P.C. gone too far ?

“The Associated Press
Updated: 8:34 a.m. ET July 19, 2004SACRAMENTO - Democrats aren’t amused by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s use of the mocking term “girlie men” to describe some lawmakers, although a spokesman for the governor said no apology would be forthcoming.


Schwarzenegger dished out the insult at a rally Saturday as he claimed Democrats were delaying the budget by catering to special interests. Democrats protested that the remark was sexist and homophobic.

“If they don’t have the guts to come up here in front of you and say, ’I don’t want to represent you, I want to represent those special interests, the unions, the trial lawyers ... if they don’t have the guts, I call them girlie men,” Schwarzenegger said to the cheering crowd at a mall food court in Ontario.

The governor lifted the term from a long-running “Saturday Night Live” skit in which two pompous, Schwarzenegger-worshipping weightlifters repeatedly use it to mock those who don’t meet their standards of physical perfection.

Democrats said Schwarzenegger’s remarks were insulting to women and gays and distracted from budget negotiations. State Sen. Sheila Kuehl said the governor had resorted to “blatant homophobia.”

“
Should Arnold have to apologize for calling California Democrats "girlie men?"


It uses an image that is associated with gay men in an insulting way, and it was supposed to be an insult. That’s very troubling that he would use such a homophobic way of trying to put down legislative leadership,” said Kuehl, one of five members of the Legislature’s five-member Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus.

Making a point?
Schwarzenegger’s criticism of Democrats stems in part from their support of one bill prohibiting schools from contracting services with private companies, and another giving workers authority to sue their employers to enforce labor laws. Each side accuses the other of caving in to special interests.

At a rally Sunday in Stockton, the governor gave a speech almost identical to the one he delivered in Ontario but without the “girlie men” remark. Spokesman Rob Stutzman said the line was dropped because Schwarzenegger had already sent the message he wanted to send, not because he regretted his remarks.

“It’s a forceful way of making the point to regular Californians that legislators are wimps when they let special interests push them around,” Stutzman said. “If they complain too much about this, I guess they’re making the governor’s point.”

Assemblyman Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat who is chairman of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus, said he was glad Schwarzenegger didn’t repeat the “girlie men” remark Sunday, saying it was “as misogynist as it is anti-gay.”

“To disparage a group of law abiding tax paying citizens is just wrong,” Leno said.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Democrat, said that while he wasn’t upset by the remark, his 13-year-old daughter was.

“She’s a young girl who knows the governor and really likes him a lot and didn’t find the term to be a positive term, and finds it to be derogatory,” Nunez said. “It was no question a very, very insensitive comment to make. I personally am not intimidated or threatened by it, but I think it really is beneath Gov. Schwarzenegger.”




i'm all for equal rights - but gimme a friggin break.”

“Yeah that was pretty funny, coming from a Nazi steroid junkie.”

“I have to say I’m very disappointed with him and feel he was way out of line and could have said about the same thing in more clear terms. He should have called them puzzies.”

“It seems odd for a guy who probably has raisins in his boxers after years of steroid abuse to be making disparaging remarks about the virility of his political opponents.”

“Sit around thinking of Arnold's nuts much V? LOL!”

“Maria vill not be happy about zis.”

“What I found interesting is that, OF COURSE the PC Dem whiners didn't respond to him saying they had the interests of unions & trial lawyers above their constituents, they did their usual dodge & chose to try to make HIM the issue, while trying to avoid the real issue.”

“"It seems odd for a guy who probably has raisins in his boxers after years of steroid abuse to be making disparaging remarks about the virility of his political opponents."
VioLiN
10:57:33 AM



yah, it might seem odd - except that arnie DOES get picked on CONSTANTLY - and what does he do?

does he whine and throw a fit?

of course not. he laughs with it and rolls with the punches.

i don't know if there's anyone in hollywood who has taken as much crap as him in the last 20 years (except maybe jacko)

but he just shrugs it off and takes it.

why can't the cali dems take a small lesson from him and take the stick outta their azzez?”

