Each night, David Letterman cracks jokes and keeps millions of people all over the world in stitches. Are his jokes sometimes about religion? Of course! Are they about sex? Well, sometimes they are. He even jokes quite often about women and politics, and most times, his jokes are not politically correct by any means. But they are funny, and in a world that has become colder with each new social interaction-stealing-
So, how did a colorful Kentucky politician end up spending several days in jail for attempting to do just that? Well, let the Gorilla explain. Otis “Bullman” Hensley is known in his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky for his oddball antics and offbeat sense of humor, and most often times, people laugh at his jokes. But while on a trip to the grocery store one evening, he made an age-old Appalachian jest to a woman and her two nieces and they certainly weren’t laughing. “I offered to trade her a fattening hog for those girls,” Hensley said. “I meant it as a joke. I’ve said it a million times. Most people get a kick out of it.” But the women didn’t think it was funny, and upon leaving the store, they obtained a warrant from the local prosecutor for Hensley’s arrest claiming that he intended to entice the children into “illegal sexual activity.”
Hensley has since apologized to the women claiming that it was a simple joke and he meant no harm whatsoever. On one hand, this women’s exaggeration of the situation seems ridiculous to the Gorilla, but on the other hand, we live in a world in which sexual predators are literally everywhere and politicians are no exception. Certainly a comment like this from a strange and colorful character like Hensely could be deemed a bit inappropriate to be sure, but criminal? Now that’s seems a bit excessive in this case.
“Jay Leno makes jokes every night and makes millions,” Hensley said in his thick Appalachian accent. “I make one joke and go to jail.” Hensley was initially charged with an attempted unlawful transaction with a minor, but luckily the charge was dismissed. Appalachian scholar Loyal Jones said the comment Hensley made has been around for generations, and was actually meant as a compliment. “I’ve heard many variations of that,” said Jones, retired director of Berea College’s Appalachian Center. “You might hear ‘That’s a good looking boy; I’d trade you a pocket knife for him’ … Political correctness has ruined country humor.” Thus, the Gorilla’s exact case and point! Hey, some people just need to lighten up!