Mo. Sen. Engler defends his comments (Joke bill, death penalty for littering)

[JonLP24]

JEFFERSON CITY — I spoke to Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, about a joke bill he sponsored that would reward littering with the death penalty.

Commenters criticized his use of the phrase “white trash” and “redneck” to describe those in his district who litter.

But Engler said the response from people from his district has been positive.

To those who called his remarks offensive, he said, “It’s your personal self-worth. People in my area understand.”

He added that it is not a racial epithet, and that people of all races can be “white trash.”

And for the record, Engler is white.
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2009/01/sen-kevin-engler-does-not-like-trash-or-white-trash/