Hank Johnson’s mea culpa on the ‘m-word’
DeKalb County Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson sought to register his indignation on the new right-to-work law in Michigan, so he strode to the floor of the House on Wednesday to make a grand metaphor about labor unions in a half-hour speech.
“What happens when you put in a cage fight a giant in with a midget? Well, the midget will not win the fight, I’m going to tell you that. Why? It just doesn’t carry enough weight to do so. But if you put 30 midgets in with that giant, then the midgets have a chance.”
That’s why America needs organized labor, see? Because the midgets need to team up and collectively bargain, or fight the giant.
But Johnson realized today that he might have insulted some people, so he returned to the floor for an apology. The video is not embeddable yet but can be found here. Johnson compared the formally common use of the “n-word” to that of the “m-word:”
“Just within the last 12 hours or so, I have found that the use of the midget, excuse me, the use of the m-word is no longer socially acceptable. The m-word refers to a group of people, the little people, but when I say little people I’m not talking about the Leona Helmsley little people. I’m not talking about the 47 percent. I’m not talking about the takers and the makers as some would describe them. … It really refers to a medical condition, dwarfism is the name of that medical condition and sometimes I guess one can even say abnormally small people, abnormally small people, which to me I like that term better than dwarfism. So I wanted to say to all of those who may have been offended by my use of the term the m-word, I want you to know that it was out of ignorance and not spite or hatred that I use that term and please know that I will never use that term again.”
Johnson spokesman Andy Phelan explained the reason for the apology thusly: “No group or groups reached out. He realized this morning that he used what some people feel is a prejudicial term, and he was determined to apologize and set the record straight. He used it as a teachable moment.”
Johnson advised C-SPAN viewers to go to lpaonline.org to learn more about “little people,” which is the preferred nomenclature.
- By Daniel Malloy, Political Insider
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125 comments Add your comment
Mark
December 13th, 2012
7:45 pm
This is the same guy who worried publicly a couple of years ago that if we put too many soldiers, sailors and airmen on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, that it might sink! DUH!
td
December 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
7:25 pm
@Get Real
December 13th, 2012
6:57 pm
It is amazing what type of individual an entitlement ladened district will elect
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I bet SOME of “YOU” will use the “N” in the same breath as the word
MIDGET.
It is called freedom of speech. Johnson should be able to say what ever he wants to say and if the people of his district do not agree then they have the right to vote him out of office. BTW: The N word should be allowed to be used as well.
Political correctness is pure BS.
Carl
December 13th, 2012
7:47 pm
DeKalb County and all Democrats should be proud.
If too many Democrats move into DeKalb County … will the county start to sink?
Hanson PK
December 13th, 2012
7:48 pm
Dekalb Kounty is a true cess pool and Demokratic. This is why I are glad I left that jungle of a zoo. I came out better living in Cambodia because living in there is like living in a war zone.
Midget of America Spokeperson
December 13th, 2012
7:49 pm
Speaking for all midgets….Rep. Johnson represents his Democratic Party very well.
Ronald Reagan
December 13th, 2012
7:57 pm
I think Hank just passed Cynthia McKinney! Georgia apologizes for sending both to Washington!
Crazy Like A Fox
December 13th, 2012
8:20 pm
Considering the time of year, why didn’t Hank call them elves?
A MIDGET IS NOT A DWARF
December 13th, 2012
8:21 pm
A midget is a small person with normal proportions. Dwarfism refers to several conditions which usually result in short stubby limbs. Medically they are quite different. Hank needs to study up on this some more. Perhaps he should come out now and apologize to the dwarfs for referring to them as the same as midgets.
Tom
December 13th, 2012
8:28 pm
Hank Johnson is an embarassment to the district he supposedly represents, and an even bigger embarassment to the State of Georgia. Way to go Dekalb County for electing a freaking idiot. I’m still waiting for Guam to tip over like he said it would do with more military on the island.
Buck Farrack
December 13th, 2012
8:30 pm
@eric, You can’t Ban someone with a floating IP. Ole Jim G can ban this IP, but it changes each time I visit. Your not tio smart are ya Eric?
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:35 pm
@Kris
December 13th, 2012
7:40 pm
You can put 30 Little People in a GOP clown car.
=================================================
heeheeheeheeheeheehee
Buckhead Boy
December 13th, 2012
8:35 pm
Nothing displays ignorance like the inability to appreciate humor. Representative Johnson was around when this was oft-heard hyperbole: “If Dick Russell and Carl Vinson obtain another military installation for this state, Georgia will sink into the sea.” For those who criticize him for updating this to make a facetious comment about military expansion on Guam, I must conclude that they have no sense of humor and no sense of the history of our state.
