Offender: G. Gordon Liddy on The G. Gordon Liddy Show
Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 5/28/09 – syndicated by Radio America, a division of The American Studies Center
The Offense: Speaking about President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, radio host G. Gordon Liddy had this to say: “Let’s hope that the key conferences aren’t when she’s menstruating or something, or just before she’s going to menstruate. That would really be bad. Lord knows what we would get then.”
NOW’s Analysis: What can we say that Liddy’s words don’t already say for themselves? Liddy starts out the segment by accusing Judge Sotomayor with making racist comments and criticizing her membership in the group National Council of La Raza, which he says means “the race” in “illegal alien”. Yes, that’s right — Liddy referred to the Spanish language as “illegal alien.” (By the way: the organization says a closer translation of La Raza would be “the people” or “the Hispanic people of the New World.”)
When Liddy’s guest suggests that Sotomayor will be making decisions based on her “personal intuition” and “emotion,” Liddy can’t help but go there. You know where, that place where women can’t make decisions when they’re on their period. Ages ago, people were encouraged to think that women couldn’t serve in important, high-pressure, high-stakes jobs because they get so crazy and emotional when they’re menstruating. This sexist attitude, for the most part, has long since been retired. But Liddy didn’t get the memo, or he just doesn’t care. Right-wing talking heads are using everything in their arsenal to demonize Sotomayor, and Liddy is on the front lines with his bag full of this dusty old muskets.
Take Action: Tell Liddy’s syndicator, Radio America, what you think of his racist, sexist comments.
Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director