Bunning Apologizes to Ginsburg
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Sen. Jim Bunning today apologized for his Saturday comments that suggested that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would probably die within the next nine months. “I apologize if my comments offended Justice Ginsberg,” Bunning, R-Ky., said in a statement released by his Senate office. “That certainly was not my intent. It is great to see her back at the Supreme Court today and I hope she recovers quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.” Bunning’s apology comes two days after he said that Ginsberg, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this month, has “bad cancer. The kind you don’t get better from.” “Even though she was operated on, usually, nine months is the longest that anybody would live after [being diagnosed] with pancreatic cancer,” the Hall of Fame baseball pitcher said at a county Republican Party dinner in Kentucky. Ginsburg, 75, returned to the bench today for the first time since undergoing surgery to remove a tumor Feb. 5. Per ABC’s Ariane de Vogue, “She looked bright and alert with her usual slightly raspy voice. At one point she amused the audience with a sarcastic question to veteran Supreme Court litigator Carter Phillips, which elicited laughter from the courtroom crowd.” UPDATE: An alert reader notes that Bunning’s statement misspelled Ginsburg’s last name.
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Do we now mandate apologies from people for telling hard truths?
He was stating something that I would think most medical professionals would agree with. Yes, she could be an exception and beat this, but at 75 one has to wonder.
I am no fan of Sen. Bunning, but I don’t think an apology was called for. His comments can be seen as impolite, but when a person is a liftime appointment to a job as important as Supreme Court Justice you should be able to publicly talk about things such as this because her job is one that serves the public. It isn’t pretty, but that is part of the gig.
I hope she does recover and live past 100, but with her job being one of public service I don’ think it is out of line to admit she may not and we should be getting ready for that contingency.
Posted by: Lars | February 23, 2009, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Another ‘classy’ Repub.
Not.
Posted by: R Mutt | February 23, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
The Justice did not ask for the apology and if Senator Bunning thinks he shouls apologixe, that is his right and his decision. Our prayers are wiht Justice Ginsburg.
Posted by: Herb Gray | February 23, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Bunning, what a dumb ass.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | February 23, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
This was a nonapology. The use by politicians(or anyone) of the phrase ” if it offended” is obviously an attempt to avoid responsibility for wrongful behavior. He should have said, ” I apologize to Justice Ginsberg for my tasteless and thoughtless remarks. I am ashamed of myself.”
Posted by: mcghillemaol | February 23, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Statement, crass and insensitive. Is he the family DR? How helpful was the info?
Posted by: Churchill | February 23, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Truth hurts even when it is democrate..maybe more democrats should stop the name calling and man up to facts..
My dad died from panceatic cancer and his tumor was even smaller than ginsburg..I didnt want to hear..but did accept it while he was still alive and seemingly in good health.. once the pancreas stops working, you have about 24 hours left to kiss your ass goodbyt.. so dont be delutional, be realistic.. she should step down and prepare to meet her maker
Posted by: zapperz | February 23, 2009, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Typical. The guy was a baseball player, not a rocket scientist. His apology was tempered by the phrase “if it offended…”
What a poor excuse for human decency. Is it a “hard truth” as another poster said? Sure. Is it his place to comment lightly, or make general public statements about someone else’s mortality? NO! As a public figure he should be held to a higher standard of decorum, not given a free pass because “he’s saying what we already know…”
Posted by: CaffeineHat | February 23, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Justice Ginsberg has cancer, and it’s not her fault. Bunning has craniusrectitus, and it is his fault.
Posted by: libertyrulz | February 23, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
“I apologize if my comments offended Justice Ginsberg,” Bunning, R-Ky., said in a statement.
Bunnings NON-apology just compounds the offense, in my opinion. “IF” my comments offended??? Bunning is NOT a physician, he has NO knowledge of the particulars in this case and as a citizen of the US, I am HIGHLY offended that a moron like Bunning is in the Senate. His next opponent can count on my financial support!!!
