Obama quip stuns Citizen of the West banquet crowd

[Jenn! 918]

John C. Ensslin

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A Greeley businessman apologized Wednesday after a joke about Illinois Sen. Barack Obama fell flat during the National Western Stock Show's annual Citizen of the West banquet.

William R. Farr was pretending to read telegrams congratulating this year's award recipient, University of Colorado President Hank Brown, when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, "I have a telegram from the White House."

Then he added, "They're going to have to change the name of that building if Obama's elected."

Witnesses said they could hear people gasp in the ballroom of the Adam's Mark Hotel.

"I gasped," said Gov. Bill Ritter, who was sitting at the table with Farr.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said, "I don't think he (Farr) intended any mischief or malice, but it was inappropriate."

Afterward, Farr said he regretted making the remark and apologized to anyone offended.

"I apologize for that," Farr told a reporter as soon as the banquet ended.

"I mistook it to be humorous, but it was something I shouldn't have said."

Farr, a member of a pioneering Colorado ranching family, also said he regrets detracting from an evening intended to honor Brown, a longtime friend.

"All that I can say about that is that it was unfortunate and most inappropriate," said Albert Yates, a former president of Colorado State University, who is black. "Even though Bill Farr is a friend, there's just no way to defend what he said.

"I think it was uncalled for and atrocious," said U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, who was also in attendance.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008...ves-em-gasping/

What do you think? I think it was a stupid joke, but it's been blown out of proportion.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Jenn!

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I'm having issues understanding the context of the joke. What building? The White House?

If that's all, I think it was a witty quip and people are overreacting.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Much ado over nothing.

Unless the person who said it ever contributed to, or met with, or talked to, Hillary or any of her campaign employees or their extended family members. THEN... it's a conspiracy.

[Jenn! 918]

I'm having issues understanding the context of the joke. What building? The White House?

If that's all, I think it was a witty quip and people are overreacting.

Yes, the white house needs to be painted black. I mean, it's not really funny, but I don't think it's malicious.

My aunt sent this to me and she pointed out that the color of the White House obviously has nothing to do with the race of the President and who in their right mind would make the connection. But that's why it's *supposed* to be funny...because everyone knows that it has nothing to do with it.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Wonder how long before Revs Sharpton & Jackson go on their tirades over THIS...

I DO think it was a tad inappropriate, but nothing to really get knickers all in a knot over.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

still in bad form.

[Nizzy 1]

I had to read it again because I didn't get it the first time.

[Alex+R 0]

Not a funny joke, but not a big deal. What if a civil rights activist made that joke? I could see it working that way, too, to the limited extent that the joke actually works.

There's no inherent prejudice in it. It's just saying, "Wellp, that would be a big change." Which, c'mon, of course it would be.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Not a funny joke, but not a big deal. What if a civil rights activist made that joke? I could see it working that way, too, to the limited extent that the joke actually works.

There's no inherent prejudice in it. It's just saying, "Wellp, that would be a big change." Which, c'mon, of course it would be.

What if Rush made it? Or O'Reilly?

[Jenn! 918]

Not a funny joke, but not a big deal. What if a civil rights activist made that joke? I could see it working that way, too, to the limited extent that the joke actually works.

There's no inherent prejudice in it. It's just saying, "Wellp, that would be a big change." Which, c'mon, of course it would be.

Right. To me it seemed more a slight jab at the fact that the president has always been a white man.

[Alex+R 0]

Not a funny joke, but not a big deal. What if a civil rights activist made that joke? I could see it working that way, too, to the limited extent that the joke actually works.

There's no inherent prejudice in it. It's just saying, "Wellp, that would be a big change." Which, c'mon, of course it would be.

What if Rush made it? Or O'Reilly?

I would chock it up to fear of change, I think. The fact that any person on any side of the racism spectrum could have made it kind of shows to me that it's not really an inherently racist comment.

[thesnowman 1]

It is slightly inappropriate, but nothing to get all worked up about.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I have a feeling that if O'Reilly said it, Olbermann would have found himself a few days worth of brand new spanking material.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Not a funny joke, but not a big deal. What if a civil rights activist made that joke? I could see it working that way, too, to the limited extent that the joke actually works.

There's no inherent prejudice in it. It's just saying, "Wellp, that would be a big change." Which, c'mon, of course it would be.

What if Rush made it? Or O'Reilly?

there would be riots in the street

[almaty 19]

still in bad form.

total agreement....everyone, who gets up to a podium ...and i include company meetings here, think they are chris rock