AP Photo/John Hanna
Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal answers reporters' questions, Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. O'Neal says he's considering banning union lobbyists who participated in a demonstration in the House gallery from the gallery.
Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal has apologized for forwarding an email poking fun at first lady Michelle Obama and referring to her as "Mrs. YoMama."
O'Neal said yesterday that part of the message -- which he received and forwarded in a personal email account -- struck him as funny. It compared Mrs. Obama to the Grinch, using a picture of her with wind-swept hair.
The House speaker, a Hutchinson Republican, joked in forwarding the email that he's has worse hair days himself.
O'Neal said yesterday he forwarded the email too quickly and missed the accompanying text, which included the "YoMama" reference. He said he did not intend to offend anyone.
Kansas Democratic Party Chairwoman Joan Wagnon said the email demeaned the first lady and that forwarding it was disrespectful.
What do you think?
Leave a Comment:
It in itself the term YoMama isn't offensive, just depends on the context it was used, to me that is. Obama YoMama on a level of 1 to 10 I give it a 3 funny 10 being most funny!
My Japanese grandchildren were born with un-wielding hair. I know from myself, and my friends what goes on with their hair in the wind. Give me a break....Look at her gorgeous profile. Wow.
I'm just tired of bigots.
I think maybe michelle should look into her geneology but I wouldnt think she was tight with money with the vacations she takes on the tax payers dime.
Another closet teabagger
Look john im not a teabagger anymore than your a toilet, Get it?
The GOP member made a racist remark intending it to be a racist joke and ended up being told it was offensive, whats new about that? That is the GOP in a nut shell racist to the core. It is just their insensitivity to others not like them at play, they are just self centered self serving jerks and they prove it non stop, like booing a gay vet or clapping for the death of a poor person.
Whomitmay, you are correct. You can't expect anything different from them. They will wake up one day and find they are the minority and see how they like it. I can't wait until November, to vote their sorry asses out. Truthfully, First Lady Obama, looks a hell of a lot better than George W's mama, that one fugly woman.
I am forever hopeful that some intelligence will emerge from the republicans but get more discouraged every day.
Republicans only demand respect for republican presidents. This email was clearly racist and in bad taste. For the head of a state legislature to claim that he forwarded it without reading the accompanying text is ridiculous. He read it.
Just like Ron Paul didn't know what was in the newsletters. Yeah, right.
I'm just posting here to put my "Kitty" in the line up.....Don't they look nice. A cat, is a cat, is a cat. A Bigot, is a bigot, is a bigot. Bigots are not born that way, but a cat can't change his spots.
The republican party of this century has adopted the policies of the founding fathers....not all men are created equal, no matter how much the fathers tried to convince themselves they were. The party should be ashamed, but they aren't. They think there's nothing wrong with the things they say. And that's the most heinous thing of all.
While standing on the constitution.......and spouting its importance.
Oh, the Founding Fathers thought all men were created equal, all right...
Of course, they defined 'men' differently than we do... White, male and owning property...
I'm not surprised. Why would anyone be. The Republican Party is a bunch of good old white boys (with a few Uncle Tom's) who have lost touch with reality. They hate EVERYONE who isn't a rich white "christian"!!!!!
you're grasping... its an email chain and i didn't find it particularly racist. yomama? it's not even clever or funny either...
funny picture. Rascist remark is "YoMama". ONeal would not have done it if Bush (Romney) was in the white house.
Sad to think that so many IGNORANT people hold Jobs in high places!
I think you miss spelled that, Shark.........S-T-U-P-I-D.......
LOL
i have been known to miss spelled a few words in my short time.
i haven't seen the bigot pat buchanan on MSNBC for a long time.
the comments he has made about President Obama are so bigoted, that i am always surprised that he can even SAY them.
they MUST know they will be called out for speaking such unabashed hatred toward the President and his wife and family.
why do they get so upset when we refer to them as racist when they speak and act this way?