“What a bunch of whiney babies. ;-)”

“"Schwarzenegger’s criticism of Democrats stems in part from their support of one bill prohibiting schools from contracting services with private companies, and another giving workers authority to sue their employers to enforce labor laws. Each side accuses the other of caving in to special interests."

Whose interests?

Allowing schools to contract services to private companies would be catering to for-profit interests, essentially funneling taxpayer money into the pockets of businesses or, wealthy constituents.

Preventing contracting would protect jobs of state and county employees or, "the little guy".

Giving workers authority to sue their employers to enforce labor laws would be protecting the workers or common man against abuses by employers.

Employers are more likely to contribute to the likes of Der Gropenfuhrer.

Now, who's "special interests" are more special.
And on whose side does the real graft lie?”

“

MarkO, you are a Girly Man and you need to be "Pumped Up!"”

“Maybe I'm not gettin' enough steroid or something in my diet.”

“Hey, the Olympic Trials are over; maybe you can score some leftovers!”

“"Allowing schools to contract services to private companies would be catering to for-profit interests, essentially funneling taxpayer money into the pockets of businesses or, wealthy constituents.

Marko, we are CLOSING SCHOOLS that serve the low-income communities out here (my wife is a teacher in a a Title 1 school... her's was closed this past year!) because of funding shortfalls. To not allow these schools to save what $$ they can by outsourcing what they can to MORE EFFICIENT private firms rather than our bloated goverment does a disservice to the very people who need the biggest help... the STUDENTS!

"Preventing contracting would protect jobs of state and county employees or, "the little guy".

It IS NOT THE JOB OF THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROTECT STATE JOBS! It is their job to ensure that basic services are provided to the populace. They're priorities are ass-backwards when we are closing schools just to keep state workers employed.

"Giving workers authority to sue their employers to enforce labor laws would be protecting the workers or common man against abuses by employers."

We have lost a TON of employers to other states because our worker-rights were so lopsided that malpractice insurance was unaffordable. Look at demographic shifts... the fasted growing state in the union is Nevada! Why... because people want to live in the desert?? NO, because employers want to get out
of CA as fast as they can...taking jobs with them!

"Employers are more likely to contribute to the likes of Der Gropenfuhrer."

I live here, you don't. I can tell you that while Arnie got a lot of $$ from employers, he also got a lot of support from all levels in this state. That's why he was elected, broad support from the residents.

"Now, who's "special interests" are more special."

How about the elected officials doing their jobs & treating the CITIZENS as "special interests". Right now they don't... they are treating the LARGE UNIONIZED STATE EMPLOYEE's as "special interestes", OVER the needs of the citizens!


"And on whose side does the real graft lie?"

Read the facts, 'nuff said!”

“marko - those are valid points.

my point is that the people whining and throwing a fit because arnie called them girly men are ridiculous.

the dems could say why they chose to vote the way they did - i have no problem with that. instead, they prove how "girly" they are by throwing a hissy fit because arnie picked on them!

i guess if they were a flavohr of eyes-cream they would be flabbo-lisious.”

“I guess it'd be better if they acted like skinheads and stomped his ass, eh?”

“Ah, the usual, well-reasoned, thoughtful response from our left-leaning friend, Tilt, that addresses the issue.”

“here's the way i see it.

arnie doesn't like the way the dems voted.

so he calls them a somewhat childish, but humerous name (girly men)


so now how do the dems react?

the way i see it they've got a few choices.

1] tilts way. shave their heads and beat up arnie. - i don't think that would work well.

2] the high road, intelligent way. they could ignore arnies girly man comment and just state the facts, and why they voted the way they did.

3] the even-steven intelligent way. they could come back at arnie with some steriod remark, and then state why they voted the way the did.

