Wopburger offends
For the 75 percent of his listeners who took part in the Tom Martino Show poll on May 16 and are not offended by the wopburger, try these on for size: spicburger, wetbackburger, kikeburger or n-----burger. I’m proud to be Italian and the word wop offends me now just as much as when I was a kid in the ’50s.
Frank Ciardullo, Thornton
Say what you want about the Italians, but leave the Krautburgers alone!
Posted by on May 23, 2007 04:30 AMGrow up, Frank. This restaurant didn't name their burger "wop" to offend you. If you don't like the name of the burger, don't go to the restaurant. Doesn't the fact that 75% of the people who responded to the poll against your stance, show you something? In that case, I should be offended by the word "crackers"...... Grow up!!
Posted by mi on May 23, 2007 06:21 AMWhen is the fractionalzation of American sociey, caused by every faction within that society claiming they are offended by trivial meaningless and unintended actions caused by some other faction, going to end. If this continues it can only result in the very fabric of our society being shredded to bits that can never be may whole again.
Posted by Allen Campbell on May 23, 2007 08:06 AMWhy does the word "WOP" offend ?- does it some kind of subliminal meaning? I've heard "with out papers" but that is pretty tame. So Frank, if it is so offensive than what does it mean?
Also are you offended when African Americans call Anglo Americans "Crackers"? That is a degrading term towards white's from their perspective yet they'll use the "N" word talking to each other all day long but heaven forbid an Anglo using it when addressing them! Time to get over your PC thinking Frank and join the real world. If it offends so much then be offended and don't patronize that establishment - don't try to singlehandedly bring down a long time business establishement.
Frank, I am a proud Sicilian but the names don't bother me, their names of burgers for Pete's Sake, grow up and get a life, and quit taking everything as a personal attack on you. That is the problem with this country, trying to be so darn politically correct that we can't even say in "In God we trust" without changing it to "In Other whatever person, place, thing , vegetable we trust". What next, we can't have a Taco Bell Franchise because it will offend the Hispanic Community?
Posted by Pam on May 23, 2007 08:24 AMEvery morning after I have coffee, I go to the bathroom, and wipe the politically correct off my bum.
Posted by Jay on May 23, 2007 08:24 AMGood God, what have we become? I'm more offended by your statement of pride in "being Italian" instead of "being American" than I am by an Italian restaurant poking fun at a half-forgotten slur for Italians. Guess what? My last name ends in a vowel and I grew up in The Bronx. Wop doesn't mean a damned thing to me. Should we start calling it "the 'w' word"? Or might that offend Mediterranean-American Democrats?
And if a Jewish deli serving kosher meat on a Star of David roll wanted to call it a kikeburger, I'd find it funny. If my favorite Mexican restaurant served a beef patty concoction on "plates American burgers don't want to ride on", I'd order it.
Lighten up, Francis.
Posted by Keith C on May 23, 2007 08:40 AMI'm of Italian and Irish descent and I've heard the names too. Dago, Wop, Mick, whatever. But names have never offended me a bit. What does offend me is a grown man whining like a child because he heard a bad name.
Sorry, but I just can't get worked up over name calling. I realize in this day and age of the ultra-easily offended, name calling is a big deal. But isn't it time to start growing up and acting like adults? It's almost like people go out of their way to find things to be offended by just so they have something to throw a tantrum and raise a stink about.
Posted by Will on May 23, 2007 09:23 AMReject your sense of injury, and the injury itself disappears.
Posted by Marcus Aurelius on May 23, 2007 09:26 AM"That is the problem with this country, trying to be so darn politically correct that we can't even say in "In God we trust" without changing it to "In Other whatever person, place, thing , vegetable we trust"
Who proposed that?
Posted by Jeff on May 23, 2007 09:38 AMI'm offended that no one has come up with a Spicmickfrogburger.
What about my right to righteous indignation for no reason? (And an amusing lunch order?)
