Posted on 01/04/2011 7:12:12 PM PST by Signalman
The famous Marine drill instructor who created a stir last week when he said President Obama was trying to implement socialism has released a statement apologizing for those remarks.
R. Lee Ermey said today that his comments were “misguided” and “emotionally based” and for that he is “truly sorry.” His full statement, which is posted on his website as a splash page, is below:
A Message from the Gunny
“I recently appeared at a fundraising event designed to collect toys and raise awareness for underprivileged children. While that event succeeded in raising thousands of dollars and hundreds of toys for this cause, I regret that I delivered a monologue that was inappropriately critical of the President. I was trying to be entertaining and simply went too far in this instance. I am mindful that my success as an entertainer relates in part to my experience in the Marine Corps, my devotion to its members, and the deep respect I have for members of all our Armed Forces. My comments should not be seen as reflecting on them or their views. I was just very disappointed in the amount of success that we were having raising toys and money for the underprivileged children this season. The poor economy has greatly hampered our efforts. My comments were misguided, and emotionally based, and for that I am truly sorry.”
Semper Fi
Mediaite wonders if the apology is a move to appease the insurance company GEICO. As many know, Ermey has had a resurgence as a GEICO commercial star. But recently, another GEICO voice actor was fired for a foray into political talk:
A few months ago, GEICO fired voice actor Lance Baxter AKA D.C. Douglas for being critical of the Tea Party and Freedomworks. Not only did they fire him, they fired him for a political outburst on his own free time. Will they now fire Ermey?
That could be the reason. But some may just wonder if this is Ermey crossing into “mamby pamby land”:
It’s all about the money, eh Gunny?
So very tired of people backing away from totally correct statements.
Just absolutely sick of politically correct apologies.
Suck it up, or no more GEICO commercials or Disney specials for you!
AMEN!
Patriotism means never having to say you’re sorry.
Well R. Lee Ermey was an Obama-bot in support of the Kenyan when he was running.
So why should we be surprised at this latest flip-flop?
He’s just trying to placate his boss, who is trying to placate the liberals.
And if I’m not mistaken, GEICO is controlled by multi-billionaire Commie, Warren Buffett.
It sounds like an apology for being inappropriately political in the wrong circumstance, and not a retraction or apology for the opinion.
R. Lee got the word from the powers that be.
He was right to apologize for two reasons.
First, it was a Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" campaign, and politics was not appropriate to the occasion.
Second, he was tying the Marine Corps to his criticism of the Administration. The military in the US, unlike many other countries, goes out of its way to refrain from politics. That is a good thing.
That said, "Have a Happy New Year, Gunny."
Such a good actor we forgot he was a actor. Hope Jon Voight kicks his @ss.
I would say that any such comment in such a context would be inappropriate. So if what he’s doing here is apologizing for making such a comment in that context, he’s acting properly.
It was a fundraiser... wrong setting... he is careful with his wording of this.
Reminds me of Patton... by *** it does.
LLS
Never apologize for telling the truth!
I would wager 10-1 that this hand-wringing apology is substantially more embarrassing to current and former members of the Marine Corps than the original statement. The Gunny will be faced with this after talking with other Marines.
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