Gee! Guess where a reporter is coming from if he uses the vulgar and childish term "tea-bagger" when referring to tea party protestors?
Anderson Cooper was among the first "journalists" who used the "tea bagging" term back in April. Despite his initial glee over injecting "tea bagging" as often as possible into his comments on the tea party protests, Cooper was eventually forced to apologize for his highly unprofessional use of that term.
Although the use of "tea bagger" has now become generally recognized as the mark of liberal unprofessionalism it does keep creeping back into stories such as a few weeks ago when a CBS online editor used that term in his blog. And now we have Christopher Keating who took a dive into unprofessionalism due to the use of "tea-bagger" twice in his Hartford Courant article on a tea party protest.
Keating managed to make it through a few paragraphs in his report before giving way to his inner child:
...Williams was one of the speakers Friday as the national tour of the Tea Party Express made its stop in Hartford. The tour began in Sacramento, Calif., and was headed to Washington, D.C., for another rally today. The group received an escort from the Rat Pack Motorcycle Club of Waterbury, whose members stood behind the speakers toward the end of the rally under the north portico of the state Capitol.
For more than two hours, and at times in driving rain, the tea-baggers stood outside to hear the speeches about state and local politics.
Having introduced that term into the story, Keating decided to go for an encore several paragraphs later:
Dodd's campaign manager, Jay Howser, said that the tea-baggers have nothing to offer.
"The great thing about the far right wing, extreme group of tea-baggers who have entertained us throughout the summer is that their idea of free speech is akin to shouting down opposition, drowning out debate, and in Connecticut, encouraging Sen. Dodd to commit suicide with painkillers and alcohol," Howser said. "No responsible American, regardless of their political beliefs, thinks that this fringe element has anything valuable to offer to our country's discourse or debate."
Um, Mr. Keating, just because Dodd's campaign manager has stooped to using "tea-baggers" in his description of tea party protestors doesn't mean you have to follow suit.
Keating's childish reporting did not go unnoticed by readers commenting on this story:
When I opened the paper Sun am and saw the report on the Tea Party Express, and that it used used the pejorative and prissy term "tea-baggers" I was confused, as I thought it was a news report. I then recognized the reporter's sly editorialization was an attempt to tell us subscribers that he knew how unimportant the story truly was. You guys are getting closer to losing this 35-year customer. How stupid do you think your readers are?
Mr. Keating, how dare you refer to Tea Party Patriots as "tea-baggers". Do you not realize this is derogatory. Not only is it biased and slanted, its rude, offensive, unbecoming of a journalist, and frankly, something I'd expect to hear from the likes of Janeane Garofalo. For Dodd and the comments of his campaign manager, Howser; to insult his concerned constituents is remarkable and shows his unwillingness to hear CT taxpayers. His continued insults to moderates and conservatives will back fire. Is insulting potential voters a smart idea if you're a "campaign manager"?? Why don't you hear and address the concerns of CT residents - the people that you have sworn to represent?
Keating did get one thumbs up for his use of the "tea-bagger" pejorative:
Hahahahah!!! I just noticed this!!! Hahahahaha!!! Do you know what a tea-bagger is slang for?? LMFAO!!! Thanks Courant!!!! I needed that!!!
Yes, Christopher Keating probably does know what "tea-bagger" is slang for and he still used it. Very unprofessional. Very very unprofessional.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Mixed message
September 13, 2009 - 08:59 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsTea-bagger? Isn't that a term for promoters of male gay marriage? Very confusing.
D
Write your Congress and Senate and tell them what YOU think!
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
I am surprised that an
September 13, 2009 - 09:17 ET by nicksmith112I am surprised that an Anderson Cooper would have teabagger on the brain. ;)
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Best response
September 13, 2009 - 09:02 ET by FeynmanFanThe best response is to point out his lack of professionalism and keep moving forward. Anything additional is a waste of time.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
email this hack here:
September 13, 2009 - 09:07 ET by regimeofterroremail this hack here: ckeating@courant.com
Saddam Hussein and terrorism. Trying to tell the rest of the story at http://www.regimeofterror.com
How about this clown
September 13, 2009 - 09:13 ET by nicksmith112How about this clown David Sirota, seen on CNN & MSNBC these days. If you need that quick racist whitey quote, he is the guy.He saves his Teabagger name calling for his twitter. Check out his Twitter.
http://twitter.com/d...
http://twitter.com/d...
