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De Niro: I meant no offense with first lady joke

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@TigermothII

for example a Berkeley professor who has zero black neighbors and grew up in a white area of a small town in Massachusetts hardly has a right to say how racially accepting they are when they've essentially been mostly insulated from race, poverty and the general the general slog.

I would respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. For any person to suspend judgement despite what their socioeconomic status is, whether high or low, shows great character. I don't actually have to live next door to a [insert race/ethnic group here] to know that I would be tolerant/accepting/open-minded toward him/her? That is the absolute beauty of being open-minded, you live your life without senseless prejudice.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So he apoligized (probably for political expediency) but kept those stripes on him, by voting against the Civil Rights Act. But because he was a Democrat, the people who make judgments about what is and what is not newsworthy chose to give him a pass

The people who "make judgments" are the voters of West Virginia. To the extent they wanted people with segregationist pasts -- like the people of South Carolina, for example -- that is who they chose. The states voting against the Civil Rights Act are the red states.

The white populace of the red states that voted against civil rights laws didn't change their stripes: they became Republicans.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@yabits:

Those whites who apologized for and disavowed their past racist-segregationist activities could remain in the Democratic Party. Those who never disavowed their racism, like Thurmond, could follow him into the GOP.

I guess Byrd didn't really change his strips like a Tiger can't. As a young man, Mr. Byrd was an ‘exalted cyclops’ of the Ku Klux Klan. Although he apologized numerous times for what he considered a youthful indiscretion, his early votes in Congress--notably a filibuster against the 1964 Civil Rights Act--reflected racially separatist views.

So he apoligized (probably for political expediency) but kept those stripes on him, by voting against the Civil Rights Act. But because he was a Democrat, the people who make judgments about what is and what is not newsworthy chose to give him a pass, failing to subject him to a thorough discussion of his past each time he said or did something that might have alluded to it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Then I guess Sen Byrd of WV being an actual kelgal in the KKK is just a mistake. Oh he never left the Dem party either.

Your example proves my point: Those whites who apologized for and disavowed their past racist-segregationist activities could remain in the Democratic Party. Those who never disavowed their racism, like Thurmond, could follow him into the GOP.

Funny how they have all but scrubbed their history of their connections with slavery and the KKK.

Yeah, funny how those "connections" all joined the Republicans over the decades as part of the GOP's racist "southern strategy." Byrd's apology for his racist past came over a half-century ago. The GOP's apology for it's racist recent came in 2005.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Alphaape and others want us to believe that Thurmond was an avowed racist while he was a Democrat, but once he found himself welcomed in the Republican Party, he changed his racist views.

@yabits: Then I guess Sen Byrd of WV being an actual kelgal in the KKK is just a mistake. Oh he never left the Dem party either.

Yabits, you are getting your history from the Dem website. Funny how they have all but scrubbed their history of their connections with slavery and the KKK. After all, it was the Dem Presidedn Woodrow Wilson who screened the film "The Birth of a Nation" in the White House which was a tool used to recruit and revive the KKK back in the 1920;'s after WW1.

It was a bad joke, and if the Obama's were ok with it, why would they denounce it? I for one don't think that Newt should ask him to apologize. Just like some of the cases where the left wants the right to apologize for things, if you don't like them, then don't vote for them.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The joke drew criticism Tuesday from presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, who said the racial reference to the Republican candidates’ wives was “inexcusable” and demanded an apology from President Barack Obama.

So now we know, serrano is Newt Gingrich! Did you demand your apology over the internet?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The joke drew criticism Tuesday from presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, who said the racial reference to the Republican candidates’ wives was “inexcusable” and demanded an apology from President Barack Obama.

So DeNiro says a joke and Newt demands that Obama apologize.

I think this perfectly encapsulated the Obama Derangement Syndrome that has completely overcome the republican party.

Let me again repeat what happened.

Robert DeNiro made a joke. Afterward, Newt Gingrich demanded President Obama apologize for the joke.

This is why we should stop screening for illegal aliens and start screening for repulblicans. They are far too stupid to be left to their own devices.

ROBERT DENIRO MADE A JOKE. NEWT GINGRICH DEMANDED THE PRESIDENT APOLOGIZE.

