U.S. District Chief Judge Richard Cebull admitted yesterday to sending a racist email about President Obama from his courthouse chambers. His apology left much to be desired.
The subject line of the e-mail, which Cebull sent from his official courthouse e-mail address on Feb. 20 at 3:42 p.m., reads: "A MOM'S MEMORY."
The forwarded text reads as follow:
"Normally I don't send or forward a lot of these, but even by my standards, it was a bit touching. I want all of my friends to feel what I felt when I read this. Hope it touches your heart like it did mine.
"A little boy said to his mother; 'Mommy, how come I'm black and you're white?' " the e-mail joke reads. "His mother replied, 'Don't even go there Barack! From what I can remember about that party, you're lucky you don't bark!' "
Cebull, an 11-year veteran of the federal bench, was a George W. Bush nominee. He's served as Montana's chief federal judge for nearly five years.
After his email worked its way to a reporter at the Great Falls Tribune, Cebull was asked for an explanation. The judge admitted having sent it, acknowledged the message's inherent racism, but denied being a bigot. Cebull said, "I apologize to anybody who is offended by it."
That's not an uncommon line, but it's also not a real apology. Genuine regret in a situation like this means apologizing for sending racist garbage, not apologizing to those who happen to be offended by racist garbage.
Cebull added the email was intended to be a private communication and "was not intended by me in any way to become public." This, too, is unhelpful. The judge is effectively arguing, "Sure, I sent along an ugly, racist message, but don't worry, you weren't supposed to know about it."
Cebull insists he's not a racist, and only sent the message because of his hostility towards the president.
His weak explanation notwithstanding, a federal judge whose impartiality and lack of prejudice has been called into question has a problem. Going forward, will African Americans in Cebull's court room have confidence in his professional standards and sense of fairness? Will Democrats?
Travis McAdam, executive director for the Montana Human Rights Network, said. "We have a hard time believing that a legitimate criticism of the president involves distributing a joke that basically compares African Americans with animals."
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STUPID joke, but please tell me how it is racist.
The mother is saying, "Yes, black is bad, but you could have been a dog."
the mother is neutral about race. What she is saying is she was involved in beastiality. If anything, this bad joke denigrates dogs and Obama's mother.
Tell me how it's not.
If you look hard enough, you can conjure racism in just about anything. So is the MO of the left.
contessa61, you are either brain dead or incredibly insensitive. This email was clearly racist, offensive, and has no place being sent from anybody serving in any governmental position, no matter what their opinion. Sure he has the right to free speech, but we have the right to call his speech what it is.
Let's try again, and read slowly! The joke suggests that if you will have sex with a black man, you will do it with just about anything. Substitute hair color for skin color and the joke does not work. The trait has to be something negative or there is a fault in the joke's logic.
If you have to ask then you may have been disensitized to rascism. This judge was not joking he was spreading the disease of rascism he needs to be fired.
contessa61, how can you honestly believe that was not racist?!? You can parse that email any way and as many times as you like. It will still be BLATANTLY RACIST.
So it's an OK joke because it wasn't racism? So it's not an OK joke because it was in poor taste? What was the point of defending this one Contessa? Honestly.
Even if you don't think it is racist, it is still a horrible "your mamma's such a whore she'd do it with a dog" joke. Not at all appropriate for a federal judge to be making about anyone, let alone the President.
The racism comes from the subtle implication that if a white woman would sleep with a black man, then she'd probably do it with anyone or anything. There's some historical blindness going on if you don't realize that it wasn't that long ago that interracial relationships were illegal, and those engaged in them were called whores and degenerates. That's the where this joke comes from. It implies that being mixed race is something to be ashamed of because it means your mother was 'loose.'
I try to be appreciative that not everyone has the same background and not everyone has had to think about racism, or been exposed to it in real world contexts. So please don't understand, I'm not saying that if you don't see what is racist about that statement that you are racist, I'm saying that if anyone here doesn't understand how that is racist, than they don't understand racism enough.
