Bounty hunter's racist rant not forgotten in Capitol visit
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 9, 2008 at 7:11 p.m.
Updated April 9, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.
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Photo by Dennis Schroeder / The Rocky
Dog the Bounty Hunter Chapman and his wife, Beth Chapman, ride the elevator at the state Capitol on Wednesday. He planned to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on a bill containing language on an alternative bail-bonds system.
Dog the Bounty Hunter blew into the Colorado Capitol on Wednesday to pit his reality television star power against lawmakers he thought were trying to shackle his livelihood.
But Rep. Rosemary Marshall, who is black, was not wowed by the media circus over Duane "Dog" Chapman, the Denver native who began his bounty hunting career here.
The Denver Democrat said the legislature's integrity was cheapened by the fawning over a man who'd been bounced from his TV show for a racist rant against his son's dating a black woman.
"This is a man who is a known racist, who has used the 'N' word, who absolutely has no credibility," said Marshall, referring to Chapman's phone-message tirade against his son, exposed last fall by the National Enquirer.
While acknowledging Chapman's right to tell his views to lawmakers, Marshall said it taints the "integrity of the legislative process" when he gets to "take credit" for killing part of a bill that the bail bond industry said would have allowed a government-run program to cut into its business.
Chapman and his wife and partner in crime-fighting, Beth, were taken aback by the criticism.
"Dog has made his amends. He said he was sorry and he was genuinely sorry," Beth Chapman said, adding that her husband has joined the Congress of Racial Equality and attended a Martin Luther King Day event.
'Choice of words'
But, she added, "This is a democracy and we are allowed to come and voice our opinions about things that affect us and our industry.
"We're not going to be run out of anywhere because my husband had a misfortunate choice of words."
The clash was part of the surreal swirl surrounding the Chapmans as they and local bail bonds agents made what turned out to be an unnecessary trip to oppose House Bill 1382.
Earlier in the day, Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, the bill's sponsor, had withdrawn language to establish an "alternative bond program" administered by the government with deputies running down bail jumpers.
At one point, a woman and her three young sons were stunned as the TV celebrity welcomed them to crowd into an elevator with journalists and lawmakers.
"Come on babies. Come on with Dog," Chapman said, making small talk with the boys.Chapman, who noted he was dripping with sweat at the thought of testifying, was relieved to be spared that ordeal.
'A very serious job'
Beth Chapman held up a poster for a man wanted "for habitual sexual assault on children here in Colorado" that the couple is hunting - and filming for the imminent revival of Dog The Bounty Hunter on the A&E network.
"This is a very serious job," she said. "You've got to know what you're doing. You can't just pass that over to a governmental agency and run it like a factory."
After a private meeting, Carroll and Chapman praised their exchange of views.
"It was a nice chat," Carroll said.
"They shared with me . . . why we need bail bonds people in the state and how this would put them out of business."
But Carroll said Chapman had nothing to do will killing the bond program.
Carroll said he wants time to explore bail reform with industry officials this summer.
Carroll, who is also black, said he understood Marshall's concerns, adding, "we don't want to legitimize someone who may be a racist or a bigot.
"But I have a responsibility as a public servant," he added, to listen to everyone interested in an issue. "I'm not going to foreclose discourse simply because of prior statements he made that I don't like."
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April 9, 2008
8 p.m.
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coloradoorbust writes:
MULLETT MAN TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 9, 2008
8:14 p.m.
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Jul writes:
He lives by the sword and dies (metaphorically) by the sword. If he had a moment of weakness when he spouted his racist drivel, it's unrealistic for anyone to forgive that and move on. Oh wait, I have another proverb ready. To err is human, to forgive is divine. I'm feeling so full of it. Some one,stop me.
April 9, 2008
9:07 p.m.
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Scooper25 writes:
Is this really the best "representative of the industry" they could scare up to come testify?
April 9, 2008
9:15 p.m.
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bjjdenver writes:
this guy is a scumbag.
