Return to Article: Senator seeks details on Halloween party at DHS agency
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63833
Those who do not believe that the investigation is necessary are the ones who benefit from racism against people of African descent. If Congress is interested in any meaningful investigation, they should subpoena all employment applications for management and attorney positions from 2003 within ICE and USCIS. There would be no doubt in anyones mind that African-Americans with superior qualifications are being denied equal opportunity to the benefit of less/unqualified white applicants. You don't have to take my words for it, just subpoena those documents and see for yourselves. I know that nothing would come of what happened, because the so-called Congressional Black Caucus are impotent, because they are more interested in making excuses for the discriminators, in the name of tolerance, that they are utterly useless in addressing the concerns of Black employees and their sufferings under DHS racism.
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40696
Looks like this episode had no effect on Mrs. Wood's confirmation. At least she's a lame duck!
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38641
Anything new to report, or has this too been swept under the rug, like most bad news about DHS, ICE and CBP?
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37610
The stere typing of Blacks is only one of the qualities shared by those who terrorize African Americans each day through selective personnel and disciplinary actions, denying promotions, deliberate underemployment of talented African Americans, and sponsorship of a hostile environment.
The only transgression of these American citizens is the color of their skin or their national origin and a rightful desire to contribute to their nation by pursuing a career at DHS ... an enclave quickly becoming an exclusive domain to the detriment of the African American community by those who perceive the Department as a private domain.
The insidious racism at the Immigration Service was brought to public light, in 1994 (google "Class action Bias Suit by 500 Blacks at Immigration Service is Approved"). Americans are now finding themselves in the same predicament which again compels them to raise funds, for the initial attorney fees and costs to launch yet another class action lawsuit against the DHS/USCIS.
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37609
That racism is alive and well and sanctioned by the "top management" by promoting, excusing, or apologizing for those who at the management and supervisory levels set a tone for prejudice against African Americans is illustrated by Secretary Chertoff's placid reaction.
Diversity, equal employment opportunity, and accountability are concepts at the DHS and the USCIS which are not familiar to the top management.
The recent events demand a strong, unequivocal and unambiguous response to the ongoing charade at DHS and the USCIS from the DHS Committee of the US Congress, the Judiciary Committee, the Black Congressional Caucus, the Office of the DHS Inspector General, the Office of Special Counsel, the EEOC, Blacks in Government, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the NAACP and the media.
The culture which promotes harassment of a segment of our society (African American and naturalized American citizens) and the institutionalized menacing racism, hostility, and antagonism towards Blacks at the DHS and the USCIS in particular, is the underlying narrative which demands serious analysis, investigation, and accountability.
Employee surveys and GAO reports have repeatedly demonstrated that the DHS, and USCIS in particular, are on the least effective, the most racist, most poorly managed and least accountable of the Departments of the US Government. Contrary to the facts, DHS and USCIS management (USCIS) have polished the art of deceiving the Congress and the public in believing that they manage healthy and effective organizations.
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37603
I'll bet all of the people posting comments stating that those of us who are upset about this should get a life and this is not a big deal, are all white Americans. We'll I can tell you that I am a taxpayer as well and I am very offended that this type of incident took place within the government. You can not know the pain of things like this unless you have been there. Those of you who have not been there should show a little compassion to those of us who have. I know that we have a lot of big issues in this country to deal with, but white American has to understand that racism (especially in our government) is also a big deal.
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37453
Based on a few of the preceding comments it is apparent why racist behavior is so prevalent. That costume was unacceptable. Admittedly the 'Race Card' gets play a little too often but at what point does and educated professional realize that 'Black Face' is not a good idea. Of course I would not expect Caucasian males to agree (nor the women who behave in a subservient fashion in professional environments). This behavior typifies why some sort of Affirmative Action is needed. Left to their own devices people's prejudices would rule them and they would show preference to those who look most like them. There was a time in our countries not to distant past that people thought it was alright to get a Black person, lynch them, and set their bodies ablaze in front of hundreds of on-lookers (including kids). No one thought anything of it. It did not make it right. It is shameful that people in such a high position cannot exercise good judgment at a party but are left to manage a Government agency.
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37378
There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to lighten up on Myers.It is inexcusable for a person in her position to condone someone dressing in a costume which is clearly RACIST!! Especially when she had the photograph (evidence) that was taken of her next to the costumed individual DESTROYED. That in police work means she is as guilty as a cat caught in a goldfish bowl!!! Her guilt is pretty darn clear to me!!
