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Thomas Frank, style and soul expert

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 13, 2008 12:14 PM

Thomas Frank is the conservative-bashing historian who wrote “What’s The Matter With Kansas?” and parlayed the book into a pundit career. He’s got a new conservative-bashing tome out and is on the circuit promoting it. He recently gave an interview to a lib Oregon rag, which asked him about one of his astute nuggets of analytical wisdom in the book…concerning my looks and my soul:

You write that former Seattle Times editorialist Michelle Malkin is “a pundit with the appearance of a Bratz doll but the soul of Chucky.” Which Beltway pundit has the darkest soul?

I’m not going to go there. Some of these guys have a good sense of humor.

Yeah. Snort. At least he didn’t say I had the appearance of Chucky and the soul of a Bratz doll.

So, which of the reviled Bratz dolls do I look like?

And: Which doll does Thomas Frank look like?

Posted in: Fun, Politics

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  1. #101
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm, Inigo Montoya said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm, Barry F. said:
    #62 is your post, lgm.

    I have one in #63 to the interview linked in the first part of this thread. Are you getting paranoid or something.

    Barry, I was baffled by that too. I believe he’s referring to #65 where you linked Blind Mule’s entire portfolio to prove that many more things beyond Obama have been the subject of photoshop fun…

  2. #102
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm, DesertLover said:

    Barry F.

    I think lgm is referring to the link to the page of photoshop images in your #65 … there is a Nazi based photoshop on the linked page named “lgmSS” …

  3. #103
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:27 pm, Bass Player said:

    Well, this is my first post. And what a great subject to comment on. Michelle, you are gorgeous! Much prettier than a Bratz doll. Mr. Frank, on the other hand, is not even open casket material! Go MM!!

  4. #104
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm, abstractmind said:

    I believe TOS made a statement not long ago, in relation to the photos:

    “If the hood fits…”

  5. #105
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm, psCargile said:

    Is that the best Frank can do, a comparison of Bratz and Chucky? I thought liberals were more vicious that that.

  6. #106
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pm, fourstringfuror said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, abstractmind said:
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm, fourstringfuror said:
    but thats easy! It should look like tos and lgm!

    I know. I kinda set myself up on that one!

  7. #107
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm, Barry F. said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    Still waiting for you to explain why my original post was racial and ethnic.

    If you want help with that, see a therapist. That’s not my forté. I just recognize it, when I see it. Working your way past it should be between a mental health professional and you. ;-)

    By the way, for lgm and you, the #65 link was to a full photobucket album, genius, demonstrating that Republicans don’t just do…

    funny Obama photoshop jobs.

    In addition to funny Obama PhotoShops in that album, there are take-offs on Google, CNN, AP, YoutTube, ACORN, etc. And, yes, that is where the one was the other day that see_dub removed the link on what lgm cites. But, there is no such direct link today, just paranoi. Maybe the two of you could get a group discount if you go together, even if it is different issues? ;-)

  8. #108
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm, Barry F. said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, abstractmind said:

    but thats easy! It should look like tos and lgm!

    Now, there’s a PhotoShop waiting to happen! ;-)

  9. #109
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm, Barry F. said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm, Inigo Montoya said:

    Barry, I was baffled by that too. I believe he’s referring to #65 where you linked Blind Mule’s entire portfolio to prove that many more things beyond Obama have been the subject of photoshop fun

    Yep. I figured it out, after I scrolled on down and clicked my links from #63 on to #65.

    Perhaps TOS and lgm will figure it out from my next to last post. But, I’m not counting on it.

  10. #110
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm, abstractmind said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm, psCargile said:
    Is that the best Frank can do, a comparison of Bratz and Chucky? I thought liberals were more vicious that that.

    Weeeeeelllllll, they can be sometimes…inbetween all the mewling and sobbing and hand-wringing. Even then, its like a small bee sting. A little sting, alot of annoyance, but little damage and no lasting effect :)

  11. #111
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm, fourstringfuror said:
    Average? Do tell. You must be an ethnologist. Tell us what the average distance between the eyes should be. Tell us how average teeth should look. Tell us what the average width a nose should be.

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, abstractmind said:
    but thats easy! It should look like tos and lgm!

    Actually I have a bigger than average nose.

    Are your serious? Have you not looked at someone and notice big ears, big nose, etc?

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm, Barry F. said:

    I just recognize it, when I see it.

    Nice explanation. I’ll use that next time someone on this board ask for evidentiary or factual evidence to back up an argument.

