Bimbo Banter


To Destroy or Not to Destroy?


  • Crisis
  • May 1, 2015
  • by Merrie Spaeth

OK, Hamlet didn’t say that, but the Mayor of Baltimore was caught on camera saying, “We also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well.”

The next day, she insisted she hadn’t said it: “I never said, nor would I ever say, that we are giving people space to destroy our city. So my words should not be twisted.” Unfortunately, not only had she said those very words, there were dozens of recordings.

I am absolutely certain she didn’t mean to say it.

If you’re checking in regularly with our YouTube account, you’ll remember that we emphasized rehearsal in our last upload. The rule of thumb is, if you haven’t rehearsed, don’t say it. Plus, “destroy” is clearly what we would call a bad word.

It’s all the more unfortunate because someone is doing a good job on the Mayor’s behalf on Twitter, energetically sending positive messages, thanking people and tracking her travel. We learned she was at Bethel AME church to comfort youth and knew when she arrived at North Avenue and Pennsylvania to drop off cleaning supplies. She (or her magic fingers stand in) was relentlessly letting followers watching #OneBaltimore and #OurCity know her thoughts. Again, it was a good learning opportunity.



You May Also Like


Bimbo blog image b
04.01.19

BIMBO Nominees For April 2019

Is it just me, or does it seem as if the 2020 campaign season has already started? See contributions from Maryland's governor (and yes, potential 2020 presidential candidate) plus most of the other presidential candidates (with a special… more 

12.01.14

Watch That Translation

What happens when a word isn’t exactly lost in translation but doesn’t quite make it through the language barrier; sort of like when my daughter’s horse would take a jump – but knock down a few poles. I… more 

08.01.13

Communication Commandments

Are You Ready for Right Now, Let Alone the Future? My late husband, Tex Lezar, was fond of a story about Justice Oliver Wendell  Holmes. The distinguished jurist was traveling by train to give a speech. The conductor… more 


Back to Top