Fox News refers to Michelle Obama as "Obama's Baby Mama"

The BBQ Pit
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[QUOTE=Larry Borgia]
When I see Fox “news” refer to Laura Bush as George’s baby mama I’ll agree with you. Fox was obviously making a racial insult, and a pretty offensive one at that, referring to the accomplished and educated Michelle Obama as if she were an unwed teenage mother living in the projects. That you can’t see that is baffling, and I understand why Diogenes thought you were trolling, though I don’t thik you are. Read eleanorigby’s post #116 above.
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Do you really think that if Michelle hadn’t used a similar phrase herself that Fox would have used that phrase? Seriously, do you think that? Because that is what you’re implying. It may not have been funny, or in good taste, but it wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. Please tell me you realize this.

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Sorry I haven’t been participating in this thread. I’m still reeling from the stupidity unreleashed when “Obama’s Baby Mama” was flashed in writing on a supposedly reputable news program.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
Do you really think that if Michelle hadn’t used a similar phrase herself that Fox would have used that phrase? Seriously, do you think that? Because that is what you’re implying. It may not have been funny, or in good taste, but it wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. Please tell me you realize this.
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The phrases “my babies’ daddy” or “my baby’s mama” are different from “baby mama”, first of all. Second of all, Michelle called him that. His wife. Introducing her husband in a playful and familiar manner. Which is a VERY far cry from a supposedly serious news network describing a presidential candidate’s wife with a phrase even CLOSE to that.

If Nancy Reagan had introduced Ronald Reagan as “my schlubby hubby”, I’m fairly certain that none of the networks then extant would have chyroned “Nancy’s schlubby hubby” underneath a video of Reagan giving a speech.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
Do you really think that if Michelle hadn’t used a similar phrase herself that Fox would have used that phrase? Seriously, do you think that? Because that is what you’re implying. It may not have been funny, or in good taste, but it wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. Please tell me you realize this.
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These “plausible deniability” arguments might fly on right wing websites, but here, where people have some familiarity with cultures and language not represented by the country club set, it just makes you and Scylla look foolish at best, and lying apologists more likely.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
Do you really think that if Michelle hadn’t used a similar phrase herself that Fox would have used that phrase? Seriously, do you think that? Because that is what you’re implying. It may not have been funny, or in good taste, but it wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. Please tell me you realize this.
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Do you really believe Michelle expressing pride that Barack is the father of her children is the same as using a known pejorative and racially loaded term, and excuses and justifies FOX’s employment of it?

I’d like to believe you’re simply trying gain an understanding of an urban expression you’re obviously unfamiliar with, but your continuing to imply an equivalence to a similar-sounding statement made by Michelle, without regard for the fact that it’s been stated more than once, by those who do know, that their definitions and use are entirely different, seems that you’re either engaging in wishful thinking or being purposefully obtuse.

Even FOX said they used poor judgement, although they didn’t apologize. What FOX did plays directly into racial biases, and they know it. They thought they wouldn’t be called on it, but have, which prompted another one of their cover-their-asses acknowledgements of misjudgement. If folks are going to try to defend every obliquely expressed racist statement FOX will make from now 'til November they’re going to be very busy indeed.

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If Fox “News” did this kind of thing about once every five years, then I doubt that critics would have much evidence to go on. BUT, they do this kind of thing about 10-50 times/year. Seriously.

You have to be living in a hole somewhere to not realize this.

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The only point I am making is not defense in the statement itself, but in defense that in just came out of the blue. To ask, “do you think they would have done this to Laura Bush or Cindy McCain?” is disingenuous nonsense—at best. My point—my only point—is that they were riffing—badly—off of what Michelle had said previously. That if she hadn’t said it, they would not have used it. Those who think otherwise have blinders on. Add to that the rhyme and cadence with his name, “Obama’s Baby Mama” and you can see how one might have gone there. I do not think it should have been used on the air and I think an apology was appropriate. I also think it was just dumb and not entertaining. But to attempt to portray this as something hood-wearing racists at Fox just pulled out of thin air makes those making the claims as ridiculous as the people they are railing at.

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and to attempt to claim that since the name “Obama” rhymes w/ baby mama excuses the use of an obvious racially charged phrase by professional newscasters on a national show is also ridiculous.

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[QUOTE=wring]
and to attempt to claim that since the name “Obama” rhymes w/ baby mama excuses the use of an obvious racially charged phrase by professional newscasters on a national show is also ridiculous.
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Did I say it excuses it? Or did you have someone else in mind?

