# An ongoing list of The Straight Dope's most epic assholes. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 13, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753 "2015-01-13T21:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/181 "2015-01-15T00:49:11Z")
I > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I don’t think either is okay (and furious george, kiss my ass with your implication that I do). Instead, I think that the problem with both is with the content of the opinion, and it’s much better to attack that content than to try to score points by hunting hypocrisy around them. They’re both stupid opinions whether held by hypocrites or non-hypocrites, and that should be the focus. Your post …at least the one I referenced… said none of this. The post I referenced rationalized why Blacks are evil vs Christians are evil vs. Whites are evil are not double standards. I called bullshit. If this is not your position then the ’ your ’ in my post refers to whomever holds this position… Asshole ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/182 "2015-01-15T01:01:21Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > And we all know what opinions are like. cowboy hats? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/183 "2015-01-15T01:12:09Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > I > Your post …at least the one I referenced… said none of this. The post I referenced rationalized why Blacks are evil vs Christians are evil vs. Whites are evil are not double standards. I called bullshit. If this is not your position then the ’ your ’ in my post refers to whomever holds this position… Asshole They’re not double standards, because the content of them can be different. Hypocrisy is when someone makes a judgment (usually negative) and then acts as though their judgment is the opposite. Suppose, for example, someone declared that it was hypocritical to condemn some religions for being evil but to get angry when other religions were called evil. Then, let’s say, that person turned around and said that Identity Christianity (look it up if you need to) was evil. That person would be a hypocrite. Me, I have no problem distinguishing between these two opinions: a) Identity Christianity is evil (because it advocates white supremacy and is used to perpetuate violent terrorist attacks). b) Unitarianism is evil (because it distracts people from the truth of Jesus’s message and allows teh gays to get married). The first opinion is entirely sensible, being based as it is on verifiable evidence. The second opinion is stupid bullshit, being based on unverifiable evidence and bigotry. It’s not the fact that a religious belief is being condemned that’s the problem with (B). Sometimes it’s entirely appropriate to condemn a religious belief. The problem is the condemnation is based on stupid bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/184 "2015-01-15T01:14:49Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > cowboy hats? Damn! I don’t have one. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/185 "2015-01-15T01:26:34Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > cowboy hats? Marlboro makes condoms now? ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/186 "2015-01-15T01:57:27Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > They’re not double standards, because the content of them can be different. Hypocrisy is when someone makes a judgment (usually negative) and then acts as though their judgment is the opposite. > > Suppose, for example, someone declared that it was hypocritical to condemn some religions for being evil but to get angry when other religions were called evil. Then, let’s say, that person turned around and said that Identity Christianity (look it up if you need to) was evil. That person would be a hypocrite. > > Me, I have no problem distinguishing between these two opinions: > a) Identity Christianity is evil (because it advocates white supremacy and is used to perpetuate violent terrorist attacks). > b) Unitarianism is evil (because it distracts people from the truth of Jesus’s message and allows teh gays to get married). > > The first opinion is entirely sensible, being based as it is on verifiable evidence. The second opinion is stupid bullshit, being based on unverifiable evidence and bigotry. > > It’s not the fact that a religious belief is being condemned that’s the problem with (B). Sometimes it’s entirely appropriate to condemn a religious belief. The problem is the condemnation is based on stupid bullshit. But then wouldn’t they all be stupid (or reasonable) based on the merits of why the person makes the argument? I’m not getting why you think broad brush statements “Whites are evil.” or “Christians are evil.” vs. “Blacks are evil.” are not double standards. You’re post below (and this is the part of that post that I really have the most problem with) seems to rationalize why they should be acceptable double standards, not that they aren’t. All three are broad brushed unreasonable positions to take on their face. What’s hypocritical to me is to think that broad brushed assumptions about large groups of people are bad …except some are more bad than others because birth vs. belief or historical treatment of a given race. To me, they are all bad. If we want to look at specific subsets of those groups fine, that’s cool. But to say “Christians are evil cuz Identity Christians.” is not as unfair a statement as “Black are evil cuz Nation of Islam.” or “Whites are evil cuz Stormfront” seems odd. None of those things are more or less defensible regardless of faith , birthright or history. To say otherwise IS a double standard. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > There’s no double standard between “black people are evil” and “Christians are evil.” One is birth, one is belief. There’s not even necessarily a double standard between “black people are evil” and “white people are evil.” One is punching down, one is punching up. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/187 "2015-01-15T02:34:31Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > But then wouldn’t they all be stupid (or reasonable) based on the merits of why the person makes the argument? Exactly. > [@](#): > > All three are broad brushed unreasonable positions to take on their face. What’s hypocritical to me is to think that broad brushed assumptions about large groups of people are bad …except some are more bad than others because birth vs. belief or historical treatment of a given race. Ah. I think I see what you’re saying. I understood people to be saying, “You allow some condemnations of some groups, but not condemnations of other groups, so you’re a hypocrite.” That’s bullshit: some groups DESERVE to be condemned, while others don’t, and there’s nothing hypocritical about condemning one group (say, Nazis) while not condemning another group (say, beer aficionados). But now it seems like you’re saying it’s hypocritical to allow some broad brushed unreasonable arguments and not others. Well, um, okay, I guess. But then we’re back to dealing with the merits of the argument: is it unreasonably broad-brushed to condemn all Nazis? All Communists? All Millennarians? All hard-shell Baptists? All Constitution Party supporters? All Tea Partiers? All Republicans? Where exactly do you draw the line? I draw it somewhere between Nazis and Republicans (note I have these at opposite ends of the spectrum, thank you). But if someone draws it in a different place from me, that doesn’t mean they’re a hypocrite. It just means they’re wrong :). ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/188 "2015-01-15T02:40:33Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > A pox on your list. Why am I not on it? Been here 6 years. What do I have to do! Just post how you spend your vacation clubbing baby seals, kicking puppies, declawing cats, working for worldwide female circumcise, and hanging noose from all the tree on your street. You might just make the list then. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/189 "2015-01-15T02:42:32Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Exactly. > > Ah. I think I see what you’re saying. I understood people to be saying, “You allow some condemnations of some groups, but not condemnations of other groups, so you’re a hypocrite.” That’s bullshit: some groups DESERVE to be condemned, while others don’t, and there’s nothing hypocritical about condemning one group (say, Nazis) while not condemning another group (say, beer aficionados). > > But now it seems like you’re saying it’s hypocritical to allow some broad brushed unreasonable arguments and not others. Well, um, okay, I guess. But then we’re back to dealing with the merits of the argument: is it unreasonably broad-brushed to condemn all Nazis? All Communists? All Millennarians? All hard-shell Baptists? All Constitution Party supporters? All Tea Partiers? All Republicans? Where exactly do you draw the line? > > I draw it somewhere between Nazis and Republicans (note I have these at opposite ends of the spectrum, thank you). But if someone draws it in a different place from me, that doesn’t mean they’re a hypocrite. It just means they’re wrong :). …and for me. it DOES make them hypocrites… and that’s ok. Hypocrisy is part of human nature. To wit, all Red Sox fans are evil. I revel in my hypocrisy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/190 "2015-01-15T02:58:29Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Except we’re not dealing with a matter of facts here. It’s strictly opinion. There are no assholes in your Billboard chart threads for example. There shouldn’t be in a thread on whether the President should have gone to Paris. There is no factually right or wrong answer to that question. Just opinions, and the weight of opinion seems to indicate that he or a high level official should have gone. Which even the administration admits at this point, making Chefguy’s issue all the more perplexing. Keep fucking that goat, asshole. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/191 "2015-01-15T04:15:58Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Depends on the opinion. Opinions are like assholes; everybody’s got 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/192 "2015-01-15T04:16:06Z")
As far as I’m concerned, all of you are assholes. Except for that one guy, who’s an even BIGGER asshole than everyone else. (You know who I’m talking about it. That guy, you know?) ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/193 "2015-01-15T04:24:14Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > As far as I’m concerned, all of you are assholes. Except for that one guy, who’s an even BIGGER asshole than everyone else. (You know who I’m talking about it. That guy, you know?) Hey, I’m not \*that \*bad. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/194 "2015-01-15T04:29:51Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > As far as I’m concerned, all of you are assholes. Except for that one guy, who’s an even BIGGER asshole than everyone else. (You know who I’m talking about it. That guy, you know?) But I’m not a guy…so it can’t be me. Right? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/195 "2015-01-15T04:33:22Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > If your opinion can be subject to factual analysis, such as denying climate change or the holocaust, sure holding on to that opinion despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary can make you an asshole. [http://my.firedoglake.com/blog/2014/10/28/video-republican-climate-deniers-in-2014-election/](http://my.firedoglake.com/blog/2014/10/28/video-republican-climate-deniers-in-2014-election/) > [@](#): > > Midterms 2014: Candidates dodge & deny threat of climate change > > This video is a mixture of painfully-awkward, hilarious, and infuriating at the reality of the political system in which we are supposedly represented. Courtesy of Lee Fang, for Republic Report and Huffington Post. > > And there’s more out there [Including the new majority leader of the senate Mitch Mcconnell], if you can bear it. I promise that the end of this blog will not be as pessimistic as what follows. > > U.S. House Speaker John Boehner has said “I’m not qualified to debate the science over climate change,” when asked about climate change, as if he was unable to have his staff ask climate scientists for him, or as if he hasn’t heard anything about the issue over the last 25 years. This is the top politician in the House of Representatives talking, whose party holds the House majority. > > Worse than Rep. Boehner is New Hampshire Senate candidate Scott Brown, a former Massachusetts Senator who now denies climate change after previously claiming he recognized the crisis. [Lord Helmet] I’m surrounded by assholes! [/LH] ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/196 "2015-01-15T05:01:28Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Can we add Peter Norris? I mean, he is, but also _Peter Norris_ for Christs sake, come on you know that name just **sounds** like he’s an asshole. **Peter Morris** is not generally an asshole, but there is one person who cannot be mentioned in his presence without earning one a warning. I choose to not mention that person and if you don’t know who it is don’t dig because you cannot profit from it. Let sleeping dogs lie and let **Peter** continue to be the worthwhile poster he is by not tempting him. We all have our _bêtes noires_. Where’s my halo smilie? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/197 "2015-01-15T05:03:07Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > **Peter Morris** is not generally an asshole, but there is one person who cannot be mentioned in his presence without earning one a warning. I choose to not mention that person and if you don’t know who it is don’t dig because you cannot profit from it. Let sleeping dogs lie and let **Peter** continue to be the worthwhile poster he is by not tempting him. We all have our _bêtes noires_. > > Where’s my halo smilie? 😉 If only I had a dowsing rod, I could try to figure out who you mean… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/198 "2015-01-15T05:12:02Z")
Anyone else do a vanity search on this thread? ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/199 "2015-01-15T06:49:06Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > If only I had a dowsing rod, I could try to figure out who you mean… Someone might even pay you a million bucks if you could figure it out that way. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753/200 "2015-01-15T07:11:30Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > What if you think that Americans, or Republicans are evil? Does that make one an asshole? You didn’t ask me, but IMO yes, which is why it struck me funny that Der Trihs posted and nobody even blinked. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ongoing-list-of-the-straight-dopes-most-epic-assholes/709753.md?page=11)