State Rep. Mary Franson apologizes for comparing food stamps to feeding the animals
star tribune ^ | 3/3 and 3/5/12 | Jennifer Brooks
Posted on March 5, 2012 10:34:14 PM EST by do the dhue
State Rep. Mary Franson has apologized and removed a YouTube video that compared Minnesota’s food stamp program to “feed(ing) the animals.”
It started Friday, when Franson, a first-term Republican from Alexandria, posted a week-in-review video on YouTube. She ran through the news about the new state budget forcast and ended with a plea to end child sexual abuse. In between, at about the two-minute mark, she turned to the welfare reform.
“I'll read you this little funny clip that we got from a friend. It says, 'Isn't it ironic that the food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps, ever.
Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to please not feed the animals, because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves."
It didn’t take long for the blogosphere to take notice. By 10 p.m. Friday, Franson tweeted an apology: “For those offended at the video, I deeply apologize. I have asked for the video to be taken down ...”
Her video was removed, but copies remain online.
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