GOP Activist Rusty DePass likens escaped gorilla to Michelle Obama

[TheCount]

A prominent South Carolina Republican killed his Facebook page Sunday after being caught likening the First Lady to an escaped gorilla.

Commenting on a report posted to Facebook about a gorilla escape at a zoo in Columbia, S.C., Friday, longtime GOP activist Rusty DePass wrote, "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

Busted by South Carolina political blogger Will Folks on his FITNEWS blog, DePass told WIS-TV in Columbia, "I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone. The comment was clearly in jest."

Then he added, "The comment was hers, not mine," claiming Michelle Obama made a recent remark about humans descending from apes. The Daily News could find no such comment.

"'Humor' like this is nothing new for South Carolina Republicans - even as the party claims to be focusing on 'outreach' efforts to minorities," said Folks, a former gubernatorial spokesman and widely read blogger. "The fact that Palmetto [State] Republicans don't get that this is a serious problem for them baffles us."

Columbia's mayor called on DePass to apologize properly. "The comment is reprehensible. There's nothing funny about it," said Democratic Mayor Bob Coble. "What he needs to do is simply apologize in a straightforward manner."

DePass, former chairman of the Richland County GOP, was an early backer of George W. Bush and co-chairman of Rudy Giuliani's 2008 campaign in Richland County, the state's largest.

"Most of us, of course, particularly in South Carolina, never gave a damn about New Yorkers, but somehow the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made those people Americans again," he wrote in a 2007 Op-Ed endorsing Giuliani.

Eric Davis, the current chairman of the Richland County Republicans, said his predecessor should get a pass. "Everyone says stupid things they regret later. I think the world should move on," he said.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/06/14/2009-06-14_pol_gorilla_is_related_to_first_lady.html?print =1&page=all#ixzz0IVkPFiTm&D

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Whoopsies.

Obviously he was trying to poke fun at her statements regarding evolution, but as a long time politician, you'd think he'd be a little bit more aware of the OTHER connotation to that statement.

The, "I'm as sorry as I can be", was a very Letterman-eque apology as well.

[DFWJC]

Then he added, "The comment was hers, not mine," claiming Michelle Obama made a recent remark about humans descending from apes. The Daily News could find no such comment.

.

I saw this earlier and thought--because it was from South Carolina--it must be racial. I should be ashamed at jumping to Pavlov-like conclusions like this writer is doing. The comment was FOR SURE relating to Ms Obama's recent comments about human ancestory. So, the joke is weak, but not what they are making it out to be.

[TheCount]

I saw this earlier and thought--because it was from South Carolina--it must be racial. I should be ashamed at jumping to Pavlov-like conclusions like this writer is doing. The comment was FOR SURE relating to Ms Obama's recent comments about human ancestory. So, the joke is weak, but not what they are making it out to be.

Yeah, seemed pretty clear to me as well but that fact that he was ignorant that it could be taken as racial is kind of an indictment in and of itself.

The poll they have on the page is stupid too, basically it says you either agree with what he said or you think he's a member of the KKK.

[bbgun]

Subtlety ain't his strength. What a putz.

[jimnabby]

I saw this earlier and thought--because it was from South Carolina--it must be racial. I should be ashamed at jumping to Pavlov-like conclusions like this writer is doing. The comment was FOR SURE relating to Ms Obama's recent comments about human ancestory. So, the joke is weak, but not what they are making it out to be.

Just curious: can you post a link or reference to "Ms. Obama's recent comments about human ancestry", given that the Daily News was unable to find such comments, and none of the other outlets that have reported on this have either?

[DFWJC]

Yeah, seemed pretty clear to me as well but that fact that he was ignorant that it could be taken as racial is kind of an indictment in and of itself.

The poll they have on the page is stupid too, basically it says you either agree with what he said or you think he's a member of the KKK.

No doubt. That was my first thought too...what a dunce.

The irony is the guy could just as easily (more easily?) been a Democrat from West Viriginia and said the same thing. Yet they made sure to say typical Republican from SC.

