Language
ESPN has suspended Bob Griese for a week because of an inane taco comment involving a Spanish-speaking NASAC driver named Juan-Pablo Montoya. Florida congressman Alan Grayson, a hero of this blog, is coming under fire for describing a particularly pathetic (female) lobbyist as a “K-Street Whore.”
And I am tired.
Griese made a stupid statement. No question. But is anyone at ESPN truly offended, or even slightly bothered by his words? Or are they merely concerned that so-and-so sponsor or so-and-so group will take offense and start a protest? The answer, sadly, is obvious. Again, Griese is sort of a moron. But on a 1-to-10 offensive scale, this rates about a three. Maybe a four.
As for Grayson, well, bravo. The woman he called a “whore” is Linda Robertson, an aide to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke who has done her all to keep the economy in the hands of the rich. These days, “whore” isn’t necessarily a female-only slur. Why, just last week I called my cousin a whore. Not because he sleeps around (he doesn’t). Just because, well, it’s a handy adjective.
Point is, we all need to chill.
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October 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
While I think Grayson may be enjoying the attention he’s receiving a bit too much, I love the way he deals with outraged calls for apologies, which in effect is, like hell I will. Griese’s comment rates no higher than a two, but ABC/ESPN is frantically trying to restore some standards for conduct right now.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
It always cracks me up when ESPN attempts to take the moral high ground when someone speaks improperly on air.
Even more amusing when it happens a week after the Steve Phillips thing blows up.
It’s been said that being a lobbyist is akin to being the piano player in a whorehouse.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Grayson apologized for the “K Street whore” comment. I resume my search for an honest man.