In a post-Don Imus world, one would think journalists would be on their guard to not say or write anything that could be in any way perceived as racist.
Yet, just days after CBS's Andy Rooney made a racial slur concerning Hispanic baseball players, NBC's Matt Lauer actually called outgoing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales a "piñata."
Certainly, given Gonzales's ethnic background, and the context of the discussion, mightn't "whipping boy" or "punching bag" have been more appropriate?
Unfortunately, as he was speaking to Democrat strategist James Carville, this is what Lauer said on Tuesday's "Today" show (h/t Steve Hill of Target Rich Environment):
Video (0:36): Real (997 kB) and Windows (1.09 MB), plus MP3 audio (256 kB)
"James, you know, Ari's talking about the venom in Washington right now and when it comes right down to it, strange dynamic, an only-in-Washington story. There are a lot of Democrats who just victimized and villainized Alberto Gonzales over these last eight months, but when it comes right down to it this morning, are not all that happy he's gone, because in some ways they've lost a piñata, haven't they?"
Think there'll be a Don Imus outrage over this?
No, I don't either.
Comments Policy
Matt may have continued . .
August 28, 2007 - 13:19 ET — Mica the Magnificent" . . because in some ways they've lost a pinata, haven't they? I mean he quit and ran out of town like a Speedy Gonzales. Yep, just packed his papers crossed the Washington D.C. border and migrated home."
Pinata
August 28, 2007 - 13:54 ET — bravefacariOMG!
Too many PINATA COLODAS for Mattie!!
August 28, 2007 - 13:55 ET — PawpawNThink Mattie has been going out with David Gregory too much lately, too many pinata colodas!!! Oh, that's pina colodas!!! After a few, who cares!!
Matt's amazing career
August 28, 2007 - 14:54 ET — Rick on Cape Cod BayI have yet to hear this guy say anything compelling. He was in over his head when he anchored in Providence. What is the big attraction to this rodeo clown?
Lauer's the token gay dude
August 28, 2007 - 14:59 ET — MightyMouthLauer's the token gay dude for NBC. He's already french kissed Bryant Gumble on air and crowned George Looney Queen for a day. Every networks gotta have at least one.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Lauer's hate speech
August 28, 2007 - 13:58 ET — LionKingI would consider this hate speech. It certainly alludes to a lynching while the Demolibs celebrate the resignation of another "Bushie".
Matt - Pinata
August 28, 2007 - 14:00 ET — Six String SpiffExactly, a pinata for all the immature children to beat because they lost elections.
The American Revolution Continued
easy now
August 28, 2007 - 14:13 ET — dubuquemanI think we are being a little picky here. "Pinata" has become a very popular term in recent years to describe someone being bashed around. Let's not seem as squeamish as the Left about language.
THANK YOU.
August 28, 2007 - 14:16 ET — balboaTHANK YOU.
Sheesh!
August 28, 2007 - 14:27 ET — scamoramaHe's a "pinata" in the sense that the MSM beat on him until they got the goodies -- his departure. That might be Lauer's intended meaning.
But, really, the use of the word wasn't any more "racist" than Andy Rooney's reference to baseball players. Hispanics are not a "race".
If I said the NBA is just a bunch of guys named "Johnson", would THAT be "racist"?
I'm not defending Rooney or Lauer, by the way. Rooney's an old fool, and Lauer's an idiot.
DM
August 28, 2007 - 14:28 ET — Noel SheppardDM,
I think all political correctness is being too picky. However, the side of the aisle responsible for such should practice what it preaches, and be held to the same standards it extols. Failing this, those wanting political correctness should shut the heck up! ns
I guess sometimes we just
August 28, 2007 - 14:40 ET — Hero SquadI guess sometimes we just have to settle for knowing that most people realize how silly many of these controversies are, who is responsible for elevating them into such, and how they are being hypocritical for pointing out these statements for people they oppose, and looking the other way with people they support.
*****
"Some people have a way with words. Other people, er, I don't know. Not have way, I guess
reply to Noel
August 28, 2007 - 14:48 ET — dubuquemanOh yeah, I agree with you. I just think it's important to be clear that we're pointing out that the Left would jump on this if it were in reverse, not that we are actually offended.
By the way, I love the way the Times and others just reported as a given that Rooney's comment was "racist." It wasn't. He was just stating that he is not interested in following a sport played by a lot of people from the Dominican and elsewhere. He said nothing to denigrate Hispanics. In the Olympics, we root for the American teams. Is that racist?
I can't, under any
August 28, 2007 - 14:57 ET — balboaI can't, under any circumstances, imagining myself ever caring if someone on the right said this. I understand what Noel's saying, but pinata's a pretty common term. If Lauer said something like they don't have their favorite frittata to pound or something more ethnic than hat pinata is now? Then, yes, that's shifty.
DM
August 28, 2007 - 15:09 ET — Noel SheppardDM,
Not only aren't I offended, you can't possibly imagine how hard it is TO offend me. I think all this PC nonsense is absurd.
However, I believe the folks setting the agenda should live by the agenda they've set. As they don't, this is just another example of the liberal motif "Do As I Say, Not As I Do!"
And, I'm frackin' sick of it!
Furthermore, in this case, I do indeed believe that whipping boy or punching bag would have been more appropriate given the context of the discussion inasmuch as both terms much more accurately describe how the Dems and the media see Gonzales. Pinata is MUCH too playful a description, as when one hits a pinata, the goal is to get candy from it. That certainly isn't what one does to a punching bag or whipping boy, and without question isn't why the Dems and the media have been beating on Alberto.
Make sense? ns
He is a liberal
August 28, 2007 - 14:33 ET — ksimm81And so there won't be any outrage from the hypocritical, leftist MSM.
I must admit that I am no
August 28, 2007 - 14:58 ET — mostlymoderateI must admit that I am no fan of the NAACP, La Raza, the ADL or any other crybaby special interest group that makes a living nitpicking about daily speech. HOWEVER, this latest stunt by Matt Lauer was racist. Pure and simple. He needs to grovel for about a week, just like Imus, saying he is sorry. Then, he needs to suck up to Al Sharpton, just like Imus. Then, his entire "career" needs ruining, just like Imus. Oh wait, I forgot, he is one of the "chosen" reporters. He can say what he wants.
Geraldo Rivera
August 28, 2007 - 15:28 ET — smitty031will be over Albertos anytime now looking for his comment on being likened to a a papier mache donkey...Great Job Matt!!
BTW Don Imus called. He wants his chair back