam says

    I voted for Robert Erickson because I felt sorry for him being obliterated.

    His videos aren’t bad, but he’s a one trick pony

    Besides, what’s with ‘Erickson’? As in Leif Erikson?

  45. Tigger_the_Wing says

    I agree with JackC.

    Robert Erickson would have got my vote had I seen the video before.

    Sorry, PZ…

  46. flyonthewall says

    Witness the power of this fully operational battle blog.

    and i swear if somebody “corrects” this quote i will eat their children. I am an atheist, i will do it.

  47. The Other Ian says

    “Besides, what’s with ‘Erickson’? As in Leif Erikson?”

    Well, there is a lot of Scandinavian ancestry in that part of the country.

  48. JackC says

    I agree with JackC.

    Would someone please note the date and time? I think this is a first.

    JC

  50. Caine, Fleur du mal says

    Robert Erickson:

    I think I need more minions if i’m ever going to compete with PZ.

    Aaw, you made me feel bad, so I put in a vote for you too.

  52. 'Tis Himself, OM says

    flyonthewall #46

    Witness the power of this fully operational battle blog.

    If you’re going to paraphrase somebody you should paraphrase them more closely than you did. Emperor Palpatine actually said: “Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station!”

    and i swear if somebody “corrects” this quote i will eat their children.

    The A in “And” and the two pronoun “I”s should be capitalized.

    I am an atheist, i will do it.

    You properly capitalize the first “I” but not the second. Why is that?

    </pedant>

  53. Disturbingly Openminded says

    Where is this Minnesota place anyway?
    *wikipedia*
    How does that clump of states qualify as Midwest?

    Ooh, ooh, I know that one!

    Midwest is short for Middle West. There was a time in US history when the “west” was that part of the continent (well, not counting Canada and Mexico) just to the west of the Mississippi River.

    The Middle West was distinctive from the Northwest and Southwest. Roughly speaking: Northwest = Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Southwest = Texas. Middle West = Kansas and Oklahoma.

    Later, after our ancestors stole the rest of the land out to the Pacific, Midwest distinguished between East and West.

    You might say that the term served one purpose but evolved to serve another.

  55. Fred The Hun says

    But still, this is like a small village in 13th century Hungary sending a note to Genghis Khan: “we’re trying to decide who the best barbarian horde leader is, and it’s between Gunther the Thuringian, Fredigern of Saxony, Withaulf the Leper, and you, Genghis Khan. Could you mention this to your Horde and see what they say?”

    Of course if the Hungarian villagers were really serious about stirring up the hordes they would nonchalantly mention that Khan while pretty good, could probably never have held a candle to Atilla back in the day…

  56. Leofwine says

    The top three as of 4:43 EST

    PZ Myers (2,358 Votes)
    Robert Erickson (201 Votes)
    Ed Kohler (47 Votes)

  58. jidashdee says

    Lynna, I think Robert needs money for an operation to pare that grape cluster of testicles down to the normal two. He must have a paypal link on his blog somewhere.

  61. Yubal says

    Obscenity, Plunder and Devastation will follow our tracks. ;)

    PZ Myers 3,038 Votes – which is only about 88%

  63. Quidam says

    The Other Ian

    “Besides, what’s with ‘Erickson’? As in Leif Erikson?”

    Well, there is a lot of Scandinavian ancestry in that part of the country.

    Yeah, I’ve listened to Garrison Keillor too (although after hearing his anti-gay ‘humor’ I’ve gone off him)

    I was thinking of the meme of aggressive European immigration being somewhat ironic coming from a Viking called Erickson.

  64. octopod says

    Oh man, this is hilarious.

    (I voted for Robert Erickson — he punk’d those teabaggers good, and SOMEONE has to come in second place!)