I cannot stress how stupid this is. If you do not find this to be the dumbest thing you see all week, then I''m calling you out as well because this is beyond pale.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Michelle Obama has her own office and they declared the joke was inappropriate. That just confirms impressions that the First Lady is angry and intolerant. She should lighten up. Deniro has a couple Academy Awards. He isn't looking for other peoples' approval.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It must be exhausting to be a Republican. Can you imagine having to try to muster up a fake sense of moral outrage every time someone makes a joke?

The double standard is tiresome.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Guilt by association is a tactic used by both the Right and the Left in America. Granted, the Left has made it into a deadly political weapon to be welded like a bludgeon. Just note how many times the Left cries racism, sexism, etc. whenever someone on the Right says something perceived as politically incorrect. Liberals do this all the time whenever Rush Limbaugh sticks his foot in his mouth. Automatically, leading Republicans are asked by the main stream press to comment on it. Republicans try to play the same game but the press don't often play along like the do with the Democrats.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If you truly had not uttered a sentence, something or someone else must have given you away. You were, admittedly, "anti-liberal" before you ever moved to that town.

I'm not anti-anyone (well, except nazis, kkk - you know what I mean) and certainly not anti-liberal. I don't happen to agree with how your type might want to go about things much the time. But we're all human - I'm not against a person standing up for their beliefs, even if I don't agree with them. I don't happen to appreciate it when I'm labeled because of mine, which seems to be the liberal tract these days - but there is far too much malice on both sides. Our end desire is pretty much the same, even if it doesn't seem like it much of the time (and I'm certain you would disagree with that).

I wasn't really so much talking about a north/south split as far as racism goes, but rather the oddity (if not absurdity) of some speaking about how 'color-blind' they might be (and no not you per say as I've no idea your experiences) while at the same time living in insular environments that might not provide even the slightest glimpse of the real world. I've lived in the south and the north; in Washington, DC and NY City - and up near the Canadian border. I've been called called 'white boy' 'Whitey' and 'cracker' more times than you might imagine, and once quite literally ran for my life (or more realistically a good beating) when a friend and I dared walk into the neighborhoods to the north east of the U.S. Capitol. But on the other hand I grew up in a community where my neighbors would go to church and talk about 'them d@mned n ____) on the way in, listen to a sermon about brotherly love and then glad hand each other on the way out. It's an odd world. But for example a Berkeley professor who has zero black neighbors and grew up in a white area of a small town in Massachusetts hardly has a right to say how racially accepting they are when they've essentially been mostly insulated from race, poverty and the general the general slog. It's like our modern politicians (from either party) saying they understand the plight of the poor. Not a lot of them began life as anything less than upper middle class.

As per your last, they would be very welcomed - and very much unnoticed in the community in which I currently live. It could be a really decent community if they'd weed out the drugs and stop shooting each other.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The community I moved into was full of university 'color-blind' liberals. I of course was naturally labeled as the southern hillbilly racist, without uttering a sentence - because it was literally assumed that being from the south and not liberal I must be racist.

If you truly had not uttered a sentence, something or someone else must have given you away. You were, admittedly, "anti-liberal" before you ever moved to that town.

Sure his wife is black, but how many of Bobby De Niro's neighbors are black?

Is De Niro responsible for who moves in around him and his family? Is there active discrimination going on around him that he is aware of?

One of more liberal places I have lived in my life is Seattle. Probably more black-white marriages and couples there per capita than anywhere else in the country. Nobody cares.

By contrast, I moved here to conservative Georgia in the early 1980s. One of my white co-workers and an African-American co-worker fell in love and wanted to get married. They had to get transferred by the company out of the state because of the treatment they were receiving from some members of the local community. I'll bet they would have been very welcomed in the town you moved to.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The vast majority of us color-blind liberals wouldn't know or care about such a thing.

I'm always slightly wary and a bit curious about such statements. Of course, we should all be color-blind; disliking someone because of the color of their skin is one of mankind's worst faults. As long as you realize of course that it is not a one-sided sentiment but rather a mutually shared ignorance.

