Martin Bashir 'resigns' from MSNBC over Palin remarks

Either he resigned or has been forced out, but Martin Bashir has now become the latest casualty at MSNBC to beat a path to the exit after making explosive remarks -- in this instance about Sarah Palin.

  Meanwhile, if you're coming to this post a bit late, check out Sarah Palin's comments on "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning. 

  Back to Bashir: He posted his resignation notice on Mediaite yesterday saying:

"After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday. Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the president of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation .?.?."

Briefly, the history: On Nov. 15, Bashir called Palin a "world-class idiot" for comparing the U.S. debt load to China to slavery, then noted -- for some inexplicable reason -- that some slave masters had forced their slaves to eat excrement, and that the same thing should happen to Palin.

He almost immediately apologized, and has done so since, but it's also clear the damage could not be undone. Palin herself castigated him, MSNBC backed away, and before long he was on an "extended" break. Meanwhile, Palin supporters have been hammering MSNBC, and by association NBC News, for the bizarre comment.

More from the Bashir note

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" .?.?. It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments. I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers – who are the smartest, most compassionate and discerning of all television audiences. I would also wish to express deepest gratitude to my immediate colleagues, and our contributors, all of whom have given so much of themselves to our broadcast."

Bashir, 50, has been an MSNBC afternoon anchor since 2010, after a longer run at ABC News.