Our Kenneth
What I love the most about Ricochet is the community. Even those of us who are, um, former members of the community, for one reason or another.
(I'll pause here for a moment to say, once again, that if you haven't joined as a member, please do. Right now. We'll wait.)
Okay, with that said, many of you will remember a former member, Kenneth, who stirred things up with his acerbic wit and -- let's be honest -- sharper-than-necessary language. What's he been up to lately?
There's lots of funny stuff over there -- he calls his blog "The Full Kenneth," which means pretty much what you expect that it means. But I especially enjoyed his recent screed against the huge amount of land the government owns:
The federal government owns more than 30% of the land in the United States. Here in California, that share is more than 45%.
Now, no one would object that national treasures like Yosemite and Yellowstone should be preserved, in perpetuity, for the enjoyment of future generations.
But the problem these days is that federal bureaucrats and their environmental enablers increasingly militate for a regime in which the public who owns those lands are barred from enjoying them.
Take Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, for instance. Established in 1968, this 316-square-mile preserve spans a magnificent part of the high Sierra Mountains. But it’s tough trekking, so, for many years before and since the establishment of the park, dozens of small, family-owned companies have provided horseback tours that allow flatlanders to enjoy the area’s beauty.
No more. An outfit calling itself High Sierra Hikers – essentially two fanatic environmentalists who live in Lake Tahoe, hundreds of miles away from the park – recently sued the federal Department of the Interior, claiming that by allowing a few hundred tourists each summer to visit the park on horseback, the Department was violating the 1964 Wilderness Act...
...those two guys in Lake Tahoe found a big-time San Francisco law firm to file the suit. And, by coincidence, the federal judge who heard the case was a former lawyer for said big-time law firm. And when the two guys won the case, the judge awarded the big-time law firm millions of dollars in legal fees, while the small companies that had offered horseback tours for generations were put out of business. And hundreds of citizens who might have enjoyed the back country each summer were out of luck.
I know I'm stirring things up myself when I say this, but if you've got a moment and are so inclined, head over to Kenneth's blog and say hello.
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Comments:
Jun '11
Re: Our Kenneth
Who has the time for this kind of malarkey these days?
Aug '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Kenneth was sorta... like family to me. (Really. There are folks in my family like that.)
I'm fond of my family despite it all.
Dec '11
Re: Our Kenneth
DocJay: Those who yearn for the man's return are similar to the dual black eyed battered house wives on COPS telling the arresting officer,"but I love him".
Or perhaps a Cubs fan.
Ok, Doc, that truly was a CoC violation.
Edited on June 24, 2012 at 6:05amNov '10
Re: Our Kenneth
My experience with Ricochet is intimately connected with Kenneth. Our impressions on what the site was and what it should be differed. My ultimate frustration was not with him, he was playing within the bounds he was given. COC be damned.
The details of my final dust up with him are not important. He took issue with my posts in general and in specificity. He thought them unserious and a waste of space better suited to more mature discourse and waged a campaign of intimidation against me. Admittedly, it was subtle, and not without its wit. In any other environment, it would be par for the course. Even celebrated. But this is Ricochet, and it was supposed to be different. I am here because it's different. And I argued for what I thought was right and figured the editors would eventually come to my, their, side. Until I tired of waiting. The message I got was that his vision actually was more in line with reality than mine. So I announced my departure, and congratulated Kenneth on his victory.
200 words in and I still haven't gotten to my point...
Nov '10
Re: Our Kenneth
To this day I am humbled by the reaction to my announcement. Members, contributors, editors, founders, even executives, rallied to my side. Rallied, I believe, to Ricochet's side.
But the one comment that surprised me the most, in a very good way, was from Rob Long. He complimented my writing and quoted a line. While still very much a fanboy, I was proud to have proof that I gained his attention.
Which finally brings me to my point...
I echoe Mama Toad, whom I believe reflects the absolute best in us here. Her disappointment with Rob for posting this in the first place, needs to be supported. Its a slow burn issue, but the more I think on it, the more it burns.
Any of us here, were we to admit it, as I myself just have above, would roll over with pride to have as much attention in written words paid to us on the main page as Rob did with Kenneth today.
Especially considering the huge amount of awesomeness that is SooperMexican's own work this week. We have in our midst a true champion of the cause. Where is Rob's post on his amazing week?
Edited on June 24, 2012 at 6:21amMay '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Which only proves one thing... when a boil on the backside gets too nasty the best thing to do is Lance it.
