A New Feature: Asshole of the Week

I have respect for those who are, from time to time, unapologetic assholes. To celebrate that spirit, every Wednesday I'm going to post the most outlandish thing I've read in the past week. I intend the link itself to indicate neither endorsement nor disagreement with the position taken. Rather, it reflects a sense of awe at the author's success in embracing their inner misnathrope.

This week's winner: Slate Magazine's Steven Landsburg, who asks "Do the Poor Deserve Life Support?" and unapologetically answers "not unless they pay for it." I'd quote the most assaholic passage, but the would be just reposting the whole thing. And that violates copywrite laws, so go read it if you are inclined.

Market-libertarians say Duh. If one makes poor health care choices, thems the breaks. Others are predictably not as sanguine. The piece itself is "condescending, juvenile, obtuse, and soul cankered . . . written by a native of Alpha Centauri trying to parody Ayn Rand." As for the author: "Steven Landsburg is a dick. And I respect that."

As for the article itself, I tend to agree with this analysis which suggests that Landsburg's analysis is flawed, perhaps intentionally so, by his desire to make a shocking prounouncement which will horrify Slate's left-leaning audience. Mission accomplished, I'd say.

Update: Pops asks if I'm taking nominations. Of course. I believe this is what TMQ calls "reader animadversion". I think there are one or two of you out there, go forth and animadvert.

Update #2: Greetings RIA's Readers. Nominations are open. I am always highly eligible for this award, though you might want to stay tuned for the forthcoming series 'Why Pooh is Wrong Today.'

Rules
#1 It's Not Just Being Yourself


Winners
1/4/06 - Steven Landsburg says "Pull the Plug for her own good."
1/11/06 - Banning Cold Beer
1/18/06 - Beisbol is veddy veddy dumb. Does this violate rule #1?
1/25/06 - Big TelCo's
2/1/06 - SuperBowl XL Edition: Joey Porter Won't Shut Up.
2/8/06 - Just Shut Up!
2/15/06 - Dead-Eye Dick
2/22/06 - Idiot E-Mails
3/1/06 - Fletcher Ruins My TiVo
3/8/06 - Best. Prank. Ever.
3/22/06 - Alfonso Soriano
4/5/06 - Cynthia McKinney
4/19/06 - Brett Favre. Follow up
4/26/06 - GOP Softball
5/3/06 - Johnny F****** Damon
5/11/06 - $100K Blogfine? At least Cuban can afford it...

Nominees
1/24/06 - Runners-up
1/31/06 - Nominations Bleg
3/8/06 - Hagel, Snowe, Dewine. Spineless.