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Decline of Journalism.
September 13, 2009 - 09:30 ET by flyingmonkeyStooping to name calling only tells me that he has no intelligent response based in fact. A knee-jerk "I know you are , but what am I?" reaction. He couldn't even be original.
Readers of the Hartford Courant should be embarrassed for wasting their money. Subscribers should be embarrassed to have anyone see it on their front porch.
Maybe a plain brown wrapper, like they do for other porn, will save their circulation.
I found this one quite amusing...
September 13, 2009 - 09:39 ET by sarainitalyStay classy, teabaggers!
http://www.alan.com/2009/09/12/the-gop-corporate-push-behind-the-912-teabaggers/
Yes, nothing screams class like calling people ball suckers!
Perhaps if Kennedy had a little more class, he wouldn't have left someone to drown...
Hey PJ
September 13, 2009 - 09:53 ET by nwahsI note your article uses a number of vulgar terms as well.
Lets start with "dive" and "glee." Do you think you should be using these vulgar terms on NewsBusters?
That makes as much sense as you claiming "tea bagger" is a vulgar term because it has a vulgar use. You'd be surprised at the words that have vulgar uses. In fact the number would blow you away.
You've got a ridiculous premise if you are saying ghetto slang can own a word (s).
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
→ nwahs
September 13, 2009 - 10:03 ET by Cool ArrowI'll bet you thought that one up while Pierre was tossing your daughter's salad last night.
Of course you know I mean she was at a restaurant.
Of course I know you're just fine with my innocent observation.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
Exactly!
September 13, 2009 - 10:09 ET by nwahsThats my point exactly. Thats the danger of accepting the weird sexual innuendo of words. I'm sure just the proper use of "boob" or "ferry" would get howls of laughter from 4th graders ( well remedial 4th graders).
I dunno, maybe the article is satire. It sure seems to be playing to the room.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
If it is 'playing to the room'
September 13, 2009 - 10:14 ET by SickofLibsIf it is 'playing to the room', then that would make you the lone heckler.
Again.
→ That's good
September 13, 2009 - 10:19 ET by Cool ArrowI think you're the one who's being obtuse here.
How nice would it be to say (fill in the blank) sleeps with his daughters?
Certainly it's true of any man who has daughters, and sleeps in the same house, during the same hours.
But you're saying it's OK to make such an observation just because it is technically true on some level?
Doesn't wash, nwahs.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
So this is political correctness?
September 13, 2009 - 10:25 ET by nwahsI get it. This is PC. Conservatism has come a long way. Advocating political correctness.
Let me update my list of not for use words
homosexual
handicapped
negro
Indian
tea bagger
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
→ nwahs
September 13, 2009 - 10:30 ET by Cool ArrowYou're really off your game this morning.
Carry on. I was hoping you werent so ignorant.
Ignorant does not mean stupid. It just refers to someone who ignores the facts.
Carry on.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
My apologies to the
September 13, 2009 - 11:27 ET by nwahsMy apologies to the Tea-Americans.
The fact is teabagger has multiple meanings. Perhaps Cooper was making fun of the PC wing of the Tea-Americans. Its not like he said Halfrican-American or IntsantTea-American or, God forbid, Lipton with Lemon-Americans
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
You sound like a fan of "2
September 13, 2009 - 11:29 ET by nicksmith112You sound like a fan of "2 Liberals 1 cup"...;)
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
use "teabagger" in a sentence please
September 13, 2009 - 21:03 ET by Naynwahs, Please use "teabagger" in a sentence so we can understand these multiple meanings of which you speak that are evidently not offensive. I've personally never heard the term and tea party attenders have been around for a long time. Tea sets have been delivered to my house from Santa before and I've never referred to anyone who used them as "teabaggers". Have you? In fact, Webster's web site has no such word. I see you found it in the "urban" dictionary, however, the first definition is the only one "G" rated, and I cannot imagine using the word in that way. So, please, elighten us of the many innocent uses of "teabagger" that you speake of.
Urban Dictionary is not credible
September 13, 2009 - 21:08 ET by nkviking75You link to Urban Dictionary in your post. Urban Dictionary, like Wikipedia, is a website to which anyone can contribute, and on which one can say just about anything. Therefore, it is not a credible source.
“Always love your country — but never trust your government!" -- Bob Novak (1931-2009)
Yeah, and....
