# It was a WHITE girl? Never mind then...cancel the protest **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 9, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300 "2004-07-09T16:04:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/41 "2004-07-10T07:04:55Z")
> [@Boyo Jim](#): > > An the last thing I’ll say is, at least he did cancel the thing when he learned the facts. He would have looked WAY stupider if he actually held the demonstration. 😛 I don’t know… it would’ve been a great mindfuck. 😃 Anyway, the guy’s a schmuck. I don’t think he deserves to lose his job over this, but he should be reminded thoroughly that he’s a putz. I mean, a :wally ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/42 "2004-07-10T10:02:31Z")
On what planet does a man tell a child that her name means “stupid, dirty girl” and not get a fist in the face from someone nearby. Race my ass, that sounds like a comment a wet brain alchoholic might make in a supermarket check out line. The parents were wise to ignore him. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/43 "2004-07-10T10:17:27Z")
> [@Dahnlor](#): > > No, crocodiles. > > Sheep is New Zealand. 😃 > D Ahhhhh NA More sheep in Oz then NZ. More sheep in China then either. Yes we are third biggest sheep lovers 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/44 "2004-07-10T17:26:33Z")
> [@Boyo Jim](#): > > …And of course it DOES matter how he got the idea she is a black girl. Perhaps it was fed to him to provoke an inappropriate response. Or by a reporter looking for a sensationally stupid-sounding quote. Not that I believe either of these things – he’s probably every bit the idiot you think he is. But still, the source of the idea does bear some weight IMO. I don’t agree. It’s not OK to be rude to any child, especially in public. If this idiot Mervyn Donnally only wants to protest on behalf of black children, then he comes close to the same despicable values as racists have. And I go further - it is a good thing he has been so exposed. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/45 "2004-07-10T17:53:55Z")
> [@EvilGhandi](#): > > On what planet does a man tell a child that her name means “stupid, dirty girl” and not get a fist in the face from someone nearby. > > Race my ass, that sounds like a comment a wet brain alchoholic might make in a supermarket check out line. The parents were wise to ignore him. Sadly, in our society these days the one doing the punching would be just as likely to be demonized by the media for being a “brute” or something. Sometimes I think Dueling should be re-instated. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/46 "2004-07-10T18:00:07Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > Sometimes I think Dueling should be re-instated. Cream pies at five paces? Fortunately, I think both the politicos in this story have gotten almost as much egg (or pie) on their faces this way. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/47 "2004-07-10T21:03:53Z")
I think a parent could have quietly taken Mr. Riordan aside and explained to him what his first name, “Dick”, really means. (Richard Riordan often goes by Dick. [example](http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/mgi/campaign/2002/cal/primary/gov/riordan/website/Accomp.asp%5Esection=61)) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/48 "2004-07-10T21:05:47Z")
> [@Arnold Winkelried](#): > > I think a parent could have quietly taken Mr. Riordan aside and explained to him what his first name, “Dick”, really means. > > (Richard Riordan often goes by Dick. [example](http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/mgi/campaign/2002/cal/primary/gov/riordan/website/Accomp.asp%5Esection=61)) Beautiful! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/49 "2004-07-10T21:54:36Z")
> [@Arnold Winkelried](#): > > I think a parent could have quietly taken Mr. Riordan aside and explained to him what his first name, “Dick”, really means. > > (Richard Riordan often goes by Dick. [example](http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/mgi/campaign/2002/cal/primary/gov/riordan/website/Accomp.asp%5Esection=61)) Err, either I was just whoosed, or you just won the all-time-SDMB worst cite ever award. Yeah, he goes by Dick. You might want to read the rest of the site, though. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/50 "2004-07-10T22:31:32Z")
Well, the site is obviously self-serving. It doesn’t mention, for example, that Riordan is a longtime sparring partner with teacher’s unions, that he allowed LA’s LEARN program to go bust, that he let his Coalition for Kids die upon completion of one election cycle, or that he is a multi-millionaire who receives tax benefits for his charitable contributions. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/51 "2004-07-10T22:41:51Z")
bashere, I think I was just whooshed by you. I didn’t see anything at his “riordan for governor” site of 2002 that made me think it was OK to tell the three-year-old her name meant “stupid, dirty girl.” ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/52 "2004-07-11T00:42:22Z")
