SQUIRES DENIED EQUAL TIME IN INDIAN CHARLIE
(UPDATE: A Paulick Report reader pointed out that by including a link to Indian Charlie or Ed Musselman on our home page, we may tacitly be approving or condoning potentially insensitive or offensive material in the Indian Charlie newsletter. To erase any doubts, we do not approve or condone such material. The home page links to the newsletter are being removed.)
Jim Squires, the former editor of the Chicago Tribune who with wife Mary Anne operates Two Bucks Farm in Versailles, Ky., was scratching his head after being the subject of what many saw as a race-baiting cartoon in the Indian Charlie newsletter recently, so he did what many people would do under similar circumstances: He wrote a letter to the editor of the publication, Ed Musselman.
The cartoon depicted Squires in the company of three prominent African Americans — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, along with political activitists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson – under a headline: GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE, and said Squires was “poising” with the three men at what Musselman referred to as a “DemocRAT fundraiser.”
The letter, emailed from Squires to Musselman, read:
Subject: equal space
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:22:58 -0400
Musselman opted not to run the letter and give equal space to Squires, who followed up his years at the politically conservative Chicago Tribune by serving as spokesman for the third-party presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1992 (the same year he bought his first Thoroughbred; Squires later bred 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos). Squires also was a member of the Kentucky Racing Commission. His reference to Clenbuterol in the letter to Musselman is connected with a reported positive test for Clenbuterol in Delaware in a horse owned by Squires and trained by Larry Jones. Squires is disputing the test result.
Instead, Musselman put his cartoonist to work on another racially-charged cartoon, this one showing Squires sitting next to a woman the newsletter parodied as TV talk show host “Offa Winfrey” in front of a large television monitor displaying Obama’s picture. The cartoon accompanied a story under a headline about an “Irate DemocRAT,” Squires, who had complained to a fellow consignor at Keeneland about the original Indian Charlie cartoon. The story included an “apology” from Musselman that said: “We would like to sincerely apologize to Two Bucks if we hurt his feelings.”
In the accompanying article, Musselman wrote that Squires “
was not happy with what this publication thought was a complement (sic), referring to Mr. Squires as having a ‘great mind,’ which he obviously does, having won the Pulitzer Prize while editor of the Chicago Tribune.” (The Tribune actually won seven Pulitzer Prizes under Squires’ leadership.) The article concluded by saying Squires will be “the featured guest on the Offa Winfrey show this Friday afternoon.” (Oprah Winfrey’s talk show is taped in Squires’ former residence, Chicago, which is also the home of Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama.)These newsletter items about Squires are not the first sarcastic or potentially offensive references to members of minority groups by Musselman, who has repeatedly referred to California owner-breeder Jess Jackson as the “white Jesse Jackson” and in a recent edition referred to Kentucky breeder Arthur Hancock as “the luckiest white man in Bourbon County” because he “got a good woman AND a hoe.” Another reference this week used the term “Chinaman’s chance,” which Asian American organizations and others have called offensive.
The United States Constitution protects free speech and freedom of the press, which entitles Musselman to continue to publish what some may view as an often racially charged publication. What is curious about the Indian Charlie newsletter is what might be interpreted as tacit approval of Musselman and his racial parodies by Keeneland, which has constructed a specific distribution box for the publication in the entrance to its sale pavilion.
Keeneland, which has supported the newsletter through advertising, does business with buyers and consignors of many races, religions and ethnic groups from around the world. The company also has a history exclusively employing African Americans in such positions as washroom attendants and auction ring handlers.
Perhaps Squires should have directed his letter to Nick Nicholson, the president and CEO of Keeneland, rather than to Musselman. Nicholson might be able to better explain the meaning of Musselman’s attempts at ethnic humor and why Keeneland does everything possible to support the newsletter. While he’s at it, Nicholson also might explain that to Keeneland’s African-American work force.
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Tags: al sharpton, arthur hancock, barack obama, chicago tribune, democratic party, ed musselman, Horse Racing, indian charlie, jess jackson, jesse jackson, jim squires, Keeneland, kentucky derby, kentucky racing commission, monarchos, nick nicholson, oprah winfrey, Paulick Report, pulitzer prize, Ray Paulick, ross perot, Thoroughbred Auctions, tom thornbury, two bucks, two bucks farm
September 17th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Political correctness police alert!!!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:33 am
That is exactly why I don’t waste my time reading Indian Charlie. I believe in treating others with respect, which is something my mother taught me. Apparently, Ed Musselman never learned that as a child or as an adult. It is time to stop the racial and political remarks. I don’t care if you are Democrat or Republican. Why can’t we be Americans and share our love for horses? I am disappointed with Keeneland for supporting Indian Charlie. He is NOT helping the racing community with his comments or cartoons.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:15 am
This is not about being “politically correct.” It’s about being correct. This genre of racism resembles the kind of offensive, narrow-minded propaganda that keeps this country from living up to it’s potential. It only serves to further degrade the racing community. Unfortunately, Indian Charlie is headed for a court date.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Ray, don’t waste your time with this moron Indian Charlie, because you are just giving him more credibility. As big a retard as he is, what about those in the game that support him? Some of these Good Ole Boys are in some pretty high places.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Aw c’mon, old Indian Charlie is just having some fun with the coloreds. Keeneland should be proud that it supports a proud white American like that and gives such wonderful job opportunities like cleaning up horse manure to so many pickanninys. Hey, Nick, will I see you at our next meeting? Bring a cross.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Maybe, just maybe, IC owns Keeneland???
