Governor's wine joke strikes sour note with area wine makers
10:19 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2007
The bad Kansas wine joke happened when Governor Kathleen Sebelius was at a Democratic fund raiser this week in Washington State for Governor Christine Gregorie.
After Gregorie praised her state's wine, Sebelius attempted to agree with her, by saying this: "You should be thankful we don't make wine in Kansas,” Sebelius said. “If you ever see Kansas wine, don't drink it."
Holton wine makers Ray and Becky Campbell say they're disappointed by the Governor's comment.
The two have produced wine for the last two years and won an award for one of their wines at this year's state fair.
They say all Kansas wineries are working hard to promote the industry and build the state's economy.
The Campbells say Sebelius' comment won't damage the economy, just pose as a setback for wineries.
“I think we were disappointed to know that, that we were the butt of a joke when it's a very serious thing to us,” Becky said.
“I think she's a nice person, don't get me wrong,” said Ray. “I just think it's a bad choice of words.”
“She's from a Catholic background,” said Joel Connelly, columnist with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “I think this is something that requires a sincere act of contrition, and perhaps also, she wants to go to a winery and have some of your finest vintage along with a plate on which crow feathers will be served.”
The Campbells say they're not looking for an apology. They just want the Governor to reconsider what she said, and how she said it. A spokeswoman says Sebelius will not be trying the same poor attempt at humor again.
Comments
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Nov. 9, 2007 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)sirbearsalot (anonymous)
If a person talks in public a long time eventually the mouth is going to open and the foot is going to fly in!!
Nov. 14, 2007 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)ixamnis (anonymous)
Here are some suggestions for jokes for Governor Sebelius' future speeches:
"Kansas doesn't make airplanes... and if we did, you'd better wear a parachute while flying in one!" (yuk, yuk)
"Kansas doesn't grow wheat ... and if we did, you wouldn't want to eat any of the bread made from it!" (yuk, yuk)
"Kansas doesn't have any Collegiate level sports teams ... and if we did, I'm sure they'd be horrible!" (yuk, yuk)
"Kansas doesn't produce any oil ... and if we did, you wouldn't want to put any gas in your car made from it!" (yuk, yuk)
Way to go Gov! Now, instead of apologizing for your ignorance, why not just say the comment was "taken out of context". You already did? Nice move. Us ignorant Kansans won't know the difference.
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