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you didn’t use the word ‘excuses’, but you provided your laundry list of rationales, proferring them up as explanation of why the use of an obviously racial slang is somehow not a reprehensible act. hard not to see your comments as other than an excuse.

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[QUOTE=wring]
you didn’t use the word ‘excuses’, but you provided your laundry list of rationales, proferring them up as explanation of why the use of an obviously racial slang is somehow not a reprehensible act. hard not to see your comments as other than an excuse.
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Well, what do you know, I proffered up an explanation as to how this happened as an “explanation”. Imagine that. I haven’t excused it at all. I even explained what “my point—my only point” was. Yet you reflexively translate that into “excuses”. Why am I not surprised?

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when you offer an ‘explanation’ as response to ‘this is wrong’, that does, indeed, in my book (and, I think most rational people) constitutes an excuse. Or have I missed where you agreed that Foxs actions were reprehensible?

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For me, it shows Fox for what it truly is: a fear-mongering, gossip-spreading, titillation machine that purports to be a “reputable” news network. Scurrilous reporting and backstairs tittle-tattle is all its about. I’ve known this since 9/11, as have most people here, but maybe this situation will help others to see this “news” for what it is. I hope so.
Scylla–there is nothing funny about it. It was not a joke, nor was it presented in a joking manner. The story where the caption appeared was not some light-hearted celebrity piece. This is yellow journalism–which is a synonym for Fox News.

For those living in some kind of Leave It to Beaver world:
See the blogger’s riff (I have forgotten his name) for the rebuttal about how somehow it’s “ok” to call Michelle Obama by this pejorative because she might have once used an unrelated phrase in a different context. Rationales know no limits, apparently.

I would be more inclined to shrug if Fox had made a habit out of referring to McCain as Cindy’s Sugardaddy or Bush as Laura’s ManCandy. Or vice versa: Cindy as a trophy wife or jumped up white trash and Laura as a Stepford wife (or jumped up white trash). I can’t even come up with a phrase that encapsulates the baseness of “babymama”. This is most likely because white men aren’t good enough in bed to have multiple women having their babies. Oh–just kidding! Can’t you take a joke?

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
The only point I am making is not defense in the statement itself, but in defense that in just came out of the blue. To ask, “do you think they would have done this to Laura Bush or Cindy McCain?” is disingenuous nonsense—at best. My point—my only point—is that they were riffing—badly—off of what Michelle had said previously. That if she hadn’t said it, they would not have used it. Those who think otherwise have blinders on. Add to that the rhyme and cadence with his name, “Obama’s Baby Mama” and you can see how one might have gone there. I do not think it should have been used on the air and I think an apology was appropriate. I also think it was just dumb and not entertaining. But to attempt to portray this as something hood-wearing racists at Fox just pulled out of thin air makes those making the claims as ridiculous as the people they are railing at.
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Okay, let’s try this another way. You’d have a point if FOX had used “Obama’s kids’ mama” or even “Obama’s babies’ mama”, which could be considered a, to use your word, riff off Michelle’s “…he’s my babies’ daddy,” while also satisying your rhyme and cadence observation, not to mention make much more sense. However, FOX decided to use a racially charged urban colloquialism that has a well known, very specific and derogatory meaning. If your further assertion is they didn’t realize this then you are ascribing a cultural ignorance to FOX that even they are not claiming.

Also, to ask if FOX would have used this term for Laura Bush, or Cindy McCain, or ANY white woman for that matter, is valid, and goes to intent.

In addition, whether FOX pulled the idea out of thin air (and I’m still unclear why you find this so difficult to believe), or from something Michelle said that rang somewhat similar, even though Michelle and FOX used entirely different words, has no bearing on the act. That you feel it does seems a weak attempt at justification of the indefensible.

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Like I’ve said, at best, it’s an uninformed attempt to be hip and use a hip idiom to describe someone who is a potential First Lady of the United States, definitely meaning something negative by it.

This is especially true, since it was used with a segment that wasn’t at all lighthearted (as has been noted). Why would a putative newscaster (or producer) think it was okay to use this phrase in a chyron, even if Michelle Obama said something similar? It’s called professionalism, a sense of discretion and being fair and balanced.

Oops, why would I expect that in a reputable news organization?

The person knew what they were coding for and, despite everyone knowing Michelle is married and committed to Barack, meant to raise every fear people have submerged just below the surface in the bogs of their primordial minds. Implying that Michelle’s children were borne of a casual liaison, brings up every “lack of family values” “slatternly, welfare-statist” and “look at why they’re still stuck in poverty needing affirmative action” meme regarding black people there is.

