The ANNOTICO Report

On Feb.19 in an interview on Baltimore radio, WBAL, Delegate (a Takoma Park
Legislator)
Peter V.R. Franchot  used the word "goombah" in the heat of a raucous slot
machine debate, and sparked heavy criticism from Italian Americans who view
it as very insensitive and derogatory, much like "kike", "spic", or
"nigger".

Hundreds of calls and e-mails,-- nine out of 10 blasting Franchot, poured
into the radio station. "The feedback started within 60 seconds of his
remark; it was sustained over the weekend and lasted through Monday,"

This was obviously a spontaneous and non organized effort, since the calls
started within seconds of the offense, and we Italian Americans are not
very well organized. :( :)

After 12 days of sharp criticism, when the storm had not abated, Franchot
finally apologized, but declined an invitation to go back on the same
program and apologize.

Criticism of Franchot was particularly acute, because he delights in
tweaking others for making insensitive statements, and his remark reeked of
hypocrisy.

The local Sons of Italy Chapter appears to have made themselves effectively
heard.

Remember it's All about being treated with Respect.
Lack of Respect relegates you to the back of the Bus.
Other Ethnics expect respect, and get it. Do we deserve less?

Maryland Gazette
by Thomas Dennison
Staff Writer
Mar. 2, 2005

Vociferous delegate used offensive term on Baltimore radio

ANNAPOLIS -- After days of sharp criticism, Del. Peter V.R. Franchot has
apologized for derisively using the term "goombah" in connection with slot
machines during a Feb. 19 interview on Baltimore radio.

The word -- used in the heat of a raucous slot machine debate with
conservative host Bruce Elliott on WBAL -- sparked heavy criticism from
Italian Americans who view the term "goombah" as insensitive and as code
for organized crime.

Franchot said he did not intend any insult, but the word prompted hundreds
of calls and e-mails to Elliott, who replayed the comment several times on
his Feb. 21 show.

"I'm not an Italian American, but I certainly got a lot of feedback from
people like the Sons of Italy who found that comment pretty offensive,"
Elliott said, adding that he received hundreds of e-mails -- nine out of 10
blasting Franchot, a Takoma Park liberal who delights in tweaking others
for making insensitive statements.

"The feedback started within 60 seconds of his remark; it was sustained
over the weekend and lasted through Monday," Elliott said. "His clear
implication was that there were Mafia figures in the backroom working out a
slots deal."

Here's what Franchot said in referring to a commission that would decide
where slot machines would be placed in Maryland: "Some group of goombahs
from the backroom who get brought in by the industry who work with the
commission to pick the sites."

John Mancini, chairman of the Italic Institute of America, a New York
nonprofit that tracks how the media and others portray Italians, said
Franchot's word choice was out of line. "Goombah," in its original meaning,
was not derogatory, he said, but over time it has become known as
derogatory toward Italians.

"It's a code word for saying organized crime," Mancini said. "It means a
lowlife Italian."

In an interview, Franchot said using "goombah" was a "thoughtless comment."

Elliott has offered Franchot time to come on to his show to apologize
personally, but that's not going to happen.

"I've given that lightweight his 15 minutes of fame," Franchot said. "I'm
not going to go on hate radio and apologize for anything. The fact that I'm
being attacked by hate radio just goes with the territory."

Elliott fired back: "It seems odd that Delegate Franchot doesn't see it
necessary to apologize to those people who listen to hate radio and to
apologize personally to the people he offended. It shows his character."

For Franchot, being attacked for making an ethnically insensitive remark
reeks of hypocrisy and invites payback.

It was Franchot who organized a news conference and parade in Langley Park
after Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) backed up Comptroller William Donald
Schaefer (D) in berating immigrants for not being able to speak English
last year. It was Franchot who led the charge in ripping Schaefer and
Ehrlich for calling multiculturalism "bunk" and "crap."

And when Schaefer and Ehrlich ended up in hot water recently for saying
that the state's Minority Business Enterprise program should end, it was
Franchot who turned up the heat by comparing them to Archie Bunker.

Franchot's "hypocrisy is why this is a story," Elliott said.

Most surprising, perhaps, was Ehrlich's reaction to Franchot, a man who has
said his mission in life is to make the governor's life as miserable as
possible.

"Those of us in public office sometimes misspeak," the governor said. "I'm
sure Delegate Franchot did not mean anything derogatory by the remark."

http://www.gazette.net/200509/
montgomerycty/state/262483-1.htm