A little too late for LBN: Clooney's jab irks father of Abramoff

[Radio_Lady]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002752709_clooney21.html

Saturday, January 21, 2006 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

By ERICA SOLVIG
The (Palm Springs, Calif.) Desert Sun

The father of disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff responded to actor George Clooney for what he's describing as a "glib and ridiculous attack" on his son. Frank Abramoff of Rancho Mirage, Calif., in a letter addressed to Clooney and sent to The Desert Sun on Thursday, said he was watching the Golden Globes awards Monday night when Clooney, during his acceptance speech for best supporting actor, thanked Jack Abramoff "just because" and made a comment about the lobbyist's name.

"Who would name their kid Jack with the last words 'off' at the end of your last name? No wonder that guy is screwed up," Clooney said during the internationally televised show. In the letter, Frank Abramoff defends the name, saying his son is named after Frank's father. In the two-page letter, he calls Clooney's act a "lapse in lucidity" and an "obscene query." (snip) In a telephone interview, Frank Abramoff said Clooney was "an idiot" and described the actions as "pure, unadulterated stupidity."

"You want to make fun. You can do that, but you don't make fun of someone else's hardships and misery," said the elder Abramoff, 78. "When you see something like that on a show for 500 million people, it was not only a slap in my son's face but in my father's."

But Clooney's dad, Nick, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress and writes a column for The Cincinnati Post, had something to say. In a phone interview, Nick Clooney said he wasn't surprised by his son's "offhand and flippant" remarks and understood Frank Abramoff's concerns. "I understand what it is like to have one's son criticized in a very public way," Clooney said. "It's very painful and it's very difficult. The difference here, and it must be said, is Mr. Abramoff's son, instead of pursuing some positive efforts to do what he hoped would change the climate of the American politics, has confessed and has been convicted by that confession of subverting the political process."

[KharmaTrain]

1. Oh, It's Been Out Here...LOL. We're On To The Next Big Thing...LOL

My wife and I were chuckling about Clooney's remarks earlier. She wondered if he was constantly picked on as a kid...the living version of the infamous "Jack Me-off" (LOL...that and Ben Dover and Neil Downe and Heywood Jablowmi) around a playground of cruel, spoiled 7th graders. That had to be traumatic...might have turned meek little Jackie into someone who would never be picked on again...he would go from getting the sand kicked to being the kicker.

Methinks Daddy Abramoff best watch where he's throwing those stones. While his son didn't play with himself, he sure screwed over lots of people and the political process. I'm sure if you ask one of those Indian tribes that got takened and now are being victimized as Abramoff's toadies, you won't find them too upset with what Mr. Clooney had to say...and I'm certain they could add even more.

In the meantime, the next game is to connect Abramoff to Monica Lewinski. :rofl:

They both grew up in Beverly Hills...attended the same school and now can be connect Jack to a Blue Dress...imagine how the Clinton haters heads would explode on that one. :rofl:

:hi:

Cheers...

[Dunvegan]

2. Dem Bashing of Hubby/Dad/Son Makes Repub Woman/Girl/Mom Burst into Tears

...During Supreme Court Nominee Questioning/Televised Joke Referencing Republican Party Felon/Mention of Wrongdoing.

Why...It's the new "Republican Fill-in-the-Blanks Crying Game" craze!

Next up: The Bush Twins weep to music by country-western singer Darryl Worley: "Stand by Yer Dad".

[Radio_Lady]

5. One thing that didn't get into this story --

Grandfather Frank Abramoff was apparently watching the Golden Globes with his 12-year-old granddaughter, one of Jack's five children, who burst into tears. This was reported in the Portland Oregonian.

I'd hate to have to explain away my childr's terrible political actions to my young granddaughter. As for the comment, at age 12, she probably knows what "jack-off" means, unless she has led a very sheltered life.

The sins of the father are visited upon his children... It's very sad.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[madmom]

3. Seems to me Jack's actions were more a slap in the face than

Clooney's words.

[Radio_Lady]

4. I'm glad I don't have a wayward child -- or one in the public eye for

ANY reason.

I like to tell my own stories MY way, not have a kid do it for me.

