Minnesota Republican state Senator Cal Bahr is under fire for his recent Zoom meeting appearance, where he voted shirtless with an unusual background.
During a meeting for the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, Bahr cast his vote while lying shirtless in bed with a screenshot from the “I’m Just a Bill” segment of Schoolhouse Rock from 1976 as his background.
The incident caused a stir among Bahr’s colleagues, but he quickly switched off his camera and the meeting continued as scheduled. However, his unusual voting appearance sparked a lot of attention on social media and was widely criticized.
You can see the moment in the video below.
\u201cwhen voting by Zoom goes wrong. #mnleg\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
Bahr's gaffe opened him up to significant mockery online.
\u201c@atrupar Same energy\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar \u201cNailed it\u201d\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar Super Casual Friday?\n\nThe Schoolhouse Rock background really is the cherry on the cake.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar Same energy.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar As an essential worker who went to the office every day of lockdown, I am comfortable speaking for myself and everyone else that did the same when I say that I find this video very offensive. \u270c\ufe0f\ud83c\udffe\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar I needed to see this again today. If I don\u2019t see this show up on @jimmyfallon @FallonTonight this week I\u2019ll be so disappointed \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar Good to see one of Philip Seymour Hoffman\u2019s better roles appreciated\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
\u201c@atrupar I would play that old School House Rocks PSA song any time he walked into a meeting...\nhttps://t.co/QKujVlk1Kn\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1682952435
Bahr is a Republican from East Bethel and was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2016. He served in the House of Representatives for three terms before being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2022.
While Bahr's political affiliation and experience are not related to his Zoom appearance, it should not come as a surprise that many perceive such behavior as unprofessional.
Regardless of how one might view Bahr's actions, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a level of professionalism in virtual meetings, especially when representing a public office.
Virtual meetings have become a staple of modern business and politics, but it's important to remember that what happens on screen can have just as much impact as what happens in person. While the pandemic has necessitated a shift to virtual communication, it's important to maintain decorum and professionalism in all settings.
Bahr has yet to comment publicly on the incident, but the attention it has garnered highlights the need for all public officials to be mindful of their behavior in virtual settings. As the world continues to adapt to new ways of working and communicating, it's important to remember that the standards of professionalism and respect should remain unchanged.
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