'Obama rodeo clown' announcer resigns, school board launches investigation

[Sherman A1]

ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - A rodeo announcer at the Missouri State Fair has resigned as president of the Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Mark Ficken stepped down Monday evening from the post and says he's been unfairly roped into a controversy involving a clown posing as President Obama.

Ficken says he's been threatened physically and fears he'll lose his job as superintendent of the Boonville School District. The school board is launching an investigation into whether Ficken was involved in any of the behavior many are calling offensive.

"He's shaking like a small dog passing razor blades," Ficken's lawyer, Albert Watkins, said.

http://www.ksdk.com/rss/article/392474/3/Announcer-resigns-after-clown-poses-as-Obama

[lebkuchen]

1. very appropriate, but we were told the clown was the sole culprit. Was that a lie?

Can a rodeo clown protect riders AND HIMSELF and MC at the same time? I would consider that dangerous multi-tasking.

Flicken is confused re: being threatened physically; that's what HE apparently was doing, to the POTUS, as a "joke."

We'll hear all about on a morning show and after an investigation, eventually. I'd like to hear from the cowboy clown after he's ID'd.

The Missouri State Fair should also pay back the money it received from taxpayers. No matter what one's idea of "humor" is, if the fair were a federal organization, the Hatch Act would have ensured jail time and financial compensation.

The European Fussball (soccer) Federation (don't know the exact name) takes immediate and severe action when racist acts happen under its jurisdiction. It should be no different in the "land of the free" when occurring on the taxpayer dole. With financial assistance come regulations to abide by. Either follow them or stop asking for $$.

[Oakenshield]

2. Land of the "free" indeed.

"Free" to be as mean spirited and ignorant as we want apparently. Honestly at this stage I'd be more than happy to let the UN just build themselves a couple hundred offices across the US. We could use some oversight, it's not like we've been doing a very good job hitting them out of the park lately.

[BlueCollar]

6. The European Football Association

is known as E.U.F.A. or U.E.F.A. and has worked very hard to eliminate and reduce racism with mixed results, but at least they are trying.

It sounds to me as if the actions of one individual were rapidly condemned here.

[Uben]

3. When you take your politics to work.....

.....be prepared to eat what your serving. That goes for dems, too. There's a time and place for everything, but some people can't resist bringing their politics to places they shouldn't go.
You have an opinion...that's your right. But, when you impose that opinion on others, be prepared to suffer the consequences of your actions.

[chillfactor]

4. good to hear....

he announcer brought this on himself......he made his own bed......consequences are a result of brain-dead actions

[Blue Owl]

5. Grumpy cat says "Good."

n/t

[LibGranny]

7. Today's Kansas City paper says

the announcer was not involved - that the clown was "mic'd and the mic was open"! The clown's name is Tuffy Gessling (he has a fb page) but that may be a "stage" name. They displayed nothing but stupidity and ignorance and racism with this display. Some in the LTE section of the paper whined, "remember what the dixie chicks did to Bush?"! I remember they said they were ashamed he (bush) was from TX, but they never threatened his life! I believe the paid a hefty price too for their comment (on foreign soil BTW)!

[lastlib]

8. He needs to resign his day job!

He is a school superintendent, an "educator" for children. If he is bringing this crap to his work, exposing children to it, he needs to go--yesterday or before. He has no business being in a position of authority in the education field with such poisonous views. I have e-mailed him with a very pointed rebuke and a request that he resign; I hope others will do the same.

His contact info:

[lastlib]

9. I hope you will x-post this in GD. More people need to know about it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. FICKEN NEEDS TO LOSE HIS JOB

Is this the kind of man we need running our schools in MO? I think not.