Letterman apologizes; Palin accepts
Last night David Letterman apologized again for his bad jokes at the expense of Sarah Palin’s 14-year-old daughter Willow and 18-year-old daughter Bristol….
Letterman did not apologize for his sexist “slutty flight attendant” joke against Palin. And actually he only apologized for being misunderstood and incorrectly perceived. I have posted the transcript of his apology on page 2.
Nevertheless, Palin has magnanimously accepted Letterman’s apology…
In a statement to FoxNews.com early Tuesday, the AK governor said, “Of course it’s accepted on behalf of young women, like my daughters, who hope men who ‘joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve.”
“Letterman certainly has the right to ‘joke’ about whatever he wants to, and thankfully we have the right to express our reaction,” Palin said. “This is all thanks to our US Military women and men putting their lives on the line for us to secure America’s Right to Free Speech – in this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect.”
Letterman’s jokes have created an uproar, as I previously reported here, here, and here. THRfeed.com reported:
One CBS advertiser reportedly pulled its ads in response to the protests, some of which have demanded that CBS fire Letterman. The network is on the verge of giving Letterman a 2-year contract extension that will keep him on the air through 2012.
Reported Fox:
Letterman’s mea culpa comes on the heels of NY State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb’s calls to the CEO of CBS to fire David Letterman. In the letter to CBS chief Les Moonves, Kolb said he took Letterman to task for the “shockingly inappropriate” jokes.
“As the proud father of a daughter, and as a husband, I wanted Mr. Moonves to hear from me directly about Mr. Letterman’s disparaging remarks,” Kolb said in a written statement.
“Firing Mr. Letterman would send a clear message that CBS will not tolerate any of its employees – even an established media figure like Mr. Letterman – making demeaning and degrading comments about women.”
The talk show host has also been blasted by women’s groups.
“There’s a saying that out of the heart, the mouth speaks, and Letterman’s statement reveals a pretty ugly reflection of who Letterman may be,” Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America….
[Photo attribution: Fox News]
Transcript of Letterman apology to Palin family, June 15, 2009:
“All right, here – I’ve been thinking about this situation with Governor Palin and her family now for about a week – it was a week ago tonight, and maybe you know about it, maybe you don’t know about it. But there was a joke that I told, and I thought I was telling it about the older daughter being at Yankee Stadium. And it was kind of a coarse joke. There’s no getting around it, but I never thought it was anybody other than the older daughter, and before the show, I checked to make sure in fact that she is of legal age, 18. Yeah. But the joke really, in and of itself, can’t be defended. The next day, people are outraged. They’re angry at me because they said, ‘How could you make a lousy joke like that about the 14-year-old girl who was at the ball game?’ And I had, honestly, no idea that the 14-year-old girl, I had no idea that anybody was at the ball game except the governor and I was told at the time she was there with Rudy Giuliani … and I really should have made the joke about Rudy …” (audience applauds) “But I didn’t, and now people are getting angry and they’re saying, ‘Well, how can you say something like that about a 14-year-old girl, and does that make you feel good to make those horrible jokes about a kid who’s completely innocent, minding her own business,’ and, turns out, she was at the ball game. I had no idea she was there. So she’s now at the ball game, and people think that I made the joke about her. And, but still, I’m wondering, ‘Well, what can I do to help people understand that I would never make a joke like this?’ I’ve never made jokes like this as long as we’ve been on the air, 30 long years, and you can’t really be doing jokes like that. And I understand, of course, why people are upset. I would be upset myself.
“And then I was watching the Jim Lehrer ‘Newshour’ – this commentator, the columnist Mark Shields, was talking about how I had made this indefensible joke about the 14-year-old girl, and I thought, ‘Oh, boy, now I’m beginning to understand what the problem is here. It’s the perception rather than the intent.’ It doesn’t make any difference what my intent was, it’s the perception. And, as they say about jokes, if you have to explain the joke, it’s not a very good joke. And I’m certainly – ” (audience applause) “- thank you. Well, my responsibility – I take full blame for that. I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception. And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke. It’s not your fault that it was misunderstood, it’s my fault. That it was misunderstood.” (audience applauds) “Thank you. So I would like to apologize, especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke. I’m sorry about it and I’ll try to do better in the future. Thank you very much.” (audience applause).

