Taking Heat
Some blogger named Montana Cowgirl, whose portfolio includes rehashes of Democratic office-holders’ press releases and a broad issuance of smears, has decided that National Review published something she deems racist in the mid-1990s, when I was 10, and that, because I worked there a decade hence, I, too, am a racist.
Luckily — and this is something I was unaware of — I have a raft of liberal admirers who have come to my defense. Thanks guys! I’m touched. It’s pretty nasty to be accused of writing racist/misogynist things, but in this case I regard it as nearly comical. My CV on the matter is rock solid–you don’t get to be a Gates Scholar or appear in peer-reviewed journals on Africa if you’re a big racist, even a “racist” by association.
But for the purposes of reinforcing what I was saying below about Claude Levi-Strauss (never let a crisis of anthropological understanding go to waste), let me replicate for you what Montana Cowgirl thinks is the smoking gun–the writing which she believes proves me, once and for all, to be a racist. It dates to Barack Obama’s election, which I was reporting on from Kenya and was published on NRO’s The Corner, the racist blog which is the 11th-ranked site on the Technorati Authority scale, which is just to say there’s a lot of racists out there:
It’s Obama Day in Kenya [Travis Kavulla]
Nairobi, Kenya – It must be the first time one country has celebrated the election of another country’s president with a day off. But that is just what has happened here in Kenya, where President Mwai Kibaki, with all the caprice of an African leader, has declared today a public holiday in honor of Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan. Work is at a standstill, banks are closed, as are all government offices and most shops. (Ironically, Kibaki’s 2007 campaign slogan was ‘kazi iendelee’ – let the work continue.) Bars, however, are open and people are still hawking Obama paraphernalia and stars-and-stripes apparel. And then there are the glue-sniffing street children, who continue to beg. Sad that the first concrete effect of an Obama presidency on Kenya would be to further depress the productivity of a country that could really use a booster shot in that department.
So let’s review. In one corner, we have Montana Cowgirl who, despite never being to Africa and knowing approximately nothing about the continent, observes that this post is “riddled with racist undertones.” Oh, I’m sorry. Is it impolitic to point out the glue-sniffing children? Is it racist to say a tribalist, opportunistic individual like Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki is acting “with all the caprice of an African leader,” who are typically tribalistic, opportunistic, dictate-from-above type of guys?
Cowgirl also writes about AIDS and condoms. She says my criticism of the myopic policy of condom promotion in Africa makes me a misogynist, a woman-hater. Huh. In my book, there is a growing body of evidence–not just from conservatives, but from people like the New York Times-contributing Helen Epstein–that the promotion of condoms is a policy which is premised on how the disease is spread through the social network of New York, not Nairobi. I think that we miss a lot of Africa’s cultural texture, which might be used in the battle against AIDS and which traditionally militates against condoms and prophylaxis. Cowgirl is out to lunch on all of this scholarship and, for her, racism is about discussing cultural difference of others in a way which is unpleasant for her to hear, no matter the objective truth of what you are describing. It’s the old “shoot the messenger” thing. And, unfortunately, I know many African journalists who are honest about what they see, but not too honest–unless you want to set off the reaction of clueless do-gooders like our Cowgirl.
Here we come back to my point about Levi-Strauss: We have stopped taking cultural difference seriously, whether our subject be Africans or Islamists or Native Americans, and “multiculturalists” and “liberals” and “progressives”–which is purportedly what Montana Cowgirl is–ironically tend to look at the world’s problems through the lens of Western culture. Such is the policy of condom promotion, which worked wonders on the American AIDS epidemic, even while it has routinely failed in Africa, where sexual culture and therefore the disease’s epidemiology is much different. You can read my 8,000-word social history of AIDS in Africa here if you want to get a fuller view on the topic.
If I understand Cowgirl correctly, my mere suggestion that it might not be such a good thing for our AIDS policy in Africa to encourage condoms as an article of faith, means I hate women and want them to suffer. You tell me: who is the inhumane, close-minded, racist one here? Someone who attempts to understand the texture of African society and comes up with solutions premised on local culture? Or someone who rushes in with a Western dogma, ready to castigate anyone who does not fully endorse it?
Cowgirl’s post is shameful. My advice to everyone: quit visiting LiTW and leaving comments, even in defense of Travis. LiTW has sunk to a new low.
It seems too much has been made of too little. I wouldn’t waste my time worrying about it.
I don’t know what’s more shameful, Montana Cowgirl’s original post or her inane attempts to justify herself in the comment thread. She keeps telling people that Travis’ own words condemn him as a misogynist and racist … except that they don’t, so she keeps repeating it.
By her yardstick, if Travis spoke out against the over-use of infant formula in Africa, he would be a racist AND a baby killer. If I could figure out out to comment on LiTW, I would tell Jay, whom I admire, that Cowgirl, in this instance and many others, is dragging that site down. I don’t agree with too many posts at Electric City, but at least this site is free of political hacks and shills.
