But the sensitivity of the foreign issue was on many minds yesterday, including that of Kennywood spokeswoman Mary Lou Rosemeyer. During an interview at noon with WTAE-TV, Ms. Rosemeyer said, "We don't think it's going to become a giant taco stand." Her comments prompted complaints, leading Ms. Rosemeyer to apologize on a subsequent newscast later in the afternoon.
Wow... I'm speechless. That's incredibly ignorant and offensive. It's ignorant because Spain is not Mexico. Spanish cuisine is very Mediterranean in nature, with seafood. Did she not see the Olympics a couple of years ago in Barcelona? You'll find no sombreros there.
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First off, the Olympics in Barcelona were in 1992. 15 years ago. Good lord I'm getting old. That said, it's still very ignorant and as Jeff said, very offensive. We all talk about marketing for these parks - maybe the problem is that they have spokespeople like this.
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Mary Lou is probably one of the nicest people Ive ever met. Im pretty shocked by that comment, but I dont think it should be blown out of proportion. She already apologized. I guess she just wasn't thinking. She has a pretty important position at the park, and im sure the off season is when the stress is at the highest level. Its not like she dangled a baby off of a 5th floor balcony.
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Wow! Those are some crazy comments! Does anyone have a clue what is on the new owners' minds? Hey, at least it wasn't sold to Six Flags or Cedar Fair. Sick, ain't it! I mean, that would be a definite 'uh-oh'.
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It's not the foreign company thing, it's the fact that a larger corporate entity with no ties to the families will run the park. I worry that what I like about the place will fade away. I'd feel the same about Cedar Fair or Six Flags. I don't anything about the Spanish company good or bad. Is Franco still still dead?
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I agree phantomguitarist, some people take things and make them more than they are. I'm guessing she was tired of hearing all the pessimistic attitudes and lashed out at those people, mocking their racism. Unfortunately there will always be some that think they're better than the rest and will look down their nose at anyone they can without getting the full story.
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Here we go, another off-the-cuff comment about to be blown way out of proportion, just like Falcons owner Arthur Blank saying something about Michael Vick needing to keep in shape by avoiding fried chicken in prison. Badly-worded? Absolutely. But in both cases we're talking about two people that are highly-regarded in their respective industries... two people that are under a lot of stress for various reasons. I mean, the woman just found out her longtime employer sold out and now she'll be answering to new people. Not only that, but her new bosses are taking a lot of heat and I'm sure she feels as if she has to calm things down. Hopefully rational thinking prevails and society will resist the urge to turn Ms. Rosemeyer into some kind of racist biggot in a lame attempt to defend against its own insecurities.
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I'm not the least bit surprised. I lived in Pittsburgh for seven years. I really enjoyed my time there, and would be happy to live there again, but it is parochial to a fault---for many native 'burghers, Cleveland and Philadelphia are foreign lands, let alone Spain. Heck, if you were born north of the Allegheney, you have no reason to go south of the Monongahela (except for Kennywood), and vice versa (except for Steelers/Pirates games). A student of mine was in my office just yesterday trying to decide between job offers in Chicago and Pittsburgh. I believe my quote was: "It's a very friendly and quirky place, but not what I would call a sophisticated city." *** This post was edited by Brian Noble 12/12/2007 11:20:45 AM ***
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I was not offended or even dismayed by the taco comment. I totally understood the context and the meaning behind the comment. Yes it might have offended some....can that even be avoided these days?
Cant we just accept somethings said that sound racist arent meant that way.
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I agree, some things aren't meant to sound as they sound. Besides, if you're not of Spanish or Mexican origin, you really have no right to be offended by the comment. Why some people bitch and moan about comments that don't even pertain to them is beyond me. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 11:34:53 AM ***
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I'm offended, or perhaps ashamed, that Americans don't know the difference between Spain and Mexico. Tell me, Rob, are you not offended when some white person makes racist jokes because you're white, or do you have to be black, as you suggest? And get over it. This isn't about anyone's insecurities. That's a completely asinine conclusion. Not everyone wants to be an apologist for ignorance. I don't think she's a racist, but that was an incredibly stupid thing to say as a person who serves as the public face for the company.
