Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Legislature / Politics / Woods Sherri Goforth Apologizes for 'Offensive Nature' of Obama Picture
Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 1:00 PM
"I want to offer my deepest apology regarding the offensive nature of the email forwarded to several of my colleagues. I also want to make it clear that it was forwarded to me from an acquaintance with absolutely no political party ties and who is outside the Tennessee Capitol Hill arena. I should have deleted it upon receipt. Again, I am deeply sorry and offer a sincere apology to anyone offended."
Comments (39)
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She missed one thing: "And for the good of the people of Tennessee, I have tendered my resignation."
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First, Michelle Obama is compared to a gorilla and next, Pres. Obama is perceived as a, spook. This behavior is intolerable and all involved should be fired and/or harshly reprimanded or censored. Who says we are in a post-racial society? Racism is unfortunately alive and well. This kind of thing is what causes early death of African-Americans by stroke, heart disease, heart attack, hypertension, etc. There is never any let up, never a day that black folks can breathe free. Stupid white people are on the case day in and day out. When will this stupid, thoughtless behavior cease? How long oh Lord, How long? Peace+
These kinds of behaviors are unaceptable in this country. Maybe we have not moved on yet. She needs to go and go now!!!!!!!!!!!!!There are some who will never accept a black man as our president but he's one of the smartest presidents we have ever had and probably we ever will. We will never move forward with this kind of behavior if we're stuck in the past.
Dump her. She was given every opportunity to make a proper apology the FIRST time, and pointedly (and tellingly) did not. She left us all the room we need to draw our own conclusions about what is going on in her mind.
Beyond that, I always love the "I'm sorry if anyone was offended" apology. Everyone gives that these days. What happened to just being sorry, period?
Ms Goforth ,is neither sorry nor ashamed of her actions. She fully inteneded to send out that email ,her lazy excuse of I should've deleted it ,is full of holes . If Sen Black is a real senator she will fire this nonperson ASAP! Ms Goforth you have lost your humanness and I guess you set in a church on Sunday being pious. Your an awful person and "And If I Offended you " I'm not really sorry! Pres. Obama is who we need in the White House as your six pack guy ,put this country in a the worst finincial shape ever! Goforth, as a Tennessean who is paying your salary , Your Fired!
This is all part of a pattern among the southern GOP, an increasingly frightened, marginalized, extremist group of dumbass rednecks. See:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/06/13/sc-republicans-and-race/
I totally agree with sp. Apologies that include an "if" or a "but" are not real apologies and the Goforth's apology included the line "...to anyone offended". The point is this, even if no one is offended, Goforth should be making it clear that sending such an email was inappropriate and just plain wrong.
It seems to me that there are plenty of racist traitors in this country that are a part of the growing domestic terrorist threat in this country.
We need law and order here to make sure that these individuals who pose a threat to the safety of every American are locked up if it is legal to do so.
"This kind of thing is what causes early death of African-Americans by stroke, heart disease, heart attack, hypertension, etc."
You had me until this part.
Diane Black should accept this apology and then fire Goforth without hesitation. There should be zero tolerance for this kind of thing in our society but especially certainly coming from the office of a publicly elected official.
apologizing for "sending an email to the 'wrong list'" only implies that there is a "right list" for this kind of activity, and that it is expressly endorsed by both Sherri and the office she represents. Unfortunately, this is the kind of deplorable race-baiting we've come to expect from the Tennessee GOP.
As for the second failed "attempt" at an apology - as many have already said, a true apology does not contain "ifs" and "buts."
She is not sorry she sent racist email, just sorry that she got caught sending racist email to people who aren't in her good ol' boy/girl club.
At my company a violation of the email policy - which includes sending inappropriate email is grounds for discipline and/or termination depending on the severity of the offense. Last year someone forwarded a joke email out to the entire company by mistake, within 20 minutes of the email going out not only were they fired but the person who had forwarded the email to them was also fired.