September 13, 2009 - 13:19 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonDon't get caught in the forest gathering faggots for the camp fire either!
http://gjresult.com
Wrong nwahs
September 13, 2009 - 10:31 ET by Founding_FatherHere's the problem with your thinking nwahs.
The other terms you described - let's take "blow" for example - were originally "innocent" and taken to mean something else. Tea-bagging on the other hand only has/had one intended meaning. ONE.
To think - or admit - that those using this do NOT mean the double entrende - is simply naive or just stupid.
Well according to this entry is has multiple meanings
September 13, 2009 - 11:20 ET by nwahsAccording to this entry it has multiple meanings.
teabagger (apologies to Tea-Americans everywhere)
Why does the right go for the testicle definition?
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, OK, so which of
September 13, 2009 - 12:40 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
OK, so which of the other meanings do you think Cooper and Keating are making use of?
Are you suggesting that they believe all those protesters carry "large bags of packaged tea for shipment"? Or that they have "a job or talent that is low in social status"? Or maybe they are people "who [are] unaware that they have said or done something foolish, childlike, noobish, lame, or inconvenient"?
Man, you've taken playing stupid to a whole new level.
Left wing bloggers use the term "teabagger" in a derogatory manner and they knew exactly what meaning they are using in doing that. For supposed journalists to use it indicates either 1) they are sympathetic to the left's view of these protesters or 2) they are completely oblivious to the meaning of the term and are parroting the left's description of those protesters.
Which is it? Am I missing another option?
I think he was making fun
September 13, 2009 - 12:55 ET by nwahsI think he was making fun of the Tea-American's demand for political correctness.
I think the first few reporters meant it to allude to those who loaded tea onto ships. Some Tea-American heard it and thought of testicles, and now PC demands everyone think of testicles when using that term so as not to offend Tea-Americans. Don't you just hate PC?
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, I think he was
September 13, 2009 - 13:05 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
That's funny. I think it was you who brought up the idea of PC. Let's scroll up and see:
Yup. That was you. Not Mr. Gladnick, not any of the other posters here - you.
You might want to look up what a "straw man" argument is.
And really, you think some reporters were really alluding to "loading tea on ships"?
Well, nwahs, I'll go ahead and assume you are doing that disingenuous thing that you do to try to make a point - although, in this case, since you have predicated your argument on a straw man argument, it would seem you are being disingenuous in an attempt to undermine your own made up argument.
Let me know who wins.
No, its political
September 13, 2009 - 13:11 ET by nwahsNo, its political correctness. Because a group is suddenly offended by a legitimate innocuous term, people can't use that term anymore. That's PC.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, You know as well
September 13, 2009 - 13:19 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
You know as well as I that the term "teabag" in everyday use has been around for a long time and has had one meaning.
Keep playing dumb.
No one is buying it.
I assume you mean teabagger
September 13, 2009 - 13:22 ET by nwahsWell call me benighted, but I had never heard of the foul definition until it was pointed out. I guess it goes by who you keep company with.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, Projecting your
September 13, 2009 - 13:33 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
Projecting your ignorance (real or feigned) onto others to try to argue a point is a part of that "straw man" thing I
mentioned before. Did you actually look it up, by the way? I'd hate for you to be ignorant about that term as well.
And that second sentence of yours - that's an argument "ad hominem". Might want to look that up as well.
And I meant "teabag" as a verb.
Oh, I still think you are being disingenuous and playing stupid.
I had to explain it
September 13, 2009 - 13:38 ET by katainkentto my mother. Catholic school girl, went from her own house to my Dad's. Never worked. Associated with only her church function ladies & the PTA her entire life. So, I suppose it could happen.
My Dad on the other hand. He knew. And I am the wife of a submariner. I probably know way more than than I should about the colorful language of the world.
___________________________________________
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. ~Thomas Jefferson
(if you think healthcare is expensive now - wait until its free)
katainkent, Well, if
September 13, 2009 - 13:45 ET by hydrodynDMkatainkent,
Well, if nwahs admits to having been raised a Catholic school girl then I might be willing to believe his ignorance.
And yea, I was going to point out to nwahs that just about anyone with some familiarity with the military (direct or indirect) has probably heard the term (and a lot of others).
But I figured, what's the point? Nwahs is in too deep - he won't admit that he's just acting dumb for the sake of his argument.
