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A former chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission has apologized after his posting on Facebook suggested a gorilla that escaped form a Columbia zoo was an ancestor of first lady Michelle Obama.

Minutes after the gorilla’s escape was reported Friday, Rusty DePass posted: “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless.”

The comment has since been deleted, but DePass confirmed to WIS-TV that he made it, apologizing and saying it was a joke about statements Obama has made about evolution.

DePass is a former chairman of the Richland County Republican Party. He didn’t respond to a phone message Saturday from The Associated Press.

Former state Republican chairman Katon Dawson says the comment was sad and disappointing.

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Tags: GOP, Michelle Obama, South Carolina
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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blkmail2000/ blkmail2000

    Once a racist always a racist he will never he’ll just take his comments to that all white country club now.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/billy-bidness/ billy-bidness

    Not even surprising! All These old White dude Republican GOP Bastards aint s**t but some Good ole Boys, Really gonna just be extra s**tty for the next 8 years….

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Stan_Vinyl/ Stan_Vinyl

    E-PHUCCIN-NUFF ALREADY! REALLY? IF YA’LL REFUSE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I WILL!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/KNight-Rida/ KNight-Rida

    WTF? Just when you think the GOP ha nothing left in their bag of goodies to surprise you, sue enough, here comes more foolishness.

    The hate-filled, real-America, kill minorities and gays and abortion-doctor crowd really know how to incite people, don’t they?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com//

    Look how ugly that white beast look. He make gorillas look like supermodels

    He all pale long azz chin meat just a hangin. His nose look like a dikc whit his nostrials looking like two small balls

    White ppl are the ugliest ppl on da planet. This why they always at tan salons trying to be us. And at the plastic surgeons getn hifh check bones and thick lips and round behinds

    Ugly azz kkkrackas

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/sixsixgrwnsxy/ sixsixgrwnsxy

    Never in all my years of following politics have I heard such dis-respectful commentary hurled at a sitting President and his wife!
    And where’s Rush? Where’s Chenney? Where’s the RNC? This the very reason why I am fleeing this county when I retire!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/f150man1/ f150man1

    You can look at the dude and tell he’s senile. It’s probably something he said to a few friends and got a laugh out of it. He said it once to often and oops the cameras are on. I’m glad I don’t live in the south anymore but you have to ignore stupidity like this. This guy was probably raised that way and nothing will ever change his mind so why try. I’m just glad he’s a former chairman.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DAREALRECKLESS/ DAREALRECKLESS

    well, the majority of black women i encounter these days love white men and value their opinions so i have nothing to say.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SyettaHaSTaLeNt/ SyettaHaSTaLeNt

    ugh the nerve of him!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/southdade77/ southdade77

    MAN IF YOU REALLY WANT A LAUGH GOTO http://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.ORG THAT SHOUD CHEER EVERY ONE UP AND OHH YEAH TO ALL YOU RIC HONKYS THAT RIPPED OFF OUR COUNTRY F**K YOU YOU HAD UR CHANCE

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/itsbigma2090/ itsbigma2090

    just some ignorant red neck from down south makin racist jokes. U bastards get a hobbie besides drinkin beer and f**kin ur on daughters.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Blkrain71/ Blkrain71

    Gorilla? hahhahha These racist white folks aren’t holding back no punches these days. LOL

  • http://www.blackplanet.com//

    no itz mo likely da gorilla wuz rusty depass’s ancestor. well maybe i dont proof but how dare ya insult da 1st lady like dat. y dint ya insult laura bush or hillary clinton wit da gorilla “joke”? iz it cuz ya racist? damn, 1st da news cartoon makin a mockery of barack obama and now a mockery of michelle. ppl jus dont kno when ta quit do dey? wutz ya gonna do next, make fun of obamas daughters? damn i hope not.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Nique_11/ Nique_11

    Wow look how far we’ve come. I guess there is no reason to have the NAACP or any other organizations to protect the rights of minorities. Look at ALL those people who have our best interest at heart. I guess that little slogan “Erascism” worked afterall. Us is free and equal now yall!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Candygirl48/ Candygirl48

    How shameful, I wonder if such statements would have been made about Mrs. John McCain if she had became 1st lady. It just shows how much “hate” still lies in the hearts of so many “caucasian people.” These racist people say jokingly………what they really mean from the heart. If “you people” were in some of the foreign countries ie., (No. Korea, Iran, Iraq, etc) your asses would be put to death. The white man has ruled the whitehouse for many, many, many years, never heard any one of the or their families spoken of in that manner. All of you “OBAMA HATERS” blacks, whites, and any other color………….build a bridge a get over it. He’s our president for the next 4 yrs (hoping for 8)so move on.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/B-WISE7/ B-WISE7

    My American people this is why the united states is in this big hole & can’t get out! because god don’t like ugly Depass & his fore father’s are the reason for that ! how can you hate a person that was made in gods image unless you are a devil !!!!!!!!!!!peace America !