But the statement 'color-blind liberals' always reminds me of when I moved from Virginia to Northern NY. The community I moved into was full of university 'color-blind' liberals. I of course was naturally labeled as the southern hillbilly racist, without uttering a sentence - because it was literally assumed that being from the south and not liberal I must be racist. But when I looked around the town I moved to - I could literally count the number of folks of any color on one hand. Point is - it's easy to be color-blind when you're only seeing one color. Funny how a lot (and no - not all before you start naming off integrated communities in major cities yabits) of the the bastions color-blind liberals live in are usually academic settings that are oddly bereft of particularly African Americans (or contain those of higher educational and social stature). Sure his wife is black, but how many of Bobby De Niro's neighbors are black?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Alphaape, ever ignorant of basic history, writes the following: "It was Southern Democracts who kept up the Seperate but Equal. All of those Southern governors and sheriffs that used fire hoses and attack dogs on Blacks and others during the civil rights movment were Dems."

Actually, they were and are racist conservatives who happened to align themselves with the Democratic Party until something better came along. The GOP was slowly killing off the liberals and moderates in their party -- the ones who most strongly supported action by the federal government in civil rights. That's why a racist like Thurmond made the logical choice to join the very same Republican Party that RNC Chairman had to apologize for in 2005.

Alphaape and others want us to believe that Thurmond was an avowed racist while he was a Democrat, but once he found himself welcomed in the Republican Party, he changed his racist views. (No, this was the same Republican Party that David Duke personally chose as being most aligned with his views -- and which elected him to office in Louisiana.)

But DeNior who is married to a Black woman...

The vast majority of us color-blind liberals wouldn't know or care about such a thing.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Will middle class white guys then be allowed to get into equal opportunity programs? Would we be able to form the NAAWP?

Sure. If you want to become the butt of Deniro's joke.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Conservatives are comparing this to Rush Limbaugh. Of course they wouldn't see the difference. They are such a burden on society.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

it was Democrats who led the charge against desegregation while Republicans filled the opposition.

@Seavy: You should be more specific. It was Southern Democracts who kept up the Seperate but Equal. All of those Southern governors and sheriffs that used fire hoses and attack dogs on Blacks and others during the civil rights movment were Dems. Also, Gore's father along with other Dems held a 24 hour filibuster in the Senate blocking the passing of LBJ's Civil Rights Act. The GOP didn't have a stong showing in the South until many of the southern states grew tired of what they considered the too liberal politics of the Dem party. That's when people who were in the Dem party like Strom Thurman switched over to the GOP.

But DeNior who is married to a Black woman may just be expressing his own favortism for women. But no toher candidate has a Black wife but Obama.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

DeNiro's joke points to something visceral that Americans have to adjust to: the fact that, in the foreseeable future, the United States will become a nation where "whites" -- those descended from northern European countries -- will become another minority.

Yes, and that will be interesting. Will middle class white guys then be allowed to get into equal opportunity programs? Would we be able to form the NAAWP? I seriously doubt it. That would be considered racist. (??huh??)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Can't wait to watch it on the Daily Show, it will sure make Jon Stewart's day.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nothing's ever racist if a liberal says it.

RR

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Ivan Coughanoffalot is in perfect agreement with Ann Coulter, who defends DeNiro in this case, doesnt think the joke was that funny, and mocks repubs for trying to act like libs and be "outraged."

Or Ann Coulter is in perfect agreement with Ivan. Good on Ann Coulter for not acting insane for once.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Looks like Seavey's in agreement with Ann Coulter too.

Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler would agree with Ann Coulter on this and much much more. Me? Pretty much just this. So relax. This no-brainer is just the press trying desperately to create controversy where there isn't any.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While it is true in this country that we have devolved to an unfortunate point in racial scrutiny where an exclusive gathering of folks of color is seen as a community building, emotionally affirming positive thing, and the same exclusive gathering of white people would be called a klan rally.

DeNiro's joke points to something visceral that Americans have to adjust to: the fact that, in the foreseeable future, the United States will become a nation where "whites" -- those descended from northern European countries -- will become another minority. A century from now, Michelle Obama may well be regarded as Dolly Madison is today: the first in a series of First Ladies who reflected the real America of their times.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Newt, Good luck with that. When you start busting sarge tactics, the shark has been jumped.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh come on folks - I can be as conservative as the next, but are we really going to feign indignant outrage over a comment that was very obviously a joke for an attendant audience? Are we that thin skinned, hypocritical and base? True, I will give you that if a conservative made that remark they would likely just be thrown on the 'racist tea bagger' pile (one of your favorites yabits). While it is true in this country that we have devolved to an unfortunate point in racial scrutiny where an exclusive gathering of folks of color is seen as a community building, emotionally affirming positive thing, and the same exclusive gathering of white people would be called a klan rally. But to get involved in petty disagreements and apology demands over not so greatly amusing but whimsical remarks by one of the Hollywood lefties is hardly cause to get one's knickers in a bunch. And in all realistic fairness I'm quite certain that you can hear jokes that are far more inappropriate at any fundraiser for a Republican candidate in the south. If the President were to demand an apology each time an inappropriate joke was made about him or the first family the White House stationary would have been used up a long time ago.