  12. #112
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pm, Barry F. said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    Nice explanation. I’ll use that next time someone on this board ask for evidentiary or factual evidence to back up an argument.

    When all they have to do is scroll back up the same page and read it for themselves, more power to you. ;-)

  13. #113
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, Barry F. said:

    Got to run, folks.

    I’m afraid to hang around with TOS whipping up no me today. I’ve got to go check my eyes, nose and teeth in the mirror. ;-)

    You never know. Someone might mistake me for Sam Cassell or something. :lol:

  14. #114
    On August 13th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, abstractmind said:

    Are your serious? Have you not looked at someone and notice big ears, big nose, etc?

    I’m just using standard liberal conversation points to frame my case, thats all :)

  15. #115
    On August 13th, 2008 at 3:18 pm, sonofdy said:

    Oh LGM, lighten up with the remove the picture crap. Nobody here reaily thinks you are an actual card carrying nazi. GEEEZZZ.

  16. #116
    On August 13th, 2008 at 4:08 pm, hadsil said:

    I do think you’re a doll, but in the complimentary meaning of the expression.

    :)

  17. #117
    On August 13th, 2008 at 5:16 pm, Big Hammer and Anvil said:

    Could Thomas Frank be the long lost love child of Mortimer Snerd?

  18. #118
    On August 13th, 2008 at 5:50 pm, dakine said:

    Pretty sophomoric stuff…no doubt about that. Let’s keep things real and intellectually honest, however. This site is regularly full of silly and immature insults related to physical appearance made by Ms. Malkin herself and by many of the regular posters. Childish nicknames, insulting photoshops, unflattering pictures, etc. are also common tools for taking shots at those with opposing views. None of it bothers me at a certain level, but c’mon.

    TOS, that was mean. To the extent it matters (and it really doesn’t), MM is a perfectly attractive woman, but look closely at that picture of Sam next to a picture of MM.

  19. #119
    On August 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm, BrianNY said:

    #118 dakine said:

    This site is regularly full of silly and immature insults related to physical appearance made by Ms. Malkin herself…

    …that are based in some resemblence of reality.

    An earlier poster used MM’s postings on:

    1. Rachel Ray’s “keffiyeh” looking scarf,
    2. A photoshop of John “special sauce” Edwards as ‘The Silky Pony,”
    3. A photoshop of Obama as ‘Winnie the Pooh’ after the revelation of his advisory choices on foreign policy

    as examples of MM’s satirical equivalence with Thomas Frank’s ‘Chuckie’ and ‘Bratz Doll’ play.

    I believe all of MM’s examples of satire are self-explanatory. But I don’t think the same can be said of Frank’s efforts:

    How is MM comparable to a psychotic, male, serial-killer puppet?

    How is MM comparable to a collection of tricked-out, ghetto-slut dolls?

    How does one legitimately or accurately claim that MM (an American-Asian woman) looks like NBA star Sam Cassell (an African-American male) for that matter?

    Anyone is allowed to say what they want within reason. But saying anything doesn’t make it legitimate, satire, or both. That requires an effort of reality-based discipline.

  20. #120
    On August 13th, 2008 at 7:26 pm, dakine said:

    Brian, a nicely put together comment, but I think you’re being way too generous in referring to what goes on around here as “satire”. As with this Frank joker’s stuff, I think most of it is just sort of mean-spirited and immature silliness. Anyway, like I said previously, it is what it is and doesn’t really bother me.

    On the Sammy thing. It’s about skin tone and certain facial features. Differing gender and race doesn’t necessarily preclude some physical resemblance.

  21. #121
    On August 13th, 2008 at 7:51 pm, lgm said:

    sonofdy said (#115):

    Oh LGM, lighten up with the remove the picture crap. Nobody here reaily thinks you are an actual card carrying nazi. GEEEZZZ.

    I did this for the troll and seagull pics. But depicting a Jew as a Nazi is never a joke and is never acceptable, period.

    By the way, if you follow the link, you’ll see that photobucket understands this and has a faster reaction time than MM.

  22. #122
    On August 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 5:50 pm, dakine said:

    TOS, that was mean. To the extent it matters (and it really doesn’t), MM is a perfectly attractive woman, but look closely at that picture of Sam next to a picture of MM.

