On yesterday’s program, Mandy Connell (read our story about her from March) had a discussion about socialist countries that allegedly don’t lift their poorer citizens out of poverty. It was rather extensive and she spoke about the United States being different. Gave examples like Oprah Winfrey, folks who grew up poor only to rise up to lead billion dollar companies.
But it wouldn’t be a political/news show without mentioning President Barack Obama. Connell referred to the President as a “half-breed” when saying the U.S. allows people like him to rise to the presidency. Right after she said it, you could tell she knew she’d made a serious mistake. She indicated she’d said “half-breed” because it was the first thing to come to mind.
To say I lost my cool in reaction is an understatement. I was offended and disappointed beyond words. My assistant took my phone (She could have scratched my new iPhone! It was major. Hell hath no fury like a homo scorned.) away and dared me to email anyone about it until cooling down for several hours.
I’ve only known Mandy a few months, true. That’s long enough, however, for me to understand that she’s not a racist. She’s really not. I defy anyone to get to know her and prove me wrong. She’s also not a homophobe. (Hello, from South Florida, was friends with notoriously gay congresscritters.)
What she said? That is definitely, 100% racist. Offensive. Disgusting. Maddening. She’s not even from Kentucky, where racists grow on trees. The governor and speaker of the house have even uttered racist crap. But what Mandy said was awful to the point of infuriation.
So I cooled down (in 102-degree heat and crazy humidity) for an entire day. Then reached out to Mandy for comment.
Here’s what she had to say:
The only thing I can do is express my embarrassment that was the phrase that came to mind and apologize for the offensive way I was trying to convey my point about the President’s mixed heritage. It was inappropriate, and truthfully, I was shocked when that tumbled out of my mouth. My only excuse is that when talking for three hours without the opportunity to choose words in advance, sometimes my brain doesn’t do the good or right thing. I am human.
While there is no excuse for what she said, I’m relieved that she was truthful and open. We spoke a bit more in-depth and it’s clear to me that Mandy is is remorseful and completely embarrassed. Not because she got caught. But because she said “half-breed” and she knows she’s hurting herself and countless others.
This is not an apology for what she said. It doesn’t make it better. It’s only a tiny step forward. The only thing that can heal what went down is to prove to this community in an un-Rush Limbaugh-like manner that she’s a good person. And I hope she does that.
I expect that she’ll be apologizing on today’s show and will prove to her audience that she’s worthy of a second chance.
Just wanted to share my take on things.
31 responses so far ↓
1 Earl // Aug 5, 2010 at 9:26 am
Is Cher next?
As an example of one of the breeds in question (although not considered a prime example by anybody but my kids- who also aren’t the same breed as me), I’m not offended.
You can’t be 100% all the time.
2 Terry Sullivan // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:21 am
The fact is that Barack Obama is a half-breed, half negro and half caucasian. What’s racist about that? It’s a fact that he’s put into the public domain.
You can make the statement “hell hath no fury like a homo scorned”, yet I bet you’d take offense if I referred to you as a homo.
Tell you what. Why doesn’t everyone who identifies themselves as a minority of some sort publish a list of how we can and can’t refer to their particular minority status? Once the approved/disapproved list is published, it cannot be changed. If half-breed is on the disapproved list, will milk-chocolate (as mayor Ray Nagin described the mixed-race characteristic of his city New Orleans) be on the approved list? How about blended-American? Gay? Homosexual? Queer? I’ve heard the homosexual community refer to itself with each of these terms. Just give us an approved/disapproved list and we’ll use it. That way, you can’t get on your hypersensitive, thin-skinned, bitchy high horse and accuse someone of bigotry when in fact you disagree with their view on a particular issue. I guess it would remove the arrow of ad hominem attack from your quiver.
3 Todd // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:25 am
This is the same woman who inferred that the government sabotaged the gulf oil well causing the spill. Live, on air. I was so mad I almost ran off the road.
Calling Obama a “half-breed” is more offensive than calling him a nigger.
But Clear Channel likes that sort of thing. She fits right in being on the same station as Rush Limbaugh. They’re both a joke.
4 KYGuy // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:30 am
Words. We all make mistakes. Even Obama used the expression “mongrel” the other day. As for this radio personality, I know she’s the portal through which one must pass to gain access to the public airwaves. The ring must be kissed if one expects favor. But I gave this gal a listen when she first came to town and again a few weeks ago. Politics aside – I don’t like her voice. I don’t like her attitude. I’m not a fan. Perhaps she’s a lovely person. If so, it sure doesn’t come through the microphone.
