Statement from Governor David A. Paterson

Statement

"As I said last night, while I have a good sense of humor, jokes that degrade people solely for their disability are sophomoric and stupid. Any suggestion - be it intentional or otherwise - that a disability would impede one from being a competent and contributing member of our society is damaging to an entire population in this country.

"My own disability has not prevented me from doing everything in my power to successfully protect the fiscal integrity of New York. In the last two and a half years, I have balanced the budget, closed $42 billion in deficit, protected the State's credit rating and never passed out an IOU.

"I am grateful to Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers, and the producers of Saturday Night Live for giving me the opportunity last night to deliver that serious message with humor."

Source