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Comment by justinator | Hacker News Reader

IMHO that was a completely inappropriate comment, as Mr. Zuckerberg's wife is of Chinese descent.

I cringed.

How is the ethnicity of Zuck's wife relevant?

The scenario is this: say my wife is a first generation Italian and I am the CEO of a really great new car company. If someone says, "This is a great car, I could never say, seeing an ITALIAN making such a car!"

I would be embarrassed for the person saying this, as they don't know my family history (maybe I don't look Italian, I look like a viking, if one was to guess - which you shouldn't), and to be perfectly honest, it seems like Italians make fine cars (for a def. of, "fine")

Switch "Italian" with a minority with a current history of dealing with racism - and this scenario gets ugly, fast.

No one has a problem with that? If I was the person asking the question - or should I say, the person who looks over that dude's notes, I'd cross that stupid intro out. It bombed, anyways.

what does it matter? If the intent was from a good place, just let it go.

I'm kind of the opinion that when you're brought up to a hearing in D.C. about some pretty serious shit, any pleasantries like this are merely there in an attempt to manipulate the person being questioned.

The senator didn't mention any specific country. Just said, "Only in America..."

I think you're reading a bit much into that.

Here's the part of the transcript that's relevant:

    SULLIVAN:

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Zuckerberg, quite a story, right? 
	Dorm room to the global behemoth that you guys are. Only in America, 
	would you agree with that?
    ZUCKERBERG:

    Senator, mostly in America.
    SULLIVAN:

    You couldn't -- you couldn't do this in China, right? 
	Or, what you did in 10 years.
    ZUCKERBERG:

    Well -- well, Senator, there are -- there are some very 
	strong Chinese internet companies.
    SULLIVAN:

    Right but -- you're supposed to answer 
	"yes" to this question.

    (LAUGHTER)

    OK, come on, I'm trying to help you, right?

That was pretty awkward to even listen to. He tried to get Zuckerberg on his side, and it kinda blew up in his face.

I'm fine with people disagreeing with me, but IMHO, that was one of the most cringe-worthy parts of a junkshow hearing.

Oh. You’re not reading too much then. That is cringeworthy. Not necessarily from the jingoistic perspective (but that also), but mainly from how ignorant it is. There are countries where starting a multi-billion dollar business is virtually impossible. China is not among them.

Wait, isn't Zuck the one who brought up China?

You might wanna take a look at your shoulder as there may be a chip there.

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