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Aug 6 2008
8:09AM
EDT
Candidate's 'Pro-Slavery' Son Does an AboutFace-book
Sam Gustin remarks: As if we need further evidence of the perils of online over-sharing, one unfortunate Colorado teenager provides it for us.
Like many youngsters, Justin Schaffer, 19, joined Facebook as a way of connecting with friends.
But young Schaffer's father, Colorado Republican and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer, was less than amused, it turns out, by the contents of his son's supposedly private page, which included the following:
- A graphic which declares, "Slavery Gets Shit Done."
- A pro-gun banner showing Jesus posing in front of a Confederate flag with a M-16 assault rifle with the caption, "What Would Jesus Do?"
- Several images of Barack Obama portraying the presidential candidate as a Muslim, a homosexual, and a terrorist.
In a statement to a local TV station, Schaffer the younger said, "I do not agree with the sentiment or content of the offensive material, especially the 'bumper sticker' that references slave labor."
Yet he agreed with the sentiment and content of the material enough to post it.
"It is clear that my actions were juvenile, disrespectful, and a mistake on my part," Schaffer continued, adding, "The offensive materials directly contradict the values that my parents taught me and are forbidden in my parents' home. My Facebook page is solely my responsibility, and I am saddened that my actions have reflected poorly on my sisters and parents."
The elder Schaffer said: "My wife and I have initiated a process of firm and severe discipline with our son."
Like many youngsters, Justin Schaffer, 19, joined Facebook as a way of connecting with friends.
But young Schaffer's father, Colorado Republican and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer, was less than amused, it turns out, by the contents of his son's supposedly private page, which included the following:
- A graphic which declares, "Slavery Gets Shit Done."
- A pro-gun banner showing Jesus posing in front of a Confederate flag with a M-16 assault rifle with the caption, "What Would Jesus Do?"
- Several images of Barack Obama portraying the presidential candidate as a Muslim, a homosexual, and a terrorist.
In a statement to a local TV station, Schaffer the younger said, "I do not agree with the sentiment or content of the offensive material, especially the 'bumper sticker' that references slave labor."
Yet he agreed with the sentiment and content of the material enough to post it.
"It is clear that my actions were juvenile, disrespectful, and a mistake on my part," Schaffer continued, adding, "The offensive materials directly contradict the values that my parents taught me and are forbidden in my parents' home. My Facebook page is solely my responsibility, and I am saddened that my actions have reflected poorly on my sisters and parents."
The elder Schaffer said: "My wife and I have initiated a process of firm and severe discipline with our son."
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