Scwarzenegger's Controversy....

[Serenity]

"Calif. Gov. not sorry for 'girliemen' remark."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5460326?GT1=4244

What's your thoughts about the Governor of California-

Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sould he apologize or not?

Why? or Why not? You Decide....

[Albert]

I am not a "Terminator" fan but I was quite amused by him having the unmitigated nerve to use "girlie boys" from his past.

Lingle should be as outrageous, would make local politics much more interesting.

Now, granted, I heard a radio report about some very sensible remarks Lingle recently made about the "homeless problem" and neither local newspaper reported it the next day, at least not in their on-line editions.

[pzarquon]

Left-leaning commie pinko tree-hugger that I might be, I also carry a lot of skepticism about the "politically correct" movement. So on first (and second) blush, I'd say, "Get a grip." I mean, it's a phrase that's tied to him via his Hollywood days, just like "I'll be back." He invoked it in a speech to get that Pavlovian roar of recognition, like you'd expect any actor-turned-politician to do.

Taking a closer look, though, those outraged aren't out of line.

He applied the phrase, after all, to fellow politicians, other elected folks who like him should generally remain civil. Then again, politics has been ridiculous everywhere lately.

More directly, the whole "girly men" thing carries a surprising amount of baggage. After all, the catchphrase was, hopefully, created in part to satirize the sort of machismo, chauvanistic attitudes those SNL characters represented. Schwarzenegger used it as an insult, and meant it. Is he calling the lawmakers effeminate (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=effeminate&r=67)? Isn't that offensive, to say "acting with principle" is a manly trait? What message does that send to women... or girls? Female lawmakers? Homosexuals?

Schwarzenegger's an entertainer, first and foremost, and I'm sure he got the laugh he wanted. But he's got to choose his words more carefully now that he's speaking for more than a few overpaid comedy writers.

[Glen Miyashiro]

It's about the level of discourse that I would expect from Herr Gropenfuhrer.

[Linkmeister]

It's about the level of discourse that I would expect from Herr Gropenfuhrer.

Hey, give Arnold a break. He could have said what Cheney said to Leahy. ;)

[Albert]

I never saw the "girly men" thing as a slur on homosexuals, not then, not now. I thought it was funny then, and I still do. Maybe not quite the stately diplomatic language we might expect from a State Governor, but then the Terminator is NOT a typical State Governor. :)