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/B-WISE7/ B-WISE7

    The devil is always busy ain’t that right depass !who you to call someone a monkey! when the red race have more hair on them then most brown people ! If you shave a gorilla hair under his skin is red so think before u talk !im tired of you lame racist trying to label people when you the gorilla & monkeys uncle ! peace my american people from B-wise ps.I also wrote the message in the blog above this one !

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/baddscorpia/ baddscorpia

    Lmbao @ Nique_11

    Us is free

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Stormyweathers25/ Stormyweathers25

    The more we feed into this the more they post and say crap. BP I’m getting annoyed with you. You keep allowing your counter parts to post these things, it only breaks us down. Talk about the good things Blacks are doing. Talk about the good things our President is doing. TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES RACIAL CRAP. Don’t you get it they want us to stay stagnant to continue b***hing and complaining. I’m not saying don’t speak for yourself, or let people walk over you or disrespect your culture, but pick your battles wisely. Prove to yourself what you are worth.

    damnit.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/STEPHANIE77TX/ STEPHANIE77TX

    I agree stormyweathers25. Although I am not black and I dont have the first idea of what its like to be black I do know that the media is fueling anger and resentment. I want to be informed but I believe if someone apologizes, accept it. Remember if we cant forgive, we wont be forgiven. I believe that we as a nation on the whole are moving forward and if we just wait for all these old ass men both black and white to go to the other side we can really start to evolve as a people who love our neighbors and help each other. We must start with our children. Allowing little children of other races into our home and our hearts and teaching our children respect for other cultures. Isnt that what America is anyway? The fact is this, White people say stupid things about other races and so do black people about their own race and other races. Outside of Jeff Foxworthy and his you might be a redneck if you very seldom hear a white man bash his own for just making it in the world. Black men have to evolve and learn to help and trust one another and lend each other a hand. Women too. Some of the best moms I know are black mothers. Men are what all our households need.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/vasco5/ vasco5

    i think she should’ve said we all evolute from ate which is another white man bullsh**t theory it’s us who pick up the crap that they claim they’re for,my philosophy is if you beleive in god you may reply after,if god create all these animal and creature why would it be so hard to think he created human as human if he created monkey as monkey think ppl

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/vasco5/ vasco5

    if god created monkey as an monkey what makes it so hard to think that he created human as an human, think ppl we need to stop picking bullsh**t that’s is been said by these so called smart folks they don’t know sh*t it’s gonna be shown like light out of darkness.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/gren1shaw2/ gren1shaw2

    What race is a vile,heinous,pestilence? What race while claiming all other races as sub-human has tried to and succeeded in mixing their seed with these races?what race is causing the earth to eventually become desolate? Give up? what race considers itself godlike? Still do,nt know? Well open your eyes,is an ape worse than them? the answer is obvious.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/autumns/ autumns

    Stephanie77tx: what in the world are you talking about?? This man has apologized but do you really think he meant it? Get real! Your race has done some of the most unmentionable, hateful, and pure evil things known to man.And if white people don’t talk about members of their own race, they should cause its heck of a lot of stupid dumb ignorant ones. Read the book STUPID WHITE MEN. You have no business talking about what black men need to do. Only talk about what your race needs to do.Your race has totally destroyed this entire planet. Your people are mad that ours are in office trying to clean it up!!!!!! As usual, we’re always faced with the dirty work after yall make a big ole mess!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/AutonomousLegion/ AutonomousLegion

    Sure dude was a dick for saying that about our fine ass first lady but so? One guy post an offhand comment and it’s supposed to piss us all off? Leave it to BP to prepetuate these things. I’m sure they would think it was racist if someone started WHITEPLANET.com

  • http://www.blackplanet.com//

    Why in the name of God are we dignifying ANY OF THIS MESS?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SensualElluzion/ SensualElluzion

    Alright, I’m not gonna lie I laughed my behind off when I saw the first Obama Racist email with students running as a matter of fact I went back looked at it again and I’m still laughing.

    But with that said you have to take that kinda of stuff with a grain of salt comedy is never polite. Especially when used at the expense of others.

    Look no further than the Boondocks and Aron McGruder makes us take a long hard long at ourselves and rips white people a new you know what every chance he gets.