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The point was that you don't have the full story yet you still decided to make your own conclusion. Again, she was not making a racist comment toward the company or the people of Spain, or Mexico for that matter. She was insulting the people who were stupid enough to make comments like that to begin with. I agree with Rob, I'm completely secure in my "race" and if someone thinks it's necessary to make a racist comment then I chalk it up there with their own ignorance.
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Who said that Americans don't know the difference between Spain and Mexico? And to answer your question, I'm not offended "as a white person" when some other white person makes an offensive comment towards someone that's not white. I'll be disgusted because that person is an obvious mental midget but just because we share the same skin color does not mean his/her comments are any reflection of me and the way I think. If I worried about that kind of thing, that would make me insecure and that's what I was getting it. It has nothing to do with me condoning people making offensive comments towards one another so don't even suggest that's the kind of person I am. I don't hate any group of people in particular, and if I'm going to be filled with hatred it's going to be hatred towards everybody. This is all about some stupid comment being blown way out of proportion, and if it isn't an insecurity thing, it's just peoples' natural habit of wanting to make themselves the victim of some crime that didn't involve them. Get over what? You're the one getting upset over a comment that has absolutely, positvely no effect on you and the way people view you. It's not like the hispanic community is going to look down upon Jeff Putz because of something Kennywood's Ms. Rosemeyer said in a newspaper. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 12:03:13 PM ***
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Hmm... The way I see it, this is not about racism. It's about ignorance, plain and simple.
Her comments reinforces the opinion that many Americans simply have no clue of what the world is like outside the US.
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I for one would LOVE to see a taco stand that big!!!!! (see link below) Reminds me of Summer Wheatley's campaign speach in Napoleon Dynamite: "Anyway, I think I'd be a great class president, so, uh...
who wants to eat "chimini-changas" next year?
Not me. See, with me, it will be summer all year long.
Vote for Summer." http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/
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(Edit) 12/11/2007 12:03:00 AM Hmm... The way I see it, this is not about racism. It's about ignorance, plain and simple.
Her comments reinforces the opinion that many Americans simply have no clue of what the world is like outside the US. True to a point, but it also works both ways and is largely media driven on what people know about other countries and cultures. People need to take the time to research and understand of course this has since the dawn of time almost, Some Race, Culture, Creed is always deemed INFERIOR. In Germany it's the Turks, In the USA it was African(S) then Chinese, Then Russians, Now North Koreans and Hispanics. My Ex was Bulgarian, Talk about a learning exprience  As for Kennywood, Im with most optimist. They need to keep the core of the park KENNYWOODISH with a good mix of classics and new, Great landscaping and charm. The new sections if they build em need to be taken serious looks at before just ripping things up and painting things bright purple and orange. Chuck
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I'm completely secure in my "race" and if someone thinks it's necessary to make a racist comment then I chalk it up there with their own ignorance.
I'm going to go out on a limb and agree with that. I don't find the potential racism offensive, but rather I find the stupidity annoying. The worst part of this whole thing is equating Spain and Tacos.
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When you say Something Really Stupid in front of a microphone, but it's your specific job to be the person that covers for all the folk who might otherwise say Something Really Stupid in front of a microphone... Then you have a bit of a problem. -CO
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Or equating tacos with the stuff most Americans think are tacos. 
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The more I ponder it, the more I think that, if the park's going to be sold to a corporation, maybe it's better it is a foreign company. American companies are notoriously near-sighted, tending to focus only on the bottom line for the next quarter or two. That's why in so many industries, European and Asian companies tend to outspend their American counterparts on R&D by five to one or more. It has been suggested that companies arising from those cultures have an innate, longer view. We Americans want everything now! now! now! If true, such a company might be a little more patient to grow results from its units than the Cedar Fairs or Six Flags of the world. One thing occurred to me. It's doubtful this deal would have been pulled off without the drastic devaluation of the U.S. dollar over the last couple years. Assuming Parque Reunidos paid $150 million (not my number), then they only spent about 95 million euros, give or take. Four years ago that same deal would have cost them roughly the same euros as dollars, as the currencies were in close parity. Yet another thing we can thank George Bush for!
