What Should We Call Kamala Harris?

 

A short time ago, anticipating that Kamala Harris might be Joe Biden’s vice-presidential pick, the Associated Press altered their stylebook, to rule out refering to her as Willie Brown’s onetime “mistress.” We are now to call her his “companion.”

I like that. In ancient Greek, the feminine version of the word for companion is hetaira. It is — how shall I say? — a euphemism; and like many another euphemism the connotation eventually replaced the denotation and the word came to mean “whore.” In time, the truth will come out.

Someone should interview Willie Brown’s wife. Her comments on Ms. Harris would make interesting reading.

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  1. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    It was openly known, and made it into the local papers. 

    Brown would reportedly go to parties with his squeeze (Harris or one before or after) on one arm and his wife on the other. While he was Speaker of the Assembly he would put them on boards and commisssions that paid well and didn’t take too much work; he would help their careers in other ways, too. 

    Harris has gotten a lot of flak from “sex workers” for accepting what Lloyd Billingsly called “poontronage” from Willie Brown and while DA and AG being tough on prostitutes.

     

    • #1
  2. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    We should go with whatever Joe calls her first.

    I’m going with “you know, the thing.”

    • #2
  3. Mike Hubbard Inactive
    Mike Hubbard
    @MikeHubbard

    Someone should interview Willie Brown’s wife. Her comments on Ms. Harris would make interesting reading.

    I’ve yet to read Willie Brown’s memoir, but Matt Bai did when he reviewed it for The New York Times.  Mrs. Brown had this to say about her husband’s philandering [I’ve bowdlerized the quote for Ricochet]:

    “Listen, she may have him at the moment . . .  but come inauguration day and he’s up there on the platform being sworn in, I’ll be the b**** holding the Bible.”

    Pure class.

    • #3
  4. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):
    Harris has gotten a lot of flak from “sex workers” for accepting what Lloyd Billingsly called “poontronage” from Willie Brown and while DA and AG being tough on prostitutes.

    Or, as she referred to them, “the competition.”

    • #4
  5. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    I believe the appropriate term is the one Stephen Colbert used on his TV show to characterize the relationship of Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin, which was widely applauded by Democrats.  Unlike the Trump-Putin usage, in the case of Kamala Harris and Willie Brown the term has the virtue of being, as Joe Biden would say, literally true.  That’s how she got her start in politics.  Unfortunately, using the term in this comment would violate the CoC.

    • #5
  6. Dotorimuk Coolidge
    Dotorimuk
    @Dotorimuk

    Another historic “first” from the Democratic Party – the first _______ on a Presidential ticket. Historical.

    • #6
  7. Brian Watt Inactive
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    • #7
  8. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melania had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane.  Melania is now “First Lady.”

    • #8
  9. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.
    • #9
  10. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument.  But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    • #10
  11. Al Sparks Coolidge
    Al Sparks
    @AlSparks

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    Did Trump appoint Karen McDougall to government jobs at taxpayer’s expense?  Is she a public figure holding an office of trust?  It sounds like Trump paid for his “keeping” with his own money.  And did Willie Brown marry Kamala Harris?

    And I don’t usually point out spelling mistakes, but you misspelled the First Lady’s first name, who probably didn’t want the job, and who earned her own money as a fashion model before marrying Trump.  The worst you can allege about her is she was an old fashioned gold digger that married Trump for his money (though again, she had earned plenty of her own).

    There’s strong circumstantial evidence she did not sign up for any of this.  She took her sweet time moving into the White House.

    Kamela Harris, on the other hand, signed up for exactly what she got, including her tryst with Willie Brown.

    • #11
  12. Paul A. Rahe Member
    Paul A. Rahe
    @PaulARahe

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    MacDougall? Gosh, I don’t know. Is she running for office? Did Trump appoint her to some well-remunerated commission?

    • #12
  13. GrannyDude Member
    GrannyDude
    @GrannyDude

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    The point, Gary, is that Melania is not the president. And she’s not the vice president. 

    As a woman, I have to say, it doesn’t thrill me that we’re supposed to be thrilled that the Individual With A Cervix has ascended to high office by ….sleeping with the right (wrong)  guy.  First Hillary (long-suffering, frequently-betrayed) wife of Bill. And now Kamala, who got doinked by Willie Brown. Won’t this be inspiring to little girls? “This is how you get to the White House, Sweeties! You hook up with a powerful man, and then hope he kicks the bucket in time for you to take over!” 

     

    • #13
  14. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Paul A. Rahe (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    MacDougall? Gosh, I don’t know. Is she running for office? Did Trump appoint her to some well-remunerated commission?

    She probably landed some $85,000/mo. no-show gig with a Ukrainian energy company.

    • #14
  15. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    GrannyDude (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Marla Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    The point, Gary, is that Melania is not the president. And she’s not the vice president.

