Mad rantings about politics, evolution, and microbiology. Comment policy: say what you want, but back it up with an email address. I don't like anonymous trolls.
Former Republican governor and presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson just entered the running for the Stupid Asshole of the Week. From his comments to the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington D.C.:
"I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that."Thompson later apologized for the comments that had caused a stir in the audience, saying that he had meant it as a compliment, and had only wanted to highlight the "accomplishments" of the Jewish religion.
He then dug the hole even deeper:
"I just want to clarify something because I didn't [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things," he said."What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."
This is why you should stick to prepared remarks (and if these were prepared remarks, then someone needs to be fired). This I don't get. All Thompson had to do was not be an asshole. But if the presidential campaign doesn't work out, I hear CBS is looking for a new radio show host...
Comments
What really surprises me about the matter is not that he was thinking it; but that he thought it would be a suitable compliment.
At this rate it's only a matter of time before some wacky version of blood libel gets dredged up as a complement to Jewish culinary tradition.
Posted by: John | April 16, 2007 7:27 PM
An unsettling metaphor ...
The incident is amazing, but ...
... you shouldn't set the bar too high. :-)
Posted by: Scott Belyea | April 16, 2007 7:34 PM
A decongestant may be in order! ;-p
Posted by: Jeb, FCD | April 16, 2007 8:08 PM
Tommy!, not be an asshole? Not be a moron?
Impossible.
This is the asshole-moron who campaigned for a new ballpark for the Milwaukee Brewers, which is paid for by a special tax only in the metro MIlwaukee area, but had to be approved in a statewide referendum, by arguing that by voting in favor of the stadium tax people upstate would be able to "stick it to 'em" in MIlwaukee.
Jayzus.
THIS guy was our Governor.
Stick It To 'Em Tommy!, from Elroy, Wisconsin.
This is hardly surprising, I'm sure he thought he was being complimentary. Hell, Herb Kohl did well with those department stores, right? Russ Feingold must not have the knack.
Man, he's embarrassing. But the tools up state do love them some Tommy!
Posted by: Lettuce | April 16, 2007 10:52 PM
My Hook Nose Is Swelling With Pride
Almost perfect...
Category: Fucking Morons
Ah. We have perfection.
If you'll forgive the blogwhoring, my extremely irritated rant about this is here.
Posted by: Melissa McEwan | April 17, 2007 9:22 AM
Yeah, that was embarassing, but he was really pissed when instead of campaign contributions, all he walked away with were pledges for Israel bonds...
Posted by: SteveG | April 17, 2007 1:48 PM
"I just want to clarify something because I didn't [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things," he said. :)
Posted by: Jack Zarnet | March 12, 2009 2:39 PM
yeahhhhhh
Posted by: emlak | March 13, 2009 7:36 AM