Michele Bachmann Says 'Tar Baby' Comment Was Not Intended To Be Racial

[ChumpDumper]

well I would say that it is decidedly sophisticated to be unaware of all of the racial slurs and their variants. Ignorant? yes. unsophisticated? no.

On a side not, I hate that I feel like I am defending MB.

altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sophisticated

Her use of the phrase shows a decided lack of sophistication.

[Wild Cobra]

altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sophisticated

Her use of the phrase shows a decided lack of sophistication.

Chump, I don't know about you, but I have so many better things to do than to keep up with what others find offensive. If that's your thing, then fine. I have a feeling Bachmann is more concerned about more important things as well.

[TeyshaBlue]

I don't think anyone thinks it was used in a racial context by Mic e Bachmann. I haven't followed the story very closely because, really, who gives a ? But it seems the "outrage" is that she would be dumb enough to casually use a racially charged term. Not that she is herself racist for having used it.

But that's harder to rally behind than perceived race baiting and unfair accusations from the lefties.

Bachman should be a bit more rdly with her opinions.

[Drachen]

altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sophisticated

Her use of the phrase shows a decided lack of sophistication.

yeah, I looked it up too and the example it gives is "a sophisticated young socialite; the sophisticated eye of a journalist." Those two phrases really evoke the image of someone who can toss out obscure racial slurs left and right.

Most of the other definitions also mention the word "refined".

[ChumpDumper]

Chump, I don't know about you, but I have so many better things to do than to keep up with what others find offensive. If that's your thing, then fine. I have a feeling Bachmann is more concerned about more important things as well.

I have a feeling you would make any excuse you could for her no matter what she said because she is a Republican. Being a public figure and politician means limiting the stupid you might say.

She never could, but for Republicans stupidity is now a virtue.

[Cue Biden examples as an attempt to minimize. Sorry, he has also hit his ceiling because he says stupid things.]

[ChumpDumper]

yeah, I looked it up too and the example it gives is "a sophisticated young socialite; the sophisticated eye of a journalist." Those two phrases really evoke the image of someone who can toss out obscure racial slurs left and right.

Most of the other definitions also mention the word "refined".

It's not my fault if you are unable to apply the actual definition to this situation.

And again, it's simply not that obscure.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Bachman should be a bit more rdly with her opinions.

[Drachen]

It's not my fault if you are unable to apply the actual definition to this situation.

And again, it's simply not that obscure.

I know this is antecdotal, so I guess take it for whatever you want, but I asked two coworkers, one is a black man and the other married to a black man and neither had ever heard of the term.

[TheSkeptic]

I know this is antecdotal, so I guess take it for whatever you want, but I asked two coworkers, one is a black man and the other married to a black man and neither had ever heard of the term.

I hear you on this one. I hadn't heard of this term either until I got to the thread. On the actual topic being discussed here I'm more inclined to think that Bachmann didn't know what she was saying -as opposed to unleashing her closet racism and whatever else she's being accused of.

[ChumpDumper]

I'm more inclined to think that Bachmann didn't know what she was saying

As am I.

She is an idiot, after all.

[DarrinS]

This thread is a tar baby

[Drachen]

As am I.

She is an idiot, after all.

I agree she is an idiot, I don't agree that this is proof. It is, however, obvious that you and I will disagree on this point.

[ChumpDumper]

I agree she is an idiot, I don't agree that this is proof. It is, however, obvious that you and I will disagree on this point.

Eh, maybe I'm just older and more familiar with the term. Who knows?

I think enough people are familiar with the term that its use is unwise.

[RandomGuy]

Either this is straight up racist...or straight up stupid for not realizing that's a racist term...either way...that is dumb...

Racist? No.

Straight up stupid? I wish I could completely agree. Getting through law school generally requires something upstairs.

Ignorant? yup.

A bit of a nutter? yup.

[boutons_deux]

"Getting through law school generally requires something upstairs."

uh:

"She enrolled at Coburn School of Law, an affiliate of Oral Roberts University. Bachmann chose to attend Coburn’s unaccredited law school because it was built in accord with “God’s commission to Oral Roberts”, a televangelist."

[CuckingFunt]

I hear you on this one. I hadn't heard of this term either until I got to the thread. On the actual topic being discussed here I'm more inclined to think that Bachmann didn't know what she was saying -as opposed to unleashing her closet racism and whatever else she's being accused of.

And, as I suggested with my first post in this thread, I don't think much of anyone is accusing Bachmann of unleashing her closet racism or anything else. My understanding is that people are more concerned about the fact that a) she didn't know what she was saying, and b) a well known political figure whose career choice demands frequent public speaking SHOULD know what they're saying.

[boutons_deux]

She knows she's dog whistling to the racists.

With Repug/"Christian" extremists like this asshole, assume the worst and be right 99% of the time.

600K words in English language, and millions of phrases. this ain't no ignorant "oops!"

[TheSkeptic]

And, as I suggested with my first post in this thread, I don't think much of anyone is accusing Bachmann of unleashing her closet racism or anything else. My understanding is that people are more concerned about the fact that a) she didn't know what she was saying, and b) a well known political figure whose career choice demands frequent public speaking SHOULD know what they're saying.

Ah. You're right.

Those are worthwhile concerns I suppose. I personally never took her seriously as a candidate though so maybe that's why I'm not too surprised. Just looking at her background and the like I think she lives in a bit of an echo chamber with respect to things like this. She seems like a decent person in general though.

As an aside, what I've never understood about Bachmann is why she didn't run for congress or something. That would fit her abilities a little bit better than the presidency in my opinion.

[Wild Cobra]

Again people:

Isn't this pipeline coming from a "tar" oil source?

Isn't this the obvious reason she used the term?