COLUMBIA, S.C. - Here we go again! It seems that with each new day comes a new racial insult, epithet or extremist rhetoric at the hands of a Republican - directed at the Obamas, of course. Afterward, it is promptly followed by the predictable and disingenuous apology with an, "I had no idea it was offensive" or "if anyone was offended" statement attached to it. The latest perpetrator (or, for right-wing idealogs or extremists = freedom fighter, truth speaker, or "real" American) is GOP activist Rusty DePass.
Last week, a gorilla escaped from an exhibit at South Carolina's Riberbanks Zoo. Trey Walker, advisor to South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, commented on the escape on his Facebook page. Mr. DePass responded to the post with the following comment:
“I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless."
Here's a screen shot of the original Facebook interaction:
Once news of the racist comment spread, Mr. DePass issued the following "apology": "I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone. The comment was clearly in jest." He then added, "The comment was hers, not mine," claiming that Ms. Obama once said that humans were the descendants of apes. To date, there hasn't been one news outlet able to confirm that the First Lady ever made such a comment.