    As a woman, I have to say, it doesn’t thrill me that we’re supposed to be thrilled that the Individual With A Cervix has ascended to high office by ….sleeping with the right (wrong) guy. First Hillary (long-suffering, frequently-betrayed) wife of Bill. And now Kamala, who got doinked by Willie Brown. Won’t this be inspiring to little girls? “This is how you get to the White House, Sweeties! You hook up with a powerful man, and then hope he kicks the bucket in time for you to take over!”

    I would have preferred Val Demmings.  My point is that because we choose Trump we are estopped from pointing at Harris’s infidelities.

    • #15
  16. Southern Pessimist Member
    Southern Pessimist
    @SouthernPessimist

    Col. Kurt Schlichter summed up my feelings in his tweet today. It is easy to find but way beyond the code of conduct for this site.

    • #16
  17. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Southern Pessimist (View Comment):

    Col. Kurt Schlichter summed up my feelings in his tweet today. It is easy to find but way beyond the code of conduct for this site.

    I think I saw what you mean.

    • #17
  18. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    While Trump was married to Martha Maples,

    Dude, if you are going to accuse someone of something, at least get your facts right.

    Marla Maples (not Martha) was President Trump’s second wife.

    His current wife is Melania, not Melanie.

    • #18
  19. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I would have preferred Val Demmings. My point is that because we choose Trump we are estopped from pointing at Harris’s infidelities.

    No we aren’t. President Trump’s infidelities are fully documented. Now we can document those of the VP nominee (who descends from a slave owning family, no less).

    • #19
  20. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    Oh, and it’s Marla Maples.

    Monomaniacal types usually have a better grip on facts. 

    • #20
  21. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

     

    • #21
  22. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    My point is that because we choose Trump we are estopped from pointing at Harris’s infidelities.

    But not you Gary, since you mention them continuously, you are kinda obligated to dig up Kamala’s 

    You know, for fairness.

    You want to be fair, right?

    • #22
  23. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Southern Pessimist (View Comment):

    Col. Kurt Schlichter summed up my feelings in his tweet today. It is easy to find but way beyond the code of conduct for this site.

    Did not find it, except for his victory lap. Got a link?

    I will say this about Kamala though, she’s got spunk.

    • #23
  24. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    According to Google translate. Kamala is Finish for “horrible”… So “Horrible Harris”… Seems to stick.

    (heard from the Tim Poole podcast)

    • #24
  25. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Percival (View Comment):

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):
    Harris has gotten a lot of flak from “sex workers” for accepting what Lloyd Billingsly called “poontronage” from Willie Brown and while DA and AG being tough on prostitutes.

    Or, as she referred to them, “the competition.”

    There’s some dispute as to what the oldest profession is. Of course there’s some overlap.

    • #25
  26. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    GrannyDude (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    The point, Gary, is that Melania is not the president. And she’s not the vice president.

    As a woman, I have to say, it doesn’t thrill me that we’re supposed to be thrilled that the Individual With A Cervix has ascended to high office by ….sleeping with the right (wrong) guy. First Hillary (long-suffering, frequently-betrayed) wife of Bill. And now Kamala, who got doinked by Willie Brown. Won’t this be inspiring to little girls? “This is how you get to the White House, Sweeties! You hook up with a powerful man, and then hope he kicks the bucket in time for you to take over!”

    I would have preferred Val Demmings. My point is that because we choose Trump we are estopped from pointing at Harris’s infidelities.

    No, we’re not.

    • #26
  27. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    That’s pretty hard edged for you Paul.  You’re not normally a gut puncher when it comes to politics.  I like it.  ;)

    • #27
  28. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    GrannyDude (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    The point, Gary, is that Melania is not the president. And she’s not the vice president.

    As a woman, I have to say, it doesn’t thrill me that we’re supposed to be thrilled that the Individual With A Cervix has ascended to high office by ….sleeping with the right (wrong) guy. First Hillary (long-suffering, frequently-betrayed) wife of Bill. And now Kamala, who got doinked by Willie Brown. Won’t this be inspiring to little girls? “This is how you get to the White House, Sweeties! You hook up with a powerful man, and then hope he kicks the bucket in time for you to take over!”

    I would have preferred Val Demmings. My point is that because we choose Trump we are estopped from pointing at Harris’s infidelities.

    No, we’re not.

    Hear, hear!  Gary is delusional.

    • #28
  29. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    What do you mean “we”?

    • #29
  30. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Manny (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    And what should we call Trump’s “kept woman“ Playboy Playmate Karen McDougall?

    While Trump was married to Martha Maples, Melanie had a naked photo shot on Trump’s plane. Melanie is now “First Lady.”

    1. Who cares?
    2. I think you mean Melania.

    If our candidate were a Mike Pence, or any of the other remaining 16 from 2016, we might have an argument. But we selected Trump in 2016 and have him warts and all.

    What do you mean “we”?

    I am a registered Republican.

    • #30
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