Happy Birthday, Piyush

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Today, June 10th, is Governor Jindal of Luisiana’s 37th birthday. We’re squeaking in just before the witching hour, but I just noticed it on The Page and wanted to acknowledge the Youngest Governor’s Ever’s special day.

Louisiana’s leader spends part of his 37th birthday on Fox News, promoting McCain’s economic plan and the Bayou State’s turnaround. Seeks to bat away VP questions, but declines to give a “Shermanesque” response like Strickland, saying it would be “presumptuous” to reject a job he hasn’t been offered. link

jindal1.jpg

We’ve discussed Bobby Jindal at length on this blog, and I know each mutineer has wildly varying yet equally complicated thoughts on the man. For now, I’d like to highlight the issue of his name:

Jindal was born in Baton Rouge, the first child of Indian immigrants. Bobby is a self-ascribed nickname. Jindal says he adopted it when he was 4 years old and a fan of the puckish youngest boy on “The Brady Bunch” TV show. His legal name remains Piyush, but even his family, he said, calls him Bobby. link

The above quote is from a great article in The Times Picayune, “Name game can have racial tinge”. Right now, much is made of the right-wing attack machine’s use of Barack Obama’s middle name, Hussein, to alienate those blue-collar, hard-working Americans from this dark-skinned “other”. But what of the fact that Dems are using Bobby’s Indian name in referring to him? Is it equally innocuous/vile? I can’t say I support the Governor, so would it be disparaging of me to use his birth name? Who knows what truly lies within the heart of a man…but can we, who share some background with him, speculate? I’ve just got questions right now, and hope to try to answer them in another post, some other time. But until then, please check out the article and let us know what you think.

62 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, Piyush”

  1. I’m all pro-Jindal and all, but he’s not the youngest governor ever–he’s the youngest current (i.e., “sitting”) governor. Anyway, happy (belated) b’day, Bobby!!

  3. he’s not the youngest governor ever–he’s the youngest current (i.e., “sitting”) governor.

    Fixed!

    Sorry, was in a rush to get this up before midnight. Bill Clinton was youngest governor at 32, but Stevens T. Mason appears to have also been in the running for being Michigan’s acting territorial governor at age 22, in 1834. Details/Trivia. I’m not splitting hairs about this, but it’s clear that Bobby’s not the youngest ever.

  5. I don’t think “Piyush” has quite the punch afforded by what is for many Americans just a reference to a hated dictator rather than a martyr (or even an example of a common name).

    That being said, Bobby doesn’t need anyone to include “Piyush” (when “Jindal” lies dully but still chemoluminescent, like a civilizational glowstick, next to the reassuring “Bobby”) to draw attention to his genetically-sourced otherness in print (TV always another story…)

  6. He looks older than his age. I would have guessed that he was at least 45.

  8. I think we should use the name that he prefers aka Bobby. The Golden Rule, please.

  9. but what of the fact that Dems are using Bobby’s Indian name in referring to him? Is it equally innocuous/vile?

    it undoubtedly is since it is born out of the same exclusionary motives.

  10. I don’t like this bobby character he gives me a funny feeling, I cant put my finger on it, he is an uncomfortable presence.

  11. Who cares what his name is — the real issue here is FINALLY we have the prospect of a Hindu on a national ticket! Kudos and happy birthday to Bobby.

  12. proud hindu :

    Jindal is Catholic not Hindu. At least he doesn’t see himself as Hindu. But what does he know anyway ?

  13. I can’t say I support the Governor, so would it be disparaging of me to use his birth name?

    yeah, and why does that cupcake you chose have chocolate instead of cream frosting?

  14. “But what of the fact that Dems are using Bobby’s Indian name in referring to him?”

    Can you cite an example of this because I haven’t heard it.

  15. I have heard the names “Bobby” and “Bob” as shortened/nicknames for “Babu” in my circle of relatives and Desi friends.

  16. 14 · UPS said

    “But what of the fact that Dems are using Bobby’s Indian name in referring to him?” Can you cite an example of this because I haven’t heard it.

