Ebay auction as political statement

April 6, 2003 9:31 AM

Ebay auction as political statement: Tit for tat.
posted by johnnydark (34 comments total)

you know, the internet used to be a safe haven away from these kinds of folks. I blame AOL!
posted by mcsweetie at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2003

This is what we call "racism".
posted by Pretty_Generic at 9:34 AM on April 6, 2003

Well, at least "prejudice." (Since I doubt race is considered by either of those idiots.)
posted by ?! at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2003

hmm, I have a theory that I've seen somewhat proven since The Tragic Events.

when something really rotten happens, it is the natural urge of many people to want to help. however, as far as foreign policy goes, we're all about as effectual as hallmark card. so as a last resort, these people become crazy nationalists because they think that their almost blind approval and support will somehow be of use.

and since The Tragic Events, this effect has kinda snowballed and actually made a real difference. more people than ever nowadays are tuning onto Fox News and talk radio and buying bumper stickers and writing "Saddam Sucks!" on their trapper keepers and itchin' for 10 minutes alone in a room with a protestor and registering their approval to any opinion poll that will listen. like a beast that can't be fed, really!
posted by mcsweetie at 9:44 AM on April 6, 2003

eBay is about making money and these ignorant shits are losing money out of spite for people because of their geographical location. I find that aspect hilarious.
posted by bargle at 9:45 AM on April 6, 2003

It'd be more entertaining to organize a more useful bitch-slap against CompAtlanta. Find their cheapest items bid on them and if they win proclaim "Oh, by the way, I'm Canadian". When they don't ship add some nice red marks to their feedback.
posted by substrate at 9:45 AM on April 6, 2003

It's funny how the price of the Unofficial Guide to Paris is quoted in US dollars.
posted by murmur at 10:03 AM on April 6, 2003

yes. US dollars are the "Lingua Franca" of business... ;-)
posted by muppetboy at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2003

you know, the internet used to be a safe haven away from these kinds of folks. I blame AOL!

seriously. i know it's wildly inappropriate to say this, but ever since computers started selling for $600 and below ... well ...
posted by donkeyschlong at 10:20 AM on April 6, 2003

Any idea why Turkey is off the hook?
posted by bobo123 at 10:37 AM on April 6, 2003

As Dennis Miller says, "what is 'tat', and how do I trade it for some of the other thing?"

Anyway, note that it's based on the position of their governments. So you can buy if you're British, despite the fact that a majority opposes their PM and the war, and only 1 in 7 believe that Bush can be trusted to tell the truth.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2003

Wow, mcwseetie, does being a condescending know-it-all come naturally to you or do you have to work at it? Where would we be without you to tell us why we think the way we do?

writing "Saddam Sucks!" on their trapper keepers

This is important, methinks. Are the cool kids not letting you sit at their cafateria table?
posted by jonmc at 11:08 AM on April 6, 2003

Where mcsweet registered a theory, johnmc goes for the balls on the retort. Personally I never wanted to sit at the cool kids table.
posted by n9 at 11:13 AM on April 6, 2003

Statistically, half of the population are of below average intelligence. These people are in that half. Probably by several standard deviations, too.
posted by moonbiter at 11:19 AM on April 6, 2003

If you can't figure out why, you shouldn't be bidding anyway. If you need an explanation, call us.

The number is [phone]. Won't some adventurous MeFi prankster step to the challenge? Or shall we all call?
posted by Espoo2 at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2003

Alright, I admit that was a bit strongly worded, and for what it's worth I never sat at the cool kids table, either. But the never-ending parade of snark and condescension from him gets my hackles up if for no other reason than it's predictability.
posted by jonmc at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2003

Hey look, you can give CompAtlanta feedback.
posted by moonbiter at 11:24 AM on April 6, 2003

seriously. i know it's wildly inappropriate to say this, but ever since computers started selling for $600 and below ... well ...

So true. So true.

Personally, I'm sick of this "You're either with us or against us" shit. I find it highly ironic that in the land of the free and home of the brave people are being persecuted for not agreeing with each other. What's the point of freedom if you can't even exercise it?

I'd boycott the US too if it weren't for the fact that I have relatives and good friends down there... oh yeah and I need fruit and vegetables in the winter... shit.
posted by damclean2 at 11:29 AM on April 6, 2003

Statistically, half of the population are of below average intelligence.

