tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213262.post1811355484098113516..comments2024-03-25T07:29:08.216-04:00Comments on 2 Political Junkies: And Now I Respond...Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10439330154875628083noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213262.post-50542592982249490602010-01-27T23:34:28.596-05:002010-01-27T23:34:28.596-05:00The "K" word, unlike the "N" w...The "K" word, unlike the "N" word, or any of many other ethnic terms used as slurs by outsiders, is not also used affectionately inside the group (unless it's a new or regional thing that I don't know about). So that's mostly going to muddy the water. I'm having trouble coming up with a true parallel--something that means "close, respected friend" within the community, and "inappropriately nepotistic friend with a shared ethnic and societal background" (as Wecht implies he intended to use it) or as "mafia thugs."<br /><br />Frankly, I buy that he may have intended to focus on Pittsburgh "business as usual, cultural nepotism." <br /><br />I can see that he didn't wish to dissect the different hereditary alliances in Pittsburgh. After all, it's not like we have a single set of "old boys"--we've got several, they don't always play well together, and from what I can suss out, historically, some of them were originally distinguished by ethnicity. (I know, that's not a news flash.) <br /><br />I didn't think of the guys in Mafia suits on TV when I read "goombah" in context. I did think of the somewhat Italianate guys in suits who hang around the City-County building, and show up in political entourages, and speak to no-one except each other, and that, only in whispers. <br /><br />"Buds" "amigos" or "homeboys" doesn't in any way capture the particular flavor of their focused insularity. (And besides, insulting some other ethnic group to avoid insulting Italians is also not fair.) "Bosom companions" is shockingly Shakespearean, "comrades" has the wrong political connotation, and just about anything else I can think of to sounds like homoerotic nudge nudge wink winkery. "Thick as thieves" again hints at impropriety and illegality. <br /><br />What word would you use to say that two people's interaction was colored by a deep, maybe too deep, shared history, mutual regard and cultural understanding? "Frat brothers" or "club members," I suppose--but that only works if they were actually, y'know, frat brothers, or members of the same club. Bro, sidekick...nah.<br /><br />My feeling, on reconsideration? Yes, Wecht highlighted the Italian-ness of the guys, at the same time that he highlighted their inappropriate behavior. That sure seems racist. <br /><br />But if the closeness cultural ties of Italians, bleeding over into public life, has led to a dual meaning for "goombah," what then? Pretend they're not close? Or not Italian? Or make up a new word?<br /><br />I'm starting to feel that Wecht used an unfortunate word because there was no better word that connoted the actual, unfortunate situation (letting your regard for your "homie" influence your job). <br /><br />If you have a better word or phrase--one that doesn't instead cast aspersions by implication on some other ethnic group--go ahead and slap my argument down. <br /><br />Finally, I have to say that for all the truly blue and personally insulting language Wecht has used over the years, this phrase an odd thing to focus on just as he's considering a run for Governor. I don't think he has the temperament for the job, or for the campaign trail, unfortunately. Too bad, because I often think he has more brains, honesty and regard for human rights than Corbett and Onorato combined (and not less than Hoeffel, either).Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14932097432487112860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213262.post-29464363051661656482010-01-27T20:21:58.025-05:002010-01-27T20:21:58.025-05:00Actually, if anyone had dared utter any Jewish slu...Actually, if anyone had dared utter any Jewish slur in reference to Dr. Wecht, the entire world would be thrashing them and the Mossad would have them on their radar. It seems to me that some of you are semi-OK with goombah, but would blanch at kike. Am I right? I don't see this as a matter of political correctness gone wild, I see it as a simple matter of intelligent discourse and respect for one's fellow citizens.<br /><br />Cyril deserves every bit of grief he gets over this. And while the MBB thing was a witch hunt, Cyril DID most of the stuff he was accused of. Too many liberals stuck by his side just because he was "their guy."<br /><br />At the end of the day, Cyril has stayed way too long at the party and has a massive ego -- the exact reason he let his tongue slip in this case. He's got a bad case of the "entitled white male" syndrome.... In my book he's become an embarrassment to Pittsburgh.Clyde Wynanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600162138209778979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213262.post-52684048135824378622010-01-27T12:46:24.071-05:002010-01-27T12:46:24.071-05:00i actually like dr. wecht quite a bit and that is ...i actually like dr. wecht quite a bit and that is one of the reasons that i was disappointed and hurt by his using this word. <br /><br />it's not the "pc" police. it's ordinary italian americans like me.<br /><br />was my world shattered by this? no, just a bit sadder .Sherry Pasquarellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06107407102753464356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213262.post-80506175589079051412010-01-27T11:01:31.380-05:002010-01-27T11:01:31.380-05:00Wecht certainly can be a horse's behind, but p...Wecht certainly can be a horse's behind, but people should quit blowing his use of this word out of proportion. As usual, the PC police are winning.Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10472711158045753698noreply@blogger.com