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Hillary Clinton Regrets Gandhi Joke
abcnews.go.com ^ | 1/6/04 | metalboy

Posted on 01/06/2004 7:32:02 PM PST by metalboy

Hillary Clinton Regrets Gandhi Joke Hillary Clinton Says She Regrets Joking That Gandhi Used to Run a Gas Station in St. Louis

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS Jan. 6 — 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."

On the Net:

M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence,

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This m


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: duplicate; hillary; slur
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To: autoresponder
Besides, they are anti-Scottish bigots

Wait one minute, we can't have that!!!

61 posted on 01/08/2004 8:06:19 PM PST by potlatch (Whenever I feel 'blue', I start breathing again.)
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To: MeeknMing
Oh Meek, that's just too much to bear, LOL!


62 posted on 01/08/2004 8:54:25 PM PST by potlatch (Whenever I feel 'blue', I start breathing again.)
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To: ScarTissue
I sent him that so he could see you were new (if he didn't know already) and review your comments so far. Did I complain ? No.

Welcome to FreeRepublic.com ...


63 posted on 01/09/2004 6:30:45 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (Howie Dean in the South !!: http://Richard.Meek.home.comcast.net/IowaRatsLastMealNewDeal.JPG)
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To: potlatch
LOL ! Mornin' ! ...

64 posted on 01/09/2004 6:36:12 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (Howie Dean in the South !!: http://Richard.Meek.home.comcast.net/IowaRatsLastMealNewDeal.JPG)
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To: annyokie
That photo ROCKS!    FReegards.
65 posted on 01/09/2004 10:52:16 AM PST by GirlShortstop
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To: metalboy
SHE DID NOT APOLGIZE

On Tuesday, she told reporters in Albuquerque, New Mexico: "It was a lame attempt at humour and I am very sorry that it might have been interpreted in a way that causes stress to anyone. I have the highest regard for Mahatma Gandhi and have been a longtime admirer of his life."

--"I am very sorry that it might have been interpreted in a way that causes stress to anyone."

See it's YOUR fault if you thought she was wrong.

66 posted on 01/09/2004 10:55:00 AM PST by OXENinFLA
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To: ScarTissue
I am of East Indian descent and I am outraged by her remarks. East Indians have a small population but are wealthy. Indians are the wealthiest ethnic group in America. This will come back to haunt her fundraising efforts.

My nieghbor is Indian and is an IT manager. He beats my butt in chess all the time.

The gas station at the corner is Indian owned. The guy working behind the counter drives a BMW 735. Nicest person you could ever meet. I was short on cash a couple of times and was told "no problem", we'll square up next time.

Not to mention their self-deprecating humor. He told me DWI actually stands for "Driving While Indian". Horrible drivers he said. LOL.

67 posted on 01/09/2004 11:01:28 AM PST by ThePointer
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To: metalboy
To state that one "regrets" a thing is not to apologize for it. An apology requires an admission of culpability and a declaration that one is sorry for what one has done.

Hillary has not apologized.

68 posted on 01/09/2004 11:06:11 AM PST by Chunga
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To: Chunga
To state that one "regrets" a thing is not to apologize for it. An apology requires an admission of culpability and a declaration that one is sorry for what one has done. Hillary has not apologized.

She regrets that it may harm her Presidential campaign that she started the micro-milli-second she found out she won the Senate race in New York by vote buying.

69 posted on 01/09/2004 12:48:13 PM PST by metalboy (I`m still waiting for the protests against Saddam and Al Qaida)
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To: annyokie
LOL

EXXXcellent
70 posted on 01/09/2004 12:49:14 PM PST by SerpentDove (The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe.)
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To: Chunga
I am not surprised to see her not apologize. She is the most arrogant person in politics. She believes she is entitled to be president. When she runs she will implode by constantly making dumbs statements like the pro-terrorist Howard Dean is right now.
71 posted on 01/09/2004 4:05:13 PM PST by ScarTissue
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To: MeeknMing
LOL, you're the Lark, Meek, and I'm an Owl!!
72 posted on 01/09/2004 7:26:38 PM PST by potlatch (Whenever I feel 'blue', I start breathing again.)
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To: annyokie
LOL - funniest photo I've seen in awhile!
73 posted on 01/12/2004 3:12:08 PM PST by JLO
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To: JLO
Thanks! Pass it around, please!
74 posted on 01/12/2004 3:17:33 PM PST by annyokie (One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others.)
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To: annyokie
Hey, annyokie - that in itself is kinda funny! Me posting a photo--here's my first attempt. If it works, I'll spread it around. ,
75 posted on 01/12/2004 4:15:11 PM PST by JLO
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To: annyokie
Hey, annyokie - that in itself is kinda funny! Me posting a photo--here's my first attempt. If it works, I'll spread it around. ,
76 posted on 01/12/2004 4:16:03 PM PST by JLO
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To: metalboy
Hillary Clinton Regrets Gandhi Joke

Yeah, she regrets IT WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE!

77 posted on 01/12/2004 4:17:08 PM PST by OXENinFLA
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BTTT.


78 posted on 01/19/2006 3:25:01 PM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: metalboy

BUMP!


79 posted on 11/22/2007 7:45:36 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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