It's time for idiots like Newt - and in fact both sides of the political spectrum - to grow up a bit and concern themselves with more important matters.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

As a person of color, and not American, DeNiro's comment, a supposed "satirical jest", was not only not funny but came off as patronising. The color of his current spouse's skin is irrelevant. And for those who consider Lincoln as The Great Emancipator, that shows shocking ignorance. He actively pursued repatriating slaves to Africa, or anywhere BUT America. The Emancipation Proclamation didn't actually emancipate anyone as it only applied to those in the CSA which had seceded, and Lincoln had no jurisdiction. Further, Lincoln actively supported the Fugitive Slave Act as did most Northern states. There were very few blacks in the North at the time, and the LAST thing Northerners wanted was an infux of blacks. Lincoln was satisfied to contain slavery within the Southern states, but the Southern states refused the Mercantilist policies of Lincoln's Whig platform. The more appropriate moniker for Lincoln would be The Great Subjugator as the result was the subjugation of the several states under the Federal thumb, in Hamiltonian fashion. That's the point when Liberty in America effectively ended, slavery as a footnote.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

What I want to know is why Obama still doesn't have Bruce Willis or Arnold Schwarzenegger on board.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The only possible reason to apologize is that deNiro's ironical joke was too close to the reality that people actually said we weren't ready for a black president in 2008. If you didn't get this, I feel sorry for you and maybe you need to relax and drink less.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Not an accurate accounting of the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The real promise of equality started in 1957 under the Republican Administration of Eisenhower and was signed into law that year.

It was passed by a Democratic Congress, with LBJ as senate majority leader. If took the act of 1965 to provide genuine voting protection rights for all Americans, regardless of color. It is very ironic that the very same racist Democrats (Thurmond, et. al.) who adamantly opposed civil rights were courted into the Republican Party as part of their "southern strategy."

This is why Republicans have to go way back in history to conjure up relics like Lincoln and Wilson to attempt to make their phony case. The admission of Republican racism was made as recently as 2005 by then-RNC Chairman Mehlman, who, on behalf of his party, felt compelled to apologize to an audience of African-Americans for their racist and divisive strategy since the 1960s.

Because racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. is still endemic in the conservative ranks is the primary reason this "joke" should make news and have drawn the comments it has from people like Gingrich.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Looks like Seavey's in agreement with Ann Coulter too.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So, Ivan, are you in agreement with Ann Coulter in this case, or what?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Ivan Coughanoffalot is in perfect agreement with Ann Coulter,

Ann Coulter. Broken clock. Twice a day. Nuff said.

Ivan actually has a woking brain and wit to boot.

Typical. You bring it up,

It was skipbeat who brought up Dems and the 60s! skipbeatMar. 22, 2012 - 08:42AM JST

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ivan Coughanoffalot is in perfect agreement with Ann Coulter, who defends DeNiro in this case, doesnt think the joke was that funny, and mocks repubs for trying to act like libs and be "outraged."

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Good post from sailwind. He comes here with facts.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

reversing the racist policy of his Democrat predecessor Wilson.

You have just reduced the work of dozens of Democrats to the singular pronoun of "his". If that is not bias, what is?

With that, could we please dispense with the pissing match over America's racist past? There were plenty of whites on both sides accountable for slavery and segregation and their end as well. Plenty of guilt and praise to go around.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

However, it took Democrats to provide a real promise equality.

Not an accurate accounting of the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The real promise of equality started in 1957 under the Republican Administration of Eisenhower and was signed into law that year.

