Senator Don Gaetz Criticized for Hanging Comments
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Posted: 12:20 PM Feb 11, 2012
Senator Don Gaetz Criticized for Hanging Comments
Black lawmakers are criticizing Florida state Sen. Don Gaetz for making a reference to hanging in comments to the media.
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wctv.tv
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Black lawmakers are criticizing Florida state Sen. Don Gaetz for making a reference to hanging in comments to the media.

The Niceville Republican, who chairs the Senate Reapportionment Committee, said on Friday that he meant no offense.

Gaetz on Thursday made the comment in regard to nonpartisan groups planning to mount legal challenges to the Legislature's redistricting plans.

He said his father "used to say some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope."

Sen. Arthenia Joyner, a Tampa Democrat, and other black lawmakers said the comment was insensitive because it evoked Ku Klux Klan lynchings.

Gaetz said his father had horse thief hangings in mind, not racist lynchings. He said he was sorry if offense was taken.

Latest Comments

Posted by: roger on Feb 13, 2012 at 12:05 PM

These black legislators ar just plain stupid!
Posted by: on looker Location: capital city on Feb 13, 2012 at 10:56 AM

This morning I paid $3.59 per gallon on gas.9 cents higher than the natural average. Friends who are 50 years young with kids in college and no jobs because of cuts. as for me no pay increase in 7 or 8 years but a 3% cut but A BAG A ! increase in my living cost. Maybe I live in different world.Skin color, comments good or bad are not on my list of things that matter. Address the real issues. Come on people get real. By the way you can find a large number of once small business owner now working in local hardware and retail stores. Be careful of the DIVERSIONS Florida Slippery slop
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 13, 2012 at 09:12 AM

Senator Joyner is the most racist Senator! Have you heard the comments she makes? She's a bigot. Says white people owe black people everything.
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