    From The Times Picayune article mentioned in the post:

    Mention the name “Bobby” in Louisiana political circles these days and most everyone will assume you are talking about Bobby Jindal, the popular second-term congressman now running at the top of the polls for governor. But some Democrats would like to remind voters that Bobby Jindal has another name: Piyush.
    In news releases, interviews and small talk, they frequently refer to Jindal by his Indian, given first name. Last week, “Piyush” popped out of the mouth of former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., who briefly considered running for governor. Democrats say it’s a way of throwing back the curtain on what they say is a “manufactured candidate” who has carefully crafted a public image that doesn’t measure up to reality.

  17. 14 · UPS said

    Can you cite an example of this because I haven’t heard it.

    there was an advertisement run by the dems when he ran for govenor that used his first name. i think it was covered here at SM and it was pretty obvious what they were doing, though southern strategies always have plausible denial.

    my favorite. to this day, is bob kerrey, who told an all-white iowan crowd (i paraphrase) “i like the fact that his name’s barrck HUSSEIN obama. i think its good he attended a secular madrassa.” how can you argue with that?

  18. 11 · proud hindu said

    Who cares what his name is — the real issue here is FINALLY we have the prospect of a Hindu on a national ticket! Kudos and happy birthday to Bobby.

    Oh dear. As Raju mentioned, Jindal isn’t Hindu. He’s very very Christian, and very very Conservative in the style of the past 25 years. You might want to rethink voting/supporting based only on religious pride when you review the candidate’s positions:

    • Bobby Jindal has a 100% pro-life voting record according to the National Right to Life Committee
    • Jindal supports the teaching of intelligent design in public schools
    • Jindal voted yes on making the PATRIOT Act permanent, voted in favor of the 2006 Military Commissions Act, supported a constitutional amendment banning flag burning, and the Real ID Act of 2005
    • Jindal has an A rating from Gun Owners of America
    • In 2006, Jindal voted with the Republican Caucus 97 percent of the time during the 109th Congress
    • Jindal also supports co-payments in Medicaid
    • In 2006, Jindal sponsored a bill to eliminate the moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling over the U.S. outer continental shelf, which prompted the watchdog group Republicans for Environmental Protection to issue him an environmental harm demerit. Jindal’s 2006 rating from that organization was -4, among the lowest in Congress
    • Jindal’s lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters is seven percent

  19. We should call people by the names they want to be called. Bobby Jindal doesn’t seem to want people to call him Piyush, so we should respect that. It’s not like he wants us to address him as “My Lord” or something obnoxious like that. I don’t like Bobby Jindal at all, but this is not politics, it’s politeness. Certainly John Breaux is being racially divisive, but he’s also just being plain old rude.

  20. This guy is a pathetic fake through and through. he convertant to Protestant Christianity at Brown, then to catholicism. he has written about being a “knight in shining armor” to a platonic white female friend. BTW I am not Hindu as Jindal’s disapponted parents are.

  21. 18 · cicatrix said

    11 · proud hindu said
    Who cares what his name is — the real issue here is FINALLY we have the prospect of a Hindu on a national ticket! Kudos and happy birthday to Bobby.
    Oh dear. As Raju mentioned, Jindal isn’t Hindu. He’s very very Christian, and very very Conservative in the style of the past 25 years. You might want to rethink voting/supporting based only on religious pride when you review the candidate’s positions:
      And what exactly do you think is wrong about any of these positions? You liberals are a sad and pathetic bunch!
    • Bobby Jindal has a 100% pro-life voting record according to the National Right to Life Committee
    • Jindal supports the teaching of intelligent design in public schools
    • Jindal voted yes on making the PATRIOT Act permanent, voted in favor of the 2006 Military Commissions Act, supported a constitutional amendment banning flag burning, and the Real ID Act of 2005
    • Jindal has an A rating from Gun Owners of America
    • In 2006, Jindal voted with the Republican Caucus 97 percent of the time during the 109th Congress
    • Jindal also supports co-payments in Medicaid
    • In 2006, Jindal sponsored a bill to eliminate the moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling over the U.S. outer continental shelf, which prompted the watchdog group Republicans for Environmental Protection to issue him an environmental harm demerit. Jindal’s 2006 rating from that organization was -4, among the lowest in Congress
    • Jindal’s lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters is seven percent

  22. Wow, you just realized that democratic party has racists too ? 😀

    I don’t like Bobby Jindal a whole lot, but publicly reminding others of an identity that he has left behind is just mean spirited, racist and xenophobic.

