Discussion Forum

---

Extract from Story:
US President, Donald Trump, is reported to be pleased that the media has decided to let the wicked murder of Saudi Arabian dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, drift from the memories of the public who, initially incensed by the slaying, no longer seem to give a crap. Mr Trump has spoken several times on the murder: first, to condemn it; then, when he realized his condemnation was going to ha.....

Click here for full story »

---

Please discuss at will.
PLEASE NOTE: The story you are discussing is a JOKE. It is a SPOOF NEWS story written on a SPOOF NEWS website.

Not a Trump fan, I take it.

I don't think there is a single politician anywhere to whose fanbase I belong.

Trump is portrayed as a fool; who am I to argue? Everything I know about him, I got from 'the news'.

It's so difficult to know whether 'the news' is true or not, that I can't be absolutely sure that Donald Trump even exists.

So the joke is in portraying Trump as some sort of scheming, evil scoundrel with no empathy, and a complete disregard for his fellow human beings?

I think that would be funny if you could somehow manage to pull it off using, say, Mother Theresa as the subject. You know -- like her whole persona had been a ruse, or something like that.

Or do the exact opposite with someone like Trump. For instance, to say he wants to build a wall to protect Mexicans from Southern rednecks or something.

With all the vitriol being hurled Trump's way since the election, it really feels like little more than throwing a match into a roaring bonfire.

I'm sorry, but I see this as a big problem in political satire right now -- not just at The Spoof.

I think Norm MacDonald said it well: "If you make fun of someone, it's important that you don't actually give the impression that you don't like that person. Mean-spirited impressions, for instance, are like ugly caricatures, and usually not very funny."

I've noticed that Trump, more than anything right now, does tend to bring out a lot of unattractive sentiments in people generally -- not just writers. I think it's a mistake to pander to that tendency.

Like I said, I only know about these people because I read about them in the news. If, after reading something negative about Trump, I then go on to write something that makes him sound even worse, is this wrong, or is it just 'not brilliant satire'?

I write many of the things I write because I'm frustrated about the way things are. If we take the Khashoggi case, for example. A man is killed. That's wrong, for a start. Then, all kinds of things are done to protect the people responsible. I don't expect Trump to go to Saudi Arabia to snap the handcuffs on, but playing down the death of a man, so that deals can be done, again, is wrong. The irony is that the US people will not benefit from those deals, and, indeed, may actually suffer as a result of them.

With that in mind, forgive me for a minute whilst I go and hammer together something 'not brilliant' about the current fuckwit president of the US.

"With that in mind, forgive me for a minute whilst I go and hammer together something 'not brilliant' about the current fuckwit president of the US."

You're quoting yourself there, not me. I didn't even suggest it wasn't brilliant, or ever use the word. I was only suggesting it wasn't satire, but rather political commentary thinly disguised as satire.

On a political forum it may very well be regarded as brilliant.

But this appears to be your ballgame, so if that's what you want The Spoof to be, so be it. It appears many of your writers are happy to follow the example.

Then again, maybe it just goes back to that other discussion regarding British vs American humor, and I actually am missing something. I'll accept that as a real possibility, and refrain from criticism for now on.

Apologies,

(Danny Williams)

You're right, they were my own words, and I must admit I 'jumped the gun' when I read this:

---

Quote: Danny Williams

So the joke is in portraying Trump as some sort of scheming, evil scoundrel with no empathy, and a complete disregard for his fellow human beings?

I think that would be funny if ...

---

thinking that, with the last sentence, you had thought it 'unfunny'. In fact, I don't necessarily think much of what I write is either funny or accurate, but may be a reflection of how I think I feel at any given moment. Whether or not the stuff I read about Trump in 'the news' is true, he does himself no favours. That, I can see.

Up until recently, I didn't write too many political stories. Indeed, I wrote a lot of stuff about what had happened to myself, or that I had seen during my routine, everyday existence. Even this, however, met with unfavourable criticism from some quarters. 'Insignificant' I think was the word used, and it was mentioned that important subjects such as political ideologies were more worthy topics to write about.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Of course, this is TheSpoof.com, and all of those comments may just have been tongue-in-cheek...

