February 17, 2006

"Pretty Little Girl"

Can't make this stuff up, from the L.A. Times:

Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer was unapologetic after making suggestive comments to a governor's aide during a meeting.

Schaefer had requested tea at the Wednesday session, attended by more than 100 people, and a 24-year-old executive assistant from Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s front office set a mug in front of the comptroller. Schaefer, 84, watched her walk away, then beckoned her to return. When she obliged, he told her, "Walk again," staring at her as she left the State House conference room.

Some laughed and others' jaws dropped in the crowd of state officials, lobbyists, journalists and business leaders.

Asked after the meeting whether his remark was appropriate, Schaefer replied: "That's so … dumb, I can't believe it." He added: "She's a pretty little girl." ...

A female aide from the comptroller's office issued his statement in response, which indicates to me that this reliquary wanker knows damn well how inappropriate his behavior was. The article goes on to note several previous instances of the man behaving just as he must have grown up feeling entitled to act once he had paid his dues along the way to becoming a well-connected old boy.

It isn't the young woman who should feel demeaned by his behavior. This guy shouldn't be allowed in a professional environment.

Posted by natasha at February 17, 2006 01:22 AM | Women | Technorati links |
Comments

Two terms come to mind: 1, silly old fool; and 2, second childhood.

The man's behavior was tacky and he should be embarrassed because of it. Someone close to him should at least try to point out to him how he looks to others.

That said, don't take it too seriously. The guy's at a time in life where he won't be in his position much longer. Odds are, he won't even be alive that much longer.

I think we grow as people if we can see beyond the annoyance kids and the old cause us in the short run, and go on to exhibit compassion in the face of their foolishness.

Posted by: S.W. Anderson at February 18, 2006 11:57 PM