Overnight, I got this email that says it’s from Jake Knotts (I didn’t know the email address):
STATEMENT BY SENATOR JAKE KNOTTS WITH REFERENCE TO: Release of leaked video tape
When this story first appeared two years ago, I was embarrassed. I’m embarrassed again now.It was a very poor attempt at satire in an interview given inside a pub. But it wasn’t funny. It was offensive. And I very much regret my remarks.Once again I offer my sincere apology to the Governor and her family.I only hope people will realize this two year-old interview is being leaked by campaign operatives who hope to hurt me politically. But that’s no excuse for my behavior. Heated political rhetoric is not the answer. I can only say again that I’m sorry.This experience has made me a better public servant. I’m not going to let attacks and leaks by opponents distract me. My focus is on creating jobs and helping the people I represent build a brighter future for their families.
This is in reference to a clip showing his “ragheads” remark from Pub Politics, which has surfaced as an “exclusive” (which means no embed code, which is just plain stingy) on BuzzFeed.
Tell you one thing — whenever Jake’s up for re-election, things are never boring.
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The old “satire” dodge. Perhaps a brief review of what actually constitutes satire would be appropriate.
“Heated political rhetoric is not the answer.”
Isn’t that pretty much always his answer?
I expect nothing less than this from Jake Knotts. What disappoints me about the video is that none of the people sitting around him while he was ranting brought him to task for what he said.
I guess Jake Knotts is not sorry about the comment in regards to Obama.
Leon, you propose an interesting side discussion.
People who do not regularly find themselves in social or professional situations in which people with whom they disagree — perhaps people with fundamentally different value systems — regularly express themselves, have an unrealistic notion of how they would react in such a situation.
At least, that’s what I infer.
The people on this video reacted the way most people do in such situations. They go, uh… yeah… and change the subject.
What exactly do you think would be the PROPER response, the one that would morally satisfy you? What would be the tone? Self-righteous? Priggish? Furious? Sneering? Really… I strongly doubt that you would say to Jake, in front of other people, what you say about him behind his back. Not because you’re afraid of him, but because you’re too well bred to get up on your hind legs and give a lecture.
At least, that’s the way most people are, most of the time.
Perhaps my own perspective is skewed because I am by profession (even if I’m not paid a salary to do it anymore, my instincts are those of my longtime profession) an observer. When somebody starts saying something outrageous, I get like a hunter who senses the presence of game. I get still, and try to make no noise, so as not to spook anybody or warn them to shut up. I want to see where it goes, where it would go if I weren’t even present. That’s what I want to see and know, and be able to provide to my readers.
Later, I will certainly comment on what I saw and heard, but act to change the experience as it is happening? That runs against instinct…
His *apparent* apology, emphasis Brad’s, is signature SC politics. Nothing (NOTHING) can be taken at face value.
“When somebody starts saying something outrageous, I get like a hunter who senses the presence of game. I get still, and try to make no noise, so as not to spook anybody or warn them to shut up. I want to see where it goes, where it would go if I weren’t even present. ”
Like when you let Dick Harpootlian make homophobic remarks about Glenn McConnell and infer that Mark Sanford had a sexually transmitted disease? The fact that you didn’t have any response to those statements when made in your presence is not something I would be proud of.
Seems like you just aren’t as willing to engage face-to-face as you are when sitting behind a keyboard. There’s a word for that.
Video = set up, anyone?
If Brad were honest, and not a disciple of deception, he would see this.
Wes Donohue’s gang signature beard stroke reflection at the end of the clip is key to the set-up clue.
>Get the clue<
This is more of the pro-forma dirt on potential defectors from the *Donnie Myers’ Way* that I have warned and warned and warned and warned about.
>Get this clue, too<
For map afficionados — according to Mapquest…
1 Donnie Myers Way is “Center of: Lexington, SC”:
http://www.mapquest.com/#b22d54a44a4c2a6b8ce21e8e
@ Doug: Ca ca caw ca ca ca caw!
http://youtu.be/8x-7v3PJ6Eg
Wow, Doug. You’ve got it exactly backwards.
For the record, anything I ever say about anyone in writing, I also say to their face. That’s the great thing about being an opinion writer. You’re free to do that. If I were in news, it would be gross unprofessionalism.
What we’re talking about here is presuming to step in like a kindergarten teacher and chew somebody out for something they said. That’s not a role I would want to play, and it certainly wouldn’t have anything to do with courage.
If I had said anything to Jake, it would have been something sarcastic, like what I wrote on my blog about Jake apparently having his epithets mixed up. Pub Politics would be a proper setting for that. But no, I wouldn’t come on like Moses tossing down the tablet from Sinai. Mainly because I don’t feel self-righteous as easily as some people do.
What’s kind of funny about this is that most of my life I’ve been known for provoking people and telling them just what I think of them. I set back my career many times doing that. But it was always with colleagues, usually my boss, and in one really shameful incident, a subordinate — not with newsmakers or the general public. (OK, one or two times I did that, too — but it wasn’t the rule.)
The thing is that those aren’t incidents I’m proud of. Staying cool is a virtue, and one I’ve always had to work hard at.
By the way, does anyone know what Mab is talking about? I’m having trouble following…
I have no idea. Mab sure talks about Donnie Myers a lot…
Every microphone is a live microphone.
If you don’t want people to use things you say against you don’t say them.
Its a lesson that politicians are slow to learn I know. Its stung even President Obama lately and he is extremely media savy.
Senator Knotts doesn’t owe anyone a explanation. The door swings both ways though. Don’t expect the media to fall over themselves to cover your campaign either.
Of course the release is political. Its been years since this took place btw. In the end its just a talking point though. can’t blame ol’ jakey from wanting this to go away.
Brad — there is no need for you to follow me. Why start now?
BTW — does anyone else find that street sign a veiled threat? Remember all that bitching and moaning about Mark Sanford’s “my way or the highway”? It all seems pretty ridiculous now, in retrospect.
Brad, I guess I am of the new school of thought that journalists should challenge politicians in their interviews. If I hear a politician say something patently stupid or unfair I want that journalist to challenge him/her on it. That is one big reason why I never liked Larry King….too many soft ball questions and too much trying not to offend his guest.
“Leon Smith says:
May 17, 2012 at 11:17 am
Brad, I guess I am of the new school of thought that journalists should challenge politicians in their interviews. If I hear a politician say something patently stupid or unfair I want that journalist to challenge him/her on it. That is one big reason why I never liked Larry King….too many soft ball questions and too much trying not to offend his guest.”
Its a fine line between journalist and activist. If you want to debate with an interviewee you free too. It can easily be seen as crossing the line to pushing an agenda.
Even on my little website its a very hard to draw the line.
Ensuring they answer the question that you asked is one thing. People will try to default to their talking points. Questioning the validity of their answer is an agenda.
Saying that nothing is wrong with having an agenda. Everyone can have an opinion and can write it down. When you try to sway an official to your way of thinking your not a journalist anymore. Your an activist.
I try to demonstrate the difference when I report on something by clearly stating when my editorial or commentary starts.
People will try to default to their talking points.
-Travis
That’s why the Sunday morning talks shows are so worthless. No matter what question is asked the guests always default to the talking points. Ask Mitt Romney anything and it’s “I just want to talk about the economy”. Ask him about the economy and he immediately launches into a chorographed Obama slam without really saying what he’d do (aside from cutting taxes on the “job providers”). Too bad politicians aren’t a little more candid. That would be refreshing.
So, should Robert Ariail had been censured by The State when he drew, then candidate, Nikki Haley, riding on top of an elephant in full Indian regalia?
Was Robert being racist or funny when he drew that cartoon?