Comments on: Andy Ponders Presidential Names

Andy Rooney Wonders: What's In A Name?

[ocvictor]

Wow. On behalf of all of us who don''t have completely Anglo-Irish heritages, I apologize for offending your fragile, xenophobic sensibilities.

Seriously. I can''t even sustain the sarcasm, the racism here is beyond the pale. How did "60 Minutes" let this through?

[ocvictor]

On behalf of all of us with non-Anglo names, Andy, let me be the first to apologize for offending your sensibilities.

Geez. I can''t even keep up with the sarcasm. That was the most racist thing I''ve seen in ages. "60 Minutes" should be ashamed of itself.

[ocvictor]

On behalf of all of us with non-Anglo names, Andy, let me be the first to apologize for offending your sensibilities.

Geez. I can''t even keep up with the sarcasm. That was the most racist thing I''ve seen in ages. "60 Minutes" should be ashamed of itself.

[frank_white6]

Andy has finally gone over the edge. His commentary on Presidential names, in one word, was disgusting. From now on I will be turning 60 Minutes off when its time for Andy.

[bobschwed]

I too was at first taken aback by Mr. Rooney''s comments on Presidential names. I then became highly offended as his comments continued. Over the years from his commentaries it has become clear that Mr. Rooney has not dealt well with recent changes in technology, popular culture, etc., but this time he seems to wishing for a return to a time when our political leaders were predominately male, white and Protestant. To Mr. Rooney, various ethic names--especially those that end in a vowel--seem to be disqualified from high office. Such names are not "American" enough, apparently. As a grandson of immigrants and someone whose name has five consonants and only one vowel (and is often mispronounced despite its shortness), I am deeply disappointed in Mr. Rooney.

[ritzrm]

I entered this site for the first time to state how shocked and outraged I felt last night after listening to Andy Rooney''s commentary. Each week my husband and I chuckle after Rooney''s commentaries and comment about how out of touch he has become. This week there was no chuckling, he was outright racist. His comments show that this country still has a long way to go. Senetor Obama on the other hand shows that this country has come a long way. I too call for his prompt retirement, comments such as these are no different then those uttered by Don Imus in my opinion.

[Netterz]

I think alot are missing the ending. Rooney, is a seriously unusual name. I think the point he is trying to inject here, is that presidential names, are what you see everywhere you go, and ALOT of people name there kids after them, companies profit by using names on cars, planes, airports, tourist sites, historical sites, and that we tend to make choices based on what we know, are familair with, and that some people, that would still be immature, as childre would be on a playgroud, mking up derogatory rhymes over another childs name. Not to mention, how may people every year, change there name, because they dont like it for what ever reason, as well as women who wont take there husbands last name, because they dont like the way it sounds. So the real question here, is "Whats in a name?"

[sneezy--2008]

The US lacking moral conscience and tolerance?
Authority? How very odd.
Just by having the opportunity to express yourselves here speaks volumes of what the US is all about.
I wasn''t born here and have an odd name.
I thinks its time for some of you to see how the rest of the world lives.

[sneezy--2008]

I apologize for the multiple postings.
I was told the publish button was temporarily turned off.

[sirius.geology]

As a Canadian citizen who has been watching 60 Minutes and Andy Rooney since before he arrived on the scene in the 1970''s, I have always admired its incisive style and, of course, Mr. Rooney''s unquenchable sense of humour with a touch of irony. I too have to confess that his diatribe about presidential names was a disgraceful piece of work that owes a collective apology to those who bear perhaps unusual family names but certainly the future of the United States in their hands. Are we to consider that names such as "Ulysses", "Van Buren", "Polk", "Grover", "Hoover", "Millard", "Coolidge" and "Dwight", whether they be first, middle, or last names are "presidential" enough for Mr. Rooney? Would he put "Fitzgerald" in that same category of names too strange to be "unpresidential"? This rant does a great disservice to what we abroad once thought was the shining light of democracy and tolerance in the free world (the USA). It would serve CBS, 60 Minutes and Andy Rooney to concentrate on issues such as why the United States has lost its moral conscience and authority even amidst all the potential persuasiveness that exists among your people. To paraphrase Shakespeare..."he whom we would call a "Jefferson", by any other name, would govern as well." Please apologize Andrew...your mother would want that I suspect.

[sneezy--2008]

To all the naysayers I say.
The ones that scream "racist" the loudest are the ones
that usually are the closet racists.
Unless the mentioned named individuals have a problem with Andy Rooney over this commentary, why should you.
You lost the point completely, of all the millions that tuned in to 60 minutes last night, only 90+ expressed their outrage? Sad situation. That means the rest of us, the silent majority would not vote for a presidential candidate with an odd sounding name?
Do you realize how silly this sounds?

