Joe Biden Refers to Asia as the ‘Orient’

Mediaite ^ | 9/17/14 | Eddie Scarry

[Nachum]

Just hours after apologizing for using what was perceived as an anti-Semitic slur, Vice President Joe Biden deployed another term Wednesday that some might consider ethnically offensive. Speaking at a campaign finance reform rally in Iowa, Biden recalled a meeting he had with Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Biden described Yew as “the wisest man in the Orient.” The terms “orient” and “oriental” are considered widely outdated and offensive to Asians. Earlier in the day, Biden apologized for having recently described opportunistic bankers as “Shylocks,” a reference to a greedy Jewish money loaner in an Shakespearean play.

[Nachum]

D'oh!~

[Nachum]

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[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Not to defend Joe, but I’ve never had a single Chinaman tell me the word “Orient” was offensive.

[Michael.SF.]

Well, at least he showed up and didn’t jap out the event.

[98ZJ USMC]

Orient outdated? Who f*king cares? But Biden is a paste eating moron.

[skeeter]

Those who have actually traveled in Asia know that indigenous peoples there seem to have no problem whatever with the word 'orient' and 'oriental'. Many businesses have the word in their names and on their signs and advertisements.

I guess they're just too ignorant to know when they're being offended. /s

[SampleMan]

Orient = the East

People are now offended by their cardinal direction?

If so, they can pack sand.

[NathanR]

But,then I bet that every one of them would tell you that the word “Chinaman” was offensive.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The terms “orient” and “oriental” are considered widely outdated and offensive to Asians.

Geez. I didn't know this. I need to try to do a better job keeping up with pop culture and "offensiveness". Everyone is easily offended these days. I've already stopped looking at people cross-eyed.

[muglywump]

Isn’t the Orient like the 58th state?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The other day I got myself a bit dischinamanned, but a friendly Chink pointed me in the right direction.

[Rusty0604]

I didn’t know that “orient” or “oriental” was insulting, of course these days anything you say or do is insulting to somebody.

[bigbob]

It IS the Orient. Screw PC!

[RetiredTexasVet]

Slow Joe frequently has his mouth outrun his brain. Makes you wonder if Slow Joe tutored Pelosi or vice versa.

[clintonh8r]

Sorry, but I'm giving Joe a pass on this. I use Orient/Oriental all the time. Offended? Too bad...

Orient Express

Oriental rug, etc., etc.

[Cats Pajamas]

I just fell off the chair on my asstribidistra laughing at what you said.

[ChildOfThe60s]

AFAIK, the only people offended by oriental are western PC liberals.

It is not, nor has it been, a slur or term of derision.

[MV=PY]

Really. This clown ought to pack it in.

His gaffs probably aren’t enough to embarrass the progressives (look what they showcase!), but his presence should move rational voters toward toward the right.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

ROR!

[ChildOfThe60s]

I am “orient”-ed towards the opposite sex. Since at least the second grade.

So I am doubly incorrect. /grin