Larry Taylor, Texas Republican Lawmaker, Urges Insurance Company Not To 'Jew Them Down'

Texas Republican state Rep. Larry Taylor has apologized for urging an insurance association to do right by policy holders and not "Jew them down" at a hearing earlier this week.

On Thursday, Taylor spoke at a hearing on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, encouraging the timely payment of claims to policy holders.

"Don't nitpick, don't try to Jew them down," he said, according to the Quorum Report.

Taylor then quickly tried to right ship, admitting "That's probably a bad term."

In a written statement after the hearing, Taylor said, "At a legislative oversight committee hearing today, I inadvertently used a phrase that many people find offensive. I corrected myself immediately when I realized what I had said. I regret my poor choice of words and sincerely apologize for any harm they may have caused."

The Austin Statesman reports that Taylor is currently favored to win a Texas state senate race in the 2012 election cycle.

Democrats took aim at Taylor shortly after his remark, targeting his rhetoric and aspirations for higher office.

"If Larry were a state employee, he probably would have been fired today," said Democratic state Rep. Lon Burnam, according to the Texas Tribune. "Instead, Larry is asking Texas voters to give him a promotion to the Texas Senate."

Comments

[Eric S Berger]

11:53 PM on 11/08/2011

Would Jews find a Broadway musical called "The Union Prayer Book" as funny as "The Book of Mormon?" How abou "The Quorant - A Musical?" Maybe "The Catechism of Jesus?" None of it makes sense, and I'm CERTAIN the play won't be well received in Salt Lake City. It's past time to revamp what we find funny in light of what clearly offends others.

[AstorsCatfish]

09:30 AM on 11/09/2011

A number of years ago there were some SW Native American asking for a little less insensitivity. They sited a bar at some hotel called "The Kachina Lounge" which would be a bit like calling a bar "The Shroud of Turin Lounge" or "The Calvary Hill Pub".

Yeah, when you put it THAT way........

I think some of the more effective efforts at combating offensive language involves a balance between pointedness and humor that almost makes you laugh, elucidates, and makes you feel just uncomfortable enough to not want to hear it again. Your point is well made

[Mary Nissenson]

06:35 PM on 11/12/2011

I'm hard-pressed to see how your analogy is even remotely analogous. (Though I certainly don't dispute that many, if not most, Mormons might find the broadway production insulting.

"The Book of Mormon" is, in fact, one of any number of legitimate names for the tome, is it not? Moreover, "Mormon" - in this context - isn't being used to mean anything other than just that: Mormon. "Jew" (as in "Jew them down"), by contrast, is being used to connote something that has nothing, whatsoever, to do with the faith.

Finally, please tell me your point isn't that "two wrongs make a right" -- or, the fact that one is tolerated, means the other must be, as well. Surely, that's not an argument you really want to stand behind?

Please don't get me wrong. I don't disagree, for a moment, that there Mormons endure a tremendous amount of ridicule, if not outright prejudice in our society. (The mere fact that it's an issue in Romney's candidacy more than stands proof of that.)

But the two instances you're trying to compare here simply aren't comparable. It's like the difference between calling a man from Manchuria "Chinese" -- or joking about his getting arrested for DWC (driving while Chinese). One is purely accurate and descriptive; the other is demeaning and offensive.

[AstorsCatfish]

11:38 PM on 11/07/2011

Would it be news to say that over 25 million Texans DIDN'T say "Jew the down" today?

[Mary Nissenson]

06:22 PM on 11/12/2011

Maybe I'm misreading you - or simply missing something in your message. I'd appreciate it if you could clarify what you were saying.

In the meantime, sadly, if 25 million Texans actually didn't use the expression "Jew them down" it probably would be news, for that matter.

[AstorsCatfish]

07:43 PM on 11/12/2011

My mother was born and raised in a small town near Houston. She has spent much more of her life in Texas than out. She is as much a product of Texas as anyone could be. She alienated her brother-in­-law recently for calling him on racist remarks about Muslims. We have no Muslim family or ties. She doesn't approve of racism. I know many Texans like her.

Many people seem to like to latch on to outrageous behavior of a few and rationalize their bigotry and ignorance that way. There are so many posts on this article that sound like people who simply want to indulge in hate. The reality is that mostly what's going on is boring. Mostly people in Texas are not issuing racists remarks. That is being ignored. If 25 million Texans didn't say "Jew them down" then many of the posters here would refuse to notice or acknowledge.

"Family entertainment? Bollucks! What they want is filth! People doing things to each other with cahin saws during Tupperware parties! Babysitters being stabbed with knitting needles by gay presidential candidates! Vigilante groups strangling chickens! Armed bands of theatre critics exterminating mutant goats!"
Monty Python

[AstorsCatfish]

11:32 AM on 11/13/2011

I've lived in a few states and met people from many. The "Jew them down" I heard more in other states. Racism has shown its' ugly face in every state I have had direct or indirect contact with. But many people like to have an attitude about Texas. They bring up the Bushes. Texans laugh. The bushes are Yankees, from Mass. ans Conn. People think of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It was based on a guy in Wisconsin. If they make a movie about Columbine it will probably be set in Texas.
The two states that seem to have the most awkward relationships with the rest of the union are California and Texas. They are the first and second most populace states, and both kinda do things their own way. California scares me, but I know there are also a lot of normal people there.