[DFWJC]

Subtlety ain't his strength. What a putz.

Tell me about it.

[Doomsday101]

Rusty DePass is evidently an ignorant man, nothing more to say than that

[Bob Sacamano]

that was pretty ignorant

but so is the belief that we're descended from apes

[Doomsday101]

that was pretty ignorant

but so is the belief that we're descended from apes

I admit I wounder about some. :laugh2:

[Bob Sacamano]

I admit I wounder about some. :laugh2:
don't diss BrainPaint like that:mad: :)

[Hoofbite]

that was pretty ignorant

but so is the belief that we're descended from apes

As the missing link, how can you say that?

[ScipioCowboy]

I admit I wounder about some. :laugh2:

Are you kidding?

Bob may be the wisest poster...on any message board.

[Jarv]

I admit I wounder about some. :laugh2:

I guess Letterman isn't the only putz out there...Idiot.

[Doomsday101]

I guess Letterman isn't the only putz out there...Idiot.

World is full of them.

[Dallas]

What a dolt. All parties have them.

[burmafrd]

Will be interesting to see the play this gets vs the whole Letterman vs 18 yrd old girl bit.

[bbgun]

Will be interesting to see the play this gets vs the whole Letterman vs 18 yrd old girl bit.

As Howard Kurtz noted yesterday, most of the major newspapers have avoided the Palin-Letterman controversy. Strange, considering those are two big names.

[Bob Sacamano]

As the missing link, how can you say that?

watch it mister

Are you kidding?

Bob may be the wisest poster...on any message board.

QFT

[WoodysGirl]

Are you kidding?

Bob may be the biggest wise*** poster...on any message board.Fixed.. :cool:

[Bob Sacamano]

Fixed.. :cool:

you're getting to be something of a wise-*** yourself, missy

[WoodysGirl]

you're getting to be something of a wise-*** yourself, missy
I've always been wise***, y'all just didn't know it.

[TheCount]

As Howard Kurtz noted yesterday, most of the major newspapers have avoided the Palin-Letterman controversy. Strange, considering those are two big names.

I doubt this gets much play at all, I found it by chance. Remember there was already a commotion about the post cartoon with the chimp shot to death in relation to Obama.

[sbark]

Not a thing to say for sure.........no need to say it----enough obama'ism to go after vrs. the personal attacks the left is notorious for..........

......remember numerous times GW Bush compared, called Monkey etc by left over past 8 yrs..........

http://www.aquilaarts.com/bushmonkey.html

http://sheikyermami.com/wp-content/uploads/bush-chimp.jpg

[TheCount]

Not a thing to say for sure.........no need to say it----enough obama'ism to go after vrs. the personal attacks the left is notorious for..........

......remember numerous times GW Bush compared, called Monkey etc by left over past 8 yrs..........

That's a perfectly fair statement without denying that the connotation of comparing a black person to a monkey has a little bit of an added implication like calling a person a pig and calling a cop a pig could have a possible additional meaning.

[bbgun]

Not a thing to say for sure.........no need to say it----enough obama'ism to go after vrs. the personal attacks the left is notorious for..........

......remember numerous times GW Bush compared, called Monkey etc by left over past 8 yrs..........

http://www.aquilaarts.com/bushmonkey.html


Yes, there's a double standard, but this is one of the few times when the double standard is defensible.

[burmafrd]

Double standards are never defensible. An insult is just that. Only the politically correct need levels of double standards for them to live in.

[Bob Sacamano]

double standards do suck

but a white politician from the South should think better of comparing a black person to a gorilla, or even leaving that assumption out there

[Dallas]

double standards do suck

but a white politician from the South should think better of comparing a black person to a gorilla, or even leaving that assumption out there

Notice how nobody is up in arms defending the ape? Those gorillas are beautiful creatures. Where is the support for them?


I don't hear jack squat about it. That's wrong. That is a double standard if I ever did see one.


It's wrong!

[Bob Sacamano]

Notice how nobody is up in arms defending the ape? Those gorillas are beautiful creatures. Where is the support for them?


I don't hear jack squat about it. That's wrong. That is a double standard if I ever did see one.


It's wrong!

I know, right? I would be insulted being compared to a wanna-be chic, 1st lady too!

[DFWJC]

Double standards are never defensible. An insult is just that. Only the politically correct need levels of double standards for them to live in.

Case in point........

Where was the uproar when the Clintonistas depicted Michelle Obama as as Zira from the planet of the apes? They even had tee shirts!

Amazingly, the Huffington Post (as left as it gets) actually called them out on it. But even that was only because they were defending their further left man Barry (vs Hillary).

Now that's a double standard on many levels. :D

[MetalHead]

That's a perfectly fair statement without denying that the connotation of comparing a black person to a monkey has a little bit of an added implication like calling a person a pig and calling a cop a pig could have a possible additional meaning.

What's race has to do with it?

[DIAF]

What's race has to do with it?

Are you seriously asking this question?

Not saying that this guy had racist intentions in making his statement, but you have to be pretty dense to not be aware of the history of the black-man-to-gorilla/monkey comparison.

[Heisenberg]

I seriously doubt he meant anything racial with it. It wasn't a smart thing to say considering the history with that term and racial tension, but again, I doubt it was intentional.

Just in general, people need to stop being pansies and stop being offended all the time. That includes racial slang terms. If you stop being offended, the words lose their power and at that point, people wouldn't use them anymore. Meh.

[TheCount]

I seriously doubt he meant anything racial with it. It wasn't a smart thing to say considering the history with that term and racial tension, but again, I doubt it was intentional.

Just in general, people need to stop being pansies and stop being offended all the time. That includes racial slang terms. If you stop being offended, the words lose their power and at that point, people wouldn't use them anymore. Meh.

That's all fine and dandy, but there is no racial slang term to ignore for comparing a black person to a monkey. Unless you're telling black people to stop being upset when they are compared to apes, which might be a tough sell.

[MetalHead]

That's all fine and dandy, but there is no racial slang term to ignore for comparing a black person to a monkey. Unless you're telling black people to stop being upset when they are compared to apes, which might be a tough sell.

Then stop perpetrating the trend.
Our former president was compared to an animal.
Movies/cartoons were made to satyrize him and murder him.
"Commander in Chimp"?.."The Assassination of George W. Bush"?..you have seen the pics and read the jokes and probably participated in the fun.
So spare me if someone wants to call Michelle an animal and stop with the racial BS some still want to carry as a bargaining chip.
Not buying!

[Hostile]

He's an idiot. Stupid comment.

[Bob Sacamano]

if Michelle looks like any animal

it's most definitely a chipmunk

[Dallas]

Are you seriously asking this question?

Not saying that this guy had racist intentions in making his statement, but you have to be pretty dense to not be aware of the history of the black-man-to-gorilla/monkey comparison.

You mean the Darwin Theory?

[TheCount]

You mean the Darwin Theory?

That you, Rusty?

The joke didn't work when he did it so you thought you'd give it another shot, huh?

[Maikeru-sama]

That's all fine and dandy, but there is no racial slang term to ignore for comparing a black person to a monkey. Unless you're telling black people to stop being upset when they are compared to apes, which might be a tough sell.

:laugh2:

[zrinkill]

Yes, there's a double standard, but this is one of the few times when the double standard is defensible.


I agree .... the guy is a moron if he did not see where his comment could be taken.

I think he said it on purpose ...... just like Letterman.

They should both be ashamed of themselves.

[ScipioCowboy]

That you, Rusty?

The joke didn't work when he did it so you thought you'd give it another shot, huh?

Sadly, it's not a joke.

Darwin proposed a similar argument; his original theory held that Africans were closer to apes than Europeans, hence the white man's dominance in the world.

[CowboyMcCoy]

Subtlety ain't his strength. What a putz.

Eh, it's not about subtlety here. It's about the general principal from which it stems. . . . . . . . . not that I sense any bigotry from you.

[bbgun]

Eh, it's not about subtlety here. It's about the general principal from which it stems. . . . . . . . . not that I sense any bigotry from you.

