Official's 'Dirty Girl' Quip Draws Fire (Riordan (R) insults preschooler)

[Khephra]

LOS ANGELES -- The head of the California NAACP is demanding state Education Secretary Richard Riordan resign for jokingly telling a preschooler that her name, Isis, meant "stupid dirty girl."

snip.........

The conversation, videotaped by KEYT-TV, took place Thursday at a promotional event for summer reading at Santa Barbara's central library. The unidentified girl, who appeared to be a preschooler, asked Riordan if he knew that her name meant "Egyptian goddess."

Riordan replied, "It means stupid dirty girl."

After nervous laughter in the room, the girl again told Riordan the meaning of her name.

"Hey, that's nifty," he said.


http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-girls-name,0,5738906.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[DenverDem]

1. But the name richard riordan means

"bigoted, insensitive, sociopathological pile of excrement."

Hey, that's nifty.

[jdj]

76. please drop Ahnuld and Riordan an e-mail

Arnie of course, defends him thus:
"We must always focus on encouraging and supporting children. I've known Dick Riordan for a long time, and I know that he would never knowingly or intentionally upset a child."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archi...
e-mail addresses:
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph:  916.445.2841; 213.897.0322
Fax:  [phone]
E-mail:  [e-mail]

The Honorable Richard Riordan
Secretary of Education
1121 L Street, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph: 916.323.0611
Fax: [phone]
E-mail:  [e-mail]

[Snoggera]

2. Of course, I don't know Riordan personally

but I'm guessing his name means ignorant, insensitive, asshole son of a dirty bastard fuckhead. I don't know this for certain though.

[Career Prole]

3. I can vouch for that translation. n/t

[NNN0LHI]

12. I think you have nailed it pretty well

Couldn't have done better myself.

Don

[RetroLounge]

28. I think the actual translation is

ignorant, insensitive, asshole son of a dirty bastard CHENEY-Head...

RL

[NNN0LHI]

33. You have some of the best jpg's I have ever seen on DU RL

My compliments. Did you create them yourself?

Don

[AlCzervik]

4. I live in south Sacramento

so this has been in our local paper for a few days now, each day there is a little bit more on it. Today it was an ed. questioning if he should be allowed to continue and if Gropenfuher will be having a come to Jesus meeting with him or not. What truly is disturbing about this is that he didn't just say..."No, why don't you tell me what your name means?". WTF is wrong with him? I think this incident is very revealing and "Illustrious of something".

[LibDemAlways]

5. Thanks for pointing out

the girl's age. There was a thread about this a couple of days ago that mentioned only that she was a schoolgirl, and might have left the impression that she was older. Actually, she was a very small child. Riordan treated her with absolute disdain. He looked like a big, mean bully. There is something very wrong with anyone who would treat a child so rudely. I'm glad the NAACP has gotten involved. Riordan is a jerk and should be forced out with his head hung in shame.

[indie_voter]

9. Exactly. The article says the little girl is white, my answer is SO WHAT?

The color of her skin has nothing to do with this. It was a horrible thing to say to a child.

Disgusting. The man needs to be fired.

[Fight_n_back]

44. Is it really bad enough to resiggn over?

It was really stupid but it doesn't affect his job, plus it isn't going to do him any good politically.

Can we let the process work to get rid of dumb guys? Its not like he groped women he worked with and then ran for Governor.

[mbperrin]

47. Well, gosh, let's see..........

comments are ok if they result in no good to political careers?

So it would have been ok to have said, "You're a dumb cunt?"

Which, by the way, is what he said.

Fired, not resigned. He's supposed to be in EDUCATION.

[Fight_n_back]

79. Our lieutenant governor

who is respected in the African American community slipped out the "N" word in a speech. He was mortified, apologized and actually had no explanation just abject horror at what he said.

His life's work was seen as more important than his comment. Lott's comment was different, he has made his life's work out of supporting Strom Thurmond's racist policies.