    Look at comedy classics such as “Raw” and “You So Crazy” which Marin practicality mirror “Raw” from an updated leather suit to new age spin on old jokes. And they made fun of white people as well as our own my point is comedy is cruel and often times at other people’s expense.

    The real issue to me really aren’t these jokes in poor taste but these quote unquote black appointed; by white so called authorities used as living mask to house other peoples foul views of us.

    These aren’t jokes these are real epithets of the inner workings of plot stream lined at by passing the race card by having one our own turn against us with propaganda I don’t even know how they can sleep at night. Living Uncle Ruckuses the embodiment of self hating condescending black men.

    It allows people who have these views to say with a grin well such and such has the same thoughts as me and he is African American.

    It just sickens my stomach…

    To any of you who thought Obama was gonna get in office and we were going to start singing we are the world you were sadly mistaken. Our president knew what he was up against and just because he defied the odds. Doesn’t mean there weren’t and aren’t people who still hold strong views against him and all people of color.

    If we want to be respected and viewed as equals we most strive for black excellence in all endeavors in our life from parenting, working, in our neighborhoods in the work place.

    We have to stop being the number one killers of ourselves and be the number one healers and motivators of ourselves then and only then can we not ask to be treated as equally we can PROUDLY demand it!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Stardune/ Stardune

    Did he forget to look in the mirror at his self, because the lady from Ireland that was singing on that show overseas looks a hell of lots better then him. White people think they can say stuff and it is oh my bad and Im sorry until the next time.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/KnotChoAverageJoe/ KnotChoAverageJoe

    SO WHAT!!!!!

    You all act like you never, in your life, made a comment about people. If you say, “no,” yur lying like a motherfu@*&.

    Ok Southdade: I guess its time blacks ripped off the country huh? Cus thats what the “787 Billion Stimulus” is, to me.

    Six Six: All types of media, including NBC, did it to Bush when he was in there. You just never paid attention until now. So ask this… Why did it take an Obama for us to pay attention to politics? What ever your view, stay active and know whats going on. Dont stop paying attention in 2016 when Obama is done.

    BP knows it can stir up some mess! And we, like dumb azzes, eat it up like it’s Brand New.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Melaninman/ Melaninman

    You know what, all of the previous posters are clueless about how some white Americans feel about Black and others. You all really believe that it is only this man that has made disparaging comments about the president and Michelle Obama?, Get a load of this
    http://www(dot)stormfront(dot)org/forum/showthread.php?t=596544 I am sure most of you know how to translate the above address, substitute . for (dot, past into your browser and get ready to be shocked and amazed. You all can also find other threads on this forum that will make your blood boil. I am not attempting to advocate any ill intentions, but what I read on that forum pisses me off, but that is only a product of so called “freedon of speech” Read ‘em and weep.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Melaninman/ Melaninman

    Oh, one more thing, the intelligent knowledge seeker should make it a point to visit stormfront(dot)org on a regular basis to get a hint of what a segment of white America thinks about Black Americans and to develope appropriate counter measures. If you think things have changed that much since the civil rights movement, you are mistaken, arm yourselves with knowledge. You do know that they would still be lynching us if they could right????

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Sub-Negro/ Sub-Negro

    Damn these republicans just don’t get it. And I know all of them aren’t bad but after being trounced in the election you’d think these ignorant ones would calm down and come up with a better strategy so maybe they get back the white house.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DRE518/ DRE518

    LoL I love this all this free press about our President. This will sure to get him reelected. With all this contempt for the man means he’s doing the right things in that office. Keep the Hate coming republicans we will always know where you stand on certain issues.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/donald839/ donald839

    MY COMMENT ON THE ATTACK OF THE FIRST LADY IS SEEMINGLY INCREASING.THE REPUBLICANS AND THEIR REPS ARE GOING A LITTLE TOO FAR ON ANCESTRY,AS IT IS THEY WHO CAME OUT OF THE CAVES AND DEPENDED ON OTHER TRIBES TO EXIST AND IT WAS THEY WHOWAS THE FIRST TO HIT THE WOMAN IN THE HEAD AND DRAG HER TO THE CAVE.NOW,IF THAT ISN’T APE LIKE,THEN WHAT IS? SOME TIME AGAO I MADE AN DEVASTATING ATTACK ON FATBOY DOWNS=RUSH LIMBAUGH AND THE MOOSE=SARA PALIN AND DICK CHENEY,MY TAKE…….I DONOT CARE FOR EITHER OF THEM. AND FOR THIS WHITE ABORIGIAN APE ASA REPUBLICAN TO SIDE MRS. OBAMA WITH APES…I THINK HE SOULD TAKE A LOOOOOOONNNG LOOK AS HIS UGLY PAST.MICHELLE OBABMA ORIGIN IS THE SAME AS MOST AFRICAN AMERICANS..THE GARDEN OF EDEN,WHERE IT ALL BEGAN AND OUR FIRST PARENTS,ADAM/EVE DID NOT LIVE IN CAVES.THEY HAD IT REAL GOOD UNTIL SOME REPUBLICAN SNAKE CAME ALONG AND CAUSE THEM TO BE DISOBEDIENT.NOTE THIS WELL!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/suprabuddha/ suprabuddha

