Federal judge says he sent racist Obama email

Chief Judge Richard F. Cebull makes a speech during a Naturalization Ceremony at the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse on June 23, 2011. Cebull is under fire for a racist email he forwarded to six friends from his work computer. The joke he forwarded questioned the parentage of President Barack Obama, indicating his mother was so drunk at the time of conception, that Obama is fortunate his father was not a dog. / James Woodcock,AP Photo/Billings Gazette

(AP) Montana's chief federal judge apologized for forwarding an email to his friends that contained a joke involving bestiality and President Barack Obama's mother, but said the incident stemmed from his dislike of the president, not from racism.

Judge Richard Cebull, of Billings, forwarded the email from his chambers to six people on Feb. 20, The Great Falls Tribune reported.

Cebull told the newspaper Wednesday that his brother sent him the email, which he forwarded to "old buddies" and acquaintances. He prefaced the email with the message: "Normally I don't send or forward a lot of these, but even by my standards, it was a bit touching. I want all of my friends to feel what I felt when I read this. Hope it touches your heart like it did mine."

The judge apologized and acknowledged that the content of the email was racist but said he does not consider himself racist, the newspaper reported. He said he has treated all people in his courtroom fairly and he has not heard any complaints otherwise.

"The only reason I can explain it to you is I am not a fan of our president, but this goes beyond not being a fan," Cebull told the newspaper. "I didn't send it as racist, although that's what it is. I sent it out because it's anti-Obama."

Cebull did not return calls from The Associated Press.

The incident prompted at least one call for Cebull to resign. Bob Edgar, the president and chief executive of Common Cause, said Cebull should step down immediately "if he has any respect for his office and for ideals of equality and human dignity on which our country was founded."

It is rare to remove a federal judge from the bench, which usually requires impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives and confirmation by the Senate.

Travis McAdam, executive director for the Montana Human Rights Network, also said the email's content was unbecoming of a federal judge.

"It's one thing if the judge is not a fan of President Barack Obama, but you would think someone in his position would articulate that in a way that criticizes his policy decisions or his position on issues," McAdam said. "We have a hard time believing that a legitimate criticism of the president involves distributing a joke that basically compares African Americans with animals."

White House spokesman Jay Carney said during a press briefing Thursday that he did not know whether Obama was aware of Cebull's email. Carney declined further comment.

Cebull's dislike of Obama to some extent is a reflection of the view shared by many people in Montana in the state and the backlash to the president's key policies. A Montana State University-Billings poll last October found that Obama had a 32 percent approval rating in the state with only 21 percent thought he was doing a good job managing the economy.

Cebull was a Billings attorney for nearly 30 years, specializing in medical malpractice work. He became the U.S. magistrate in Great Falls in 1998, and then received a bipartisan recommendation from Montana Sens. Max Baucus, a Democrat, and Conrad Burns, a Republican to replace U.S. District Judge Jack Shanstrom.

Cebull was nominated by former President George W. Bush and received his commission in 2001. He has served as chief judge of the District of Montana since 2008.

A recipient of the email forwarded it to another person, who then forwarded it until it eventually reached the inbox of a Great Falls Tribune reporter. Cebull said he was surprised the people he sent the email to would pass it along with his name still on it.

"This is a private thing that was, to say the least, very poor judgment on my part," Cebull said. "I did not forward it because of the racist nature of it. Although it is racist, I'm not that way, never have been."

[magnumshops]

I'm not at all surprised. I'm sure he has sentenced some people just because he didn't like the way they looked. I think we have to accept that judges are just people. Some are good and just, Some are just hateful, racist, women haters. They're all of the different things we see in every day life. Some are even murderers that haven't been found out yet. We now have the most corrupt judicial system ever. The supreme court has been bought by the politicians. I'm sure everyone remembers that Chief Justice Roberts admitted to harassing and intimidating minority voters in Arizona when he was a college student.

[MoxieMT]

This entire debacle is an excellent example of the crisis our country currently is in. It demonstrates the complete disdain between the opposing political parties, and an inability to compromise and communicate mutual respect . I often wonder if self-destruction will devour the future of the United States. Citizens are so absorbed in individual opinions and political beliefs, that the foundation of this country is being jeopardized.

I hope this apparent discrimination sheds light on the strides that need to made in this country, and perhaps after observing blatant racism from a public official, Americans can promote appreciation, and coincide respectfully REGARDLESS of individual beliefs.

