On yesterday’s “Hardball,” Chris Matthews uttered the following words:
…won’t they say something up beat and (bucking up)… isn’t she a great woman, didn’t she stand up-and then they’ll put the camera right on Ted Kennedy and show how he was the guy that molested her basically-that’s the way they’ll play it…
According to John Amato, who has the video, the “she” was Mrs. Alito. He comments, “One day it’s Latinos in their flower shops and bodegas and the next it’s sexual assault.”
Matt Stoler emulates Kennedy’s analytical style:
This is journalism? Making light of the sexual abuse of women on national TV? And accusing a sitting US Senator of the offense, to boot (and no suprise it was a Democratic Senator).
TurboTax, Toyota, Verizon, Bayer, Pearl Vision, Office Depot and all the rest: Are you listening?
This is what your ads are paying to support – a guy who thinks nothing of accusing Ted Kennedy of molesting Alito’s wife. A guy who thinks sexual abuse and gay bashing is funny. Think about that, then think about why you continue to associate your brand with this man and his show.
Well…no.
Let’s look at the key part of the transcript: “molested her basically.” Now, unless “basically” is a new euphemism for a female body part, Matthews is not saying that Kennedy literally molested Mrs. Alito. “Basically” is modifying “molested” in a cross between a metaphor and a simile.
American idioms are difficult for those who do not speak it as a first language. So, to avoid future confusion:
- In the phrase, “Kennedy raked Alito over the coals” no rakes or coals are involved.
“Alito emerged from the hearings battered and bruised but still standing” — No physical battering or bruising occured and he was probably sitting the whole time.
“Kennedy made a complete ass of himself” — No actual donkeys or buttocks were involved
As you can see, this can be quite confusing.