The Civil Rights Act of 1957, Pub.L. 85-315, 71 Stat. 634, enacted September 9, 1957, primarily a voting rights bill, was the first civil rights legislation enacted by Congress in the United States since Reconstruction following the American Civil War. The administration of Eisenhower proposed legislation to protect the right to vote by African Americans. The bill passed the House with a vote of 270 to 97 and the Senate 60 to 15. President Eisenhower signed it on September 9, 1957.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

" Look dude, it was Kennedy who brought the Civil Rights Act to Congress, a Democrat majority that passed it, and Johnson who signed it into law."

reversing the racist policy of his Democrat predecessor Wilson. Just another case of Dems imposing slavery on a portion of the republic and then repealing it, provisionally, and expecting us to cheer and genuflect.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

How are we to have an "open dialog" if we can't even make jokes about the topic? Seems to me that throwing around charges of racism at every mention of race only makes it more difficult. People get so circumspect, measure their words so carefully, tiptoe so lightly as not to possibly cause offense, that there is no real communication.

Now if you want a REAL doozie of a remark to chew over, look no further than ex-president Bill Clinton when discussing then-candidate Obama with Ted Kennedy. Old Bill remarked, "A few years ago, this guy (Obama) would have been getting us coffee."

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It wasn't particularly funny, but comedy never was De Niro's strong suit.

He was good in Extras. Playing himself. As a humorless person.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Deflection. How orignal.

Not everyone live back in the fifties and sixies. Reading about African-American history, the Holocaust, WW II, apartheid in South Africa, history in general, China under Mao, S Korea, Japan etc have given me a better understanding when it comes to countries and race relations along with knowing people of different backgrounds. Human struggle for equality and freedom. The men and women who faught to make a difference for themselves and for future generations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I meant no offense with the previous comment. I meant it metaphorically.

7 ( +8 / -0 )

Lighten up, people.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

African-American studies is taught in colleges across the country.

Deflection. How orignal.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Sad that you feel the need to dredge up ancient history and slavery. My comments were clearly focused on segregation.

African-American studies is taught in colleges across the country. If people don't know their own history then how are they going to make the world a better place.

Democrats have every right and reason to laugh at De Niro's joke. So do Republicans. The joke was clearly made at the expense of our racist past, a past we all share. Its you making it political. Just stop.

Racism still exists today. That is why there is a needs to continue open-dialogue on race relations. Thanks to Jonathan Hunt, the joke is expained and I have a better understanding of the meaning behind the De NIro joke. Race is important in the presidential elections, all elections, because America is a melting pot.

Its political since it was a political joke about the first lady and the Republican presidential candidate wives. I don't agree with "America isn't ready for a black president" or find De Niro's joke funny. The race cards comes up by some Democrats and Republicans when it comes to Obama. For me, it's about the issues and policies that will shape the country. The race card takes away the real issue at hand. Newt Gingrich is the perfect example in this case. Tired of the race cards on both sides. The beauty pageant contestants come up with better answers to solving the world problems then these guys.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It must be exhausting to be a Republican. Can you imagine having to try to muster up a fake sense of moral outrage every time someone makes a joke?

It wasn't particularly funny, but comedy never was De Niro's strong suit. But come on - a moral outrage? From Newt (desert dying wife and request open marriage with second wife) Gingrich?

-4 ( +6 / -9 )

Jonathan HuntMAR. 22, 2012 - 10:19AM JST The thing is, this isn't a joke about race. This is a joke about how stupid the people, both republican and democrat, who >said "America isn't ready for a black president" prior to Obama's election are. He's mocking those people on how >blatantly idiotic a comment like that is. For Gringich to even interpret it as a racial jest shows how damn stupid and petty >he is.

Forgot about that jab at Obama. I thought Di Nero's comment was funny.

Di Nero's comments are even more amusing now that you reminded me of that horrible comment. I didn't catch that tie in.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Seavey: One democrat and two independents. Look dude, it was Kennedy who brought the Civil Rights Act to Congress, a Democrat majority that passed it, and Johnson who signed it into law.

Credit Johnson mostly with that. Even Kennedy was a bit hesitant, but Johnson was the man who got it done.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@ExportExpert "he should be Newted" But he'd have to be a British subject and lose enough weight to get down on one knee for that.

Anyway, good point about De Niro having a black wife. Rush may very well have been using his own terms of endearment for his wife, too, but it's still harrassment when it's said about a stranger. Gingrich should keep flailing and ask De Niro's wife to pre-apologize to Herman Cain's wife for any future joking around, in case she is still linked in some way to the Hermanator in his next run for president in 2016.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

skipbeatMAR. 22, 2012 - 09:21AM JST

But of course, some people are pointedly unaware of their own history and the fact that it was Democrats who led the >>charge against desegregation while Republicans filled the opposition.