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I'm totally in agreement Gonch. It doesn't offend me, just annoys me. Still, considering the source is always regarded as squeaky clean, I think it was an unfortunate slip of the tongue. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 12:30:51 PM ***
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It's one thing for Joe Rideop to have an unfortunate slip. It's quite another for the PR staff. But, as I say, I'm not in the least bit surprised. I'm guessing 3/4 of Pittsburgh believes that tacos are the national food of Spain, and many of them wouldn't know a paella if a hot one spilled in their lap. This, despite the fact that one of the better paellas I've had in the US was in Pittsburgh: http://www.mallorcarestaurant.com/
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For everyone who commented about making a stupid statement...stop blowing it out of proportion, geez. I assume all of you, regardless of your occupation, have made a misake or two. It wasn't meant to be racist, wasn't meant to be a geographically correct, it just came out wrong. If I fired everyone for screwing up on the job, my plumber, electrician, barber, the kid who mows the yard, the letter carrier, my attorney would all be fired for being incompetent. I'd be on the list too. Would it be racism if an American bought a overseas park, and the previous PR person made a comment about turning it into a giant Burger King...no. Stop being so thin skinned and PC.
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If I fired everyone for screwing up on the job, my plumber, electrician, barber, the kid who mows the yard, the letter carrier, my attorney would all be fired for being incompetent.
And that's exactly the problem anymore... We expect mediocrity. 
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IMO she should be fired because if they fired Imus for his comment "nappy headed ho's" than she should be given the same treatment. I'm sure the new owners will do the right thing.
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"Thin skinned" and "disappointed" are different. But man that comment made me hungry.
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Ironically, it was Imus' job to be irreverant...and hers not to be.
Just an observation.-CO
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The way I see it, this is not about racism. It's about ignorance, plain and simple.
Her comments reinforces the opinion that many Americans simply have no clue of what the world is like outside the US.
Agreed, she should have known better. Its her job to. Those posts on the Post Gazette's website are how most people react when I tell them the news. They are sad, hurt and nervous about the future of the park. That something so historical is being sold to a foreign company is sad to me, and honestly scary. The dollar is becoming weaker and weaker and US businesses are becoming cheaper and cheaper for foreign companies to buy.
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"And that's exactly the problem anymore... We expect mediocrity" No, we are just not perfect. As hard as I try to be a perfectionist on my job (and I really do try), I'm not 100% perfect. A comment taken the WRONG WAY is not her fault, but rather it is the individual reading more into it than what is really there. Not trying to be a smart aleck or a PIA, but I do think everyone needs to relax a little. Regarding my plumber - he really is lousy. LOL
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I'd say it's a fine line, man. I certainly wouldn't want to have surgery done by a doctor who isn't perfect.
I wouldn't want the brakes on my car fixed by someone who wasn't perfect.
I wouldn't want to fly via an airline that wasn't perfect. I'm not a "that's why pencils have erasers" kind of guy...I use a pen.
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Yah, but I think most people aren't taking it the wrong way. They are upset by the ignorance of someone in that position. She pretty much shedded a big chunk of credibility.
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Wow! A human being! A PR person can actually be human! I can think of a couple PR people (well one in particular, from CP in the early 90's) that was frighteningly robot like and way over too PC. It wasn't the smartest thing to say, but I think I get what she meant. It was more in the way making fun of people that just think the place is gonna turn into taco bell. Being a minority myself (gay) I know how I am prone to jump up and shout 'bigot' or at least know what people says comes across as homophobic... I mean, "whitetrash" is such a racist term, but its ok. Just like it's still 'ok' to poke fun at gays, etc., in an extremely heterosexist society. The lady is human, this is a good sign! She doesn't come from the corporate school of Six Flags or Cedar Fair. Let it go guys!
