Hillary Clinton apologises for Gandhi joke

bijapuri

NEW YORK (AFP) - New York Senator Hillary Clinton (news - web sites) has felt obliged to apologise for making a joke about Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi having worked as a gas station manager in Saint Louis, Missouri.

"I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi and have spoken publicly about that many times," the former US first lady said in a statement.

"I truly regret if a lame attempt at humour suggested otherwise," the statement said.

The apology followed Clinton's remarks at a weekend fund-raiser, where she joked that Gandhi once "ran a gas station down in Saint Louis" -- a stereotypical job for South Asians in the United States.

At the time, Clinton had qualified her joke by adding that Gandhi was a "great leader" of the 20th century.

full article approved by mike

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SHIMLA

'Tis better to think before you speak !

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vistet

The cruel irony is that she dissed a colleague ; both were lawyers before entering politics.

Samsara

Disgraceful. There's no excuse. That's a very racist comment to make. Gandhi's father was a very eminent man, an advisor at a royal court and Gandhi was entered as a barrister in London. Who is Hilary Clinton?

Tomi

Guys, let's not overdo the political correctness. It's neither disgraceful nor racist. She didn't diss anybody. It was just a very bad, awkward joke, that's all. She probably tried to sound cool, like she and Gandhi are both simple people, and it was very badly done. Hillary Clinton is not a nobody, and I'm sure she admires Gandhi. She would make a great American president were it not for the fact that she's so awkward.

jpvs

I think half the problem of the joke is in the 'profiling' i.e suggesting that all Indians can be found running Petrol pumps (sorry gas stations) in the US, rather than dissing Gandhi.

pooch

The other half is that Indians don't enjoy it when others take a dig at them, it's absolutely fine if it came from an Indian. (Bend it like beckham and similar stuff)

Alan D

As a leading politician and lawyer this was an extraordinary thing for Hilary Clinton to say. Normally both these professions weigh their words and the impact they will have on others very carefully.

I would guess she departed from her prepared speech and "ad libbed" this remark. I'm sure we've all said things at one time or another that we've regretted and providing she doesn't make a habit of it most people will see the remark as out of character. The thing is though that it may cost her some votes in future and gain her some others.

rab

I read about this here in Australia today. Hmmmm, I tend to agree with Tomi's point that it was all fairly innocent although I also agree with AlanD that any politician or lawyer should think before they say anything in public.

The sad thing is that this story is more to do with the news bleeders of the media than anything seriously good or bad about Hilary Clinton, Indian people nor American petrol stations - just someone trying to create a story.

You only have to watch "The kumars" or "Goodness Gracious Me" on TV, see the film "East is East" or watch the show "Bombay Dreams" to know that Indian people can take the piss out of themselves quite happily as most nations or races can. On balance I think she probably reacted badly by apologising and probably made things worse.

Finally, why the hell should Hilary Clinton be of any importance or indeed notoriety on the world stage. Who gives one?

Dayglowhamster

As a fellow sufferer from 'foot in mouth disease' (Ehem - remembering the time I walked into a Nottingham Uk, asian owned chemist and asked for a cure to delhi belly!). I think there are very few of us who can claim honestly we've never made similar mistakes.

I'm now going to make myself about as popular as 8 foot tout! Us travellers surely to God are the last people who should be pointing the finger. On any forum at any time you can see racial stereotypes. Often by far the most worrying thing in my mind are the conversations held without any reserve on how to 'handle the natives'. Even being 'experienced' can take on a colonial air of knowing just how to treat 'them'.

It was a bad joke - she apologised and to quote Ghandi:
"We sould be the change we wish to see in the World."

So hopefully you will forgive me for saying this so bluntly - I don't count myself as anything better, I just think maybe we should sort out our own backyard first.

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openair

Pooch- I fail to see
In what way is Òbend it like BeckhamÓ taking a dig at Indian people?

pooch

I meant all the stereotyping in those films but since they are created by people of Indian origin no Indian finds it offensive.

There used to be a website called uptheraj.com, you may still find some cached pages showing up on google. That site was surely the ultimate piss taker but again it was run by Asians.

beach

This is how politics (& politicians!) work all over the world. People get polarized. Arguments would be made for and against. What is the use??

bijapuri

I doubt it will cost the cuckholdee any votes, but might hurt her in donations

jay_m_222

Hillary Clinton is a shallow, self-serving hypocrite. oh, and a compulsive liar. If a republican made this 'joke' she would be the first one to stand up and demand they step down for the hideous, mean-spirited comment.

She came to power because she married a man that became president.

This will be my one and only political comment on this great website =)