September 17th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Only in an environment that provides tacit approval can this type of racism grow.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:40 am
So we criticize a guy for his insensitive and demeaning remarks by calling him a “retard”? We’ve got a long way to go, people…
September 17th, 2008 at 11:48 am
8,
Barry might have a long way to go, but I don’t see where you get “WE?”
September 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Musslehead is simply a bitter old man who does not realize that time has passed by his close pals and the publication. The vicious race-baiting is from another century, but old habits die hard. The advertisers are culpable in allowing this hate to be associated with its businesses…they must agree with the racial hatred in the publication.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
#4 Barry — on one hand, Indian Charlie is a waste of time, I agree. On the other hand, he is symptomatic of the insular nature of the industry and its current leadership, which is both aiding and abetting this kind of arrogant behavior and leading us (the racing and breeding industry) metaphorically like lemmings over the cliff. The reform of this publication or, better yet, its demise, would be a small, symbolic step in the right direction.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
For those who
don’t read IC…No problem…seems that Ray will reprint it for you then you get to read it anyway!
Ray…what’s the point of this? It isn’t going anywhere and we both know it
September 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
#12, the point is that enough is enough from a buffoon whose home address often is his license plate. Indian Charlie is without a doubt the village idiot of racing. There was a time that IC was creatively funny and entertaining. However, now it is the same old stale, unfunny and racially offensive crap. It is beyond tired. There is merit to the argument that those who advertise with him are endorsing his positions. It is evident that you endorse his behavior and are part of his clique. Perhaps you should be a true friend and put him out of his misery by giving him a job cleaning stalls.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Greathouse,
The point and more importantly the question is “Why does Keeneland, an institution that is supposed to represent the “highest ideals” in the Thoroughbred industry condone and support such a pile of pathetic crap?” But what amazes me the most is that it ISN’T EVEN REMOTELY FUNNY OR WHITTY….JUST PATHETIC CHEAP SHOTS….
Hey Ray, have you forwarded any of IC newsletters to the ACLU??? They might find it “funny”. And I also must add how obvious the racist undertones are at Keeneland. Why only African Americans handling the horses in the ring? What no caucasians ever apply for those jobs?? And the ALL African American women attendants in the ladies room? What is with that? I feel so sorry for those poor women! It’s degrrading, not “quaint” or charming……. WAKE UP KEENELAND before somebody in a higher position of authority does the “wakin up” for you!!! Oh yeah, there really are people in higher places….and they’re watching….
September 17th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
And they said the Know-Nothings Party (from the 1850s) was dead!
No one - Squires, Obama, Palin, etc. - should be subjected to these vile caricatures (what the heck is an “Indian Charlie” site, anyway? Who the heck cares? Flush these guys down the toilet!).
But Mr. Squires should be called on the carpet, for a legitimate reason, and it’s long overdue.
The research value of his 2002 “Horse of A Different Color” was destroyed by the lack of an index - the absence of which should have been violently anathema to an editor of a major newspaper that during his tenure “won seven Pulitzer Prizes.”
Some “editor.” Yeeesch.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Much ado about nothing. It doesn’t take much to get the politically correct crowd up in arms.
I have advertised in Indian Charlie’s sheet. Does that make me a racist? Bull—-!
Does it make me one of the “Good ole Boys”. Horsefeathers! I’m the only person I know about who has spent multi-thousands fighting the GOBs and the Establishment. From that experience I know the Jockey Club is the most politically correct outfit in our business. Remember when I wanted to name my horse SALLY HEMINGS?
Ray, I agree the best advice to you is to ignore IC. He can’t hurt you commercially. He may hurt your feelings, but, always remember : Living well is the best revenge.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
If you are truly outraged about the behavior of Keeneland, as I am, there is more you can do than just voice your feelings here. Those folks are only about money, so when their next meeting opens next month, Don’t Play Their Races! And tell your friends about this issue. I don’t think it’s such a big sacrifice considering we’re talking about endemic racism, a true blight on America.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Check out page 48 of Mr Squires “Horse of a Different Color” for an example of racisim.He refers to Irish farm workers as “Micks”.I am willing to give Mr Squires the benefit of the doubt and presume that he is ignorant of the origin and definition of this derogatory term.
If this is so ,I suggest that he consult a dictionary and apologise to all the Irish people he has offended.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:58 am
I feel like I’m in highschool.
Move along nothing happening here.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
19 –”in high school” ?? Surely kindergarten; the only place where the word, “BULL ****” would not be “okay” .
18 - the initials PC are certainly appropriate. As an Irish immigrant, I have no problem with anyone who wishes to call me a “Mick”. Genuine Irish people are never bothered by an ethnic joke at our ‘expense’. You would need to attend an Irish gathering to hear the best of them. So, please stop being offended on our behalf.