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Seriously...get OVER IT! There's more important things to bitch about.
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Obviously not since people are getting bothered over comments that affect them in no way, shape or form. ^^ In a backwards kind of way, the comment was refreshing. Yes, it showed a little bit of ignorance but it is nice to see a PR person that isn't reading from a textbook. I don't know her personally but I know plenty about her and I know it wasn't meant as an insult to anyone. Seriously, give it a rest. Complain about stuff that actually impacts you and not someone else... even though I have yet to hear an outcry from the Hispanic community over this.
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What Mary Lou said surprised me, but didn't offend me. I just wonder how much hate mail she will get over this from people calling her a rascist or an idiot for not knowing that tacos are not a Spanish thing. I mean we DO live in the land of the easily offended. I do admit I get aggravated at times by what Americans DON'T know. For example you would be suprised how many people (adults) don't know that West Virginia and Virginia are actually TWO seperate states or that Hawaii is a state. I agree that being in a PR park position you should expect to take responsibility for what you say which Mary Lou is MORE than capable of, but you should also expect to take some flack which she did. She apologized. It wasn't the smartest thing to say but nobody is perfect. The local comments kind of worry me. People seem to think jobs are going to be lost which they aren't. The family isn't "taking the money and running" as one person commented in the article. -Tina
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^Oops, where did my screen name go? Strange.
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Of course we expect mediocrity, Gonch. Even our pets learn to *expect* that which they see all around them everyday....and my cat has hair for brains!
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Tina, you have to remember the local context: the Japanese steel industry basically ground Pittsburgh into nothingness, and it took nearly 20 years for the city to recover. In some ways, it still hasn't. These folks have a long and profoundly negative history when it comes to the global marketplace.
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But I don't think that's a situation isolated to parts of western Pennsylvania. A while back someone said that Americans don't understand the world outside of the U.S. but let's face it, a lot of Americans don't understand the world around them so how can they be expected to understand the world that's outside the world around them? As Tina said, she apologized. If she's going to have to eat crow for that comment, it's going to be because of people thinking it was an insulting comment and not because of the people that it supposedly offended. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 2:19:55 PM ***
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If she's going to keep her job, it's going to be because her new employer from Spain saw fit to overlook it. Not any parameter of an armchair coaster dork. She oughtta spend a day waiting tables at a 'taco stand' with all her tips going to charity. Now there's a great way to 'replace' a visual... -CO
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And why is that comment alone reason enough for the woman to be fired? Would you like it if you got fired for a meaningless slip of the tongue that you immediately apologized for? After all, this is an actual person with an actual family we're talking about. For the sake of you and your family, I hope you have a little more job security than the job security you're suggesting for Ms. Rosemeyer. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 2:27:59 PM ***
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Brian, I totally understand that as well. I can understand how the locals feel coming from their point of view, especially regarding the steel factories and countless jobs being lost. I haven't forgotten that. I just hope it all pans out for the best for everyone. -Tina *** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 12/12/2007 2:49:34 PM ***
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If I made that kind of comment in an internal meeting at my job, I'd be fired, period. Most of the jobs I've ever had were in the global village. In the average day I encounter white Midwestern boys like me, black women, Russians, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, Israelis and Arabs, and that's just in the teams I work with. Not surprisingly, that also means I work with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have this experience, but I for one wouldn't have it any other way. It forces me to see a bigger world view. These people are all Americans now, and yet they bring new things to the table. You learn to respect that and let go of all the protectionist we're-the-center-of-the-universe nonsense. Gonch is right. Our culture is one content with mediocrity, and ripe with a lack of accountability (I added that last part).
