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But company won't
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Nov 24, 09 12:28 PM CST
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|NEXT STORY »

GOP Activist: Gorilla on Lam Just Michelle's Ancestor

South Carolina Republican apologizes, sort of, for racist remark

By Jason Farago| Posted Jun 15, 09 7:07 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Turns out that pegging a primate as a member of the first lady's family tree on a public website might not be the best career move, as an activist in the South Carolina GOP is finding out. Rusty DePass has apologized after making a comment on a friend's Facebook photo of a gorilla that had escaped from a local zoo, reports local TV station WIS—"I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors—probably harmless."

Fellow Republicans tried to distance themselves from the comment, and the mayor of Columbia said that DePass should apologize for the "racist" statement. DePass said in an interview he was "as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone" but went on to insist that "the comment was hers, not mine." He said that the first lady had recently stated that all humans are descended from apes, but there have been no reports of any such speech.

Sarah Brown, Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama attend a ceremony to mark the 65th Anniversary of the D-day landings in Normandy, Saturday, June 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Michelle Obama poses with third grade students at Ferebee-Hope Community School in southeast Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta,)

First lady Michelle Obama walks the family dog, Bo, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama, reacting during an arrival ceremony at the Prefecture of Caen, northwestern France. (AP Photo/Bob Edme,File)

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52 comments

VIEWING:

Derni
Jun 15, 09 7:12 AM CDT

Thwen it would be best to quote teh First Lady and not rewrite and use as you want-so you're hisotry-maybe you can get a frontal lobe (executive part of the brain) and you will noy make such comments-but the GOP has had the maqrket on making crass comments and remarks. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 15, 09 2:35 PM CDT

Huh?

IN RESPONSE:

zygote
Jun 16, 09 12:07 PM CDT

Someone needs to take English lessons--Derni?

| 0 minutes ago

Reader64481089
Jun 15, 09 7:15 AM CDT

And the guy thinks "Opp's, is my racist streak showing? To answer the Right wings thoughts? Yes, but that is nothing new for you guys but it is very sad. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

DJM420
Jun 15, 09 7:24 AM CDT

is this dude trying to blame her for him saying she looks like an ape? typical glenn beck argument there. assuming we are descendants from apes doesnt mean we necessarily resemble them. dude, you said she looked like a gorilla, OWN YOUR WORDS (and come on bro, even your own republican buddies thinks its pretty racist) Reply

IN RESPONSE:

flame821
Jun 15, 09 9:34 PM CDT

I love how this DePass idiot is trying to blame Michelle Obama and her education (ie evolution vs God-did-it Creation) in one fell swoop. I'm sure he thought he was being brilliant and oh-so-clever. That turkey may fly in the deep, deep South and maybe the Bible Belt. But no where else in the industrial world. His comments just makes Americans look even more racists and stupid than people already think we are.

| 0 minutes ago

ack
Jun 15, 09 7:35 AM CDT

And, in the interests of accuracy, we're not descended from apes. Apes and humans are descended from a common ancestor. Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

NutsInNY
Jun 15, 09 7:43 AM CDT

OK but is that common ancestor Jesus or Darwin?? Culture wars have been, and for many years will continue to be, fought over that question.

-6

IN RESPONSE:

NutsInNY
Jun 15, 09 7:44 AM CDT

...But seriously, thanks for pointing that out.

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 9:58 AM CDT

Yes!

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 9:59 AM CDT

I meant yes to ack.

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 15, 09 12:19 PM CDT

Thank you ack! I was just about to write that. Leave it to the GOP to have no idea what they are talking about in addition to being racist. NutsinNY, I hope you are joking.

IN RESPONSE:

ack
Jun 15, 09 3:25 PM CDT

I supposed the thinking would be that Jesus is only half-ape-descended (on his mother's side).

IN RESPONSE:

lthurman
Jun 15, 09 4:19 PM CDT

Few here are interested in accuracy.