Posted by: MJ | February 23, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Republicans are very gifted, they actually can diagnose people after seeing them on tv. Senator Bill Frist did it in the Schiavo case. I saw him do it. (Do you see how ridiculous that sounds?) The scary part to me are the people who continue to defend him.
Posted by: blindersoff | February 23, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
she’s an old cancer riddled woman, she could die in 9 months or tomorrow .. whats the story here
Posted by: DOH-bama Cabinet of Corruption | February 23, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
Perhaps he should have apologized for offending common decency in general. Love the “if” qualification. As for people talking about facing up to reality, well, I’ve known several people who bounced back from what were essentially cancer death sentences to live a couple of decades. He’s not the doctor – he’s a baseball player who managed to get into the Senate. His remarks were beyond the scope of his responsibilities and knowledge, not to mention the boundaries of good taste and honorable conduct.
Posted by: JrzWrld | February 23, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
Zapperz,
When your dad ws fighting for his llife, did you suggest which of his possessions he leave you after he kicked the bucket? did your friends take bets on how long the old man would live? We’ve all heard of pancreatic cancer, how deadly it so often is, but none of us can say how long any of its victims have.
I don’t remember anyone saying that Chief Justice Rhenquist should have given up his appointment when his health began to fail, and I, for one, am glad he stayed. I am in agreement with some of his last decisions from the bench, even when he was not in the majority.
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. I guess that piece of advice is too old fashioned for you.
Sen. Bunning, that pitch was high and inside while you had a ten run lead.
Posted by: PhilCane | February 23, 2009, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
Zapperz,
When your dad ws fighting for his llife, did you suggest which of his possessions he leave you after he kicked the bucket? did your friends take bets on how long the old man would live? We’ve all heard of pancreatic cancer, how deadly it so often is, but none of us can say how long any of its victims have.
I don’t remember anyone saying that Chief Justice Rhenquist should have given up his appointment when his health began to fail, and I, for one, am glad he stayed. I am in agreement with some of his last decisions from the bench, even when he was not in the majority.
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. I guess that piece of advice is too old fashioned for you.
Sen. Bunning, that pitch was high and inside while you had a ten run lead.
Posted by: PhilCane | February 23, 2009, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
It was a non apology, and not worth the representatives time saying it.
Also he wasn’t just saying how bad pancreatic cancer is, he said how long he was expecting her to live.
Even if it is true it is not speech material and in bad taste.
he should apologize himself and not through his office, show some balls!
Posted by: joe | February 23, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
I think Bunning’s remarks were insensitive to say the very least. Whether an apology was mandated or not is another matter. For a politician like Bunning to publicly state that Ginsburg would be dead in 9 months and not expect severe criticism for such a callous remark would be naive in the extreme. The republicans seem to just be making their overall party look worse and worse. Practically very day one of them says or does something just like this.
While it may be realistic to consider that this latest challenge to Ginsburg’s health may not have a happy outcome, proclaiming a funeral imminent in 9 months is premature. Her pancreatic cancer was caught as early as is possible. Her chances are very good for surviving.
Posted by: Star | February 23, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Truth hurts even when it is democrate..maybe more democrats should stop the name calling and man up to facts..
Posted by: zapperz
Sen. Bunning is talking without thinking. Is he an
expert? Did he do a full diagnostic evaluation?
I doubt it very much.
Obviously your father was diagnosed way too late, because there are very few signs in detecting it.
Too bad you didn’t learn any diplomacy from your father.
Posted by: spacerook1 | February 23, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
The Senator shouldn’t have spoken without all the facts. While Pancreatic Cancer is one of the more fatal cancers, it’s because the vast majority of people find out when it’s too late. Justice Ginsburg found out very very early which not only saved her life but allowed her to come back to the Bench so fast.
Posted by: QueSera | February 23, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Is Bunning a doctor? Specifically is he Justice Ginsberg’s doctor? Is he her spokes person? If the answer to these questions is “no” then he had no right to comment on how long she will survive cancer. Yes, he did owe her an apology and no, it was not a sincere one.
Posted by: donna hulse | February 23, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
A person’s illness and mortality is not something a people with any sort empathy toward others would comment on other than maybe in a closed private conversation. To do make such a comment publicly is nothing less than cold. I’ve seen a lot of that out of Republicans lately.
