Gen. Stanley McChrystal lost his job as commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan after he and his staff made clear their disdain for the Obama administration and career diplomats. The Rolling Stone profile is just the latest in which a public figure has been pilloried for their own incautious words. (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Image)
Running for president in 1984 the minister told an African American reporter for the Washington Post that he wanted to “talk black,” then referred to Jews as “Hymies” and to New York City as “Hymie Town.” Reporter Milton Coleman took harsh criticism from some other black reporters for making the comments public. Jackson spent years trying to explain he meant no harm. (Bill Haber / Associated Press)
In a 1990 profile in the L.A. Times, Washington D.C.s mayor criticized Jewish supporters, bragged about his sexual powers and mocked Jesse Jackson, saying Jackson “don’t wanna run nothing but his mouth.” Barry made the statements to Bella Stumboa reporter renowned for getting the powerful to let down their guards. (Denis Paquin / Associated Press)
A 2006 profile of the creator of the Girls Gone Wild videos which feature college women pulling their tops up began with Francis pinning Los Angeles Times reporter Claire Hoffman on the hood of a car. Things didnt get better from there, with Francis loutish boasts and a scene of him forcing himself on a drunken young woman. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)