Posted by prima facie on May 23, 2007 10:08 AMMarcus Aurelius,
Interesting title you have to your website. Unfortunately, it comes up with a blank page for everything else. Which may not be any fault on your part, as I have limited capability to display some things on this machine.
However, I am happy to have you come from the shades of Rome; and I hope you are able to be here for a good long time to come.
Posted by Old Grouch on May 23, 2007 10:26 AMJeff,
The government, schools are proposing not have God involved in anything. "One Nation, under God" and "In God we Trust" is becoming a very unpolitical line and alot of people resent those words showing up anywhere.
prima facie,
I would order a Spicmickfrogburger, they must be spicy, lippy, jumpy, and finger lickin good.
Keith,
We are all extremely proud Americans, I think also every American should be proud of their heritage, I don't think anyone meant that we were not proud to be Americans. Very good post, I think everyone that is civilized with a sense of humor is agreement that Frank needs to develop one or just plain get over it.
I see the name, Lisa Arata , and am reminded of her letter on the Road Rage killer, Jason Reynolds. I know her letter is going to be a good read. Peter Boyles had the Blue Parrot Restauant owner on as a guest; Gambino would not make an appearance. Perhaps he is doing as Al Pacino did in the Godfather and is hiding in a hamlet in Italy. What? I didn't badmouth religion?
Posted by Richard Grimes r22037@yahoo.com Risen Ape: Deicide, slayer of gods on May 23, 2007 11:21 AM
Posted by Richard Grimes r22037@yahoo.com Risen Ape: Deicide, slayer of gods on May 23, 2007 11:25 AMHow about going after Buger King and their infameous WOPPER ? Is this also not an insult to those of Italian heratage?
Posted by Libertarian on May 23, 2007 03:47 PMHow about a ShantyBurger giving some recognition to what my ancestors were called in Ireland: ShantyIrish, and when they came to America, it took a while to kick the hyphenation. I have perfected an Irish burrito that my kids love.
Posted by Richard Grimes Risen Ape, deicide: Slayer of gods. r22037@yahoo.com on May 23, 2007 03:47 PMOnce again, white America reserves the right to say what is offensive and what's not. The White Committee that Actually Rules America is working feverishly on identifying instances of offensive language. So far they haven't found anything. In every instance studied, the committee has determined that the offended party should simply take it back and not be so sensitive. This finding is backed by the research of scientific pollsters, such as Tom Martino. So, bottom line: anyone who insists on taking offense at anything they think is racially or ethnically tinged should just keep their mouth shut and be compliant, like they always have before. Cause we say so!
Posted by anderson on May 23, 2007 04:26 PM"White Committee that Actually Rules America "
Which Michael Moore publication is this from, I'd like to check it out.
Posted by on May 23, 2007 04:44 PMYou know, I've noticed one of the the great things about being white is, you can sit around all day and say stupid things, and no one will say anything to you about it, or to anyone about you. Cause you're in charge.
Posted by anderson on May 23, 2007 04:50 PMHold on anderson. I'm an American of Italian decent and I am a white. I've always taken pride in my heritage because Italian pride comes from within not from others. Call me a wop. Fine. Call me a deggo, fine. Ask if I'm in the mafia, fine. None of these things offend me because I have inner pride and strength. A couple other groups within this county could learn something from Italians. Please don't try to make me a victim. I don't want the job. We don't need an Italian Jessie Jackson.
Posted by on May 23, 2007 05:00 PM"Call me a wop. Fine. Call me a deggo, fine. Ask if I'm in the mafia, fine. None of these things offend me because I have inner pride and strength."
Well, it depends on how I say these words to you and in what context they are said as to whether you are offended. Which is basically what most posters here want to do, remove any and all context--which is any easy way to whitewash the matter. If I'm a supervisor over you at work, and I say to you (condescendingly), "com'here dago", you *might* be offended--especially since you are unable to punch me in the mouth in that situation. The letter writer probably has some personal or historical memory of how "wop" was used before, and you're basically telling him he has no right to such thoughts. If you're not offended (never mind that you're not standing in his shoes) than he shouldn't be offended either.