Sarah Palin is showing the type of person she is: full of character and integrity…a true class act and an asset to women of both Liberal and Conservative persuasions.
I just wish she was now our President.
I can’t wait to spend time with her pastor Ed Kalnins at the end of the month at the AIM Conference.
For any that would like to attend the Athletes International banquet in Phoenix on June 27, please go here:
http://www.athletesinternational.com
Apple, the message in Dave’s “apology” is that he doesn’t think he was wrong, just that we “took him wrong”. That’s just plain sick.
He had no business cracking any “jokes” about Governor Palin’s daughter (ANY OF THEM) and he had no business saying Sarah looked like a “slutty flight attendant” (neither of which has he apologized for).
He insulted Sarah AND all female flight attendants at the same time. ANY woman ought to resent that, unless she is a sold out liberal who worships anyone that attacks a conservative, kind of like Clinton got away with so much chavunism.
He ought to lose his job, period. What’s good enough for the guy who made the “nappy headed ho” joke is certainly good enough for Dave.
Anyone that thinks he shouldn’t get fired is a sexist like Letterman. It took a week to “plan” how he could spin an apology and save face. Gov Palins forgiveness has nothing to do with his earned consequences. Just like criminal court. Roeder being forgiven will not get Roeder out of jail.
Rape. If a guy rapes a 14 year old, how is he off the hook by saying he thought she was 18?
How lame.
And it is this type of person that supported Obama.
“By their fruits ye shall know them.”
Well, Doyle, I agree, but I do think he took ownership of PART of the problem with the joke. He accepted that even if the perception was not the reality, he’s somewhat responsible for the perception.
There’s a lot more that he needs to own, but at least he did that much.
But I agree. CBS needs to lose that dead weight!
Apology accepted for the 14 year old. I can go along with that. But you stated in your apology that you thought you had made the joke about an 18 year old girl which would have been acceptable.
Eighteen years old is okay in your book????!!!!!
It’s well past the time for you to hang up your perverted spurs, my friend, and quietly ride off into the sunset…
The difference is: if the female is 18, then it’s not statutory rape. It’s still in bad taste, but Letterman realized later that people thought he meant the 14-year-old. I just think Palin is letting off steam after nine or ten months of attacks on her and her family. I mean…enough is enough.
bmmg39,
Except that her 14 yo and not Bristol was at the game. If Letterman was going to do such a distasteful joke, he should have known exactly who was at the game with SP. I think she’s a momma bear. I don’t think this is about letting off steam. She pretty much blew off every comment he made except those about her children. I think she was being protective, and she had every right to feel like a big bear about those comments.
Yes, enough is enough, but I think this runs deeper. It was objectifying, demeaning, and wrong what Letterman said.
Yes he apologised; but the bigger problem is that he objectified Sarah AND her daughters in a demented, sexual tone. That is the underlining problem. Until women refuse to be objectified this will continue. Even if he thought it was the older daughter, it doesn’t matter. Women from the left and right should be discusted but unfortunately, they laugh at it like Joy Behar. What would have happened if he made a joke about Michelle Obama in a derogatory way? There would be outrage from all over. Women like Gloria Steinem and the rest would come out of the woodwork. He would never dream of making a joke about Obama’s daughters or Chelsea Clinton back in the 90’s. It is that unspoken leftist rule that the left can belittle the right and it should be tolerated as a “joke” in good fun. But the minute it is the left that is the object of the comment, there is “justified outrage.” There is always the double standard of intolerance with them.
Sarah Palin is really cool.
She immediately characterized the demeaning remarks as an attack on all women, as you pointed out Muriel. She made her point, held her ground while the issue was debated in the court of public opinion, and won. I think she handled the whole thing with professionalism and class.