Personally, I was offended by that statement. Not surprised, but offended.
If you think that I am being oversensitive, than please, put yourself in my place. How would you feel?
This "joke" was primarily about race and it was insulting on more than one level. It was insulting to the President, it was insulting to African American people in general and it was insulting to Mr. Obama's deceased mother.
How is it NOT racist?
So ... the 9th Circuit will now hold a misconduct review of Judge Cebull, because of his miscalculated email:
http://www.startribune.com/politics/141030433.html
He certainly needs to be investigated. That is the worst thing I have ever heard anyone say on TV. It was a real stomach turner and to say it about our president just blew me away; sickening.
How many minorities have been mistreated by this monster? He needs to be investigated as thoroughly as possible.
This is my first time on this site. I actually did not know it existed. I was trying to find the video about the man who wrote the book, the oil speculator. I can't find that part of this vine. I actually wanted to put it on Ed's show as a link so others could see it. Help a newcomer? Rachel, now that I've found you...I'll be back.........
If you have to ask, no amount of explaining will help.
Okay, Judge Cebull, who is the Chief Judge of the United States District Court, District of Montana (since 2008), has initiated his own investigation by the Ninth District Court of appeals, as he should.
In the following PDF, concerning Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings, please read, on page 4, lines 22-25, the following example of judicial misconduct:
http://www.ce9.uscourts.gov/misconduct/rules_judicial_conduct.pdf
(2) is conduct occurring outside the performance of official duties if the conduct might have a prejudicial effect on the administration of the business of the courts, including a substantial and widespread lowering of public confidence in the courts among reasonable people.
The following is also helpful:
http://www.ce9.uscourts.gov/absolutenm/templates/template_ce9.aspx?articleid=437&zoneid=1
Judge Cebull may have violated his oath of office:
http://judicial-discipline-reform.org/docs/28usc453_judges_oath.pdf
Not only "compares African-Americans to animals," but basically calls his mother a whore. Classy.
No where does it compare African Americans to animals unless that is what you racists perceive it to be. Please don't throw your projection on the rest of us.
hey dummy...put BIDEN in there instead of the President. Do you get the joke then? No? Stop being obtuse just for the sake of it. Even the JUDGE knows it's racist.
contessa, how can you not be embarassed to be such a raving idiot? You're not even mildy amusing anymore.
There is nothing racist about this joke!
The insult is to Obama's white mother who according to the joke was so drunk that she could have as easily been having sex with a dog as with a black man!
Comparing a dog to a black man is not racist? After all, just because the judge hates n!ggers does not mean that he is racist! What an ass!
No where does it compare a dog to a black man. "You're lucky you don't bark" is a statement that says she had sex with a dog.
Only someone with racist thoughts would think that this bad joke is racist.
SadOldVetern, In the last two days you have wtitten the term "@!$%#" on these post. Would you please stop your Racist comments using that word. Do you get that using it is racist??
Contessa what planet do you live on?
So, Contessa, could you please elaborate on exactly WHAT this joke is suggesting? and WHY does it state, "Mommy, how come you're white and I'm black?" Even if the words white and black are substituted for any other race or ethnicity it is still inherently racist/ethnocentrist. Even if I believe your take that it denegrates the President of the United States' mother ignoring race (which it doesn't), how is this any better from a Federal Judge?
I think SadOldVet is portraying the way racists think, and doing it in a powerful way. I think it's appropriate. Call me insensitive. But once again, the written word can't communicate the "R U f'ing kidding me?" tone.
I see the biggest point being made with this joke is that our President's mother was so loose (and low in her standards) that she'd have sex with a dog.
The racial point (although more subtle) is not necessarily that the child's question about why he is black is a reflection that he thinks black is inferior. Rather, the mother's response about him being "lucky" that he doesn't bark is where the racist undertone appears because her response reflects her perception that his being black is something to complain about or to be unhappy about and she is telling him that he could have fared even worse if he had been half canine instead of half black.
