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Dominican Republic apologizes for ex-president's 'birther' remark
Politico
Byron Tau
4/16/2012
Excerpt:
"The former president of the Dominican Republic, currently running to reclaim his job, seems to believe the false theory that President Obama was born in Africa — prompting the Dominican Republic’s Senate to issue a formal apology late last week.
"If Obama, who came from Africa, and grew up over there can become president, why can't any of you reach as high?" said Hipólito Mejía, loosely translated, to a group of New York City clergy on April 4th.
Thirty-one of the Dominican Republic’s 32-member senate Senate approved a resolution Thursday condemning the remarks, calling them "unfortunate" and a "disrespectful insult." One senator, a political ally of Mejía, refused to sign the apology.
Mejía, who was president of the DR from 2000 to 2004, is currently running against Danilo Medina of the incumbent Dominican Liberation Party.
Mejía's New York talk was organized by New York State Sen. Ruben Diaz (D), in his role as President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. A request for comment from Diaz's office was not immediately returned."
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View the complete article, including embedded video, at:
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2...er-120697.html
My Comment: I watched the short video segment, but regret that I could not understand exactly what Mr. Mejía was saying since I am not able to converse in Spanish. However, I did find the New York clergy audience's reaction to his statement to be quite interesting. They generally seemed very enthusiastic to his remarks!
The video sub-title translation states: "HIPOLITO MEJIA: And if Obama who came from Africa and grew up over there can become the President, why can't any of you reach as high considering you have a more amusing [ethnic] mix than Obama's?"
The 'Think Progress' article linked below states:
" ... it’s worth noting that the minister next to Mejia in the video, who bursts out into enthusiastic laughter at the comment, is Pentecostal Christian Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. Diaz is the rabidly anti-gay New York State senator and volunteer National Organization of Marriage spokesman. While nominally a Democrat, Diaz has crossed party lines to endorse anti-gay Republicans over pro-equality Democrats."
http://thinkprogress.org/special/201...omney-bundler/
Politico
Byron Tau
4/16/2012
Excerpt:
"The former president of the Dominican Republic, currently running to reclaim his job, seems to believe the false theory that President Obama was born in Africa — prompting the Dominican Republic’s Senate to issue a formal apology late last week.
"If Obama, who came from Africa, and grew up over there can become president, why can't any of you reach as high?" said Hipólito Mejía, loosely translated, to a group of New York City clergy on April 4th.
Thirty-one of the Dominican Republic’s 32-member senate Senate approved a resolution Thursday condemning the remarks, calling them "unfortunate" and a "disrespectful insult." One senator, a political ally of Mejía, refused to sign the apology.
Mejía, who was president of the DR from 2000 to 2004, is currently running against Danilo Medina of the incumbent Dominican Liberation Party.
Mejía's New York talk was organized by New York State Sen. Ruben Diaz (D), in his role as President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. A request for comment from Diaz's office was not immediately returned."
..................................................
View the complete article, including embedded video, at:
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2...er-120697.html
My Comment: I watched the short video segment, but regret that I could not understand exactly what Mr. Mejía was saying since I am not able to converse in Spanish. However, I did find the New York clergy audience's reaction to his statement to be quite interesting. They generally seemed very enthusiastic to his remarks!
The video sub-title translation states: "HIPOLITO MEJIA: And if Obama who came from Africa and grew up over there can become the President, why can't any of you reach as high considering you have a more amusing [ethnic] mix than Obama's?"
The 'Think Progress' article linked below states:
" ... it’s worth noting that the minister next to Mejia in the video, who bursts out into enthusiastic laughter at the comment, is Pentecostal Christian Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. Diaz is the rabidly anti-gay New York State senator and volunteer National Organization of Marriage spokesman. While nominally a Democrat, Diaz has crossed party lines to endorse anti-gay Republicans over pro-equality Democrats."
http://thinkprogress.org/special/201...omney-bundler/