If this is a pattern with Riordan and is just the latest example then he should resign because it is the last straw. If it is fatigue and not representative of his life then it shouldn't go any further.

I didn't want Clinton to resign and he had an affair with someone who worked on his staff. Somehow this comment doesn't seem as bad as what Clinton to Lewinsky.

[LibDemAlways]

49. Yep, it's bad enough to resign over.

I saw the video and was shocked that a public official would stoop to insulting a small child - especially about something as personal as her name. The man is supposed to be the CA Sec. of Education. He acted like an ignorant bully making playground taunts. Unacceptable and inexcusable.

[areschild]

52. Hell Yes

It's going to affect his job! You don't think that attitude will affect his job??!! Besides, if the process really worked to get rid of dumb guys, we wouldn't have that A-Hole and his minions in the White House now.

I can't believe YOUR attitude!

[Lars39]

53. His comments showed a bias against females.

Who cares if he has a political life. He should have been weeded out at the lower levels of his profession.

[salin]

77. Well.... does he have an impact upon educational policy

for all children in California attending public schools?

Does his response indicate an automatic (e.g., didn't think, just spoke) disdain for some of those children? Given the descriptors he selected (he could have said "giggly young girl...", but instinctively let slip very derogatory - and quite consistently stereotypical words among some racists)... will he really make decisions and recommendations that are in the best interest of ALL children? Really??? I think there is a direct relationship between his words and his position - and that the implications are troubling.

[demoman123]

78. No, it's not bad enough to resign over.

I just watched the video here:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0709041riordan1.html
He wasn't trying to be mean. He made a lame joke.
If he were a Democrat, everyone here would be minimizing it.

[thebigidea]

6. he's W.C. Fields without the humor!

[FredScuttle]

32. or he's Joel Steinberg without the trial!

n/t

[They_LIHOP]

7. What a f***ing a$$

That is just unbelievable.

This guy was the one the 'Thugs wanted to have run against Grey Davis in 2002, but he was beat in the primaries by Simon.

Almost sounds like the dude has Tourette's. Or, maybe, he's just an asshole.

I wonder what the Freeps have to say about it? Probably over there, rationalizing and justifying this away, w/o knowing ANYthing about the dude except that he has an -R next to his name, so he must really be 'alright'. I'm sure they'll have some conspiracy theory involving the liberal media and Bill Clinton's penis to explain it and make it somehow 'okay'. Whereas if a -D said something like this, they'd be calling for having him committed to an institution immediately.

In any case (that I can conceive of), this guy should be losing his job, esp. when it's THAT job!

What a Moran...

[lumpy]

11. People sufering from Tourettes

don't selectively insult certain people, so that is no excuse for his bigotry.

[LizW]

8. What kind of person would say something like that

to a little child?

That's just horrible.

:grr:

[lumpy]

10. Riordan should have to pay big

for this slight against the little girl. Is was a slight against Egytians also in my estimation. Guess he is famous for insulting people, especially those who he feels are 'below him'. It would be "nifty" if the ass were fired without benefits and publically castigated.

[w4rma]

13. Interesting how the article never mentions that Riordan is a Repug.

In fact, it seems to me that the article tries in every way possible to avoid mentioning that Riordan is a Repug.

[sam sarrha]

34. he is a ......"RepugNut"

[GinaMaria]

71. who was the child in this situation?

So glad Isis didn't stoop to his level and call him a poopy head! Geez, could his comment have been any more second grade?

[neomonkey]

14. He's one of those faintly conservative Republicans

Kinda inoffensive nice guy politico didn't seem to stir up too much trouble, I think age might be catching up to him.

[PragMantisT]

15. Doesn't Riordan mean "douchebag" in English?

Really, if it were my daughter, douchebag would be eating through a straw for the rest of his term. Fuck firing the shithead; BEAT HIS ASS!

Is that what passes for education in California?

