Rodeo announcer rebuked for off-color Obama joke

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, left and US First Lady Michelle Obama

/ Getty Images

(CBS News) A small-town rodeo is attracting some national attention as the event's announcer made a joke over the PA system that has offended some. The announcer at a local rodeo in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., is coming under fire for a joke about First Lady Michelle Obama, which some said was racist.

"Playboy is offering Ann Romney $250,000 to pose in the magazine, and the White House is upset about it because National Geographic only offered Michelle Obama $50 to pose for them," the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported how audience member Dona Wilson recounted the joke.

At least one member of the Creston Classic Rodeo has called on the announcer, Ed Kutz, to apologize.

"I can't speak for the board, but I myself think that this is unacceptable behavior or conduct by the announcer," said Mike Barrett in The Tribune. "I find it offensive, and I think that it's conduct unbecoming the rodeo announcer."

According to the rodeo's website, Creston is a small town on the Central California coast. The annual rodeo attracts cowboys and cowgirls from around California to compete in the three-day event "that carries on the tradition of the hard-working pioneers that founded Creston."

[meijer067]

stupid thing tom say.

[sooku]

I wouldn't see that announced naked if she PAID me! She's making these asinine jokes because she's bitter about her wrinkled bod.

[dnlwest5]

This looks like another news story to divert attention from the real issues such as the murder of an ambassador, breaking into our embassy, the national debt,the situation in Afghanistan..etc.. Typical of media to do anything to help reelect our fearless, moronic leader!!!!

[margroks]

No, it's another nasty right winger who made a tasteless racist non-joke. No one has tried to divert attention from the sad events of recent days; I don't understand how anyone thinks this is appropriate nor why anyone thinks they can make such claims and get away with it.

[CrankyYankee]

Racist? I dunno.
Unnecessary, stupid, tasteless, unfunny and a waste of air oh yes!

[rgaviator]

OMG people! Some 3rd tier announcer at a rodeo makes a dumb joke, and it gets national press?
I guarantee if the joke was turned around, it would've made page 35 of the New York Post.

[AOCGUY]

by 7luckysevens September 17, 2012 4:44 PM EDT
We are in really bad shape when anyone thinks that government officials are above ridicule!

We are in pretty bad shape when we ridicule public servants for characteristics that have nothing to do with the job they were elected or appointed to do.

You cetrainly have the freedom to say what you want but when one starts making classless and uncalled comments expect the rest of us to exercise our freedom to call you out as the classless pig you apparantly desire to be.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by 7luckysevens September 17, 2012 5:31 PM EDT
You gotta be kidding!
"inflicting an opinion on the entire group of people at a function."
Thanks for the laugh.
------
How would you like a comment supporting abortion rights at, say, a baseball stadium, 7_eleven?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

If you'd PAID for a baseball-game ticket, how would you like that announcement there?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Again, I would have been upset that I paid for a ticket for entertainment, and heard a politically-oriented message. Didn't you read that about halfway down this page?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by Lindag20
He [Mortar] seemed to think the VOTERS decided how much teachers, firefighters, etc. were paid. What a dunce!!!

-----------

Next he'll tell you that you don't understand his local government. Considering he lives in NoVa (our slang for Northern Virginia), I can tell you for sure there are no "votes" by the general populace on such topics.

I really can't imagine what it's like to be in that clearly-insane head of his. Nor Dan's. Although I do wonder what color the sky is in their little versions of reality!

I'm pretty surprised Dan isn't on here, considering the topic, if you know what I mean ;)

[Lindag20]

Well I did explain to Mortar that a Salary commission (other names are also used) were how the pay was determined, but he wasn't having any of that. It got strange when he quoted FDR's OPINION that government workers weren't allowed to collectively bargain, like it was the law of he land or something.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

I feel badly for Virginia, honestly. It used to have a reasoned government, but nutcases like him are certainly taking over. It's like a "collective stupidity" that's catching...

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by Lindag20
The kind of rude and ill mannered behavior you think is a "right" makes our society a BAD place in which to live.

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Lindag - wisdom isn't always present, as you've witnessed with with Ranger and me recently...

But it's sad that people who believe they have the right to free speech think unfiltered speech is 'wise'.

[Lindag20]

The thing is if you and Ranger want to spat between yourselves, that's between the two of you, but to go on a PA system and make crude "jokes" is another as it isn't just two people arguing but inflicting an opinion on the entire group of people at a function.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

And besides insulting the people in the joke - its insulting to the crowd! Assuming that they are all alike and would all agree with the announcer!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

ping!