BIMBO Nominees For November 2019

• Bimbo
• November 1, 2019
• by Spaeth Communications
• Share

BIMBO comments from an anguished woman that provide insight into a difficult issue, filmmaker Michael Moore, writer of iconic song “American Pie,” Don McLean, conservative Jonah Goldberg and Former Rep. Charlie Dent. Examples of the power of words from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s campaign and critics, a triumph for common sense (finally), politically incorrect advice that got Ernst & Young in trouble and an example of high-velocity news from a Dallas trial.

THE WINNING BIMBO

“There is no evidence of any reports of (Matt) Lauer’s misconduct before his firing, no settlements, no ‘hush money’ …,” wrote president of NBC News Noah Oppenheim in a memo to company staff. (The non-mea culpa was occasioned by the publication of Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill,” which paints a damning picture of the news executives attempts to impede or kill Farrow’s investigation of Harvey Weinstein. There is no “could-have-said” advice here because Oppenheim went on to claim that without these legal events, there is “no way we have found that NBC’s current leadership could have been aware of his misdeeds in the past.” A good leader sets up systems that ensure the leader hears things people don’t want him or her to hear.)

BuzzFeed News, “Ronan Farrow Said Hillary Clinton’s Lack Of Support During His Weinstein Reporting Was A ‘Gut Punch,’” Oct. 15, 2019

THE RUNNERS-UP

“She certainly did not cry,” wrote former NBC host Matt Lauer disputing a story in Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill.” The book recounted former NBC staff member Brooke Nevils’ claim that Lauer raped her and forced her into multiple sex acts in a hotel room. In a public letter, Lauer disputed the details of the alleged encounter/attack and claimed it was consensual. (Again, we have no “could-have-said” advice. Nevils also asserted, “It was nonconsensual in the sense that I was too drunk to consent,” which further indicts Lauer.)

Daily Beast, “Matt Lauer Blames His Accuser: ‘She Certainly Did Not Cry,’” Oct. 10, 2019

“I’m not a dirty player,” said Oakland Raiders Linebacker Vontaze Burfict, rebutting a storm of criticism from his most recent helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts Tight End Jack Doyle, which garnered Burfict a suspension. (Burfict proclaimed that football is a tough physical game and, “I can’t go in there playing patty-cake.” He’s right, but USA Today Columnist Nancy Armour was also right when she wrote that the NFL’s new standards to minimize injuries, and particularly, concussions, only work if players observe them.)

USA Today, “Opinion: Suspending Raiders' Vontaze Burfict for rest of NFL season doesn't go far enough,” Sept. 30, 2019

“I am not a monster,” wrote a woman who aborted her in-utero baby after learning at a 20-week appointment that her child had developed with severe brain abnormalities. (We agree that she is not a “monster,” and we encourage readers to read her entire piece where it’s clear she agonized over whether to end her pregnancy. Our critique? Lyndsay Weking-Yip should have framed her position using a positive statement rather than anchoring her story with a negative, and therefore dominant, word like “monster.”)

The New York Times, “I Had a Late-Term Abortion. I Am Not a Monster,” Oct. 19, 2019

“He didn’t use that lectern as a crutch or anything,” said Filmmaker Michael Moore when defending Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders’ performance at his first rally since his Oct. 1 heart attack. (This was the wrong thing to say because, previously, no one thought of the podium as a crutch. Now, everyone will closely watch Sanders’ use of the lectern as an indicator of his physical health.)

Washington Examiner, “‘He didn’t use that lectern as a crutch’: Michael Moore asserts Bernie Sanders not too old,” Oct. 22, 2019

“I never assaulted anyone in my life, especially my wife,” said a very angry Don McLean, rebutting sensational charges by his ex-wife, Patrisha, that he was abusive and violent. (This is a classic he-said-she-said situation, but the writer of the iconic song “American Pie” didn’t do himself any favors by describing three misdemeanor charges as “about the same as a speeding ticket” and then bragging, “My career has been helped by this. I am more famous, and I have more work than I have ever had.” When a longstanding relationship falls apart and spurs recriminations, the smart behavior is regret and humility.)

The New York Times, “In Maine, a Celebrity Domestic Violence Case Continues to Send Out Ripples,” Oct. 20, 2019

“Tulsi Gabbard didn’t deny being a Russian asset,” was the conclusion of an MSNBC panel and the headline on reports about the Democratic debate. (The controversy originated with Hillary Clinton’s musing that the Russians are “grooming” Gabbard to be a third-party candidate. During a podcast interview Clinton said, “I'm not making any predictions, but I think they've got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. She's the favorite of the Russians." However, after her comment drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, a Clinton spokesman claimed she was instead talking about “Republicans.” This phrase is memorable and has continued to make the rounds; see a similar BIMBO comment in the headline of this opinion piece: “Krystal Ball defends praise of Yang: I am not ‘a Russian plant.’”)