I guess it depends what entertains you
September 13, 2009 - 14:50 ET by nwahsI never heard of it. In the aspect of gay sex, I am ignorant, and choose to remain so, thank you.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
Another lie.
September 13, 2009 - 14:56 ET by JWFDo we have to dig up old comments of yours from a few months back now. Stop lying.
Wow nwahs, Reduced to
September 13, 2009 - 15:02 ET by hydrodynDMWow nwahs,
Reduced to implying that I'm gay.
Your argumentative skills are truly impressive.
Why not call me a doody-head for your coup de grace?
I didn't say you were gay
September 13, 2009 - 15:11 ET by nwahsI didn't imply you were gay. Perhaps you tell jokes, read a book, heard it from a bunk mate. I dunno. Before this, I'd never heard of the term. That somehow surprises you. I don't know why. Where in the world is that term used with any frequency to denote a sex act?I've worked in some rough professions and never heard anyone say "man, I'd like to teabag that."
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, Your argument is
September 13, 2009 - 15:16 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
Your argument is predicated on the assumption that the vast majority of folks out there don't know what that term means and that the protesters are just being nitpicky (or acting all PC) in objecting to it.
Correct me if I'm wrong on that.
But whether you were familiar with the term or not - or whether most people were or not - is not the issue. You have to argue that the folks using that term (including so-called object journalist) honestly aren't familiar with that term and its derogatory meaning.
Well, if they weren't a year ago, they most certainly are now.
Or are you going to argue that as well?
too late
September 13, 2009 - 16:08 ET by katainkentyou're now educated. Maybe someone else will come along and help with the rest of your misconceptions. This is where I am going to opt out of the rest of this convo ;)
Anderson Cooper
September 13, 2009 - 10:09 ET by P.J. GladnickAnd what do you think was on Anderson Cooper's mind when he kept repeating about "tea bagging?" And what did he apologize for if it was such an innocuous term?
Back to Square One for you, shawn backwards.
→ Perplexing
September 13, 2009 - 10:13 ET by Cool ArrowCooper went so far as to say "It's hard to talk when you're teabagging", but somehow we're supposed to believe the vulgar intent wasn't there.
Every bit as disingenuous as ACORN claiming they did nothing wrong while firing the individuals who did something wrong.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
Can you imagine the outrage
September 13, 2009 - 10:59 ET by nicksmith112Can you imagine the outrage from the Left if the Right called a liberal event "TEABAGGING"....that is sexist...that is homophobic....people should be fired..etc.
BTW CNN has a dirty Sanchez on the payroll.
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
I took that
September 13, 2009 - 11:31 ET by nwahsI took that as Cooper turning the demand for PC back in their (Tea-Americans) faces.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
→ Yeah, that's it nwahs
September 13, 2009 - 15:52 ET by Cool ArrowWhat Anderson Cooper did is admit he has troublwe talking while lolling another man's genitalia in his mouth.
It's that mental image that made his ratings go down.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
I have no idea
September 13, 2009 - 10:19 ET by nwahsWhat is this - conservative political correctness?
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
→ Yes
September 13, 2009 - 10:25 ET by Cool ArrowI question Barney Frank's moral rectitude all the time. But I won't go down that road.
Van Jones is a Quitter - FS
Barney is a Cleveland
September 13, 2009 - 11:01 ET by nicksmith112Barney is a Cleveland steamer??
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Barney Frank..
September 13, 2009 - 17:04 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. also plays a rusty trombone.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
not PC to call this hate speech
September 13, 2009 - 18:22 ET by konoIt's not only your name that you've got backwards on this, dude. "Tea baggers" has become for angry Liberals what "niggers" has been for angry racists. And neither term should be acceptable in civilized conversation.
I hope I didn't offend anyone by spelling it all out there; but I'm tired of beating around the bush on this one.
Why do they always giggle when they say it?
September 13, 2009 - 11:54 ET by delmarIf it's so innocent.
and you wonder
September 13, 2009 - 12:48 ET by katainkentwhy people still accuse you of being a liberal troll. After two whole years.
___________________________________________
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. ~Thomas Jefferson
(if you think healthcare is expensive now - wait until its free)
Do you find it slightly odd
September 13, 2009 - 12:59 ET by nwahsDo you find it slightly odd that you are accusing me of being a liberal troll for deriding political correctness in the extreme?
