1. Brandon Powers on January 24, 2006 04:56 PM writes...

Sir, you've never met me, nor do you know my way of thinking.

So to describe me, along with any organization I belong at all, let alone in the derogatory manner in which you do, is silly.

"Racism and ethnic hatred," huh? Well, Cal-YAF's top leadership includes, along with myself, a Hispanic Communications Director and a Taiwanese Executive Director.

Pesky when facts don't go along with a good diatribe, isn't it?

2. Brad Hutchings on January 25, 2006 01:04 AM writes...

It's a curious theory of conservatism that rejects the idea of free consumer choice and tells them corporations know what's best for them.

This is a subtle variation on the little spat between you and Brandon. You think he's evil. He thinks you're stupid.

Well, the cable companies may actually be evil, but their critics utter stupidity is worse. Think about this in terms of this blog. If it weren't part of Corante, you'd never have an ad from GotoMeeting or Earthlink up there. Being part of a club makes you viable. I certainly never would have found your blog had I not followed Arnold Kling to Corante way back when.

The funniest thing about your proposed solution of a la carte cable is that it won't hurt the cable companies. It will hurt the special interest channels and most likely sink CNN.

3. steve on January 25, 2006 11:50 AM writes...

Wow. What an interesting writing style. It appears that you like to drone on about something, then immediately drop a bomb about something else completely different. For example, how the hell did you pull "racism and ethnic hatred" out of the YAF fundraising letter? And what does that have to do with the GOP's gradual move to the left, in the context of your comments?

That aside, I have two thoughts about why you're a moron:
1. You would be hard-pressed to find any politician that agrees with what Barry Goldwater wrote more than the leadership of Cal-YAF.
2. Saying Barry Goldwater would stand with the governor of (the People's Republic of) Vermont is like saying Jesse Jackson would stand with Pat Buchanan.

4. Jesse Kopelman on January 25, 2006 03:04 PM writes...

Brad, I think you have it backwards. Most people think the cable companies are stupid and the cable company defenders think their critics are evil.

5. Brad Hutchings on January 25, 2006 07:41 PM writes...

Jesse, if the cable companies are "stupid", why are they profitable? Why has no competitor emerged that does it your way? DirectTV is in a great position to offer a la carte pricing as they actually have set programmable top boxes for every set. Why don't they break it down channel by channel?

Surely you and Dana and Ralph Reed and so on don't think they would be more profitable if they offered a la carte pricing do you? Because there are enough of you that you could probably all chip in a few bucks, start a cable or satellite company, compete in a few local markets, and get your asses handed to you. If it was a good idea for cable companies to do this, they would have already done it. Critics think they are evil for making us buy more than we supposedly want (as told to them by the loud mouths).

6. Dana Blankenhorn on January 26, 2006 03:11 PM writes...

Monopoly. That's what makes cable profit possible.

And it's not that profitable. One reason Comcast has rolled-up most of the business is because they're about the only ones who know how to make money at it.

Not too much money, either. Maybe 55 cents per share for the full year. http://finance.yahoo.com/q?d=t&s=CMCSA And remember, this is the best of the lot.

Why not more, despite the "triple play" and the constant advertising for itself, and the recent investments in content (OLN)?

Fixed capital costs.

7. Jesse Kopelman on January 26, 2006 03:18 PM writes...

When did I say I was in favor of a la carte pricing? I just happen to know from experience working for large telecom companies that they are stupid. Most large companies are stupid, it's just that simple. Making more money that you spend is not enough to prove you are not stupid in my book.

8. bobby on February 14, 2006 11:02 PM writes...

Dana,
Conservatism has never been about less government.. except where it concerns controlling the excesses of business. Forget words.. Look at actions. Deans interesting mix of private & corporate values is rather unique in this country.. & devestatingly frightening to most 'conservatives'.. people who only wish to 'conserve' their monetary domination of a low/middle class seen as 'factory fodder' (&, of course, 'cannon fodder' when the factories lose 'profitability'). The age of the robber barons is the wet dream of conservatives.. Capitalism is capitalizing on having a product.. & the best (when the only criteria is 'making money') product is one that requires no work on the part of the 'owner'.. Trees for lumber, for instance.. or land with coal under it.. Harvest it as cheaply as possible (damn the rights/needs of workers or people who just happen to like clean air/water & trees left standing) & sell what you 'own'.. Never mind that the coal is non-replaceable (& the land and people destroyed by mining) & that trees have a greater contribution to make than lumber/firewood. Water sheds & erosion control be damned!, there's money in them thar forests!

As for YAF burning a flag.. it makes sense.. They equate a flag with a surrogate replacement for a dysfunctional penis.. 'Destroying' the other guys' is a 'manly' (apologies to the General ;-)) thing to do. I fear it will be difficult to find a conservative who thinks of anything other than 'what can I get (for how little)' & 'how can I hurt the other guy' (so I can get more)..