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S.C. GOP Activist Calls Gorilla an “Ancestor” of First Lady
Published by Pamela Gentry on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 10:29 pm.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst
June 15, 2009 – A South Carolina Republican has apologized for posting a comment on his Facebook page he called a joke suggesting the gorilla that escaped from a local zoo was an ancestor of First Lady Michelle Obama.
But no one is laughing. The comment was racist and unacceptable.
Rusty DePass, a former state Senate candidate, is a former chairman of the Richland County Republican Party and the former State Election Commission chairman in South Carolina. DePass posted the controversial comment shortly after hearing of the gorilla’s escape, saying: “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless.”
Following outrage over the remark, DePass removed the comment from the social networking site and apologized, claiming the comment was a joke and he was only referencing Obamas past comments on evolution.
When the local news station WIS TV 10, caught up with DePass about his comment he admitted it was a direct reference to the first lady, “I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone.”
The comment was clearly in jest,” DePass added. “The comment was hers, not mine,” he said. DePass contends the first lady made statements in the media that humans are all descendants of apes.
So far no one has found a comment by Mrs. Obama.
Facebook decided to “un-friend” DePass and has removed his Facebook page from the site when I checked late Sunday night. DePass’s comment struck a nerve among other Republicans in the state.
Columbia Mayor Bob Coble released a statement saying: “You know, I don’t think there’s anything funny about that comment. That is the first lady of the United States. We’ve had a long tradition of wonderful first ladies, and I don’t think any of them deserve that type of comment.”
I think everyone would agree, DePass was way out of line.
this depass is NOT like all white people.. and as I read these comments i am sincerely hurt.. It is completely ridiculus to make the comparison that he is white and racist so all white republicans are racist. I know that the anger is their and rightfully soo.. against depass and any others that have made comments. When i read some of these comments it is hard for me to want to have the half black children that I plan to have with my wonderful black girlfriend. It seems that the general mistrust towards white people is still there which in combination of people like depass creates racism.. people need to just start ignoring and not giving any of these ignorant people power (like electing them) as hard as it may be so that this country can have a chance at moving past this issue. And racism comes from both sides and needs to stop from both sides
DePass’s racist comment may not be indicative of “ALL WHITE PEOPLE”but it’s not unusual for republicans to make these kinds of statements.The latest is from a staffer for State Sen. Diane Black (R) of Tennesee,her name is Sherri Goforth who sent photos of all ex-presidents,all the photos were of the ex-presidents except for President Obvama’s.His “photo” is nothing more than two eyeballs and the background was nothing but black,not even a face.The troubling part is Sen. Black refuses to fire her staffer.That sounds like a endorsement of what her staffer did and she e-mailed the sick “joke” to many republicans.
I forgot to mention that this photo can be viewed on http://www.huffington post.com
A Gorilla with principles and high morality is preferable to a man inhabited by Hitler’s soul. This makes me to think that only the Chinese can fairly rule the world as a superpower. Hence, it is the evident end of the so-called western (American) civilization. Good bye
Not surprised. Older white people still have hard feelings from the 50’s and 60’s. I work with a-holes like him.
But don’t fret. Eventhough I don’t like his politics, I think the president has done an incredible job getting to this point and regards of the small percent of white people still holding on to bull$hit, black people are too talent to be distracted by ignorance…especially Michele Obama. The girl is off the chain!
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My old school history book had a picture of an ape evolving into man to support the theory of how man came from ape. Ironicially the man in the book was a whte man. If I am lucky, I will dig it up and send Mr. Depass a copy. Michelle is beautiful and smart and so is the POTUS. So forget everyone who thinks otherwise. The truth is the OBAMAs are in the White House because 97% of the black vote put them there. Say what you want, but no other voting block formed such a united front to get Obama elected. So unless Obama totally screws up- he will be there! So Depass- please pass away!
If he said that in public, imagine what he says in private.
Michelle Obama looks like a gorilla, That is not a racist comment, that is just truth..I am just calling it as I see it..sorry dudes
Well! Well!, I think Ms. Obama has better things to do than say stupid comments about others. So I’ll say it for her and all of us. You clowns need to use your time wisely to try and keep our country safe and running smooth. Now we know why our country in a mess ,because we have Jackasses likes DEPASS ,go check your self look in the mirror OK!!!!
about we create a jail for racist people to teach them a lesson a comment like that and post on facebook was intent to hurt not only ms obama but all black woman he’s just another dump individual .
Good Job Facebook for removing his page!!!! I love how the Obamas still hold their heads high in the sky even when people do stuff like this. The Obamas are truly a class act!
You cry babies!
Making a comment like that, directly aimed at someone deserves some time out…. go to the corner and think of what you did(childish). Well you’re at it think what color apes are and how apes evolved into humans.
ACTIVIST???…More like ACTIVE RACIST!!!……You make good white like real “sh*theads”…nice going..Whose the apesh*t ,now, huh?
make these same jokes against black africans and think its funny and think its clever where is your indignation then.. am sure many have called obama’s father a gorilla amongst other things..
I think that DePass was making a racist remark. Where are his morals? Who does he think he is disrepecting our FIRST LADY. He should be an example to the people not a hinderance. He should be held accountable for his actions. Some leader he is.
WHAT AN IGNORANT COMMENT ABOUT THE LADY THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR. YOU ARE A JEALOUS KKKKRACKER.
TO MONKEY JOEANN AND CRY BABY DAVID. F****** S***** A** W****C*******. MAN IF YOU CAN READ BETWEEN THE STARS LOL.
OUR PRESIDENT IS YOUNG, BLACK, HANDSOME, INTELLIGENT AND FINE. OUR FIRST LADY IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE WOMAN AND THEY CAN’T F****** HANDLE IT. THEY ANGRY Y’ALL….. DON’T VOTE FOR THEIR MONKEY A****S. F****** R**N**K CRACKERS.
I have read a lot of the comments and it sound like everyone is trying to be judges. My understanding is this: God is the only true judge in this world. It doesn’t matter what man say about black or white. If you believe that you are from apes, then there is no need to act like DePass. If not there is still no need. It shouldn’t matter what another think of you. What matter is what you think. If you think you are an ape, then you are. If not, then you aren’t. Mrs. Obama has not made any comments to this because she don’t let things like this define who she is. What defines Mrs. Obama is how well she brush off all the racial remarks and keep packing it under her feet. People like Mrs Obama and our President will go far . Why? They let God fight their battles for them. They are strong black people who fear no one but… GOD. Judge not , less you be judged. We have no control of what no one say in this world. We do have control in what we say. Lets say a prayer that There be an even greater change in this country. You’d be surprised what can and will happen when our trust in totally in God and not man. Pray for the Obama’s as well as Mr. DePass. Don’t forget our country.