George Will editorial - Hates adults who wear blue jeans, play video games

[murdoch]

It seems some lowly blue collar prole invaded Will's line of sight wearing blue jeans recently, and Will saw fit to write about it. Some other right wing wacko is complaining about men who wear blue jeans in the Wall Street Journal, so Will feels free to join in. Will also bemoans that adults who play video games can vote.

"Seventy-five percent of American 'gamers' -- people who play video games -- are older than 18 and nevertheless are allowed to vote."

"This is not complicated. For men, sartorial good taste can be reduced to one rule: If Fred Astaire would not have worn it, don't wear it. For women, substitute Grace Kelly."

On his last point: things were getting tight at my office at the end of last year, and I noticed my wardrobe was getting threadbare, so I bought some Polo shirts for $85 each so that I would look more "professional". Didn't work, I got laid off in January.

I guess when you move in Will's circles and only espy the little people in their ungainly blue jeans and the like, every woman can afford to dress like Grace Kelly.

http://townhall.com/columnists/GeorgeWill/2009/04/16/forever_in_blue_jeans

[Captain Hilts]

1. It's easy to dress like Fred Astaire, not so easy to dress like Grace Kelly.

Though I agree with him that people walk around looking like they've been doing yardwork in 95 degree heat.

I wear shorts a lot but always try to have a good shirt on.

He's an old crank. Who lives in my neighborhood.

[Sequoia]

49. I'd rather dress like Audrey Hepburn.

Now, that was one classy lady.

[havocmom]

2. wonder the percentage of alcholic, emmotionally paralyzed RWers out there

voting. Hell, I hear some of them even write.

George reminds me of that line from Good Morning, Vietnam. ;)

[MADem]

3. I hate people who used stolen Presidential briefing books to help Ronald Reagan prepare for

a debate against Jimmy Carter....and who LIED about doing just that.

George Will--Mendacious Asshole. Liar, blowhard, thief. Fuck George Will.

[Captain Hilts]

9. Who get divorced and then move around the corner from Previous Wife with Current Wife. nt

[Believing Is Art]

4. What's wrong with blue jeans?

Blue jeans have transcended the class divide. Some pairs cost more than your average wedding dress. And who really cares what you wear outside of work?

[burning rain]

29. George Will has the world's biggest stick up his ass.

He was born old.

[JHB]

45. Given his hate-on for gamers, it's proably a joystick. n/t

[Ikonoklast]

5. What a sad, pathetic little man.

Must be painful to see the world passing you by.

Next.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. You mean, guys like this, George?

[vixengrl]

11. George Will hates America.

Demin is the All-American fabric. It is the fabric of our proud frontier past, and our hard-working future. It's the fabric of youth culture, and the fabric of ease. It's the touch, the feel of cotton, which is the fabric of our lives as Americans.

James Dean--denim. Dennis the Menace--denim overalls. The Fonz--jeans. The Marlboro Man. Whether it's gold-panners or laborers or farm-workers, truckers, or motorcyclists--denim is the American fabric. It's our real colors. For hippies or working-class heroes. Tough as calloused hands, comfortable as a June evening, blue as a Kansas sky. Whether the pegged Levis of greasers or the bell-bottoms of hippies, or the designer Gloria Vanderbilts or Calvins of the '80's, jeans are how we express our democratic, middle-class ideals.

I am sorry if that's too de-classe for old Will.

It's denim that works with the lumberjack plaid. It's denim that works with the rock and roll t-shirt. It's denim that visits the heartland after a disaster. It's denim that means your life outside of the 9-5 daily office grind. Denim is the fabric of Route 66. It's the fabric of Woodstock and Haight-Ashbury. But it's also the fabric of the Bible Belt, the Farm Belt, and the Sun belt--because nothing gets between America and her...denim.

Maybe there's no denim in the dugouts of Will's baseball fantasies, but his infield heroes two-step in boots and denim. Maybe there's no denim in the elitist halls of Will's ideal Congress, but Senators and Reps go back to their constituents, and when at home, they do as the homies.

Denim in our parks and in our campgrounds. Denim worn on hikes, with leather boots. Denim as we enjoy nature (and appreciate our environment, which Mr. Will doesn't--apparently). Denim Sevens for the well-enough-off, mom-jeans for the mommies, low-rises for the mamis. Denim leggings with big ole t-shirts for casual hipsters like me. Skinny jeans for my skinny hipster comrades.

I sing America--blue, and dark rinse and acid wash and styling in denim. I sing the Levi jacket tricked out in embroidered heavy metal patches and redolent of ganja of my youth, and the Levi jacket virgin on the back of a working person--as if for all time. I sing America, denim-clad and hard-working. Farm and factory-bound, and doing more in an hour than George Will does all day. I sing the song of low-slung stone-wash wide legs held up by leather belts riding the slender hips of b-ball-playing young folks, and high-rise, bum-huggin' girl-lovin' show-off denim, that is worn to say, "Hey."

