William Safire is trying to ascertain the origin of "moonbats"; he mentions this in his column on blog jargon, and does a good job with "wingnuts":
The prevailing put-down of right-wing bloggers is wingnuts; this has recently been countered by the vilification of left-wing partisans who use the Web as moonbats, the origin of which I currently seek.
I question "recently"; I have the impression I have seen that for a while - Wikipedia says 2002. Of course, Mr. Safire's notion of "recent" may not exactly reflect internet time.
Anyway, ideas for its origin? Your chance for stardom.
All illusions to lunacy. Look up. The answer is all around us.
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Posted by: kim | February 20, 2006 at 02:31 PM
Perry de Havilland Samizdata
Do I get a cookie or something?
Has Safire heard of Google?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | February 20, 2006 at 02:40 PM
I always assumed it had its origins with former CA governor Jerry Brown. I believe detractors called him Gov "Moonbeam."
Posted by: Jim E. | February 20, 2006 at 02:41 PM
I have no idea about its origins, but I know the first time I saw the phrase I didn't have to ask who or what it was referring to. Not sure what that says about me, but I know what it says about those who practice moonbat madness.
Posted by: Sue | February 20, 2006 at 02:45 PM
The cookie would be for providing the Samizdat disclaimer to the Wikipedia misrepresentation. Wikipedia was right off the money, once again.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | February 20, 2006 at 02:45 PM
Why should Safire bother with Google? His paper has legions of fact checkers.
Posted by: clarice | February 20, 2006 at 02:54 PM
I thought it had to do with a play on words for 'Monbiot' the proto-moonbat.
.
Posted by: BumperStickerist | February 20, 2006 at 03:17 PM
but,thanks to the near instantaneous nature of the blogosphere and its self-correcting nature, I now realize I was wrong.
.
Posted by: BumperStickerist | February 20, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Would you like some whole grain mustard with your fries?
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Posted by: kim | February 20, 2006 at 03:26 PM
It is perfect and has stuck not only for the moon = luna = lunacy,
and the "moonbeam" but that side
has by their obstruction to any offense against or defense of the
Islamists attacks, can now be
affiliated with the
crescent
Recall the Flight 93 Memorial design anyone?
It is "totally" apt.
Posted by: larwyn | February 20, 2006 at 03:31 PM
Some are totally batty.
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Posted by: kim | February 20, 2006 at 03:59 PM
The first place I saw 'moonbat' was either Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler or LGF, circa early 2003. That may not be the first place it was, of course, just the first place I saw it.
Posted by: Chuckg | February 20, 2006 at 04:06 PM
My recollection was that it was an insult aimed at George Monbiot ( a corruption of his last name ) who was being frequently Fisked a few years ago.
Posted by: Robin Roberts | February 20, 2006 at 04:38 PM
tHE FIRST PLACE i SAW IT WAS ON THIS BLOG, BUT LIKE sUE i IMMEDIATELY knew what it meant.
Hackett on Hardball; Encouraged to get in and encouraged to get out,but he says he's a team player. Schumer and Reid recruited him by saying "your country needs you".
After Brown got in they said they would remain neutral in the party. Dean couldn't stop it from happening. Still supported Hackett but got out-gunned by Schumer and Reid . 3 million bucks short.
Posted by: maryrose | February 20, 2006 at 05:11 PM
I don't know but the explanation of what/who Moonbats are on Barking Moonbat Early Warning System does the trick for me.
Posted by: Squiggler | February 20, 2006 at 05:18 PM
Rick -- You already have a cookie. It was placed on your computer by the evil NSA.
Posted by: Neuro-conservative | February 20, 2006 at 06:22 PM
Maybe Bill Quick invented it?
Posted by: lonetown | February 20, 2006 at 06:49 PM
That's the kind of knife work what will impress a ninja. I passed beer through my nose.
Posted by: Beto Ochoa | February 20, 2006 at 07:00 PM
Fewer now than ever. Apparently that's because there are fewer facts fit to print.
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Posted by: kim | February 20, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Don't waste that beer...
Posted by: Sue | February 20, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Beer should never go to waste!
Posted by: maryrose | February 20, 2006 at 08:05 PM
I could swear I heard it twenty five years ago in a fisking of Jimmah Carter. Can't remember the name of the Blog though....
Posted by: BurbankErnie | February 20, 2006 at 09:56 PM
I first picked it up on anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler I think...
Whatever the case, I immediately used it on my socialist sister causing much sputtering and fuming.
BTW, in looking at the Wiki post, I went over to "idiotarian" and got many chuckles from that definition.
Unfortunately I don't have a sister who fits the definition.
Posted by: Soylent Red | February 21, 2006 at 01:43 AM
the first person i recall being called a wingnut was the polish government's official spokesman in the mid-80s. but that was as much in reference to his prominent ears as his politics.
Posted by: Donald Forbes | February 21, 2006 at 08:31 AM
Moonbat love: (overheard)
I only eat free-range chicken and organic veggies.
I have a ring in my left nipple and just love to have it sucked. Wanna see? (Pulls up Tee for all to see).
Been to that way cool tattoo shop?
Bush is the same as bin Laden.
Posted by: noah | February 21, 2006 at 10:33 AM