Posted by: dan | February 23, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Apology NOT accepted !!!
Posted by: Jill Elliott | February 23, 2009, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
*facepalms* I can’t believe this crap. Geez, Bunning, get your act together and show a little more sympathy!
Posted by: K-Chan | February 23, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
At least send her some flowers or a complimentary fruit basket or even a card. Good grief.
Posted by: K-Chan | February 23, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Bunning’s note to self.
Be exceptionally stupid often.
check check
Posted by: Omentum | February 23, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
“Lars” made the very first comment and stated that this would likely be a common opinion among doctors. Fine….but Bunning is not anybody’s doctor so he had not right to speculate. I would imagine that Justice Greenberg is less concerned about her own feelings, but rather concerned about her family and their feelings.
It amazes me how often people say things about a situation when they know little about it, have never been in the shoes of the other person, yet they pontificate as if they know all about it.
Prayers to Ginsberg and her family.
Posted by: my opinion | February 23, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
what a buffoon!
Posted by: hang | February 23, 2009, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
Lars, here you go, oh wise one. Pancreatic cancer is curable if found early, for instance, during a routine examination. So, it depends on how early it is caught. Since he doesn’t know diddly squat about her condition, then he should keep his fat, ugly, old, bitter trap shut. Maybe you should too.
Posted by: David T | February 23, 2009, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
1)Is it kind?
2)Is it necessary?
3)Is it true?
Answers
1) no
2) no
3) no one knows, especially someone who is not a doctor.
Posted by: Countrywind | February 23, 2009, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
LMAO people trying to divert attention away from this failure of a president, he and his cabinet of corruption are hell bent on destroying America
25 Democrat scandals and counting
TAX CHEATS, SEX PERVERTS, LIARS, PAY2PLAY
Posted by: DOH-bama Cabinet of Corruption | February 23, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
It just proves what many moderates and independents all ready understood. The old guard Republicans are crass and out of touch with real life. That’s why so many of us voted the other way last election.
Posted by: CND FOX | February 23, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Pancreatic cancer has such a high mortality b/c the symptoms have such a late onset that it often leaves treatment limited. Her pancreatic cancer was found during a routine screening for other cancers, increasing her chances of a better outcome. I know of a patient that has lived 22 yrs. w/ this disease. How heartless to make such a callus statement and take any hope from this woman or her family, all for political gain. Yes, he should have apologized. He should have done it sooner.
Posted by: RN | February 23, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
An apology was necessary but not sufficient. He can’t “take back” being a boob.
Posted by: jock59801 | February 23, 2009, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
WWJD Not this.
Posted by: christian | February 23, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Bunning: “Yayyyy! A liberal judge is gonna DIE! Whoo-hoo!”
Days later: “Uh, I’m sorry IF I offended anyone.”
Republicans. Our only consolation is that THEY DIE TOO.
Posted by: nordstrom | February 23, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
If Senator Bunning has alerted the general public about an impending problem, then he has done a proper service to the nation. So, no apologies are called for or needed from Senator Bunning and no one should take offense for alerting the nation.
Posted by: Prof. Narumanchi | February 23, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Missing from the republican party:
Compassion.
Posted by: JB | February 23, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
I no longer recognize my own party.
Posted by: Old Timer | February 23, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
“if”(his) comments offended Justice Ginsberg”??? How Republican. I hope Justice Ginsberg outlives the redneck hatemonger by at least twenty years.
Posted by: Patrick Riordan | February 23, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
So he playing God now.
Posted by: Tonya | February 23, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
I don’t like Ginsburg, but I would hope that Republicans treat her as respectfully as Democrats treated the ailing Tony Snow.
On second thought, let’s show her a little decency and compassion.
Posted by: Larry | February 23, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
What an insenstive, asinine comment made by Bunning. Despite his attempt to retract the statement (whose sincerity fools no one), he’s made it clear he looks forward to the death of another human being and thinks it would be a good thing for that person to die.