4] the i'm rubber, you're glue way. just make fun of him back.

any of those 4 choices would have been better than what they chose.”

“Very good sacco, agree.

The budget process out here is a VERY BIG deal, rarely is submitted on time due to all the haggling & back-biting among the children. A lot of people are talking about recalling some of their representatives just as they did Grey Davis if they don't learn to play together in the sandbox with the other kids.”

“Oh, I wouldn't say it's MY way, it's the Rightwing Fascist way.


As for a Republican accusing someone else of representing some special interest rip-offs, that's beyond irony.”

“Yes, Tilt...”

“Down here we call them "Rednecks Gone Wild!" LOL”

“Tilt, are you EVER going to respond to the actual issue here, or just continue on with your cutesy jokes?


Do you or do you not agree that elected officials should be paying attention to the needs of the populace over the interests of the state employee unions?

The schools are closing for lack of funding, and your beloved Dem's won't let them outsource & save some $$ because some of the union empolyee's might lose their jobs.

How on earth can you defend such reprehensible conduct?”

“"How about the elected officials doing their jobs & treating the CITIZENS as "special interests". Right now they don't... they are treating the LARGE UNIONIZED STATE EMPLOYEE's as "special interestes", OVER the needs of the citizens!"

State, county and municipal employees do not make a lot of money.
If they are lucky enough they work under and bargain for a labor contract.
This affords them some level of protection from abuse and a modest income with at least some benefits.

Blaming the shortcomings of schools on the staff and not management is typical in industry, too

The difference between public schools and industry is that public service MUST be delivered in schools, and profit MUST be delivered in industry.

If PUBLIC schools are turned over to PRIVATE industry, PROFIT will take precedence over SERVICE.

As costs rise, and they will, the quality of the NECESSARY public service---education(something a civilized nation cannot do without)---will fall, as profit is the first responsibility in a for-profit operation.

And I don't believe in the notion that private enterprise is more efficient.

Just take a look at the money being poured down a rat hole in Iraq.
The contractors KNOW that the Pentagon will pay and pay and pay and pay.......war is a racket.

"Hey, ya wanna spend a million bucks?"
(from The Boys In Company C)

Mixing public service with private enterprise, other than vendors for supplies, etc, leaves things WIDE open for corruption and racketteering..........politicians are being bought as we speak.”

“State employees are part of the populace and we're stretched far enough.

Will private enterprise deliver quality service appropriate for your children........at a profit?

Again, you assume that outsourcing WILL save money.

I'm a member of A.F.S.C.M.E. and I'm not willing to take a cut.......how about you, wanderer?”

“SOME who wander ARE lost.”

“Sorry about all the CAPITALIZATION there, Clyde.

I concede that it is a bit condescending.”

“"State, county and municipal employees do not make a lot of money. If they are lucky enough they work under and bargain for a labor contract. This affords them some level of protection from abuse and a modest income with at least some benefits."

That statement doesn't apply here. State employees make a decent buck, and have better retirement benefits than anyone I've ever seen in industry. These people are retiring in their early 40's, double-dipping and living very well in a great many cases. A lot of them live in my community, I know them personally. I have one friend who left his moderately successful owned business to take a state job because the benes wer so good.


"Blaming the shortcomings of schools on the staff and not management is typical in industry, too"

I didn't blame the staff or management, reasons for the shortcomings abound and that's not the issue. I'm blaming the lib politicians for putting the unions ahead of the at-large public they were elected to serve. They are derelict in their duty.

"The difference between public schools and industry is that public service MUST be delivered in schools, and profit MUST be delivered in industry."

Wrong again. The key difference between public schools and industry is ACCOUNTABILITY. The public schools fail to excel year after year and there is NO option to inprove them, so they just keep right on going. Can't terminate teachers... against union rules. Can't buy products / services more effectively, prohibited by state law, on & on & on. It's the saddest imaginable situation.