Not taking sides on the issue, but he is not a good rep for any group.
April 9, 2008
9:20 p.m.
Golden writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
April 9, 2008
9:49 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
I guess racism is okay as long as whitey is on the recieving end of it.I mean she was offended by his comment,well I hope she and her voters are offended enough to not cash next months welfare check and not cash their food stamps either.Because I am offended by the welfare mentality.Just give me my check and don't tell me what to do.I know what welfare looka like I lived in one place and it started out really nice all working class people.When I finally moved out it was full of dope dealers and ladies of the evening.So let me tell you, it did not improve my life while I paid full rent.While my neighbors were section eight and the taxpayers paid their rent.So I think I feel offended everytime my taxes go up.I am glad for every person who accepts it and then turns around and makes something of themselves.But I still am disappointed in so many who do not use it to fulfill what they want from life.Like get an education and improve yourself as a person.
April 9, 2008
9:56 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Everyone missed the point, they're here to represent the bail bond industry.
April 9, 2008
10:29 p.m.
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GWBushwacked writes:
Yeah, the bail bond industry...classy people <sarcasm off>
April 9, 2008
11:38 p.m.
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gadzuks writes:
Hmmm, the National Enquirer, epitome of journalistic excellence. If people like Mr. Chapman did not go out and pick these people up, who would?
I for one think he does a great service for the community. I certainly would not want some of the people he picks up living next door to me.
April 9, 2008
11:51 p.m.
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kevin3 writes:
Dog the Bounty Hunter...White trash at it's best!
April 10, 2008
12:20 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
I do not watch hi show,but let me tell you I am glad that people like him pick up the garbage and force them to face the criminal justice system.So what he did was not okay to a bunch of people who are his biggest customers. So to all those people who whine and cry over one comment.He is keeping the streets clean from all the thugs,dopers and ladies of the night,I use the term lady in the broad sense.So to the woman who was upset to bad clean up your own doorstep before you go out to point out someone else's flaws.Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone.Bet you have referred to a white person as whitey and the blue eyed devil.So if you do not think I have a right to speak that way my family was indentured servants.A nice way of calling it slavery.They worked 7 years of their lives to be in america.They were the man who paid their passage his property.This means they worked six days a week 16 hours a day for seven years.I am proud of my lineage and not embarassed to know my family dates back to 1750's.We also sacrificed memembers of our family in every war since 1776.I Am proud to be a American.
April 10, 2008
4:28 a.m.
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chgrbill writes:
And just who is rosemary marshall?
April 10, 2008
5:23 a.m.
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Ike writes:
Dripping with sweat as the Dawg himself noted, chewing constantly and very twitchy in the video, Tweaker maybe? Surely not the Dawg!
April 10, 2008
7:05 a.m.
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holekeeper writes:
I wanted to look up the house bill they are talking about but house bill 1382 that I am finding is about the rights of funurals. would anybody out there know the proper house bill they are speaking of.
the web site for 1382 is http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2006a...
Please let me know I am kinda intrested in this law.
April 10, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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DeimosJB writes:
On one hand, this guy goes out and brings in the bad guys that no one else will get. On the other hand, he makes a stupid statement about race, then he apologizes for it. Not only does he apologize, but he reexamines his life and begins taking part in racial activities and bolsters his understanding. Now he's not allowed to move forward and represent his industry? I'd like to make a comparison between Dog and Obama, but it's hard to compare because Obama doesn't go out and stop bad guys, and Obama rationalized his and his pastor's racism instead of apologizing for it and changing his life, and Obama gets to continue to represent his industry and even strive to move up. Oh, and Dog is a white guy with a mullet. Noting that one fella is more racist across the board than the other, I wonder why we allow the one and not the other?
April 10, 2008
8:30 a.m.
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shrubsrock writes:
holekeeper,
Your link is for 2006, not 2008. Try this one
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLIC...
April 10, 2008
8:39 a.m.