"A couple other groups within this county could learn something from Italians."
I didn't know Italians, or Blacks, or anyone else were all the same.
Posted by anderson on May 23, 2007 05:16 PManderson is a part of the melodramatic feminine party of America. The Democratic Party is all about taking pride in being a victim. Who teaches that crap? Women do. As women become more and more vocal in politics, liberal men become more and more wimpy.
No one can be offended who does not choose to be offended.
America needs a new a national party. We need an American Stoics Party. Liberalism is for melodramatic women and effeminate men.
Posted by John II on May 23, 2007 06:51 PMOh my God! I'm white! Oh the guilt!!! Whatever shall I do?
This must mean blah, blah, racist, blah, blah, xenophobe, blah, nativist, blah, blah unfair advantage, blah, blah, blah, opression....etc.
Posted by truthy on May 24, 2007 06:54 AMSome people (truthy for example) seem to take pride in ignorance. But, this sort of attitude is fostered on talk radio and is often found in bullies of all stripes.
Posted by anderson on May 24, 2007 08:51 AMAderson,
Hey what did you expect? You’re the "superior" one right? Now why don't you get back to talking about your favorite subject; you.
Nuthin' but love for ya!
Truthy
Posted by truthy on May 24, 2007 09:29 AMJohn II, if your wife really is a child psychologist, you can get help at home for free.
Your attitude toward women is childish and bordering on neurotic.
Posted by Sharon B. on May 24, 2007 09:40 AMSharon B.,
What specifically do you disagree with?
Posted by John II on May 24, 2007 09:55 AMJohn II , disagree with first and last paragraph, but boy that middle sentance was brillant.
You, of all posters, should not throw around the word melodramatic.
Women teach the "crap" of victimization?
Well then, I guess all the groups that want equality and respect couldn`t think up this stuff without us?
Trust you to take any ordinary thread and let loose your venom against women.
Posted by Sharon B. on May 24, 2007 10:28 AMSharon B.,
Are you disagreeing that I called victimization crap or are you disagreeing that women promulgate victimization as an acceptable to way to live?
I don't see my comments as venomous. My comments are critical of women. So what? Are you saying women are infallible and therefore should not be subjected to criticism?
Posted by John II on May 24, 2007 11:00 AMIf your reading comprehension if as good as you claim, my 10:28 post is enough!
Posted by Sharon B. on May 24, 2007 11:19 AMSharon B.,
"Women teach the "crap" of victimization?"
Let's assume my reading comprehension has failed me.
Are you mad that I referred to victimization as "crap" or that I blamed women for the inculcation of victimization?
Posted by John II on May 24, 2007 11:34 AMIronically, there's another letter on these pages here about dismissing arguments out of hand. Stock-in- trade perjorative terms and phrases like "playing the victim" serve well for this purpose. They're so much easier than having to try and construct a counter argument and, better yet, all good consumers will know just what you mean.
Posted by anderson on May 24, 2007 01:10 PMAnderson! Stop playing the victim! Somebody needs a hug.
Posted by anti-anderson on May 24, 2007 01:59 PMHi Sharon, hope you're still around.
I certainly would hate to be John II's wife. Imagine, having to deal with problem children's psychological difficulties all day, and then come home and have to live with and raise one as well.
Posted by Old Grouch on May 24, 2007 02:19 PMWine helps...
Posted by John II on May 24, 2007 02:24 PMAnderson is not a member of the Melodramatic Feminine Party of America. When he is we will give him the funny hat and little leather apron. Until then please refer to him as an aplicant.
Posted by Sharon B. on May 24, 2007 07:07 PMJohn II, thank you for the link where Ann C, was on.
Posted by Sharon B. on May 24, 2007 09:02 PM