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DemocratSinceBirth

(99,719 posts) Sat Feb 2, 2019, 12:56 PM Feb 2019

But muh 1984.

James G. Watt had to resign from the Reagan administration in 1983 for making racist comments:

A controversy erupted after a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in September 1983, when Watt mocked affirmative action with his description of a department coal leasing panel: "I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple. And we have talent."[22]

Within three weeks of making this statement, on October 9, 1983, he announced his resignation at deputy undersecretary Thomas J. Barrack's ranch, near President Reagan's Rancho del Cielo.[22][23][24][25]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Watt

6 replies

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Highlight:

But muh 1984. (Original Post) DemocratSinceBirth Feb 2019 OP

Don't even have to go that far.... doompatrol39 Feb 2019 #1

He resigned three weeks after that statement, not 35 years later. borgesian Feb 2019 #2

His behavior occurred at roughly the same time, actually after it. DemocratSinceBirth Feb 2019 #3

He wasn't a governor in 1984. borgesian Feb 2019 #4

I believe joining the Klan is like joining the Mafia. It's for life. DemocratSinceBirth Feb 2019 #5

If he actually joined the Klan, he's going to be in serious shit Polybius Feb 2019 #6

doompatrol39

(428 posts)

1. Don't even have to go that far....

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 12:58 PM

Feb 2019

.....Trent Lott had to resign simply for saying we wouldn't have as many problems as we do today if Strom Thurmond had been elected president. And that was something that had to be explained to most people why it was offensive (and it was offensive). This doesn't even require an explanation.

borgesian

(52 posts)

2. He resigned three weeks after that statement, not 35 years later.

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 01:13 PM

Feb 2019

Either people believe that people can change and be willing to forgive them for problematic past behavior or they won't. Had Northam been photographed parading around dressed as a klansman this January, I don't think anyone would be willing to give him a second chance. We'll see what happens...

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,719 posts)

3. His behavior occurred at roughly the same time, actually after it.

Reply to borgesian (Reply #2)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 01:15 PM

Feb 2019

I would add the only difference is that Watt got caught.

borgesian

(52 posts)

4. He wasn't a governor in 1984.

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Reply #3)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 01:28 PM

Feb 2019

As I said, had he been photographed as dressed as a klansman three weeks ago this would be a lot more cut and dry. Either the voters of virginia believe who he is today is different from who he was 35 years ago or they don't.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,719 posts)

5. I believe joining the Klan is like joining the Mafia. It's for life.

Reply to borgesian (Reply #4)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 01:33 PM

Feb 2019

In a serious vein he never should have put on blackface or donned a Klan uniform in the first place.

Polybius

(15,525 posts)

6. If he actually joined the Klan, he's going to be in serious shit

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Reply #5)

Sat Feb 2, 2019, 01:42 PM

Feb 2019

Who knows what might come out in the next few days.

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