HILLARY CLINTON REGRETS GHANDI JOKE

WINS News ^ | 1/6/04

[areafiftyone]

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis, saying it was "a lame attempt at humor."

The New York Democrat made the remark at a fund-raiser Saturday. During an event here for Senate candidate Nancy Farmer, Clinton introduced a quote from Gandhi by saying, "He ran a gas station down in St. Louis."

After laughter from many in the crowd of at least 200 subsided, the former first lady continued, "No, Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader of the 20th century." In a nod to Farmer's underdog status against Republican Sen. Kit Bond, Clinton quoted the Indian independence leader as saying: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

The director of a U.S. center devoted to Gandhi's teachings said the remarks amounted to stereotyping and were insensitive.

After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, Clinton suggested in a statement late Monday that she never meant to fuel the stereotype - often used as a comedic punch line - that certain ethnic groups run America's gas stations.

"I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi and have spoken publicly about that many times," Clinton said. "I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise."

Michelle Naef, administrator of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, a Memphis, Tenn.-based organization founded in 1991 by a Gandhi grandson, credited Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton, with long having "supported the Gandhi message." But she said Saturday's remarks "could be incredibly harmful."

"I don't think she was, in any way, trying to demean Mahatma Gandhi," Naef said. "To be generous to her, I would say it was a poor attempt at humor. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, but I find it offensive when people use stereotypes in that way."

[katana]

Don't forget folks, she's "the smartest woman in the world" and a political geeeeniusss (a'la Wiley Coyote).

What a crock. Put this woman through the kind of minefield that Dubya has been navigating since 2000 and she'll screw up royally. She may have been able to coast through New York versus a very inept opponent and fawning East Coast press, but a national campaign is a different proposition. She has little of her husband's genuine grifter skill.

[Hatteras]

Didn't Mahatma Gandhi have a brother who worked as a butler?

You know, Mahatma Coat?

[HardStarboard]

"With enough thrust, pigs actually fly quite nicely."

Credit to an Unknown Freeper

[Redcloak]

Give it a day or two and Hillary(!) will blame George Bush for her remarks!

[MeekOneGOP]

ha ! bill and hill clintoon: The Wrecking Ball crew on the campaign road.
They leave more dead [defeated] 'RAT candidates in their trails ...

[Maumee]

Lame joke? About as funny as a crutch!

[Imal]

She's lucky Ghandi isn't still alive, or he would have beat the stuffing out of her.

[mombonn]

"There is no relationship.

Or, her own gem to matt lauer - "that will not be proved."

[mountaineer]

The story has been reported a few places, including Scotland. There's some hope for the news media.

[TYVets]

Gandhi would never have been allowed eye contact with the Beast Ms666.

[MEGoody]

If a conservative had said this, she'd be demanding his head on a platter.

[FastCoyote]

"quickie mart as an example of a stereotype used as humor which really is a slam against someone's ethnicity"

Apu is the salt of the earth, beloved by all, fighting off villains as a small businessman. What's negative about that? I relate to Apu, as does anyone watching the Simpson's with a sense of humor. How about Burns' stereotype as the rich white man running a nuke plant, isn't that more a negative stereotype? (I relate to Burns as well).

[mabelkitty]

I DEMAND SHE RESIGN!! TRENT LOTT WAS DEMOTED FOR LESS.

[PoorMuttly]

Shows what's REALLY in her heart...

...nothing.

[Ruth A.]

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

Rather ironical that Hillary! relegated Ghandi to stage two: she wanted people to laugh at him.

[cpforlife.org]

As Queen of AmeriKa, the SMARTEST most BEAUTIFUL woman in the world, and mistress of choice, I must now explain to all the less enlightened what I meant...

[oyez]

I don't know about all that but I'm sure Jawaharial Nehru ran an ice cream stand in Dallas.

[wtc911]

Please provide proof that ghandi "admired Hitler". It is well known that he misunderstood the evil of Hitler and was naive in his judgement, but admired? Where'd you get that?

[Flux Capacitor]

"Gandhi II"
(Weird Al Yankovic)

[ANNOUNCER:]
Next week, on U62....
He's back.
And this time....
He's mad.

Gandhi II!!!

NO MORE MISTER PASSIVE RESISTANCE.
He's out to KICK.... SOME.... BUTT.
He's one BAD mother you DON'T wanna mess with.

[GANDHI:]
Don't move.... slimeball!

[ANNOUNCER:]
He's a one man WRECKING CREW.
But he ALSO knows how to PARTY.

[GANDHI:]
Gimme a steak, medium rare!

[GANGSTER:]
Hey, Baldy!

[ANNOUNCER:]
There is only ONE law.... ....HIS law!

SFX
[machine gun fire]

GANDHI II!!

[Graymatter]

Ethnic stereotypes are not funny anymore? I best go toss my Abbott & Costello collection. Bacciagalupe, addio!