Burns Offends Italian-Americans, Swedish-Americans
Like clockwork, Sen. Burns offended more Americans today, this time during a subcommittee hearing. On official business or campaign time, it seems Sen. Burns never fails to offend.
Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, who has gotten into hot water before for comments seen as disparaging various groups, joshingly remarked Thursday on the number of Italian-Americans at the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Montana senator, facing a tough re-election fight against Democrat Jon Tester, was heading an aviation subcommittee hearing of the Commerce Committee when two FAA officials, Michael Cirillo and Nicholas Sabatini, introduced themselves as witnesses.
“I’m wondering if that’s all they’re hiring,” Burns said of the federal agency.
Burns also managed to offend Swedish-Americans at the hearing.
Also during Thursday’s hearing, Burns asked witness Matt Andersson, senior aviation consultant for CRA International, about the spelling of his name. Andersson said it’s the Swedish spelling.
“Oh, ja,” Burns replied in a mock Swedish accent.
Posted on Thursday, September 28th, 2006 at 9:13 pm. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
6 Responses to “Burns Offends Italian-Americans, Swedish-Americans”
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September 29th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
I am an Italian-American Democrat living in Oregon. I just read about Burns’s remarks. I am sending an on-line contribution to the Tester campaign today.
September 30th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Seems that one of Burns’s highly-paid devoted PR folks should remind Conrad that “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” His shooting from the lip is sinking his re-election bid I think.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:16 pm
Maybe Mr Conrad needs a plate of spaghetti and abramoff to quench his out of touch politics …. My eyes have seen the glory and the end of a fool . Long live Tester and Long live Montana!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Jon keeps talking about how he ‘eliminated’ taxes on 16,000 small businesses. I am a small businessman, know a lot of other small businessmen, am active in several orgaizations, love to see taxes reduced and will vote for someone that can reduce them, but NO ONE knows what you are talking about. PLEASE use this in your advertising as it is huge!
October 4th, 2006 at 10:29 am
We have a Job Tester sign on our lawn and we promote him to our neighbors. Here is a comment that has often come back. “Why does he drive around in a big gas hog of a truck when he could be using something that is hybred and fuel efficient?” Even in Glacier Park the work trucks are powered by bio diesel fuel. Toyota makes suvs that are hybred. A Missoula Republican candidate drives around a truck that has a big sign on it that it has special fuel efficient equipment. Our Prius gets 57 miles to the gallon. If Tester is serious, he will do this and advertise it!!! He is missing the best opportunity to show that he “walks the talk”. Thank you. Remember, it isn’t too
late to show he’s serious.
October 4th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Its crazy what people come up with now days. I don’t think what he drives has much to do with what he’s going to do with out state. I know several people who drive “gas guzzlers, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s trying to corrupt the environment. On another note, there are more important issues to worry about I-515 (wages) Check this out
When questioned about I-151 Sen. Burns says… Posted on Monday 25 September 2006
Senatorial Debate in Butte, MT
Moderator Gerry O’Brien: How will you vote on the proposal on Montana’s ballot this November to raise Montana’s minimum wage of $5.15 an hour by $1.00 and to apply that annual cost of living adjustment. How will you vote and why?
Senator Burns: “I would…will vote probably for that if there is things that protect small business.”
NOTE: Montana’s current minimum wage has a small business provision exempting businesses of a certain size from the minimum wage. That small business protection is retained in the minimum wage initiative on the ballot in November.
http://www.raisemontana.org/?p=34
I was really shocked at this statement, not only because of what he says, but also how he said it, I mean didn’t anyone teach him proper grammar? How did he ever get in office in the first place? Althought small business is important, I think the minimum wage should be raised. I mean yeah small businesses should be looked after, but what about those making minimum wage, it gets tiring to think you’re working for close to nothing.