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Feral Child

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27. Yeah, pretty much of a gaffe.

Wed Sep 17, 2014, 01:56 PM

Sep 2014

The term could be deemed appropriate, and has been in the past because Shylock was a Shakespearian character, a money-lender who engaged in usury.

"Shyster" as used by another poster isn't a suitable substitute; Biden was discussing mortgage holders; ie, "money-lenders", not lawyers.

He was also Jewish and this reflects the antisemitism common in Elizabethan England.

Since then, the term has been used to characterizes Jews as a people as avaricious and untrustworthy. The anti-Semitic usage has become more pointed and strident since Willy penned "The Merchant".

Don't mind me, I know everybody knows this, I'm just extra loquacious today due to a recent harvest.

Anyway, I don't think Biden was thinking about Israel or Jews when he made the comment, he was probably just showing off his academic flair.

Still, the term was unfortunate, especially in reference to the ME where antisemitism can be deadly.

Not as bad as W's "Crusade" blunder, but definitely not diplomatic.

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Jewish group chides Biden for using 'offensive' term [View all] closeupready Sep 2014 OP

Poutrageous!!! GeorgeGist Sep 2014 #1

I thought that slur was specific to lawyers. n/t TexasProgresive Sep 2014 #3

Usually reserved for Jewish attorneys candelista Sep 2014 #20

I have heard it used against any generic crappy lawyer. TexasProgresive Sep 2014 #22

By extension. But the origin is Yiddish. candelista Sep 2014 #25

shyster is a lawyer, and it's ok as far as I know Enrique Sep 2014 #35

That's a good 'chide'. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Sep 2014 #2

I agree--it was an awful comment, and he shouldn't have said it. MADem Sep 2014 #5

Right, elleng Sep 2014 #8

Huh? MADem Sep 2014 #9

Exactly, elleng Sep 2014 #12

He is a dumbass Iamthetruth Sep 2014 #23

Oh, you are not at all "sorry" and he isn't a "dumbass." He made a terrible error. MADem Sep 2014 #28

Well we will agree to disagree Iamthetruth Sep 2014 #30

Wow, When I saw the title I thought it was probably just "Poutrage" dballance Sep 2014 #4

Slow Joe MosheFeingold Sep 2014 #13

He's not in the same league of stupid as baby Bush and Quayle yurbud Sep 2014 #15

Probably a fair comment MosheFeingold Sep 2014 #19

I'd take someone baby Bush stupid if they pursued progressive policies as hard as he yurbud Sep 2014 #44

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #16

Huh? MosheFeingold Sep 2014 #18

I'd definitely used a different term.... "Assholes" comes to mind groundloop Sep 2014 #6

Hmmm... use a different word, Joe. Adrahil Sep 2014 #7

I doubt Joe reads Shakespeare Iamthetruth Sep 2014 #24

<snicker> I like the guy, but yeah.... NT Adrahil Sep 2014 #46

Perhaps these would've been better choices TexasProgresive Sep 2014 #10

And Methodists! Travelman Sep 2014 #34

Senator from Delaware, he was known as the bankers' best friend in the Senate Omaha Steve Sep 2014 #11

Right. So how can he now criticize the same 'people' (i.e., banking corporations) closeupready Sep 2014 #14

What ever... SoapBox Sep 2014 #17

I'd be willing to bet Iamthetruth Sep 2014 #26

Joe runs his mouth. Everyone knows that. candelista Sep 2014 #21

I like the guy, but for chrissakes... daschess1987 Sep 2014 #45

Yeah, pretty much of a gaffe. Feral Child Sep 2014 #27

When I think of 'shylocks' I think of Mafioso collecting 'vig'. marble falls Sep 2014 #29

I learned about that use of the term reorg Sep 2014 #33

American organized crime films of the '60's and on: gotta love them! marble falls Sep 2014 #38

why use quotes in your title? even biden acknowledges that the term is offensive. unblock Sep 2014 #31

Ask CNN - it's an exact copy of their headline. closeupready Sep 2014 #32

Sigh...our leaders still pulling their insults from the sixties. /nt Ash_F Sep 2014 #36

That was a really crappy thing for him to say. NaturalHigh Sep 2014 #37

The GM at it again! bigwillq Sep 2014 #39

Well, he's often good for a laugh... NaturalHigh Sep 2014 #40

I laugh at all our politicians bigwillq Sep 2014 #41

I generally vote AGAINST someone, not for the other. NaturalHigh Sep 2014 #42

That's sad. We have such bad candidates that we must vote against someone bigwillq Sep 2014 #43