Also, Dick Clark, the emperor of Rock ‘n’ Roll, is dead at 82. Notice the Times’ consistently condescending tone toward Clark throughout the obit, acknowledging his talent and success while always presenting it in a way to belittle him. I don’t carry any particular brief for Dick Clark, but it is to be observed that the Times, imitated by other liberal organs, has a highly developed technique of telling its readers, not through honest and clear speech, but through the subconceptual method of tone and word choice, of whom they should approve and especially of whom they should not approve. You might call it passive aggressive journalism—involving an aggression which the aggressor can deny.

"Passive-aggressive journalism," indeed. Dead solid perfect.

Whatever.

Likewise with the recent death of painter Thomas Kincade. I was not particularly a fan; my only connection with him is that I once bought a box of Christmas cards bearing one of his paintings. He was a religious man, and believed that he was using his talent to bring beauty into the world.

But all the "cool" people looked down their noses at him, and at the people who bought and enjoyed his artwork. Of course, those same people thought that a crucifix dipped in a jar of urine was Serious Art.

Great video clip in one of the comments at the linked article. It's a continuation of the video Gerard linked the other day.

"Still got the shovel!" is officially my new favorite phrase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn60YWO218k

I agree. "Still got the shovel" is the phrase that pays.