Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"Super Size Me" filmmaker apologizes for speech at high school
Times Leader/AP ^ | 3/28/2006

Posted on 03/28/2006 4:52:14 AM PST by Born Conservative

HORSHAM, Pa. - Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock apologized for cursing, calling teachers pot smokers and making insensitive remarks about "retarded" students during a recent speech to Hatboro-Horsham High School students. "It is never my intent to insult or demean anyone - and I understand how some of my remarks may have offended some in attendance and if you feel they did, then I am deeply sorry," he wrote in "A Letter of Explanation," posted last weekend on his blog.

Spurlock, who ate nothing but McDonald's meals for 30 days to make his Oscar-nominated 2004 documentary "Super Size Me," spoke for about an hour Friday to 700 students in conjunction with a health and wellness fair.

But officials considered Spurlock's speech so inflammatory that principal Dennis Williams Jr. cut it short and the Hatboro-Horsham Education Foundation canceled his scheduled evening talk to the community. Spurlock may not be paid for his appearance. Junior Michelle Berlin, 17, of Hatboro, said Monday students thought the speech was funny at the time, but many have since reconsidered.

Although some in attendance believe Spurlock commented on "retarded kids in the back wearing helmets," he said in his blog that he only referred to himself as retarded and that the comment about helmets was meant as a "slacker reference" to a character in the upcoming film "Benchwarmers."

There actually were special education students in the back row. Teachers led them out during the presentation. "Having done work with special needs children in the past, something this hurtful would never come from my lips," he wrote.

Spurlock said his reference to teachers smoking pot was a joke meant to amuse students. He did not address allegations that he had insulted certain racial or ethnic groups such as Indians or Mexicans.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: spurlock; supersizeme
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

1 posted on 03/28/2006 4:52:16 AM PST by Born Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

I think this school system got what it paid for. What did they expect intelligent to come out of this man?


2 posted on 03/28/2006 4:55:07 AM PST by FarmerW ("We have the freedoms we fight for, and we lose those we don't defend." -Rushdie)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FarmerW

Sheeesh, it's the same type of talk the students speak everyday in the halls...


3 posted on 03/28/2006 5:11:23 AM PST by Zavien Doombringer (Mr. Franklin, what form of customes did you create in Tiajunna? A beeber, Madam, if you can stune it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Zavien Doombringer

But this speaker, himself, came on the small bus.


4 posted on 03/28/2006 5:14:17 AM PST by muawiyah (-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

5 posted on 03/28/2006 5:16:54 AM PST by maggief (and the dessert cart rolls on ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

Let me be the first to say that eating nothing but McDonalds meals for 30 days is enough to turn anyone into a retard.


6 posted on 03/28/2006 5:18:56 AM PST by sgtbono2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

Well, they ordered a drive-by McProgram, and that is what they got.


7 posted on 03/28/2006 5:19:13 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative
"It is never my intent to insult or demean anyone - and I understand how some of my remarks may have offended some in attendance and if you feel they did, then I am deeply sorry,"

IF?????

Why the hell can't people just apologize instead of making caveats all the time.

8 posted on 03/28/2006 5:19:15 AM PST by mware
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative
I understand how some of my remarks may have offended some in attendance and if you feel they did, then I am deeply sorry,

Whatever happened to: "I regret what I said. It hurt people. For that, I apologize." He gave the standard "no harm, no foul" apology.

9 posted on 03/28/2006 5:20:20 AM PST by SlowBoat407 (The best stuff happens just before the thread snaps.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FarmerW
"It is never my intent to insult or demean anyone - and I understand how some of my remarks may have offended some in attendance and if you feel they did, then I am deeply sorry,"

This looks like a classic non-apology apology. The guy is speaking weaselese here. (JMHO)

CC

10 posted on 03/28/2006 5:21:07 AM PST by Celtic Conservative ("Minutum Cantorum, Minutum Baloram, Minutum Carboratum Descendam Pantorum")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative
Although some in attendance believe Spurlock commented on "retarded kids in the back wearing helmets," he said in his blog that he only referred to himself as retarded and that the comment about helmets was meant as a "slacker reference" to a character in the upcoming film "Benchwarmers."

Weasel.

11 posted on 03/28/2006 5:21:14 AM PST by siunevada (If we learn nothing from history, what's the point of having one? - Peggy Hill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

Morgan Spurlock your fifteen minutes is long gone.


12 posted on 03/28/2006 5:21:53 AM PST by bmwcyle (We got permits, yes we DO! We got permits, how 'bout YOU?;))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

He's a well-funded, well-educated Leftist. They got what they paid for.


13 posted on 03/28/2006 5:22:48 AM PST by Clock King ("How will it end?" - Emperor; "In Fire." - Kosh)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

I watched one episode where he would work for min wage....but he made more than minium wage. I think it might have been 7 or 8 an hour. but he was such a wieney , his wrist was hurting so he spent umpteen dollars going to clinic , just for them to tell him to take it easy. most lower income guys wouldnt go to the doctor if their legs were falling off.


14 posted on 03/28/2006 5:41:27 AM PST by Kewlhand`tek (Those that can't , Teach. Those that can't teach , Report)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Ping to read later


15 posted on 03/28/2006 5:45:00 AM PST by Alex Murphy (Colossians 4:5)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FarmerW

Exactly right. Reminds me of a biblical verse: Out of the abundance of the heart doth the mouth speak.


16 posted on 03/28/2006 5:47:35 AM PST by Obadiah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative
Background Info

Hired to speak at the school's 'first-ever' health fair.

The school apparently has money to burn.

17 posted on 03/28/2006 5:49:20 AM PST by elli1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative
My son who is a special education student had to watch part of this movie in health class with the regular ed kids. I called the teacher to tell him this film has a political agenda and I don't like it. He got my point and said only parts of the film would be shown. It was for a lesson on healthy eating.
18 posted on 03/28/2006 5:51:56 AM PST by AmericaUnite
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Born Conservative

Spurlock is a tool of the left...


...but mostly he's just a tool.


19 posted on 03/28/2006 5:54:21 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sgtbono2002
Let me be the first to say that eating nothing but McDonalds meals for 30 days is enough to turn anyone into a retard.

Amen to that..I am going out on a limb and guessing even McDonald's execs would not recommend to do what that idiot did..what a maroon..I wonder if I drank a case of beer everyday for 30 days in a row..would I then say that beer is bad for you????

20 posted on 03/28/2006 6:01:11 AM PST by BerniesFriend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson