Gary Frago, California Councilman, Sent Racist Anti-Obama Jokes To Staff

UPDATE:Atwater, California Councilman Gary Frago has apologized for sending around racist anti-Obama emails to other city officials.

"I made a mistake," he said of the e-mails, circulated from October 2008 to February 2009. "It was a mistake I shouldn't have made and I apologize for it. I wasn't being racist, I was just passing on e-mails."

Yet another local official has gotten in hot water for sending around racist emails about the president. This time it's Gary Frago of Atwater, California.

In the past several months Atwater City Councilman Gary Frago has sent at least a half-dozen e-mails to city staff and other prominent community members containing racist jokes aimed at President Barack Obama, his wife and black people in general.

In all, the Sun-Star obtained seven e-mails that Frago sent from October 2008 to February 2009 from an anonymous source.

Some compared Obama to O.J. Simpson while others suggested that "nigger rigs" should now be called "presidential solutions."

"I don't see where there's a story, I'm not the only one that does it," Fargo said in his defense, after the Merced Sun Star published the offensive emails. "I didn't originate them, they came to me and I just passed them on."

Previous disastrous interactions between racially-insensitive public officials and modern technology include the "historical keepsake photo" sent around by a Tennessee state government staffer, the picture of watermelons on the White House lawn distributed by a California mayor, and the Michelle Obama gorilla joke posted on Facebook by a GOP activist and ex-official.

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Comments

[Cookieman62]

You can see Democratic City Councilman Frago's apology here:

http://videos.mercedsunstar.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=5317434&item_index=2&all=1&sort=NULL

[Tim303]

"I was just joking."

"It was a mistake."

One more borrowed ketttle routine sir and you qualify for a free copy of the complete works of Freud.

[kanester]

you know, all a well-meaning group of The People would have to do to help this guy move on to his next career is to chase him around the block a few times.

[dax49]

i am ashamed these people call themselves americans

[poas]

We are shaming our selves as a nation, and the most disturbing is how much of this behavior is in the name of “GOD” or conducted by those who serve “GOD”. Hypocrisy is alive and well

[Martin McCall]

I think It's really sad that we have such men who have for decades accused liberals and others groups political or other wise of not showing the appropriate respect for our commander chief and now because this man happens to not be a white male does the respect for this office go out the window.

[poas]

We are shaming our selves as a nation, and the most disturbing is how much of this behavior is in the name of “GOD” or conducted by those who serve “GOD”. Hypocrisy is alive and well

[blackjack19]

I'm surprised he didn't point out that he also has "lots of black friends."

[formerprosecutor]

More evidence that if you are Rep. , your mentality (to get elected) is around 8th grade; and they think that is the "norm". He right about one thing "They all do it". They seem to form there world view arounf Jr, High level and never grow past that stage.

[maxfax]

Thought he said "not my fault" since he didn't write the stuff, he only forwarded the emails. More crazytown.

[cvkathy]

Anyone who 'just passes on an email' with the racial epithet in it is too a racist. So there. Nyah, Nyah, Nyah. I can be just as mature as Mr. Frago.

[Whinger]

Disingenuous comes to mind.

I trust he's getting psychotherapy counseling to help address his addiction to racism?

[Miketou]

Just do the right thing and step down!

[kathy001]

Fortunately, for him, I'm not one of his constituents. If I were, the only apology I would accept from him would be in the form of his resignation.

[politicaljunkie41910]

He was unapologetic a few days ago so what's changed Councilman. Maybe it's the fact that your constituants are now calling for your resignation??

Yes, you have a right to free speech even if that free speech happens to be racist, but what you don't have is a right to continued employment on the public dole while using the publics' time and resources to circulate yours and other's like you, racist crap at taxpayers's expense.

[BobSacomano]

...and why is it always a Republican?? Personally I can't fathom any person of color being part of that party, I just can't.

[Cookieman62]

"...and why is it always a Republican??"

Bob, your question is based on a false premise. Councilman Frago is not a Repubican, he is a life-long Democrat.

The correct question you should ask is why is it always a Democrat??

Just after 1:10, Frago says "As a life-long Democrat......."

http://videos.mercedsunstar.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=5317434&item_index=2&all=1&sort=NULL