….but I kinda agree with Sarah Palin in this situation:
Dating back to the time he worked in the Clinton administration, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has developed an almost notorious reputation in Washington for being a brash personality with a penchant for profanity-laced diatribes. Conversely, his intense nature, in addition to his sharp mind, are what many attribute to his success and effectiveness as a Washington power player. But a remark he made recently in a closed-door meeting attended by White House aides and leaders of liberal special-interest groups has irked many, prompting him to issue an apology.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel, exasperated upon learning that liberal special-interest groups were planning to run ads against conservative Democrats not supportive of health care reform, blasted the plan as “f—— retarded” over the summer. Naturally, some outrage ensued after Emanuel’s words came to light, with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin taking to her Facebook page to call on President Obama to fire him for what she saw as the equivalent of a racial slur.
I know Rahm Emanuel’s a hothead, but he should definitely choose his words far more carefully.
We all should choose our words more carefully at times — including Palin — but I hardly think it’s a firing offense.
Dickdom does not limit itself to one or the other party, unfortunately.
John, by this standard you would be fired for using the term “dickdom.” I’m sure there is an organization that would take offense, but then that would mean admitting they themselves think they are what you called them.
Well, it is NOT a firing offense, but there is a world of difference between saying “dickdom” and “f’ing retarded.” For a grown man to use the word “retarded” in that way speaks to a certain attitude that makes him a douchbag.
How do like THAT one 🙂
Ha ha, you are right about that. Hope you knew I was joking around. It’s great we have free speech and the right to be a douchbag, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for that speech.
Exactly. I’m all for free speech, but I think that speech also needs to have consequences.
Consequences? Like what? He’s an asshole and assholes like him couldn’t care less about what others say to reprimand him. Maybe this says more about President Obama than Emanuel.
Yes – I’m certainly one to throw around the occasional swear word out of frustration or more likely for emphasis/effect. But that particular utterance is really especially offensive & mean-spirited even if the speaker isn’t intending it to be.
I can’t get all worked up over people using words like this (anymore). That word and others are used daily and nobody seems to complain when it happens. Only when it suits an agenda does it become worthy of protest.
What consequences should Rahm suffer, Zach? Your criticism of him in this post couldn’t be more benign. Yet, you complained repeatedly to myself and my fellow blog staffers when people made comments similar to Rahmbos…demanding said commentators be banned. If fact, I believe you made a rather impassioned plea of a personal nature.
Does your lack of passion in this instance indicate a willingness to sell out your principles in favor of political loyalty? Or is it that you never held such principles with your blog-ban demands being nothing more than an attempt to censor someone you didn’t like?
Yeah Roland, I can see how my agreement with Sarah Palin that Rahm Emanuel should be fired could be considered benign.
As for my concerns regarding Badger Blogger, I expressed my concerns regarding the type of commentary you guys encourage over there, and it’s clear you guys don’t mind name calling and personal attacks from your commenters, but to each their own.
Your original post wasn’t that direct…you merely said he should choose his words more carefully. Not exactly an impassioned call for a resignation.
Roland you aren’t seriously coming on here and pointing your “ethical” finger at someone else…are you?