5 Flipper // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:30 am
Jake, I don’t see her as a nice person. She was hired by Clear Channel for one reason, controversy and ratings.
She is no better than the dead one, except blonde.
6 NoTemperance // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:31 am
“Mongrel” would’ve been better.
7 Roger // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:40 am
While I understand people don’t always say the smartest things, (I have a lot of personal experience in that.) she is a professional in the business of communication. If this is a one-off brain fart, then that’s life, move on. If it’s part of a pattern of stupidity though, then she deserves some fall-out.
8 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:50 am
Terry Sullivan wrote:
What’s racist about that? Maybe the fact that YOU routinely say ridiculous horse shit on this website. “Half-breed” and “negro” in the manner in which you, a regularly moderated commenter who says ridiculous shit, use the words? That’s racist. And proves my point for me.
Me saying “homo” is a lot different than a bigoted white guy saying “half-breed” and “negro” – don’t even try playing that card.
You want me to recap every single thing you’ve said? Usually involving Barack Obama and race? I’m happy to do so. Because I think you’re a fucking bigot.
9 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:54 am
Additionally – I’m serious when I tell you folks to disappear if you don’t like what you read here.
You get to make a choice in that matter.
You’re not welcome to comment here when you say bigoted shit.
10 Steve Magruder // Aug 5, 2010 at 10:56 am
Terry, only a bigot would quibble about what you’re quibbling about. It demonstrates not only insensitivity, but pride in it. Not to mention pride in ignorance.
11 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:02 am
I am still wavering as to my like or ambivalence to Mandy Connell. I think she’s closer to a Sean Hannity, than a Bill O’Reilly or Charles Krauthammer. I think she tends to rely on the conservative talking points a little too much and seems a bit unfocused.
With regards to her unfortunate slip, I think everyone is far too hypersensitive to jump on someone for a statement that obviously doesn’t reflect their true feelings. I think you have to judge the person by the totality of their being and not a phase or an unfortunate statement. Mel Gibson making a comment about half-breeds should be looked at differently than Ms. Connell saying it.
These slips are used as weapons against individuals when there appears to be an opportunity to exert leverage. This goes for advocates on the left and the right.
There has developed this entire infrastructure of people who’s goal in life is to get people to resign, step down, or apologize.
Since when did the apology become the most coveted currency in political debate? Only to be followed by the qualifying questions; was it sincere? was it fast enough? did they apologize to the right groups? does someone else also need to apologize?
Who is the authority to decide when the proper level penance has been achieved?
We all have said things we regret saying. This is how we learn from our mistakes. My guess is that Ms Connell isn’t going to make it again any time soon. If she does, then I believe outrage is justified.
12 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:06 am
Mark H makes a good point. All people make mistakes. Especially me.
And that’s why I shared what I went through upon hearing the comment instead of just foaming at the mouth.
I’m much more left than Mandy when it comes to teabagging and a few political concerns and probably have good reason to strongly dislike her based on what I hear on-air. But I have taken the time to try to get to know her and not just what I hear on the purposefully-rhetoric-filled radio show.
13 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:14 am
Flipper, were your referring to Francene as “the dead one?”
If so, I don’t think you should be judging how nice anyone is or not. I have never called anyone personally out before, but I guess there’s this is it.
Being a bleeding heart liberal doesn’t compensate for you being a despicable individual who is so filled with political hatred that you would make such a stupid comment.
14 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:19 am
Just now caught Flipper’s comment.
That sort of disrespect and ignorance is worse than saying “negro” and “half-breed.”
15 Alan // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hopefully, she just made an impulsive mistake. I mean its one thing to disagree with the policies of the President, but you just can’t cross the line and call people disrespectful names. That’s one of the problems this country has right now. If you disagree with a person on position the people you disagree with call you a name. Its sad. She apologized on the air and hopefully she won’t be as impulsive, but if another incident happens, then an apology won’t simply cut it.
16 Talkfan // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:47 am
“Who is the authority to decide when the proper level penance has been achieved?”
Bloggers, I guess.
17 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 11:53 am
Actually, her audience.
I merely shared my thoughts and positive opinions about her.
18 RichB // Aug 5, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I was never a fan of Francene’s show. After listening for a few days I knew she was just a warm up act for Rush. But know matter what my views are. Hateful and disgusting comments like the “dead one” are whats wrong with our society today. Having said that Mandy is far worse at pushing the Republican propaganda.
