# OMG a Black Moron! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 16, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929 "2011-08-16T18:30:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/1 "2011-08-16T18:30:55Z")
Here’s his latest:[He argues that municipalities could do what the EPA does and do it much better.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14144840&postcount=33) Like municipalities don’t have a motivation to bend the laws for local corporations that might not be in the country’s, or the society’s, best interests. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/2 "2011-08-16T18:37:29Z")
Sure, but then once that happens everyone can start in on “Why do we have these regulations when the city can’t even enforce them? Let’s just cancel them.” -Joe ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/3 "2011-08-16T18:37:45Z")
I guess he’s never been to Baton Rouge (and that’s just one example of many). It’s amazing how these politicians will just pull stuff out of their ass, believe it as gospel truth, and expect everyone else to believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/4 "2011-08-16T18:41:24Z")
In that thread, **Little Nemo** says: > [@Should we abolish the EPA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-abolish-the-epa/592888/43): > > Yes it is and why is that? > > Because we have the EPA. > > This is the same logic liberals use when they argue against prisons. We put a bunch of people in prison and the crime rate went down. So they argue that now that the crime rate has dropped there’s no reason to keep imprisoning people. > > If you stop putting people in prison, the crime rate will go back up. And if you stop enforcing environmental laws, the pollution will come back. Which strikes me as a pretty sensible rebuttal. I guess what I’m saying by repeating it here is that I don’t see “moronic.” I see an argument that is susceptible to refutation being refuted. If all arguments that were susceptible to refutation were Pitted as moronic or claimed to be the result of a moron’s approach, I believe the Reader would need to invest in a dedicated server farm just for the Pit. So while I agree with your implied criticism of the merits of the argument, I don’t quite agree it’s Pit-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/5 "2011-08-16T18:44:26Z")
If’ you’re going to call someone a moron, you should at least do a good job of summarizing what that person says. I mean, that post was short enough to quote: > [@OMGaBC](#): > > The idea that companies would simply pollute to their heart’s content if the EPA was abolished in a lot of fearmongering. Even if the EPA was abolished, most local municipalities would pass their own laws limiting how much a business could pollute (or they would offer incentives for a company to not pollute). Doesn’t look at all like he’s saying the municipalities would do it better, especially since he implies that some would do nothing (or less). And it’s unclear why you couldn’t just argue with him in the thread linked to. Now, there may be good reasons to Pit this guy, but this OP is weak, at best. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/6 "2011-08-16T18:49:35Z")
I just like the title, John. I didn’t want to quote him because he has a typo, and I didn’t want to seem like I was patronizing him in quoting his main (moronic) point with a [sic], besides. But you keep defending him with whatever you’ve got. Sometimes you don’t get good material to work with, I understand. But it’s important that you play hard for your team. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/7 "2011-08-16T18:52:46Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I guess he’s never been to Baton Rouge (and that’s just one example of many). Baton Rouge is a paradise! Paradise! And I know that as someone who went there weekly for about two years. Just keep your doors locked and don’t drink the water. > [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > It’s amazing how these politicians will just pull stuff out of their ass, believe it as gospel truth, and expect everyone else to believe it. Really? Look at the stunted shitheads who not only line up behind them, but who also happily parrot it back at the rest of us. It’s vitally important that they remain on the winning team after all. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > But you keep defending him with whatever you’ve got. Sometimes you don’t get good material to work with, I understand. But it’s important that you play hard for your team. You really want **John** to have to pull that dogeared “I’m the only unbiased independent in the world” card again? That thing is practically confetti. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/8 "2011-08-16T18:53:48Z")
I think the OP was a little quick on the draw here. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/9 "2011-08-16T18:55:12Z")
\*\*John \*\*is a radical non-partisan, extremely neutral. He’s not on anybody’s “team”. Got your back, **John**. No need to thank me. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/10 "2011-08-16T18:55:57Z")
Yeah, there are plenty of good reasons to pit him. I expected a better articulated pitting, since there is a lot of material to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/11 "2011-08-16T19:00:31Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > \*\*John \*\*is a radical non-partisan, extremely neutral. He’s not on anybody’s “team”. > > Got your back, **John**. No need to thank me. I have a team. They’re the rational, fact-oriented posters on this MB. Some are lefty, some are righty, and some are neither. The OP is not one of them. I don’t know **OMGaBC** very well, but I doubt he’s on my team either. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/12 "2011-08-16T19:08:28Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I don’t know **OMGaBC** very well. Why don’t you get to know him to know him a little better before you jump to his defense? This Pitting is weak? Maybe, so why don’t you keep out of it? Because you’re a mealy-mouthed jerk who needs to defend morons making indefensible statements in favor of a smaller government? Maybe so. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/13 "2011-08-16T19:09:22Z")
I’m sure you could have done better on the insult. Edit: Plus, I’m sure I said none of what you said in the OP. I merely said that the idea that companies would pollute to their hearts content without the existence of the EPA to be a lot of fearmongering. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/14 "2011-08-16T19:09:31Z")
Who elected you the fucking Pit police, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/15 "2011-08-16T19:09:54Z")
For what it’s worth, I really hate OMGaBC, and I agree that this pitting is weak. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/16 "2011-08-16T19:11:28Z")
I agree with you and **John Mace** and the general consensus. It’s weak. True, but weak. I could have done much better. I’ll try harder next time. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/17 "2011-08-16T19:11:54Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Why don’t you get to know him to know him a little better before you jump to his defense? > > This Pitting is weak? Maybe, so why don’t you keep out of it? Because you’re a mealy-mouthed jerk who needs to defend morons making indefensible statements in favor of a smaller government? Maybe so. Too bad, bub. There’s a long standing tradition here of turning a bad Pit thread against the OP. Deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/18 "2011-08-16T19:12:04Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > I’m sure you could have done better on the insult. > > Edit: Plus, I’m sure I said none of what you said in the OP. I merely said that the idea that companies would pollute to their hearts content without the existence of the EPA to be a lot of fearmongering. Some people aren’t content to be wrong in only one thread. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/19 "2011-08-16T19:14:33Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > For what it’s worth, I really hate OMGaBC… That’s actually quite sad, when you think about it, being the internet and all. > [@Maeglin](#): > > Some people aren’t content to be wrong in only one thread. I know, right? ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929/20 "2011-08-16T19:16:35Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > I know, right? I didn’t think I was being ambiguous. Just to be absolutely clear, you are the wrong one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-a-black-moron/592929.md?page=2)