    The poor man has my sympathy I mean look at him He has the type of face only a mother could love!! ROFLMBAO

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SexyRose23/ SexyRose23

    Yes please keep up the racism jokes republicans because this is giving our President Obama to be elected in 2012. You sure have my vote again President Obama. The replublicans show me everyday how some of their group members feel about African Americans.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/easygd1/ easygd1

    i think the racist comment from the so called gop; former chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission, i think this comment of these old fools and idiots are helping to fish out some bad heads in the united of america and the republica forgezt that the rest of the world are watching from behind, the world have seen that america it still a recist country, no example from them, our president obama has proving to the world he is the right man at a right time, and we all accept him.
    let this people who make sur comment be punish for it or face legal action, so the rest will learn.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Mulan2255/ Mulan2255

    You see, politicians are not free and resistent of stupidity and idiocy. But the problem is, the psychiatric wards would be overfilled if all these idiots would be taken to them. … If I would have been an U.S. citizen – my voice once again would be for Barack in 2012!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com//

    Well, racism is very much alive in the US. No new story there. People will say those “hurtful” things just to get a rise out of you…still trying to exercise control through mind games, I guess. Whether you, I or even MIchelle Obama CHOOSE to give them that much control and power over us is up to US!!

    No matter how angry people make me with racist taunts, I REFUSE to make their day by allowing them to think what they say affects me. Heck no….I simply won’t give them that much pleasure. Shucks…I can play mind games as well as the best of them!

    That reminds me of the last time I was called that infamous “n” word while in the States. I was chatting in Japanese with some friends and I heard a man tell his friends: “That n…. must think she’s something special because she can understand Chinese.” As he and his friends starting laughing at us, I slowly turned around with a smile on my face and said: “Actually, I’m speaking Japanese…not Chinese. And on top of that I speak Korean and French.” Then I proceeded to ask him something in French…and he was so caught off guard and embarrassed that HE got up and left. He was gone until they started calling for us to board the plane…and he was clearly angry because people had laughed at him after I chose to respond nicely to him.

    I watched him walk by my First Class seat during boarding…and he was STILL livid. I just smiled again and wished him a nice flight. No use getting angry…no use making a scene, as that will only reinforce the vile stereotypes that they already hold regarding us. Smile and keep it classy..and let THEM makes ridiculous fools out of themselves. It works wonders for me…

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/manuel53/ manuel53

    en fin existen hombres con educacion que se vuelven mas incultos y avanzan al adebacle y marginacion de su projimo y hete aqui un ejemplo mala altura y poca conciencia .(casi nada)si entendi bien ..eso no fue ninguna broma ..es mas no queda nada bien ante los pueblos esa manera de exponerse y hacer ridiculo y perpetuando el miedo y la burla del que diran…y peor aun despertando complejos de inferioridad a por belleza y el no se a mirado al espejo¡¡

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/rallen20/ rallen20

    I only have two word for DePass,former chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission. “GORILLA MENTALITY”

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/rallen20/ rallen20

    I also just realized that his nose looks like a chicken-butt. LOL

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/shebalove/ shebalove

    You know, how a so-called accomplished man of this man’s stature, could even compose this thought in his mind, let alone allow it to come out of his mouth is mind-boggling to me. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. This not a slip up. This is deep-seated fear, hatred and racism that is so all consuming that it flows over the brim and is out before it can be caught! Are you serious? Do you really think this “I was saying in jest” excuses it? What’s funny about it? What made you think this was funny to say? There is something wrong in your spirit. There is something wrong in your innermost being. Fix your heart Depass!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/rallen20/ rallen20

    see this is exactly why america isn’t on top anymore because of idiodic comment and dumber people like that in this country making frivolous comments like with thier nose in thier ass and can’t see the rest of the world in front of them always an ass of the world

