Along with his donation to the NRO drive, reader JDJ tries to give us a sense of What Has Gone So Terribly Wrong With Our Website, a la CheChe:
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a look of misery and dejection on the face of my daughter as I just did a moment ago. She just couldn’t understand why the NRO would put a Star Trek meter on The Corner when The Next Generation was such a better show. “Doesn’t the Corner care about writing?” she asked pitifully.
I sat down with her on the sofa and (as calmly as I could) tried to explain to her why the The Corner seems to go for the campy. “Honey, I think her boss, Mr. Goldberg, put up the ST meter up because he’s never seen TNG. You see, he hasn’t even watched television since What’s Happening!! was taken off the air and he’s afraid of getting caught in cultural references post 1979…”
I tried to keep my voice steady, but it became increasingly difficult – the rage and feelings of helplessness were just too much. I think my daughter could tell something was wrong. I found myself at such a loss for words – nothing made any sense; nothing makes sense anymore. I finally had to admit, “Honey, I just don’t know – I don’t know what’s going on at that place anymore…”
When I finished her lower lip started to tremble and her eyes began to fill with tears, “Daddy” she said, “why are Trekkies doing this to NRO?” Well, that was it for me: I finally fell apart. She just fell into my arms and we both began sobbing for several minutes.
For once she had to comfort me and get me back on my feet. Sometimes I just think it’s too much, but seeing the strength in my young daughter’s voice helped me to get through.
I sat down with her on the sofa and (as calmly as I could) tried to explain to her why the The Corner seems to go for the campy. “Honey, I think her boss, Mr. Goldberg, put up the ST meter up because he’s never seen TNG. You see, he hasn’t even watched television since What’s Happening!! was taken off the air and he’s afraid of getting caught in cultural references post 1979…”
I tried to keep my voice steady, but it became increasingly difficult – the rage and feelings of helplessness were just too much. I think my daughter could tell something was wrong. I found myself at such a loss for words – nothing made any sense; nothing makes sense anymore. I finally had to admit, “Honey, I just don’t know – I don’t know what’s going on at that place anymore…”
When I finished her lower lip started to tremble and her eyes began to fill with tears, “Daddy” she said, “why are Trekkies doing this to NRO?” Well, that was it for me: I finally fell apart. She just fell into my arms and we both began sobbing for several minutes.
For once she had to comfort me and get me back on my feet. Sometimes I just think it’s too much, but seeing the strength in my young daughter’s voice helped me to get through.
Me: We Trekkies like to be called “Trekkers,” honey.