I’m sure that he also poses as a good Christian so as to appeal to social conservatives.
Posted by: billp | February 23, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Justice Rehnquist, may he rest in peace, stayed on that bench until the day he died from thyroid cancer. I heard no lurid predictions concerning his mortality from Senator Bunning or anyone else. The remark was in extremely poor taste, and regardless of whether it had any medical merit, as a member of polite society he owed an apology.
Posted by: Hil | February 23, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
what a jerk
Posted by: Leo | February 23, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Typical Repugs. They’ll defend anything anyone w/ an “R” next to their name says. I don’t think any of them could even say why they are a Repug, other than hate & intolerance bands them together. It’s kind of like the Arkansas Repugs endorsing tshirts that showed them shooting dems & then when one of their wackjob supporters shot up the Dems offices in Little Rock they cheered. So Classy!
Posted by: kristina | February 23, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
I have heard that Bunning has had some problems slipping into dementia. I guess this confirms it.
Posted by: Bob A. | February 23, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
doh-bama: I sincerely hope that karma is the silly people-created idea I think it is. Because if not, you may be in for a terrible diagnosis one day and then have to deal with people saying such awful things to YOU. I don’t care who the person is or what their politics may be– you just don’t say horrible things like that in a public forum. Can you please just stop hating Obama for about 5 minutes? Why can’t you let go of that and try to make the best of things for the next 4 years???
Posted by: brismo | February 23, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Tasteless is not strong enough to describe another member of Congress making statements that have no meaning. How does he know time of death? Based on statistics? Why did he make them in the first place? What is his motivation? Our Congress no longer considers INTEGRITY, ETHICS, MORALITY, AND COMPASSION in their vocabulary. They’re above the rest of us.
Posted by: Don | February 23, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Further proof the Rep Party is made up of a bunch of out-of-touch, old, Southern bigots. They speak only to their base which shows you how low they have gone.
Posted by: ohio folk | February 23, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
another no-class republican. Gee, and he’s from the south. I saw the headline, and not knowing where he was from, I thought to myself, “I bet he’s a southerner”…gee, imagine that. Iwas right. who’d a thunk it????
Posted by: matt | February 23, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
Another dumb ass southerner. Karma has a funny way of biting just these types in the butt. Wonder how his health is?????
Posted by: duhhhh | February 23, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
Is Bunning is qualified to comment on Ginsburg’s medical condition? Sure. And Mark Foley is qualified to comment on Bunning’s homosexuality!
Posted by: was | February 23, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
just when you thought the republicans couldn’t get anymore despicable. SURPRISE!
Posted by: disgusted again | February 23, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Sen. Bunning should apologize for not following the basics of the story. The Justice was diagnosed and treated very early; usually this form of cancer is only found at an advanced stage at which the Senator’s remarks would describe what happens next.
Posted by: Ed Herdman | February 23, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
My 10 year old kid just found out her friend’s parent had cancer and she sat nicely and just listened to us talk for a little bit. when we got in the car THEN she asked me if that meant he automatically would die soon. I guess my 10 year old kid is smarter than this hick.
Posted by: are U freakn kiddn me | February 23, 2009, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm
While I have absolutely detested Jim Bunning from the first time I met him many years ago, I don’t think he can be made to represent all Republicans. Yes, politicos are out of touch with reality. Does one bad apple equal all the others? Absolutely not. Is Bunning an ass? Absolutely yes! This is another example where term limitations for congress should be reexamined…
Posted by: bunningsajoke | February 23, 2009, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm
Justice Ginsberg should be apologizing to the American people everytime a child is raped, everytime a pedophile teacher is given a soft sentenced because she is a woman and all the other deviancies she written about for the United States Civil Rights Commission. Women like Justice Ginsberg is why a movie about pedophilia won an Oscar award, it was an older woman and a young boy. Rape is rape no matter whom the predator is.To bad judges and human rights groups do not view it the same as a matter of fact neither does the media nor political leaders of the democratic party.
Posted by: Patrick Hagger | February 23, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Pretty typical of the goofs and thugs of the GOP.