---

Up until recently, I didn't write too many political stories. Indeed, I wrote a lot of stuff about what had happened to myself, or that I had seen during my routine, everyday existence. Even this, however, met with unfavourable criticism from some quarters. 'Insignificant' I think was the word used, and it was mentioned that important subjects such as political ideologies were more worthy topics to write about.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Of course, this is TheSpoof.com, and all of those comments may just have been tongue-in-cheek...

---

Edited to add: your work is always well-crafted and usually has real comedic spark in it.



Ah. I recall my stories about stories about "men doing things". All part of the "world within a world" of Spoof stories. "Tongue-in-cheek" is as good a description as any. Or perhaps I was "playing around with the concepts evoked and employed".

More significantly to this thread, I think your mention of this is very important. "The Spoof" is far from a political satire site per se. Anything goes.


These debates are great though.

---

Quote: Monkey Woods

Up until recently, I didn't write too many political stories. Indeed, I wrote a lot of stuff about what had happened to myself, or that I had seen during my routine, everyday existence. Even this, however, met with unfavourable criticism from some quarters. 'Insignificant' I think was the word used, and it was mentioned that important subjects such as political ideologies were more worthy topics to write about.

---

I think that might have been me who said that. But I’ve since changed my mind on the issue and I withdraw my criticism.

As a failing spoof writer myself I know how hard it can be to even think of something funny, never mind thinking of something funny that someone else might enjoy.

That’s why I usual resort to using immature puns and toilet humour, because at least then you might get a cheap laugh. Not sure I’ve ever had an expensive laugh now I think about it.

Again we have 'double standards' accommodated here for those running this sad show! The powers that be crucify, delete and tell other writers, 'this spoof is a real news story and cannot be published!!!' Bullshit! Well what the F is this then? And written by guess who??

The 'hexenjagd' here against my person took on a gigantic, hypocritical stance (thankfully it is slightly better now) due to the introduction of our new 'editor' who constantly gets away with publishing his own 'news stories' whereby others who attempt to do the same are sent the infamous message!

I apologised for a personal attack on MW, but still I am of the opinion, he and Mark are taking this once lovable site into a dark abyss of 'Trumpian' crap (plus other US garbage) and killing any form of innovation, creativity and humor re daily happenings on our sad planet!

We writers here should have one goal; TO BRING SMILES TO THE PEOPLE WHO READ OUR EFFORTS (BTW, OVER 3 MILLION HAVE READ MY CRAP) TO CHEER THEIR MISERABLE DAYS UP AND NOT BOMBARD THEM WITH THIS POLITICAL, SO-CALLED SATIRE, WHICH IS JUST A DISJOINTED BLAST OF SUBJECTIVE OPINION HIDDEN IN A SO-CALLED SPOOF!

I have written here for nine years, been through all the wars caused by over-opinionated writers who gladly have disappeared, but still a 'Sword of Damocles' is hanging over this place and that sword is constantly being swung by our limp editor and his dear friend, MW...

Jaggedone, satire is perfectly acceptable for publication on The Spoof, I've posted about that before.

You cry double standards, but that's not true. Any articles rejected for being "real news" are "real news".

I appreciate you try to draw inspiration from the news - a lot of writers do, and that's great - but inspiration is the spark for creativity and creativity drives novelty and novelty is necessary to distinguish an actual news story from a spoof.

Like I've said before, if you want to write about real funny news, put it together in a magazine, link to the original source, and we can all laugh at it.

The Spoof caters for two main audiences and the United States is a bigger proportion than visitors from the UK. That's why "US Headlines" takes priority over "UK Headlines" in the menu.

Barack Obama, George Bush and Donald Trump. Aside from football (soccer), these are the most written about topics on The Spoof. The US president is an important figure to The Spoof, and will continue to be, regardless of your feelings.

You can say what you like about me, but please don't disrespect Monkey Woods. He's doing a very difficult job with the editing and deserves nothing but our respect. If you feel upset with any decision he makes, please bring it up with me, but I will defend and support him.

Dear Mark, sorry I cannot accept your rather bland explanation of this particular 'NEWS STORY' that has no twist, is not humorous and, pertains to the actual happenings, SIR!