It was Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, who freed the slaves. WW II changed how people saw the world. The Jewish >people who immigrated to the U.S. after WW II, returned WWII GIs along with Martin Luther King, Rosa Park, Malcolm X >and other people who faught for the African-American Civil Rights movement.

The current Republican party is no where near Lincoln, or Reagan for that matter.

Sure, Lincoln is credited with "freeing" blacks from slavery. He didn't provide freedom from discrimination or segregation. That failure plagued blacks for generations.

There was also an Army officer who was an attorney that developed the legal argument of freeing slaves. He used a law about confiscating war assets to allow taking slaves away from slave owners. It is actually interesting legal history.

Lincoln likely would not have freed slaves except for this officer and the legal premise he used. Lincoln wanted to keep the Southern states happy and was considering to allow slavery to continue post civil war. But as an attorney, Lincoln couldn't avoid the legal premise presented by this Army officer.

However, it took Democrats to provide a real promise equality.

Di Nero is a good actor. and like most actors, they say stupid things when not reading from a script. Gingritch is a smart guy, and he is supposed to be a professional speaker. So, asking President Obama to apologize for a remark made by an actor is actually funny. It reminds me of his other dumb mistakes, like Gingritch telling his mother that Hillary was a B]tch and not expecting it to get out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It was Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, who freed the slaves.

Sad that you feel the need to dredge up ancient history and slavery. My comments were clearly focused on segregation.

Martin Luther King, Rosa Park, Malcolm X

One democrat and two independents. Look dude, it was Kennedy who brought the Civil Rights Act to Congress, a Democrat majority that passed it, and Johnson who signed it into law.

One thing I was wrong about though, it was other Democrats like Mike Mansfield who opposed it. Republicans seem to have barely been involved. But that is because blacks stopped voting Republican. Gee, I wonder why?

Democrats have every right and reason to laugh at De Niro's joke. So do Republicans. The joke was clearly made at the expense of our racist past, a past we all share. Its you making it political. Just stop.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

De Niro likes african american women and his wife is one, he wasnt slagging michelle or obama, infact the opposite he was complimenting them, i think he was meaning having a black first lady is a good thing and he likes it.

De Niro is not a racist, quite the opposite in fact.

As for Newt he should be Newted !

3 ( +5 / -2 )

This is all so confusing. He apologizes to Michelle Obama? Why? Was she the one who was offended? And Newt wants an apology from Obama. Why? Was he the one who was offended? Or does he want an apology to his wife from Obama? Why? Was she offended by Obama? Or was Newt offended by Obama? Or did DeNiro offend Republican wives?

It seems someone made a joke that involved race and everyone rushes out to demand an apology but no one can agree who should receive it. Grow up and move on.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Pamelot.

I agree it was a joke in poor taste. But it was hardly comparable to what Rush said about that poor student. Not even in the same league of insults.

Further, no one from the much more rational side of reality asked Romney, Gingrich or Santorum to apologize for what Rush had said. Because such a thing would be absurd. Rush supports those candidates and their party, but he is not those candidates and he is not the party.

De Niro, has apologized and will have to live with whatever criticism comes his way. Same as Rush. But Obama is in no way liable for this and it is beyond silly to expect him to apologize.

As a person of mixed race, I did not find De Niro's joke funny or offensive. Just unfortunate.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Robert De Niro's elitist "satircal jest", is an veiled insult.

No wonder Newt took offense.

How many of you were ranting a week ago, about the Fluke incident, that anyone who sponsored "anti-women" statements, is supporting them.

DeNiro is raising money for Obama's campaign. Ignorant statements deemed "satire" are used to raise money.

Newt stands up for his wife, and demands an apology from the recipient of this support money, and he's "reaching for driftwood" or "following a different script than the rest of us".

Anyone who feels outrage at this, "it is the colour of their political allegiance".

The words of Martin Luther King were for all racial injustice.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

This is a joke about how stupid the people, both republican and democrat, who said "America isn't ready for a black president" prior to Obama's election are. He's mocking those people on how blatantly idiotic a comment like that is.

Exactly! Color/race should absolutely not be an issue; De Niro was making fun of all those who made such a big thing out of Obama's color.