> [@Arnold Winkelried](#): > > bashere, I think I was just whooshed by you. I didn’t see anything at his “riordan for governor” site of 2002 that made me think it was OK to tell the three-year-old her name meant “stupid, dirty girl.” Certainly there is nothing on that cite that permits him to call a three-year-old a stupid, dirty girl, but you might quote, say, a CNN transcript (the first site that comes up on google.ca if you use “dick riordan” for the search) rather than the one that mentions the 1.1 million dollars he gave to schools. Quoting the New Times (when they were in business), which referred to him as “Mayor Howdy” would have been better than the site you gave. The story about him sending health inspectors down to The Pantry (the resturant he owned) to reopen it after it failed a health inspection would have been better. Riordan’s accomplishments during his term in office were attempts at reform of LAUSD and simplify doing business in LA; the combination of “telling him what his first name really means” and using a site that says “really, he’s a nice guy” stuck me as odd. My point is merely that he has enough detractors, and there is enough negative press on him, that citing a site that talks about how good a guy he is (especially choosing in particular the page that talks about his attempts to change education when the question is his ability as an education secretary) struck me as ill-advised. As I said earlier, that doesn’t excuse his behaviour, but it struck me as overwhelmingly fair for a pit-posting. **Liberal** I am aware that he sparred with the teacher’s union and the management of LAUSD. That’s why I voted for him. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/53 "2004-07-11T01:10:14Z")
I chose a site that presumable received the approval from Mr. Riordan as the best proof that he sometimes himself goes by Dick. Another site would be lesser proof, showing only that other people call him Dick, not that he necessarily calls himself Dick. Along with comments criticizing his behaviour as secretary of education, I don’t understand why you would think it’s ill-advised to point out that he may be more nuanced that people give him credit for. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/54 "2004-07-11T02:00:32Z")
> [@EvilGhandi](#): > > On what planet does a man tell a child that her name means “stupid, dirty girl” and not get a fist in the face from someone nearby. On this one I would hope. My gawd, people, have none of you ever once told a joke that fell flat? ---
**Author:** ![UselessGit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/74df32/32.png) [@UselessGit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UselessGit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/55 "2004-07-11T03:33:12Z")
> [@EvilGhandi](#): > > On what planet does a man tell a child that her name means “stupid, dirty girl” and not get a fist in the face from someone nearby. > > Race my ass, that sounds like a comment a wet brain alchoholic might make in a supermarket check out line. The parents were wise to ignore him. Why not just take him out back and shoot him? :rolleyes: Of all the things to get so upset about… And I’m not too fond of the alcoholism comment either. > [@](#): > > Q #2: [Is alcoholism a disease?](http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/faq/q-a.htm#question2) > > Yes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. > > Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person’s lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person’s genes and by his or her lifestyle. (See also “Publications,” Alcohol Alert No. 30: Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence.) I’m just saying, is all… ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/56 "2004-07-11T10:22:21Z")
I’ll WAG and assume everyone forgot the part about her mom saying Isis was smart enough (unlike the race-baiters) to know it was a joke, even if it was a bad one? She (mom) has refused to sue because she knows, as does her young daughter, that it was a lame joke. (Whomever stated the 3-year-old reference is a fucking idiot) This is classic race-baiting and a big reason why we can’t get white and black haters to come to some truce. Yes, truce is all we can hope for with some. No matter skin color. Why did the Assemblyman drop the issue when he learned she was white? Does he not care about white children? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/57 "2004-07-11T11:54:58Z")
> [@5que](#): > > Something similar happened in Chicago a couple of years ago. > > Policewoman shot an unarmed black motorist (after a chase). The motorist had a cell phone in his hand which the policewoman said she mistook for a gun. > > Rev. Al Sharpton schedules a protest and flys into Chicago for a big march. > > _Then_ Rev. Al is told that the policewoman is black. March is cancelled and Al flys back to NY. That’s pretty much the norm for Big Al. And some people think he would make a good president. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/58 "2004-07-11T12:32:28Z")
> [@dnooman](#): > > Isn’t there a word for exacerbating a situation when your intent is to solve the problem? Collateral dumbage? Side defects? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300/59 "2004-07-12T21:31:31Z")
I thought the name Isis came from a famous quote a few years back… > [@](#): > > “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” Dammit, another stupid attempt at humor…please forgive me. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-a-white-girl-never-mind-then-cancel-the-protest/254300.md?page=2)