That's "principle," Gomer. Go back to sticking pins in your Cheney doll.

[CowboyMcCoy]

That's "principle," Gomer. Go back to sticking pins in your Cheney doll.

It sure is "principle", and the one I'm talking about. . . . . there's a word for it, starts with an R, Archie.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Horrific.

I am not an Obama fan, as many know, but this is unacceptable. At the end of the day, he still our President and she is still our First Lady.

I never liked the overwelming disrespect paid to FP GW and I don't like this.

[bbgun]

It sure is "principle", and the one I'm talking about. . . . . there's a word for it, starts with an R, Archie.

Stifle, dingbat.

[CowboyMcCoy]

Stifle, dingbat.
It brings tears to my eyes, coming from you.

[TheCount]

Sadly, it's not a joke.

Darwin proposed a similar argument; his original theory held that Africans were closer to apes than Europeans, hence the white man's dominance in the world.

You guys seriously don't get tired of arguing evolution even though it ALWAYS turns into a religious thread which ends up getting locked?

[Dallas]

You guys seriously don't get tired of arguing evolution even though it ALWAYS turns into a religious thread which ends up getting locked?


I get tired of you crying about it. I certainly get tired of that.

Nobody is arguing creation. Scip is just making a point. That isn't an invitation to get it all stirred up again like you want to. :p:


Yes I can read your thoughts.



GASP!! I am not.

[bbgun]

It brings tears to my eyes, coming from you.

I can't help it. I spent 20 years as a parishioner in a virulently racist, anti-Semitic, anti-American church, nodding in approval as my Reverend spewed noxious hatred week after week. Oh wait, that was your hero, not me.

[CowboyMcCoy]

I can't help it. I spent 20 years as a parishioner in a virulently racist, anti-Semitic, anti-American church, nodding in approval as my Reverend spewed noxious hatred week after week. Oh wait, that was your hero, not me.

Yeah, history as you know it. . . . . .

[ScipioCowboy]

You guys seriously don't get tired of arguing evolution even though it ALWAYS turns into a religious thread which ends up getting locked?

I'm not arguing the validity of evolution, and I certainly never mentioned religion.

You castigated Dallas for what you perceived to be an insensitive comment, and I was merely explaining the reasoning behind that comment.

If you didn't want a potential discussion of evolution, you should have simply let the comment alone. Don't blame this on us.

[TheCount]

I get tired of you crying about it. I certainly get tired of that.

Nobody is arguing creation. Scip is just making a point. That isn't an invitation to get it all stirred up again like you want to. :p:


Yes I can read your thoughts.



GASP!! I am not.

You get tired of me crying about it? Are you mad because I said you're about as funny as Dane Cook?

I don't really get involved in the evolution discussions, so how you got to me crying about it, I have no idea.

I'm not arguing the validity of evolution, and I certainly never mentioned religion.

You castigated Dallas for what you perceived to be an insensitive comment, and I was merely explaining the reasoning behind that comment.

If you didn't want a potential discussion of evolution, you should have simply let the comment alone. Don't blame this on us.

I was unaware there was an "us" being blamed.

He made the same joke the OP was referring to and it wasn't funny then so why would it be funny 3 pages later?

The Theory of Evolution has gone way past Darwin, so why refer to one man other than to make that particular statement?

[iceberg]

Yeah, seemed pretty clear to me as well but that fact that he was ignorant that it could be taken as racial is kind of an indictment in and of itself.

The poll they have on the page is stupid too, basically it says you either agree with what he said or you think he's a member of the KKK.

the fact there are some words and phrases that we can't even say in public anymore *just because* someone may find it racist is bad enough. how come michelle can make those comments but others can't joke about it *because* it could be considered racial?

you open up the phrase, the phrase is ok back at you. i'm sorry some people LOOK for reasons to cry foul and that's just sad on it's own. we seem to be getting to the point where we can't say black around a black person because you'd be called racist, even if you were talking about the color of shoes they were wearing.

i'm tired of everyone having to walk on eggshells cause someone may be offended.

in this case the dude was just stupid for putting himself in this situation - but i do think people need to chill out and quit looking for reasons, even inventing them, to be offended.