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Diff writes:
"Dog" Is a SCUM BAG nothing more - interested in promoting himself and his image and over all no better than the vermin he (supposedly) goes after. (per the lame cable production he is in - how much of that is 'reality'?)
but bottom line he does not deserve the front page of this or any other news paper - he does not deserve the time of day from the state legislature - Can't we exile him out of Colorado?
April 10, 2008
8:56 a.m.
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holekeeper writes:
Thank you shrubsrock for the information, I like the idea of the law, I like that they want to use the monies to pay restitutuin and the such as we all know they wont pay the restitution but will pay to get out of jail. What I want to know is how much this new government program is going to cost tax payers. I know that they want the program to pay for it self but it wont happen, just more government jobs. I dont like "dog" and I dont agree with his side of the arguement but why do we need to change a private industry to an excuse for the government to spend more of our money, the will need offices, supplies, and people before the program even takes off.
April 10, 2008
9:04 a.m.
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CWW writes:
Oh, so Dog is a racist but not Rev. Wright?
April 10, 2008
9:18 a.m.
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Darwin writes:
lcdrjjxant said "Rev. Wright (USN/USMC vet), answered America's call to serve".
So did Lee Harvey Oswald (USMC vet). Wright is an America hater and a bigot. Oswald is a murderer. Shows that any organization is not immune to scumbags.
April 10, 2008
9:47 a.m.
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gr8fuldude writes:
With a wife like Beth, now we know why Playboy has the circulation it does.
April 10, 2008
11:26 a.m.
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Diff writes:
RememberThis,
Dog is a Scum bag because of the way he lives his life, he is a scum bag because of the way he has treated his children (in Denver BTW)
He is a Scumbag because he is a "media whore" and does what he does for ratings and to make money
As for his Orbs, with the drugs and steroids he uses - I bet there the size of peanuts!
AND ..
HE is no man!
April 10, 2008
11:41 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
DiemosJB
I am kind of neutral either way on the Dog issue, but you raise a very good point in your statement. Put anyone's name in that text and it still comes out the same, the person made a mistake, tried to apoligize, even took the time to re-evaluate himself. Reguardless, there is not one thing he will ever do to redeem himself. Maybe Marshall should look in the mirror before throwing out words like racist, instead of thrying to score points in the Black Community.
April 10, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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Barron writes:
Happy(sad)Mike, what the blank are you ranting about? What does your rant have to do with the story?
April 10, 2008
12:01 p.m.
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Cel writes:
Don't they both still have active warrants in Jefco?
April 10, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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say_what writes:
Dog...cut your hair. You have given white trash people everywhere a bad image!
April 10, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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CalebTGL writes:
Dog isn't perfect but he's no "scumbag." He layed the smack down on Andrew Luster, the rapist millionaire that escaped from custody in California and was hiding out in Mexico. The California authorities weren't capable of recapturing Luster, and the Mexican authorities much less so.
Dog went down to Mexico, found the guy, and was responsible for bringing him back to the states to rot in prison. That one incident caused me to respect Dog, and in spite of the mistakes he's made, my respect for him has not in any way been deminished.
The guy is good at what he does, and what he does has a positive impact on society.
April 10, 2008
1:03 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
I for one, would like to acknowledge his wife standing by him. That's a strong woman, right or wrong, she stands by her man and defends him. He has a right to his opinions and was taped saying things most white people probaly tell there familys on a daily basis. He wouldn't be the first white person that doesn't want his family involved with another race. I personaly don't think he should have applogized as that is what he feels. To come out now like it was an error and he doen't feel that way AT ALL, is an insult to thinking people
As far as some sort of hero...uhhh, don't know about that one. My father WAS a bail bondsman and let's just say, that's not the most honest business. It's a hard day work-EVERYDAY but criminals are on both sides of that wall. Again-kudos to Beth for standing by him and being a real wife, that's not an easy task when faced with this type of situation. to me, he always seemed like a arogant jacqoff with dumb hair that doesn't deserve his own TV show, but hey, nobodys perfect
April 10, 2008
1:17 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
I have met alot of bondsmen and as usual they run the gamut from decent folks doing a hard job to true scumbags not much different from those they bond. Pardon me if I feel that Dog is closer to that end. His " apology" looked to me like a guy saying whatever would get him is TV show back.
