Being Mean to Children is Never Funny

I stumbled over this small flurry of news about Mitt Romney and Melissa Harris-Perry.  Perhaps you missed it. 

The short version is that Melissa, who is apparently some sort of comedian, tried for a cheap laugh because a Romney family Christmas photo included a small adopted grandson, who happened to be black.  It didn't sit well with some people, and rightfully so.

We all know who Mitt Romney is.  Melissa apologized, stating:

“My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits, and for that I am sorry,” she said:

I never heard of Ms. Harris-Perry before, so I have no particular bias against her.  But the problem isn't that she broke some unwritten rule that the families of politicians are off limits.  Her apology suggests that the joke would have been fine if Romney hadn't been a politician, or if the infant hadn't been part of a family.   Lady, the rule you broke is that "being mean isn't funny."  And it's always mean to pick on children, whether they are the kids of politicians or not.

Romney graciously accepted the apology.  He's a nicer guy than I am, I think. If you want to see me being angry, pick on a kid of any color when I'm around. It brings out the worst in me.

Bad form, Melissa Harris-Perry.  

So far, to the best of my knowledge, MSNBC hasn't been heard of.

Bad form, MSNBC.  

Shame on both of you.