“DePassgate” Is Getting Ridiculous
The story that broke here on FITS last Friday about a racist comment made by S.C. Republican activist Rusty DePass continues to spiral out of control …
Yesterday, over fifty South Carolina lawmakers filed a resolution expressing their “dismay and regret” at DePass’ remark, which jokingly compared U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama to a gorilla that escaped last week from a Columbia, S.C. zoo.
Today, DePass appeared at a news conference called by the NAACP to apologize … again.
Here’s DePass’ statement, courtesy of WLTX.com:
“I want to thank Dr. Randolph for giving me this opportunity to come here this morning. I am here today for one purpose, and that is to apologize in such a way that there can be no misunderstanding.
When I was asked about this on Friday, I apologized for it. I am truly sorry for any offense that I have caused. My remark was clearly inappropriate, and I apologize for writing it.
Since that time, I have written a letter of apology to Mrs. Obama and I have given Lonnie [Randolph] a copy of that letter, though I have made no effort to make it public.
My comment was offensive and a flippant remark made without thinking. It was wrong. It was foolish, and I deeply regret it and any pain it has produced.
I do not want to compound my indefensible words, other than to offer each of you, as I have Mrs. Obama, my complete and total apology and for any offense I have caused.
I have embarrassed myself, as well as my friends and associates, and the members of my family.
All I can do, is ask you to forgive me. Thank you, very much.”
Is it just us or is this is getting crazy, people?
Obviously what DePass said was awful (otherwise it wouldn’t have been a story in the first place), but didn’t he already apologize?
And what is the NAACP doing getting involved? Well, except to once again ignore its actual responsibilities to the black community to focus on the purely symbolic ones?
Most surprising of all is the news – reported by the Associated Press – that DePass resigned his position at a local real estate brokerage over this whole fiasco, which is just flat out crazy in our book.
Seriously, people. What gives?
He’s not an elected official – or even an appointed one – and while it goes without saying his remark was beyond the pale, is it really something he should have lost his job over?
Don’t get us wrong, we stand by our decision to break this story – but shouldn’t “DePassgate” have ended already?
Tell us what you think … to the comment board! And the poll!
Loading ...Pic: WLTX.com
Comments
By James on June 17th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
His profile is already off the Wilson Kibler site (you can still view it on Google cache). It’s crazy. I don’t know if Wilson Kibler asked him to resign or what. Don’t know the story there. But DePass better be glad he didn’t win that State Senate race or was still chair of the Election Commission, because he sure would have had to resign over that. Just like the NAACP did to Imus. I guess right about now we’ll be starting that statewide conversation on race…
By GTA on June 17th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
What is more messed up is allowing Mike Green to participate in the SCGOP Tech Summit today. I heard he was laughing about the whole situation. What an embarassing situation for Starboard Communications and their clients. No wonder Dyke and team Barrett for Governor are running to the hills to get away from Starboard and Green.
By anton on June 17th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
You mean Michelle’s not a gorilla after all?
By abc on June 18th, 2009 at 12:28 am
very sorry this had to happen. was it worth it, will?
By Kevin on June 18th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Mr. Will Folks,
This matter was put to bed this morning. Enough is enough! You have gotten your 15 minutes of fame for your pathetic little website. Are your parents proud since they and yourself go to the same Church. Though I seriously doubt you’ve been much since you slapped your wife-to-be around in a drunken rage! So ta-ta, tally-ho, see ya soon!
By Brian on June 18th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Gorilla comment “blown way out of proportion”: http://thediscust.com/?p=369
By fitsnews on June 18th, 2009 at 6:27 am
“ABC,” – So this whole thing is our fault now? Go drink another martini and take your pills.
“Kevin,” – We prefer fifteen minutes of “infamy,” dude. And we’ve had plenty in the past and will have plenty more in the future.
-FITS
By Pat Hendrix on June 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am
If that comment came to the attention of my employer, yes, I would be looking for another job. Sorry folks, the things you say and write have consequences.