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37308
For a Department that wants to take away the employee's rights, you such have botched it. Ms. Meyers, shame on you, we all look bad. You experience for the job you are sitting in. Doesn't sound like you have any. YOU PUNISHED THE WRONG PERSON!!!!!
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37271
Take a look at the pictures and then decide if Assistant Secretary Meyer's first attempt at spin control --that she couldn't tell that makeup was being worn-- is not an egregious lie. Perhaps the Assistant Secretary should be on administrative leave as well.
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37270
This entire affair is indicative of how stupid our world is becoming. Who cares if someone dons a costume like this? It's a costume! Will witches, goblins and ghosts file federal lawsuits because people dress up like them? Who is going to file lawsuits on behalf of the dead? they should be represented also shouldn't they? We are becoming a society that calls the police when a child brings a firecracker to school instead of sending them to the principal's office. Lighten up! Instead of spending tax dollars on rediculous issues like this costume let's figure out how to reduce crime and to revamp our education system so that we have a future.
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37245
Gee, big surprise. The employee who wore this ridiculous costume has been made to bear the entire backlash for the whole incident. This is certainly not to say that the ICE employee isn't deserving of any blame. But Julie Myers as well as the other two senior ICE officials who actually awarded this idiot a prize for his costume are also guilty and definitely deserving of penalties themselves.
You gotta hand it to that damage-control team at ICE, though. They very quickly concocted the clever excuse that it was not immediately apparent that this employee was wearing make-up to impersonate another ethnic group. It's complete garbage, of course, but a clever excuse nonetheless. Perhaps what is not so clever is the fact that Myers and other DHS and ICE officials have continued to demonstrate that they actually believe they can con DHS and ICE employees into believing their ridiculous lies when many of those very employees in law enforcement make a living by dealing with liars/criminals.
As for those "discarded" photographs of Myers posing with this costume-wearer, there are two reasons why those photos were swiftly destroyed, and neither of them has anything to do with the photos being offensive as ICE officials falsely state. They were discarded because 1) they provide evidence that it was, in fact, obvious that the employee was wearing makeup, proving that Myers lied about this fact several times; and 2) Myers looks like a moron posing for such ridiculous photographs and they would have made her even more of a laughingstock had they hit the press.
Sadly, none of the truths above mean anything whatsoever, as Congress will do nothing. Actually, Congress won't just do nothing - they will actually compound things by confirming Myers. Just how incompetent does someone have to be to actually have his/her confirmation rejected by Congress? Congress would confirm a ham sandwich.
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37137
The employee should not have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. There is no basis whatsoever for this. The employee should have been counseled on the impropriety of his actions by his immediate supervisor. Having said that, I do wonder under whose authority a CFC fund-raising Halloween party is taking place as this is not the regular method of soliciting CFC contributions. I trust it did not take place during duty hours.
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37040
The make up is troubling. But even if you dont think so, what is the head of ICE doing holding a costume party? Halloween is not a Federal holiday last time I checked, and they should have better things to do with their time. Get back to work.
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37029
Let us not dignify Ms. Myers actions by feigning disgust. Her crime was not that she mocked the plight of black and brown men but she did so in public. Those who desire to punish her are questioning her judgement of being honest when in fact most of the people appearing to be alarmed fill the same way around the dinner table.
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37009
Yet another red flag that Ms. Myers is too immature and inexperienced to even be a serious candidate for this position. Like her predecesor, this is just a short stopover and box check on a resume for two spoiled, inexperienced political brats.
Maybe uncle Gen. (ret) Myers can find her another job somewhere else outside of GOV that she is more qualified for.
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37008
The issue is that the federal government is supposed to be a model EEO employer. Allowing such a racially insensitive costume to not only go unchecked, but to win first place says a lot about the atmosphere at DHS. And, the fact that some readers fail to see that is terribly disconcerting.
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37001
You can always count on DHS management to provide sufficient fodder to fuel the flames of distrust, discrimination, hatred and, ultimately, combat!
To suggest that they did not know that the "contestant" was white is an out and out lie - simply not to be believed -- it's the fact that he was white that gave the costume its "most original" character - a black man playing the part of A black man (in any garb) would not only fail the originality test, but it would also fail the test of humor!
It would not surprise me if DHS EEO Chief Officer Daniel Sutherland served as a judge.
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36995
The holiday is inevitably an exercise in bad taste for adults, and thereby problematic. The employee should have been advised to remove the costume by his immediate supervisors, on-up. He wasn't, as he was awarded a prize, by the highest rank-official. I think the wrong person may be on administrative leave.