  23. “…and identity he left behind”…..

    ..which will be resurrected by the Republicans as and when deemed necessary. Like Gene Simmons on VH1.

  24. 20 · Kali said

    he has written about being a “knight in shining armor” to a platonic white female friend.

    what’s this about?

  25. I am not Hindu as Jindal’s disapponted parents are.

    Yeah, I’d be disappointed too if my son were the youngest governor in America and being touted for the vice-presidency.

  26. BTW I am not Hindu as Jindal’s disapponted parents are.

    How do you know this about Jindal’s parents?

  27. Thanks. As someone who hates Jindal’s politics, I think it is racist. I thought it was racist when Michael Moore deliberately emphasized Sanjay Gupta’s ethnicity by mispronouncing his name.

    From the article:

    It’s one thing for a candidate to highlight his own ethnicity, but national Democratic strategist Donna Brazile said it is racist for others to do it. An African-American, Brazile said black Democrats have been on the receiving end of such tactics for years in the South.

    “I’d rather lose a race than inject racial politics into any campaign. Name-calling has no place in our politics,” Brazile said. “At this point, instead of focusing on his name, the party should focus on the issues and getting behind a single candidate.”

    16 · cicatrix said

    14 · UPS said
    “But what of the fact that Dems are using Bobby’s Indian name in referring to him?” Can you cite an example of this because I haven’t heard it.
    From The Times Picayune article mentioned in the post:
    Mention the name “Bobby” in Louisiana political circles these days and most everyone will assume you are talking about Bobby Jindal, the popular second-term congressman now running at the top of the polls for governor. But some Democrats would like to remind voters that Bobby Jindal has another name: Piyush. In news releases, interviews and small talk, they frequently refer to Jindal by his Indian, given first name. Last week, “Piyush” popped out of the mouth of former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., who briefly considered running for governor. Democrats say it’s a way of throwing back the curtain on what they say is a “manufactured candidate” who has carefully crafted a public image that doesn’t measure up to reality.

  28. When Southern Dems call Piyush “Piyush”, the are not being racist but rather encouraging. The want him to know that their party will let Jindal embrace his inner macaca…just as long as he does not embrace any white women and keeps his interactions with them limited to chaste discussions of transubstantiation

  29. How do you know this about Jindal’s parents?

    it’s been widely reported in the press. jindal converted in his late teens. his hindu parents were not happy about it. perhaps his brother remains hindu so they got 1 out of 2 still going to hell? 🙂

  30. Who knows what truly lies within the heart of a man…but can we, who share some background with him, speculate?

    He likes people to call him Bobby. It was and is a very common nick in Punjab/Delhi environs and families from there. You do not have to be a christian to have the nick. In all probability he was called Bobby by his parents prior to his conversion. Probably watched a whole lot of Brady bunch as a kid and identified with Bobby since that was his nick. He still has an affinity to his Indian origin since he has retained the name Piyush Jindal. Americanizing your name is part of the immigrant ethos. In fact, in the naturalization form you do not need to pay extra or explain the need to change your name. Let’s speculate on the name of a 45 yr old Mallu man – Baby John 😀

  31. How do you know this about Jindal’s parents? it’s been widely reported in the press. jindal converted in his late teens. his hindu parents were not happy about it. perhaps his brother remains hindu so they got 1 out of 2 still going to hell? 🙂

    If the Protestants are right he will be joining the rest of the Jindal clan despite all of his efforts anyway. But the dude always ends up on top, methinks he will be a Lutheran before the sulphurous fires singes a single butt hair

  32. That chocolate cupcake was picked to match Jindal’s complexion?

    I think the Governor should shave at least two times a day. I saw him on TV introducing McCain and the five o’clock shadow was overwhelming…

  33. the five o’clock shadow was overwhelming… Since we are speculating five o’clock shadow … he shaves before going to bed … he loves his wife a lot

  34. 32 · Vyasa said

    That chocolate cupcake was picked to match Jindal’s complexion?

