Native American Caucus head demands Steele apologize for 'racist' comment

[jefferson_dem]

Native American Caucus head demands Steele apologize for 'racist' comment
By Michael O'Brien - 01/05/10 04:48 PM ET

The Co-Chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus demanded an apology from RNC Chairman Michael Steele for using a "racist" phrase on national television.

Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.), the Democratic co-chairman of the caucus, slammed the Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman for having used the phrase "honest Injun" during an appearance on Fox News.

"I am outraged and disgusted that the head of the National Republican Party would make such a derogatory and offensive statement about Native Americans on national television," Kildee said in a statement. "In an effort to cover up Michael Steele’s racist comment, Fox News altered the transcript online to read ‘honest engine’ instead of ‘honest Injun.’"

Steele has come under fire on Tuesday for that statement, as well as predicting that Republicans are unlikely to win back control of Congress this fall.

Kildee demanded an apology from Steele, who is the first African-American head of the Republican Party.

"His insensitive comment undermines and threatens to reverse the progress we have made to correct those wrongs. A cursory look through a dictionary or even some knowledge of Native American history would show Mr. Steele that the term is a racial slur for Native Americans," Kildee said. "I strongly urge Mr. Steele to publicly apologize to the Native American community immediately for his derogatory comment.”

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/74413-native-american-caucus-head-demands-steele-apologize-for-racist-comment

[T Wolf]

1. The pukes constantly and consistently show their true philosophy. nt

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. I love Steele...

[tabatha]

4. He's wrecking the GOP :-)

[joeybee12]

6. I guess that's why he loves him...n/t

[tabatha]

7. She.

[YOY]

8. He "be the man"...

Thank you Michelle Bachman...for that wondrous observation.

[Number23]

24. God, he REALLY does look like a Muppet, doesn't he??

He even moves like one.

[dkf]

25. Me too.

How can I get all steamed at this man? He's too sad to get mad at.

[noiretextatique]

3. he's appealing to his racist base

what an embarrassment he is. hopefully he will issue an apology and STFU.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. There will always be another Steele-ism on the way.

[Chulanowa]

9. Honest... engine?

You've got to be fucking kidding me. Really?

How does... why do.... DARGH!

[Fire1]

22. I know. Believe me, I know.

;(

[RepublicanElephant]

10. the gop made to sure to select one of the worst black poltitcal figures

in the us to head the rnc.

[drm604]

11. "Honest engine"?

Really? Do they really believe anyone will fall for that? :crazy:

[underpants]

26. Steele IS the little engine that could.........

...screw up in ways no mature adult would normally dream of :rofl:

[Bobbieo]

12. How was the term 'Honest Injun' used in the statement?

There is no reference in the link.

Like he was an "Honest Injun" or "Honest Injun", I'm not lying. I can't imagine any politician using that term for any reason.

And yes, Fox news is stupid!!!!!

[Tempest]

14. He used it like "Honest Injun, I'm not lying"

HANNITY: There are those that are saying for the Republican Party to be successful, they’ve gotta quote be more modern.

STEELE: No, no! But that’s what’s gotten us into trouble, when we walked away from principle. Our platform is one of the best political documents that’s been written in the last 25 years. Honest Injun on that.

[Bobbieo]

16. Thanks, Tempest - I checked out Indian Country Today and there is nothing about Steele

and the term. Think Steele would have better off saying "No shit on that"

[Xithras]

13. For those not familiar with the term...

Long ago white settlers used to hire Native Americans as guides and scouts. New native guides were treated with suspicion because all natives were considered to be dishonest, violent, and un-Christian. After the new guides had proven their loyalty and worth, they were called "Honest Indians" (or Honest Injuns as a colloquialism). It's offensive because the implication is that the NORMAL state is "dishonest", but this one can be trusted because he's proven himself "honest".

I point this out because my daughter heard the term last year and had no idea where it was from. It's largely vanished over the past few decades and many younger people don't associate it with anything. My mother in law, whose own mother was a reservation-born Osage, was floored that my daughter didn't know the term.

[BR_Parkway]

15. Alienate African Americans? check, Alienate Latinos? check. Alienate

Native Americans? check

Which other groups can they run away from their party in the next year?

[Fire1]

23. Who's left??????? n/t

[NoGOPZone]

17. So Fox altered the transcript? I guess this is the one time

simply putting a 'D' besides the person's name wouldn't work.

[Clio the Leo]

18. His own party throws around the N word....

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/to-teabag-or-not-thats-still-the-question-for-conservatives.php

He's gotta say something like that every now and then just to keep up.

[Clio the Leo]

19. You know what I think Steele was really trying to say....

.... I think he was appealing to the teabaggers .... he seemed to be implying that the only way the Dems can regain power is to move farther right ..... good strategy. I'll all for it!

[Colobo]

20. Steele is such an imbecile that he should be the GOP 2012 candidate for president.

[TheBigotBasher]

21. "..Fox News altered the transcript online to read ‘honest engine’ instead of ‘honest Injun.’"

Says everything.

[Cha]

27. "Honest Engine"?! Who the holy fuck does fauxsn00ze

think they're kidding?

Michael Steele..one ignorant bigoted asshole..head of the rnc..racist national committee.

[politicasista]

28. How ignorant!

Stupid, petty Uncle Tom.