Feeding the ever-expanding ego part ..ehh..I lost count
So, let's recap: Tomanbay critcizes me. I respond. Yasmina and APOBE defend me. Senefru supports me. Galal thinks I am a narcissist. And Canadian Pharaoh thinks we are at war and offers to "mediate". And then we have the comments: Mohamed thinks i am a tyrannical hypocrite. Hani thinks I don't know what I am talking about. Alb Sayed gets depressed because of me. Tomanbay thinks I have a narrow focus, am intolerant and wielding an inferiority complex. And Candian Pharaoh believes that "unlike him", I haven't really "brought any concrete solutions to the table". (Read Canadian Pharaoh everyone. He has the solutions.) This is both funny, entertaining and incredibly boring and depressing at the same time. I have people continiously insulting me when I never insulted them, calling me names when I never been anything but respectful towards them, and yet they can not possibly believe that I am not in agreement with them. It's as if they think I have to prove myself to them and think exactly like they do, or I will risk "alienating them". It's as if they are contantly saying "How dare you say what you say? Your opinions are at variance with my own. You are therefore a hypocrite/self-hater/inferiority complex wielding/western-appeasing/Uncle Tom/blah blah." And then are surprised that I am not succumbing to immediate case of shameful self realization that I am wrong and they are right, flog myself in penance and then offer to not write anything without getting their approval first. Yeah, Ok! Guys, here is a novel idea: We can have a difference of opinions. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but like, we can actually disagree on stuff. Yes, I know, I know, but believe me, it's possible. And not only is it possible, it's quite a good thing. I love me a good debate or argument, and nothing turns me on more than someone who mya have a completely different point of view and is capable of backing it up. I love that. I would like to see that. Hellme and Orientalism were masters at that, which is why I was very depressed when they pulled the plug ( and guys, if you are reading, puleeezeeee come back). I felt that the debate lost something that day and it still hasn't gained it back. I am aware I may not have all the solutions or the whole thing figured out, which is why I loved and respected their persepctive, even if I disagreed vehemently with them. They were capable of making me rethink things, unlike, well, you know who you are. Anyway: Let's agree that we are mostly on the same side. Let's agree that we may disagree on opinions or methods of approaching the problem. And Let's agree that this is ok, and quite possible, without actually needing to personally attack each other. Don't get me wrong, I love the attention (Mohamed, you know you have a crush on me), but this has become infantile. So to stop this retardedness, I vow not to write anything else in regards to this topic on this blog. It ends here. Now, have a nice day, and please rememeber: There is such a thing as a difference of opinions. The Sandmonkey
posted by The Sandmonkey @ 3/11/2006 02:11:00 AM
14 Comments:
I couldn't agree more with EducSubNorm. and i couldn't help noticing that even sandmonkey didn't think the comments in his "defense" were worth commenting 'cause most of them were just naive, simplistic and a bit ignorant, and he knows it.
i'm for civilized debating. disagreeing is the healthiest sign of life on this blog as long as it's reasonable without ad hominem arguments.
but come on, criticizing u here and on other blogs is not personal attack and nobody wants to blow u up (not quite yet). so don't exhibit the classic mid eastern type of intolerance of other ideas and of criticism by even daring to insinuate this in the middle of this apparantly avidly open minded and good natured post . u'll miss us if we go sandmonkey, u said it urself.
for now this is the end from my side too.. have a nice saturday night everybody, hope u have better things to do tonight.. i do.
I defend the right of dogs to kill their abusive masters in their sleep.
As for SM, his narcissism is part of his charm. Alas, one day his future wife and children will cure him of it.
Voltaire is said to have said:
I disagree (and will oppose) your opinion, but I will die for your right to say it.
It is a motto that has been often qouted in the Danish Newspapers over the last couple of months.
Maybe it could also apply to the discussion here?
Love and hugs to everybody *s*
SM,
What you don't understand is that no one is calling you names! Grow up buddy and try to understand what criticism is. In my opinion you're a classic. In Egypt, a lot of people just have deep trouble differentiating between criticism and humiliation !
I know I'm a little harsh on you but its a good chance for you to rethink your attitude (not opinions, but attitudes). Consider it a wake up call.
AT
I for one agree with you on every principle you've presented since I started reading this blog, but I’m still not entirely sold on the defence of some of these posts.
I don’t think the criticism over your accusation that the singer dude is exploiting islam is entirely unwarranted. I mean, that guy exploits Islam like food stores exploit the hungry. He provides a service, meeting market demand. There is nothing wrong in targeting the religious niche. The people who buy his stuff have every right to apply music to their religion, and there is nothing wrong with them adopting a market model for production and distribution of that music. While you don’t exactly breach any liberal principle with this accusation I think it is fair to say that it is at least a bit out of ideological character.
This does by no means mean that you shouldn’t criticise his message.
I also fell for the deceptive Paradise What post, and I think this is understandable, since I as a western "right wing nutjob" haven't been exposed to the praising of the movie, on the grounds of its “message”, that appears to have been expected as context. You meant to present me with Palestinians denouncing terrorism you say? Good for you, but don’t expect anyone to get that without clarification.
That said, I find it entertaining that this has taken on the proportion it has. It doesn’t in my mind warrant more than a comment under the relevant post, if it even does that.
