Fine by me...
In other news:
Hospitality CEO Walt Baker Sacked For Racist EmailBy Kleinheider
On Saturday, it was the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau pulling their contract with Walt Baker’s marketing firm Mercatus Communications.
Today, Baker has officially lost his position as CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association. The action comes after a firestorm erupted when it was revealed that Baker had sent an email to a small group of prominent Nashvillians comparing Michelle Obama to Tarzan’s chimpanzee, Cheeta.
From a press release:
The Executive Committees of the Tennessee Hospitality Association (THA) and Greater Nashville Hospitality Association (GNHA) have voted unanimously to terminate the contract with Mercatus Communications and its Principal, Walt Baker, effective immediately. Together, the state and local hospitality associations jointly express disagreement with the inappropriate email sent by Walt Baker on March 4, 2010.
Bill Mish, President of the board of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, stated: “Today we have terminated Mercatus Communications, and its Principal, Walt Baker, as CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association. Walt’s email reflects a deep misunderstanding of the nature of hospitality and our role as an association. His email was sent in his personal capacity and not in his connection with the hospitality associations.”
Pete Weien, President of the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association stated: “Diversity has always been a high priority in the hospitality industry. The email sent by Mr. Baker does not reflect the positive initiatives we have undertaken as an industry and organization, and therefore we are terminating our relationship with Mercatus and Walt Baker.”
American Hotel and Lodging Association board member Tom Negri stated: “The email sent by Mr. Baker is unacceptable and upsetting, both personally and professionally. It is not who we are as a hospitality organization and it fails to reflect that our industry is one of the most diverse industries in the state of Tennessee and, in fact, our country.”
Shannon Bowles, incoming president of the THA, stated: “THA and GNHA have long been champions of diversity and inclusion. This email by Mr. Baker does not reflect the views of our associations, and it runs completely counter to our work of advancing the lives and enjoyment of citizens from throughout the world. Each day, our hotels and restaurants welcome visitors from across the globe. Our employees come from all walks of life. We continue to stand by our mission of diversity and inclusion, and we strongly disavow any efforts that conflict with this.”
Mish stated: “The THA and GNHA will continue to move forward with our mission of welcoming people of all backgrounds. As leaders in hospitality, we are proud of what diversity brings to our team members and our guests: understanding – the understanding that our differences bring us together not only in work, but also community.”
This episode, which has made both national and international news, marks the most recent case of Tennesseans getting in jackpots over racially-charged communications.
Former TNGOP spokesman Bill Hobbs, during the campaign of 2008, sent out an inflammatory press release referring to the now President of the United States by his middle name “Hussein” and included a picture of Obama dressed in native Somali garb. Hobbs was roundly rebuked by both Republicans and Democrats for the release.
In late 2008, in a bid to become chairman of the RNC, Republican operative Chip Saltsman made news for giving out copies of a CD containing the single, “Barack the Magic Negro.”
In 2009, a legislative aide to Republican state Sen. Diane Black sent out an email featuring a collage of the nation’s pas presidents. In the spot designated for Barack Obama only two white eyes peering out of a black background could be seen.
Talk about rats from a sinking ship...UPDATE: Baker’s parter, Phil Martin, will be leaving Mercatus:
Martin said Mercatus landed the contract with what was then called the Tennessee Hotel and Motel Association more than 12 years ago.
“He has in essence thrown away a 30-year career in this business, and he has effectively killed this business,” Martin said. “I’ll be leaving Mercatus. … Effectively, there is no confidence or trust left in that entity, and I understand why.”
Martin said he is working on a transition plan for the clients he has outstanding obligations to. Baker handled hospitality related contracts for the firm while Martin worked with businesses in other industries.
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This guy essentially lost his job, AND his business because of one ignorant act. It seems that these neo-cons will never learn... 
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