William Farr, a Greeley, Colo., businessman, told a dud of a joke at a banquet Wednesday:
"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."
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As Taranto comments: "In response, Gov. Bill Ritter said he "gasped." Denver's Mayor John Hickenlooper described the joke as "inappropriate." Albert Yates, a former university president, called it "unfortunate and most inappropriate." Sen. Ken Salazar said it was "uncalled for and atrocious." Farr dutifully apologized.
There is no doubt that Farr should keep his day job; his quip wasn't the least bit funny. But can someone explain to us what exactly is objectionable about the joke? It is merely a play on words that doesn't rely on any disparaging stereotype about black people. We suppose it implies an acknowledgment that all American presidents have been white, but this is a simple matter of historical fact. It's hard to see how anyone other than professional offense takers could have taken offense."