By Noley on June 18th, 2009 at 8:18 am
A gorilla isn’t any more an ancestor of Mrs. Obama than it is of Mr. DePass. But we all come from the same species if you go back far enough. And, much as Mr. DePass may not like it, all modern humans came from Africa.
The big difference is that people like DePass only appear to have evolved.
By Toyota Kawaski on June 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Noley along with the fits out the gene pool.
By peyton manning sucks on June 18th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I think a better poll question would be: Which statement is true?
A. Crusty Rusty has genuinely renounced his racist views and no longer equates African-Americans with gorillas.
or
B. Crusty Rusty is genuinely sorry he was outed.
I think we all know the answer to this one.
By Cooter Brown on June 18th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Dont never ‘poligize to those peoples (NAACP) — even if ye is wrong!
Rusty, if’n he wuz a man an’ not a politishun shoud’ve ‘poligized to whomever he offended– Mi-shell ‘Bama– or nobodie a’tall. Mayor Bob go nuttin t’ say; lawmakers got nuttin’ t’ say– I caint tote anotha man’s water or be ’sponsible fer his werds…
Anie stick will do t’ beat a dawg an’ dis ‘poligy (by anie one) is a stick that’ll be used over an’ over ’till they is beatin’ a dead dawg!
Dont down ‘n scrape befo these race hustlers– never!
By Brandon on June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Let’s hope this puts an end to all this “evolution” talk. I never realized the theory of evolution was racist.
By Darth on June 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Why do Dems continue to get away with equally outrageous quips?
Maybe it is because soemone has decided that Republicans are incapable of being slandered or libeled or maybe they have a sense of humor.
Nice to be equal, so when will Letterman be fired?
By Homer on June 18th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I wondered what it would be like with a black man President. Would it heal up the racial divide in this country or cause more division?
This is a great example of the healing process. No white man in a prominent position can make racial slurs anymore without severe consequences. We just witnessed a white man hanged in public. Let that be a warning.
By Nick on June 18th, 2009 at 11:57 am
“This is a great example of the healing process. No white man in a prominent position can make racial slurs anymore without severe consequences. We just witnessed a white man hanged in public. Let that be a warning.”
I hopew this is sarcasm but I cannot tell. Are you saying you miss the days when powerful white men could racially slur other ethnicities with no consequences? The problem with that is it reeks of discrimination when it comes out of someone’s mouth in a powerful position. Racism is legal, discrimination is not.
By Ms. Mo on June 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Fitsnews,
I just learned about this site 2 days ago. Yes, I have been spreading the word.
Sanford now this! Regarding Depasse, I have no problem with him expressing his first amendment right. But be knowledgeable that when you do others have the right to rebut it. I do not feel that it was an innocent comment so, he can apologize from here to eternity. The milk has been spilled. Yes, the comment may have been flippant but it represents what he truly feels. Although he is not an elected or appointed offical, he is prominent and shouldn’t be this reckless.
Depass, it’s Facebook-do you really think you can post comments and NO ONE will read them?
President Obama, Mrs. Obama, and family- I am disheartened by his comments and a shamed of my state. I am hopeful that a day will come when a certain group of individuals will stop making a donkey out of South Carolina!
By gspot on June 18th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Will,
I hope you are happy and that you got back at McMaster by Tearing down a good man. Just remember, good and bad things you do on people have a way of coming back around.
By fitsnews on June 18th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Gspot-
Last time we checked the man tore himself down.
-FITS
By Brandon on June 18th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Three quick observations with regards to the Michelle/Gorilla comparison.
1. Gorillas originate from Africa
2. African-Americans originate from Africa
3. The resemblance is uncanny.
By Joe on June 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Homer –
The next 10 presidents could be all be a combo of black, hispanic, asian, whatever and none of them would be able to “heal” the racial divide in this country. Why? Because race is an industry in this nation. There is too much money and notoriety (NAACP) along with headlines (WIS, WLTX) to be made by exploiting it. Nobody in power is interested in “healing” the divide. They only wish to exploit it. That’s never going to change.