A GW Bush appointee. Why does that not surprise me?
Whoa.....you are talking about the president's late mother! That's a despicable thing the judge said; maybe the most despicable thing I've heard and I hear you condoning it?!
You don't think it's racist????? Well, THINK again.
First, I don't get the joke. Is he implying that Democrats are dogs ? I see the words black and white in the joke but I don't see how it's racist. Interestingly, I started reading the joke, thinking the judge should be fired or step down, based on the headline, but frankly, I don't see any racism. I just see a really lousy joke that's both pointless and unfunny..
Oh, I see, the joke was implying that Obama was the result of indiscriminate sex at a party.. Man, that is incredibly tasteless, but I don't think it's racist.
That's an incredibly disrespectful joke about the President and that judge should issue a formal apology to the President, for starters.
Frankly, I'm not a fan of Mr. Obama, but that judge crossed the line of decency with that obnoxious and tasteless joke..
I've been around since the days of Kennedy, and never in that time has there been such overt disrespect of an American President as there is for Obama. Not anything even close to this awful 'joke' and people like Limbaugh calling the President a "little punk."
Why is this? I doubt it's the product of simple ideological differences. It must be something else. Hmmmm.....
The racism is inherent. It is assumed. It is even projected onto the character of Barack's mother. The punchline "You're lucky you don't bark" translates as "don't complain about your inferior skin tone, it could have been worse." Hence, being black is less than being white = racism.
The joke is that a white woman would only have sex with a black man if she was promiscuous, or drunk/high enough to be confused enough to commit bestiality. because the joke is comparing sex with a member of another race with sex with animals. It's racist.
So much for impartiality on the bench. This man must be removed from his position. If he has an ounce of decency he will resign, but I doubt he will.
On the brighter side, Andrew Breitbart has shuffled off his mortal coil.
A Contessa joke to follow. . .
we must give pause.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Are his robes white?
... and is his hood pointy?
Did you all know he is also the head of the local Tea Party there?
Figures huh?
I left a message on Judge Cebbull's office phone telling him he should step down. His number is 406-247-4490.
Thank you we will be calling.
Not only is this a bad joke ~ this judge said that "...it touched his heart." This judge not only has no discretion but he is a sorry excuse for a person!
'"A little boy said to his mother; 'Mommy, how come I'm asian and you're white?' " the e-mail joke reads. "His mother replied, 'Don't even go there Tommy! From what I can remember about that party, you're lucky you don't bark!'
********************************************
Sorry. I just see this as a bad joke that denigrates the mother. If you;re always looking for racism, you'll find it. If you don't think about race, it won't be there unless it is obvious. This is not.
Try reading post #1.6 or #5.3 ... if you actually care to try seeing through your reflexive dismissal of anything a liberal says ...
Are you really that thick? Your version of the joke is just as racist as the idiot judge's.
You are apparentally a rascist God bless you.Your apparant ignorance on this subject just shows you need to do some more work on your people skills you are interfering with world peace. I'm really not sure I should waste my time explaining things to you We are all Gods' children we look to our representatives to carry out this premise that all people are created equal. You are regressing not progressing.
Umm Contessa? Your implication there was that Tommy is a non-black person's name. You are aware of this, yes?
If you tell it this way then it's racist toward Asians. Give it up, Contessa, it's a racist joke.
Okay contessa, let's talk about YOUR mother then!
Umm Contessa? Your implication there was that Tommy is a non-black person's name. You are aware of this, yes?
***********************
Ummm...if you read my post, Tommy is part white and part asian...not black. When put in this context, there is no racism either. Only those that always see things black and white, will find racism in this sick joke. It only denigrates Obama's mother. NOW, if the mother had said, "It could be worse. At least you don't bark", then that would be big time racism.