Mark Moulitsas was banned from MSNBC because of remark in an Tweet to Morning Joe about remembering Lori Klausutis(dead intern found in his office,2001) and he was banned from that station. Mark Halprin called President a "dick" and he is still on that station as a matter of fact I think he got Buchanan's position. Republicans are not only the nastiest of creatures, they are resentful and get even.
easynan,
i always used to wonder why the "white supremacist" pat buchanan was "allowed" to spew his hate speech as legitimate political commentary. "free speech" allows that he should be able to do so, but as i have often wondered in regard to pat buchanan and others like him, why, in regard to african americans, and other minorities, but especially to blacks, is their rhetoric so inflammatory?
i have come to two conclusions. #1-it is so much a part of who they are, that they don't see the destructiveness of what they say. #2-they know, and they clearly do not care.
pat buchanan's bigoted remarks are the reason why he has been off the air.
i remember when halperin was suspended, but i hadn't heard about moulitsas.
lori klausutis was found dead at the same time that gary condit was being blamed for chandra levy's death. we never heard about the republican senator during that time.
whom, ferkie, sand…mom, Dot, and Dave: is someone having a little problem with stereotyping?
This is a silly issue about a personal e-mail. I've certainly seen worse!
I don't want to see no junk!
Capt - you need to realize this is the type of things Democrats thrive off of - they love playing the race card any time they can for their own plolitical gain. Anything that is deemed as anti-Obama is of course due to racism.
The joke may be in poor taste, but racist? I don't think so.
Hey I was wondering this morning...Santorum was criticized for calling someone black...Should I be upset if someone calls me white? Just curious.
Would you like it if someone called you a "White cracker jar headed fossil?"hypothetically speaking!
No...
Do you know the answer to my question? Thanks.
THANKS CAPT A USMC! Batman?
I can understand that TAP, but you should try to see it from their point of view, I made a long post about it, but in this country at least nobody has been victimized of degraded for being white, people have been systematically oppressed for generations, even killed, for being back.
Even in armed conflict, during the civil war, many commanders in the CSA made it policy to arrest white POW and just kill those of color. Just an example.
I understand, but that was a long time ago, and Blacks must forgive and get over it. My uncle was killed in 2004, for being white. Six million Jews were killed during WW2.
Life goes on. Bitterness only creates hate, and hate leads to more violence. Racism in this country has been vanquished, for the most part. We all need to get over it and move on.
As a Christian, I cannot accept their explanation for bitterness and continued request for accommodation. It's past time to forgive, and forget!
capt,
i am sorry about your uncle, but we can all be killed for SOMETHING. in most cases, as we know, being white is an asset.
just because you have seen worse (we ALL have) doesn't mean we should all slink away quietly and let the racist comments continue.
just because we CAN say something (free speech) doesn't mean it is the right thing to do and that we should say it.
as pat buchanan and others have shown us, they wish we could go back to the way it was. they dislike (HATE) the fact that President Obama was given benefit that THEY feel should have gone to some white boy.
when people like pat buchanan exist, they show us that "requests for accommodation" will, or should, continue to exist. it would be nice if we didn't need programs that make room for minorities, blacks and women included, but we need to be reminded to do the right thing sometimes, because doing the right thing can be difficult, and it is much easier to slip back into our old ways of doing things.
you are right. life does go on. but i am sure when you refer to "bitterness" in your post above, you are not referring to pat buchanan, or others like him, are you?
not as a christian, but as a HUMAN BEING, i cannot accept their explanation for bitterness and apparent bigotry that has NOT been vanquished.
silly issue about a personal e-mail.
if it was Just another person,,,but not from a so call Leader!!! that makes this Not a silly issue!!!
and i would think anyone who spend time in a leadership position would understand that.
Yeah, I would have lost my stupid little job over that one. I was suppose to sit and example. Just sweep it under the rug for people who are suppose to lead this country. It is bad enough we have cry babies who drink. I would not have been able to keep my job on that one either. Such low standards the republicans set for them selves..... but expect democrats to behave to another set of standards they set for them.
yes and they all seem to have the same low morals problem for being such high regards to morals. guess the males forgot what being a real Man is all about. tough guys until confronted.
Rising Republican Star Arrested For Harassing Woman Who Dumped Him
That would be Thad Viers? Yes? He has a problem. He also harassed his ex-wife's boyfriend. He has abandonment issues!