I'm talking about the denim Will's talking about--but his denim is not my denim. He talks of class--but I speak of cache. In a democracy, why should we know from class? But we all like the cache of a good-fitting, comfortable, fashionable, happening pair of jeans.

This country isn't silk. It isn't wool. We never had silkworms or the right kind of mulberry, and though we can herd sheep--whev. We are denim. Rough. But stylish. Fitted and functional. We are the jeans-wearing. We are--America.

[mulsh]

25. denim originated in France

" Denim has been in American usage since the late eighteenth century.<1> The word comes from the name of a sturdy fabric called serge, originally made in Nîmes, France, by the Andre family. Originally called serge de Nîmes, the name was soon shortened to denim.<2> Denim was traditionally colored blue with indigo dye to make blue "jeans," though "jean" then denoted a different, lighter cotton textile; the contemporary use of jean comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy (Gênes), where the first denim trousers were made."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denim

George Will is a very poor writer and exhibits even more shabby thinking. He's never gotten over the fact that his denim wearing cohorts back in the 60's had way more fun than his buttoned down buddies.

[Botany]

7. This from a man who wears a bow tie.

:banghead:

[provis99]

14. jeebus, what a Poindexter!

Will is a guy with high school nerd psychological issues. He's still hating on the cool greaser kids who locked him in his locker, and got all the cheerleaders, while he was left alone with his pocket protector and slide rule.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

43. George wasn't smart enough to operate a slide rule.

You give him too much credit.

He got the title of Chief Asswipe of the Right-wing Columnists b/c Buckley died. That's why.

[Alcibiades]

52. Nerds are more tolerant than Will

I think he has overprivileged snotty pseudointellectual issues.

[alarimer]

23. I think the tie is cutting off oxygen to his brain.

How can someone be so uptight?

[LuvNewcastle]

8. Fred Astaire?

I can only visualize him in evening clothes, a top hat, and holding a cane. I would get beaten up every day of my life if I dressed like Fred Astaire.

[Staph]

10. Follow The Fleet (1936)

Fred Astaire in a work shirt and work pants (not quite blue jeans but certainly not white tie and tails), dancing with Ginger Rogers in similar attire, to I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYbWp16ovAY

Get over yourself, George Will!

[Downtown Hound]

12. Guess who plays video games George?

Why none other than George W. Bush. And not only can he vote, why, he was even president! Without even winning a majority of the vote! And I seem to recall, you were something of a fan of his. Oh, the irony.

[The Traveler]

13. George Will is a little petunia

He could never survive, much less enjoy, a Saturday of what my friends and I call recreation. He is not a functional man. He is not worth your anger, only your contempt.

Trav

[bulloney]

15. There are also a lot of semi-literate ignoramuses at teabag rallies who vote, too, George.

That's quite a leap, implying that you shouldn't be allowed to vote if you wear jeans and play video games, George.

Do the voters in your precinct all come to the polling place in tuxes and evening gowns, George? Do you even vote, George?

Geez, this guy has all of the intelligence of septic tank sludge.

[Capt_Nemo]

16. Elitism at its "best", courtesy of George Will

Yet, those portrayed in the mainstream media as "elitists"
are leftists and intellectuals...
Go figure...

[Paladin]

17. Are We Sure "The Onion" Didn't Write This?

If Will did in fact write it, his mastery of self-parody exceeds anything I would have expected.....

[No Elephants]

18. Fred Astaire was the last word in make believe world elegance-- almost a century ago. If he had

been born in, oh, I don't know, 1970 or 1980, he would have worn jeans, much like Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Brad Pitt and George Clooney have. Cary Grant and Clark Gable would have worn them as well.

As for Grace Kelly, George Will knows what her casual garb was? In his dreams, maybe.

I'm pretty sure she did wear jeans and short shorts though, at least while she was what was then known as a "starlet." Why? Because they were in style in the 1950's and she was a stylin'gal back then.

Now, of course, it is possible to wear jeans in an inappropriate context, like a wedding rehearsal dinner. Barring something like that, nothing is wrong with wearing jeans in real life.

I don't think it's an issue of elite vs. blue collar or expensive vs. cheap or good taste vs. bad taste. I think it's a matter of George Will's not being able to move past 1955.


George Will is a cranky fuss budget. Heaven only knows why he is so bitter and rigid.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. Fred Astair was an MGM contract player

and as such, he and all the rest followed a strict dress code. Yes indeed. They were obligated to show up for work in a suit and tie. Fred was required by his contract to show up to Rehersal Hall A in a tie, change into rehersal togs, and return to the suit upon completion of work.
Fred was in costume all the time, basically. His wardrobe was not his own choice. Once those contracts died out, you saw the 'new generation' dressing as they wished.

[Mopar151]

19. Ladies and gentlemen:

Mr. Paul Newman


I bet Georgeie does'nt like "costumes" like Mario's Nomex firesuit, either.

A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls.”

—Richie Evans

Paul Newman was a good racer, and lived his life that way. George Will isn't fit ro wipe up his oil spots.

