Archive

Mudline Archive

STICKS, STONES, BROKEN BONES

During the 2000 Bush-Gore presidential race, we began collecting negative soundbites and posting them weekly on a MUDLINE ticker, as a temporary election feature. But in the aftermath of that tumultuous contest we realized that the tone of public discourse was unlikely to improve, and elected to continue the feature. Unfortunately, we were right; two decades later, incivility is hotter than ever. If you just can’t get enough snark on social media, this mud’s for you.

  • November 12, 2010

    Michelle Goldberg on Glenn Beck's Soros rant: "A symphony of anti-Semitic dog-whistles.”….J.J. Goldberg on Beck: “As close as I’ve heard on mainstream television to fascism.”….Glenn Beck on George Soros: "Has admitted in the past he doesn't believe in God, but that's perhaps because he thinks he is.”….former chancellor Gerhard Schroder on Bush: “Not telling the truth.”….George Will on Obama presidency: “An exhausted volcano.”….Bobby Jindal on Congress: “Is now often an apprenticeship program for lobbyists-in-waiting.”….Nancy Franklin on TLC: "The Leering Channel."....
  • November 8, 2010

    DNC committeeman Robert Zimmerman on White House: "Couldn't sell cocaine to Charlie Sheen."....Ann Coulter on Obama: "He blew the country up."....London Daily Mail on Obama India trip: "Probably not since the days of the Pharaohs or the more ludicrous Roman Emperors has a head of state travelled in such pomp and expensive grandeur."....Sarah Palin on Alaska TV station KTVA: "Corrupt bastards."....Clive Crook on the Left: "Can always find time to attack its own team, cry and complain, and demand to be patted on the head."....Texas Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg on Yankees fans: "By far the worst of any I've seen in the postseason...An embarrassment."....Ted Rall on Obama: "If he was honest with himself and with us, he would resign."....Mark Mellman on Bush book tour: "Great news for Democrats."....Jimmy McMillan: "The only thing higher than the rent is Charlie Sheen."....
  • October 31, 2010

    Joy Behar on Sharron Angle: “She's going to hell, this bitch!”…. Carl Paladino on Palin: “A TV personality … someone who just wants to go and throw a bunch of words around and proverbs.”… Keith Olbermann on the Tea Party: “Unqualified, unstable individuals who will do what they are told, in exchange for money and power, and march this nation as far backward as they can get.”…. Chris Matthews on Rand Paul coordinatorTim Profitt: “The kind of stuff we saw from hoodlums in the 30s in another country I will not mention.”….Mike Huckabee on NPR: “The purveyor of politically correct pabulum.”….Bill O’Reilly on NPR: “A left-wing outfit that wants one opinion.”….Juan Williams on NPR: “Treats a journalist who has worked for them for ten years with less regard, less respect for the value of independence of thought and embrace of real debate across political lines, than Nixon ever displayed.”….Michael Gerson on Obama: “An intellectual snob.”….James Taranto on Obama: “A stupid president who is also an intellectual snob.”….Taliban member Maulvi Kabir, on peace talk story: “Another ploy by the enemy to divide the Taliban.”…. Linda Stasi on Charlie Sheen: “The most pitiful man on TV.”…
  • October 20, 2010

    Keith Olbermann on O'Reilly book: “His latest bold, fresh piece of crap."....Meghan McCain on Christine O'Donnell: "Making a mockery of running for public office."....Rush Limbaugh on Harry Reid: "A liar....A shameless little man."....Jesse Ventura on Bill O'Reilly: "A spineless puke."....Rabbi Yehuda Levin on Carl Paladino: "Folded like a cheap camera."....Helen Thomas on Obama: "Reprehensible."....Retired Army General Hugh Shelton on John McCain: "A screw loose."....
  • October 20, 2010

    Keith Olbermann on O'Relly book: "His latest bold, fresh piece of crap."