People.............

[AstorsCatfish]

09:00 PM on 11/07/2011

I have seen several posts from Jews here who have said they are not offended by the phrase. That may be. But it is certainly not true of all Jews. A racist will make statements that imply all people of some group are a certain way. The phrase Taylor uttered is racist because it purports that all Jews practice haggling beyond what is fair. If I said I knew a guy who haggled beyond what is fair - big deal. When you characterize a whole race - that's racism. Sadly, there are a number of Jews who have been just as racist as you can be about their own people, making broad statements about how "all Jews" do one thing or another or how "all Jews" feel the same way, and how they can speak for "all Jews". It's a shame.

[Craig Bovia]

10:43 AM on 11/07/2011

Heck, we talk like that all the time. Whassa big deal?

[kokobin]

09:14 AM on 11/07/2011

In the end, at the very last, the re_pukes will still win Texas
come November 2012, no matter what was said.

[AstorsCatfish]

09:15 PM on 11/07/2011

And yet, if I were looking for an example for my kids of what good people should aspire to be like and I could only choose Taylor or you, I'd have to go with Taylor, unless there's an apology coming from you soon.

[Mary Nissenson]

06:41 PM on 11/12/2011

Koko, inspired by the lone star state's governor, there are three reasons I'm going to forgive you

1) you probably don't mean to be quite as offensive as you are
2) you might just be speaking 'tongue in cheek"
3) oops, I forget the last one

[pghperson]

05:37 AM on 11/07/2011

I'm married to a Jewish man and he might not take offense at this; I know he'd stop to consider first whether the person saying it was innocent or a bigot in the first place. Repub from Texas opening his yap before he speaks? Might possibly be a bigot.
Me, I'd take offense immediately in support of my husband. So; we all react differently. The best idea is to think first before you say something you'll have to apologize for later.

[AstorsCatfish]

09:13 PM on 11/07/2011

I like what you have said. I think intent is important. I have taught my kids that intent matters. You can pick polite words, but if you're using them disrespectfully, then you are being disrespectful. Period. I've heard the word "Jew" used as a slur. So I'm more concerned with intent than words.

That said, I like it that you would be immediately supportive of your husband.

[proteusdecision]

12:37 AM on 11/07/2011

Those Texans, especially the Republicans, are all class, aren't they...

[AstorsCatfish]

08:47 PM on 11/07/2011

Spoken like a true bigot!

[DannyGee]

12:14 AM on 11/07/2011

Let's pretend that Jews pay full retail for everything.

Welcome to the United States of the Offended.

[TarzanaGirl]

08:12 PM on 11/10/2011

Let's pretend that you're a decent human being....nah.....no one would believe it.

[Tristman]

12:14 AM on 11/07/2011

Oh, this is terrible...Oh no, we should demand his resignation....
Please, who gives a d.amn...Now, back to getting this country to work.

[pghperson]

05:28 AM on 11/07/2011

Ugh.

[Jeff1958]

10:21 PM on 11/06/2011

No Jews you know would agree with his usage. Hence his quick appology. And by the way, you're just as offensive as he was.

[PivotalForce]

11:35 PM on 11/06/2011

Give me a break... that phrase has been around for generations. It takes time to train yourself to not say things you've heard your whole life.

[pghperson]

06:58 AM on 11/07/2011

True; the poster added another unneeded and unnecessary stereotype into the conversation.

[pghperson]

05:54 AM on 11/07/2011

Yikes.

[Pleasedontdelete]

09:42 PM on 11/06/2011

texas... AGAIN!?

[AstorsCatfish]

11:14 PM on 11/07/2011

Yes, the Texas problem even reaches as far north as Chicago, Texas;

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/chicago-district-attorney-recording-bad-cops_n_872921.html?show_comment_id=91701757#comment_91701757

[lu386ibew]

09:06 PM on 11/06/2011

just another of the good old boy fraternity of gop/teabagger pols. here in texas. they are all racists and bigots. sincerely hope we can sweep them out next november.

[AstorsCatfish]

08:49 PM on 11/07/2011

Spoken like a PERFECT bigot!!

[BenFromCA]

08:37 PM on 11/06/2011

"Taylor then quickly tried to right ship, admitting 'That's probably a bad term.'"

Yes, and it's probably one that he's been using all of his life, which would explain how it slipped out so easily.

[Brian Austin]

08:11 PM on 11/06/2011

I tend to say "don't conservative that up" when I feel like someone is about to make a horrible mistake. Or, "they pulled a republican" when someone does something stupid.

[AstorsCatfish]

09:20 PM on 11/07/2011

Glad you have a sense of humor.