The reality is that the bond industry thought bringing in some "celebrity" would help them on the bill and failed to take into account that a lot of people thing he is a moron. The fact that he is supported on this board by obvious racists does not really help his reputation. The bill died a natural death as it was not a great idea but now Dog will walk around like he did something. Any publicity is good publicity.
April 10, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Thanks lcdrjjxant for pointing out that anyone can be a racist, from reverend wright to dog the bounty hunter to you. Point well taken.
April 10, 2008
1:55 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
NCB, Grammar 101, check it out.
April 10, 2008
2:01 p.m.
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rubadub writes:
just as ms. marshall shall never forget dog's trangression, i shall never forget the rev.[what a joke] wrights and obamas association with him.
April 10, 2008
2:05 p.m.
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musicman80 writes:
NCB.... what did you say?
April 10, 2008
3:34 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
NCB, try to write like an educated person. Your grammar skills are that of an elementary school student. Your thoughts are too, but sometimes we can't even understand your moronic drivel because your grammar is so bad. Unless you actually ARE in 2nd grade. If that's the case, keep up the good work, and try to pay attention in class. Also, you're smelly.
April 10, 2008
3:40 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
Yeah, I'm back to ignoring NCB. I tried to help him, but that's just too big of a job. And he's too much of an idiot.
April 10, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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jeepman34 writes:
You gotta love it. A black person calls another one that word and it's ok. A white person calls him that word and its considered a tragedy. Now, a white guy calls another white guy whitey and its ok. A black guy calls a white guy a whitey and its also ok, or cracker, or any other degrading name and its also ok. Now, anyone who is educated look at our national prison system and who has the most membership there? Hmmmmm. Go get em Dog. I sleep safer at night knowing there is people like you out there.
April 10, 2008
4:25 p.m.
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ou8one2 writes:
"Carroll, who is also black, said he understood Marshall's concerns, adding, "we don't want to legitimize someone who may be a racist or a bigot."
Funny they should say that since these people are from the same group of Democraps that are legitimizing that racist pig B. Hussein Obama for president.
April 10, 2008
5:55 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well I love it when people think they understand what I am writing about.I am talking about how one group moans over their opression by whitey.My family was only allowed to come to this country as a indentured servant.But barron I guess you have no idea what that is.I guess that is a tribute to the d.p.s. school system.So if people are going to complain about how whitey treated them I can complain about my ancestors treatment at the hands of rich white people.So now you understand what I am saying everyone can complain how they were treated in the past so pull up your boots and get over it okay.Because I am sick of people whining about the best country in the world.I am a true American and can trace my lineage to the 1750"s and they served in the war of 1776.So do you remember the slogan America love it or live it.So for all you unhappy people go to another country and find out how long the local dictator would like you in his country.My guess you would be on the first flight out at the sign of trouble.
April 11, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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OhBrother writes:
that's right happymike-if anyone has an opinon other then yours they need to leave the country. If the want to talk about anything that happend in the past-leave the country. That's a good way to overcome problems
April 29, 2008
2:16 p.m.
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sunflower770 writes:
Ok, this is what is wrong with today's world, holding grudges. How many times have we heard Duane (The Dog) Chapman asked for forgiveness? Do we have to keep dragging this on? He said he was sorry so many times and asked people to forgive him. Come on listen to the rap songs before we judge him? People need to learn how to forgive and forget.
Forgive people when they do wrong things to you. If you forgive them, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive them, your Father will not forgive you.”
Matthew 6:12 and Matthew 6:14-15
September 21, 2008
3:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
chgrbill writes:
More power to the Dog & family. That politician can go blow.