I’m sure she scored some big points with a lot of women for how she promoted respect for their gender. It’s paradoxical, because she’s obviously politically very savvy, yet it’s her genuineness, transparency and the fact that people can relate to her so well that makes her so effective.
One CBS advertiser reportedly pulled its ads in response to the protests
Anyone know who that advertiser is, so we can all send a letter of thanks and support to them, and buy their products?
Because without the monetary loss, there is no way Letterman would have given this half-hearted apology.
Kudos to Sarah Palin for standing her ground against the liberal and sexist Letterman. He was wrong in this joke and he is wrong about his liberal politics, and we need to continue to call him and others on it.
On another note, is anyone else tired of O’Reilly using the term “fetus” when he is debating? I realise that it is the medical term used but isn’t it time for the medical community to change it? Babies can be viable at very early stages when given care.
In 1995,I was 26 weeks pregnant when my water broke and I was checked into the hospital for monitoring while on strict bedrest to try to hold on to the baby. As the hospital personnel tried to prepare me for what to expect when my preemie arrived, they never called him a fetus. I would have been insulted if they had. He was born at 28 weeks and was 2lbs. He just graduated 8th grade with solid honor roll grades and recieved one of four awards to the top 4 students. He has no medical problems.
Jill, since viable babies are actually capable of living much earlier than before, is the term fetus used for all pre-born babies or just unwanted ones?
I really wish O’Reilly would just call them what they are, “babies.” Also, when he was debating the woman the other night on the show, I was dying for him to pose the question another way. He kept asking if the late term babies deserved protection basically. I wish he could have reversed it and asked if endangered animals deserved lawful preborn protection.Let PETA get outraged and realise all life deserves protection. Or just to make the point that painful, inhumane treatment that is not tolerated for animals,should not be tolerated for babies.
Muriel,
Most animal shelters actually(including no-kills) abort the puppies and kittens of pregnant cats and dogs as well as spaying the animal.
http://www.firedavidletterman.com
GodsImage,
According to a quick Google search, Embassy Suites.
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/customersupport/feedback.do
You can thank Embassy Suites here.
It’s well past the time for you to hang up your perverted spurs, my friend, and quietly ride off into the sunset…
Posted by: Chris at June 16, 2009 2:54 PM
I second this. Motion passed.
Thank you MaryRose,
I will be thanking them today and taking my family to a little weekend getaway to an Embassy Suites this weekend.
We need more brave companies to stand up to the liberal, anti-woman assault of Letterman and other liberals.
GodsImage,
Agreed. I wrote a friendly thank you and informed them they will be on the top of my list for future travel arrangements.
Muriel,
Yes I see your point about OReilly, I get tired of the “fetus” term also.
However one thing to say about OReilly is he is about the only commentator on TV who even discusses abortion. He is ardently pro life. However he often is combative with his guests, as he was with the Salon editor last week on the abortion issue. It’s amazing sometimes that he can get people to agree to be on his show (liberals that is!)
I believe Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are pro life as well, don’t know about Greta Van Susteren.
But neither Hannity or Beck discuss abortion on their show as a rule. Beck has done a lot of good exposing ACORN and a lot of other things no one else is covering, and Hannity is almost exclusively focused on the economy.
Important subjects to be sure, but Hannity in particular just repeats the same old talking points all the time and rotates between Gingrich, Rove and Morris as his guests. I wish he would have a lot more current GOP senators, house members and governors.
Becks’ show is much more interesting in my opinion.
Regarding Letternotaman, the latest “apology” wasnt much better than the last and as already been noted not a word about the “slutty flight attendant” remark either.
However I think Sarah Palin has done the right thing to accept and move on.
Still waiting on the apology from Limpbaugh and John McCain. Oh I get it, it’s ok to trash the 13 year old daughters of liberals.
“…He would never dream of making a joke about Obama’s daughters or Chelsea Clinton back in the 90’s…”
Nah, that just comes from your “defacto” leader, Rush.
Everyone knows the Clintons have a cat. Socks is the White House cat. But did you know there is a White House dog?” Limbaugh said on TV, before holding up a picture of Chelsea….Limpbaugh on his TV show 1993.
