Rep Young Joins the Crazy Clown Circus

We have to stop the clown parade.

Rep Young, the only member of the House of Representatives representing the state of Alaska, recently proved yet again that serving in office for 40 years is a bad idea.  In a radio interview, he used a word as reference to Mexican migrant workers that no person in civil conversation uses.  He went on to say, gosh, it was the word he grew up using.

In an interview with a local radio station Thursday, Alaska Rep. Don Young was discussing how advances in technology have reduced the need for some types of employment and referred to farming his family once did in California.“My father had a ranch; we used to have 50-60 wetbacks to pick tomatoes,” he told KRBD. “It takes two people to pick the same tomatoes now. It’s all done by machine.”

The predicted uproar began, rightfully so.  Rep Young went on to do what his peers so often do - he tried to justify his racial slur.  His office - not him personally - issued this statement as an attempt to clarify the remark.

“During a sit-down interview with Ketchikan Public Radio this week, I used a term that was commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in Central California. I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays, and I meant no disrespect,” he said. 

Again, predictable, this satisfied no one.   Speaker Boehner immediately issued a statement condemning the remarks:

“Congressman Young’s remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. I don’t care why he said it – there’s no excuse and it warrants an immediate apology,” Boehner said.

Finally, an apology came from Rep Young:

“I apologize for the insensitive term I used during an interview in Ketchikan, Alaska,” Young said in a statement. “There was no malice in my heart or intent to offend; it was a poor choice of words. That word, and the negative attitudes that come with it, should be left in the 20th century, and I’m sorry that this has shifted our focus away from comprehensive immigration reform.”

Here's the thing - the man used the word in normal conversation.  He's a lifelong politician, so it's not like he didn't realize a dumb remark in an interview wouldn't make news.  HE DIDN"T THINK IT WAS A HORRIBLE THING TO SAY!  It was as though someone said the n-word and then acted as though it was an acceptable word since previous generations used it.

People in the Republican party are working hard to change the face of the Republican party and the tone of those talking.  Old white stupid men are killing us in public opinion.  The ignorance is breathtaking.  The time of those serving for 40 years is over.