Right. Your implication is that Tommy is a non-black name. Hence why you felt it necessary to remove Barack and replace it w/ what you apparently feel is a 'non-black' name. That was my point. I'll meet you half way and acknowledge that you were simply trying to prove a point, but I think it clouded your reasoning in this case. I was just pointing out that it makes whatever salient criticism you have sound really weird when you do that.
Additionally you openly admit the point of the joke is in fact racist. Please explain how you're lucky you don't bark is any different then it could be worse, at least you don't bark. Seriously?
I see the biggest point being made with this joke is that our President's mother was so loose (and low in her standards) that she'd have sex with a dog.
The racial point (although more subtle) is not necessarily that the child's question about why he is black is a reflection that he thinks black is inferior. Rather, the mother's response about him being "lucky" that he doesn't bark is where the racist undertone appears because her response reflects her perception that his being black is something to complain about or to be unhappy about and she is telling him that he could have fared even worse if he had been half canine instead of half black.
You know, this is something I would expect from the College Republicans, not a sitting judge. What an utter, utter lack of character this judge showed. And his "apology" is worthless. But this guy will no doubt pay absolutely no price for this nonsense.
I hate these "apologize to anyone who was offended" apologies. Why even bother?
I would even expect it from his home email, in his own personal time. But when he's the judge, and at the office (court house), he needs to remember his position in the community. This just shows that he wasn't a good choice for this serious job to begin with.
This is really weird - why does an obviously racist joke bring all the trolls out from under their rocks? Wouldn't they feel more comfortable challenging obvious interpretations of, say, someone's statement on tax policy? Or is that just not as much fun?
This judge should be removed period. He can not be an unbiased ruler of cases if he is a bigot. The apology was meant to try and save his job and his reputation.
And those that attend a racist, anti-semetic church for 20 years should be fired.
and those that shout "Black power" at basketball games should be banned.
and.......................
and you're not really adding anything worthwhile to these conversations?
It's sad that when someone would ridicule GW Bush, they were labeled UN-American, but when a Federal Judge makes such a statement, there are people saying Liberal Democrats are thin skinned, Sorry, when showing disrespect to the President in this magnitude, from someone who should know better, a simple apology is not even acceptable, his letter of resignation would be more appropriate.
"I'm not racist, I have black friends! I even let them use my bathroom!"
You can probably kiss your African American friends goodbye after they read that comment. You better wash your lips afterwards though. I wouldn't let you pet my dog.
Umm Shum I think that was w/ tongue in cheek
Shum - The statement was in quotes - meaning someone else said it - not Katherine. She was indicating what some racist white folks say to illustrate that they are not racists.
Yes, one of the problems that plague the most staunchly "politically correct" is a lack of sensitivity to sarcasm, too-easily assuming the absolute worst in whatever they hear. Humor, in particular, is difficult for the PC police. The joke that is the subject of this thread is undoubtedly blatant in its racism, but some people's conspicuous lack of a sense of humor leaves open an easy attack from trolls like "Contessa61" and others who would dismiss all our concerns as just "looking for racism everywhere."
I get the joke. It was meant to be a funny, racist dig at Obama and his late Mother. To my mind, those who get the joke and really think its funny may be racist themselves, and certainly mean-spirited. Or they may be laughing at it "ironically" in the way that so many modern humorists conflate tastelessness and shock with "edgy" and "bold."
For the record, I find the joke, and the actions of the judge who forwarded it from his courthouse email address, to be beyond the pale. No matter how much I try to see it from the other perspective, I just can't bring myself to find something so ugly and mean-spirited to be funny. However, I must stop short of concluding that any and all who find the joke funny or worthy of forwarding are necessarily racist themselves. Perhaps they are. But I, for one, cannot see into the hearts and innermost thoughts of other people, so I decline to judge them beyond calling it an utterly tasteless, failed attempt at humor, and "inappropriate for a sitting judge."
@ Contessa61 -- Troll harder.
@ everyone else -- quit feeding the troll.
I have always felt very uncomfortable when a rascist joke was told in front of me. It is beyond an ethical violation when a judge does it. Again he should be fired. What would Jesus do?