Travis -You put forth that the best way to combat aids in Africa is to transform the supernatural hocus pocus of the tribal witch doctor to the hocus pocus of the penticostal minister and then preach abstinance and monogomy.
Hears another idea – Its what we have done in the peace corp for 50 years now . We teach them the science neccisary to understand aids transmission and what they can do about it. I think our 50 years trumps your 1 or 2years.
Don’t get me wrong I’m all for spreading the gospil and hope I have the guts to do a mission before I’m too old but you are nieve Travis and your idea that Africans can not be taught the health science neccisary for their own good does seem rather racist.
Cowgirl lost it a long time ago. It would be tempting to put up some extensive reply that would help her to appreciate her error, but that is not what she wants, nor is she ever going to become aware.
Leave her to her lunacy, and those that agree with her. It is more important to be accurate than politically correct. Just look at MAJ Hassan at Ft. Hood.
TRAVIS! I never heard of Montana Cowgirl until now. I just visited her site and it will be the last time I have the misfortune to go to what is clearly an out of touch with reality site. I truly feel sorry for anyone who subscribes to her idiotic rants and raves. With enemies like her you will pick up friends and VOTES on your road to victory for the PSC!
I agree with David, LiTW has indeed suck to a new low, which requires a new definition of the term “low.” I can’t help but wonder if the new comment policy in place over there is in place to help protect people like Montana Cowgirl from “comments” the moderators find hit to close to home. That must be their new gimmick. Even Singer has suck to a new low of throwing around F-bombs, not that his vocabulary was deep to begin with, but still…
LiTW has mastered the “anonymous” poster, think jhygirl (or whatever), Montana Cowgirl, and others…all of whom stand behind a wall of anonymity while throwing stuff that, here in Richland County, we step over if we find it in a pasture.
BURN THE WITCH! Okay, just kidding. David, if people quit visiting LitW, then think of how much blog-fodder folks would lose out on?
The funny thing is, Steve, no one seems to be agreeing with her. Not even the guy who’s been banned here, ya know, Larry?
It’s easy, Ed. Just register an account, sign in once and done. You can comment. But, what you would like to comment is better sent in email. And if you’re willing to do that, I would suggest emailing both Matt and Jay. It’s still Matt’s site.
Richard, your comment is laughable. F-bombs (FEAR WOE HORROR WHAT OF THE CHILDREN!!!!) only seem to be an issue for the rightward blogs as part of a deeper Ad Hominem against competitors on the left.
Furthermore, the new comment policy isn’t to shield people, even Cowgirl, from disagreement. If you were actually a reader of the blog, you’d know that. But like most things rightward, you present this:
‘Well that was over the line. I’ll certainly never read/discuss with/vote for that low individual ever again.’
~falling of the stricken on a fainting couch.~
Except, you never read/discussed with/voted for those individuals in the first place, did you? I’m certain that LitW will miss your patronage. Hehehe.
Wulfgar, I’m surprised she did that after you and others called her on a similar smear job against the Bozeman mayor.
If she won’t listen to your kind and reasoned counsel, what hope is there for the rest of us when you set us on your knee? ;~p
Simply put, Craig, it’s not my job to corral the Cowgirl. It isn’t jhwygirl’s job, or the commenter’s job or even really Jay’s. Bloggers can blog whatever they want. That’s the sad and still marvelous truth of things.
One thing more, I wrote a comment at LiTW where I analyzed her behavior and corrosive attack while hiding behind a mask. I attached the label Coward to her for that behavior. My comment was removed for name calling… meanwhile the scurrilous personal attack on Travis by an anonymous blogger was left standing. Hard to figure.
I must have done something wrong because I followed LITW procedure for being able to comment but every time I attempt to leave a comment, it says “page cannot be found” and the comment goes to pixel heaven. I have given up trying to comment over there.
As far as cowgirl, she lost me a long time ago. She is a wingnut of the left persuasion and as such, she reaches for most of her stories. I particularly like the one where she attempts to slam a Republican Montana legislator because he “likes” Victoria Secret on his facebook page. LiTW used to be a decent left leaning blogsite that I visited everyday to see the left perspective on the issues. Now I prefer to avoid it. There are better sources of left leaning information available.
Moorcat
I just checked out Cowgirl after I checked out travises aids article . YEhaw, cowgirl certainly has a valid point.Read my earlier post ,
I sure don’t see the reason to attack her, this is a well traveled question of how to do aid work in Africa.
Why are you guys all so afraid of her? address her point of view , it is reasonable.