Something, which you on many occasions, have deleted and not accepted because I twisted an actual news story into a SPOOF of that story.

Your love for MW does not interest me at all. I am only stating facts and it was not a personal attack on him. However, you allow double standards to occur here by your loved ones. Those who you do not particularly like (especially a certain JO) cannot even attempt to get past your ambiguous team of so-called editors who prioritize their own work and disregard others because of any over-pedantic, pathetic and most unreasonable reason...

As for your US friends, well sorry, their readership is on average about 30-50 in a good session! WHY? Because their attempts to be funny are not very successful.

I remember when we Brit writers had on average 300-500 readers per session and the place was rocking and rolling because British satirical humor knocks 'Trumpism' out of the window, mate!

There are a couple of excellent US participants, no doubt, but others continually spoofing about Trump, Cosby, Basketball, Ice hockey, etc, are rather tedious and quite boring. Hence, your readership continually sinks like a stone...

I have been here for 9 years, over 3.2 million people have read my shit and that means on average 350000 a year / 27500 a month and 3900 a week and that is just me!!

Others have achieved much better over the years and are much better, but sadly, the majority are not here any more; ASK YOURSELF WHY?

BTW, do I get an invite to your's and MW's wedding? LOL!

Oh dear.

I try not to get involved in forum squabbles anymore, but, seeing as you're talking about me ("And written by guess who??") I'll respond.

---

Quote: Jaggedone

Again we have 'double standards' accommodated here for those running this sad show! The powers that be crucify, delete and tell other writers, 'this spoof is a real news story and cannot be published!!!' Bullshit! Well what the F is this then? And written by guess who??

---

It was written by me, JO, but I am not one of the powers that be. My main contribution to editing is to add commas, and correct spelling mistakes.

I'll grant you that there isn't much in this story to laugh at, but that's the whole point. I don't have to cram jokes into a story. The 'joke' could be the way that people are allowed to do this kind of thing, and get away with it. Sometimes, it's a wry look at the inevitability of a world that is out of our control. Sometimes, it's something that's ironic. Why am I explaining this?

---

Quote: Jaggedone

The 'hexenjagd' here against my person took on a gigantic, hypocritical stance (thankfully it is slightly better now) due to the introduction of our new 'editor' who constantly gets away with publishing his own 'news stories' whereby others who attempt to do the same are sent the infamous message!

---

Who are these 'others'? Your disagreement with Mark was the result, I believe, of a whole swathe of your stories that were 'very slight adaptations' of 'real news stories'. The thread is still there to read, if anyone doubts this. I'm prepared to be proved wrong on this, but I think it was only you that received that 'infamous message' on a regular basis.

---

Quote: Jaggedone

I apologised for a personal attack on MW, but still I am of the opinion, he and Mark are taking this once lovable site into a dark abyss of 'Trumpian' crap (plus other US garbage) and killing any form of innovation, creativity and humor re daily happenings on our sad planet!

---

"...killing any form of innovation, creativity and humor..."? Whereas, you, yourself, provide these, right? In huge, great lumps.

I'd be interested to hear what other contributors think of the term 'US garbage', particularly the writers of the aforementioned garbage.

It's only my opinion, but, as far as 'writing in itself' goes, the US contributors make me think and laugh as much as non-US contributors, if not more.

Again, it's only my opinion.

---

Quote: Jaggedone

We writers here should have one goal; TO BRING SMILES TO THE PEOPLE WHO READ OUR EFFORTS (BTW, OVER 3 MILLION HAVE READ MY CRAP) TO CHEER THEIR MISERABLE DAYS UP AND NOT BOMBARD THEM WITH THIS POLITICAL, SO-CALLED SATIRE, WHICH IS JUST A DISJOINTED BLAST OF SUBJECTIVE OPINION HIDDEN IN A SO-CALLED SPOOF!

I have written here for nine years, been through all the wars caused by over-opinionated writers who gladly have disappeared, but still a 'Sword of Damocles' is hanging over this place and that sword is constantly being swung by our limp editor and his dear friend, MW...

---

I can tell you're upset.

I know that nothing short of 'total compliance with your wishes' will satisfy you, but the fact remains, the site has contributors from various places, and different things interest different people. If you don't like the 'US stuff', keep scrolling. Trump isn't everybody's thing, but I can tell you that Trump stuff is widely-read. Your vitriol towards US writers is bizarre, as are your claims of the levels of readership in the past, and how this was split between the various writers.

Your numbers - 3trillion, was it? - are unimportant, as are mine or anyone else's, seeing as they are just as likely to have come about through someone being duped by our fake headlines, as by anything else.

And, as we're talking about numbers, I'm still getting over your claim to have "personally saved the site", and to have "dragged thousands of people back here after the last disaster".

Thousands?

Stop quoting numbers. They're unimpressive, even if true, which...

---

Quote: Jaggedone

...attempt to get past your ambiguous team of so-called editors who prioritize their own work and disregard others because of any over-pedantic, pathetic and most unreasonable reason...

---

As far as I know, there's only me - apart from Mark - editing anything, and he, himself, will tell you, that his visits don't happen every day. Using the phrase "prioritize their own work" shows me that you mean me, because Mark - the only other editor - submits very little, and could not, therefore, be accused of prioritizing it. I don't prioritize my own work, JO. I just write it, then submit it. I write a lot. I also look down the list of other people's stories, articles, snippets, jokes and diary entries, and then edit them for things like commas and spelling mistakes. I rarely have to do much else, but, if there are any swear words in a submission, I tick the 'Offensive' box. Then I tick 'approve', and off they go. That's it. You'd be amazed, but some writers' stuff doesn't need any editing at all! Some does, however.

Your use of "over-pedantic" is interesting. I just like things 'right'. I can't remember anyone else complaining about my edits, but, if there are any people reading this who DO NOT want me to edit their typos, all they have to do is to contact me, and I'll leave the mistakes in, but my thoughts were that people would prefer to have their stuff presented in the best light possible, as far as grammar and spelling were concerned. There are a few other things that I have to be mindful of, such as keeping the submissions looking something like they would if they were to appear in a newspaper, or on a news website. That is, for example, without lots of swearing, or 'personal asides' in lots of brackets.

I've tried to explain things, JO, and so has Mark. Pour your energy into writing something funny for the pages, instead of something insulting in the forum.

Dear MW, I only state facts! This place was dead on its feet after the exodus of great writers like Skoob, Jesus, even the Colonel (although a dictator) was excellent. Radiogagger, Dunc, Inch, and many more; where are they now?

They turned their back on this site because of the constant bickering and non-directives given by your dear friend Mark. What you explain is far from the truth and when I decided to come back, with a couple of others, all of a sudden the place started to rock for a short time.

However, you and Mark, preferring to continually allow IMHO, US garbage to swamp the place and deter others, especially Brits, is the reason why the readership is once again dropping like May....

You can write a book about your so-called philosophy and what is good and not (well yours always seems to be good, ha bloody ha) but the truth is; this place is supposed to be a place for humor, taking the piss out of those destroying everything that means common sense, innovation, creativity and, kicking the shit out of the establishment. This I do BTW and although my numbers mean nothing to you, they prove that people do read my shit, and I am proud of that!

BTW: Before you and Mark started your Hexenjagd on my work, they were released on social media sites, and before the dastardly duo got their pedantic fingers on them, they were already proving popular, and you guys cut them off with impunity!!!

So, MW and our wonderful editor, I will continue writing here because as many times mentioned, The Spoof means a lot to me, you pair certainly do not! (Unless you both withdraw your heads out of the place where the sun never shines and start letting funny, humorous, creative, innovative, provocative stuff cross this site instead of laborious, boring, tedious 'Trumpisms')

MAYBE YOU BOTH SHOULD HAVE A LESSON IN ALLOWING THE REAL MADNESS OUT THERE TO BE TARGETED BY SURREAL MADNESS FROM YOUR CREATIVE TEAM OF WRITERS (The half-decent ones that are left here)

BYE BYE...JO

Cheer up JO

---

Quote: Mark

Cheer up JO

---

Only if you make me laugh??

Try Mark a bit harder then you will bring a smile back to me and the spoof tomb...