Comments on: I Went Up Into Texas

By: Mr. Wally

Mr. Wally — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:10:17 +0000

You do know everything. That Mandy Patinkin version doesn’t scare me nearly so much as gout 😉

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:58:24 +0000

I know Stanley Fish more as a Miltonist than as a public intellectual. Does that mean that I do or do not know him?

By: Rodney Lister

Rodney Lister — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:11:02 +0000

Folks is a term beloved of GW Bush, and, therefore, suspect. Susan Jacobi, in her otherwise preachy and sort of dumb book, has a lot to say about the use of it (along with the use of the term troops) and its effect on the public conscience, such as it is.

I like the Blossom Deary recording of Rhode Island is Famous for You. (I like the Blossom Deary recording of just about anything except I’m Always True to You Darling in My Fashion, where, like Ella Fitzgerald, she, inexplicably, gets the accents wrong, thereby, missing one of the internal rhymes and changing the meaning of the refrain).

By: Hitler

Hitler — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:58:19 +0000

I am from the South and use the word folks many times daily. To take any issue with the word in its normal context, or to compare it to its German version, which has virtually nothing to do with its Southern American rendition, is absurd.

Moveon’s usage is, however, slightly offensive, but from the perspective of someone who considers himself one of these folks, not someone who thinks the word itself is “horrifying.”

Nico responds: If I had known to expect the FÃ¼hrer on my blog, I would have worn a clean shirt! No, I think my reaction is a gut one, there’s just something about the idea of a two-part society made of “Heroic Individuals” and “Ordinary Folks” that gets me a little anxious. That said, the Southern branch of my family is a big folks-sayer, and in that usage, it feels more like a regionalism than something designed for wickedness! Thanks for your comments.

By: ben

ben — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:21:50 +0000

Folks is our lefty way of pretending we care about “regular people” or have ever met one.

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:58:25 +0000

Many of my Southern in-laws say “Folks” and it is understood to come with honest affection that exists within communities, so … maybe it’s only we elitists who mind it. Different strokes for different–oh, sorry, sorry.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:41:14 +0000

I swear, “folks” should be punishable, especially in politics. But, here in Texas, its a daily occurrence. Theres even some truth in the stereotypes of Texas, I heard a man at a gas station once say “sharper than a mashed potato.” talking about his wife. Surreal.

By: atd

atd — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:09:12 +0000

The *one* thing that I like about the term “folks” is that it can be used as a non-gendered replacement for “guys.” So, “how are you guys doing?” can be replaced with “how are you folks doing?”

but the faux-populism problem you point out is spot on.

By: sfmike

sfmike — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:21:09 +0000

Amen on the abolition of the usage of “regular folks” from all sides of the political spectrum since it sounds phony coming from both left and right wings of the political spectrum. You’re also correct that MoveOn is a particularly egregious offender, since most of us “folks” didn’t cash out on a software company with millions of bucks, and it’s fairly insulting to be lectured to by those who have. Plus, they siphon a substantial amount of energy and money from “folks” for some pretty stupid public relations to influence other “ordinary folk.” Thanks for sharing the pet peeve.