In the swampy soup of hopefuls for the 2008 presidential election, there is a man with a funny name. (No, not that one.)Oh dear Lord, look how far the Washington Post has fallen. The story is apparently on the front page of Sunday's "D" section, but still. Do we now have to endure stories like this about "Rudy," "Hillary" and..."Barack"? Or is this a single snide attack on one candidate, a Republican, before he officially enters the race -- a sign of the quality of things to come from the Post regarding Fred Thompson?
We're thinking of the one named Fred (Thompson). Say it out loud. Do it. Fred. Fred. In the South, Fray-ud.
Fur-red-duh. It has the tonal quality of something being dropped on the floor, something heavy and damp-ish.
Waterlogged paper towel.
Fred.
The phonetics of the name seem integral to its image problem: On Urbandictionary.com, a "Fred" is defined as "a person who does stupid, annoying, or idiotic things" (Fred Flintstone, Fred Mertz). The best-case descriptors a Fred can hope for are terms like well-intentioned, predictable, benign (Fred Rogers).
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Washington Post Makes Fun of 'Fred' Name
When one runs for public office, especially the presidency, one expects attacks of all kinds, including personal. But a staff writer for the Washington Post has surprised even my cynical mind by making fun of, and a whole article out of, the moniker "Fred": Fred, Fred, Fred: Thompson's Challenge Has a Name.
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Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 4)
31. HEY! IS IT TRUE THAT THE WASHINGTON POST IS SUPPOSE TO BE A NEWSPAPER? I ALWAYS THOUGHT, AND STILL DO, THAT IT IS MORE A COMIC BOOK OF POOR QUALITY.
J.L. at 8:15AM on Aug 15th 2007
32. SO SINCE THE DEMOCRATIC STAFF WRITER AT THE WASHINGTON PUTRID MAKES FUN OF NAMES. IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOU HAVE NO REAL COMMENTS OF SUBSTANCE YOU MAKE FUN OF "FRED"??. BROKE-BACK OBAMA, HILLIARIOUS CLITON.....COME ON THESE ARE FUNNIER.
J.L. at 8:23AM on Aug 15th 2007
33. I guess "Fred" is too conservative a name. The Post would rather hear of a " Osama" or "Shaniuqua" or "Vladimir" than a dyed in the wool American name. Not lefty-chic enough for them.
Danny Kendrick at 9:43AM on Aug 15th 2007
34. If all the "Freds" in America would vote for Fred the Post may have to do a retraction. Show the Washington Post what "FRED POWER" can do.
bhardee126 at 10:05AM on Aug 15th 2007
35. This writer has too much time on his hands. What a moron to write an entire article over someone's first name.
Like Gump said---"Stupid is as stupid does"!
With writers like this---the Washington Post must be hiring them over the phone!
Fred Anthony at 10:37AM on Aug 15th 2007
36. This is a personal attack, importance aside. What will the Post do when Mr. Fred actually enters the race, comment on his baldness? Very unprofessional!
Cory at 10:57AM on Aug 15th 2007
37. Fred Flinstone is loved by millions, along with his sidekick Barney. The name Pat, was satirized by Saturday Night Live in dozens of skits, with dozens of guests showing a person who is unsure of their own sexuality, and others who tried to guess. Patrick is a Feminine name. Patrcik Casey, we can only guess what sex you are, whereas Fred is masculine. signed....The Great Kazooo,
DL at 10:57AM on Aug 15th 2007
38. I'm not familiar with the reporter, but even when a talented one does the research and puts out the information, people don't care to read it. They only want something easy to argue about. Perhaps if our ability to read and do some critical thinking was at a higher livel, "issues" like this wouldn't even be a concern. Ask yourselves why you never read such silliness in European papers? Our other world neighbors are too busy trying to figure out how to make their lives better and have some concern for the globe.
Mary Morton at 12:09PM on Aug 15th 2007
39. The Post's slogan should be Garbage In, Garbage Out.
AlitoRAF at 11:33AM on Aug 15th 2007
40. do you people see how desperate they are to find something to make fun of or make the guy look bad?
Talk about lame!
www.myspace.com/officialthompson2008
Jon at 4:24PM on Aug 15th 2007
41. Talk about "a person who does stupid, annoying, or idiotic things" The staff writter for the Washington Post tops the list.
Dan Turner
AMEN DAN.
marion at 6:34PM on Aug 15th 2007
42. Most all these reporters are a bunch
of nuts,that are less than common,
If you know what that means.
jbuckwhit 8-15-07 5:40 pm
John Whitten Sr. at 6:41PM on Aug 15th 2007
43. We're thinking of the one named Fred (Thompson). Say it out loud. Do it. Fred. Fred. In the South, Fray-ud.
THE MINE OF A LIBERAL ON DRUGS
marion at 6:43PM on Aug 15th 2007
44. I saw a picture of Fred with his wife or daughter. Don't know if he has a daughter, but she sure looks young enough to be his daughter. Don't know how that would go over with the public if he were in the white house. I think that will ruin his chances. He better sign the contract to continue on Law and Order.
Virginia Salvatore at 6:48PM on Aug 15th 2007
45. Larry King,Bill Maher,TWO MORE LIBERALS WITH THERE HEADS UP THERE ASS.
marion at 6:49PM on Aug 15th 2007