IN RESPONSE:

PosterNutbag
Jun 15, 09 4:36 PM CDT

That's what I was going to say.

| 0 minutes ago

2-bits
Jun 15, 09 7:39 AM CDT

Intesting how they only believe in evolution when it suits them Reply

+10

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Jun 15, 09 8:29 AM CDT

The real problem? the GOP and conservatives at one time stood for small govt; balanced budget; the right to privacy...bush blew all that and has left the party with no plank to stand for or on. So they revert to dumb name calling and saying NO to all things. hey are in need of a position, a platform. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Jun 15, 09 8:37 AM CDT

But that IS their platform: name calling and saying no.

| 0 minutes ago

Caps
Jun 15, 09 8:32 AM CDT

The GOP's are a bunch of igronant people. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

veloslug
Jun 15, 09 9:00 AM CDT

South Carolina has its own special charm. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Adapt-Overcome
Jun 15, 09 9:02 AM CDT

Leave it to the GOP to once again pick on women. They had sick if not rude comments to make about the women in Clinton's cabinet, then his wife and his daughter. Now they go after Michelle Obama. The men of the Republican party are just a bunch of pigs and have no respect for women, especially if they have any type of power. Look how they are going after Sonia the Judge. And in texas they are attacking one of thier very own: Kay Bailey Hutchinson- calling her Kay "Bailout" Hutchinson because she stood up against Rick Perry the "pig" and wanted to do what was right for the people of Texas and he wanted to play politics and talk about succession and turning down stimulus funds. The GOP doesn't care what party you belong to, if you are a woman, have some clout or power--you are fair game. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jun 15, 09 9:07 AM CDT

well as far as the GOP is concerned, being a woman doesn't even allow you control over your own body, god forbid a woman has a voice!

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Jun 15, 09 9:40 AM CDT

And at the same time, other republican women stand by with their mouths shut.

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 10:01 AM CDT

I wonder if you applauded when Letterman went after Palin? Personal comments should be left out of politics. And for the record, saying she is related to apes, even though we all are, is so blatantly racist that it's not worth more than sneering disgust.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Jun 15, 09 10:40 AM CDT

Actually Rob, I end my nights with Jon Stewart.

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 2:41 PM CDT

And? Lot's of people watch Jon Stewart. Whats the connection here?

IN RESPONSE:

lthurman
Jun 15, 09 4:23 PM CDT

Nothing fair about it. The GOP would like nothing better than the type of society and culture toward women that the Taliban propose.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Jun 15, 09 8:55 PM CDT

The Late Show is on at 11:30 ET and The Daily Show is on at 11:00 ET. Therefore, I am done watching TV before Letterman comes on, therefore I did not applaud "when Letterman went after Palin".

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jun 15, 09 12:11 PM CDT

almost...darn it

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Jun 15, 09 1:30 PM CDT

Djm - You didn't think we were going to get away without hearing from at least one of the dimwits, did you?

IN RESPONSE:

foodchain11
Jun 15, 09 4:41 PM CDT

Yeah, and I'll bet you drinki your Pappy's moonshine for breakfast

| 0 minutes ago

sache
Jun 15, 09 9:32 AM CDT

So ultra right wing Republican. F-up, make a brain dead remark and blame someone for the mess they created. Meanwhile the rest of the right winger are running for cover when in fact they are a part of the same mindset. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

skeptik
Jun 15, 09 9:47 AM CDT

Small wonder that the r's are down to 17% in the polls Reply

| 0 minutes ago

carol
Jun 15, 09 10:15 AM CDT

It hurts doesn't it? Think how the Palin's felt after Letterman's off-colored, demeaning joke. Reply

-9

IN RESPONSE:

Mad
Jun 15, 09 12:32 PM CDT

The same way she felt after Jay Leno's similar joke, I bet - nothing, till she realized she could make political hay from it

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 2:42 PM CDT

@Mad I bet that Palin is feeling worse and worse at the constant abuse. What do you think?

| 0 minutes ago

myvoice
Jun 15, 09 10:26 AM CDT

Carol are you serious? making a joke about a pregnant teen is very different than referring a black woman to a ape! And if you DONT know the difference than you are truly ignorant and should educate yourself on the definition of racism! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Jun 15, 09 10:43 AM CDT

I can't give you enough thumbs-up for this comment.

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Jun 15, 09 2:44 PM CDT

I think that you are wrong on both counts. The attacks on Palin are MORE than that and Mrs Obama was NOT referred to as an ape. At least get the basic facts right before you go off on the opinionated hyperbole.

