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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,368
47,611
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
He's very popular. Oh how the elite hate populism.
Elite, elite, elite…
So if you needed heart surgery you would hire a tree surgeon? They’re both surgeons, right?
I don’t think elites hate populism. They hate irrational stupidity. When that crosses into populism, then they hate irrational stupid populism, except when they are pulling the strings on the populist meat puppets.
 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
10,004
15,994
Elite, elite, elite…
So if you needed heart surgery you would hire a tree surgeon? They’re both surgeons, right?
I don’t think elites hate populism. They hate irrational stupidity. When that crosses into populism, then they hate irrational stupid populism, except when they are pulling the strings on the populist meat puppets.

I don't consider surgeons to be the "elite"...not even close. I only use the term to refer to the very highest levels of power and wealth in the world...which is a very tiny group, most of which are not well known to the general public.

I also consider most of "them" to be stupid and irrational as well (or psychotic might be a better word). And yes, they do routinely use meat puppets...which is what most politicians are IMO. And IMO, they only hate the populism they don't control (this does not mean said populism is necessarily good or right about everything).

EDIT: I would also add, there are a lot of people who are not among the "elite" who also tend to dislike populism.
 
Last edited:

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,368
47,611
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
I don't consider surgeons to be the "elite"...not even close. I only use the term to refer to the very highest levels of power and wealth in the world...which is a very tiny group, most of which are not well known to the general public.

I also consider most of "them" to be stupid and irrational as well (or psychotic might be a better word). And yes, they do routinely use meat puppets...which is what most politicians are IMO. And IMO, they only hate the populism they don't control (this does not mean said populism is necessarily good or right about everything).

EDIT: I would also add, there are a lot of people who are not among the "elite" who also tend to dislike populism.
So for you it's social or financial elites. A lot of populists include intellectuals, college professors, specialists, scientists, researchers, physicians, and people who have become expert in their fields as part of the "elite", a much broader base that includes anyone and everyone whose conclusions differ from theirs.
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,368
47,611
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Absolutely. Never have I thought otherwise.
But you forgot to include "a much broader base that includes anyone and everyone whose conclusions differ from theirs."

Which is a key point, because populist movements are always based on emotion and blame, with a lot of fearmongering thrown in for good measure.
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,368
47,611
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Remember it takes two to tango. Can't blame just STG. The buyer can say no. I blame George Lucas for the Star Wars sale to Disney.
I think Lucas was highly sick of Star Wars and wanted to be freed of it. He clearly didn't need the money, and as I recall, he donated the proceeds.
Whatever Disney executives that are actually in charge of making decisions, not just the usual names getting paid for their use, those folks have screwed this pooch.

Evidently, the family isn't involved and isn't interested. Assuming that the purchase goes through, that's that. We'll see what develops. Past may be prologue and then again it may not.
 
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brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
10,004
15,994
populist movements are always based on emotion and blame, with a lot of fearmongering thrown in for good measure.

Although I wouldn't put in as absolute terms as that, I don't entirely disagree.

Populism only has power in numbers, and it is an unfortunate aspect of human nature (on the collective level) that the more thoughtful leaders don't typically get enough traction. It's usually the ones who lack any deep understanding, but have the marketing skills to read the zeitgeist, and are adept at talking in bumper sticker slogans that attract sufficient numbers to challenge the status quo. But sometimes that's still better than the current shitshow when the status quo gets intolerable enough.
 
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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,368
47,611
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Maybe it’s time for serious pipe smokers to stop buying STG products.

After all the smaller vendors have a hard enough time surviving in this small niche market.

Don’t we all believe maybe it’s time to really put our money in the small guy/gal?

KBV

L.J. Peretti

The Country Squire

Uhle’s

Watch City Cigar

Wilke Pipe Tobacco

And all the other small B&M! :)

P.S. Here’s Gawith, because they’re not exactly STG sized.

The problem is that many, if not most, of these blenders get their leaf primarily from Sutliff, which is owned by MacBaren, soon to be owned by STG.