19 JimL // Aug 5, 2010 at 1:18 pm
If we are going to call someone a “half breed”, let’s at least get the facts straight. Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother’s side, 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father’s side. So is he “America’s first black President” ?
20 KentuckyVille // Aug 5, 2010 at 1:29 pm
All I know is A) I miss Francene. I may not have agreed with everything she said. But she made you think about both sides of a position. and B) I listened to Mandy once, and that was all I could take. The only decent person left to listen to on 84 is laughlin at 7pm, or ron and mel. If I wanted fox news I would turn it on.
21 Stunoland // Aug 5, 2010 at 2:48 pm
The term half-breed is a poor choice of words because it is more appropriate in the context of animals. I’m sure she was just letting her contempt for Obama and his policies effect her choice of words. I don’t seriously think she believes African-Americans are sub-human. More disturbing is Mandy Connel’s lack of understanding in basic economics. Economic mobility, the degree to which an individuals economic standing is correlated to their upbring can be quantified. Last time I checked the U.S. ranked 14th in economic mobility. Not bad but nothing to brag about. Just because a few people became billionaires after being raised in poverty doesn’t mean that we have created a society in which one’s success is not highly dependent on their origins. After WWII income inequality went down every year until 1979. Since then it has gone up every year and we have now returned to an income distribution model similar to that of the industrial revolution’s heyday.
22 East Ender // Aug 5, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Self proclaimed “homo” says
“Additionally – I’m serious when I tell you folks to disappear if you don’t like what you read here.
You get to make a choice in that matter.
You’re not welcome to comment here when you say bigoted shit.”
Well Jake you only publish comments when you argee or intend to attack.
News website my ass, this a no more than a blog that only accepts one side of a issue. Typical Liberal shit.
23 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Your comments don’t get published because they’re filled with homophobic rhetoric and Todd Lally myths.
If this was a liberal, one-sided joint, I’m pretty sure there’d never be anything about Republicans, ever. Especially nothing positive about Hal Heiner.
But keep spinning. I’m enjoying watching Todd lose.
24 402kid // Aug 5, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Mandy made a big slip and I will give her the benefit of the doubt because I do not know her personally and don’t know her family or friends. That being said I have a hard time believing the word half-breed just came out of the brain without it being used previously. Yea, she denied ever using it before and apologized at great length this morning. What else could she do? I tell my children to watch their comments when used in private, because use it enough and it will come out in public when you really don’t mean it and bite you in the ass. Sorry Mandy had to use a mulligan so early in her career at WHAS.
25 East Ender // Aug 5, 2010 at 4:46 pm
If “negro” is such a offensive word then why would the US Government allow it as a race option on the 2010 Census form?
26 jake // Aug 5, 2010 at 5:01 pm
It’s not offense when individuals of said identity utilize the word.
It IS offensive when bigots throw the word around. Especially homophobes who spend 24/7 spinning for Todd “the gays ruin the military” Lally.
27 JeffnClifton // Aug 5, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Let’s not be naive/I don’t think it was a “slip” at all. Mandy is a skilled professional in her business. It’s more likely that the choice of words was premeditated, designed to provoke response to her particular form of shtik. Let at what’s followed.
28 Marty // Aug 5, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I believe 402kid is exactly right. When the first word that comes to mind is ‘halfbreed’, you’ve used it before or at least thought of it. How many people would even think of that word? It’s offensive to just about everyone.
29 Mark Stanton // Aug 6, 2010 at 10:48 am
Mandy, Terry, Flipper….all guilty. Terry….. extremely guilty. Neither of you get a pass.
While Francene and Mandy may be of similiar political beliefs the comparison ends there. KentuckyVille got it right, while I usually disagreed with Francene she was inviting and made you want to listen. Mandy just makes you want to turn her off. Granted, she is probably too polished to usually say this sort of thing, she is probably too smart to not appear to be a nice person, but if she lets her contempt for Obama cause her to make this slip, well it says something about her and it isn’t good.
30 Brian // Aug 6, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Don’t fool yourself. She’s a racist. A statement like that would not have come to anyone’s mind unless they are a racist.
31 ctk // Aug 6, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@jake re: comment 26
my opinion is that if the word is so offensive they shouldn’t be throwing that word around when speaking with each other. term of endearment, cultural remnant, whatever. you don’t like it when other people call you something, don’t use the word yourself. i think anyone who uses that word but gets offended when called that by others are being extremely hypocritical.
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