Retired Marine Corps drill instructor and actor R. Lee Ermey took an opportunity to rail against the Obama administration during a Dec. 10 appearance on Roe & Roeper’s Miracle on Indianapolis Blvd. Holiday Extravaganza live broadcast to benefit the USO.
The retired vet stressed that the Marines’ Toys 4 Tots program was working through the struggling economy to bring holiday cheer to young boys and girls, but also delivered a political punch to the Obama administration which he claimed was trying to destroy the country by imposing socialism:
"The famous Marine drill instructor who created a stir last week when he said President Obama was trying to implement socialism has released a statement apologizing for those remarks.
R. Lee Ermey said today that his comments were “misguided” and “emotionally based” and for that he is “truly sorry.” His full statement, which is posted on his website as a splash page, is below:
A Message from the Gunny
“I recently appeared at a fundraising event designed to collect toys and raise awareness for underprivileged children. While that event succeeded in raising thousands of dollars and hundreds of toys for this cause, I regret that I delivered a monologue that was inappropriately critical of the President. I was trying to be entertaining and simply went too far in this instance. I am mindful that my success as an entertainer relates in part to my experience in the Marine Corps, my devotion to its members, and the deep respect I have for members of all our Armed Forces. My comments should not be seen as reflecting on them or their views. I was just very disappointed in the amount of success that we were having raising toys and money for the underprivileged children this season. The poor economy has greatly hampered our efforts. My comments were misguided, and emotionally based, and for that I am truly sorry.”