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36993
This just is not the right choice to head an agency of the Federal Government, she's too young, too inexperienced and now this; obviously swept along on some kind of ego trip, awash in poor judgement. Reflects the general nature of this administration.
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36992
I have to agree. Lets deal with real issues. I don't care about a Holloween party and someones poor taste. Fix our roads, pass an energy program, work on health care, etc.
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36985
Why did DHS have a costume party in the first place? Don't they have work to do? Using taxpayer money/salary for playing is the bigger question that should be asked.
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36984
This is definitely a stupid person,I wonder what the comments would have been if a black worker came to the the "costume party" as a nazi, or a hill billy.
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36982
If Meyers doesn't have good judgement about something as mundane as a costume party, it's appropriate to question her judgement in other areas.
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36978
Give me a break! Quit spending our tax dollars investigating stupid people! The common person is going under financially trying to survive week to week.
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36975
Senator Collins,
Get a life! Who cares?
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36971
It was a COSTUME party. big deal. Everybody is so race conscious; so stupid.Granted...there are a lot of dumb, uneducated people in this department, but let's get a grip. It was a frigging costume party.
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36966
It is not PC nonsense to say the costume was offensive. Black people see it as an indication that white people think of them as a bunch of criminals. By validating the costume, Meyers mocks the genuine pain Black people feel over how they are perceived. I know it is hard for white people to know how much this type of behavior hurts Black people, but the pain is real and they are not being overly PC.
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36965
I believe that if someone were offended, then they should have shared that with the individual and rectified the situation in-house. Initiating inquiries for something this small is a waste of taxpayers money and should not be a contributing factor in her confirmation.
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36962
I bet poeple wouldn't have thought it was "just a costume at a halloween party" if someone showed up to the party dressed as a Nazi SS officer. However, now it is going to be used as political fodder wasting taxpayers money as usual.
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36961
When was this Halloween party? Was it during the work hours? Did everyone take leave? Or did this party occur during the work day. Interesting?
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36958
Yeah, get a life Senator Collins!!! Let me ask this question.....if this costume was just an old white guy in stripes it would have been ok but either the dreadlocks or the "makeup" made it insensitive....to who???? whether it be Democrats, Republicans.....these people are wasting our time and money....there really are very few things that the Fed should be getting into.....I don't believe the Framers had Halloween parties in mind!
how about doing some real work Senator, like making sure the Mukasey nomination gets through, making sure this piece of trash called "ENDA" doesn't see the light of day, etc. It's obvious that Democrats are pushing the extremist agenda because they are getting close to 2008 and they have nothing to show to their far left supporters. But what are these Republicans doing? Maybe it's the "I'm a compassionate conservative, approach?" All of this nonsense is smoke and mirrors, these people are getting nothing done. When will this elctorate wake up????
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36955
We are making a big deal over of a costume. Why isn't a big deal being made over our society, like Press 1 to hear English.
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36953
This is why Congress' approval rating is so dismal. They can't pass comprehensive immigration reform, but they can waste our tax dollars reviewing Halloween parties. Give me a break. They should judge Myers on her record, not her reaction to some knucklehead in a costume. Half of Congress wants to forgive illegal immigrants with amnesty, but not forgive Myers? DC Politics is shameful.
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36920
The only problem here is that Julie Myers lied and stated to the media that she didnt know that the facial color wasnt authentic. This is because several other people in attendance knew the individual and recognized him from 50 ft away on the street as he approached the function and that this person was wearing a bronze type skin coloring. I believe this is a matter not only of poor judgement, but lack of candor and integrity.
Second point. I hope Sen Collins explores this recess appointment of an unqualified candidate whose relative was General Myers and spouse is the Chief of Staff of Michael Chertoff. Who said that nepotism wasnt alive and well in the senior ranks of the DHS.
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36908
Unacceptable conduct to who? Most people couldn't care less, because this was just a Halloween costume at a Halloween party. Should we also outlaw Spiderman costumes, so as not to offend other superheroes? There are plenty of urgent problems now facing this country, yet we see a U.S. senator and others spending valuable time on this nonsense. Get a life people, the Klan hasn't taken over the U.S. government (except maybe for Senator Byrd!!!).
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36890
The perception is that this is unacceptable conduct. It does not matter if the participants only thought it was a fun thing to do at a Halloween party. ICE/Assistant Secretary Julie Meyers is a big girl who must now face the music.
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36875
Oh, for jiminey biscuits people! Get a life, it was a COSTUME at a PARTY.
I can see holding up her nomination over qualifications but this type of overly PC nonsense is just ridiculous.
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