It would be a travesty if Cebull was allowed to remain in office after exhibiting a complete lack in moral character, and disgusting display of bigotry. Public officials are intended to be role models and demonstrate an ethical standard. As a culture we need to have a no tolerance policy when it comes to racism, sexism, homophobia or any other hate inspired bias. If we cant hold officials accountable, it inspires little change in the citizens of this country. Humanity is equally responsible for heinous actions, if they fail to correct the injustice

[ohnseirs]

As disappointed I am in this judge I am equally disappointed with the "Main Stream Media" Elite media as tagged by all my friends on the "right" - where are you on this story! Did I hear it on any broadcast - evening news? I realize if it "bleeds it leads" and we did have weather issues etc - but didn't you think a federal judge who makes this agregious comment was worthy of the evening news. Or are you going to bury it on Saturday evening? SHAME ON YOU - as much as the judge - who are you protecting!? I love when the right leaning candidates and supporters and Sarah Palin accuse you of pandering to the left. Wow, they clearly don't watch the same news that I do! WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF THAT YOU MISS THIS STORY???

[mttrailboss01]

Haven't we all wishes, we could take something back, that we have said in the past, including a e-mail. I believe, thats what the judge feels right now. Wish.., I never wrote it or said it. Welcome to the club, judge. Now.., a written apology or a phone call to the President, would be appropriate. We all make mistakes in our life time and you have made yours. I believe that President Barack Obama will enjoy a phone call from you and a formal apology, would be appropriate. Mike in Montana

[Maxx__Velocity]

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it deserves to be shot by duck hunters.

[nancy_naive]

I am not a black man, but idiots like this judge make me wish sometimes that I could say, "I'm not white, either."

[ReckonedTruth]

"Cebull said he was surprised the people he sent the email to would pass it along with his name still on it."


..so this is what this is all about? He's ANGRY because he and his brother-- who sit around all day thinking of and finding racist jokes about the PRESIDENT on the internet to pass onto each other & racist croonies?

And he and his re-THUG-LEE-CONS.. are angry because he and his THUG croonies got caught passing email racist jokes as a FEDERAL JUDGE whose name was still on the racist jokes email.. OOPS!..

so the jokes.. basically stating PRESIDENT OBAMA's mother who is a white american.. slept with an animal(beastility)..not a human being(president's father)..and as result their son Barack H. Obama who is now the President of the United States..is this what the joke is about?

WHAT A WASTE and idiotic STUPID thing to do as federal judge.. this act hopefully opens a CAN of WORMS for him..and the DOJ should open a file to investigate if this JUDGE used his position of authority to violate discrimination laws based on racial PREJUDICE .. or if he violated any other court CASE judgements rendered fair to him--however--not equal and JUST under the law ..

I tell you its these OLD, OLD, OLD JIM CROW BELIEVERS who are in position of authority.. that are the MOST racist so-called americans running this nation ..

MONTANA citizens should be ashamed...and this federal judge's integrity should be called into question..

..when are we as the PEOPLE-- TRUE patriot AMERICANS gonna stand and denounce publicly and call for these people to step down as result of these TRAITOR TRASH unethical behavour of those in leadership position? WHEN?

Its these people that are what's WRONG with america..simply because they are the ones who are in poistion to make america better or worst being in position of authority..

.. how america-do these type of non-patriotic facist americans get elected to office?

..and why aren't we asking for a FULL disclosure of the vetting process before these facist americans are elected into office?

..why are these people of such NATURE ALLOWED to hold position as such.. demonstrating behind closed doors the TRUE character of their nature KNOWN ..and NOTHING is done to expose them.. until as in this case.. the email went viral .. this judge is only sorry with arrogance because he got caught ..which doesn't cut it for me ..

..thanks (WWW.com) for full disclosure of these OLD RACIST idiots revealed--who publicly hide behind a mask of pretend all along ..

..the(www.com) is only going to continue to up root these insidous racist people that we have always known to exist in power of authority
within this nation-- but LIE to the public as this judge states "I'm not racist"

Don't you love how he gets to states with prejudice that he's not racist when all evidence astounding on the contrary..OUTRAGOUS!

..VOTE these insidous unethical STUPID people out of office...

[greedbites]

Proof the KKK switched to black robes.

[nearl451]

Discretion when using e-mail is always important. Also, as your position in life becomes more prominent, you have a responsibility to portend some modicum of dignity.

Now I know all these funny chain-mail things are alot of fun, but this fellow is a federal judge.

[MichaelGaree]

Judge Cebull claims he is NOT a racist. Right.

Michael Garee

[nancy_naive]

He's not a racist. He just doesn't like black people, muslims, jews, catholics, atheists,...