One challenge with being a satirist in today's day and age is that some politicians now steal our bit, and say and do things that are so dumb and stupid that you have think it has to be a joke, even when it's not.
For example, during a speech to commemorate MLK Day in northeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt claimed, without even a wink or sly nod, that Martin Luther King Jr. – a hero who literally gave his life in the fight for civil rights, justice and racial equality for all – would be "disgusted" with the US Supreme Court's McGirt ruling.
Yep, that's right!
Ole' Stitter – a guy whose ancestors apparently conned their way onto Cherokee tribal rolls – thinks MLK wouldn't have been too happy with a Supreme Court ruling that gave certain Indigenous Americans – a class of people who have been the victims of racial discrimination in our country since it's founding – more freedom and autonomy from the government that has systematically oppressed them for centuries.
Here's the clip:
Here is the video of Gov. Stitt's comments on McGirt during MLK event: pic.twitter.com/3mw3kD58Yl
— Zach Rael (@KOCOZach) January 17, 2022
First of all, I always like it when politicians who are vehemently opposed to the policies, values and ideologies that Dr. King held dear give speeches where they honor MLK. It's always a feel-good reminder that most politicians' words are hollow and meaningless, and that hypocrisy has no bounds.
Second, let's congratulate Kevin Stitt for saying all that with a straight face. Whether you're a dirty politician, sleazy mortgage loan lender, or simply a seasoned hidden camera prank comedian, it's hard to stay in character when saying something as absurd as that. I can't wait to see if his speech appears on a special celebrity edition of Impractical Jokers.
"Okay... Okay... Now say the King would have been "disgusted" by McGirt!"
Naturally, and probably intentionally, Stitt's comments ignited a reaction from the social media crowd. Former TLO Show guest Chuck Hoskin Jr. – the Chief of the Cherokee Nation – fired off this tweet:
🤦🏽♂️You can’t make this stuff up. I’m certain Dr. King would not join Governor Stitt in his effort to destroy the reservations of Indian nations. In any case, this day should be about unity and joining together to shine a light on darkness. https://t.co/6x4uUAMCu7
— Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (@ChuckHoskin_Jr) January 17, 2022
Actually, as Stitt proves, you can make this stuff up.
As you would expect, other people shared quotes from MLK the seem to contradict Stitt's bold proclamation:
We know that MLK wouldn’t be on Stitt’s side. From Why We Can’t Wait. pic.twitter.com/medW0MgpGf
— OK Violated Tribal Jurisdiction for 113 years (@Rightturn_only) January 17, 2022
Anyway, Carmen Forman with The Oklahoman has a decent recap of the situation here. You can read it if you want. In the meantime, I guess we'll continue to monitor Stitt's other speeches to see if he talks about other issues MLK would be in favor of, like you know, banning critical race theory from being taught in Oklahoma schools.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We'll keep you advised.