Ensign Smith said:
The more I ponder it, the more I think that, if the park's going to be sold to a corporation, maybe it's better it is a foreign company. American companies are notoriously near-sighted, tending to focus only on the bottom line for the next quarter or two. That's why in so many industries, European and Asian companies tend to outspend their American counterparts on R&D by five to one or more. It has been suggested that companies arising from those cultures have an innate, longer view. We Americans want everything now!
For the first time in history, I agree with you. Public companies are the worse offenders because most of them are pressured to grow non-stop, and produce better results every quarter. Long-term vision is completely disregarded, and punished by Wall Street. I'll never understand why you can no longer take a year or two to lay a foundation, and then profit for years to come. (Ironically, Gonch would probably argue that Six Flags is trying to do just that, even if we don't agree with the specific actions. Either way, Wall Street is not amused.)
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And I'll go as far as agreeing with both of you. I've said for years that publicly-traded domestic companies are way too focused on short-term rewards than logical long-term growth. Corporate America is a lot like an NFL franchose- a new regime is given a few years to win it all and if it doesn't happen, a new regime is installed and it starts all over again without the ultimate goal ever being reached. What people fail to understand is that by focusing on logical growth, the ultimate goal will probably be reached in a fraction of the time and for a lot less money. I'll toss in my comment from the Kennywood thread in the forums- Europeans pretty much rejected American ownership of some of their amusement parks so that alone is probably saying something. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 2:57:45 PM ***
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And why is that comment alone reason enough for the woman to be fired?
Because it's not a PR person's job to preserve the 'classic' rides, but maintain the image of company as a whole. Maybe because that job is specifically NOT to do what she did. Maybe that's why I don't work in PR...so I can shoot off at the mouth when I please. And when did I say she should be fired? Show me. Do some reading. Get the lil' quote marks out. Go ahead. Why would I propose a way to 'patch things up' if I personally wanted her tossed from a window? I'd keep it to myself instead. And even that might not be enough to appease her new bosses. Some days I swear I'm wading chest-deep in simpletons. Honestly. -CO
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I'm sure it's frustrating to live in a world where no one is as intelligent and insightful as you are. I actually envy you for operating on such a high level that you're having conversations that fail to exist for the rest of us. It was your post that suggested her job was suddenly in jeopardy. Where did this whole "classic rides" thing come into play? Not one single person referenced that in regard to the comment she made. And now you suddenly know her new bosses well enough to assume tossing her out a window is a way to rectify the problem? What are you suggesting? Maybe I should read into that as you believing the Spanish like to solve their problems by killing people? I can pull out the "lil quotes" on that one if you'd like. You're chest-deep in simpletons and I'm up to my ears in people that have way too high an opinion of themselves. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 3:13:40 PM ***
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In other words, you can't find where I said I wished she lost her job. Right? Her job's in jeopardy whether or not I say it is. It simply is. -CO *** This post was edited by CoastaPlaya 12/12/2007 3:24:16 PM ***
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Ignoring what Mary Lou said for a second, which I would call at worst, slightly politically incorrect, did anyone actually read the readers' comments in the link? With one or two exceptions, I'm not sure I've ever been more embarrassed to be a Pittsburgher... I would say Mary Lou misspoke, I would say the majority of the vocal Pittsburghers in that link are incredibly closed minded, incredibly ignorant, and thus, incredibly stupid. It's like they're protesting because they can't pronounce "Parques Reunidos" (not surprising... ask a Pittsburgher how to pronounce "Versailles"). It's almost reprehensible for their uninformed, idiotic observations to be published in such a public forum. Call me optimistic, but I'm going with Jeff and Ensign Smith on this one, I really don't think this will affect Kennywood in almost any way. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if the planned expansions materialize a bit sooner with a bit of budget help from Parques Reunidos.
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I started to hear rumblings that the expansion was going to happen sooner than expected because of Geauga Lake closing. Whether or not the new owners support that move is another story, although I'm hoping they do. And yeah, some of those comments are just disgusting. Yikes. *** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 12/12/2007 3:27:45 PM ***
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Thats how most of our country acts, its not isolated to Pittsburgh.
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Jeff said:
For the first time in history, I agree with you.
