freeper in my French class! (rant)

[Coventina]

So I'm taking a French class this summer, and there is a wacky freeper-type in there.
Why is someone like him taking French? The reason HE gives, is that it is because he sings opera, and wants to understand what he is singing. I find this explanation suspect, because I thought most opera was either in Italian or German? I'm not an opera expert, though.

Anyway, all he seems to want to do is bitch about the French and start arguments with me and the cool Dem kid that sits next to me.

Today we were learning about occupations, and he went off about how Democratic ceos were MORE corrupt than Republican ones, but that it never get reported & they don't get prosecuted. He also said Enron had nothing to do with California's energy woes, that it was all Gray Davis' fault.

What is his deal? Why would a right-winger take French?

Oh yeah, he was also pissing and moaning about how France didn't send anyone over for Reagan's funeral. Since I haven't been following the coverage, I don't know if that is true or not.

[NightTrain]

1. Hasn't the teacher talked to this guy?

Seems to me, he or she should tell that loser, "This is not the time for political discussions. You're here to learn French."

If that guy continues to be a douche bag, you could remind him that if not for France, we might never have won the American Revolution against the British. You also may wish to mention that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France.

[Coventina]

4. He doesn't do it in front of the teacher

It's when we are working in groups or with partners.

The teacher did overhear us arguing today, during the "ceo" discussion when we should have been doing the assignment. I noticed that she interrupted us and moved the class on to something else.

It's very hard to make points with him because he makes his "point" and then doesn't allow for a "counterpoint".

[pennylane100]

2. Explain to him that you cannot talk politics with him

until his age catches up with his I.Q. and he should call you if that ever happens.

[tandot]

3. I guess he missed the tapes where the Enron guys were caught

talking about how fun it is to shut off power plants to make more money and laughing about how f*cking "Grandma Millie" wants her f*cking money back.

And I can't think about any French opera. He probably booked a trip to see Paris and is embarrassed to admit that he is a hypocrite.

[skypilot]

5. As far as I know...

...most operas ARE in Italian and German. Also, this guy doesn't sound like he would fit in in the rarefied world of opera. How is he doing so far trying to learn French?

[Coventina]

10. I'd say he's doing about as well as the rest of us

He's comfortably in the middle of the bell curve, I would guess.

He said he was "on sabbatical" from his opera company.

[Misunderestimator]

12. Sabbatical? That's a new one....

Ask him where he has sung, and which company he is currently with that gave him a SABBATICAL (Never, ever, heard of a company doing that... unless perhaps he is an apprentice somewhere). Ask him if he has sung in any "A" houses, or is it "just" regional companies, OR is he just an apprentice somewhere... That'll get his fragile little ego. (And if you care to update us later, I'm curious to see what his answers are.) Regional companies, by the way are perfectly respectable, though because of our dear departed idol Reagan, most of them went bankrupt in the 80's.

[Coventina]

14. Arizona Opera

And here's another funny fact.....it just so happens that I know someone else who sings with the same company. I asked him about the freeper. He thought for a minute and then said, "Oh yeah, that guy...yeah, he sings in our chorus!"
:D
The way the guy talks in class he makes himself sound like a big star.

If I remember on Monday, I'll ask him what parts he's sung, and see what he says.
:D

[Misunderestimator]

15. ROFL... SINGS in the CHORUS...

Not that there is anything WRONG with that, but PUHLEASE.... this guy has a major ego problem. On Sabbatical as a chorus member from a regional opera company that does NOT have a full-time performance schedule... RIGHT! ROFLMAO :bounce:

[bobbieinok]

6. opera singer wannabees in college are advised to take German, French,

or Italian.

Lots of colleges do not teach Italian.

Suggest you'll talk with him about politics, etc., but only IN FRENCH.

Also, in group work in for lang classes you're supposed to stay 'on task' using the 'target language.' It is difficult for the teacher to make sure that each group does this all the time; most teachers allow some leeway, because some groups/students can come up with some cool stuff if they're left alone.

[sangh0]

7. You and your friend need to tell Repuke jokes

Just find some "Polack" jokes on the Internet, and replace "Polack" with "Republican"

There's nothing like ridicule to shut a Freeper up. TMOT

Even better, tell them in a loud voice so everyone in the class can enjoy laughing at the boob

[sangh0]

9. Read this out LOUD in your class

To be a Republican in 2004, you have to believe that:

1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary
Clinton.

2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U. N. resolutions against Iraq.

3. "Standing Tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.

4. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but
multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all Mankind without regulation.

5. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a
conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

6. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the Troops in
speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

7. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

8. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

9. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.

10. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

11. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but
creationism should be taught in schools.

12. It is okay that the Bush family has done millions of dollars of business with the Bin Laden family.

13. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

14. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable
offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

15. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring The Internet.

16. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's Harken Oil stock trade are none of our business.

17. You support state's rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.

18. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

19. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

20. Affirmative Action is wrong but that it is ok for your Daddy and his friends to get you into Yale, the Texas Air National Guard, Harvard Business School, part ownership of Harken Oil, part ownership of the Texas Rangers , the Governorship of Texas and then have the Supreme Court appoint you President of the USA.

[Coventina]

11. Nah, I don't want to come across too strong.

Don't get me wrong, I love your piece, and it's great to hand around to liberal friends for chuckles, but it isn't likely to convert anyone on the other side, and probably comes across as strident to the fence-sitters.

[sangh0]

16. It's not meant to convert anyone

It's meant to create a "bandwagon" effect. Make people laugh by making fun of a Freeper, and people start thinking "Hmmm, I can make people laugh by doing the same thing"

And you needn't be stridentand you don't have to shout. Just share it with your friend in a voice just loud enough to be overheard. With 20 choices, your classmates are bound to laugh at least one of them.

[Misunderestimator]

8. Nope... LOT's of operas are in French...

I went to a music conservatory, and 2 years each of Italian, German and French were required. I made up my 2 years in French in one summer at the University of Pennsylvania. So, it's definitely not suspect.

It's insane though that ANY artist would be a conservative. He's clearly an idiot.... who is, by the way full of MERDE!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

21. Besides Carmen (and any others that Bizet guy may have written)?

Well, THAT shows how much I know about opera... :eyes:

[Misunderestimator]

22. Well, for starters... there's Gounod, Poulenc, Debussy, Saint-Saens...

Massenet, Offenbach, Delibes, Ravel... shall I go on? :)

(edited to remove my second Massenet)

[nini]

13. ask him to provided FACTS to back up his arguments..

he won't be able to.

slam dunk!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

17. He's there for the chicks. n/t

[stopbush]

18. There are thousands of operas in French.

Three of the biggies are Carmen, Pelleas et Melisande & L'Contes des Hoffman.

[HuckleB]

19. Clearly he gets his jollies by repeating lots of talk radio baloney.

Don't respond to what he says. Just talk to your buddy about how corrupt and evil the current administration happens to be. Throw in lots of condemnation words, labeling George and company as liars, evil, sick, corrupt, and disturbed, while listing incidences of them being so.

Turn the tables. Drive him crazy with the truth.

[Iris]

20. Why would a right-winger take ANY class?

They think they already have all the answers.