An interesting dustup caused by a contest post at the Freakonomics blog; the challenge is:
Write a six-word motto for the U.S. of A.As I type, there are slightly under 1000 comment entries. I've read a few, and my impressions are the same as Lileks': wading through all the snarky half-witticisms is "like licking a corroded battery." (Read Lileks' entire essay, it's good.)
Little Green Footballs also takes a dim view: "the vast majority [of Freakonomics comments] are competing for the most downbeat, defeatist, self-hating motto possible." And his comment thread is bumping up against a couple thousand.
My favorite is an oldie but a goodie:
Land of the Free, Home of the BravePossible objections, and my response:
Objection 1: This shows you to be a jingoistic right wing yahoo.
My Response: That's right, baby. Kiss my shiny red, white, and blue ass.
Objection 2:That's not six words.
My Response: I'm not entering the stupid contest. Also, see my response to Objection 1.
(Headline source here, for the poor benighted souls who don't recognize it instantly.)