Let's Apologize to the 'Hispaniels': Rep. Eric Watson Invents New Race of People to Insult in Debate Over Slavery Resolution
That resolution expressing regret for slavery on behalf of the legislature is on the House State & Local Government Committee's agenda again today. You'll recall last week the committee's Republicans suffered a collective conniption as they tried to figure out a way to kill the resolution without appearing racially insensitive. In the process, Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, invented a new race of people to insult and tossed in "the yellow man" for good measure. Here's what Watson said to the resolution's sponsor, Rep. Brenda Gilmore:
Rep. Eric Watson
You know, we need to move on and put this stuff behind us. Both sides, Caucasian, Hispaniels, African-American, are all guilty of this back in the 1800s. You've read it and so have I. Even the yellow man [unintelligible mumbling about the yellow man]... I understand what you're doing, I just don't want you to be accused of profiling or going towards a certain group of people on this bill. But I could support this bill if you could include all the slavery, not just one race.
Lawmakers should just pass this thing and get it over with. The longer it's debated, the more apologizing they'll have to do.
Update: The committee postponed voting on the resolution for two more weeks.
Update II: Aunt B says let's hope Watson is merely an idiot.
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