or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
•
"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
January 25, 2005
If It's All The Same To You, I Prefer My Consciousness Un-Seared
When I read that Peter Wehner Social Security memo, this section reminded me of something:
Our strategy will probably include speeches early this month to establish an important premise: the current system is heading for an iceberg... That reality needs to be seared into the public consciousness; it is the pre-condition to authentic reform.
But what? I couldn't remember what it was.
But now I can. It was a statement by Moshe Ya'alon, the chief of staff of the Israeli military. A few years ago, Ya'alon declared his aim was to "sear deep into the consciousness of Palestinians that they are a defeated people." That was a pre-condition to authentic reform.
Anyway... all of this makes me hungry. Because you know what else is good seared, besides American and Palestinian consciousness? Salmon! Pan-seared salmon is delicious!
Now, salmon may prefer to remain un-seared, just like your consciousness does. But I'm afraid your consciousness has no more choice than the fish.
Posted at January 25, 2005 03:27 PM | TrackBackI also remember that word choice from an Israeli spokesperson---perhaps it has been used more than once---and I found it disturbing, if not surprising.
Searing flesh is sometimes known as branding ... pain and ownership all wrapped up together. great.
Posted by: pulaski at January 25, 2005 03:43 PM
Rubbing salt into it is also a lot of fun, both before and after the searing.
Posted by: Jim Shanahan at January 25, 2005 04:30 PMI'm not trying to be difficult, but couldn't I have the smoked salmon?
Posted by: Harry at January 25, 2005 06:28 PMRather than being seared, I'd prefer one of those temporary tattoos, that you can get off with cold cream after you're tired of it. A rose design can be tasteful, or a yin-yang, or one of those Hindu "om" symbols.
Posted by: mistah charley, ph.d. at January 26, 2005 02:02 PM