[sneezy--2008]

To all the naysayers I say.
The ones that scream "racist" the loudest are the ones
that usually are the closet racists.
Unless the mentioned named individuals have a problem with Andy Rooney over this commentary, why should you.
You lost the point completely, of all the millions that tuned in to 60 minutes last night, only 90+ expressed their outrage? Sad situation. That means the rest of us, the silent majority would not vote for a presidential candidate with an odd sounding name?
Do you realize how silly all this sounds?

[sneezy--2008]

To all the naysayers I say.
The ones that scream "racist" the loudest are the ones
that usually are the closet racists.
Unless the mentioned named individuals have a problem with Andy Rooney over this commentary, why should you.
You lost the point completely, of all the millions that tuned in to 60 minutes last night, only 90+ expressed their outrage? Sad situation. That means the rest of us, the silent majority would not vote for a presidential candidate with an odd sounding name?
Do you realize how silly all of you sound?

[riolama]

To 60 Minutes producers: Don''t you read this stuff before you let ''Andrew'' loose? This is a show to be ashamed of - Mr Rooney''s comments tonight give you all a bad name, and give me a bad taste in my mouth. I''m glad to see so many other people were prompted to comment as well.
I. too, have never logged into this site or posted a comment to 60 Minutes before, though Andy''s words usually provide a sour note on which to end your show. But he''s an old guy and probably needs the job, so I just shrug my shoulders and go on with my life. This, though, was not just the innocent if stupid ramblings of an out-of-touch man, it was downright offensive to all of us in this country who believe, whatever our backgrounds or names, that we, together, constitute one nation. . . a nation in which you don''t have to be a white guy with an anglo saxon name to qualify for the presidency or to have a monument or an airport named after you.

[frogmom1]

I usually find Mr. Rooney''s lovable curmudgeon act mildly amusing. His piece on names, though, was offensive in the extreme. It almost seemed racist... isn''t hating immigrants the new racism? And what else is a "funny sounding" name but one from an ethnic group one is unfamiliar with? He needs to apologize.

[usbrit-2009]

Mr. Rooney - I usually enjoy what you have to say, a light point to end some of the heavier stories run by the still amazing after all these years 60 minutes. A few weeks ago you said you enjoyed reading all the negative posts you get because at least your being noticed. Well today you should be overjoyed - around 90 posts (not including reposts) and all negative. You can add this one too. Better men are off the air for declaring positions less narrow than yours here. I''m sorry Mr Rooney, your Irish wit has failed you one last time. I hope you fare well in your soon to be announced retirement.

[mjfoster100]

I was deeply offended by Andy Rooney''s comments last night. The names he cited as not sounding presidential are, instead, a reflection of one of the great strengths of this nation: its diversity. The names he held up - Obama, Guiliani, Hillary and even Huckabee - are proof that this nation, depsite its recent problems, continues to believe that people of all backgrounds, races or either gender can compete for public office. To scorn them, to prejudge these candidates, on the basis of their ethnicity or backgrounds as reflected in their names, is simply wrong.

In the past I have found Rooney''s comments sometimes dated or irrelevant. Now he has turned an unfortunate corner. I suggest you intitiate, then accept, his offer to retire.

[pughimag]

I know Andy was trying to be funny last night but being an avid watcher of 60 minutes and a huge fan of Andy Rooney I felt so offended by his comments yesterday that I HAD to register on the web site and express my disappointment.

It really was NOT funny Andy and I expect more from you. This is school playground rhetoric and does not become you. Why would any name be a problem when celebrating someone''s contribution, whatever it might be?

What you joked about in last nights piece was very offensive to me. I am a welshman who has lived in the USA for many years now and last year I am proud to say that I became a citizen. You put the clock back for me last night, people''s names are just not a good subject to joke about.

Perhaps it''s time to hang up your hat Andy, I was having fun watching you up until now, however, to me it says that there''s a part of Andy Rooney that I would never believed was there, I will not be able to look at you the way I used to ever again. I don''t think I need say more.

[pughimag]

I know Andy was trying to be funny last night but being an avid watcher of 60 minutes and a huge fan of Andy Rooney I felt so offended by his comments yesterday that I HAD to register on the web site and express my disappointment.

It really was NOT funny Andy and I expect more from you. This is school playground rhetoric and does not become you. Why would any name be a problem when celebrating someone''s contribution, whatever it might be?

What you joked about in last nights piece was very offensive to me. I am a welshman who has lived in the USA for many years now and last year I am proud to say that I became a citizen. You put the clock back for me last night, people''s names are just not a good subject to joke about.

Perhaps it''s time to hang up your hat Andy, I was having fun watching you up until now, however, to me it says that there''s a part of Andy Rooney that I would never believed was there, I will not be able to look at you the way I used to ever again. I don''t think I need say more.

[pennhr]

How sad for Andy Rooney to now be viewed as doddering and looney.