Somewhere an angel just got his wings!
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It's a takeover deal, happens here all the time and people B&M then settle back into apathy... Rob A - you make a valid point about the 'other-siders' being resistant to US influence in a sense but I would say that's on a governmental level, ie wars and stuff rather than on a personal level. I'm not American but some of my best friends are I'm pretty certain that several generations down the line, the Kennywood ownership is so diverse that this was inevitable - not everyone born into the family will love the business but from what I read (and I read more than I let on lol) the family sold in good faith and I hope that that continues with the new ownership. The whole Spain/Mexico thing makes me laugh though as I lived in Spain (Tenerife to be precise) for a while and they were so resistant to being labelled Spanish)... Point being, the comments on the Post-Gazette forum are quite entertaining considering that the posters are descendents of immigrants themselves (unless American Natives lol) Hopefully that didn't offend as it wasn't intended to - just trying to add a new perspective -Jim
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It is not clear whether they sold out because they projected a bleak finanical future without the deeper pockets of a large corporation or for other compelling reasons, but any time a traditional park is acquired by a corporate chain, there is legitimate cause for concern. Although it is claimed things won't change, they always do sooner or later. What matters is how they change. There is plenty of reason to be nervous, but there is no reason to pick on the Spaniards. I don't think any foreign owned corporation could destroy the character of a traditional park any faster or more efficiently than a certain home-grown corporation which does not need to be named.
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Some of those comments are pretty shocking to be honest, but as someone who doesn't live in America I can't say I'm hugely surprised. Large numbers of people in your country are pretty intolerant of the outside world. The postings on that newspaper page simply reflects the beliefs of many.
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Well, some folks don't get out much. And when the economy takes a dive, it is pretty easy to point fingers.
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^^Invy knows more about America than you might think. Besides intolerance is EVERYWHERE. It's universal. As far as those postings it simply reflects fear, which I can understand to a point. Not everyone is going to boycott Kennywood. Not everyone shares those beliefs. Nobody really knows what is going to happen to the park for sure anyway so it's kind of useless (bust somewhat understanable) that so many people are already jumping to conclusions. -Tina *** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 12/12/2007 7:19:18 PM ***
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Rob said:
I'm sure it's frustrating to live in a world where no one is as intelligent and insightful as you are. I actually envy you for operating on such a high level that you're having conversations that fail to exist for the rest of us.
This is why I can't take you seriously, Rob. Once you fail to engage in debate, you try to make it personal.
Richard said:
Some of those comments are pretty shocking to be honest, but as someone who doesn't live in America I can't say I'm hugely surprised. Large numbers of people in your country are pretty intolerant of the outside world.
These are the kinds of comments that frustrate the crap out of me, because I wish they weren't true. I wish we could just write it off as a perception issue outside of the states, but unfortunately the perception is the reality.
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IMHO we are more tollerant of the outside world than any other country on the planet. Were made of the OUTSIDE WORLD. It's selfish views like that, that make me wonder where you get your information. Chuck
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Wow, this thread really took off. Even some personal attacks thrown in there too! Can't we all get along? *** This post was edited by Walk 12/12/2007 8:20:13 PM ***
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Chuck, my personal experience---having been to a good dozen other countries, and working in an office with folks from all over the world---is that you couldn't be more wrong. We stole this country fair and square, true. But, we don't generally acknowledge that---c.f. manifest destiny---and we don't even have the common courtesy to let others try to accomplish the same thing!
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I wonder if The Racer will be renamed Stampida ? How soon until 'Revenjo de Fantom' signs adorn the steel coaster station? (pardon my espanol spelling) The one it that seems for sure is that any taco stand in the park will be torn down after this comment. too bad, i love tacos
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Jeff said: This is why I can't take you seriously, Rob. Once you fail to engage in debate, you try to make it personal.
You're kidding me, right? The guy says something about having to deal with simpletons (immediately after my post and clearly directed at me) and I'm the one that's accused of mak | |