Umm well,
If you want a purely objective opinion, from someone who is female but not into hero worshipping...
Yeah, you are narcisstic, but I like to think of that as part of your blogger "character" and hopefully doesn't portray your real personality. Only those that personally know you can tell that for sure.
I do think you post too much in one day. It would be nice to allow your readers a bit of play between themselves and perhaps join in a bit more. Limiting your posts a tiny bit would allow that, and wouldn't hurt anything, but that's your decision.
But this is your blog and you define it. With the intent of attracting a wealth of regular readers, which you appear to have.
I suppose the question resides with you whether you would like "clientelle" who are more thought-provoking on their own, with rich, intelligent imput, or whether you're reaching for rock-star status and would just like a batch of eye-lash flutterers trying to get your attention. I can see pros and cons to both forums. It's strictly a personal decision...
But you are very intelligent, insightful and interesting, and there are millions of blogs out there now to suit everyone's taste, so if you decide your blog entries are just as you like them, then I don't know why anyone would waste their time criticizing, they can just go post on another blog more suited to their tastes.
As far as myself, it is your drive, courage and ambition that has won me over. Yes, I do tend to agree with most of what you write. But, what is most important to me, is your passion, purpose and belief that these problems are not impossible to fix. And that right there, is a key ingredient in righting what is wrong.
I would not be surprised if more of us feel this way first and foremost.
viva Freedom of speech
Yeah, sandie. I think you love yourself just a tad too much.
With you it's always "hey, lookie at me. Aren't I fabulous or what?"
Yep, you're a flamming metrosexual.
First I want to apologize for my English :)
Sandmonkey…just stop it right now.
I think you are too sensitive . I agree that discussion and insulting are two different things. I just think that you are old enough to ignore people who are trying to insult you.
Let them be, others can see that those kind of people are not “material” to discuss with.
Do you know why I’m reading your blog? I don’t post my comments because of my bad English, but I do understand what you and other people are writing ,with no problem.
(ok.ok. I did post few comments ;) )
Why am I reading your blog? Because I can see (you are the proof) that there are many wonderful Muslim people on this world.
I need words from Muslim people like you are ,like an air so I can “breath” and no one can poison my mind, telling me that all Muslims = potential terrorists or some other kind of evils.
If your blog will not be good ,people will not waste their time to read it and make comments. No one can comply to everyone. There will always be some people who will want to play on your nerves even for fun.
No matter what people will say, keep up your great job (your blog).
I whish you all the best
You are fabulous :)
--
P.S. To Anonymous 8:13 PM,
Are you jealous of Samdmonkey? ;)
Well, Sandmonkey is fabulous so live with it :)
I know it hurts but oh well, not everyone can be fabulous like Sandmonkey is :)
Hani & Edsn are abosolutely right, also I don't know what's the point of posting a comment saying amen everytime I agree with you, it'd sound quiet lame after so many amens, that's why I rarely comment on anything TB or highlander or one arab world write, they almost have my same exact views 99% of the time, also regarding hani's mention that your apologists are just naive and simplistic and that you know it, well Yasmina, please don't take this the wrong way, but you're acting like a five year old in a kg playing ground, by telling me if I don't like what the SM writes that I should go play some where else, or in other words, the only comments welcomed here are the ones written in cheerleading form, and approved by the editor of pravda, as a source of joy to the heart of the dear leader Sam Jong Ill, which I understand ofcourse you have no idea what I'm talking about here my "thinking segement". Also, your claim that my reason for the harsh criticizm of the monkey is because my girl friend left me for him, you know what? I swear that I'd absolutely love nothing more than that, the last one was an insecure high maintenance bipolar suicidal textbook psychochick who gave me the most hellish six months of my life (I can definitely set you up with her SM, just say yes, the experience's definitely gonna make a new man out of you).
SM, calling you a tyrannical hypocrite I was just borrowing a page of your current hero and my former hero (before he went to the dark side) Christopher Hitchens, seriously, did I call you a tyrannical hypocrite? Maybe it was because that day the former president of Iran Khatemy harshly criticized the current one for what he said about the Holocaust and said in unambiguous terms that no body should deny or make light of what happened to the jews in ww2 and whether it's 6 million or one it's still one of humanity's greatest atrocities, and I was so pissed that it wasn't metioned anywhere, including your blog, except on the bbc site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4763494.stm
Anyway, peace for now, until you outdo yourself again, I'll try to behave myself and be more picky in choosing my words when calling you slanderous names. One thing I have to say just to be fair, is that I really admire your high tolerance for criticism and taking it with good sportsmanship.
About my crush on you SM, I'm still waiting for my signed poster man, seriously, I need something to put behind my dartboard to protect the wall, your poster'd be perfect.
Sandmonkey, don't worry about what others have to say about you. I don't always agree with everything you say (you're a touch pro US for me sometimes) but I really enjoy looking through the window of your free independent mind.
Go Sand Monkey!
WHAT??? We've got a Canadian Pharaoh? Where?
SK
SM:
I don't recall anyone calling you names. It is pure criticism, and it is healthy.
And just to clarify, it's the Islamaphobes that depress me specifically, not you. Infact, sometimes I get a kick out of your posts.
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