Do you remember Sherri Goforth, the aide to Tennessee state senator Diane Black? She’s the aide who sent out an email with a picture of all the presidents that depicted Obama as only eyeballs (’cause he’s dark, you know, har har).Well, Senator Black has responded to the calls for firing Goforth by sending a sternly worded letter.
However, Black has dug in her heels. Yesterday, she told CNN that that although the e-mail “does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office,” she decided to keep Goforth on:
When I did find out about the communication that was sent out, I immediately called the H.R. department and through their advice did what they told me needed to be done when there was a violation of an e-mail policy by the state. And so, therefore, as you have already stated, Miss Goforth did get a verbal reprimand as well as a very strongly worded reprimand written and it was put in her file that if this should ever occur again, that she should be immediately terminated.
The Tennessee Democratic Party obtained a copy of the letter. I don’t think we could call it “strongly worded.” Think Progress has the letter.
Dear Sherri,
This is a follow up to confirm our conversation regarding the state email policy. First, as we discussed, email communications are for state use only and should not be used for purposes outside the guidelines established. Also, as we discussed, no communication that is derogatory regarding any minority should be sent from this office or that employee will be subject to termination of employment from my office. I know you take this policy seriously and I am confident that you will abide by the policy.
Your service to my office and the legislature has been commendable with the exception of this incident and I look forward to working together in the future within these guidelines.
Sincerely,
Diane Black
Seriously, you have to explain to someone not to send racist emails on state email accounts? I think there’s a more serious problem than violation of the email policy. {/understatement}