No Child Left Behind, but plenty made fun of by grown men.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

16. Arnold Gropenfuhrer's Father was a NAZI!!!!! I am not suprised...

that Arnold would appoint someone with this mentality!!!

Arnold Schwartzenegger IS A RACSIST!!!

[ze_dscherman]

50. Kids are not to be held responsible for their fathers.

Even if their name is Arnold. My grandfathers could have been Nazis as well - I'm German. They were not, but what could I do about it?

[goclark]

70. Riordan, ex mayor of Los Angeles

is a BIGOT! Arnold lived in Los Angeles and he knew what an ass Riordan was and is, yet he appointed the ex Mayor!

I live in Los Angeles and I don't recall any behavior like this, but it does not surprise me.

Riordan is a millionaire that bought the position of Mayor. He started by giving free computers to inner city schools. The Rethugs kept his name in front of the public. They kept saying how generous he was and how he helped POVERTY kids.

[Toucano]

17. I say he can stay

if he buys Isis a college education at the college or university of her choice.

If you're sorry, Riordan, prove it.

[kayell]

18. Riordan means "complete cheneying asshole"

Appropriate that his first name is Dick.

[Journeyman]

19. Just as disturbing in this event is the action of Mervyn Dymally. . .

Dymally, a state assemblyman, scheduled a protest by civil rights organizations when he believed the aggrieved youngster was an African-American girl, but cancelled his protest and offered to forgive Riordan when he learned the girl is white. Once race was removed from the issue, in Dymally's view, the affront was inconsequential and it was "time for us to move on."

I've always liked Dymally. Just never realized his point of view is so myopic or that his sense of moral outrage is so self-serving.

[Coventina]

58. That IS disturbing

The comment was bigoted, whatever the color of the skin of the victim.
Riordan needs to be exposed for the perverted bigot he obviously is.

The insult was specifically directed against women and Africans. Totally unacceptable for him to be programming a small child in this manner.
To let him "off the hook" because the child is apparently not of African descent (although, we are ALL of African descent) is to excuse this indecent behavior.
Labeling girls as "dirty" excuses behavior to them that is abusive both sexually and emotionally.

I am completely disgusted.

[Sequoia]

62. I like how you mentioned we are all of "African" descent

because it's true.

[truthisfreedom]

20. can you say "keep that pervert away from my daughter?" make sure this

lummox is supervised around children at all times.

[kikiek]

21. I bet he knew exactly who the goddess is. Being the misogynist

asshole he is, he decided to put her in her place. Doesn't matter that she is a preschooler. She made him feel threatened being named after a worshiped female goddess. Women are dirty and stupid in his version of religion.

[Snoggera]

23. So you noticed the latest low level bullshit too

Women are to be subservient to the man at all times. This is becoming official policy.

If these mafia bastards have 4 more years, ..............

[kikiek]

29. I don't think I want to hang around if that happens. We'll be binding

our feet in no time.

[NashVegas]

55. Is This How the Taleban Got Its Start?

I know, it sounds a bit drastic, but ..

This episode is the perfect example of institutionalized sexism that exists. Start 'em young.

In a weird way, I think we ought to be thanking the guy for showing us all exactly how it begins.

[kimchi]

64. Misogynist and just plain creepy.

Dirty, stupid Isis, huh? I suppose he should thank the gods that her name wasn't Kali--he'd be in a world of hurt.

[Jayster84]

22. That's why I'll always be a democrat.

Republicans have no hearts, no souls and no morals.

[Bluebear]

24. Some "quip". Typical soulless rightwinger.

Even when they try to make jokes they come out cruel.

[AP]

25. On TV, this was bizarre to see. That little girl stared at him in a way...

...that is very memorable.

[AP]

27. JRE's greeting to little girls: "and what's your name darling?" Repukes:

I don't care what your name is. You're just a dirty little girl.

[Judi Lynn]

26. So this is par for this Cheneyface, according to the article...

Riordan, a venture capitalist who started a foundation supporting literacy, has a reputation for awkward -- some might say insensitive -- remarks and behavior.

