Monday, December 7, 2009
UPDATE: Russell Wiseman Issues Statement
Posted by Bruce VanWyngarden on Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 1:35 PM
"Regarding all of the reports about my recent Facebook remarks, I want to take this opportunity to say how much I regret that I offended anyone with my poor attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor amongst friends. While my comments were certainly blown way out of proportion, I do recognize that I allowed things to go too far.
As you might have guessed, I don’t really care for President Obama or his policies. That being said, I understand how my comments might have been interpreted by people who don’t know me and who have no reason to give me the benefit of the doubt. When defenders of President Obama started chiming in on the Facebook comment thread, I'm afraid I let my frustrations and my sarcastic and joking nature get the best of me, and so I egged and goaded them on within the confines of what I considered at the time to be a semi-private conversation among friends.
I trust that we have probably all experienced things getting out of hand from time to time, and I do regret it. I also take some measure of comfort in knowing that the people who know me best, and who know my background, my work in the community, and my heart -- they understand that I am a progressive and tolerant person who believes wholeheartedly in the rights and equality of all people. I think my record and the way I live my life certainly reflects those views, and I hate that I may have caused anyone to question my commitment to it. I also regret any embarrassment that might have been unfairly visited on my friends, my family, my church, and the citizens and officials of the Town of Arlington.
One troubling and eye-opening aspect of this whole episode has been the literally hundreds and hundreds of fanatics who have directed some of the most vile and profane comments towards me and my family that I’ve ever heard, including making physical threats and even posting my home phone number and address online for the benefit of the fringe element.
In the interest of moving forward, I will not be giving interviews or fielding questions because I have no interest in taking any step that might perpetuate this whole episode or inadvertently be interpreted as an attempt to dignify my unfortunate comments. I have learned a valuable lesson, and I look forward to moving on and focusing on the business of the Town of Arlington in a manner befitting the good citizens I represent."
The Town of Arlington, Tennessee, has issued the following statement on the city's website:
Statement from the Town of Arlington
The views of Russell Wiseman, Mayor of the Town of Arlington, expressed on his Facebook account do not reflect an official position of the Town of Arlington. His comments were not made on a Town computer, or using Town computer services. The Town recognizes Barack Obama as the President of the United States, and in accordance with the Constitution, recognizes both the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. We welcome all law abiding people to our town. We do not discriminate and we provide essential services to all Town of Arlington people without regard to their religion, race, color, age, gender, sex or national origin.
In other Wiseman news, a Facebook page supporting Wiseman's statements has been created, as has a website promoting a national presidential ticket of Russell Wiseman and Sarah Palin. Talk about your dream ticket!
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Comments (33)
Showing 1-25 of 33
This is all good stuff. But the more I think about it, and think of Willie and his antics, the less I really care. CCRWR spouted off on FB. Not really news.
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Yeah, Zip, you're absolutely right. There's more important stuff out there to worry about, like this breaking news of a clandestine romance between Mara Liasson and Steve Doocy.
It was definitely one of the more 'doofus' moments of the year. Hopefully he learned his lesson so let's move on. The 'taint' the local republican party got plus the town of Arlington will soon be forgotten as long as big Russ toes the line.
He's a buffoon, but it is time to stop piling on; at least on Russell. On his tone-deaf, Floyd R Turbo, goofball supporters? That I'm not sure.
Geez, is this still being deemed newsworthy? He’s the mayor or Arlington…Tennessee. If a comment from the mayor of Arlington, TN has this big of an impact, imagine the hullabaloo that would result if the mayor of Dyersburg (twice as big) made a inappropriate comment. A misstep by the mayor of Franklin could cause a general riot.
Citizens of Arlington: I'm very sorry you elected a Neanderthal as your mayor. How's that?
Russel Wiseman is to be pitied, if not for his impulsive simple-mindedness, then for his agony at having missed "A Charlie Brown Christmas". If I knew where to sent it, I'd order him a used copy on DVD from Amazon, which start at under $10.00 (with shipping).
I dunno, that's one of the lamest explanations I've ever seen. I was joking? It's a joke? Jeez, sorry you didn't get it, dumbass? Now shut up and leave me alone?
What's more, it took three days to come up with this.
His "explanation" is almost as bad as his original comments.
His behaviour as an elected offical is inappropriate and sophmoric. His behaviour was rude----exposing the underbelly of racism in this country that not only is a throw back but does not advance as people. Hopefully, constituents of this TN town, will vote him out. He doesn't deserve to represent anyone---unless pointy white hoods are commonplace.
It's only been news in Memphis, which, sad to say, means that nobody outside of the mid-south cares. That said, his "apology" makes him seem like just as much of a jerk. No penitence whatsoever.
au contraire, mo charlo,
it's been nooz all over. on wonkette and keith olbermann, for starters.
packy, i wasn't thinking that any of *us* had to apologize.
I do agree w/mo charlo on Wiseman's "statement." Saying you regret offending someone is not the same as saying, "I'm sorry. I'm a stupid tool and I did a stupid thing and my stupidity brought shame upon my hometown and my constituents."
Especially when your statement basically says, I'm sorry I offended all those dickheads who are too stupid to get the joke. Now shut up and leave me alone.
I think this story just got a lot more fun. If the email exchange I just read is real.
What really cracks me up about this is that he paints everyone with a broad stroke. You're either for or against him and his "humor". What he truly doesn't get is that his tirade did not make him look funny or even slightly amusing. It made him look like a complete idiot, and therefore the same for the citizens of Arlington by virtue of his elected position. I am no fan of Obama, but I am able to carry on an intelligent discussion of the matter based on current issues, not based on the fact that a cartoon show was pre-empted. Then because you are so upset that you didn't get to see your show, you spout off about the pres being muslim, inaccurate references to the constitution, and whatever other ridiculous accusation you have heard from nazi radio/TV personalities.
Mr Wiseman, I am not offended nearly as much by your words, as I am by the incredible level of stupidity that was required to manifest them.
Pretty good apology in my book. I really don't expect him to jump on his sword for a FB rant. It's kind of like catching a guy picking his nose at a traffic light.
It was incidental contact, I swear. There was absolutely no nostril penetration.
Phlo, I was out of position to make the call. But from where I was sitting...........
Seriously, guys, it only looked like a pick. He was really flipping you off. Then when you called him on his pick, he flipped you off again.
I thought that people who read the flyer didn't read the CA?? So many people who commented on the CA are now here...Yes, I know I am guilty, but had to look!
"What really cracks me up about this is that he paints everyone with a broad stroke. You're either for or against him"
^^modern day GOP in a nutshell. emphasis on "nut"
what a douchenozzle. Muslim president? Oh Willie. Go get an education. Or better yet, go fuck yourself.
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