Twitter, “MCNBC panel: Tulsi Gabbard didn’t deny being a Russian asset,” Oct. 19, 2019

“I’ve never given a rat’s a** about being a Republican,” asserted Jonah Goldberg about founding a new website, The Dispatch, as a forum for Republicans who criticize President Trump. (Goldberg intends for The Dispatch to compete with The Bulwark, launched by Weekly Standard Co-Founder Bill Kristol and Conservative commentator Charlie Skyes. A self-described Trump-skeptic, Goldberg tried to paint himself as a principled conservative, saying, “being conservative means not changing your positions based on one politician.” However, there is also the concept of trying to get something done, and like it or not, Trump is president and has the power and inclination to do a number of things conservatives should value.”)

Politico, “Trump critics on the right join the media wars,” Oct. 8, 2019

“My nose is not a heat-seeking missile for the president’s backside,” said Former Rep. Charlie Dent explaining why he publicly criticized President Trump’s conversation with Ukrainian officials. (This statement is highly quotable and, not surprisingly, it made the headline.)

Fox News, “Former GOP congressman: ‘My nose is not a heat-seeking missile for the president’s backside,’” Oct. 23, 2019

POWERFUL WORDS

“… taxes are sort of a toxic word,” said Sen. Ben Cardin while urging Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren to follow Sen. Bernie Sanders’ lead and admit that taxes on the middle class will rise to pay for the “Medicare for All” plan. (“Taxes” is indeed a memorable and “toxic” word, and Warren intensified the “Medicare for All” debate by refusing multiple times to answer related “yes” or “no” questions such as, “Will taxes on the middle class go up?” We predict questions about this topic will remain consistent throughout the coming months.)

The Hill, “Senate Democrats want Warren to talk costs on ‘Medicare for All,’” Oct. 19, 2019

“Look, I don’t have a beef with billionaires …,” said Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the debate in Ohio. Warren asserted it is “billionaires” who will incur the costs of her multi-trillion-dollar plans for free stuff. She drew criticism from other candidates who described her ideas as “punitive,” to which she responded, “I’m really shocked at the notion that anyone thinks I’m punitive.” (This deserves a new award in memory of Captain Louis Renault from “Casablanca” who is “shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”)

Fox Business, “Warren defends against ‘beef with billionaires’ as Dems debate soak the rich tax plans,” Oct. 16, 2019

A TRIUMPH FOR COMMON SENSE

An African-American high school security guard was fired for using the “N-word” during an interaction with a student. The trouble was, he used the word only to tell the student who first called him the “N-word” not to call him that and to explain to the student why the word is offensive. The school’s board has what it calls a “zero-tolerance policy on employees saying racial slurs,” which apparently means you can’t explain words or use common sense. (Fortunately, the Madison teachers union filed a grievance with the district on the security guard’s behalf. The incident proved a teaching moment on many levels.)

ABC News, “Wisconsin students walk out to protest racial slur firing,” Oct. 18, 2019

POLITICALLY INCORRECT

Accounting firm Ernst & Young received sharp criticism for providing a seminar from consultant Marsha Clark in attempt to teach its female executives “how to grow their networks, negotiate and ‘build stronger, high-performing teams.’” One former training attendee claimed “Power-Presence-Purpose or PPP” participants received a document that included advice such as “Don’t flaunt your body – sexuality scrambles the mind (for men and women).” The former training attendee also claimed women were advised not to “be too aggressive or outspoken” or “directly confront men in meetings, because men perceive this as threatening.” Additionally, “Women’s brains absorb information like pancakes soak up syrup so it’s hard for them to focus, the attendees were told. Men’s brains are more like waffles. They’re better able to focus because the information collects in each little waffle square.” (The article conflated advice on how to look professional with complaints from the Me Too movement. Apparently, Clark also recommended against wearing short skirts and suggested women have a “good haircut” and “manicured nails.” Although we disagree with Clark’s alleged approach, we’re not sure what took a day and a half to advise women who want to advance that they need to dress appropriately – or why that was the focus of the training.)

HuffPost, “Women At Ernst & Young Instructed On How To Dress, Act Nicely Around Men,” Oct. 21, 2019

HIGH-VELOCITY INFORMATION

“High velocity” is how we refer to local stories that spread from national to international, seemingly, at the speed of light. An example from Dallas: a white, female police officer, Amber Guyger, coming home from a grueling double shift in the early morning hours, went to the wrong apartment and shot and killed that apartment’s tenant who was a black male. She was tried and convicted of murder in an emotionally and politically-charged trial. At the end of the trial, after the sentencing, the victim’s brother publicly forgave Guyger and gave her a hug. That motivated the judge, Tammy Kemp, to give Guyger a hug and, when she learned that Guyger didn’t have a Bible, the judge gave her one. (The exchange and the visual of the hug between the victim’s brother and Guyger went viral internationally within hours. There is an additional lesson: District Attorney John Creuzot sat for a lengthy media interview about the case that aired the night before the trial. Judge Kemp’s reaction to the defense telling her about the interview was caught on video, became a meme and shared widely on social media. After the trial, she commented, “I’m coming to realize my facial expressions are much more expressive than I ever imagined.” Right on, Judge Kemp!)

The Dallas Morning News, “From the bench, Judge Tammy Kemp saw Amber Guyger ‘shrinking’ after conviction for killing Botham Jean,” Oct. 8, 2019
 

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.