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
no I know you arent a troll
September 13, 2009 - 13:01 ET by katainkentI read your posts and I understand you think you're the sand in the oyster per se. I think you just end up being something more like sand in the shorts.
___________________________________________
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. ~Thomas Jefferson
(if you think healthcare is expensive now - wait until its free)
katainkent, I think
September 13, 2009 - 13:15 ET by hydrodynDMkatainkent,
I think nwahs's shtick on NB is to play the Devil's Advocate. Whether he's a lib or not, by virtue of his approach, he will often come across as defending the opposing view.
I'm not necessarily opposed to such an approach, but the problem with nwahs is that he isn't very good at it.
Instead of picking and choosing when it's appropriate, he ends up making arguments which basically force him to play dumb (although I'm sure he would say that he is being hyperbolic or satirical).
Well I was going to try
September 13, 2009 - 13:18 ET by nwahsI was going to try passive aggressive shtick, but that was taken :)
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
nwahs, You aren't the
September 13, 2009 - 13:23 ET by hydrodynDMnwahs,
You aren't the first to accuse me of that so there's probably some truth to it.
But at least my approach does end up with me playing stupid.
So you stick to your approach and I'll stick to mine.
Hydro
September 13, 2009 - 13:31 ET by MrShyTsk tsk. Pulling the PA card, Hydro? That's reserved for liberals.
You know, NB'ers like...... ooooh, nevermind.
:)
MrShy, Darn - there's a
September 13, 2009 - 13:37 ET by hydrodynDMMrShy,
Darn - there's a typo in that post and now I can't correct it.
Well thank yoooooou pal.
(That was me doing John Belushi in The Blues Brothers).
Oh, and don't suggest you know who is a liberal - he'll lose it.
Hydro
September 13, 2009 - 13:56 ET by MrShyHe'll lose it.... AGAIN, you mean. And no, he's never dishonest. :p
I need to watch my P's & Q's with certain members here. And they're not all libs or troll libs, too. Very touchy-feely (which, heck, I'm all for, but on a politics blog site?)
MrShy, I don't worry
September 13, 2009 - 14:01 ET by hydrodynDMMrShy,
I don't worry about P's & Q's. If I'm in one of those moods, I'll try to dig into anyone on here if the right topic comes up - well, except for Blonde.
She scares me a little.
Hydro
September 13, 2009 - 14:19 ET by MrShyShe scares everyone. :) She's one tough broad. Great to have in a foxhole, definitely.
And she has a few pupils here, too. :p
Blonde doesn't scare me
September 13, 2009 - 14:28 ET by FeynmanFanI just agree with her and do whatever I'm told, and we get along just fine. ;)
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
FF,
September 13, 2009 - 14:33 ET by R D HelmROFL!
-Dave
I agree with Rush. It's time for Obama to resign.
I am calling nwahs out for lying again! Ban this liar now.
September 13, 2009 - 14:25 ET by JWFLets start with "dive" and "glee." Do you think you should be using these vulgar terms on NewsBusters?
Lie! - these are accepted terms in normal society.
Glee is also the name of a new TV series coming this Fall. That was on TV as I started to write this.
Both terms are old english and commonly used every day. And they were used properly here.
The liar can't even get it right when he lies.
You've got a ridiculous premise if you are saying ghetto slang can own a word
That sentence makes on sense. Are you saying teabag is ghetto slang? Are you saying ghetto slang owns a word? Are you stupid as well as a liar?
Are you a racist as well as a liar for making every single bit of slang coming out of the ghetto?
nwahs - liar liar liar liar and now a racist.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
further definition
September 13, 2009 - 10:09 ET by redherkeyTeabagging, directly defined, refers to the sexual act of placing male genitilia onto the target's face. But what's often missed is the underlying sadist motivation of the teabagging act. Its representation is that of subjection, dominance, subservience and oppression.
Persons of progressive orientation have difficulty avoiding its reference as it recalls the imagery of the inherent sadist/masochist principles of progressive ideology. From Jim Crow to demeaning "equal opportunity" laws that, through their existence, serve as a permenant reminder that the "beneficiary" will never be equal and will always be dependent upon a white progressive male for their existence, their ideology is inherently intertwined with the "my balls forced in your mouth" message. Progressivism is about the nonphysical diminishment and violence of the Other. That images of physical expression of this belief system are periodically exposed is not surprising, given the occasional need to make the violence which they commit tangible. It's why we periodically see the hate crimes of the left; deep down, nonphysical violence just doesn't give the progressive hater the same sadist pleasure.