Why would it be any different for a state employee? Especially using a state owned computer from an official Tennessee government email address? Diane Black should have fired this staffer immediately, not only because it's the right thing to do but because the TN GOP could have avoided some of this embarrassing national media attention that once again paints them as ignorant racists. The firestorm this has created will likely lead to this woman losing her job, why make it worse by dragging your feet on it and then having to go back and eat your words?
That such an act, carried out on machines paid for by taxpayers, is not punishable by immediate termination is very telling; how can we move past these ignorant views and dehumanizing ideologies when they are tolerated to such a degree?
I hope that this acts as a wake-up call to Tennesseans across their entire state: the GOP is holding you back, and you need to reject them next chance you have in a general election. After all, the core definition of "conservative" means keeping things the way they are - are you really happy with keeping race relations in your state at such a level?
Fortunately for us freedom-lovers, we have the right to make fun of anybody! You left wing nut jobs are frothing at the mouth... over what? A person's Constitutional right to free speech. You might have a hard time comprehending, it's a white-man concept.
Here are some sentiments from the peanut gallery: zero tolerance, should be fired, harshly reprimanded, stupid white people, lock 'em up if they dare open their mouths. What's wrong? You haven't threatened to riot yet. Intolerance is a two-way street, unfortunately you have tunnel vision.
If you would just go back to Africa where you belong, then you wouldn't have to put with us dumbass rednecks. The native-born Africans will welcome you with open arms and machetes drawn.
You know, Michelle Obama is kinda toothy, but I don't think she looks like a gorilla. She's GODZILLA! And of course Wacko Baracko looks like a monkey with his big ears, skinny neck, and soulful eyes, not to mention fuzzy head.
Uh, Joe, the right wing nut jobs in the country are trying to claim some sort of political legitimacy by acting like they are not racists, but you're not helping. You are supposed to hide your racism, silly. Just go to church and mouth the nice words, and have the secret meeting later at someone's trailer to do your KKK thing. Just like always.
I'm from NC and at least the racist here don't apologize. Come on Ms. Goforth don't apologize for something you meant. I'm wondering though do you have any concept on where your ancestors come from. The last time I read in US history is that women were working in the fields at one time. I hope the American public won't forget what Mr. Bush did to this once great country of ours. Just resign Ms. Goforth and go forth and find your humanity!
"If you would just go back to Africa where you belong, then you wouldn't have to put with us dumbass rednecks. The native-born Africans will welcome you with open arms and machetes drawn."
According to people like Joe, here, freedom of speech apparently means the right to be hateful, ignorant, and even proud of it.
Wow, way to set such high standards for yourself, Joe. People like you are what is wrong with this great country...
"Fortunately for us freedom-lovers"
It's amazing how some people will try to put a nice label on their most evil of characteristics.
Looks like our (northern) stereotype of you southerners as a bunch of ignorant crackers is still spot-on.
One thing you can always count on Tennessee for is consistency. Whether it be human rights, social issues, moral issues, education, bigotry and racism it always maintains its place at the bottom of the pond. In a world full of uncertainty Tennessee is a place you can always count on. Kinda like hell.
Joe you sound so unhappy, did it make you feel better talking about Obama's soft luxurious "fuzzy hair" did it turn you on?
How sad you are, probably not even high school educated (well that was obvious; I should not even have mentioned it). Why am I even responding to you?
Everyone, else, Sherri Goforth & Joe are simply racist, they cannot help that, it’s from their upbringing (their parents must be so proud). Do not blame them, they have no control, it’s like being mentally retarded; they just do not have enough brain cells to do better. God will forgive them. Hey, Sherrie try hotjobs.com, maybe you should use your maiden name…just trying to help.
