Santorum Again Relates Food Stamps to Minorities

[FailureToCommunicate]

35. Quoting Bugs again: Oh da irony

Firstly, you suggest that my user name implies that I should have a higher regard for "words" It's actually- as you probably recognize- a quote from the prison warden in Paul Newman's "Cool Hand Luke" The warden uses it several times to indicate - with unintentional irony- that the prisoner, Luke, is refusing to conform... to HIS rules.

Secondly, while I grant you that Looney Tunes may have used racist stereotypes, because 'standards were different back then', Bugs is mispronouncing the word "moron" which is from the Ancient Greek word μωρός (moros), meaning "dull" because he mispronounces the NEXT word, "ignoramus" Latin for "I am ignorant of". Clearly the writers where adding a bit of self deprecation there, a hallmark of Bugs Bunny's persona. Bugs was calling Elmer Fudd a dull, ignorant person. Undeserved, perhaps, but hardly "racist".

And, thirdly, the term "Maroon" - that you accuse me of using without knowing it's "racist" origins - was descriptive term from the Spanish word "Cimarron" literally "living on mountaintops"; from Spanish cima: "top, summit" which is where the runaway slaves commonly went to escape the slave plantation system. Interesting, but not racist. And most importantly here, because that is not what Bugs - or I - meant.

But do stay vigilant. DU is fertile ground for critics wanting to correct intentional, unintentional, or ironic 'errors' But also please remember... "Some men you just can't reach"


(edited to remove supporting links)