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Mark Kelly apologizes for offensive 2018 joke
The Hill ^ | 09 10 2020 | Zack Budryk

Posted on 09/10/2020 12:26:23 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

Arizona Senate candidate Mark Kelly (D) on Thursday apologized for an offensive joke he made in 2018 while discussing his brother’s return from space.

Kelly, a retired astronaut, addressed the Boy Scouts of America, Northern New Jersey Council in 2018. During a Q&A portion, Kelly was asked about physiological changes his brother Scott Kelly, also an astronaut, underwent after returning.

“It’s gotten so bad, that we recently had to release him back into the wild,” Mark Kelly quipped, adding, “He’s like halfway between an orangutan and a Howler Monkey. We’ve even changed his name to Rodrigo. He lives in the woods.”

Kelly apologized for the comment in a statement to the Arizona Republic.

"My brother's year in space was really hard on him and we tried to bring some light to his difficult ordeal, but this comment does not do that and I apologize and deeply regret it,” he told the newspaper.

The footage was surfaced by businessman Moses Sanchez, a Republican who ran for mayor of Phoenix in 2018.

SNIP

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: joke; markkelly; racism
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To: yesthatjallen

The entire thing is just stupid joking...Apologize?? Dumb!


21 posted on 09/10/2020 12:46:22 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Sans-Culotte

I don’t get why this is news.


22 posted on 09/10/2020 12:46:32 PM PDT by LIConFem (I will no longer accept the things I cannot change. it's time to change the things I cannot accept)
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To: yesthatjallen

I’ve noticed over the years Democrats find it necessary to “apologize”, and “take full responsibility” for lots of things as though they actually mean it.


23 posted on 09/10/2020 12:50:08 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists Call 'em what you will, they all have fairies livin' in their trees)
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To: cowboyusa
McSally is surging.

Where did you see that ? I just don't get people who are going to vote Trump but vote for a Democrat for the Senate. Trump can do nothing without support from Senators and Congress people. He needs to say that over and over at his rallies - either vote straight Republican or may as well stay home.

24 posted on 09/10/2020 12:50:38 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: Sans-Culotte

The joke is that Mark Kelly is a jacka@@..I remember when he wrote his book demanding that Sarah Palin “Apologize” for his wife being shot..she had nothing to do with it, Palin should have sued his sorry behind


25 posted on 09/10/2020 12:51:02 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: SamAdams76

I called my sister a bad name when I was eight. I guess I can’t run for office now.


26 posted on 09/10/2020 12:51:19 PM PDT by Not A Snowbird (I trust President Trump.)
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To: yesthatjallen

Kelly is a jerk in his own right. The media moron who arbitrarily decided using the name Rodrigo and monkey in the same sentence was racist is an even bigger jerk. When will this garbage ever end?


27 posted on 09/10/2020 1:04:45 PM PDT by chuckee
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To: yesthatjallen
I do not understand the joke or the circumstances.

That said, Mister Kelly hasn't yet seen fit to apologize for being an anti Second Amendment, American-tradition-hating fungus.

That's what he should be doing.

28 posted on 09/10/2020 1:05:01 PM PDT by Seaplaner
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To: funfan

If “it was a joke” doesn’t work for us, it doesn’t work for them.


29 posted on 09/10/2020 1:06:39 PM PDT by EnquiringMind
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To: Kickass Conservative

Well, he said his brother looked like an orangatang (simian) and they called him Rodrigo (Spanish).

That MAY be it.


30 posted on 09/10/2020 1:08:27 PM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: yesthatjallen

Not sure why he is apologizing, did some Monkeys get upset?


31 posted on 09/10/2020 1:09:36 PM PDT by 1Old Pro (#openupstateny)
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To: yesthatjallen

Referring to his brother as a “howler monkey” and “returning him to the wild” is one thing, given he’s not a minority. It’s the suggestion of naming him “Rodrigo”, an obviously Hispanic name, where it’s “rayciss”. Personally, I’m tired of the ridiculous hypersensitivity, but I’m even more tired of the hypocritical double standard. This should be this a-hole’s “macaca” moment, but because he’s a member of the correct, “chosen” party, he’ll get a pass.


32 posted on 09/10/2020 1:10:19 PM PDT by Mr. Rabbit
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To: funfan

Why is it offensive to call black people monkeys...but it’s not offensive to call white people monkeys?


33 posted on 09/10/2020 1:10:47 PM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Mocking Liberals is not only a right, but the duty of all Americans.)
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To: yesthatjallen

Well, it’s great that the Republican is a Hispanic man, but it’s sad to see that we are just as politically correct as the left.

IOW, I guess the joke is that the guy was named “Rodrigo.”? Not that funny, IMO.


34 posted on 09/10/2020 1:13:10 PM PDT by proud American in Canada (In these trying times, "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death!")
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To: Savage Rider

I remember when the democrats used the word “Macaca” to destroy a republican senate candidate, claiming he had used the term to reference a black “campaign trailer”, and that he was calling the guy a monkey.

They even created an entire wikipedia page explaining how the term was offensive, so people looking it up would immediately know.


35 posted on 09/10/2020 1:15:44 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: SamAdams76
I wish to jump onto this thread of repentance and express my regret

Typical election year repentance. Too little too late

36 posted on 09/10/2020 1:15:48 PM PDT by goo goo g'joob
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To: yesthatjallen

Saying his brother was a monkey might have been funny.

But saying that, because his brother was messed up, they called him “Rodrigo” was extremely racist. He was saying he thinks mexicans are messed up and monkey-like.


37 posted on 09/10/2020 1:16:52 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: SamAdams76

Good for you, Mr. Adams.

You also might think about apologizing for the American Revolution.

That one really upset the apple cart. I don’t think the world has gotten past it.


38 posted on 09/10/2020 1:17:15 PM PDT by proud American in Canada (In these trying times, "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death!")
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To: nickcarraway

Having said his brother was messed up, and comparing him to a monkey....

and then saying that they called that messed up, monkey-like brother “Rodriguez”, a Mexican name, because Kelly thinks of mexicans when he thinks of people who are messed up.

A famous sportscaster was long ago fired for comparing a black running back to a monkey. If Kelly was a republican, saying that Mexicans are like monkeys would end his career.


39 posted on 09/10/2020 1:19:31 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: yesthatjallen

Well, at least he didn't change his name to "Geraldo".

40 posted on 09/10/2020 1:22:39 PM PDT by Songcraft
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