Posted by: jamesx | February 23, 2009, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
This is a sad day when the author of the worst violation of civil rights manifesto is looking for an apology. The childern of the seventies might not have suffered for so long if Ginsberg had not been trying to make pedophilia, rape, incest, and other acts of deviancy not a crime. She should have to have DNA test as should all persosns that were young childern in her neighborhood. That should include all younger siblings nieces and nephews, as well as neighbors. She was such a good liberal who wouled have ever guessed.
Posted by: Jesus Warrior | February 23, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
How ignorant and asinine can a public official get? Granted hard truths aren’t sugar coated but you don’t tell a cancer patient to “give up” when she’s fighting this thing and expect not to get called on it. Had I or someone else said such a “hard truth” about the senator’s wife or mother you’d be reaming my tail from here to next Wednesday. John Cardinal Bernardin had the same disease and it took him within six months. Justice Ginsburg’s battle started very early and she’s got a damned good chance for survival. Hope she lives to be 100 or to attend Sen Bunning’s funeral! Yeee-haaaa!!!!
Posted by: Terry Helton | February 23, 2009, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
What is he going to do hit her with a bean ball?;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Or get her to go hunting with him and Cheney.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Cause he knows something no one knows, even her doctor.
Posted by: MrSleepy | February 23, 2009, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
jamesx Let me tell you about me, I grew up in the ghettos of Houston and I am an abstainer for Christ. DRUG-FREE, DEVIANT-FREE, DEBT-FREE, DISEASE-FREE, and on my way to Japan to deliver the word of God. I happen to be 43 years old from the Foster Place side of Houston it was knewn as the STONE in the Houston rap songs. I went to Foster elementary and Cullen Jr high with some of the early day rappers, drug dealers, and all sorts of criminals. I lived in a neighborhood liberals called neglected. But the most positive thing to come out of the neighborhood was Christmas lights. It brought unity to a neighborhood that would have fell apart like most inner city neighborhood did. Rich white liberals gather their childern up from Thanksgiving to the New Year and come through Foster Place for their annual trek they then call themselves diverse. Racism lives among the JimCrow democrats such as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.That is change Obama is proud of I am looking foward to Japan at least I will leave all liberal Jim Crow democrats of the court, political office, and media behind in the United States for you a be proud of enjoy AIDS deviant.
Posted by: Patrick hagger | February 23, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Patrick hagger, if you are a “christian,” I would hate to see how you define “righteous.”
Posted by: bajacalla | February 23, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
If Senator Bunning has alerted the general public
about an impending problem, then he has done a
proper service to the nation. Prof. Narumanchi
****************************
Sorry Prof. You along with Bunning are out the
the ball park on this one. Public Service? He is not
in the position to make this statement, especially
with his “Geraldo” factored ego. Only the Doctors
and Associate Justice Ginsberg are allowed to state
what is the proper course to take. She is very
capable in doing that.
Posted by: spacerook1 | February 23, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
I guess the majority of you never bothered to read the reports of what they found when they did her surgery. The tumor that they thought was cancerous WAS BENIGN, NO CANCER THERE, but they did find a very, very little one about the size of a tip of a nail and they took that out as well as a section of her pancreas. She does not need radiation or chemo therapy, and has a good very good chance of living another 20 years. This Senator should have taken the time to read the reports before he said such a hateful remark, it just shows how ignorant he is. To Judge Ginsberg, I wish you a long and healthy recovery.
Posted by: Kathy | February 23, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Sen. Bunning’s remarks clearly were not INTENDED to offend. I’ll give him that. However his apology was halfhearted. But its water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned. On Justice Ginsburg, she and her friends and family had a right to be offended by the Senator’s comments. Some argue that she should resign…I ask why? She and all other Justices are appointed FOR LIFE! Not just drop everything when they encounter a life threatening situation. She’s not dead yet and she made live to be a 100 or more, and God bless her. The bottom lne s any one of those Justices could now or tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean we have replacements lined up ready to replace them. We deal with that as the situation arises.
