It had been quite awhile since Gov.

Saturday, April 07, 2001

It had been quite awhile since Gov. Jesse Ventura opened his mouth and inserted his sizable foot into it. The streak ended Tuesday when the governor reminded all again how insensitive and how unintelligent he can be.

The latest Ventura foot-into-mouth incident sends an inappropriate message to children, and is just plain embarrassing.

Of course the latest flap was again over Ventura’s criticism of media coverage of himself and his administration.

A Sunday column by noted Star Tribune outdoor columnist Dennis Anderson is the latest target of Ventura’s disdain for the media. Anderson was critical of Ventura’s and DNR Commissioner Allen Garber’s inadequate support of conservation.

In the column Anderson suggested Ventura doesn’t understand the importance of the state’s natural resources and that Garber, who has been widely criticized, was believed to be "clumsy at public relations."

Taking exception to Anderson’s column, Ventura reportedly attempted to draw comparisons between deer hunting and combat. Noting Anderson had never been in combat, Ventura reportedly said: "Until you’ve hunted man, you haven’t hunted yet."

We find Ventura’s attempts to compare deer hunting, pheasant hunting and conservation of our state’s natural resources to combat situations totally inappropriate. To suggest hunting of man some how offers a more rewarding experience than the sport of hunting deer or birds is ridiculous.

During a time when violence in schools continues to plague America, Ventura’s comments are disgraceful. Like it or not, he is a public figure and as such he is a role model for many.

The governor’s position as a public figure also makes him fair game for criticism. Granted some of the criticism he receives will be unfair, but he chose to run for public office knowing the rules of the game.

It is time are governor grows up and stops behaving childishly. His latest blowup is another example of not thinking before he spouts off. And once again the end result is embarrassment to the state and Ventura’s sizable foot in his mouth.