WOW. What happens when you face GOD at judgement day and you find out you have been so wrong and all that hate you have for someone with a different skin color as you was wasted. I would love to see the look on your face. But as usually we Christians, who are Christ Like will have to pray for you. And by the way, if you and your bigot parents and grandparents had not stole us from Africa to build your precious homes and whatnot, then you would not have to feel so much hatred. One more thing, doesn't it just blow your mind that these bigot people are in key places: Law, Judge, Police, Politics and Teachers? WOW. She needs to be fired and the other poor soul needs prayer and peace, he is probably ate up with cancer. I hate to see what these folks will be like when they are old and want someone to take care of them. Pray for this country, we try so hard to go over and take care of someone else's land but we have so much wrong here, freedom of speech. yeah hide behind that one.
Sorry Sherri,
The correct response would have been to delete the obviously racist email. By forwarding it you are as guilty as the person that created in the first place.
Sorry Sherri,
The correct response would have been to delete the obviously racist email. By forwarding it you are as guilty as the person that created in the first place.
This woman needs to be fired! I am saddened by the fact that Senator Black could/would even contemplate not terminating Goforth's employment. Both of their actions are shameful, and quite disgusting!
There just ain't no lower class than Tennessee white trash. Tennessee, part of the Confederate States of America. The largest collection of in-bred white trash the world has ever known.
I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT NAME Sherri Goforth.
FOR ME IT IS NOW A MEMORIZED NAME LIKE: DAVID DUKE, STROM THURMAN, GEORGE
WALLACE AND RUSH LIMBAUGH.
I KNOW THAT A BRITTLE AND BROKEN AND OBVIOUSLY LOVELESS WOMAN LIKE
Sherri Goforth PROBABLY LIKES BEING GROUPED WITH THE LIKES OF THE DEGENERATES LISTED ABOVE, BUT NORMAL PEOPLE (THOSE OF US WHO ARE LOVED AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES) WILL KNOW THAT SHE HAS EXPOSED HERSELF AS HAVING A WHITE FACE AND A BLACK HEART.
Sherri Goforth is an unloved. Only the unloved and unloveing would have the time to harbor such ugly sentiments in their heart.
Try a make over, Sherri. Perhaps feeling pretty will help. I've seen your picture and felt a make over might be the answer.
There's nothing inherently evil about saying what you think, Mr. Wier. However, denouncing free speech that doesn't fit in with your personal opinion is fascism. I'm merely trying to point out to all you wonderful, tolerant people that you are merely a different kind of bigot. Don't agree? Read on.
Here are some keywords from the peanut gallery: church, KKK meeting, hateful, ignorant, proud, dumbass, ignorant crackers, not even high school educated, mentally retarded, bigot parents and grandparents stole us from Africa, and Tennessee white trash.
You're claiming a higher moral ground, yet you use the same sort of invective. You're better than me, huh? I'm better than you because I have the courage of my convictions, while the rest of you are content to bleat the party line. Obey Village Voice Media, Comrades.
In summary: public figures are fair game for pot shots and humiliation. Even racial humor. I saw the joke in the newspaper, and it wasn't even a very good one. It merits perhaps a groan and a yawn. If someone drew Obama with a tail and exaggerated his ears, that would be fine humor. He's a funny-looking guy with a funny-sounding name!
I am reading this,I live in england. Poor Sherri, it must be terrible being you.To have that amount of prejudice in your heart and hatred in your soul. I will pray for you. because you need something in your life. Do you hug your children/family with those arms, do you kiss a partner with that mouth?How do you live with yourself?
You are a sad excuse for a human being.
PLS RT #firesherrigoforth and help me send a message that RACISTS will NOT be tolerated in public office!
Many thanks.
i wonder what it would be like to be proud of your home. the rest of the country moves forward and we move back. I'm a white dude so sick of you rednecks. I really don't want to move. Can't we rise above.
Very helpful enter but there are some burden where I will not agree. But all-inclusive its very good.
What a hateful individual. In these times for someone to post such a racial picture demonstrates that President Carter was correct. Racism is alve and well in the United States thanks to people such as Sherri Goforth. The sad thing is there are thousands if not millions of Americans who agree with her racial hatred. Has fear lifted the lid of racism in this country?