-3

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Jun 15, 09 11:18 AM CDT

Once again, the Palins and the right wing totally changed what David Letterman said. He went thru it word for word and never used the word rape, or 14 yerar old daughter. You clowns who support Palin are just as twisted by actual reality on the ground as she is. And notice how Depass even goes as far as to say "if I offended anyone" ..it's like he doesnt even think what he said was wrong. This is what is wrong with todays republican party...no moral compass whatsoever. I personally will be glad to use some of the stimulus package and let the government create a country for these back wooded, uneducated, white racist buffoons..and notice how I said buffoons, not baboons! I read on restate.com this morning that there are now groups of militant republicans bragging how liberals dont own guns and even though conservatives are totally outnumbered, this moron thinks they have enough guns to counter that. They lose and election and there answer is to go on a killing spree. Goodbye GOP....and good riddence. And just so you know....many many liberals starting buying guns in the late 90's do to the rise of right wing hate radio. I fear hatefilled white American republicans far more than any terrorist from outside the USA. When are we going to start calling them what they are...christian terrorists are every bit as evil and cold blodded as muslim terrorist. Reply

+12

IN RESPONSE:

myvoice
Jun 15, 09 11:31 AM CDT

"christian terrorists are every bit as evil and cold blooded as Muslim terrorist" uh maybe but really? i mean come on.... Muslim terrorists are a lot more educated!! ;)

IN RESPONSE:

doingtherightthing
Jun 15, 09 11:55 AM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment.

-9

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jun 15, 09 12:09 PM CDT

myvoice=my new bf - friggen comedy dude, and jokes are always best when true!

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Jun 15, 09 1:36 PM CDT

We know we can always count on you, rt, for deeply thought, pithy comments that are straight to the point and filled with food for thought. Thank you. By the way, that's what educated people call "sarcasm." Can you say sarcasm? No, I didn't think so.

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 15, 09 7:25 PM CDT

LiberalJesus, I do believe you just SAVED me (from having to write a similar comment).

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Jun 15, 09 11:35 AM CDT

hahahahahahaha...ok..you got me there!.....lol Reply

| 0 minutes ago

chas_m
Jun 15, 09 2:03 PM CDT

Yes, DePass is a rascist. But the real test is for the party; if they don't shun him like the biblical lepers of yore, they will be admitting their own institutional racism. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

PaleRider
Jun 15, 09 8:56 PM CDT

Like the bama shunned Rev Wright>? huh?

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Toon
Jun 15, 09 7:20 PM CDT

Not the right comment to make when the Republican party is trying to claim that the Holocaust Museum shooter is not a conservative. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

PaleRider
Jun 15, 09 8:57 PM CDT

You watch too much Kieth Overbite.

-4

| 0 minutes ago

delong71487
Jun 15, 09 10:53 PM CDT

Let alone the obvious racism of the comment, do political workers have anything better to do with their free time than prowl Facebook and take swipes at leaders of the other party? Ridiculous. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

nellpost
Jun 16, 09 8:32 AM CDT

I'd be interested in seeing what CHURCH he attends. I wonder what sermon topics there are at that CHURCH. I'd also like to see the email list that serri goforth in rep. black's employee in tennessee uses to pass along racist cartoons. Oh, there's so much racism in our country. And the worst of the racists seem to be the ones who hypocritically gasp at the jeremiah wrights in the world. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 52 comments »

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GOP Activist: Gorilla on Lam Just Michelle's Ancestor

South Carolina Republican apologizes, sort of, for racist remark

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Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

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Google Issues Disclaimer
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Response shows ugly nature of American mood: Silva

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GOP Activist: Gorilla on Lam Just Michelle's Ancestor

South Carolina Republican apologizes, sort of, for racist remark

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Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

MORE ABOUT: Google • Michelle Obama • racism • first lady • Michelle Obama Google image • Michelle Obama Photoshop • Michelle Obama pictures

Google Issues Disclaimer Over Racist Michelle Image

But company won't pull doctored photo

MORE ABOUT: Google • Michelle Obama • online advertising • racism • apes • search engine • Photoshop • hacking • algorithms • search results • Michelle Obama Google image • Michelle Obama Photoshop • PageRank

OPINION

Obamas Have Dinner, Racists Erupt

Response shows ugly nature of American mood: Silva

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Google Issues Disclaimer
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But company won't
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Google • Michelle Obama • online advertising • racism • apes • search engine • Photoshop • hacking • algorithms • search results • Michelle Obama Google image • Michelle Obama Photoshop • PageRank

Obamas Have Dinner,
Racists Erupt

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