Guest Post by Mara Zebest
Tuffy Gessling, the rodeo clown, speaks out on the intolerance he’s experienced from Obama supporters—he’s been receiving death threats. The news reporter asks if Tuffy will ever do his routine again and concludes “Only time will tell.” I’m personally rooting for the routine to live on as well as a healthy and fruitful career for Gessling. There was nothing wrong with the routine. Freedom of speech should not acquiesce to the intolerant Left’s sensibilities.
KCTV5 reports the following:
SEDALIA, MO (KCTV) – A rodeo clown’s controversial Missouri State Fair antics went viral after President Barack Obama was spoofed and mocked.
It divided people across the country on whether Tuffy Gessling’s stunt was disrespectful to Obama. […]
But the clown says it was all in good fun as has been done with other presidents.
Gessling became the center of a firestorm, and he contacted KCTV5 exclusively to provide his side of the story.
The incident occurred Aug. 10 at the fairgrounds in Sedalia during the The Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association finals.
Gessling’s antics drew angry rebukes from politicians, a lifetime ban from the Missouri State Fair and more personal hits than he ever faced in the ring.
I’ve had one lady spit in my face – called me a dirty name, spit in my face and walked off,” Gessling said.
And he says there have been five death threats.
“I’ve had somebody threaten to run me over. One of them wanted to burn the house down,” he said.
Gessling says that hate is actually what finally brought him out to speak.
“I didn’t do this to do any hating on anyone. I did this to be funny. I did it to be a joke,” Gessling said.
A second man actually wore the mask and some believe physically made fun of Obama’s lips, but it was Gessling providing the commentary. The second man has not been punished by the Missouri State Fair, and Gessling says the clown was not mocking Obama’s lips.
Gessling said the clown act has been around for generations.
“I didn’t think anything more of it than what we’ve done 15 years ago, 10 years ago, five years ago, when we’ve done it with Bush, Clinton and Ronald Reagan,” Gessling said. […]
Read more here.