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/dirkwhite/ dirkwhite

    South Caralina Da! The only thing that has surprised me, is that it has taken The GOP so long to say what they really think. People please! this is a warning from me to you this is only the beginning. There are going to be democrats who are going to make raciest remarks about the first family yes even the kids. Remember Vice Pre. Biden said before he he was nomenated as a running mate. That Obama was not quaified to be president. So my fellow Americans this is nothing compaired to what is going to be said. You have to remember that a lot of these older white men wore sheets over there heads, and it was not Halloween. These same people had kids who they poisoned with there raciest views. So the raciest are not dead they have not gone away in fact they are growing in numbers.This message is for the black people. White people will never embrace you, they may be civial with you in your face but they will never view you as an equal. Now I know that is hard for some of us to understand but it is just a fact. I am not saying that you should hate them back. I am just saying no the rules of the game, and play according. One final thing black people.Today Obama is going to give medical privlages to gay goverment employees partnes. So let me ask you black people . How did the gays get in front of you ? And you know what I am talking about. You better get together and voice your needs or we will be left behind again. The gays have a special intrest group in Washington speeking on there behalf. Who is speeking on our behalf? I love you black people.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/rastadude7/ rastadude7

    Why do we still give fools like this”De Pass”guy attention anymore anyway? Lets all just get over that foolishness and go ahead and PAINT the White House ALREADY!!! I suggest Mahogany with Beige trim! Thanks from Denver!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/1Namillionman/ 1Namillionman

    Maybe he should research his own ancestral back ground. He’s carrying some very strong features.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/compassionman/ compassionman

    I’m not saying his “joke” or statement should be ignored but the bottom the line is this kind of “joke”, statement and mentality is to be expected, coming from SC. If you’re familiar with SC you already know why I say this. If you’re not familiar with the state and its caucasion/white people there. Just drive through the place.

    Example: In Anderson, Sc there is still a street called, Masters Row.

    I admit that I may have the name slightly wrong. Its been a while since I’ve been there. But the 1st word of the street name does start with Masters. The first thing it brings to your mind, at least to my mind is that the old money powers that are/were there. Seem to have been in some kind of way celebrating/savoring the fact that there’s racism and there the ones on top, if you will.
    Travel around in the state and you’ll see all sorts of relics, statues and the like, you’ll see memorials to racism. Not only will you see racist land marks. You’ll even hear it in the way they speak and their conversations.
    I myself have had to correct people on how they address me while I was there. For instance the word “boy” still is use there. It was my experience there for a White/caucasian person to approach me with that word. This was not a one time thing.

    So this joke is not a surprise to me anyway, nor should it be a surprise to any one else.
    Also…No matter how much the mayor of Columbia, SC tries to disassociate his city from that joke or that kind of mentality. It is in Columbia and that entire state.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Jauharah/ Jauharah

    And he looks like a clown or something out of “Wallace and Grommit” or “Chicken Run” so his point is what? Humans and apes are related so perhaps that was one of his relatives.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/bigdaddy0-9/ bigdaddy0-9

    In reference to what race most resembles primates: all animals in the primate family have thin lip, hair over most of their body and throw s**t, much like DePass, Limbaugh and O’Reilly do. Does that remind you of anyone?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Realascan_B/ Realascan_B

    Many of us waste too much energy bantering back n’ forth with each other. If you disagree with what the cracker said simply email him. Link below:

    rdepass@wilsonkibler.com

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DARKHEARTPHENIX/ DARKHEARTPHENIX

    I CAN’T FOR ANY REASON SEE WHY WHITE PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO SAY BLACK PEOPLE ARE MONKEY.
    IF ANY THING THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LOOK LIKE PRIMATES/DOGS
    (LONG STRINGY FUR-LIKE HAIR,THIN LIPS, COLORFUL EYES.THEY HAVE LICE AND FLEAS,AND THAT SCENT, LIKE WET MONKEY OR DOG FUR..SICKENING ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE SWEATY OR WET,ANY WAY THEY RESEMBLE A PRIMATE/DOG MORE THAN ANY.

    TO ALL WHITE PEOPLE I’M GOING TO DO THE “INSULT YOU FIRST THEN APOLOGIZE STATEMENT”

    IF I HAVE OFFENDED ANYONE BY MY STATEMENT I REALLY (NOT)APOLOGIZE FOR ANY HARM THAT IT HAS CAUSED YOU.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/shaydm2006/ shaydm2006

    I’m sorry but I am not surprised by any offensive thing that comes out of a white republican’s mouth. Especially one from South Carolina. He’s probably a damn former klansman for all we know.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Howardian/ Howardian

    nothing nascar dads say regarding minorities surprises me. They have long been coddled,homogenous, spoiled, neurotic, poorly endowed men who are obsessed with the genitals of African Americans and others, which is why castration was a favorite tool employed by their ancestors during times of lynching

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/bamsdelight/ bamsdelight

    That is one ugly dude

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