Good evening everyone,That's what you CALL back TRACKING. The Republicans are good at THAT!! And GOT Gauls to ask for RESPECT. lol lol (I'm not going that direction) To much Hatred, it shows all the TIME
bigoted against a nice lady who works to be inclusive and caring. May be the GOP could get back to 'jobs, jobs, jobs?'
It would be nice if they actually did something about jobs for once. The only jobs they care about are President Obama's and their own.
Like Republicans actually screaming about Obama's recess appointments. Democrats proved the President's point today by showing up for work in Congress this morning and being turned away and told Congress is not in session and is only going to be in session five days this month. Democrats figured if the Republicans were there they might as well work. Guess Repubs don't feel they should earn their pay. I only wished Obama had put through them all.
Republicans are just jealous because we have a great clean living family in the White House. Two cute little girls they are not ashamed to show off.
GOP Candidates are interchangeable and stand for the very same thing, more money for the wealthy, screw the rest.
Feraltwinkie ..I think that makes it even...They only care about the same thing Obama does.
No wonder we have gridlock.
The reason we have gridlock is because republicans, especially of the tea party variety, refuse to do anything that might make President Obama look good, even if they have supported that same idea in the past.
We don't call them the Grand Obstructionist Party for nothing.
That would be to much like the RIGHT THING to DO. theyve got a JOB
Most of these GOP candidates, if not all, and other GOP leaders does not show their etiquette , in showing respect to their President. These Republicans are NOT FIT TO BE A LEADER OF AMERICA. Any body who is thinking to vote republicans should know that these repubs are only to look for their own pockets and have no respect for their supporters who will vote for them. VOTE DEMOCRATS.
If it would have been Dave Chappelle, man that would have been funny! Old white politician cracker lookout if alone down a dark alley!
Very offensive.
I sorry I couldn't find a color one for you!
xxx...what is the point you are trying to make with that avitar?
Funny how you didn't say the same thing to this guy tap. He's posted on this blog before, yet nary a word from you. Another example of your double standards.
http://smokedbrisket.newsvine.com/
Haven't you ever seen the Little Rascals? The He-mans woman-haters club!
T-800...I'm not sure what your getting at because I don't recognize the picture in the persons avitar. However, I do know what a burning cross is all about.
Well let me enlighten you on that. That avatar is a picture of the racist traitor stonewall jackson. Are you offended yet?
Not a picture that is burned into my head. I still don't understand why xxx has that avitar...Why?
You're dodging the question tap. Does that avatar offend you, or not?
Sorry T-800 wasn't trying to dodge your question.. I don't know much about Stonewall Jackson...but if he represents racism...Yes it does affend me.
xxx...are you a member of the organization that your avitar represents?
TAP, you don't know about Stonewall Jackson? I find that hard to believe. The Confederacy, Civil War. Ring a bell for ya?
You know, all this racism and stuff, when are we going to understand we're all the same, made out of the same, and will die and turn to dust like everybody else.
I know some people make a big issue over little sometimes, and I am NOT saying this is the case here, I think a public servant should know better even if he or she is a damn racist.
But folks, people died for this, people suffered for this, a big group of Americans were victimized and hurt bad because of this. The CIvil Rights act was only passed in the 60's, some people here are older than that. Remember also, it's only a few years ago that the vast majority of MS folks believed interracial marriage should be outlawed.
I think it's understandable people are sensitive to this, some suffered terribly because of it, and some are still wondering what the hell is wrong with those who insist on practicing racial discrimination and degradation.
Nanette...I have definately heard the name but I don't know much about his racial views...sorry...I used to fish in Stonewall Jackson Dam...Never realized he was a racist.
You guys are giving me heck because I don't know about Stonewall Jacksons racial remarks...but you don't say a word about XXX putting a burning cross on his avitar??? I'm a little disappointed.
Your not a comedian!
xxx...still no answer on why you have that avitar. Are you trying to hide something?
I think I have had enough for a while...xxx I hope you are not involved with the people your avitar represent.
I think I have had enough for awhile. I'm a little disgusted and disappointed.