Cool:
September 13, 2009 - 10:18 ET by SickofLibs"Hahahahah!!! I just noticed this!!! Hahahahaha!!! Do you know what a tea-bagger is slang for?? LMFAO!!! Thanks Courant!!!! I needed that!!!
Does this sound like someone we know? Someone who is still hiding under a wet log since Friday?
Tea Bagging
September 13, 2009 - 11:05 ET by BigMike252Interesting......
"The President Trust level is High." Is he High? Can you produce those facts sir?
This is like being in grade school all over again. When you are right, how the Hussein followers reward you is by calling you a Racist or refer to you as being part of a Homosexual Act! What in the HELL is a matter with you children?
Yes you have to be high to
September 13, 2009 - 11:20 ET by Dan The Man 2Yes you have to be high to trust the current WH resident.
not possible
September 13, 2009 - 18:11 ET by konoIf you get high enough to trust BHO, you'd better not operate a mechanical pencil, much less a motor vehicle...
Cooper's Gay Slur
September 13, 2009 - 11:37 ET by slickwillie2001When Cooper shared with us that "it's hard to talk when you're teabagging", he left little doubt as to what he meant, and implied personal experience with this particular gay perversion.
On the other hand, when Joe Wilson said "you lie" to the Bamster, perhaps he only meant that the 'President' occasionally rests in a reclining position.
Great point, Slick
September 13, 2009 - 11:40 ET by FeynmanFanThat's the clarification we needed to bring this whole thing to an end.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
I prefer Tea-Blogging,
September 13, 2009 - 11:40 ET by Jack BauerI prefer Tea-Blogging, personally.
I really dont associate a
September 13, 2009 - 11:51 ET by Dan The Man 2I really dont associate a homosexual practice with the word. Perhaps we should try to see if we can coopt the word like homosexuals did with the word gay?
I hope this does not leave a
September 13, 2009 - 11:58 ET by Joe CamelI hope this does not leave a "brown stain" on the lips of Keating and Cooper. Maybe they were just "rimming" the edges of the joke a bit. These sick individuals should be ashamed and reprimanded. For those of us in the world who very clearly can ascertain their intentions, well, perverted and sadistic comes to mind with them.
Anderson Cooper is the son
September 13, 2009 - 12:15 ET by celatorAnderson Cooper is the son of the infamous Gloria Vanderbilt (yes, THOSE Vanderbilts) Among her many questionable accomplishments are some of the filthiest sex novels you can imagine. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
celator --Wouldn't it
September 13, 2009 - 13:08 ET by Jack Bauercelator --
Wouldn't it have been tres amusing if mommy and daddy had called him Gene?
Then he would nave been one of the Vanderbilt Genes
Jack.. perhaps the one size
September 13, 2009 - 13:13 ET by celatorJack.. perhaps the one size fits all "genes"....;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Sticks and stones may break their bones
September 13, 2009 - 13:15 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonBut words get them all "Wee Wee'd Up".
liberal intellectual capabilities at their finest.
http://gjresult.com
Anderson Cooper just gets
September 13, 2009 - 13:33 ET by GNAnderson Cooper just gets blamed for the tea bagging phrase because he's a gay man and there's some sort of idea that tea bagging is perverted and dirty therefore it must be gay. Lots of personalities in cable news (who were women and straight men) had been using it a lot blatantly in politically charged commentary for weeks before Cooper used it this one time rather subtly in a joke. He was not "injecting 'tea bagging' as often as possible into his comments on the tea party protests". He used it once in all his tea party coverage while others actually were gleefully using it all over the place.
He wasn't forced to apologize. He chose to say that he'd just been making a joke and hadn't meant any offence by it when someone asked about the matter at a non-televised speaking engagement. Considering the whole "tea bagging" phenomenon was only being blamed on him because of his sexuality and people had been trying to get him fired that was a pretty quiet response. If he's been "forced to apologize" he would have issued a public statement when it happened, not done a bit of explaining later on when someone else brought it up in a non-televised talk.
GN: "Cooper used it this one time rather subtly in a joke"
September 13, 2009 - 15:32 ET by SickofLibsOne time? Absolute, total BS, and no, I'm not doing the research for you.
