In apologizing for his sexist "joke" about how the United Arab Emirates" first fighter pilot is an example of "boobs on the ground," Eric Bolling explained that his apology came as a result of his "getting the look" from his wife and not any self-awareness of the sexist offensiveness and inappropriateness of the comment. As your humble correspondent noted, he didn't even mention the woman whom he insulted. Well, I guess that his apology did not stem the appropriate outrage among those who don't see the humor in Bolling's sexism. So I can't say for sure if Bolling experienced an epiphany or if Fox management was doing damage control - but today, Bolling offered yet another apology in what seems to be a, uh, *pattern?
Today, on The Five, Bolling asserted that his remark was "not intended to be disparaging of her but that's how it was taken." (Ya Think!) He said that he "should have known better and used better judgment." (No shit, Sherlock!) He commented that his apology was "inadequate" (No!) and that "Fox News has received letters from viewers including from women in the military and that I'm taking them to heart."
Speaking "clearly" and "sincerely," he apologized for what he said and added that he believes that the UAE Major is "hero" who is "courageous and brave" and who "deserves our praise, not inappropriate jokes." He praised and thanked her for her role in fighting dangerous extremists.
So Bolling did provide the context which I said was lacking. (Thank you for reading Newshounds?) Let's hope that Bolling has learned his lesson and will think twice before regurgitating his patented vile crap. But this isn't anything new for Bolling who has been, uh, encouraged (?) to apologize for inappropriate and disparaging comments in the past. *I give you Eric Bolling's apology tour.
June, 2011 - Bolling apologized for what appeared to be overtly racist comments concerning President Obama's hosting of the President of Gabon. In citing the African leader's problematic history of human rights violations, Bolling said this: "Guess who's coming to dinner? A dictator. It's not the first time he's had a hoodlum in the hizzouse." It didn't stop there. When Bolling showed a photo of the rapper Common, whose appearance at the White House caused a firestorm on Fox, Bolling asked "what's with all these hoods in the hizzy."
September 201 - Bolling apologized for misquoting a Center for American Progress report which made it look like the report's authors were anti-Semitic. He apologized for the "confusion."
February 2012 - Bolling walked back his comment about how US Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an African-American, should "step away from the crack pipe." Rather than apologize, he said he was "kidding."
The most recent apology wasn't his first and probably won't be his last.
Second apology here.
(Video no longer available)
The little grease ball really does exist in an alternate universe.
;^)