The Judge said the "joke" was racist, but he is not. Of course he is. The question is whether he can control his racism in performing his duties.
No, the question is should we allow a racist to be put in the position of judgement. Exactly how would one prove he did or did not let his racism affect his rulings? Either we could see him as trying to appease us by going light on African Americans or as ignoring us and being racist in his rulings.
The fact that, as a federal judge, he seems to put privacy on a higher plane than when it is his privacy is just too funny.
I agree
This kind of stuff drives me up the wall!!! I’m a Black woman and I’ve had to deal with bigotry my entire life. It’s exhausting and what so many people don’t understand is that IT HURTS. I have watched racists go after this president for 3 years. I understand there are those who disagree with Obama. I’ve disagreed with him at times. But all these attacks on him as a Black person are absolutely contemptible. BIGOTRY HURTS!!! We must recognize it when it happens and not pretend it is harmless. There is nothing funny about bigotry.
When the Tea Party race says they need to beat Obama the only reason is because he is black. If we say that they will say we are playing the race card. Then so be it. President Obama will be remembered as one of the best Presidents and the Tea Party cannot stomach that because he is African American. Rascism kills literally.
I don't know how the Obamas have put up with it. They are better people than me.
The Dixie Chicks were pilloried for anti-Bush statements. How many people turned up at his town hall meetings with loaded guns and signs about "the Tree of liberty?"
" President Obama will be remembered as one of the best Presidents"
ahahahahahhahah
5 trillion of debt in 3 years...Obamacare....$5 gas....record long term unemployment...near record black unemployment....highest number of people on food stamps....first credit downgrade in US history.
Worst prez in my book.
I love how the GOP stalls and kills legislature, then blames the President for not getting enough done.
I love how the GOP flirted with defaulting on the good faith and credit of the USA, earning a downgrade by Moody's that was specific in calling out a dysfunctional Congress for even contemplating default, then blaming THAT on the President too!
I love how they can all read the charts, whether they be Wall Street (DJ, Nasdaq, S&P, Small-caps, whatever) or employment or other national indexes, and see the steep falloff of the 2008 Great Recession, then see the consistent upward direction of almost every one of those charts and indexes under this President, yet gleefully pretend that this is the "Obama Economy" and that it is only getting worse and worse.
The unfortunate fact seems to be that the GOP is now immune to evidence. They didn't used to be this irrational. The GOP is acting a lot like a party struggling to hang on -- in their "death throes" to borrow an apropos phrase from Mr. Cheney. A wounded animal, cornered and frightened by the end they see coming. That end being demographics more than anything else.
After rereading the joke, I think it's more a insult to the president's mom, implying some pretty nasty things about her sexual activities.
But it's also "you're momma was so drunk she did it with a black man."
So it's doubly offensive. And he's a member of the party of "family values."
"But it's also "you're momma was so drunk she did it with a black man."
Only a racist would have thoughts like that. That thought would never enter my mind.
A lot never enters your mind contessa. That's really not saying anything.
This may be the single most offensive joke I have ever read. The idea that this is not racist is risible. The subtext is that a white woman that would have sex with a black man would as willingly engage is bestiality. It's horrible and an insult to the memory of the President's mother.
The judge should resign. His sense of humor seriously damages the notion that he could be impartial in any case that might involve African Americans or mixed race couples.
If you note, he admitted that the joke was racist. Then he stated that it wasn't meant to become public.
In other words, he is apologetic that his bigoted views were exposed. Or the inverse: he's unapologetic that he holds bigoted views.
I wish people would pay attention to this distinction.
It highlights a similarity to convicted defendants who apologize at sentencing, looking for leniency. As a matter of human behavior, you know that they're usually apologizing for getting caught and not for the criminal deed itself.
I think the protestors should start chanting "We shall Overcome one Day" I don't thing Reverend King would mind. Maybe right where he works or lives.Nip it in the Bud.