    Wow, second comment about the cupcake. Just want to put this to bed: I stole the composite image from The Page (a Time Magazine online blog). It’s the first link. So, yeah, no scatological porn or color-coded racial icing references intended on my part.

  36. 34 · cicatrix said

    Wow, second comment about the cupcake. Just want to put this to bed: I stole the composite image from The Page (a Time Magazine online blog). It’s the first link. So, yeah, no scatological porn or color-coded racial icing references intended on my part.

    third.

    and, in my experience, putting a brown frosted cupcake to bed inescapably leads to stained sheets and embarrassing morning-after scatological questions.

  37. A self-ascribed nickname at four years of age, and you pick Bobby??!?

    &nd out of all the 60s sitcoms, the Brady Bunch.

    Man, I don’t know anything about this guy’s politics, but based on that alone, I’m not feeling him.

    At that age, I would have gone with Pubert from the Addams family.

  38. the chocolate cupcake reveals cicatix’s subconcious attracton to jindal. he is her “cupcake”. the cream matches his skin, as vyasa observed. creamy dreamy skin. and what does one do to a cupcake? notice the phallic symbol emerging from the choclate cream. she has a flame for jindal

  39. 38 · Manju said

    notice the phallic symbol emerging from the choclate cream. she has a flame for jindal

    And the phallic symbol is pink. Is this a metaphor….

  40. I believe that others have pointed out that Bobby is a quite a common nickname in certain South Asian communities. In fact, there are plenty of Punjabi boys and men with proper “good names” (possibly like Piyush), but going by Bobby, from what I gather — though I’d be very curious for the experts to weigh in on the commonality of Bobby as a nickname …

    But, albeit anecdotal, does this make anyone other than me suspicious when Jindal says that HE (not his parents) “adopted it when he was 4 years old and a fan of the puckish youngest boy on ‘The Brady Bunch’ TV show”? What are we missing here? Is there a chance that this is perhaps a bit of revisionism in the service of sounding more apple pie American?

  41. Raju & Cicatrix –

    Oh dear. As Raju mentioned, Jindal isn’t Hindu. He’s very very Christian….

    Ahem. As far as you know he is “very very Christian.” 😉

  42. 27 · UPS said

    Thanks. As someone who hates Jindal’s politics, I think it is racist. I thought it was racist when Michael Moore deliberately emphasized Sanjay Gupta’s ethnicity by mispronouncing his name.

    I actually don’t think he was doing it as a slur, but rather pointing out Sanjay Gupta’s own pronunciation of it. He was going after Gupta for basically touting the big money line. And Moore pronounced it goopta at the end, when he was basically saying Gupta was a tool–more or less. Throughout the interview before the goopta, Moore was pronouncing it more correctly than Gupta himself does–as he Americanizes the pronunciation.

  43. I support 100% the positions of Gov. Piyush Jindhal. A true conservative and Republican (unlike the RINOS like McCain).
    Bobby did the opposite of what I did.
    I changed my name and converted to Hinduisim.

  46. NVORB: Thanks, man of us are familiar with this aspect of Jindal’s health care policy.

    In the essay (purchase required), Jindal describes an emotional friendship with a classmate, “Susan,” recently diagnosed with skin cancer and reeling after the suicide of a close friend. Susan’s behavior becomes stranger, and she is surrounded by “sulfuric” smells.

    Occam’s Razor might lead us to an alternate hypothesis of “she had a bad bean burrito”. Or maybe it is Satan that is responsible for the unclaimed farts that cause so much consternation among G*d’s children on earth

  47. “…………1 out of 2 still going to hell”

    Razib, just because he is a Catholic does not mean he is going to hell:))