Indy Star business columnist John Ketzenberger discusses IEDC President Mickey Maurer's reference to outgoing Secretary of Commerce Pat Miller as a "classy dame" with a number of businesswomen:
"Was it a compliment? Business owner Bev Middaugh thinks so.
"Was it inappropriate? Business owner Myra Borshoff thinks so.
"Does it affect how people perceive Indiana as a place to do business, especially since Maurer will succeed Miller next month? We'll see."
Thanks, John, for picking up this ball and running with it. Maurer's lack of manners obviously reflects poorly on him, but let's see how he defended the remark in the column:
"When I pointed out that 'South Pacific,' like the term 'classy dame,' is out of date, Maurer replied, 'That's all right because I'm out of date.'
"He also said he didn't intend the comment about Miller 'in any derogatory way.'
"'Folks that take issue with that need to move on and find something else to take issue with,' Maurer said."
Ohhh, we get it. So we, the citizens of Indiana, should accept that you made the stupid comment because you're old? Kind of like when you blush and ignore a goofy great-uncle's inappropriate racial reference at a family dinner?
No, Mickey. Not quite. And that's what John was getting at in his column. See, we would argue that the goofy great-uncle needs to be called out, but many would disagree, saying that those private words don't really hurt anyone. Fine. But, Mr. Soon-To-Be Secretary, you represent an entire state's department of commerce when you speak publicly, so we'd appreciate it if you'd just apologize -- yes, it wouldn't kill you -- and try to bite your tongue next time.
Maybe you could learn to handle such situations like your boss did in this column. Miller back-handedly dismissed your so-called compliment in what we would call a very classy way: "'You have to consider the source,' she said. 'I knew what he meant.'"
Consider the crusty, outmoded source, indeed.
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