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Famous Drill Instructor Apologizes for Obama ‘Socialism’ Comments

Jan. 4, 2011 1:14pm Jonathon M. Seidl

The famous Marine drill instructor who created a stir last week when he said President Obama was trying to implement socialism has released a statement apologizing for those remarks.

R. Lee Ermey said today that his comments were “misguided” and “emotionally based” and for that he is “truly sorry.” His full statement, which is posted on his website as a splash page, is below:

A Message from the Gunny

“I recently appeared at a fundraising event designed to collect toys and raise awareness for underprivileged children. While that event succeeded in raising thousands of dollars and hundreds of toys for this cause, I regret that I delivered a monologue that was inappropriately critical of the President. I was trying to be entertaining and simply went too far in this instance. I am mindful that my success as an entertainer relates in part to my experience in the Marine Corps, my devotion to its members, and the deep respect I have for members of all our Armed Forces. My comments should not be seen as reflecting on them or their views. I was just very disappointed in the amount of success that we were having raising toys and money for the underprivileged children this season. The poor economy has greatly hampered our efforts. My comments were misguided, and emotionally based, and for that I am truly sorry.”

Semper Fi

Mediaite wonders if the apology is a move to appease the insurance company GEICO. As many know, Ermey has had a resurgence as a GEICO commercial star. But recently, another GEICO voice actor was fired for a foray into political talk:

A few months ago, GEICO fired voice actor Lance Baxter AKA D.C. Douglas for being critical of the Tea Party and Freedomworks. Not only did they fire him, they fired him for a political outburst on his own free time. Will they now fire Ermey?

That could be the reason. But some may just wonder if this is Ermey crossing into “mamby pamby land”:

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Comments (549)

SSI01
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:16am
Many military men are battlefield heroes but administrative cowards. Save that career above everything else, including family or testicles. Ermey is NOT RPT NOT in the Marine Corps any more!!! He can speak his mind. If only he’d realize that. Agree w/Lightfoot, time to issue an apology to every boot he ever accused of cowardice. So sick and tired of the posturing and bombast. Put pressure on him and he caves. Would you want this guy watching your six? I will keep my FMJ tape and view the Parris Island portion as a comedy from now on.

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liightfoot
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 8:17am
R Lee should apologize to ALL the young Marines he yelled and cursed at, while in the service.

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dbrink
Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:35pm
I agree with my husband, this drill sergeant is a mamby pamby with a big mouth. All talk, no follow through. Cannot stand by his own beliefs. What a mamby pamby!

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zman173rd
Posted on January 7, 2011 at 10:47pm
@ prestonI does make sense, a little bit. If you consider this:
At night at 0300 you come to a red light, You stop. and wait for it to turn green no matter how long you sit there and feel like an idiot. . IT’S clear all around as far as the eye can see. But through constantly being trained to the point to BRAINWASHING, you don’t go through the red light. So R Lee has been out of the service for years, and can speak his mind any time he wants to but, there’s that damn RED LIGHT! Did I get it right? What did I win?!?!?!

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prestonr81
Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:25pm
I’ve met Ermey several times. I think what happened is this… He was representing the Marine Corps for their Toys For Tots campaign. Members of the military are forbidden to speak negatively about the Commander in Chief, no matter who occupies that office. Even though Ermey is now a civilian, in his role as a spokesman for the Marines, they probably asked him to back off on his comments. Because of his respect for the military and especially the Marines, he agreed to apologize for the sake of the Corps and the Toys For Tots campaign. It isn’t about money for R. Lee Ermey. It’s his loyalty to the Marines here. Does this make sense to anyone?

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