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."

[abclily]

Wasn't there a story about her telling Billy of a man she once married who now runs a gas station? What's with the gas station fixation? And didn't she make a comment about not being able to protect every under financed small businessman? Her comments are examples of what we hear when the elite stupid speak.

[scott7278]

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."

Then the audience members thought to themselves, "Oh, now we get it! She is really smart!"

[thesummerwind]

Tipper told her not to feel too bad. She knew several girls he'd cut off completely.

LOL! Not Nancy Hernreich or Marsh Scott, they're keepers.

[cajun-jack]

Indian women are so popularly sought after as brides because after the ceremony, the groom gets to scratch off the red dot to see if he won a motel or a 7-11.

I know, i know..that ain't funny either!!

[Liz]

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."

Oh no, Hitlery created more (gasp) Dumbocrat victims. Looks like to make amends and demonstrate her "tolerance and (gag) compassion," Hitlery will have to (1) restaff her office with Ghandi lookalikes, (2) swear never to buy gas again at one of "those" stations, (3) organize a hyphenated Ghandi caucus for Dumbocrats, (4) field a presidential candidate from that community,(5) give a big contribution to the Ghandi Institute, (6) hang a picture of Ghandi in the Capitol Rotunda, and, if all else fails, (7) she'll have to get on her knees and give BJ's to all those gas station owners.

[wizardoz]

Very lame joke.

Americans Living With Disabilities called. They want you to retract that crack, mister.

[uncbob]

Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton, with long having "supported the Gandhi message."

By shooting cruise missles at aspirin factories

[Hildy]

Now, THAT's funny.

[neverdem]

LOL

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Ahhh,UHF! Cinematic entertainment at its finest!

[blue jeans]

Notice how she said: "I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise."

Man, can't these people accept blame or responsibility for anything?

[T'wit]

It's a little late to write Gandhi and ask for an affidavit. I stand by the statement.

Doesn't it strike you that your own comments about the man -- that Gandhi merely "misunderstood" Hitler's evil and was "naive in his judgement" -- sound just like an embarrassed alibi for the Gandhi's admiration for Hitler? It also makes him sound like a ninny. Nobody is that naive.

[blue jeans]

I posted it to soon. What I man by that is the phrases they carefully use. She should have said...

"I truly regret MY lame attempt at humor that I had hoped would have been interpretted otherwise."

[Thumper1960]

I must say, in defense of Ghandi.......he dressed much better than Hildebeast and his ankles were immensly more attractive than the "Calves from Hell" that Hildebeast possesses.

[wtc911]

You're presenting your opinion as if it were fact. Many folks look here to learn. If you post opinion as fact you do them a disservice, especially if you are asked to back it up and shirk.

Gandhi's Hitler fault was that he thought that he could be reasoned with on certain issues. This was naivete, not admiration.

[StriperSniper]

That excuse never works on my wife.

That's because you don't let her do it.

;-)

[LibertarianInExile]

That reminds me of the time the Ecumenical Council had their offices robbed and had to replace all their furniture. The Pope, who was running the joint, did the assigning of pairs who would find new pieces, but had a hard time figuring out who'd shop with the religious representative of your turban-wearing buddy, and what they'd go get.

But I remember it came to him like a bolt of lightning--I can still hear him joyfully proclaiming, "Sikh and Druze shelf find!"

That one's all mine, by the way. No one else can claim it, or will probably ever want to.

[LibertarianInExile]

Or my favorite, the Indian bathroom janitor--Huflung Duwandewal

[Thumper1960]

On a snowy day, not long after Bubba's election, Bubba looked out upon the newly fallen snow on the Rose Garden. Bubba was shocked! Someone had urinated out these words in the snow: "Bill is a a__hole" Angered, Bubba called for his Secret Service attache'. "I wan y'all t' find out who done that!", Bubba snorted through reddened and bleary eyes. Some time later, the agent returned. "Mr. President. I have good news and bad news." Bubba asked what the good news was. "Well, Sir....the urine in Vince Foster's.", said the agent. "Well," Bubba wheezed, "What's th' bad news?". "The handwriting is (Hildebeast's) the First Lady's."

Shortly thereafter, Vince Foster was found in Ft. Marcy Park, having assumed prevailing temperature.

[T'wit]

Believe anything you wish.