You can add Yuma Mayor Al Krieger to the long list of Arizona politicians intent on embarassing the hell out of this state.
According to this clip from KYMA Channel 11, Krieger used a Memorial Day speech to criticize congressional plans to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" -- and, while he was at it, to insult gays as "lacy-drawered, limp-wristed people."
Unbelievably, Krieger subsequently defended his remarks to reporter Nick Cilletti, explaining, "It came from my heart." Cause, you know, sincerity makes bigotry completely forgivable.
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In the brief clip, Krieger speaks from behind a lectern at a local cemetery. Apparently referring to military veterans, he says, "And I cannot believe that a bunch of lacy-drawered, limp-wristed people ... could do what those men have done in the past."
Oddly, Krieger seems to believe his gratuitous insult puts him right up there with Washington and Lincoln -- not that he's the one making the comparison, mind you.
"I am reluctant to compare myself to George Washington or Abraham Lincoln," Mayor Krieger tells the reporter modestly, "but I did get some feedback on what I said, and I don't believe I said anything different from what they would have said."
Weirdly, we couldn't find any gay-bashing in the Gettysburg Address, but perhaps our research skills are lacking.