A Perfectly Cromulent Blog

"I thought only assholes used the word 'pansy.'"

What's all the whining about, you sissies?

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is refusing to apologize for calling Democrats who oppose his tough state budget "girlie men," a label foes say is sexist and homophobic.

The action film star turned politician made the remark Saturday as he told a shopping-mall crowd that the Democrats didn't have "the guts" to turn down the threats of special interest groups such as unions and trial lawyers.

Oh, that.

So Governor Schwarzenegger uses the time-honored political tactic of quoting TV and questioning one's masculinity ("Where's the beef?") to go after his opponents. In the process, he uses a term that could certainly be construed as offensive by gays and men incapable of throwing a football. So how do the Democrats respond?

Democratic State Senator Sheila Kuehl called Schwarzenegger's remark "blatant homophobia," adding: "It uses an image that is associated with gay men in an insulting way, and it was supposed to be an insult."

Other political opponents said the remark illustrates what they call the governor's tendency to be a bully when things do not go his way.

A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger said he has no intention of apologizing.

Several California newspaper op-ed columns echoed Senator Kuehl's homophobia slam, thereby also missing the point. Of course he's not going to apologize: there hasn't been a scene of true repentance in any of his movies (his faux apology to his groping accusers doesn't count, either). And since the man is incapable of speaking off the cuff unless he can trot out another line of his own creaky dialogue, I wouldn't hold my breath. I mean, how many times has he used that stupid "Terminator" joke? 500? A thousand?

Schwarzenegger has made anti-gay comments his entire life, and the voters of the state put him in office anyway. Attacking him for homophobia now is like closing the door to Abercrombie & Fitch after the hairstylist has left, and going on about the Governor's comments only allows the focus of the budget debate to shift from salient questions of policy to letting TV news directors and radio DJs dust off their old "Hans and Franz" tapes. California Dems are dropping the ball.

Hark, I hear someone trotting out another old chestnut:

Yet the "girlie men" line has sparked criticism even from Schwarzenegger's fellow Republicans. "Of course it's not a good idea; liberals don't have a sense of humor," Republican State Senator Tom McClintock said in an interview.

Rather than point out that there hasn't been a funny conservative comedian since...well...ever, I'd just like to congratulate McClintock on being able to put on a happy face after a political career marked by overwhelming failure (unsuccessful bids for Congress in 1992 and state controller in 1994 and 2002 to go along with his defeat in the recall election of 2003).

Chin up, Tom.