[iceberg]

Are you seriously asking this question?

Not saying that this guy had racist intentions in making his statement, but you have to be pretty dense to not be aware of the history of the black-man-to-gorilla/monkey comparison.

so if michelle made the comment (no idea if she ever did or not) is she racist too?

[zrinkill]

That's "principle," Gomer. Go back to sticking pins in your Cheney doll.

:laugh2:

[ScipioCowboy]

I was unaware there was an "us" being blamed.

He made the same joke the OP was referring to and it wasn't funny then so why would it be funny 3 pages later?

Not even close.

The OP made a direct comparison between Michelle Obama and an escaped guerrilla. Dallas was lampooning evolution as Darwin originally conceived it.

Huge difference.

The Theory of Evolution has gone way past Darwin, so why refer to one man other than to make that particular statement?Because it's part of history? I wasn't aware that we're supposed to ignore the ethically objectionable opinions of figures now deified by the secular Left.

Y'know, if you're really troubled by all of this evolution talk, you can simply stop talking about it -- rather than blaming others for talking about it.

[bbgun]

:laugh2:

He really is hopeless. I immediately attacked the GOP activist and dismissed the notion that "Bush/chimp" jokes were as bad or worse than "African American/ape" jokes, yet he implies that I'm Archie Bunker-lite. The poor boy just can't follow a thread.

[TheCount]

i'm tired of everyone having to walk on eggshells cause someone may be offended.

Unfortunately, you don't get to decide when it is appropriate for someone else to be offended.

[DIAF]

so if michelle made the comment (no idea if she ever did or not) is she racist too?


Look again. I just said there's racist connotations to that comparison (whether that was intended or not), and that artie would have to be dense to not realize it. It's akin to someone claiming that they didn't know the N-word wasn't offensive.

[TheCount]

Not even close.

The OP made a direct comparison between Michelle Obama and an escaped guerrilla. Dallas was lampooning evolution as Darwin originally conceived it.

Huge difference.


You should re-read the story. He likened the escaped gorilla to an ancestor of Michelle's attempting to poke fun of her comments regarding evolution.

Because it's part of history? I wasn't aware that we're supposed to ignore the ethically objectionable opinions of figures now deified by the secular Left.

Y'know, if you're really troubled by all of this evolution talk, you can simply stop talking about it -- rather than blaming others for talking about it.

I don't even know where you're headed with this, so I'll get off the train now, have a nice day.

[ScipioCowboy]

You should re-read the story. He likened the escaped gorilla to an ancestor of Michelle's attempting to poke fun of her comments regarding evolution.

Exactly. He made a direct reference to Michelle Obama. Conversely, Dallas mentioned no one other than Darwin.

Once again, big difference.

I don't even know where you're headed with this, so I'll get off the train now, have a nice day.

We'll see.:D

[iceberg]

Unfortunately, you don't get to decide when it is appropriate for someone else to be offended.

no -i don't. but just because something i say may offend someone doesn't mean i meant it that way now does it? nor does it mean *I* should alter my behavior because one person got all bent out of shape.

just because someone got offended doesn't immediately tag it for action items and social change. no one ever promised you'd go through life and never be offended.

if they did, they lied.

that offends me.

[iceberg]

Look again. I just said there's racist connotations to that comparison (whether that was intended or not), and that artie would have to be dense to not realize it. It's akin to someone claiming that they didn't know the N-word wasn't offensive.

if you dig enough just about anything can be made racial these days.

if it wasn't intended to be, it's not. if you or someone takes it that way then maybe you're just looking for things to be upset about.

[Bob Sacamano]

Locked.

[iceberg]

that would offend me!!! we can't have that!!!

[Bob Sacamano]

sorry, just practicing in case Reality gives me my long-overdue mod-ship

[iceberg]

sorry, just practicing in case Reality gives me my long-overdue mod-ship

now THAT would offend me greatly!!!! :eek:

:cool:

[ScipioCowboy]

sorry, just practicing in case Reality gives me my long-overdue mod-ship

How are YOU not a mod? Reality has been remiss.