I'd assume that xxx thinks the day of the burning cross are over.....so get over it. Would any of us salute the rebel flag today. Many display it, because they can't get over it.
Mom....but I'm supposed to get upset over a picture of Stonewall Jackson? (That I don't even recognize) or know that he was a racist?
Why is it that because xxx is a liberal you are willing to assume it is innocent? If it was a conservative or a GOP person would you assume the same thing?
Just seems like a double standard. I repremanded once upon a time (post 18.1) but nobody says anything to xxx having a post of the KKK burning a cross? The KKK is still alive and well. It is a shame nobody is willing to speak out about an obvious racist display.
Well, I guess I could get upset over the little boy you see on every pickup truck, used as and avatar except it is p.....ing on and Obama symbol. I don't get upset over your Reagan....it is just your avatar statement. I've seen several that offend me. There is one on this sight of a donkey that is suppose to make a statement.....dose it?
Am I the only one who believes that the GOP is a party of 5 year olds?? When will they grow up and realize all human beings are human? I am so tired of their bigoted rhetoric and childish antics.
You are not alone in that thinking. But we have to put up with five year olds considering they are very small children.
Thats exactly what they are, including their "I know I can be as rich as Mitt one day' delusional supporters. See post 13 and 37 above.
Didn't you say you're at the office making jokes and laughing? So much for working hard! Pffff...
I'd help if Rush Limbaugh didn't consider making racially offensive remarks one of his favorite pastimes..
Maybe Rush should go back to drug addiction, we then could say he's sick, not just sick in the head.
Do you think you're funny? I betcha, pointy hats sure make you guys look completely ridiculous.
I don't think you'd get arrested for stopping what the Supreme Court said was illegal and an act of intimidation. And you know who agreed to that? Justice Thomas, so don't think for a second that was an act of some liberal judge trying to stop free speech.
So, was O'Neal "playing the race card" when he made the comment, or when the goober apologized for the comment?
Interesting that no one (that I know of anyway) sent these kinds of e-mails to Laura Bush or Mrs. Cheney.
I, for one, have had enough of this racist crap! How unprofessional, immature and downright stupid. Hmmm...what if the tables were turned?
Enough!
Got any proof of any e-mail sent to laura bush calling her those names? Or are you just showing your 'Intelligence' again.
Republicans never see what they did until after they did it, like invading Iraq.
Republicans don't care what they did as long as it caused someone else a hardship and when caught they fake remorse until they get caught again doing the same thing they showed remorse on. What tells you that is when asked republicans said if they had to do it over they would still invade Iraq.
Republicans always know when they do bad things. They just think nobody will notice. And when we do, they try to blame it on the Democrats.
Republicans always know when they do bad things
But democrats dont or play dumb which one is it because they cant know there doing bad things or they would be like republicains and we know this cant be so. Im going to bet dumb because not only do you look like someone that plays with crap, You make about about as much sense with the crap you say.
Everything that any republican does is done on purpose. They don't give a big rat's butt about who they offend. They are still fighting the Civil War.
Todays republicans were trained and lead by southern Dixiecrats ( Strum Thurman, Jessie Helms, etc). " Take America Back" & "Welfare Queen" are but a couple of the new code terms used to demean and create racist fear.
republicans would rather destroy America, than allow President Obama to succeed.
Once upon a time you had a brain, but fox fried it and skewed it -untill it waned!
once:
Shut the heck up....you're an embarrassment. Weren't you going to go home. Can't drive and type on a lap top.
Congratulations on being a pain.
Yes another UGLY American. They show their lack of intelligence every time they open their mouth. Has anyone ever noticed how very unattractive these men and even their wives are. Such immaturity.
its not a big issue,BUT. what it shows is the invidiousness and intractability of the deep seated racist/bigotted tendencies prevalent in the Republican party from top to bottom. It isnt that they arent aware,its that they dont care whether decent people perceive them as racist,homophobic,xenophobic,misogynistic or anti miscegenationist.
Ladies and gentleman, here's your classic teabagger voter. The ones who think they're smart enough to know who the president should be. Keep them in the minority where they belong for the sake of our nation!
Like I said, your kinda people!