Public Service IS NOT being delivered in the schools. PART of the reason is mismanagement by the powerful teachers unions who virtually run CA schools. PART of the reason is the beauracratic method we have in place of funding here. PART of the reason is the elected oficials not allowing competitive bidding.

If PUBLIC schools are turned over to PRIVATE industry, PROFIT will take precedence over SERVICE.

Very wrong, you obviously know absolutely nothing about the merits of free-enterprise, or, refuse to admit it. If a privately-run school provided better education, parents would beat a path to their door. Having a good product is the first and most important requirement of a for-profit business, if you want to remain successful. In fact, you can always raise $$ for a for-profit venture if you can show you deliver a good, and needed product.

As costs rise, and they will, the quality of the NECESSARY public service---education(something a civilized nation cannot do without)---will fall, as profit is the first responsibility in a for-profit operation.

Profit is not the first responsibilty. I don't know where you people get this opinion... probably from liberal Univ. professors who have never run a business.

And I don't believe in the notion that private enterprise is more efficient.

Oh, you don't believe in facts? It's a proven fact that private enterprise is more efficient, I've never heard anyone even debate that in recent memory.”

“Hey, I THOUGHT it was JUST a new TREND....”

“Yet ANOTHER insightful commentary from Tilt.

I'm lost, allright, seemingly lost in a sea of left-wing, union supporters who refuse to accept rality & are so ill-informed of facts that one cannot even have an intelligent debate with them.”

“"Profit is not the first responsibilty. I don't know where you people get this opinion... probably from liberal Univ. professors who have never run a business."

How's the weather on your planet?

"Very wrong, you obviously know absolutely nothing about the merits of free-enterprise, or, refuse to admit it. If a privately-run school provided better education, parents would beat a path to their door. Having a good product is the first and most important requirement of a for-profit business, if you want to remain successful. In fact, you can always raise $$ for a for-profit venture if you can show you deliver a good, and needed product"

Wrong again, private schools DO cost much more than public and they don't have to take any and all children.

Yeah dude, "...you can always raise $$...".....
Uh huh, raise how????
Raise taxes....your chasin' your tail.”

“Left of YOU wanderer puts me right about in the middle.”

“"SOME who wander ARE lost."

On now there is an instant classic! :)”

“"I'm a member of A.F.S.C.M.E. and I'm not willing to take a cut.......how about you, wanderer?"

Interesting post. You see MarkO, I happen to work in industry, and my compensation is based upon PRODUCTIVITY!. Thus, if I want to make more $$, I learn to work harder and/or smarter.

Most of us think similarly, and we design compensation plans that reward PRODUCTIVITY, whether you be a sales rep, receptionist or CEO.

I now this is radical thinking for someone who believe that just because you show up you should have great benefits, guaranteed job, etc., etc.

The difficulty with these philosophical exchanges is that very often people who are union / state type employee's have never been taught accountability, and obviously believe in no responsibility, tenure at any cost.

In other words, I am in charge of my own destiny professionally... if I want to advance, earn more, want security, then I PERFORM! THAT's why we have such difficulty with those who suckle at the taxpayer teat... you are responsible to no-one and accountable for NOTHING.”

“When the going gets tough-the tough turn to quivering masses of weenie meat!!”

“A joke is a joke!

Obviously, those girly-men don't like being referred to as "girly-men".”

“I'm curious though. Who's the real 'girly-man'?

Did Schwarzenegger really ever do anything besides pose for the camera and shoot blanks? (then call for the stunt double...)

Wait -- there's a hair out of place... He's not sweaty enough --spray on some more sweat... He's got to leave early today -- he's having his eyebrows waxed...


Gotta love the irony.”

“Have you ever heard of something called Special Olympics?”

“dhoo not cohm any clohser nihgal

you whill cause a flabb-alanche.”