As mayor, he once greeted hunger strikers outside his office eating a hamburger. In a speech to school administrators earlier this year, he told a story about a nun physically disciplining a student that startled some in the audience.
(snip)

[UpInArms]

30. DICK Riordan

easily translated:

phalic raised by dens of rats (sorry for the smear on rats)
no manners

no charisma

no civility

no job

:puke:

[Kinkistyle]

31. He needs to get his ass beat.

I am not joking either. If it were my daughter he said that too, he'd have gotten a kick to the junk. Just how mean, vicious and heartless can someone be? And this man is the EDUCATION Secretary of California? UNBELIEVABLE :mad:

[Obamarama]

35. Mommy dosen't sound too smart, though.....

He's apologized twice, so all is said and done? If ANYONE, much less the state education Czar, called my daughter "stupid dirty girl" there would be HELL to pay.

[lapfog_1]

36. I'm wondering where he got HIS meaning?

\I"sis\, n.
1. (Myth.) The principal goddess worshiped by the Egyptians.
She was regarded as the mother of Horus, and the sister
and wife of Osiris. The Egyptians adored her as the
goddess of fecundity, and as the great benefactress of
their country, who instructed their ancestors in the art
of agriculture.

2. (Zo<"o>l.) Any coral of the genus Isis, or family
{Isid}, composed of joints of white, stony coral,
alternating with flexible, horny joints. See
{Gorgoniacea}.

3. (Astron.) One of the asteroids.

[fortyfeetunder]

37. Just another dumbf*ck pug

How did he get this job?

[TeeYiYi]

38. I can't get past this story . . .

. . . it just defies logic that he would say such an incredibly vile thing to a little girl. What he said to her sounds almost sexual on some level. Either he's a pedophile who slipped up in public or he blurted out the pet name he uses with his prostitute S&M girlfriend. I'm totally serious here. There is something CRAZY WRONG with what he said.

TYY

[JSJ]

40. I agree- Riordan's words are a precursur to sexual molestation n/t

[Tsiyu]

43. I second that

The first time I heard this, I thought, "Is the guy getting turned on or something?" Sounds like the start of some Child porn fantasy or something. If it was my daughter, I'd be ripping out his stupid dirty tongue.

[shadu]

60. That makes sense

I have been sitting here trying to figure out what the fuck he was
thinking. Child porn fantasy is the number one answer.
(Beyond that there is nothing I can say about this that would
not get me into trouble.)

[TahitiNut]

57. I agree. Where was Riordan when Jon Benet was killed?

If a Surgeon General can be forced to resign for speaking accurately regarding masturbation, then a State Secretary of Educamation should resign for showing this kind of perverted concept of 'humor'.

[TeeYiYi]

67. 'Dirty Girl' is a PORN category . . .

I decided to google 'porn dirty girl' just to see what came up. It turns out that 'Dirty Girl' is a common porn term with pages and pages of google listings. These are just a handful of variations from the first few pages:

dirty girl
dirty girl trailer trash
dirty street girl
dirty school girl
virtual dirty girl
dirty girl pantie
dirty blonde girl getting naked
dirty upskirts girls
I may look sweet and innocent...let me show you what a dirty girl I can ...
Dirty School Girl * Teen Sluts
Litte April. Innocent Teen with Braces or a Dirty Girl?
Innocent looking teen babe is really a dirty girl

Movie Title: Dirty Girl. Catagory: Hardcore. Description: What is a Dirty Girl? Check out this flick and find out exactly what one is within two hours. ...


I am even more convinced now that Riordan's vile comment had special meaning in his sick twisted mind and he blurted it out without catching himself. What a pig.

TYY:grr:

[TahitiNut]

69. Bingo! Riordan's a pervert.

I don't give a damn what he does with other consenting adults, I'd sure as hell not want him around schoolyards.