Are you referring to Cowgirl’s post itself? Then yeah, it’s likely going to stand. Deal, dude. If you are referring to a comment (and I don’t think you are) then you might need to keep checking back. Jay isn’t omnipotent, and holding him to your standard of what should be fair moderation is really kinda silly. Just sayin’ …
And for the love of God, can people please get over this selective obsession with anonymity? For all anyone really knows, Craig Moore is actually named Doofus McGurk. Geeguy ran this blog for quite some time before Gregg Smith appeared. And comments reported to be from me (but aren’t) have appeared all over the Montana Intertubes, most recently at Tokarski’s house of not-so-right-in-the-head. Anonymous comments are accepted here, but this is yet another case where the right imposes strictures on the left that they don’t hold, and have never held, for their own ideological brethren. Please, just knock it off.
That comment was directed at Craig. Sorry if confusion.
liTW??? what is the web address to this site, I would like to read what is being printed. Travis I do not think you need to put much thought into what some say about you. As the election showed, the majority of us are in your corner.
Mark J, you don’t how to click a link? You put your mouse cursor over it, and move your index finger. Is that really too hard for you?
I’m sorry to the offended, but seriously. That was some damned funny ridiculous shit right there.
Wulfgar, we will just have to disagree. When someone makes it personal, attacks another person in a way that threatens their livihood, career, reputation, etc., that person should use their own name. Otherwise it’s just a sucker punch by a bushwhacker, a coward that hides in the dark, like Cowgirl. I use my own name.
Mark J, try this: http://leftinthewest.com/diary/4194/republican-seeks-to-rebrand-himself-after-editing-racist-publication-and-misogynist-writings
and
http://leftinthewest.com/diary/4195/does-the-far-right-hate-soccer
According to Montana Cowgirl’s thinking, who would be the racist: (a) those who favor prohibiting the use of DDT to eliminate malaria and therefore continue to allow millions to die from it in Africa or (b) those who favor actively using DDT to eliminate malaria in order to prevent the millions from dieing from it in Africa?
Walter, you are headed towards Silent Spring. Ugh! Millions have died over this fraud.
Craig, Travis isn’t just “another person”. He’s running for elected office, an office he will likely win. Your caterwauling against Cowgirl for “anonymity” is wasted effort, and not really that convincing. I remind you. We all grew to know Geeguy well before we knew Gregg Smith. Is Cowgirl delivering a sucker punch? Maybe. So what? It’s been ineffective, yet you want something done about this outrage. Give it up. You’re wasting your effort in a silly crusade, seriously.
Wulfgar, I thought you were way smarter than that. My objection is over the tenuous smear… by a coward. Connected but not the same. Just provided some background as to my involvement at LiTW.
Do I want something done? No. I told Jay I was through with LiTW. He can’t censure me and turn a blind eye to what caused the ruckus without me registering my only ability to protest such hypocrisy. I had no intention of saying anything here until it was made an issue by Travis.
Craig, it’s hard to believe your noble intentions when you needlessly insult my intelligence. I thought we were having a conversation here. I’m aware of your outrage over Cowgirl’s attack against Travis. There’s no use in punctuating it. But attacking LitW through some claims against Cowgirl isn’t what you’ve done, but just admitted you want to do. So do it. And then we’ll discuss that. And it will have nothing to do, if we’re being rational, with her anonymity.
I don’t care who the hell Cowgirl is. Might be a man for all I know. And I don’t care if Cowgirl wants to issue cheap shots on behalf of some sleazeball political operatives, which appears to be what she is paid to do. I just wish she’d show some signs of cognitive activity before she sits down in front of a keyboard.
Ed, I’ve already written that you have the power to change that, if you so desire. If you need email addresses than email me, or call me. It’s not like I’m anonymous.
I don’t want to change it. I trust Jay to see what is plainly obvious. Maybe he’s afraid of evicting Cowgirl and being branded a misogynist.
Wulfgar: Take note, F-bombs tend to be the tree that those who can’t argue on the merits hide behind…perhaps because of insecurity or other psychosocial reasons. You might want to take note. Not every argument with every person can be reduced to some sophomoric claim of introducing the much-feared “strawman” or some other device.
“If you were actually a reader of the blog, you’d know that.” There you go making false assumptions again. I did read LiTW, and was a commentor once upon a time.I know the policy was probably put in place because of folks like Larry Kralj and MarkT, among others, but it seems part and parcel of the normal Democrat gestalt, i.e. censure those who are actually making a point and make a blog read entertaining, but we wouldn’t want that to diminish the cerebral oeuvre from folks like SInger, Stevens, and Montana Cowgirl….would we?
“Except, you never read/discussed with/voted for those individuals in the first place, did you? I’m certain that LitW will miss your patronage. Hehehe.” Again with the false assumptions. I voted for Schweitzer, twice, and Jon Tester. I vote on the issues, not on the personalities or the political party….just the kind of voter LiTW seemed to be reaching out for, before they took such a hard and mendacious turn to the far far moonbat left. Speaking of personalities, I feel a bit dirty even discussing civility with the most uncultured, ill-bred, and primitive personality in Montana blogdom.