[Bobbieo]

6. Abramoff's Antics

I am very carefully researching the Abramoff Affair for my Native Unity Blogspot and the things Frank Abramoff has pulled on the Indian tribes and the American public in general are "out of this world" I'm appalled that Abramoff, an obviously religious man of the Jewish faith and father of 5 kids, would be so reckless with the welfare and future of his family. Money is power and power corrupts!

[Radio_Lady]

7. Are you referring to Frank, the grandfather, or Jack, the father?

You said Frank. Is he involved, really? Or was this a typo?

[Bobbieo]

9. Abramoff - Jack

You're right - I have been so involved all day with this man and his family - I don't know one Abramoff from the other - sorry!!! my head is still whirling with the things I've learned about Jack Abramoff today. Just incredible!!!!

[Radio_Lady]

8. sorry -- deleted dupe post

[robbedvoter]

10. What's his "hardship and misery"? being called jack-off or indictment?

These people have no shame. If my last name were Abramoff I'd stay away from calling newspapers these days...
The arrogance is staggering! And Cluny was funny!

[Radio_Lady]

15. Good point. But I'm thinking that the grandfather might have had

absolutely nothing to do with this crime. Just sharing the last name is no crime.

I agree, Clooney was funny.

How about these last names?

Hinckley
bin Laden
Hitler
Rosenberg
Oswald
(connotations that last and last in our collective minds minds)

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[WernhamHogg]

21. That stuck out at me, too

The whole "hardship and misery" line caught my eye. I know it's his son, but is he seriously trying to make his son out to be some sort of "victim"???

[TankLV]

11. I imagine Al Capone's and Hitler's "dads" felt the same way, awwwww.

If their "sons" weren't such posterboys for criminal misconduct and the WORST of humanity, maybe they wouldn'nt be so embarassed now when most everyone is justly ridiculing these asswipes!

That's so rich, they screw and harm millions of others, and only complain when we point out this fact!

HEY - JACKOFF'S FATHER - FUCK YOU FOR RAISING THAT CREATURE!

This is literally "you reep what you sow", fuckwad!

[Radio_Lady]

16. I don't know. Am I really responsible for my child's misdeeds?

I hope not. Just by raising a person, you don't necessarily taint them. Do you have children? (I have helped raise five -- two of my own and three of my husbands.) IMHO, your standards are somewhat skewed.

P.S. I don't usually take credit for my children's good attributes, either.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Zen Democrat]

12. Apparently Frank, the father, has been involved with Jack's shenanigans.

Just heard this listening to Tim Russert tonight on CNBC. Karen Tumulty, Evan Thomas and Sue Schmitt discussing the Abramoff scandal. Frank worked with Jack on the Indian casino scam. Frank's from Atlantic City and has a lot of contacts in the gambling industry.

So don't feel TOO sorry for old Frank.

[Radio_Lady]

17. OK. Well, I stand corrected. I didn't watch TV on Saturday or Sunday.

Is Frank going to be prosecuted, too?

So this is more of the "sins of the father, visited on the son" in your estimation?

[Zen Democrat]

13. In fact, read this blog: Abramoff's Father and Uncle Under the Microscope

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/12/5/9713/81329

[Radio_Lady]

18. Interesting link. But it doesn't seem as if Frank, Robert,

or Bernard (deceased) did anything comparable to what Jack is being accused of.

[awoke_in_2003]

14. I just think its a good thing

his family name is Abramoff, and not Meoff :)

[Radio_Lady]

19. Funny! Thanks for the silliness!

Have a good Sunday!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[awoke_in_2003]

20. Why thank you for thanking me

for my sillyness, sometimes you just can't help it. I am even sillier now, the STEELERS ARE GOING THE SUPER BOWL. Again, sorry, can't help but scream it :)

[Radio_Lady]

22. This Super Bowl should be interesting. I have a vested interest in

seeing the Steelers win. Why? I was born in Pittsburgh, PA on 05/31/39, a long time ago. We only lived there for about three years, then my parents "kidnapped" me to Florida, where I grew up, attended school and graduated from the University of Miami in 1962.

The Seattle Seahawks are probably favored by a majority of folks in Portland, for their west coast connection. We'll try to watch the Super Bowl on our vacation, and the Olympics, too!

[lies and propaganda]

23. is he ashamed of rearing such a JackOff?

No!of course not!