He reminds me of Father Geoghan. :puke:

[Unperson 309]

39. Former Californian: I Know The Meaning of HIS Name!

Okay, when spoken, his name is pronounced "Rear den"

So... the meaning of nis name: Dick: A penis. Rear: Slang for buttocks or anus. Den: A cozy place or burrow. A place of refuge.

Old Ohlone name. Means "The prick who finds refuge in his own anus."

Spread the meme!

309

[daleo]

41. Insulting a little girl for no reason beggars belief

Wasn't this guy one of the point men for the Republicans during the recount? I recall the name mostly from that time.

[struggle4progress]

42. I have a Cheney quote for you, Mr. Riordan. eom

[Rex]

45. I believe Riordan means "woman hater" in pig Latin.

Sometimes I really get embarrassed by others of my species.

[xchrom]

46. richard riordan = FORMER education secretary

[Onlooker]

48. Seriously, people

What the hell was he thinking? Is there some context that could plausibly make his comment sane? Does he suffer from Tourette Syndrome?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

68. Sounds like he was trying to tease

and totally bungled the attempt by being insulting instead.

But that's because repigs are too mean-spirited to gently tease.

"Riordan" translates to "insensitive prick" in English.

[trigz]

51. What a fucking c*nt! (nt)

[obietiger]

54. Is he senile?

Teasing a young child that way is unacceptable. Making excuses for this man shows a lack of compassion on the part of those responding.

[rman]

56. a glimpse in the compasionate soul of fascist republicanism.

a startling reminder of the Hitler's character flaws as shown in the movie "Hitler, the rise of evil". There's a striking resemblance between certain obviously psychopathic/sociopathic behaviours in his private life, and the policies and actions of "the reich" while he was in power.

Evil, screwed up people make for evil screwed up politicians. And evil, screwed up politicians make for evil empires. That's why we must always guard against evil screwed up people ending up in positions of power.

[chicaloca]

59. Where can we view the video?

I would love to send it to my Repuke "friends," but I couldn't find it on KEYT's site.

[Sequoia]

61. He is a jerk

This Riordan was the creepy mayor of Los Angeles and is an abosolute prick. How dare he say anything like that to anyone, especially a child. That mother should sue the pants off of him just to show he and any public official can't get away with insulting language. I guess since Cheney can get away with the F word then anything goes with those thugs. He's a horrid person, horrid.

[llmart]

63. This is beyond belief.

Are Californians calling for his resignation? If they aren't, then why not? What the hell is wrong with that stupid, brainless governor if he hasn't asked for his resignation? Maybe he would like his children to be spoken to like that?

[K8-EEE]

65. I Really Think There Is Something Wrong With Him...

Alzheimers or something? Seriously that is weird. I met Riordon when my daughter's scout group opened a library here in L.A., I mean I would never VOTE for the guy or anything but he was perfectly nice and charming with all that kids, it was really bizarre seeing that!

[brook]

72. That's been my thought as well.

I happened to be watching when they ran the tape and was stunned. In the morning, I went looking on the net to verify what I'd seen. Couldn't find it for several days until it resurfaced. I just can't fathom anyone
speaking to a child that way - so I've been wondering if he's in the
early stages of some form of senile dementia.

Rude or ill, I do think he should step down. He doesn't need the money and it's a great gift to know when it's time to exit the center stage.

[Pattib]

74. Does anyone have a video link? Thanks.NT

[TeeYiYi]

75. Here's one . . .

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0709041riordan1.html

It's the only one left that I can find but it does work. The clip is disappearing down the memory hole as we speak. Two that I watched earlier at news websites have already been pulled.

TYY

[ForPeace]

66. This is sad

I have met Riordan personally and found him charming, in a rather practiced politician sort of way. He was one of the more moderate Republicans, he was our Mayor and was quite well liked.

This seems to be a sign that he is not quite right mentally. It's out of character, unless his facade is slipping!

[Kool Kitty]

73. Yes, his charming facade slipped and

revealed the real scumbag underneath. Sad, isn't it?