Steve Beshear Apologizes For RAPE Comment. Read More.
Beshear apologizes for comparing high gas prices with rape
By Alex Davis
Gov. Steve Beshear issued an apology today after he said in a television interview that high gasoline prices were similar to oil companies “raping the citizens of Kentucky.”
“I get pretty worked up about oil companies that prey on Kentuckians and people across the country,” Beshear said in a statement. “Actually, I get angry … That is not an excuse, though. I apologize, if I offended anyone.”
Catherine Fosl, director of the University of Louisville’s Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research, said that while she agreed with Beshear that oil companies may be gouging consumers, the analogy missed the mark.
“I think it’s an overly extreme comparison to the widespread, systemic violence against women. It demeans survivors of rape,” said Fosl, an associate professor at U of L for women’s and gender studies.
Beshear made the comments Saturday in an interview with a reporter at WHAS-TV. The comments were published on the station’s Web site along with a video clip.
They came a day after the governor declared a state of emergency aimed at preventing price gouging due to Hurricane Ike.
Prices at area gasoline stations soared to more than $4 a gallon over the weekend, and Beshear’s order allowed the state attorney general to investigate and prosecute those who tried to sell fuel at excessive prices.
Reactions to Beshear’s initial comment varied. State Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, called Beshear’s analogy of rape “tough, but perhaps appropriate.”
“Sometimes situations call for brutally descriptive language,” Stein said in an interview yesterday.
State Sen. Elizabeth Tori, R-Radcliff, said in a statement that “comparing high gas prices with the pain of rape survivors is inexcusable.”
According to prices posted at www.courier-journal.com/gas, the average Louisville station was selling regular unleaded for $3.85 a gallon Wednesday, up from $3.67 a gallon on Sept. 8.
The price at many area stations yesterday was between $4.08 and $4.16 a gallon.
There were long lines of drivers waiting at some stations after yesterday’s storm, and others were not selling fuel.
Editor's comment: Notice, if you will, how Katie Stine and Elizabeth Tori responded to the Governor's comment.
If you want to laugh, go ahead.
Update: BTW, if you are wondering why the Governor is so "steamed" -- and justifiably so, if you ask me -- take a look at what is happening.
While wholesale gas prices FALL (now below $97.00 a barrel), retail prices keep RISING!
By Alex Davis
Gov. Steve Beshear issued an apology today after he said in a television interview that high gasoline prices were similar to oil companies “raping the citizens of Kentucky.”
“I get pretty worked up about oil companies that prey on Kentuckians and people across the country,” Beshear said in a statement. “Actually, I get angry … That is not an excuse, though. I apologize, if I offended anyone.”
Catherine Fosl, director of the University of Louisville’s Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research, said that while she agreed with Beshear that oil companies may be gouging consumers, the analogy missed the mark.
“I think it’s an overly extreme comparison to the widespread, systemic violence against women. It demeans survivors of rape,” said Fosl, an associate professor at U of L for women’s and gender studies.
Beshear made the comments Saturday in an interview with a reporter at WHAS-TV. The comments were published on the station’s Web site along with a video clip.
They came a day after the governor declared a state of emergency aimed at preventing price gouging due to Hurricane Ike.
Prices at area gasoline stations soared to more than $4 a gallon over the weekend, and Beshear’s order allowed the state attorney general to investigate and prosecute those who tried to sell fuel at excessive prices.
Reactions to Beshear’s initial comment varied. State Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, called Beshear’s analogy of rape “tough, but perhaps appropriate.”
“Sometimes situations call for brutally descriptive language,” Stein said in an interview yesterday.
State Sen. Elizabeth Tori, R-Radcliff, said in a statement that “comparing high gas prices with the pain of rape survivors is inexcusable.”
According to prices posted at www.courier-journal.com/gas, the average Louisville station was selling regular unleaded for $3.85 a gallon Wednesday, up from $3.67 a gallon on Sept. 8.
The price at many area stations yesterday was between $4.08 and $4.16 a gallon.
There were long lines of drivers waiting at some stations after yesterday’s storm, and others were not selling fuel.
Editor's comment: Notice, if you will, how Katie Stine and Elizabeth Tori responded to the Governor's comment.
If you want to laugh, go ahead.
Update: BTW, if you are wondering why the Governor is so "steamed" -- and justifiably so, if you ask me -- take a look at what is happening.
While wholesale gas prices FALL (now below $97.00 a barrel), retail prices keep RISING!
Labels: Capitalism, Democratism, Economic news, Kentucky politics, Republicanism
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 9:53 AM
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