Why did Al Franken go out of his way to protect Richard Riordan?

[Southsideirish]

Odd. Riordan is the ex mayor of LA, now Education Czar of Ca, who made the very strange comment to the little 6 yr old girl about the meaning of her name, Isis ("Stupid, dirty girl").
I wonder why he covered for him? Friend of "Ahnold's"?

[Karenina]

1. I read a lot about this exchange

BEFORE I saw the clip. My first reaction was a visceral "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" There is NO EXCUSE to speak in such a way to ANY child. To be COMPLETELY HONEST I was relieved to discover, in answer to my FIRST question for more info, that the child was white and blonde. I am open to explaining that reaction to anyone who is interested in why.

Nonetheless, after viewing the clip I am still SHAKING WITH ANGER. Not captured in ANY transcript that I read was, after Isis asked "Do you know my name means..." Riordan CONTRADICTED her and said NO. He said, and correct me if my lying eyes deceived me, "No, it means..." Clearly he was just "teasing" her and intended no real harm. What he DID, unconsciously perhaps, intend by contradicting her was to PUT HER IN HER PLACE. Translation for hip-hoppers: "I'LL tell you when you look good bitch!" It was subtle, but struck me like a ton of bricks.

My point is that it becomes SO NATURAL for particularly OLD WHITE MEN in positions of "power" to set the agenda, that they no longer even PERCEIVE where another's nose begins. Nor *need they* in their Spielraum. Gar nichts böse gemeint, but rather an object lesson to anyone watching. OK, I've softened up a bit after seing the clip. Don't behead him, JUST PUT THE ASSHOLE OUT TO PASTURE. NOW.

Sorry for my D'englisch, it's just faster and more clear for those who "get it."

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Same here

When I saw the clip, I realized it was really a lot of fuss over nothing.

[Karenina]

6. Permit me to disagree, ronnyk.

It WAS CERTAINLY NOT "NOTHING." It was a subtle communication of "Know your place." This is EXACTLY the dynamic that comes into play when we discuss racism/sexism/blahism on DU. WHO defines the parameters?
I'll stop here. ;-)

[AlCzervik]

9. That clip pissed me off

Why would he respond like that? Why didnt he just say "No, please tell me". That episode is revealing and yes he should quit, what a fing idiot.

[treepig]

7. to me it just looked like an insane old man making a lame joke

sure, he should be removed from his job (since he's insane).

really though, the video clip make it seem alot more benign than the du-based discussions. indeed, alot of fuss over not much.

[Karenina]

18. My POINT is

it is NOT BENIGN. It is a MALIGNANT MENTALITY. It is something I've seen so often as people acquire wealth/fame. NO ONE dares say to them "Here's the border." They violate boundaries without a thought.

[Ducks In A Row]

11. Because it's a non-issue

And blowing it up into something it's not helps no one.

[redqueen]

2. What????!!!!

How did he protect/cover for him?!

:grr:

[number6]

4. said he, was just having a bad day ..

:(

[redqueen]

10. I hope that was just sarcasm

Sure, if it's some alcoholic truck driver, then 'having a bad day' is an excuse... but for the head of education for one of the biggest states in this country?

:wtf:

[number6]

3. yes, that suprised me ??

Isis - Dirty Little Girl ??

If that was my 6 year old I woulda kicked Riordans ass !

may I just woulda kicked his sorry ass anyway ...

[mandyky]

8. He also made excuses about election postponement

Maybe Al has vacation lag or something! LOL

I thought he was being sarcastic about Riordan ...

[Malva Zebrina]

12. Gave Franken a chance but am disappointed in him

He is a panderer imo.

I never tune in any more. Franken maybe, thought he would cruise along on his "reputation"']

It is not that great--he is pandering and does not support progressives that much.

He seems to be looking out for himself--at least he talks about hiumself enough to cause listeners to think his show is about himself.

I cannot stand listening to him. Tune in to Hartman instead of Franken the braggert , the uninformed and the panderer, for intelligent analysis of the news.

Sorry, I tried. I tuned in to Franken for many days seeking to give him a chance. Not forthcoming--in fact , it got worse.

[skypilot]

13. I'm sorry but...

...after seeing the actual clip I still think it was awful. Even for someone trying to make a joke, to direct the words "stupid" and "dirty" at a child is something that I can't get my mind around. I don't care how jovial or avuncular he might have appeared or sounded. Stupid?! Dirty?! And if you listen closely you can hear the teacher reassuring the girl that Riordan was only joking, so apparently the little girl was not amused.

[redqueen]

14. The girl's mom said she was hurt but got over it.

I'm astonished people think this is no big deal.

:wtf:

[Mandate My Ass]

15. It speaks volumes about him

that he could direct those ugly words at a child and say it was a "joke." Not much comes to mind that could possibly be more demeaning than to be called stupid and dirty. It's just plain ugly behavior and there's no excusing it.

Franken has become a big disappointment, IMHO. I tuned into AAR solely for him but now I like Morning Sedition, Unfiltered and Randi much more than Al.

[redqueen]

16. He seems like someone who really doesn't care that much

But apparently people believe that by coming off as someone who's as clueless as the majority are, that he'll win converts more easily.

[retread]

17. Agree! No one with a brain and a heart should ever speak

like that to a child. Coming from an authority figure makes it even more egregious.

[Karenina]

19. No, she was NOT amused.

It was a big "lesson" of asserting herself and her worth, being shot down by the "important special visitor." STUPID? DIRTY? I don't think so. I'm with you, Skypilot, there is NO. EXCUSE. WHATEVER.