    Sure they aren’t dead ringers but there is a little resemblence

  23. #123
    On August 13th, 2008 at 8:12 pm, dakine said:

    TOS, my comment was directed at everyone else

  24. #124
    On August 13th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, Barry F. said:

    On August 13th, 2008 at 7:51 pm, lgm said:

    I doubt very seriously that BM knew of you being Jewish, lgm. You didn’t seem to indicate that on your site. You made sure to point out that you are “liberal” but it would be quite a stretch for him to have put the other with that.

    Strangely, it was only pics with lgm in them that PhotoBucket removed. Weren’t you upset, when they wouldn’t remove the ones about Obama, CNN, Google, YouTube, etc., lgm, after you e-mailed them?

  25. #125
    On August 14th, 2008 at 12:49 am, CO2 Producer said:

    I know I’m late into this thread, but oh, well.

    a pundit with the appearance of a Bratz doll but the soul of Chucky

    How…academic. By that I mean grade-school level. Michelle’s response was appropriate in that it communicated at a level that Frank can comprehend.

    To summarize my thoughts of the interview — more evidence that the term “liberal academic” is highly subjective. I especially enjoyed the nuance the interviewer showed when trying to lure Frank into making a jab at Bob Novak. I wonder what else they talked about that wasn’t written.

    AlohaGuy (#69): Add “Americans - drill now” to the formula.

    walterc (#80): I like the story, but unfortunately the Left could consider the names and ideologies interchangeable. Some of ‘em come to their senses once in a while. Don’t hold your breath with lgm, though.

    TOS: Michelle looks like Sam Cassell? You see a resemblance, I see absolutely no resemblance. You say it wasn’t meant to be a compliment, that you’re just sayin’. I consider the comparison insulting and not one whit funny, a disrespectful cheap shot at our hostess in order to amuse yourself. Don’t be surprised when people question the sincerity of your insistence that there was no prejudice in your comment.

    Tom Frank’s a douche. Yes, writing that amuses me, but I’d withhold from saying that on his website, if he has one. I assume he does. I got about a third of the way through his Kansas book before his ideologically-spiteful pedagogy became overwhelmingly unreadable, so I doubt that I would consider his website worth my time. I get no enjoyment out of nausea.

  26. #126
    On August 14th, 2008 at 1:36 am, BrianNY said:

    #120 dakine said:

    I think you’re being way too generous in referring to what goes on around here as “satire”.

    If I wasn’t clear, I was responding to your specific comment on our hostess’ conduct. Ever since the (Newsweek?) phenomenon of liberal-biased “photoshopping” (eg. fake journalism) during the Israeli-Southern Lebanon border clashes in the summer of 2006, I’ve noticed MM access pithy photoshopped efforts of timely events - Obama/Pooh bear diplomacy, John ‘the mane man’ Edwards/Silkey Pony, etc. to drive home topical events and actual points with a little humor. That’s satire.

    Chuckie dolls and Bratz Dolls, for a conservate woman who neither shares their ideals nor has behaved in any such manner, doesn’t make any sense to me.

    On the Sammy (Cassell)thing. It’s about skin tone and certain facial features. Differing gender and race doesn’t necessarily preclude some physical resemblance.

    I get the trans-gender and trans-racial thing, but I guess we simply disagree on the physical resemblance thing. If MM looks like Sam Cassell, then I look like Karl Malone…not.

    On a larger point, I’m not that old, but I really feel that a lot of people just don’t understand good humor anymore.

    From Comedy Central to Def Jam, to contemporary SNL, when a comedian ends up saying “you’ve been a great audience, goodnight…” 9 out of 10 times, I find myself thinking, “are you kidding me?”

    But maybe that’s just me.

  27. #127
    On August 14th, 2008 at 6:42 am, TMoney said:

    Michelle, I’m still waiting for your talking action doll. My niece gave me one of Ann Coulter a few years back, but Ann really looks lonely up on my mantle.

    She longs for a good conservative friend.

  28. #128
    On August 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm, emjem24 said:

    Hey Michelle,

    At least you don’t look like Barbie. ;-)

    None of those Bratz dolls does you justice, Michelle. That Frank guy… if this is the best sample of the “neutrality” of historians, then I guess Chris Matthews would make a good one too.

    This man is a disgrace to the history field. Unfortunately, there are many historians out there that love to rewrite history and sell it as revisionist pap to the few who pay attention to his interepretation of history.

    Does this Frank guy have a bobblehead in his likeness?

  29. #129
    On August 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm, emjem24 said:

    lgm said:

    Read this blog for a week and see if this is true.

    For someone who teaches “math” for a living to impressionable youth, you seem to have a very thin skin.

    Toughen up, buttercup. 8)

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