  65. llewelly says

    PZ Myers | April 5, 2010 2:07 PM:

    Yes, be nice about it. But still, this is like a small village in 13th century Hungary sending a note to Genghis Khan: “we’re trying to decide who the best barbarian horde leader is, and it’s between Gunther the Thuringian, Fredigern of Saxony, Withaulf the Leper, and you, Genghis Khan. Could you mention this to your Horde and see what they say?”

    And then, of course, the horde howls the Mongol battle shout and hoofbeats pound across the steppe and every small hut on the way is aflame. If you’re trying to settle something with an internet poll, you don’t raise your hand and bring it to my attention unless you expect one resolution.

    PZ Myers, Militant Arch-New-Atheist™, explains that his followers are a barbarian horde, equivalent to the Mongols, who raped and pillaged and murdered their way across all of Asia.

  67. cousinavi says

    This meeting of the Minnesota Independent Bloggers is hereby called to order. Our first and only order of business – Item 1 on your agendas – I’ll just read it into the record…”Kill PZ Myers.”
    All agreed?
    Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Fuckin’ A. Aye. Aye.
    Opposed?
    (crickets)
    It’s unanimous then. Release the KRAKEN!

  68. Rorschach says

    I think the name for this should be “Minnesota blogger of the year, except PZ Myers”.

    Like a contest for most famous british atheist, duh…

    :P

  69. octopode.myopenid.com says

    PZ Myers, Militant Arch-New-Atheist™, explains that his followers are a barbarian horde, equivalent to the Mongols, who raped and pillaged and murdered their way across all of Asia.

    llewelly, Clueless Idjit, demonstrates that he neither understands what a simile is nor has a sense of humour.

  70. Rorschach says

    llewelly, Clueless Idjit, demonstrates that he neither understands what a simile is nor has a sense of humour.

    Uhm, octopode, you might want to take some of your own medicine….

  71. Androly-San says

    I do feel like a barbarian after that. Like i said though, your Easter post alone got you my vote, lol.

  72. colonel cocoa says

    My dear leader of the entire universe. I just became the 4064 vote. Your future as the greatest blogger in MN. is now more than secure.

  74. octopode.myopenid.com says

    @ llewelly (& Rorschach)

    A case of mistaken identity, comment cheerfully retracted. Insufficient caffeine intake…

  75. Moira Manion says

    Why is there only one women blogger nominated in the poll? (I don’t know “Spot’s” gender. Perhaps “Neutered.”)

    We women need more representation out there, even in online polls where you don’t win anything except the right to say “Woo hoo! It’s mine, baby!” (NPR’s Ombudsman recently had an article about the dearth of women on public radio: http://www.npr.org/ombudsman/2010/04/where_are_the_women.html )

    I love ya, P.Z., but I want women bloggers to have the equal right to skew polls in their favor. ;)

    Moira Manion
    “Everything I Can’t Say On Public Radio”
    http://moiramanion.blogspot.com/

  76. Moira Manion says

    I meant “one woman blogger.” yas, i deed. i is ah writter.

    Well, that’s proof enough that I’m not qualified for nomination.

    Moira Manion

  77. Kirk says

    # PZ Myers (4,465 Votes)
    # Robert Erickson (281 Votes)

    …

    # Tim Pugmire (2 Votes)

    Well, I did it, and feel kind of bad.

    On the other hand, you’d think that if Tim really blogs, he could find at least two other people to …

  78. DethB4DCaf says

    Here are ALL the current tallies with 5000 votes:

    PZ Myers (4,507 Votes)
    Robert Erickson (282 Votes)
    Neal Kielar (76 Votes)
    Ed Kohler (63 Votes)
    Jessica Pieklo (23 Votes)
    Bob Collins (17 Votes)
    Spot (11 Votes)
    Two Putt Tommy (6 Votes)
    Joe Bodell (5 Votes)
    Dave Mindeman (4 Votes)
    Eric Pusey (4 Votes)
    MNObserver (3 Votes)
    Tim Pugmire (2 Votes)

    ….I suspect that someone might notice a *pattern* here, eh?? (-; (-;