Bloggerati vs. Indy Mafia, Round -- eh, whatever: Alan David Doane, John Pierce & Co. continue their criticisms of James Sime's column, while Brian Wood, Larry Young and the gang fight back.

I realize I've stumbled into the conversation a bit late, but what the hell is everyone going on about?

Is it because Sime's "The Comic Pimp" sometimes comes across less like a useful guide to "comics activism" -- or is that comix? -- and more like self-important self-promotion? Or is it because Pierce and the others scoff at the notion of said "activism," and view it as ineffectual posturing? (Of course, in the process, some of the scoffers come across as a little, well, too cool for school.)

Is it all that simple, or are there more complex philosophies involved? In any case, the whole debate seems a bit contrived, like a high-noon showdown moved to 11:15 for the sake of convenience, and to give the whores and orphans something to watch.

I will, however, join Pierce in his call for an end to those insipid military euphemisms: "... Can you quit expressing yourselves with these stupid military references. It was lame enough when Savant said 'welcome to the front lines', why does everyone want to drive that into the ground? artbomb.net gives you 'ammo', supposedly to fight against those poor saps who haven't realized that every comic in the world is fantastic. James Sime, in his article The Comic Pimp, gives us a tired 'guerilla warfare' routine where his secret agents give some people comics."