Latino Voter
December 13th, 2012
8:39 pm
Hopefully all of those little people do not stand on one side of Guam or as Mr. Johnson feared a few years ago it may tip over.
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
@td
December 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
It is called freedom of speech. Johnson should be able to say what ever he wants to say and if the people of his district do not agree then they have the right to vote him out of office. BTW: The N word should be allowed to be used as well.
Political correctness is pure BS.
==============================================
COURAGE BEHIND A COMPUTER IS BS.
BTW: I bet you $10,000 you would not use the “N” to my FACE.
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
td
December 13th, 2012
8:44 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
Name a time and a place my brother and bring the money. If you are man enough. $10,000 is worth an A$$ whopping.
graphite
December 13th, 2012
8:47 pm
Guam is still upright because only midgets,small planes and little guns were sent there. The large buildings were replaced by itsy bitsy section 8 housing.
Get Real,
December 13th, 2012
8:48 pm
It insults me that hank makes a living off of taxpayers. Wait, how many tax payers are their in his district? I can tell by him getting elected that the I.Q, level is dangerously low for those voters …….
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:49 pm
I see all of the HYPOCRITICAL CONS are on this blog spewing
their NONSENSE.
This story is just an OPPORTUNITY for CONS to VENT their
ANGER because………………………………………………………
THEY LOST THE ELECTION
and
THEY ARE LOOOOOSERRRRS
heeheeheeheeheehheeee
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
@td
December 13th, 2012
8:44 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
Name a time and a place my brother and bring the money. If you are man enough. $10,000 is worth an A$$ whopping.
==========================================
Send your mama…………….
She has more b@lls than you.
heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
portapottie
December 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
I’m trying to grasp Mr. Johnson’s analogy of the workplace being like a cage fight between a GIANT and a bunch of m-words…may be Santa Claus and elves may have been more appropriate and made more sense? I do have to admit that he keeps me laughing….
hind tit
December 13th, 2012
9:08 pm
I’m still trying to figure out what he said.
td
December 13th, 2012
9:35 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
Just as I thought and your comments give you away. Young and dumb. Probably still living in mama’s basement and could not put $10,000 together if your life depended on it.
Kramer
December 13th, 2012
9:35 pm
While it is true that both sides have a market in stupidity we are reminded everyday that the democrats are the Costco of ignorance. They have it in bulk.
na
December 13th, 2012
9:45 pm
He continues to show that the people who voted for him are not that bright.
rc
December 13th, 2012
9:48 pm
Johnson is an idiot and disgrace to Ga The Morons that he represents are poster children for stupid voters.
Rick James
December 13th, 2012
9:50 pm
I just cant understand what people that keep voting for him are thinking? But let’s remember that these are the same people who elected Cynthia McKinney.There needs to be a study of these people and the ones who elected Victor Hill…
MrLiberty
December 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
The mental midget should be able to speak his mind without criticism. Clearly his Hepatitis C is affecting his mind more than he wishes to acknowledge, but looking around the house and senate, the mental midget problem seems to affect most of the folks on both sides of the aisle. I think that it is time to acknowledge that our failed republic has run its course and start again with a country that believes in freedom.
Atlien
December 13th, 2012
10:05 pm
Sounds to me like Hank should investigate if Michigan is tipping over into Lake Superior due to this right-wing sneak attack.
Fred
December 13th, 2012
10:10 pm
DeKalb County used to be a proud and prosperous place. Now it’s populated by, and run by, idiots.
Dare to dream
December 13th, 2012
10:21 pm
Hank gives hope and inspiration to us all because if he can get elected to Congress…anybody can
BSC
December 13th, 2012
10:21 pm
Correction…North Dekalb and the new city of Brookhaven are not populated and run by idiots….now the southside of Dekalb County and the east wellllll…………..
Milton
December 13th, 2012
10:22 pm
It’s amazing that people still vote for a guy that thinks that Guam could tip over. Of course, the people in his district thought that was a profound statement. They are proud of him.
A Ghast
December 13th, 2012
10:23 pm
One has to wonder how Hank walks, what with having one foot in his mouth most of the time.
CONS Speak In Tongues....Gibberish
December 13th, 2012
10:44 pm
@td
December 13th, 2012
9:35 pm
It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most
December 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
Just as I thought and your comments give you away. Young and dumb. Probably still living in mama’s basement and could not put $10,000 together if your life depended on it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All I hear from YOU cons IS “unconscious” talking.
CONS who “speak in tongues” fall back into speech patterns of their childhood.
Gibberish.
Grow up and grow a brain.