Yes, it was one time. I
September 13, 2009 - 20:33 ET by GNYes, it was one time. I don't need you to do research for me. I'm aware of the facts of the matter.
The only time he used "tea bagging" in a broadcast was the instance in the clip. Then it was all put on him because he's gay. Conservative blogs were blaming him for the whole thing, suggesting that it was something he introduced into the discussion due to personal familiarity as a gay man. Not only had a lot of women and straight guys already been using the term for weeks in the media but the idea he had special knowledge did not make sense since, as some other sources pointed out, his joke didn't actually reflect accurate knowledge about the practice (it's hard for someone to talk when they are being tea bagged not when they are tea bagging). As evidence to back up the "he's gay so a pervert so the culprit" connection nearly all of the blogs also included a picture of the Advocate cover that featured his face. That magazine was only an issue about gray haired guys that did not discuss Cooper's sexuality and he hadn't consented to being on the cover, but the picture of Cooper on the cover of a well known gay magazine was obviously being included on blogs as proof that he's gay (and ergo must be the one at the bottom of it all).
→ You're right GN
September 13, 2009 - 20:40 ET by Cool ArrowYou're right GN
There's absolutely no confusing Cooper's joke as an honest mistake.
It was probably a mistake in
September 13, 2009 - 21:04 ET by GNIt was probably a mistake in as much as he didn't want or expect to make a joke that caused such a big negative reaction or to end up carrying the bag for everyone else's jokes. He obviously was aware "tea bagging" has a second meaning when he made the joke, though, so it was a joke not an accident of speech. However, if the opportunity for a tea bagging joke had been about some democrats instead of republicans I suspect he would have made it just the same. It just looked like someone spontaneously having fun with his own cleverness without a great appreciation of how high sensitivities were running, not the sort of pre-written politically charged "tea bagging" spiels that had already been done by others.
teabagging
September 13, 2009 - 21:17 ET by NayAnd the first meaning of "teabagging" is? Maybe you and nwahs should confer. You speak of "second meaning" and he speaks of "multiple meanings", but these terms are not in my vocabulary or in Webster's dictionary even in an innocent way. And what is this "high sensitivities"? I am sick of being labeled with things like "redneck" and "teabagger". These are meant only to be derogatory. But I can't complain because of the color of my skin? I'm not allowed to feel insulted.
The first meaning would be
September 14, 2009 - 12:54 ET by GNThe first meaning would be the one on the surface of the situation that people would assume if they didn't know about the sexual slang (i.e. if people are sending tea bags they are "tea bagging").
I'm sure liberals who protested during the Bush years were unthrilled about being dismissed as loons, pinheads, nuts, etc by FOX News and being called libtards by conservatives in general. Of course you and they can complain and feel insulted. Neither conservatives nor liberals are in a position to compare terms of political derision like that to racial slurs like nigger that come with enormous historical baggage. However, it's not useful or civil to include any name calling in political discourse.
I wasn't trying to argue that name calling is a good thing. I'm saying that blaming the wrong person for being the source of the name calling because he is gay is a bad thing. The consequences are inaccurate reporting like this article, treating a person unfairly, not holding the actual culprits responsible, and further alienating minority voters from the republican party.
Please don't let your crush on AC get in the way of the facts
September 13, 2009 - 21:16 ET by SickofLibsBut thanks for the clarification on the 'practice' of tea-baggers vs a tea-bagees.
I am providing the facts.
September 14, 2009 - 12:30 ET by GNI am providing the facts. He used the term only in the one incident in the clip under the circumstances I described. I see you are not letting your prejudice get in the way of the facts, though, and are determined to blame the gay man even though by all actual evidence that is unfair and inappropriate. Bigotry and ignorance is bliss for you?
butt-headed bigots
September 13, 2009 - 18:04 ET by konoWhen hate-filled Leftists like Colmes, Garafalo, Olbermann, et al, refer to us as 'tea baggers', the derisive tone of voice sounds awfully reminiscent of the hate-dripping tone you'd hear when someone from southern Virginia made a condemnatory comment about 'n-g--rs'. These self-righteous knuckleheads are just as tickled as can be that they can call people this name and not be absolutely SKEWERED for it.
I can almost picture them sitting around their 'ready' room giggling back and forth, "tea baggers, tea baggers, tea baggers!!"