Martin Bashir resigns from MSNBC over ‘ill-judged’ comments about Sarah Palin

Just weeks after MSNBC host Martin Bashir issued a foul attack against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on his show, the outspoken progressive announced he is resigning from the troubled network.

“After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday,” Mr. Bashir said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, Mediaite.com reported.

“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,” he concluded.

The Washington Times reported in November that the host had ripped Mrs. Palin’s comment at Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Coalition event when she said “it’s going to be like slavery” when China finally bills the U.S. for its debt.

“It will be like slavery,” Mr. Bashir said at the time. “Given her well-established reputation as a world-class idiot, it’s hardly surprising that she should choose to mention slavery in a way that is abominable to anyone who knows anything about its barbaric history.”

He then read excerpts from “the personal diary of a man called Thomas Thistlewood,” he said.

“In 1756, he records that a slave named Darby ’catched eating kanes had him well flogged and pickled, then made Hector, another slave, [expletive] in his mouth,” he continued. “He mentions a similar incident in 1756, this time in relation to a man he refers to as Punch. ’Flogged punch well, and then washed and rubbed salt pickle, lime juice and bird pepper, made Negro Joe piss in his eyes and mouth.’”

Mr. Bashir concluded: “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.”