I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Then I asked some people and confirmed it. If I knew how to find the video of it I would link to it.
During the Senate debate on the elimination of Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day holidays Senator Michael Knapik mimicked an Irish brogue and mocked Senator Jack Hart, insulted Irish and Irish Americans everywhere, and unwittingly embarrassed himself.
In Knapik’s retort, he compared Hart to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough.“He weaves these great tales of the Irish and Boston and all the glories of days gone by,” Knapik said in a put-on brogue. “But when you leave Suffolk County, the history ends.”
(emphasis added)
Could you imagine a senator mimicking a flamboyant gay man, or a Hispanic or elderly Jewish guy from Brookline?
This guy should be called to task for being a jerk more than anything.
Was what he said “hurtful”? Who cares? But in the world of multi-cultural awareness and sensitivity called the Massachusetts State Legislature this screams double standard.
Catholics, and Irish Catholics in particular are fair game.
You’re a Jerk Senator Knapik. And so are many of the fraudo liberals you serve with.
Discuss
20 Comments . Comments are closed.Ask and ye shall receive! :-)
Here is the video. The Globe's report is a bit inaccurate -- the line in question is not when Knapik used the fake brogue (that line is at 4:00 -- no obvious fake brogue in evidence). But he does it a little bit later in his speech. Check in at about 4:20 in the video. It's brief, but obvious.
This is Worse Than I Thought
David, This post should be bumped to the front page. By not doing so I suggest you are proving my point.
Scratching head
Are you expressing outrage, faux outrage, or a satire of faux outrage?
I cannot tell. So confused.
420?
That explains so much...
BTW David
Good job of finding the video and sitting through it to find the brogue.
Thanks man.
i love ya
While you're checking it out...
go to 3:45 when Senator Prez introduces Knapik:
"from Hampden and Hampshire where no history takes place, Senator Knapik"
You're kidding right?
This guy thinks that it's a good move for a Massachusetts politician to mock the Irish? What's next, a "Mamma Mia" accent and jokes about Italians eating pizza?
Well...
I figure by the time Senator Creem retires, Rep Smizik just might be a senator mimicking an elderly Jewish guy from Brookline.
Knapik is R-Westfield
Knapik is a Republican from Westfield, by the way.
I heard Knapick and $quot;Jackie White Tie$quot;
on WRKO (http://audio.wrko.com/m/audio/22393679/hack-holidays.htm ), and in response to the most absurd and insulting (desperate?) claim yet by Hart that this was really about anti-Irish prejudice by some, Knapick says he's Irish himself. Isn't the rule that it's OK to joke about your own kind?
Anyway, it seemed to me he's was using the fake brogue to make fun of the Irish, but to make fun of the fakery of the Evacuation Day-St. Patrick's Day swtitcheroo.
To me the most "hurtful" part of the amendment debate is about 6:00, when Southie's Senator White Tie seems to be challenge two entire counties and possible the entire state (outside Suffolk County) to a history defending brawl.
Let's see if I've got this straight
So now Blue Mass. Group is the defender of Irish South Boston? That's racist, rock-throwing, homophobic Catholic South Boston?
That's so broad-minded.
Rush Limbaugh couldn't do it better.
Isn't that a bit 1970s?
And I really don't get the Rush reference. But knock yourself out, I guess.
are you serious???
http://www.cityofboston.gov/Tr... Ward 6 -- Obama 59%, McCain 39% Ward 7 -- Obama 63%, McCain 35%
And I'm not saying that everyone who voted with McCain matches your stereotype... I'm only trying to illustrate your profound ignorance about the neighborhood.
Sen. Knapik Does Not Get It
On that same night, Senator Knapik also voted to continue greyhound racing for two more years, despite the fact that his district voted overwhelmingly (67% to 30%) to end dog racing.
This guy doesn't get it. Oh, and by the way, he's up for re-election.
Oh Ok, I get it
If you agree "will of the people must be upheld", disagree, "see you in court". But yet you fully endorse your president shitting on the most vulnerable demographic of us all.. Take a deep look folks, you're sicker than Clark Rockeffer!
You know who I mean.
Excuse me?
What do I have to do with President Obama?
Also, regarding legal challenges to Question 3, good luck with that.
I can't figure out what he's trying to say either
other than to express anger over a joke Obama made months ago.
By the did I mention that someone drove the wrong way on a one way street near me? ARGH!
Basically
We all (me included) need to grow a sense of humor.
Back to the point
There are a ludicrous number of days off given to state workers, and these two Suffolk County days only (Evacuation and Bunker Hill) are two shining examples. Certainly there is history involved; however, one can go back in the calendar and discover any number of important events happening on any particular day. Witness that recent move in Peabody to grant 9/11 as a holiday for the police. I'll remember 9/11 and the aftermath the rest of my life, but what the heck exactly happened in Peabody that day?
Given the fiscal climate, do you want to eliminate two shaky holidays or lay off the equivalent employees to save the same costs?
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