Gov. Charlie Crist has a DVD to share with the people of Florida.
A DVD of “Jud Suss.”
Apparently, the Governor (or whoever writes his copy) recently wrote a thank you note that would make etiquette maven Emily Post proud.
Recipient? The citizen who provided him with a copy of the Third Reich favorite, John Ubele, who just happens to run a white supremacist website.
Per The Herald Tribune (7/24/2009):
“Thank you for sending me the DVD ‘Jud Suss.’ It is my pleasure to accept this on behalf of myself and the people of Florida. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing this DVD … Thank you again for your generosity.”
D-OH!
The Holocaust Education and Archive Research Team (HEART) describes Jud Suss as "The most successful anti-Semitic film the Nazi's ever made." (Read more here).
As reported by Florida Today, 7/24/2009:
(...)
Crist’s office sent a letter dated June 30 and bearing the governor’s signature that thanked John Ubele of Pasco County for providing the governor with a DVD of “Jud Suss.” The Nazi-produced film is recognized as one of history’s most incendiary.
In closing a brief thank-you note, Crist praised Ubele’s thoughtfulness and generosity and said he would be delighted to share the DVD with the people of Florida.
“I was surprised considering the stigma that has been associated with the film,” Ubele said Friday in an exchange of e-mails with The Associated Press. “I was even more suprised when I looked at the signature because from what I can tell it looks real.” Ubele said the signature appeared to be signed by a marker.
The governor’s office, however, said it was an embarrassing mistake.
“We are NOT sharing the DVD with the people of Florida,” said Sterling Ivey, the governor’s press secretary. “The governor does not support this view. The letter was sent out prior to us reviewing the DVD that was sent.”
The 1940 film was produced by the Nazi propaganda arm and was a great success in Germany and abroad, although it was banned in Sweden in 1941 and has never been shown in that country.
Within the Third Reich, “Jud Suss” was the No. 1 film of the 1939-1940 season when it was seen by more than 20 million people. Anti-Jewish violence was reported after its projection in Marseille, France, for one example.
Ubele, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature, is the operations manager of a group called the Nationalist Coalition that promotes “white activism.”
Crist aspires to become the Florida Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. All I can say is...
Way to go after the South Florida vote, Charlie.
Oh. But there's more.
Charlie was quick to pen a note of a different sort after Ubele posted his thank-you note.
Also from The Herald Tribune link cited above:
(...)Ubele doesn't scare easily. The letter remains posted for your reading pleasure here.UPDATE: Crist sent out a stern letter late Friday night, asking Ubele to pull a copy of Crist's original form letter from the website.
"This letter is written to correct an inexcusable mistake made by staff in my office. reflected in a letter of June 30, 2009 regarding the DVD Jud Suss. Unfortunately, that letter was sent by staff prior to any review of the content of the DVD. Subsequently, my staff has reviewed the DVD and advised me of the content.
"I am now writing to unequivocally advise you that neither I, not anyone in this administration agree with or condone the anti-Semitic content of this DVD. This DVD contains anti-Semitic propaganda filmed in Nazi Germany. It is laden with crude, anti-Semitic stereotypes and was unfortunately used by the Nazi regime to facilitate the Holocaust. The murder of over six million Jews in World War II is an abhorrent but real episode of man's inhumanity to man.
"I am advised that you have posted by June 30, 2009 letter on your Web site. Since that letter was sent in error and does not reflect my view, I request that you immediately remove it from your Web site, and any other representation therein that I or anyone in my administration agree with or condone the anti-Semitic content of this DVD."
(A link to the film can also be accessed from Ubele's website, but out of respect for my members of my family and friends of Jewish faith, I just can't link to the film.)
But, trust me. We are all ROFLAO over this one.
Especially as Crist refusing to address those citizens "concentrated" under Miami's Julia Tuttle Causeway.....
Who needs a note?
"All gifts should be acknowledged with a note, unless the goodies were opened in front of the giver—then you have the chance to thank them in person. An important exception: many of an older generation expect a hand-written note. Providing them with one is an appropriate gesture of respect and consideration."
--The Emily Post Institute
