Joke falls flat

last updated 8 January 2015

Tijuana

A multimillionaire running for mayor in Tijuana made a public apology last week after telling an interviewer that his favorite animal was “woman.” The question came up because the candidate, Jorge Hank Rhon, keeps a private zoo with more than 20,000 animals. Three leading political parties, including Rhon’s own Institutional Revolutionary Party, reacted angrily. “Women should be respected by everyone,” said Maria Scherman, a PRI lawmaker, “especially by those in politics.” Rhon said he meant no offense. “I’m joking,” he said. “Woman is creation’s greatest creature.”