Not necessarily, since the average (unlike the median) is subject to the influence of a skewed distribution. [off topic] Here is Paul Krugman musing about Bill Gates raising the average income by walking into a bar. [/off topic]
posted by found missing at 11:44 AM on April 6, 2003

There was a piedce on CBC radio about a Vancouverite who had a run-in with the CompAtlanta folks. They apparently won't even ship to warehouse addresses in Seattle because they 'know where it will end up'. Personlly I'm ont too disappointed that my money won't be going into these particular shining examples of humanity's pockets, but that's just me.
posted by Space Coyote at 12:10 PM on April 6, 2003

condescending know-it-all

It is impossible to resist pointing out that you misspelled "cafeteria" AND used the incorrect version of "its".

Condescending Know-It-Alls Unite!
posted by norm at 12:40 PM on April 6, 2003

jonmc is obviously attracted to me.
posted by mcsweetie at 12:45 PM on April 6, 2003

From your posts, I'd guess you're age at around 15, and I don't go for jailbait, sorry.
posted by jonmc at 12:51 PM on April 6, 2003

ditto! except for the jailbait bit. "I'm a lonely male that'll settle for any phony in a ponytail!"

(ps your, not you're.)
posted by mcsweetie at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2003

Screw this noise...
posted by jonmc at 1:15 PM on April 6, 2003

I wouldn't sweat it, Jon. Isn't McSweetie leaving soon anyway to buy a house in France with Alec Baldwin & Eddie Vedder? :)
posted by dhoyt at 1:19 PM on April 6, 2003

ok, a better attack on mcsweetie (though i'm not going to bother wil spell-check either - if flaming spelling is the best you can do then i rest my case):

hmm, I have a theory that I've seen somewhat proven since The Tragic Events.

when something really rotten happens, it is the natural urge of many people to want to help. however, as far as foreign policy goes, we're all about as effectual as hallmark card. so as a last resort, these people become crazy prptestors because they think that their almost blind dissention will somehow be of use.

and since The Tragic Events, this effect has kinda snowballed and actually made a real difference. more people than ever nowadays are tuning onto indy media and mefi radio and buying petrol-station stickers and writing "Bush Sucks!" on their trapper keepers (sorry - lost me there - but i'm guessing maybe i should translate this to weblog) and itchin' for 10 minutes alone in a room with a republican and registering their dissent to any opinion poll that will listen. like a beast that can't be fed, really!

in other words, as jonmc says, it's just trite crap.
posted by andrew cooke at 1:29 PM on April 6, 2003

Just so you know, the David Applefield Paris guide is excellent. Right on target, rich in hard-to-find information, and frank in its advice on not being a tourist-jerk, tourist-boor or tourist-dumbass. I'd recommend they sell it *only* to Americans.

Kidding! Kind of. Maybe the Italians should read it, too.

But David is a nice guy, a good writer, and in love with his subject matter.
posted by Mo Nickels at 1:37 PM on April 6, 2003

god, you all have crushes on me!
posted by mcsweetie at 1:53 PM on April 6, 2003

Don't feed the trolls.
posted by spazzm at 3:09 PM on April 6, 2003

CompAtlanta actually isn't making a political statement. They're just taking advantage of the war for publicity. How do I know? Because when I read their Ebay policies page I discover that they don't ship anywhere outside the United States. Britain? Nope. Spain? Nope. Mexico? Nope.

So while they may be making a fuss about Canada, I strongly suspect it's just a way to get some attention. Betcha it's working too. "Look, it's a patriotic company! Buy from them?"

Fricking vultures.
posted by Bryant at 6:31 PM on April 6, 2003

At least they save the rest of the world the trouble of boycotting them...
posted by wendell at 6:46 PM on April 6, 2003

I saw a Mac program listed last week on VersionTracker whose license stipulated that residents of the United States, Great Britain, and so on may not use it. Can't find it now, though.
posted by kindall at 6:57 PM on April 6, 2003

"Screw this noise..."

This is my favorite part of the on-line spat. The part where one side has to make one last post to explain that they've left the room.

"I'm not participating anymore, I just want to make sure everyone understands that the reason I'm not posting henceforth is that I am soooo above this."
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:07 PM on April 6, 2003