Yes, Chuck Hagel said that...

Secretary of Gaffes?

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel asked a questioner at the University of Nebraska Wednesday whether he was a member of the Taliban...before finding out the Indian gentleman was a college professor. (Hagel had previously answered a question on Afghanistan and negotiating with the Taliban.)

Ooops!

Hagel's spin doctors at the Pentagon provided a statement it was hoped might calm things a bit: “Absolutely no slight toward any individual in the audience was intended. That’s the last thing the Secretary would do under any circumstance, in this or any other setting. He didn’t know who would be called next to pose a question.” (Which is total B.S., considering Hagel called on the professor.)

[h/t: BuzzFeed and Washington Free Beacon]