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[QUOTE=Onomatopoeia]
Okay, let’s try this another way. You’d have a point if FOX had used “Obama’s kids’ mama” or even “Obama’s babies’ mama”, which could be considered a, to use your word, riff off Michelle’s “…he’s my babies’ daddy,” while also satisying your rhyme and cadence observation, not to mention make much more sense. However, FOX decided to use a racially charged urban colloquialism that has a well known, very specific and derogatory meaning. If your further assertion is they didn’t realize this then you are ascribing a cultural ignorance to FOX that even they are not claiming.
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I’m saying they started with the mention from Michelle and then put it into more colloquial parlance. I personally don’t think it was funny. I think it was dumb. Even if Michelle had used the more colloquial version, I don’t think it sits well when a news station jumps on the bandwagon of such degradation of the language. Yes, they—whoever it was—probably thought the change she made to the language would reflect poorly on Obama. Color me surprised. MSNBC does it too. Ever watch Oberman? Now that does not make this right. Again, my only point is that thinking that this came out of the blue, that they would have done the same thing if Michelle had uttered similar words is ridiculous.

[QUOTE=Onomatopoeia]
Also, to ask if FOX would have used this term for Laura Bush, or Cindy McCain, or ANY white woman for that matter, is valid, and goes to intent.
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No, it’s ignoring the facts. Michelle used a similar line. Not the same, but similar. And let me ask you, and others, this: can you imagine Cindy or Laura using the line Michelle used. Seriously, can you.

[QUOTE=Onomatopoeia]
In addition, whether FOX pulled the idea out of thin air (and I’m still unclear why you find this so difficult to believe), or from something Michelle said that rang somewhat similar, even though Michelle and FOX used entirely different words, has no bearing on the act. That you feel it does seems a weak attempt at justification of the indefensible.
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“Entirely different words”?!!! You’re kidding, right.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
“Entirely different words”?!!! You’re kidding, right.
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I’m sure he meant “[combinations of] words with entirely different connotations.”

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[QUOTE=5-4-Fighting]
I’m sure he meant “[combinations of] words with entirely different connotations.”
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But that’s the point. The words were VERY similar. So he’s either obtuse or dishonest.

But this nonsense has taken up enough of my time. Gotta run.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
But that’s the point. The words were VERY similar. So he’s either obtuse or dishonest.

But this nonsense has taken up enough of my time. Gotta run.
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Yes, the words were similar but given that anyone who made it to the seventh grade successfully, let alone became producer of a news program, knows the important of the use and placement of “'s” in possessives and more than a little about popular culture, their choice is quite telling.

If you really still think, given the foregoing and what has been posted time and again in this thread about the difference in connotation between “my baby’s daddy” and “Obama’s baby mama,” and Faux News’ general reputation for being “fair and balanced,” then you, not Onomatopoeia, are both obtuse and dishonest.

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[QUOTE=magellan01]
I’m saying they started with the mention from Michelle and then put it into more colloquial parlance. I personally don’t think it was funny. I think it was dumb. Even if Michelle had used the more colloquial version, I don’t think it sits well when a news station jumps on the bandwagon of such degradation of the language. Yes, they—whoever it was—probably thought the change she made to the language would reflect poorly on Obama. Color me surprised. MSNBC does it too. Ever watch Oberman? Now that does not make this right. Again, my only point is that thinking that this came out of the blue, that they would have done the same thing if Michelle had uttered similar words is ridiculous.
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Again, you’re making the mistake of asserting a false equivalence. Baby daddy is not urban patois for baby’s daddy. In this case, removing the apostrophe and ‘s’ changes the entire meaning of the phrase. It doesn’t make it a colloquial version of what Michelle said, which was a term of endearment.
[QUOTE=magellan01]

No, it’s ignoring the facts. Michelle used a similar line. Not the same, but similar. And let me ask you, and others, this: can you imagine Cindy or Laura using the line Michelle used. Seriously, can you.
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Perhaps not Cindy or Laura, not the least reason for which is thay’re not of child bearing age. I have, however, heard, during the course of conversation among people with small children and babies, my baby’s daddy, my daughter’s mommy, my kids’ mommy, etc…, which is perfectly normal.
[QUOTE=magellan01]
“Entirely different words”?!!! You’re kidding, right.
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Perhaps I’m in the Twilight Zone. Let’s see:

Michelle, Introducing Barack at a Rally: “…My babies’ daddy!”
FOX News: “…Stop picking on Obama’s baby mama.”

Perhaps I’m blind, but I don’t see one word in those two statements that are the same. Maybe I’m just being obtuse :rolleyes: