Italian stereotypes surface in race for NY governor

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I know a few folks with Italian heritage here too, with none or like the LI, SI, NYC, Jersey shore pocket types.

Like I said, it's just dumb that these people call themselves Italian, when they are the furthest thing from Italians in Italy. They don't need to take my word for it either, a quick 8 hour trip and they will realize this for themselves.

So it's dumb for them to be proud of their heritage? Isn't that basically like you touting your Australian heritage?

[Heracles 417]

So it's dumb for them to be proud of their heritage? Isn't that basically like you touting your Australian heritage?

Nice try but I was born there and actually a citizen of the country Which is the first difference, as there is a direct link.

Second difference is that they are not saying I am of Italian heritage, they make it out as if they have very strong and close ties to Italy; which is simply not true.

It seems that sometimes people who weren't born here or raised here most of their lives don't understand why Americans talk about their nationalities. But it's an interest to many people. If you live somewhere where you look different than others around you(this would happen to me in Alabama, argh), you will often get asked things like "what are you?". And then if you live in an area mixed with different people, some will also ask here "what are you?" out of interest. It's just what we do. So I don't think there is anything wrong with people saying "I am Italian". Some people like thinking about where their family came from.

That's the whole point, they are not technically Italian. They are simply of Italian heritage. Big difference between the two.

To be Italian, you would have to be born there, have citizenship there or be a first gen. Otherwise, it's simply a case of heritage.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Nice try but I was born there and actually a citizen of the country Which is the first difference, as there is a direct link.

Second difference is that they are not saying I am of Italian heritage, they make it out as if they have very strong and close ties to Italy; which is simply not true.

Of course it's different, it involves you.

[R&V 8]

I think most Americans identify themselves as some kind of "mixture". I've heard people claim they are 1/2 Italian, 1/4 German and 1/4 Scottish. It's just a different approach to heritage/nationality, I think.

I first noticed that when I taught German at college-level, most of the kids in class knew exactly "how much" German they were. Odd to me, but just the way it is.

In Germany, most people just see themselves as "German", I believe, unless your parent(s) are from another country.

Anyway, my husband has an Italian last name and I have dark hair, so it's kind of funny to play with the "Italian American"-thing. I mostly use it to eat a lot of Italian food.

[^_^ 5,021]

Paladino actually speaks fluent Italian and travels to Italy many times a year.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I think most Americans identify themselves as some kind of "mixture". I've heard people claim they are 1/2 Italian, 1/4 German and 1/4 Scottish. It's just a different approach to heritage/nationality, I think.

I first noticed that when I taught German at college-level, most of the kids in class knew exactly "how much" German they were. Odd to me, but just the way it is.

In Germany, most people just see themselves as "German", I believe, unless your parent(s) are from another country.

Anyway, my husband has an Italian last name and I have dark hair, so it's kind of funny to play with the "Italian American"-thing. I mostly use it to eat a lot of Italian food.

Excellent observation and quite true.

[Heracles 417]

Paladino actually speaks fluent Italian and travels to Italy many times a year.

The concern for me is, why are so many shyster lawyers getting into office? Surely they are the last people who should be representing, let alone leading, a county, state or the country.

They're trained and essentially masters in the art of talk ####### and convincing Jurys to allow the scum of the earth to be released on technicalities, like an officer using a blue pen instead of the mandated black pen.

We need to get people from other fields that actually required legitimate intelligence to run for office, rather than the glut of these scumbags.

[R&V 8]

^ that's a rather broad brush you're using there...

It's true though, politics seems to attract a lot of lawyers and such. The gubernatorial race here in Georgia is between two lawyers as well. Great.

[^_^ 5,021]

The concern for me is, why are so many shyster lawyers getting into office? Surely they are the last people who should be representing, let alone leading, a county, state or the country.

They're trained and essentially masters in the art of talk ####### and convincing Jurys to allow the scum of the earth to be released on technicalities, like an officer using a blue pen instead of the mandated black pen.

We need to get people from other fields that actually required legitimate intelligence to run for office, rather than the glut of these scumbags.

We were talking about New York Italians. What the hell happened? We're suddenly talking about lawyers now?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

We were talking about New York Italians. What the hell happened? We're suddenly talking about lawyers now?

What's the difference between a dead snake on the road and a dead lawyer on the road?

[Heracles 417]

We were talking about New York Italians. What the hell happened? We're suddenly talking about lawyers now?

Pleeeeease, I'm probably more Italian than this guy.

I looked at his credentials, as [after all] who cares what his background is?

Though, his background may make him more inclined to corruption. Plus he is a lawyer. Just saying..

Edited October 12, 2010 by Heracles

[^_^ 5,021]

Pleeeeease, I'm probably more Italian than this guy.

With the clear understanding that "Italian" in this context refers to Italian-Americans, tell us how.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

BY is an Australian American. In Australia, he was a Greek Australian.

[Heracles 417]

^ that's a rather broad brush you're using there...

It's true though, politics seems to attract a lot of lawyers and such. The gubernatorial race here in Georgia is between two lawyers as well. Great.

And realistically what experience do they have in areas such as efficient operations, leadership, management, job initiatives, town planning, problem solving etc etc etc. Nothing, as their field does not mandate or require any of those core skills. What lawyers do best is talk ####### well and convince stupid juries of their BS; which in this case is the voter.

In the role of a public official, that is a lawyers only useful skill. It's the reason why GWB was scorned so much, because he did not have Charisma or the verbal skills to explain himself as well as some shyster lawyer. Furthermore, other than LAW, there is no other intellectual field that requires or relies on this single skill so heavily.

BY is an Australian American. In Australia, he was a Greek Australian.

Well technically I am not American, as I would have to be a citizen. I'm basically a LPR - Aussie.

Edited October 12, 2010 by Heracles

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What's the difference between a dead snake on the road and a dead lawyer on the road?

Give up? There's skid marks in front of the snake.