Governor Paul LePage has a history of making tasteless remarks.
Photo: Courtesy of MassAppealNews.comPORTLAND, Maine – Apparently, not everyone’s in the celebratory spirit. Check this out. Paul LePage, the newly elected Republican Governor of Maine and loyal Tea Party supporter, recently declined an invitation to attend the NAACP’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration for personal reasons.
When asked by a reporter to elaborate on his decision, LePage responded angrily: “Tell them to kiss my butt. They are a special interest. End of story … and I’m not going to be held hostage by special interests. And if they want, they can look at my family picture. My son happens to be black, so they can do whatever they’d like about it.”
LePage is referring to his adopted son from Jamaica.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the Governor has made the news for running his mouth.
While on the campaign trail last fall, LePage had the audacity to tell a group of fishermen if he’s elected “you’re going to be seeing a lot of me on the front page, saying ‘Governor LePage tells (Barack) Obama to go to hell.’”
The speech obviously worked as LePage was subsequently voted into office. My goodness. I don’t know which is worse: LePage winning the election, or the credibility of the voters solely responsible.
As Americans, there’s no question we have grown extremely liberal when it comes to “freedom of speech” and all the intangible rights associated with it. Probably more so since President Obama took office.
However, at what point should an angry comment or threat against our Commander-in-Chief be construed as a detestable act of terrorism?
Yes, determining what constitutes a terrorist threat is indeed arbitrary. Any lawyer will tell us that. But a legislative response is still worth a shot. Especially in today’s hostile economic times.
After all, the fatal shootings in Arizona, which took the lives of several innocent people and left many more wounded, were proven to be a byproduct of hate crimes committed by a practicing white supremacist (Jared Lee Loughner).
LePage’s “Kiss my butt” remark, whether racist or not, only adds kerosene to the political fire.
Regardless the intent, this type of verbiage shouldn’t be tolerated from an elected official or anyone seeking public office for that matter.
Seriously people, we need ‘peacemakers’ in legislature. Not instigators.
I’ve had it.
I say “enough is enough.”
It’s time to re-evaluate the “Freedom of Speech” laws and consider immediate revisions. LePage is not only setting a bad example from a prestigious position of leadership, but his behavior is 100% counterproductive to Dr. King’s dream.
Furthermore, adopting a black son doesn’t classify LePage as morally exempt.
A reprimand, in my view, is still necessary.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as District Committee Delegate in Johnson County, he’s an MPA at the University of Kansas, and he’s an adjunct professor in Kansas City.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Governor to NAACP: "Kiss My Butt" - Topeka Democrat | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/democrat-in-topeka/governor-to-naacp-kiss-my-butt#ixzz1BLWW5nr7
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