Martin Bashir resigned from MSNBC on Wednesday, a little more than two weeks after he made his now-infamous comments that more or less suggested that just maybe someone should “s-h-i-t” in Sarah Palin’s mouth.
Bashir made his remarks during a segment taking issue with Palin’s decision to repeatedly compare the national debt to slavery. “When Mrs. Palin invokes slavery, she doesn’t just prove her rank ignorance. She confirms if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, she would be the outstanding candidate,” Bashir said after detailing the excrement-themed punishment said to have been something of favorite of the slave master in question. (For those of you who missed them the first time, you can relive that questionable moment in the clip above.)
Those comments prompted plenty of outrage, particularly among Palin fans, and a formal apology from the now-ex-MSNBC host a few days later. Here’s the statement Bashir sent to Mediaite in an email announcing his resignation:
After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the President of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation. It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments.
I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers – who are the smartest, most compassionate and discerning of all television audiences. I would also wish to express deepest gratitude to my immediate colleagues, and our contributors, all of whom have given so much of themselves to our broadcast.’
The news follows the cancellation of fellow MSNBCer Alec Baldwin’s Up Late show after the actor allegedly lobbed a gay slur at a photog trying to snap a picture of him and his family on the street.
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