Nov '10
Re: Our Kenneth
I can now retire, EJ. I have gained graphic immortality.
Feb '11
Re: Our Kenneth
EJHill
Which only proves one thing... when a boil on the backside gets too nasty the best thing to do is Lanceit. · 15 minutes ago
Poor Papa Toad is wiping tears from his eyes, this is so funny. Thanks again, EJHill!
Jul '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Way to bring it all home, Lance!
May '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Every group has a mean old fart, and Kenneth was ours. I'm like MFR - I have people like him in my family, so I'm used to it. Yes, it's very disfunctional, if you're wondering. He took some jabs at me, but I always felt like he was really just trying to get my goat and figure me out, more than being hateful. Sounds like others have had different experiences with him. I've no doubt he's got a temper and he was gruff, but he also had occasional bouts of sweetness, in his way. He's complicated. We're all complicated. I didn't know about his blog. I'll have a look. Thanks, Rob!
Jun '10
Re: Our Kenneth
If you read about Joe McCarthy the one thing that comes clear is that he was treated worse than he treated others.
Kenneth was kinda like old Joe. The COC was broken many times by people who talked viciously about him -- and I mean personally (which he didn't mind) -- but Kenneth was (almost) the only one who was kicked out. Even some of the comments made in this thread are pretty bad and shouldn't pass COC muster. Ricochet is much more boring without Kenneth.
Re: Our Kenneth
This comment was liked 7 times and quoted twice.
This furthers the position that Kenneth was rude?
Irony just put on his hat and coat, kissed everyone goodbye and announced his work is done here.
I was in many conversations with Kenneth. Never once did he become uncivil toward me (perhaps because we agreed so often).
I never saw these horrible moments of intemperance others write about Kenneth. That is not to say they didn't exist - I never saw them.
I miss him at Ricochet.
Jun '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Tommy De Seno
This comment was liked 7 times and quoted twice.
This furthers the position that Kenneth was rude?
Irony just put on his hat and coat, kissed everyone goodbye and announced his work is done here.
I was in many conversations with Kenneth. Never once did he become uncivil toward me (perhaps because we agreed so often).
I never saw these horrible moments of intemperance others write about Kenneth. That is not to say they didn't exist - I never saw them.
I miss him at Ricochet. · 4 minutes ago
You should have paid more attention I suppose. I miss him not and don't care to read anything he has to say. I prefer the more civil Ricochet that has emerged. But then I was a cheerleader in high school. :-)
Mar '11
Re: Our Kenneth
Larry's right -- Ricochet is a lot more boring without Kenneth. The smug self-righteousness that bursts forth from certain members (semper bufo) on the mention of K's name (pace Kafka) is infinitely more offensive than K's abrasiveness.
The "tyranny of nice" that has emerged on Ricochet does not compensate for the loss of his posts.
If it weren't for Delingpole, I wouldn't have renewed.
Oct '11
Re: Our Kenneth
You guys are nuts. I don't remember Kenneth on Ricochet, y'all must have kicked him out before I got here. But I went over to his site and liked nearly every post on it, even if I did disagree with one on religion and one on an unmentionable topic. Too many libertarians subscribe to a literal-minded simplicity and call it principle.
Re: Our Kenneth
Awesome.
Mar '11
Re: Our Kenneth
Tommy De Seno
Awesome. · 7 minutes ago
LOL...not mine, I'm afraid. Kathy Shaidle.
Dec '11
Re: Our Kenneth
Larry Koler: If you read about Joe McCarthy the one thing that comes clear is that he was treated worse than he treated others.
Ricochet is much more boring without Kenneth.
Agree and also agree:
Tommy De Seno
I miss him at Ricochet.
May '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Tommy De Seno
This comment was liked 7 times and quoted twice.
This furthers the position that Kenneth was rude?
Irony just put on his hat and coat, kissed everyone goodbye and announced his work is done here.
I was in many conversations with Kenneth. Never once did he become uncivil toward me (perhaps because we agreed so often).
I never saw these horrible moments of intemperance others write about Kenneth. That is not to say they didn't exist - I never saw them.
I miss him at Ricochet. · 2 hours ago
Ahem, in case this was not pronounced with the requisite assertiveness before:
He is a s.c.h.m.u.c.k.
Champion the internet equivalent of a transvestite if you will.
Edited on June 24, 2012 at 10:05amMay '10
Re: Our Kenneth
Tommy De Seno
I was in many conversations with Kenneth. Never once did he become uncivil toward me (perhaps because we agreed so often).
Ya think?