“Aladdin expels Ronstadt after political remarks

By Jerry Fink
LAS VEGAS SUN

Aladdin President Bill Timmins ordered security guards to escort pop diva Linda Ronstadt off the property following a concert Saturday night during which she expressed support for controversial documentary filmmaker Michael Moore.

Timmins, who was among the almost 5,000 fans in the audience at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, had Ronstadt escorted to her tour bus and her belongings from her hotel room sent to her. Timmins also sent word to Ronstadt that she was no longer welcome at the property for future performances, according Aladdin spokeswoman Tyri Squyres.
[...]
Near the close of her performance, Ronstadt dedicated the Eagles hit "Desperado" to Moore, producer of "Fahrenheit 9/11," and the room erupted into equal parts boos and cheers.

She said Moore "is someone who cares about this country deeply and is trying to help."

Ronstadt has been making the dedication at each of her engagements since she began a national tour earlier this summer, but it has never sparked such a reaction.

Hundreds of angry fans streamed from the theater as Ronstadt sang. Some of them reportedly defaced posters of her in the lobby, writing comments and tossing drinks on her pictures.
[...]”

“I saw that! WOW! They showed her sing on tv and she sounded like crap. That alone should have been enough to give her the boot.

I wasn't too impressed with the casino firing her that way but I did enjoy the crowd's reaction.”

“wanderer, you are obviously a superior being.

I am but a small part of a large machine which elitists such as you despise.

Your "I've got mine, Jack" attitude is all too familiar.”

“What kind of loser vacations in Las Vegas anyway? What an eyesore... loaded with gambling geezer light-polluting Wayne Newton fans!

danke schoen.... !”

“Wanderer - you're expecting something rational from Tilt? Good luck. The guy's a close-minded myopic fool. And a terrorist loving scumbag as well. Just ask him about his pali homocide bomber heroes.”

“Las Vegas is a shlt hole.

We stopped there on our way to and from the Grand Canyon Xmas before last.

We did no gambling......I mean, who the F gambles?

I did see a one-leg prostitute at Circus Circus with a dud(e) in a leather jacket.
She got around quite well on one crutch.
Talk about "three-on-the-floor"...>8^O”

“I thought it was "three on the column"....? LOL

That's what gets me. With so many Great things in the area, GC being just one... WHY would anyone do that to themselves? <G>”

“"Your "I've got mine, Jack" attitude is all too familiar."

Or maybe, just maybe, he is saying, "I got mine and you can get your's too."? Naw! Working for what ya get is just unfair!”

“i thought it was 3 on a tree (column), 4 on the floor”

“"Or maybe, just maybe, he is saying, "I got mine and you can get your's too."? Naw! Working for what ya get is just unfair!"
Nigal the Putz

When you get through with my job evaluation may I please return the favor?

I've got all I want and I work just fine.

Wanna rassle for it?”

“Here's why it's so difficult to have an exchange with someone of limited perspective:

MarkO "Wrong again, private schools DO cost much more than public and they don't have to take any and all children."

I never said anything about the cost of a private school. What I said was "If a privately-run school provided better education, parents would beat a path to their door." I am talking about delivering value... not necessarily the cheapest cost. Example: There are waiting lists to get folks into UC Berkeley, etc., which is generally acknowledged as a very good school. Why dosen't everyone just attend their local community college if value doesn't mean anything? Still get a BA or whatever you want... why in the world would someone pay more to attend MIT??


"Yeah dude, "...you can always raise $$...".....
Uh huh, raise how????
Raise taxes....your chasin' your tail."

No, my socialist friend, stop thinking like a member of the state for a moment & expand your thinking. When a private firm needs capital they go to private investors, be they individuals, venture capitalists, etc., and sell them a piece of the company in return for their dollars. Those people are putting their money into what they believe will be a profitable venture.

You think "raise taxes" if that's all you know... everything owned & run by the state. I'm pleased to enlighten you.... we're not entirely socialist here in the U.S. yet.”