ESPECIALLY when there is an opportunity to tar and feather a conservative. That’s really when “news” organizations lick their chops. They could care less about hate speech and racism that emanates every single day from the left. They can say what they want because “journalists” agree with them. But boy o boy, let a conservative say something controversial and it’s “Katie bar the door.”
By gspot on June 18th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Will,
The reason you did this was to try to get to McMaster. You “broke” this story knowing damn well what was going to happen. You are not new to the political scene in South Carolina. You did not do this for the website but to get back at McMaster and his staff for “what they did to you”. Not all of us follow you like blind sheep and know the truth.
By James on June 18th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
What does the Rusty DePass situation have to do with Henry McMaster?
By fitsnews on June 18th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Gspot-
What did Henry McMaster do to Sic? And what does that have to do with anything? Enlighten us, and please, and start by extrapolating the words you have in baby quotes.
We stated clearly in our story that the McMaster aide on whose Facebook page DePass made his now-infamous comment did nothing wrong.
Also, you say we “did this.”
We didn’t “do” anything, dumb ass. Rusty did something – and we reported on it.
Also what part of “we don’t think he should have been fired for this” don’t you get?
Sheesh. Talking sense to inbreds really is a waste of time. They never listen.
-FITS
By Ms. Mo on June 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Everyone originated from Africa. If you read your history—you’d know this Brandon!
By abc on June 18th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
- sigh -
By Cooter Brown on June 18th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I aint from Afrika. I’s from South Carolinie! Dont know ’bout yall! No bodie in my family tree ever swung from th’ branches! Why, weeze Scots-Irish, for Christ’s sakes!
By John George Peppers on June 19th, 2009 at 12:01 am
I’m totally amazed and saddened by this whole thing. Have we really become this hyper sensitive that a man (whether good, bad, or in between) must lose his job over a stupid comment? I was reading the other day about how black soccer players in Europe have to endure actual monkey noises throughout their games. Here in America, land of the not free, home of the PC facists, a man’s semi-private thought gets into the wrong bloger’s hands and now he’s out of a job. Incredible. I often wonder if black people, real black people, not just the NAACP opportunists, even care about this kind of stuff. I honestly think if I were black I would not care so much about what some 50+ year old cracker thinks.
Wake up folks, crucifying this guy for making a dumb mistake is not going to bring this world closer together. How about try to forgive your fellow man and move the hell on with your life for a change. Slow freaking news day I guess. One day some bad 9-11 type stuff is going to go down and we will all pine for those crazy old days when we used to call each other monkeys and honkeys.
By lou on June 19th, 2009 at 7:26 am
The comment shows the contempt that South Carolina politicians have for their constituents, their upper leaders, and the entire country.
Nothing matters but South Carolina pols. They are infinite in wisdom, infinite in cash, infinite in constituent criticism.
This comment represents how all SC pols feel about all the people they ” represent”…. you know, We the People, red and yellow, black and white.
By scooter on June 19th, 2009 at 9:04 am
First: I wonder who wrote that apology for Rusty? Second: Why do so many people think this is funny? Third: Thanks, Will for outing a nasty mouth Republican. Funny however, since you hang out with that crowd.
By Bonnie Blue on June 19th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Is “Kevin” really Sewell?? Just wondering…. Wait the sun was out for his post. Nevermind
By J on June 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Wow. First time visitor to the site, but I felt compelled to write a responce. Will, you sure know how to bring out the crazies, but your reporting on this is fair game in my opinion.
p.s. still a diehard REM fan?
By fitsnews on June 19th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
J,
Sic sez:
“I got my spine. I got my Orange Crush.”
-FITS
By Gin on June 26th, 2009 at 9:45 am
The resignation should be for a way of thinking that has no place in politics.