My Turn

by John August

Geez, COTO Crew - isn’t really fun to beat up on somebody who can’t be there to defend their self? For the most part, I see most of you don’t know wtf you are talking about. I stand behind everything I said in my comments, except for one thing - you’re right - I do swear a bit much and have probably hindered our appearance that I once complained about.  But you probably would too if you have had the kind of life I’ve had... friends murdered, ripped off in so many ways I can’t even begin to count, slandered, and dealing with libelous remarks on a daily basis. I’m 62 years old, and when I moved to Maui from the madland back in 1985 in my late 30’s, I was probably the least prejudiced person on the planet. Since then the prejudices I have obtained are from my own learned experience, not innuendo, hearsay, nor forwarded messages from the internet. So far I’ve said zip about the Hawaiian born Japanese, who are at the top of my shit list, and for legitimate reasons.

As such, I offer no retractions. As a friend once told me - “be who you are and don’t look back - you don’t need to apologize for shit.” With regards to the c**t comment, I was merely making an innocuous reply to an article about a guy complaining about the viciousness of hypocritical, vengeful women. I’m not a woman hater. I’ve never in my life called a woman a c**t. I was merely making an honest observation, they “Cant Understand Normal Thinking” . Don’t try and psychoanalyze my verbiage. I’ve spent more time on the couch than probably any of you. I also worked for a year in emergency psych admitting at a big LA County hospital. I saw everything - at least once a day. I don’t need one damn lecture on behavior.

I probably have more women friends than guy friends. Recently I asked a lady friend of mine (coincidentally a lesbian and ultra-runner), “Ali, I can’t get a date to save my life.”  She replied, “it’s because you’re a keeper and the real thing. Most women can’t handle that kind of honesty.” And you know what my ex’s appreciate about me the best is my honesty, discipline, candor, conviviality, and my cooking. (And btw, they ALL wanted me back after ditching me.) If I have any one major fault - it’s being too honest. As I’ve stated before - I walk my talk. And I really loathe hypocritical, pretentious people.

Two of which I want to call out here. One is Rady, the other Jersey. I remember distinctly when Rady posted an article on OEN demeaning men with small penis’s, even using it as a header. And Jersey’s no sweetheart either - her ad hominem attacks and swearing on OEN were consistent and relentless. Go ahead and slander me, but by god I will stick to what I have said.

Now for the Jewish stuff. I’m part Jewish, but I don’t care. And I just happen to have a lot of Jewish friends, of whom I make no bones about my own prejudices. And the majority of them agree with me. One of my favorite jokes is: “do you know the difference between a Jew and an Arab?” The usual reply is “no”. And I say, “I don’t either.” After all they are both from the same root semite race. Do a little reading COTO members, brush up on your history, anthropology, archeology, and the like. I’ve done my homework. Go do yours. Wishing Israel would just disappear is neither a high crime nor misdemeanor. To take offense is silly. As a race they are one of the most prejudiced group of people on the planet.

I despise what the Jews are doing to the Palestinians - it’s unjust, criminal, unlawful, vindictive, plus they are doing everything the Nazi’s did to them. And remember the brownshirts - who not only turned in their Jewish neighbors, but sold their possessions on the black market. I mean, how hypocritical can you get? On top of that they think they are god’s chosen people. Their arrogance is beyond the pale. There was never a Jewish migration by the likes of Moses. It’s a total fabrication. Even a well known rabbi in Chicago admitted that a few years ago. There’s not one stitch of archeological evidence to back it up. The old testament is nothing other than mythological overlay.

Once upon a time I bitched to an older Jewish lady friend of mine (a psychologist, btw) how I disliked New York Jews - and gave her my reasons why - they don’t honor agreements, hate goys, and are incredibly arrogant and self righteous. She said, “well you know, I’m one of them.” And I said, “look, Elaine, I know that. But I make exceptions, otherwise I wouldn’t have any friends!” Then she said, “well John, if you can’t be tactful, at least be tenacious. You’re going to need it.” And 25 years later we are still the best of friends. Why? She knows I’m totally honest and candid. I don’t mince words... ever. I’m not afraid to speak my mind no matter how much trouble it causes me. And I’ve been in the hot seat many times. I’ve got a two inch thick binder of published articles, op/ed,  and comments about me - at least the ones I kept track of. There’s hundreds of others I never saw. I’ve been on the cover of Sunset Books, been in Fine Homebuilding, Whole Earth Review, Family Handyman, and had my work in Time Magazine and three math textbooks explaining the art of tessellation. I’ve earned my bragging rights. The hard way. I was a caretaker for Bob Dylan at his Malibu residence. He told others who knew me that he thought I was a genius, I on the other hand thought he was just another penny pinching Jew. I’ve got one claim to fame few others can say... Bob came to one of my concerts, but I never went to any of his.

Now for all you Jewish folks who might take offense to my “anti-semitic” remarks, then perhaps now might be the right moment for a little self reflection to see why others may dislike Jews and some of their hypocritical habits and deceitful acts in business - like “I’m sorry, even though we have an agreement, I’ve changed my mind.”

Sorry COTO Crew, but you can all go screw for all I care. I’ve got little tolerance for bullshit. You can sling it all you want, especially Rady - I’m calling her on it. Sure you can kick me out - I’ve got plenty of other things to do - but my only mission in life is simply pursuit of the truth, no matter what it costs me. COTO needs more original work like mine than I need COTO.  And that’s a fact.