[FailureToCommunicate]

27. Now there's a real man. Blue jeans?!? Really George?

[Doctor_J]

21. And of course Obama is elitist because he drinks OJ

I think I am beginning to figure out why Log Cabin Repukes are how they are.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

22. George Will has never recovered from the daily wedgies he received in high school.

[mwb970]

24. He's a silly old man.

They're a dime a dozen on the right.

[Stellabella]

26. God, you're shallow, Will.

THAT'S what has your knickers in a bunch? Not global warming, starvation, murder, homelessness, the economy, wars, man's inhumanity to man, animal abuse?

What a maroon.

[burning rain]

28. I bet Rush thinks George Will looks cute in jeans.

*

[Skittles]

30. what a complete pompous ass

he is a very sad man indeed

[yellowcanine]

31. Will is just pissed because he always has a seat cushion stuck to his ass.

[8 track mind]

32. you know it's those

type of people i DON'T want to dress like. I love blue jeans, i always have. I have to wonder what he would think about a guy wearing sandals AND blue jeans (like me, damn near year 'round) :evilgrin:

So we play video games and we vote......so fucking what. There is a reason that pompous assholes like you got trounced in the past two elections Mr. Will....... people do not like you or what you stand for.

So, Mr. will, you are cordially invited to go fuck yourself.

Sincerely, a long haired, van driving, sandal wearing, jean loving, die hard liberal that votes. :hippie:

[Stargleamer]

33. George Will should check out Fred's attire in this clip:

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrzo5SPaOvg>

They're both a Couple of Swells!!

Will is stiff-as-a-board rigid as usual.

[Tabasco_Dave]

34. George Will represents the real power structure in the GOP

They use the blue collar republicans to get the vote out but they laugh at them behind their back. They know Joe the Plumber will never read this article.

[ejpoeta]

35. wow. blue jeans, eh? and video games?? does george will not know that there are

some pretty cerebral games for gamers now. and the Wii is used in hospitals to help patients with recovery and rehabilitation. We've moved past the days of pong and atari, there sir. People who play video games seem to have better hand eye coordination. maybe georgie is just sore because he is jealous. as for jeans.... aren't jeans THE american clothing? i mean, i don't think any are actually made here anymore, but they are as american as jazz music is. And people who actually work where them, because, well... let's say you climb under cars for a living.... jeans are going to wear better in that environment than slacks. so guys like my husband, who have scars on their hands and arms from working would wear jeans because that's what you wear when your job tears you up like that. let's see georgie's hands... i bet there isn't a cut or scratch on those puppies. maybe a paper cut. so he needs to step back and actually think about what he is saying. because he doesn't know what the frig he is talking about!!!

[bulloney]

36. George is still sore that he never had a Major League Baseball career.

Maybe this is an extension of that behavior.

[lame54]

37. I wear blue jeans, play video games, and voted his party out

[kwassa]

38. I'm glad George Will realizes that it is 1935.

Nothing like keeping up with the times. I knew Will was a throwback, but not that far back.

of course, most in the 30s couldn't afford to dress like Fred ...

[KG]

39. like most RW pseudo-intellectuals, Will just isn't into universal suffrage

in a recent column, he whined that DC residents shouldn't get to vote in national elections, coz most would vote dem.

[yellowcanine]

40. If the term "asshat" didn't exist we would have to invent it for people like George Will.

Asshat.

[LeftyMom]

41. That's okay, we can't stand him either.

For that matter anybody old enough to be potty trained ever seen in public wearing a bow tie has no business offering fashion advice.

[Crunchy Frog]

42. I hate adults who wear bowties. n/t

[snake in the grass]

44. Well,...

...we hate him too!

[JHB]

46. JRYWF

Just
Retire
You
Worthless
Fool

[Moochy]

47. George Will gets more ad impressions than ever with ridiculous rant

[salguine]

48. News flash, George: Fred Astaire wasn't an ASSHOLE. Take note. "If Fred Astaire

wasn't an asshole, don't be an asshole yourself."

[katty]

50. ok georgie, eat your pudding and quiet down now

[yellowcanine]

51. Reading Will over the years has convinced me that his briefs must be too tight.

It is the only explanation for his often inexplicable rants that make no sense.

[GoCubsGo]

53. Does he expect me to do my field work in a dress?

Guess what, Georgie... I hate smug, judgmental assholes, especially those who think they're experts on baseball, yet don't really know squat about it.

[Autonomy]

54. We all have opinions

I am personally skeptical of allowing people who listen to country music to vote. And hip hop. I mean, c'mon, really... have you ever heard that crap? And we allow them TO VOTE?

So we all have stuff we don't like, and have to tolerate the fact that other people like it. Sometimes we dislike it so much that it irks us that other people do. Only in our most childish and selfish moments would we PUBLICLY, even jokingly, suggest they didn't have a right to vote (though I do it all the time in private).

George Will has opinions, like everyone else; the only difference is that he has a column, which allows him to mistakenly offer one of those private, childish moments in a most public way.