Mrs. Ehrlich: I Really Regret Making Britney Statement
Md. First Lady: She Would 'Shoot Britney Spears'
POSTED: 11:25 am EDT October 7,
2003
UPDATED: 6:00 am EDT October 9,
2003
FREDERICK, Md. -- A spokeswoman for Maryland's first lady, Kendel Ehrlich, says the governor's wife made an "inadvertent figure of speech" last Friday when she spoke about shooting singer Britney Spears.
Last Friday, Mrs. Ehrlich spoke at a domestic violence prevention conference at Frederick's Hood College when she commented on the need to educate young women so they won't be dependent on others.
In remarks taped by WFMD Radio, the first lady said, "If I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would."On Wednesday, Mrs. Ehrlich (pictured, left) apologized and explained what she meant at a charity golf tournament in Queenstown, Md."I really regret making the statement. It was off-handed, it was in jest and it was inappropriate and I know better," Mrs. Ehrlich said. "It was just an unfortunate example regarding pop culture and I really shouldn't have singled anybody out. I think that it's just an issue regarding parenting and I'm very focused on parenting right now."Ehrlich said the controversy obscured the point she was trying to make that it's difficult to raise confident young women who will stand up against domestic violence with so many negative images coming from popular culture. She said she'd like to apologize to Spears personally and suggested that she come to Maryland for a possible concert to raise money for domestic violence awareness.Gov. Bob Ehrlich said the controversy is "a lot blown up out of nothing."The governor said he and his wife were uncomfortable with the infamous kiss between Britney Spears and Madonna during an awards ceremony"Given what they're exposed to at such an early age, the pornography, the messages, it's tough. We're not prudes, I believe we speak and she speaks for the majority of parents," the governor said.In a statement released Tuesday, Ehrlich's spokeswoman Meghann Siwinski said the first lady made an "inadvertent figure of speech.""As a working mother raising a 4-year-old son, the first lady has concerns about the negative influences that the entertainment industry can have on young children and teenagers. During a public appearance, she inadvertently used a figure of speech to express those concerns," according to a statement from the first lady's office.Mrs. Ehrlich's comments drew international scrutiny, making headlines in United Kingdom and Asia, 11 News reported.
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Kendel Ehrlich's Words About Britney Spears|
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In remarks taped by WFMD Radio, the first lady said, "If I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would."On Wednesday, Mrs. Ehrlich (pictured, left) apologized and explained what she meant at a charity golf tournament in Queenstown, Md."I really regret making the statement. It was off-handed, it was in jest and it was inappropriate and I know better," Mrs. Ehrlich said. "It was just an unfortunate example regarding pop culture and I really shouldn't have singled anybody out. I think that it's just an issue regarding parenting and I'm very focused on parenting right now."Ehrlich said the controversy obscured the point she was trying to make that it's difficult to raise confident young women who will stand up against domestic violence with so many negative images coming from popular culture. She said she'd like to apologize to Spears personally and suggested that she come to Maryland for a possible concert to raise money for domestic violence awareness.Gov. Bob Ehrlich said the controversy is "a lot blown up out of nothing."The governor said he and his wife were uncomfortable with the infamous kiss between Britney Spears and Madonna during an awards ceremony"Given what they're exposed to at such an early age, the pornography, the messages, it's tough. We're not prudes, I believe we speak and she speaks for the majority of parents," the governor said.In a statement released Tuesday, Ehrlich's spokeswoman Meghann Siwinski said the first lady made an "inadvertent figure of speech.""As a working mother raising a 4-year-old son, the first lady has concerns about the negative influences that the entertainment industry can have on young children and teenagers. During a public appearance, she inadvertently used a figure of speech to express those concerns," according to a statement from the first lady's office.Mrs. Ehrlich's comments drew international scrutiny, making headlines in United Kingdom and Asia, 11 News reported.Spears' Record Label Responds
Britney Spears' record label is noting the irony that Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich made a remark about harming Spears while speaking at a domestic violence prevention conference.Jive Records said in a statement that it seems Ehrlich shot herself in the foot by promoting violence.Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and 11 News for the latest news updates.Copyright 2007 by TheWBALChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
