What in the world is going on with Andy Young?

[Rosemary2205]

Just saw this on local news. First I've heard of it. This is not anything like him at all and I'm inclined to believe his statement that his comments were misinterpreted. What is this all about? Anyone know?

BTW - IMHO, while I think the comments given are factually accurate, I can't see this coming out of Andy Young's mouth in the manner that it's being reported.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060818/ap_on_el_gu/georgia_governor_young
snip

Young said Friday he was stepping down from his job providing public relations help for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The move came amid criticism for remarks published Thursday in the weekly Los Angeles Sentinel, which asked Taylor whether he was concerned Wal-Mart causes smaller, mom-and-pop stores to close.

"Well, I think they should; they ran the `mom and pop' stores out of my neighborhood," the paper quoted Young as saying. "But you see, those are the people who have been overcharging us, selling us stale bread and bad meat and wilted vegetables. And they sold out and moved to Florida. I think they've ripped off our communities enough. First it was Jews, then it was Koreans and now it's Arabs; very few black people own these stores."

A call placed to Young's Atlanta office was not immediately returned Friday. He has said his comments were misinterpreted.

snip

[Xeric]

1. His star has been fading for some time

I got kind of disgusted with him when I heard the ads he made for some organization on Air America. It seemed to me like he was exploiting his relationship with M.L. King. The tagline was "from civil rights to silver rights". Tacky. That and the whole wal-mart thing is pretty sad.

A story in the LA Times says he's "apologized":

Young, in an interview Thursday night from his Atlanta home, expressed regret.

"I understand I've created a whole firestorm out there," Young said. "It's unfortunate and I should not have said it, and I apologize for it. It has not been my experience or my meaning."

[The Icon Painter]

2. Poor Andy

I am an Atlantan and Andy Young has been one of my heroes for a long time. Something seemed to die in him when his first wife died and he has not been the same since. There is a bitterness and carelessness in this dear man which was absent during most of his career. I cannot understand what has happened and sometimes it seems as if he is puzzled too. It is terribly sad to see this happen to so heroic a figure. I grieve for him.