Mr Obama has somehow managed to piss off carnival barkers, who released their own public statement on Thursday (4-28-11):
When President Obama released his birth certificate on Wednesday morning, he may have thought he was closing the door on controversy. Instead, he ended up starting controversy anew — with America’s carnival barkers.
When discussing the lingering “birther” controversy, Obama remarked: “We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.”
Many in the carnival community were not amused by the mention of their industry.
“I am extremely upset by the reference,” said Frank Zaitshik, who runs Wade Shows, a carnival business with over 100 amusement rides and attractions that entertains over 15 million people each year.
Zaitshik, a second generation carnival worker — a term he prefers to the word “carny,” which is used as a pejorative — has spent much of his life battling negative stereotypes about his industry.
“I think what Obama said is the same type of stereotype that has been placed on African Americans.” Zaitshik said. “You wouldn’t expect those comments from someone who is a minority and has faced prejudice.”
Extraneous, specious and insignificant bullshit coming home to roost, Mr Obama? The “Carny Vote” sublimely disenfranchised!
I submit: quite, yes.
Further:
Obama’s approval is at a record low for the second straight week;
Obama won’t be releasing his college transcripts;
The dollar drops to its lowest point since 2008;
And Mr Obaka says everything is great. Simply great!
BZ
Everyone is a so sensitive victim. Guess my years of selling cars should give me grounds to complain about derogatory remarks. Sheesh!
Hey, Frank Zaitshik, get real.
Oh well, you got your name in the paper. To bad you didn’t use your minute of fame to point out the serious damage done by The One.
WSF: Officially I state: “boo fucking hoo.” End of statement.
BZ
Gah! There is apparently no end to who gets offended these days.
Too bad that Obama didn’t say “gypsies.” That would be blatantly racist.
bz . . . You need a steel backbone to be involved in American politics anywhere.
Palin and Bachman have it and they are doing great!
I sure as hell wish one of them was running the embarrassingly incompetant Republican Party.
Bump
AOW: which is, truly, the proper shorthand.
Dixon Webb: first, thanks for dropping by and visiting! Second, thanks for taking the time to comment! Please return any time indeed. Looks like, so far, the greatest support is behind — yawn — Romney and Pawlenty.
BZ
For the owner of Wade Shows to cast dispersions on the President of the United States is worse than the thief shouting: “ROBBER!” With Frank Zaitshik’s track record, he would be better off not attracting attention to himself. To learn a little about Zaitshik’s Wade Shows’ recent carnival, Google: “Before You Head Out to a Summer Carnival.” Owners like Zaitshik are most responsible for reinforcing the negative reference, “carnie.” Google: “U.S. Troops cheated out of money at carnival, CBS News” or look at a Barbara Walters feature: “ABC 20/20 Carnival Games” to see why the words “carnie” and “barker” are pejorative in most cases. To find out more about Zaitshik and other “carnie” owners, check out the book: “Carnival Games: $10,000,000,000 Hoodwink Racket – Organized Crime on American Midways.” President Barack Obama’s use of the negative connotation “carnival barker” was most appropriate in the context of the subject he was explaining. It is the corrupt carnival game scammers, and not President Obama, who taint the law-abiding carnival workers. (Where’s R.I.C.O.?)