Not a member? Sign up now
Arizonans object to the term "haboob" for dust storms
By Alex HeiglJuly 22nd, 2011, 11:30 amComments (38)
You know, every time I see a news item about Arizona, I cringe a little, because I don't want to seem like I'm harping on how delightfully unhinged those leathery racists are, but this one is just too good: some Arizonans are up in arms about the media referring to their recent rash of dust storms as "haboobs," objecting to the term's Middle Eastern origins.
"I am insulted that local TV news crews are now calling this kind of storm a haboob," Don Yonts, a resident of Gilbert, Arizona, wrote to The Arizona Republic. "How do they think our soldiers feel coming back to Arizona and hearing some Middle Eastern term?"
I would imagine they feel bewildered that they went from one desolate, sun-baked, desert to another, but apparently not.
However, the real reason I picked up on this news item was this sublimely poetic letter from one Diane Robinson, also to the Republic.
"Excuse me, Mr. Weatherman! Who gave you the right to use the word 'haboob' in describing our recent dust storm? While you may think there are similarities, don't forget that in these parts our dust is mixed with the whoop of the Indian's dance, the progression of the cattle herd and warning of the rattlesnake as it lifts its head to strike."
Holy. Shit. First of all, dust is dust — the similarities are that it's dry, gritty, and flying around really fast. Secondly, people still use the phrase "in these parts?" I thought that died with Lee Van Cleef. And finally, what the hell do you know about the "whoop of the Indian's dance?" I wasn't aware "Robinson" was a Native American name. And please, don't get me started on the hypocrisy of defending your xenophobia by citing a vaguely stereotypical characteristic of another culture.
Arizona's two biggest exports: cheap tea and racism.
Tags
Arizona
Commentarium (38 Comments)
Ahh, racist. What silly things you get up to...
We don't need to import any fucking Arab words. We're already importing half their people.
Yes, let's take all the words out of our new Freedom dialect that has any origins in the middle east.
Pretty sure everything will be Smurf you, you smurfing Smurf!
Yeah, no more algebra, cotton, or alcohol.
Whoah whoah whoah. Alcohol?
Kind of sensitive about Arizona, aren’t you Heigl? What’s the problem? Can’t find anything else to write about? Aren’t there any other nits to pick anywhere else in the world? Or, are you just Nerve’s resident expert on drivel concerning Arizona?
Well good-grief, is there anything but drivel concerning Arizona?
If there is, Heigl can’t seem to find it.
I love it - an absolute non-story that digs up some off the wall comment but is really intended to allow Heigl to defame Arizona. Every time I see his name on a byline, I cringe alittle both for the violence he does to the English language and the unhinged screeds he directs toward people he disagrees with. I mean, describing Arizonans as racist. Really? Really?
Really.
Wow 2 whole people had something to say about it, I promice I get red neck Phoenicians who come into my work talking about the haboob constantly. Then they chuckle because the word boob is in there.
Please don't let a few idiots and the rag alleged to be a newspaper here represent all Arizonans! Plenty of us are decent, hardworking, intelligent people. Forget the racism in the story above, what about the stereotyping of the people in an entire State. Give me a break.
Amen.
How dare they misuse the term? Everyone knows that “Haboob” refers to any hack writer that constantly slanders the people of the great state of Arizona.
Hahaha… So, is the author’s name Haboob Heigl? Sounds Middle-Eastern to me.
The saddest part of this is that Heigl is probably telling Nerve that all of these comments demonstrate that his story is generating reader interest. When in fact, it makes Nerve appear to be a 2nd rate info-site that can’t find anything relevant to report.
Info-site? You go too far. Haboob Heigl is low-brow comedy!
Well okay, your point about Nerve.com looking foolish because he’s their Haboob is well taken.
arizona iced tea is based in new york. your wit fails
But it's only consumed by racists; everything to do with Arizona - all residents, institutions and, most likely, a majority of inanimate objects - are racist. Heigl says so.
Who's calling them "haboobs"? Not even saving a syllable from "dust storm".
Weather people, probably. After all, they love the word typhoon.
Heigl, you are a disappointing human being. You "write" for a (supposedly) liberal website that loves to jump on people for being racists and bigots. And here you are stereotyping an entire state as racists. I am more than a little offended.
As a matter of fact, I am going to protest by removing Nerve from my reading list. No more ad revenue from this reader. It may not be much of a financial burden on Nerve, but it DOES hit their bottom line by a very small amount.
To be honest, it's not entirely your fault. You're just the most egregious of the offenders. But this article is just proof to me why I need to take my time (and business) elsewhere. I hope to find another website that is a little less vitriolic when referring to those who do not share it's exact opinions and agenda.
@Cheers - May I recommend my personal approach to this brand of irresponsible journalism?
I’ve contacted some of the advertisers that I see on Nerve and let them know that I won’t be using / buying their products / services because they are supporting Nerve’s pseudo-journalists like Heigl.
I'm with you and will do the same.
Thank god not everyone believes everything they read. Thanks, Cheers, for giving me a bit of hope. I hardly come to this site any more because the writers seem to lack any type of tact. Didn't even read the article.
Fortunately, the Commenters make up for in tact what the writers lack.
You're all a bunch of psycho hosebeasts.
@ nonononono!..i really hope you're kidding.
Why should I be kidding? As I post this, there is an advert at the top of the page entitled: “Flagstaff, the destination for all seasons”. How do you think the City of Flagstaff, Arizona feels about their advertising investment being wasted on Nerve.com? According to the author of the article, Arizona residents are a bunch of “unhinged - leathery racists.” Does that description make you want to vacation at Flagstaff, Arizona?
We should just detach that fucking state and give it back to the Mexicans.
What next! I guess Americans should refrain from using all English words with Arabic origins such as soda, banana, orange, coffee ....
so hilarious
I think we should refrain from reacting to non-stories like this one. I'm a veteran of the first and second wars in Iraq, don't mind the use of the term "haboob" and have never met anyone who objected to the term "haboob."
I'm sick of Arizonians using the number zero. How dare they continue to use such a middle eastern number. I know that when I came home from Iraq and anyone used the number zero I got really upset at them and said "I don't want you using that middle eastern number around me!"
Just for the record, I live in Phoenix and have never, ever heard a single person object to it being called a haboob, and we are NOT ALL LEATHERY RACISTS. Every state, every country has shitty people. Please don't jump into the hive mind that a few people, specifically politicians represent every single person.
From now on and as suggested above, I recommend we refer to Alex as Haboob. It is a fitting response to his race-baiting ways.
I love reading these articles because they're short but informiatve.
At last! Someone who undretsadns! Thanks for posting!
We have abused the native americans enough - the least we can do is use their words for the regional phenomenon. We decided to use the name Denali" over the stupid import name for the mountain – let's do the same here.