Wulfgar: “You’re wasting your effort in a silly crusade, seriously.”
And you complain that I attack your intelligence?
Why don’t any of you who are so sure of yourselves defend Travises artical on how health workers in Africa are so wrong to push health education and condom use to prevent aids and should instead push morality driven abstenance and monogomy. My wife worked in a clinic in the peace corp in Africa for 3 years while I did other stuff so we know the issues and what Travis is pushing here is way out there . In my opinion its insulting that he insinuates that after being presented with education in the right manor that africans can’t make the right choice and need to have moral pressure applied to them to make the right choice.
Cowgirl asked for this discussion and it is a ligitament one and I wonder why none of you have the guts to do it. It seems a little racist to me.
By the way, Mark T’s analysis of this situation merits a look: http://pieceofmind.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/for-the-record-2/
Ken, what you want to discuss is not the issue, which is using a specious smear to further a political end. Learn something from Mark T. Read his blog entry.
Craig- What I and cowgirl want to discuss is exactly the issue is and Travis himself does a good job of defending himself but he still falls short and that is why there should be a discussion.
Ken, stop with the BS. It doesn’t pass the laugh test.
Ken, no discussion worth a damn is initiated by sucker punching someone with corrosive invectives. Surely, even you are smart enough to understand that.
Well, I’ve been on an anti-Cowgirl rant for months – years? I think that is what got me banned over there, though Jay says not. I am also an anti-Kavulla guy. You have a high IQ and a functioning intellect, as do all NR readers, no doubt. But the smartest people in our country suffer from blindness, so you do as well.
So if my choice is between Cowgirl’s stupidity and your supreme variety, I choose you. At least you can write.
I wouldn’t exactly be putting NR on my resume if I had worked there. Not for fear of some crackpot accusing me of racism for some random article years before I worked there, but because I feared people might lump my intellectual and analytical skills in with the likes of K-lo and her equally vapid and unstimulating comrades.
It’s not a place for serious intellectual conservatism. I’ve even seen Maggie “The bailiff had to chastise me for putting my bare feet up in the courtroom” Gallagher posting on NRO of late.
unlike you craig I ain’t just picking stuff off the web, I’m speaking from personel experience in this matter and what Travis writes bothers me and I would say a lot of my peace corp pals.
Travis puts his stuff up for us to read , and I read it , I agree with some of what he says and some of it bothers me. He is very far to the right and these views on aids and some on Islamists should be discussed for what they are.
He pokes folks in the nose. He shouldn’t be upset when they poke back.
Allen – I am an old-time subscriber from way back. I go back to Burnham and Buckley at their best, along with a host of others. Has it changed? I haven’t really paid attention since the late 80’s.
Wulfgard, what dam link you shit head. The only link that I see is the one posted by Craig that is located below your bull shit post to me.
You always glimmer in showing just what an ass-hole you are.
OOh, Wah, Wulfgard was mean to me!!!
Read the fricking post, moron. Every link I discussed (and you ignorantly did too) is in the post. You know, the one you just stupidly commented on? The one by Travis? The one you proved you know jack-sh!t about but commented anyway?
Are you glimmering yet, moron?
Wulfgar, just a suggestion. Go back and look at Mark J posts from the past. Especially,I believe, his gratis offer to help GF on contractual matters regarding being ass deep in alligators.
Any of us can overlook things for a variety of reasons. Sometimes just a friendly helping hand in lieu of chippy judgments would suffice. But, as always, shoot your own rabbits.
I just took another walk over to litw and read another of Travisis articles on aids work in africa. Like the last one it is very insightful of the problems of doing aid work . His main premis is true about not bringing in western ideas but finding local solutions bassed in the local culture. I don’t know if he realizes it but that is exactly what peace corp and other ngos do , maybe not too well though.
The problem I have with his writing is that he makes it too black or white . moral based persausion or science and condoms when the best result is probably a combination. I don’t know if he is writing for the neocons that sign his checks or what but I hope he agrees with me that both aproaches are not exclusive and can work well seperate or togeghter. Anyway that little twist in his articles is what makes them suspect.
Ken, get over yourself. You don’t like him because he is an R. The rest is just details… and meaningless excuses on your partg.
Craig-I question some of his ideas but I give him leeway because of his youth. Some insights into life only come with age.
I respect his inteligance and I believe he has integraty but I will point out what I think his errors are tell the cows come home as others do for me which is the best part of this blog.
Yes, Craig, you’re probably right. But for good reason, I’m just in a bad mood.
Whoa, dude. Get hold of a bad batch of Schmitt?
Thanks for letting us know about that bad mood, as it is otherwise hard to tell.