I figured you had declined the opportunity due to its potential for cramping your awesome style.:D

[Bob Sacamano]

now THAT would offend me greatly!!!! :eek:

:cool:

now you know how I felt when they hired DallasEast

How are YOU not a mod? Reality has been remiss.

I figured you had declined the opportunity due to its potential for cramping your awesome style.:D

yes, I would have to cut back on being awesome

but gaining banning privileges would MORE than make up for it

[ABQCOWBOY]

sorry, just practicing in case Reality gives me my long-overdue mod-ship

In the works Bob!

However, we might have a bit of a problem. May show up under JA.

:D

[Bob Sacamano]

In the works Bob!

However, we might have a bit of a problem. May show up under JA.

:D

well it's about time

I've paid my dues

[Dallas]

well it's about time

I've paid my dues


OH PLEASE !!!!!!


Im going to puke. :laugh2:

[TheCount]

no -i don't. but just because something i say may offend someone doesn't mean i meant it that way now does it? nor does it mean *I* should alter my behavior because one person got all bent out of shape.

Well that's called being considerate or tactful in most circumstances. Your freedom to swing your arms stops where someone's nose begins.

just because someone got offended doesn't immediately tag it for action items and social change. no one ever promised you'd go through life and never be offended.

if they did, they lied.

that offends me.

Offending someone is not a crime, as far as I'm aware. Rusty isn't being read his rights.

Just so I'm sure I'm getting this straight, you believe you should have the right to say or do whatever you want as part of a society (short of something criminal, I'd assume) and no other member of that society should have the right to comment or react to you as a fellow member of said society?

[Bob Sacamano]

OH PLEASE !!!!!!


Im going to puke. :laugh2:

*presses red button*

*presses*

*presses*

*PRESSES*

mine's not working! Reality, you screwed me again!

[ABQCOWBOY]

well it's about time

I've paid my dues

Pitching in for a 24 pack on Friday night is not exaclty "Paying Dues."

:laugh2:

[Bob Sacamano]

Pitching in for a 24 pack on Friday night is not exaclty "Paying Dues."

:laugh2:

you're enjoying this aren't you?:mad:

[ABQCOWBOY]

you're enjoying this aren't you?:mad:


Enjoyment is such a subjective word.........

I think the better discription is, "Helping Bob to realize his goals!"

:D

[MetalHead]

if you dig enough just about anything can be made racial these days.

if it wasn't intended to be, it's not. if you or someone takes it that way then maybe you're just looking for things to be upset about.

Or trying to sound smart by calling someone else "dense".

[iceberg]

Well that's called being considerate or tactful in most circumstances. Your freedom to swing your arms stops where someone's nose begins.

Offending someone is not a crime, as far as I'm aware. Rusty isn't being read his rights.

Just so I'm sure I'm getting this straight, you believe you should have the right to say or do whatever you want as part of a society (short of something criminal, I'd assume) and no other member of that society should have the right to comment or react to you as a fellow member of said society?

no. i said people are overly sensitive and think if they're insulted the world should change so they're never insulted again. i get mad that the john wiley prices out there that takes it to the point where if you say "black hole" in reference of a ... well... black hole, it's racist. STOP IT.

not all people, but that does seem to happen a lot. like i've said many times, somewhere along the line it became trendy to be discriminated against so people start looking for it. then they're all happy they found something to be upset about so they can feel like they participated in the latest trend.

i miss bashing SUV's and microsoft now.

[DIAF]

Or trying to sound smart by calling someone else "dense".

Whether or not one is trying to be racist or not, saying that comparing a black person to an ape or monkey is not at all offensive is pretty dense. The "N" word can likewise be used directed at someone of color since it's literal meaning isn't a racial slur, but it has become one. The monkey/ape comparison as others have said just isn't a smart thing to do.

[MetalHead]

What?...what?...I can't read you...you must be on ignore or something.