If Newt was truly concerned about racist comments, he should have another listen to his own comments and those of Sanctorum during the debates.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The thing is, this isn't a joke about race. This is a joke about how stupid the people, both republican and democrat, who said "America isn't ready for a black president" prior to Obama's election are. He's mocking those people on how blatantly idiotic a comment like that is. For Gringich to even interpret it as a racial jest shows how damn stupid and petty he is.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Pity that so many people are still hung up about the colour of a person's skin.

I don't think they are, it is the colour of their political allegiance. Trying to score political points.

0 ( +3 / -2 )

Newt is just grabbing at any piece of driftwood to try to save himself as he sinks back into obscurity.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

But of course, some people are pointedly unaware of their own history and the fact that it was Democrats who led the charge against desegregation while Republicans filled the opposition.

It was Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, who freed the slaves. WW II changed how people saw the world. The Jewish people who immigrated to the U.S. after WW II, returned WWII GIs along with Martin Luther King, Rosa Park, Malcolm X and other people who faught for the African-American Civil Rights movement.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Newt is asking for an apology from Obama? I often wonder if he is following a different script than the rest of us. He seems to be existing on a different plane of existence. Let's call it the "Newt Zone" where all sorts of Newtish things go on that only The Newt can understand.

At least it is not the Dantesque world of fire, brimstone and liberal enemies waiting to crush you that Santorum lives in.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yeah... With DeNiro, it's Satirical jest...

But what if ( and this is a BIG "what if" ) a celebrity supporter of Gingrich, or Santorum, or Romney made a similar off-the-cuff remark about how the White House is ready for a white First Lady?

It would never go away.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

I would have thought it said nothing about anyone except De Niro?

Everyone in the room found it to be funny. The crowd of donors waiting to hear from the nation’s first black first lady roared in approval, and De Niro finished: “Too soon, right?” If the joke was said the other way, people would demand something to be done about it.

Yet another storm in a teacup. Pity that so many people are still hung up about the colour of a person's skin.

De Niro and the Democrats are the ones who bring the race card up. When the Democrats stop using the race card on people who disagree with Obama's policies then just maybe race is not an issue. Using the race card will only divide the country whether it be Democrats or Republicans.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

It was a sarcastic line, and actually funny. Considering the 43 First Ladies before Michelle Obama were all white, DeNiro was making an ironic jest at the historical reality.

Most important, the joke went over well.

If you really want to see someone talking smack about various races, I recommend watching some Russell Peters comedy. He is an equal opportunity mocker.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

For De Niro to make that kind of comments says a lot about Obama, his supporters, and the Democrats.

You should learn to shoot the people who made the situation, not the people who deliver the message describing it.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's ironic that the Democrats find the joke to be funny.

In a country that used make black people drink from separate water fountains, go to different schools, and sit in the back of the bus, the joke is amusing. But of course, some people are pointedly unaware of their own history and the fact that it was Democrats who led the charge against desegregation while Republicans filled the opposition.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

For De Niro to make that kind of comments says a lot about Obama, his supporters, and the Democrats.

I would have thought it said nothing about anyone except De Niro?

Yet another storm in a teacup. Pity that so many people are still hung up about the colour of a person's skin.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

“My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone—especially the first lady,” De Niro said in a statement.

Why would Michelle Obama be offended it wasn't her that De Niro insulted. De Niro was the one that uses the race card. It's ironic that the Democrats find the joke to be funny.

The White House referred questions to Obama’s re-election campaign. Mrs Obama’s campaign spokeswoman Olivia Alair called the joke “inappropriate” but declined further comment.

The joke wasn't funny, and Obama's people are worried that others may not think it funny and won't vote for Obama. They are doing some PR.

Race relationships in the country may have gotten better since the 60's, but it still have a long way to go. For De Niro to make that kind of comments says a lot about Obama, his supporters, and the Democrats.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

"Now, do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?"

"The crowd of donors waiting to hear from the nation's first black first lady roared in approval"

Heh.

"Gingrich... demanded an apology from President Barack Obama"

I checked other news sources. Apparently this is true. Possibly the dumbest thing Gingrich has ever said.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

nsg79, to a great many conservatives, it seems everything is Obama's fault. Next they will demand an apology from him over the recent shootings in France!

Heck, we might even get some charges of racism laid against De Niro.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Don't understand why Newt is demanding an apology from Obama on this one, the event did not even take place in the White House.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

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