Guard chief says he regrets gag e-mail
Forwarded missive mocked convention
The gag e-mail that Major General George W. Keefe forwarded to friends last week lampooned the upcoming Democratic National Convention and US Senator Edward M. Kennedy. But by yesterday, the laughter had ended, and Keefe was issuing a statement of regret.
During working hours last week, Keefe, who heads the Massachusetts National Guard, forwarded an e-mail titled: "2004 Democratic National Committee Convention Official Program."
Among the gag events were an "Opening flag burning ceremony," an "anti-war concert by Barbra Streisand," a "gay marriage ceremony (both male and female couples)," a "re-enactment of [US Senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John F.] Kerry's fake medal toss," a "multiple gay marriage ceremony (threesomes, mixed and same sex)," and a `Free Saddam' pep rally."
Six times, there was an entry on the agenda that read: "Ted Kennedy proposes a toast."
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a Democrat for whom this year's Democratic National Convention is a point of enormous personal pride, lamented Keefe's actions yesterday.
"It's unfortunate that an adjutant general of the National Guard has the time on his hands to say things about the greatest senator America has ever had," said Menino, who is close to Kennedy. "It's unfortunate people have to stoop this low."
Keefe received the e-mail from Will Kingkade, an environmental analyst at the Department of Public Health, and forwarded it to 17 other people, including several with state government e-mail addresses.
"Maybe the guy who came up with this has plenty of time on his hands," Menino said. "Maybe that's a job we can eliminate and save some money and have more efficiency in government."
Keefe, 65, was unavailable for an interview yesterday but he issued a statement that read: "While I did not compose this e-mail, I did receive and subsequently forward it to several acquaintances. On reflection, I regret that action."
Shawn Feddeman, Romney's spokeswoman, said Keefe broke no rules by forwarding the e-mail during office hours. There is no prohibition against using state e-mail accounts to send personal correspondence, she said in an e-mail message. She said no action will be taken against him.
Keefe, who lives in Northampton, was appointed to the National Guard's top post by Governor Paul Cellucci, a Republican, in January 2000, after he had been acting adjutant general since July 1999.
The National Guard may have some role in security during the convention, but plans have not been finalized yet, said a spokeswoman for the Boston Police Department.
Democrats decried the e-mail and said Keefe should be punished for sending it. Representative Michael E. Festa of Melrose said Keefe's e-mail disturbed him because it demonstrated loyalty to Republicans and that Keefe"should be loyal only to the charge of keeping order and protecting John Kerry and the delegates.""This is a serious breach, and he ought to be called on the carpet for it," Festa said.
"His lame apology is totally inadequate to acknowledge the inappropriateness of his attitude. People are dying in Iraq. Don't make fun of that and then pass it around," he said.
"It is embarrassing and ridiculous that a state employee would be spending his time sending nasty partisan e-mails, rather than doing his job," said Philip W. Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "The governor reappointed [Keefe] immediately after he sent this foolish e-mail, and he ought to be reprimanded for doing it. This speaks volumes about what kind of administration this is."
But Keefe has been an equal opportunity partisan. According to campaign finance records, the general, who is registered as an unenrolled voter, made donations in 2002 to both Republican Romney and his Democratic opponent, Shannon P. O'Brien.
Feddeman called Johnston's comments "political sniping" yesterday.
"This confirms," said Dominick Ianno, executive director of the state Republican Party. "what most people already know, that Democrats have no sense of humor." 