The Ghost of Lester Maddox
December 13th, 2012
11:07 pm
THIS JUST IN….the schedule for reaction to Hank’s remarks…
Tomorrow Early AM – Massive Calls for Hank’s apology
Late AM – Massive Calls for Hank’s entrance into sensitivity training
NOON – March for “Justice for M-People”
Early PM – Start of Hoodie Sale “I AM M-PEOPLE”
Late PM – Candle Light Vigil – the theme “Justice for M-People”
During Hoodie Sale/Vigil – Demands for Hank’s Removal From Office….OOPS WAIT…
SORRY, I forgot, Hank’s a Democrat and not a Republican…..He Can Say What He Wants… Never Mind…
…Back to the Show
RGB
December 13th, 2012
11:10 pm
In private, elected Democrat politicians refer to the citizenry as “the little people”.
New name for union members: the thugerati.
DevilDogOz
December 13th, 2012
11:14 pm
Yes, apparently that seat from that district is known as the ‘Idiot Chair’ based on the last couple of occupants… and says VOLUMES of the people who continue to vote in that district…
You dont say
December 13th, 2012
11:25 pm
td
Why challenge anyone here? You were laid to wasted on Bookman’s blog tonight……. you little fella
bless your wittle bitty heart
MH
December 13th, 2012
11:31 pm
An embarrassment to the state of Georgia. You really can’t fix stupid!!
Dang i mean say other
December 14th, 2012
3:23 am
Well not in see Hank Johnson speak..Have you ever thought maybe he has issue’s with stuff..Maybe he was ill and spoke as a joke for c-span who knows he his only human folks…Maybe had low blood count people do have take stuff control it….all sayin his Hank Johnson may say odd words at time i know of unless on news …But lets give him a chance folks please i know i may get blasted for it……Bye all
OldGrunt
December 14th, 2012
4:38 am
Hank Johnson is a great example of why our Country is now burdened with the illogical logic loop policies and laws we bear today!. If members of congress and the bureaucrats in Washington were to be required to take a competency test to retain their jobs, the vast majority of these charlatans would be out of work immediately!
John Brown
December 14th, 2012
5:18 am
Maybe someone should ask Hank Johnson’s how many Omp-pahs does it take to to capsize Guam?
> Yes, apparently that seat from that district is known as the ‘Idiot Chair’
Are you saying that just because of HJ, they are going to spend $10 million dollars on LED light upgrades using a “TIGGER” grant on an empty MARTA station, that is suppose to break even on the “investment” after …. 40 years. Or because he is a baby killing, socialist, belly rubbing buddha democRAT that voted to enslave people with ObamaCare’s breathing tax?
Or are you saying that because he refused to sign onto something praising John Brown (Harper’s Ferry) on the House floor and instead praised MJ the kiddy diddler?
AnotherCountryHeardFrom
December 14th, 2012
5:19 am
The three most difficult, pressure-packed, stress-inducing jobs:
1) President of the United States
2) Football coach at Notre Dame
3) Press spokesman for Hank Johnson
larry
December 14th, 2012
5:33 am
I wonder if you put enough midgets on an island ,does it causel that island to sink?lmao-Hank johnson is a joke,much like Cynthia Mckinney.
SoWhat
December 14th, 2012
5:59 am
Get to work on behalf of Georgia and DeKalb Couty. We are a right to work state, remember??
Boy, you can tell this clown’s been in government his whole life!!!!
nazan yar
December 14th, 2012
6:32 am
@Tony
You’re exactly right, Tony – we continue to elect “Republicans” or “Democrats”, but they’re for the most part the same. We desperately need real balanced wisdom in Congress to get the Country back on track. The Legislative Branch and Executive Branch are filled with people afraid to do what it takes to lead, because of the effect it will have on their self-preservation. We need to tweak the system. We have no-one to blame but ourselves.
rawmilkdrinker
December 14th, 2012
6:41 am
I certainly don’t think Hank Johnson is the sharpest tool in the shed, but enough of this thin skinned horsecrap. Doesn’t anybody remember ” stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” anymore?
dino v
December 14th, 2012
6:50 am
hank need to keep the little people happy to get their votes for reelection—he love having control of all that pork and earmarks for his people!! He cashing in!!
Call It Like It Is
December 14th, 2012
7:19 am
He should have refered to them as elfs on a shelf, everybody likes those guys.
Dangerous
December 14th, 2012
7:46 am
Hank,
Where was your apology to islands? An island is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water, not just some floating rock covered in sand that just somehow stays bouyant due to equal weight distribution and of course……..weight limit. I believe islands have feelings and do not want to be refered to as dirtbergs.