Posted by: wes | February 23, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
Interesting, but it wouldn’t be “a great leap” to say; Senator Jim Bunning is your “Typical Republican Politician!” That includes the Crude Idiots here, defending the “Washed-Out, Sand Lot Bum.”
Posted by: bobj72 | February 23, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
Hagger, are you related to the Hagger Slacks
Company?
Posted by: spacerook1 | February 23, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
Patrick hagger – do us all a favor you self righteous SOB – see if you can find yourself permanent residence while over seas because almost everyone of you that brag about how perfect you are in the lords eyes have some kind of deep dark secret that eventually comes out and it usually has to do with kids.
Posted by: dan | February 23, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
My wife saw Bunning play ball many times at the Charleston (WV) Senators (AAA) Watt Powell Park. She says that he was a great ball player. He went to Detroit from there. We might have been better off if he had stayed in the baseball bussiness, something he was good at. Now he is an embarressment.
Posted by: MrSleepy | February 23, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
OK new rule… we can no longer speak candidly about life and death and the effect that a death will have on public service. We have to just wait until the person dies, then go scrambling around to find a replacement like we were surprised by it. Hey, as long as nobody gets their feelings hurt, it must be the way to go right??
Posted by: jason | February 23, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Conservatives like Bunning are all born-again Christian evangelical zealots, so I wouldn’t be surprised that he, like Pat Robertson, are praying for their deaths.
In 2003, religious nut Pat Robertson urged his nationwide audience to pray for God to remove three justices from the Supreme Court so they could be replaced by conservatives.
QUOTE: “We ask for miracles in regard to the Supreme Court,” Robertson said on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “The 700 Club.”
Such wonderful Christians, NOT!
Posted by: AlChemist | February 23, 2009, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Where and when did Bunning get his medical license? My sister lived 32 months after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Go to the PanCan web site, no one would choose to have this cancer but there are exceptions to every rule and miracles are still possible.
God bless Justice Ginsburg and her family.
Posted by: beenthere | February 23, 2009, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
When someone cages their “apology” with “I’m sorry they interpreted what I said in a bad way…” that means it’s not a sincere apology. It’s just b*tt covering. Bunning is a fool and he makes Kentucky look awful.
Posted by: Trey | February 23, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
For god’s sake, this isn’t news.
Posted by: Glen | February 23, 2009, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
Bunning typifies the hardened brain thinking of republicans. He doesn’t think, therefore, he isn’t.
Posted by: Jeff | February 23, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
Typical GOP “nice” guy. I’m sorry if you were offended just doesn’t cut it. How about, “I’m sorry I am a conniving jerk!”
Posted by: Sara B. | February 23, 2009, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
As a former teacher I gave this advice
to my second graders, “If you can’t say
something nice, don’t say anything at all!” Maybe it would be well for all of us, especially people in the public eye to remember such good advice.
Did his ranting do anybody any good?
Posted by: Marty | February 23, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
What a clueless ass.
Posted by: Brian | February 23, 2009, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
His comments betoken his ignorance. Pancreatic cancer usually has no or few recognizable symptoms and is not caught in time, therefore is usually fatal in a short time, mainly because it has spread. However, when caught early, it is survivable (I think the survival rate is about 50%). Now, the Justice’s cancer was found early and accidentally (which is how its usually found early). Therefore, she probably has a much better chance of survival.
So, we can call Bunning ignorant, crass, cruel and probably representative of most of the Republicans around lately. I hope they continue in the same vein for some time, they will guarantee they remain a minority party for a long time to come.
Posted by: Bill | February 23, 2009, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
Just curious, does anyone know who he was speaking to? Was he standing at a podium? Was it a personal conversation overheard and hijacked? And pray tell, why did this need to be televised? Who did it serve? I have to laugh at all of the politically correct Democrats here, so ready to chop bi-partisanship to pieces. As for the “I’m sorry IF” statement, it is something that was originated and perfected by Bill Clinton. Bunning put his foot in his mouth and a reporter was more than happy to publicize it even at Ginsburg’s expense.
