People must have been on their best behavior this month. Still, a few BIMBO comments to learn from and one attached to a real “mug shot”. You can decide what you think the visual represents. And lastly, an example of how statistics can take on a life of their own.
THE WINNING BIMBO
“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial,” said podcast host Joe Rogan as a controversy kicked off when singer Neil Young – followed by others – announced that Spotify, which reportedly paid $100 million for Rogan’s podcast, had to pick between them. The controversy initially stemmed from guests who questioned the need for vaccines and mandates. This is the winner because of course Rogan is trying to be controversial. That’s how talk “radio” works.
NBC News, “Joe Rogan responds to growing protest over COVID-19 misinformation on Spotify,” Jan. 31, 2022
THE RUNNERS-UP
“I don’t want to fake apologize,” said Whoopi Goldberg who got blowback for saying the Holocaust “wasn’t about race.” We know what she was trying to say. We don’t’ agree. And note, she didn’t apologize. But you know, life goes on, and what do talk show hosts do? Talk, a lot.
The Daily Wire, “Whoopi Goldberg’s Co-Hosts ‘Furious’ at ABC for Suspending Her: Report,” Feb. 2, 2022
“Now we have Nancy Pelosi’s gazpacho police spying on members of Congress,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, confusing gazpacho with the Nazi Gestapo in comments accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of having police officers roaming the halls of the Capitol, spying on Republicans. Not a BIMBO comment, but an example of why people think Republicans are stupid hicks. Click on the link below to see the video with her comments.
CNN, “Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses Nancy Pelosi of running 'gazpacho police',” Feb. 10, 2022
WRONG THING TO SAY
Adam Pratt, an IBM spokesman, defended the company’s employment practices as they were challenged by older executives who charged age discrimination. “IBM never engaged in systemic age discrimination,” he said. “Employees were separated because of shifts in business conditions and demand for certain skills, not because of their age.” An example of what we call inverted phrases – a combination of what he was trying to say and the BIMBO repetition and denial. We do question the use of the word “separated.” What he should have said was “we made difficult decisions that affected our workforce, but we are committed to treating people fairly and with respect.”
The New York Times, “Making ‘Dinobabies’ Extinct: IBM’s Push for a Younger Work Force,” Feb. 12, 2022
“It is not a pro-riot mug,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, adding he only saluted the peaceful protesters, and the others should go to jail. He also told HuffPost, “This was not me encouraging rioters.” The controversy was fanned by a mug sold by his campaign featuring a raised arm saluting – who? That’s the controversy. Initially it was the protestors/rioters who flooded the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The mug shows a modified version of the picture taken that day, with Hawley’s name and the words “SHOW-ME STRONG!” You can decide if it’s over the top.
Yahoo News “Josh Hawley defends January 6 fist-pump merch: ‘It is not a pro-riot mug’,” Feb. 16, 2022
“The idea that this somehow threatens dairy farming in Vermont is this false narrative the Vorstevelds' lawyers are peddling," said a lawyer for a family suing the dairy farmer Vorstevelds. "This is a site-specific, farm-specific problem." Another example of inverted messages. The litigants, the Hoppers, part-time Houston-based residents want their neighbors, second generation dairy farmers to make expensive changes in their farming procedures.
Seven Days, “A Dairy Farm is Defending a Pollution Lawsuit. Some Say Vermont’s Regs are on Trial,” Jan. 19, 2022
MEMORABLE STATISTICS
Jimbo the BIMBO? “The $30 million is a joke,” said Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M’s head football coach responding to an obscure social media criticism that the university achieved the number one recruiting class by paying players. The claim, on website, SlicedBread, was actually made months ago but tweeted out by a Notre Dame executive. By repeating the “$30 million” figure, Fisher gave it new life and legs.
CBS Sports “Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher blasts critics who claim Aggies paid players to land No. 1 recruiting class,” Feb. 2, 2022.
The BIMBO Memo is a reminder not to repeat and deny a negative word because of how the listener hears words. When you repeat and deny a negative word, the listener is likely to overlook the denial and hear the opposite of what the speaker is trying to say. It’s named for the young woman who was caught with a high profile, but alas married man. She held a press conference and announced, “I am not a BIMBO,” thus causing everyone to think she was.
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