GOP Activist uses Facebook to compare Michelle Obama to a gorilla

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Jokes are funny things.

Sometimes the same joke works with one person and falls flat with another. Sometimes, though, the joke just isn't funny at all.

That can be forgotten when it's made in the company of friends over a gin, a tonic, and a country club bar.

Perhaps, though, it is less easily forgotten when it is made on Facebook. What is said on Facebook stays on Facebook. Often for quite some time.

You see, according to a report by WIS10 TV in Columbia, S.C., Rusty DePass, a prominent Republican Party activist, happened to see a Facebook post by an aide to state Attorney General Henry McMaster.

The post described an escape by a gorilla on Friday from the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia.

DePass, once a state Senate candidate, responded to the post with these words: "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

The TV station reported that it had received confirmation from DePass that he had, indeed, been speaking of the first lady, Michelle Obama.

One might have thought that, having written these words, he might have attempted to make a swift correction. However, it appears to have taken a blogger, Will Folks, to obtain a screen capture of the comment for an apology to be forthcoming.

Once his FITSNews.com site raised the issue, it was taken up by other media outlets.

Only then did DePass issue an apology: "I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone. The comment was clearly in jest."

There's jest. And then there's clear jest.

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble appears to have seen no clear jest at all. He told WIS10: "You know, I think the comment is inappropriate. It's a racist comment."

DePass also reportedly suggested that it was the first lady who initially made the comment about everyone being descended from apes. However, media organizations have tried to find these comments, without--at the time of writing--any success.

WIS10 said that DePass' comment had been removed from Facebook, as had his Facebook page.

There is, as far as I am aware, no reason to believe that DePass attempted, in the vanity URL race on Saturday, to bag Facebook.com/socialmediahalfwit.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10264440-71.html?tag=mncol

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble appears to have seen no clear jest at all. He told WIS10: "You know, I think the comment is inappropriate. It's a racist comment."

I agree with the Mayor.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I fully expect a BS argument about how everyone is discriminated against because GWB was compared to a chimp and that its somehow unfair that the same characterisation cannot be applied to the Obamas.

Proof positive that context and history are disposable when it comes to partisan politics.

Bring on the spurious "where's the outrage" diatribes!

Edited June 15, 2009 by Private Pike

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Good thing the First Lady's name ain't Willow.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

More like a bullrider or a bulldog.

[natty bumppo 289]

I fully expect a BS argument about how everyone is discriminated against because GWB was compared to a chimp and that its somehow unfair that the same characterisation cannot be applied to the Obamas.

Proof positive that context and history are disposable when it comes to partisan politics.

Bring on the spurious "where's the outrage" diatribes!

he was?

[Guderian 0]

Oh come on!!!

The hag needs a bag!! Even when she was a kid, fellas.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

OMG That is one nasty picture!!

[Ban Hammer 13,206]

OMG That is one nasty picture!!

why do you hate powerful black women?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

OMG That is one nasty picture!!

why do you hate powerful black women?

I dislike unfashionable people --- all of them. She has redeemed herself now as a fashion icon; but that picture..... GAWD

[Peikko 1,575]

How annoying. Michelle Obama is just another clothes peg. Will we ever learn?

Seriously, even if Michelle is butt ugly, does that make her less of a person? Are women just measured by their looks, still? This is pathetic.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

How annoying. Michelle Obama is just another clothes peg. Will we ever learn?

Seriously, even if Michelle is butt ugly, does that make her less of a person? Are women just measured by their looks, still? This is pathetic.

Are we? Sadly sister Cleo, we are. Do I like it? Not particularly --- but it is still true

[mawilson 2,133]

Are women just measured by their looks, still?

Yep. Not just women, men too.

[Peikko 1,575]

I guess I am an untermensch then. Seriously, I don't agree but doing so is ###### up.

[natty bumppo 289]

How annoying. Michelle Obama is just another clothes peg. Will we ever learn?

Seriously, even if Michelle is butt ugly, does that make her less of a person? Are women just measured by their looks, still? This is pathetic.

Are we? Sadly sister Cleo, we are. Do I like it? Not particularly --- but it is still true

sister len ... your looks do justice to what's inside