Posted by: mmonarch | February 23, 2009, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
It’s not the statement, it’s the gloating – the justice he doesn’t like – she has “bad” cancer, the kind you don’t recover from – you can hear the gloating even in print!
Posted by: SusanHelit | February 23, 2009, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
There is no cure for stupid. This has to rank among the top ten most insensitive things I have ever seen–(I’m not young)–and a direct, real and honest apology to the Esteemed Justice Ginsburg is most definitely in order. On TV. If not, the media should castrate him.
Posted by: Larry | February 23, 2009, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
Ms. Helit, the only gloating that I see and can “hear even in print” is yours and those here that have never said something that hurt someone and then instantly regretted it. No Larry, there is no cure for stupid. Nor is there a cure for self-righteousness. You all make me sick. Broadcasting this statement by Bunning served what purpose, pray tell? Who did it help, who did it hurt? It certainly didn’t help Ginsburg and if anything, it hurt her. Did it hurt Bunning? Probably. Was that the purpose in airing it? You all make me sick.
Posted by: mmonarch | February 23, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
I have a very good friend who has lived quite comfortably for the past 6 years after pancreatic cancer. The inital surgery removed her pancreas and they replaced it with pumps and medications that she takes to take the place of what the pancreas does. Perhaps 10 years ago this was a death sentence but it needn’t be today.
Posted by: MrsDi | February 23, 2009, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Hey Lars you’re all class…ALL LOW CLASS but you have an over abundance of that it would seem. I guess everyone has to excel at something and now we all know what Lars excels at. On another note Senator Bunning is so full of himself I bet he thinks his poo doesn’t stink. Guess what Bunning you don’t know it all. Come off your high horse Senator the air is to thin up there and it’s making you say stupid things.
Posted by: Geez | February 23, 2009, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
Gotta love Bunning’s conditional apology. That kind of apology was a favorite of my evil ex-boss, not so affectionately referred to as “the Peglet” (among other names that wouldn’t get through the naughty word filter). In any case, Bunning is not a medical doctor and has no business making public diagnoses. Everyone’s cancer is unique, and there is no way to know whether Ginsburg will die of cancer tomorrow or live to die of something else 25 years in the future. She’s a tough cookie – and my favorite justice. Don’t be so quick to write her off.
Posted by: EvilBabyFauvel | February 23, 2009, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
I believe Bunning’s MLB career qualifies him to make a diagnosis.
Posted by: gravy | February 23, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
This guy does not represent the core of the republican party. We are sensitive to decency and we gave you Bush-Cheney and now bunning.
We are a great people.
Posted by: kmagala | February 23, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
Palin?
Posted by: gravy | February 23, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Bristol’s baby daddy?
Posted by: gravy | February 23, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Nancy Pelosi?
Posted by: gravy | February 23, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Sorry, she’s to the other extreme, I get ‘em mixed up sometimes…
Posted by: gravy | February 23, 2009, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
how dare that senator make such remarks on tv. my husband and i were watching and going the very next day for his treatment. he is on new drugs that could help others. he has had the cancer for 10 month. you don’t know what you are talking about until you walk in someone who has this disease shoes.and if you think it’s so bad why don’t you help pass the legislation for more funds for research instead of running your mouth do something about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kathy | February 24, 2009, 8:44 am 8:44 am
How IGNORANT, A public servant, I think not. Is this all Kentucky has to offer. Typical of one of “these”. Now he’s playing God………Is he a Christian, or do he just say that? Christians understand they are not GOD, and does not put themselves in GOD’S place. He’s not a Christian, real christians don’t think that way, let along say such.
Posted by: sngeorgia | February 24, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am
Must be so hard for all of you to be so perfect. Bunning screwed up. He apologized. Something none of you have ever done. Well, probably at least the apologized part.
Posted by: mmonarch | February 24, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Jim Bunning’s remarks were not in good taste and he apologized. I wonder how many of you self righteous blowhards have said equally dumb things in your life. How many of you sanctimonious, holier than thou, soon to be ordained Saints ever said anything distasteful about Bush, relatives/friends or coworkers? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Get the hell over yourselves.
Posted by: Kevin | March 24, 2010, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm