The Angry Jew F.A.Q.
February 6th, 2008
I thought I would use this page to address some of the more commonly asked questions regarding The Angry Jew and myself.
Q: How did The Angry Jew come into being?
The Angry Jew was born in December of 2006. At the time, The Secret Alien and I were roommates. In the morning over coffee, he would be reading the news on his laptop and I would be reading the paper. At least once a day I would go off on a tear about something stupid I had read. We were also into messing with telemarketers, especially the ones from the Indian call centers. The Secret Alien does an incredible Indian accent and my Apu impression is pretty good. We would spend our mornings cracking each other up and generally bagging on the idiocy of the world in general. Well, right before Christmas, he called me and asked me to log onto a web address. He created this site for me as a gift, he said he was tired of listening to me and wanted to turn me loose on the world.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with this thing you have created?
First and foremost, I want to make people think. We are in pretty bad shape here on Mother Earth, and yet, most people I encounter are either walking through life with blinders on, content to have their plasma screen and a cheap tank of gas for their SUV, or have become apathetic because of the sheer scope of the problems we face. So many times I hear people say that they do not watch the news because it is too depressing or they don’t vote because they are just one person. Well folks, that is exactly the type of thinking that got us into this mess. We need to take control of our destiny away from an increasingly oppressive government who treats us like children, unable to make our own decisions. We need to reign in the mega corporations who care nothing for our health or well being, only their own bottom line. We need to take control of our lives.
Q: What is your political affiliation?
I am a member of The Common Sense Party, and, as we all know, there is no room in politics for common sense. I basically think that all the political parties exist to serve the special interests that fund them. It has been a long time since government was truly for the people, by the people, but I honestly believe it is not too late to change this. We, as citizens, have to take this nation back.
Q: Are you really Jewish?
I am Jewish by birth, agnostic by choice. When I was a kid growing up in the 70’s. Judaism was less, at least in my family, about worshiping God and more about continuing the family tradition and paying lip service to faith. I had a Bar Mitzvah, which at the time was more about throwing the big party then celebrating my entrance into manhood. It was a good dodge for getting out of work details in the Navy but it has been a long time since I set foot in temple. I am, however very proud of my heritage.
Q: What did you do in the Navy?
I served on active duty from 1982 to 1986. I was trained in Avionics, but spent most of my fleet time assigned to the line division of an A6E Intruder Squadron, VA-115. We were forward deployed in Atsugi, Japan on board the aircraft carrier USS Midway. During that time I lived in Japan and visited Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, The Philippines, and Australia. Truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was very proud to have had the opportunity to serve my country and I have the utmost respect for those who do so now.
Q: Are you a professional writer
Hardly. I work a full time job to pay the bills and do this for fun. I would love to put this on paying basis and do it full time.
Q: What do you do for a living?
My addiction to living indoors prevents me from identifying my job as many of my readers work for the same company.
Q: Do you have any other hobbies?
I love to cook, BBQ is my specialty. I also enjoy photography, shooting sports and video gaming. I am a true movie nerd, I love the old black and white classics, as well as all of the James Bond Films. I even worked in the film industry for a few years, and got to meet some of the all time greats and more then a few who were legends in their own minds. I also love to read and there are very few times you will not find me with my nose buried in a book.
Q: WOW. Video gaming, blog writing, movie geeks who can cook are a huge turn on for me. Are you single?
OK, so no one has actually asked me that one, but hey, it could happen. Yes, I am currently single and hoping there is such a thing as blog groupies.
Q: Where do you get your story ideas?
All I have to do is read the newspaper and I can usually find something that pisses me off enough to write about. I also use all the online news services as well as FARK, YAHOO, MSNBC, and Reuters. I also get a lot of ideas just by talking to people I meet.
Q: How would I contact you if I saw something I wanted you to write about.
You can email story ideas to Angryjewmail@gmail.com. It would be helpful if you could send along a link to the original story and a brief description of how you found it.
Q: The people you write about, The X and The Young Russian, are they real people or characters you have created.
They are all real. Here is a quick run down of the current cast of characters.
The X: My X wife, who, despite everything, I have managed to maintain a great friendship with. She currently manages a Meglocoffee.
The Young Russian: She was a 20 year old from The Ukraine who I dated for about a year. She has since moved on and is currently engaged to be married to the guy she dumped me for.
The Secret Alien: The worlds greatest Buddhist web designer, friend and companion.
Contractor Dave: My brother from another mother. He and his girlfriend, The Angry Pirate, have been there for me at some of the lowest points in my life. Contractor Dave is also the creator of Angry Jew Space; the Angry Jew site on MySpace.
The Happy Atheist: A coworker of mine who happens to be an incredible writer. He so impressed me that I gave him his own page on here, but of course, now he has little time to write as he is busy taking over the online poker universe. Do NOT play cards with this guy.
Q: I am a pretty good writer myself. Could I write something for your blog?
Everyone is free to comment on anything they find on here. This site is supposed to be about opening a dialog. Agree with me, tell me I am full of shit, it is all good. Show me what you have got.
Q: OK, I posted a comment, but it didn’t show up on the page. What gives?
If you are posting a comment for the first time, you have to be approved before it will show up on the page. Give me a day to get it done. After that, you are free to post comments as often as you like. A few words on posting comments. Please do not use last names, feel free to use an on line handle. Please do not write negative comments about other posters. This site is about ideas and opinions, not personal attacks.
Q: You have some pretty good ideas that I would like to share with the readers of my own blog. Is it OK if I link to you?
Links and trackbacks to legitimate blogs and sites are always welcome. If you try linking me to a site that has no original content or that only exists to generate traffic, your toast.
Q: How would you recommend I go about starting up my own blog?
There are plenty of online sites you can go to and get a blog started, but if you want to do it right and have a site custom designed to your needs you cant do better then Mystic Sludge Design. Phil will see to all your needs and he is always looking for new additions The Secret Alien Blog Portal.
Q: You have a great concept going here. Do you accept advertising?
We would be happy to discuss advertising rates with any interested party. We are also looking for sponsorship for our upcoming podcast “Uncommon Sense”. Contact us at Angryjewmail@gmail.com and put Advertising in the subject line.