“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.” John McCain, 1998.
You guys are hypocrits. Talk about double standard.
Letterman is a comedian who happens to be liberal. McCain and Limpbaugh are pillars in the republican party.
However, it’s all good. We know you guys are hypocrits and operate out of both sides of your mouths.
Bill Mayer has said even worse things about Sarah and her family.
“During his opening monologue on ‘Real Time’ Friday night, Bill Maher, couldn’t resist piling on to the David Letterman controversy and the sex jokes made by him earlier in the week regarding Sarah Palin’s daughter.
In defending his friend, Maher thought Republicans had over reacted and this was just a case of ‘fake’ outrage. Much ado about nothing. He then went on talking about how Letterman had invited Sarah Palin and her young daughter, Willow, to appear as guests on his show but the Governor declined because she thought it would be wise to keep her daughter away from him. Said Maher, “…that’s right, he’s 62 years old, he’s gonna f*** her right there on stage…it would be very wise to keep her, very wise, yes. You know, I’d worry a little more about the 18-year old hockey players who knock up your daughters.” To which his audience of trained seals laughed and clapped and had a good old time.”
Source is Newsbusters.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jimmy-arone/2009/06/16/real-time-real-man-maher-takes-his-shot-palin
Hisman states…
And it is this type of person that supported Obama.
“By their fruits ye shall know them.”
LOL..here’s some of YOUR fruits, HisMan
http://www.nashvilleistalking.com/2009/06/sen-diane-blacks-r-gallatin-legislative-aid-circulates-racist-email/
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10526195&nav=0RaPIYA8
.and, you wonder why black people run from the GOP.
We aren’t stupid. We know what goes on behind closed doors. I thank God that he occasionally shines the light on YOUR fruit so the world can know the truth about those you support, HisMan.
Soonerman,
You obviously have a HUGE chip on your shoulders.
I glanced at those two links you posted and neither of the people involved are well known national people.
The fact is, there are racists and extremists on both the right and the left. All your posts imply the extremists are on the right. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You need to get over your bitterness and forget about remarks that were made 10 or more years ago.
Sarah Palin has accepted the apology and I think she feels its time to move on. And I agree.
And for the record, the “reverend” Wrong was recently quoted as referring to two administration staff members as “them Jews.” A bit racist perhaps?
Gotta love this hypocrisy…
Don’t worry! I know you hate it when liberals expose you. It’s just video. No opinion column. But, it’s Beck doing what you guys seem to do best…
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200906160036
then watch.
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200904020038
lol..hypocrits!
Some more of that good Godly fruit for ya HisMan
Yes, Joanne, two local GOPers.
However, when you see two roaches….well, you know the rest.
You think they will apologize? Or, do us liberals just have to apologize for our offenses? Heck, do they even offend you? You jump on me but, don’t say anything about those people.
HisMan,
got some more Godly Fruit for ya..
“Limbaugh:…Obama is holding his own against both of them–doing more than his share of the “spade” work. Maybe even gaining ground at the moment. Using not only the spade ladies and gentleman—that when he finishes with the “spade” in the garden of corruption planted by the Clinton’s, he turns to the “hoe.” And so the spade work and his expertise using a hoe.”
No racial inuendo there, eh?
That’s some good Godly fruit you have there HisMan.
http://crooksandliars.com/2008/01/15/limbaugh-gets-his-spade-and-hoe-work-in-for-obama#comment-347262
I don’t mind the term “fetus” in and of itself. It is the correct term for a certain stage in human development. The problem is that the word has been politically hijacked to infer a lack of humanity. I prefer to say “fetal human” to counteract the negative connotation. In a similar fashion, euthenasia advocates may use the medical term “vegetable” to infer a lack of humanity.
Soonerman, it’s unfortunate and wrong that some people still harbor racist sentiments. But I don’t agree that isolated incidents as this one are “why black people run from the GOP.” I think it’s because groups who have been discriminated against often develop a herd mentality as a means of survival. This creates a lot of social pressure within a group to behave as a “true member.” We see this within religious denominations, as well. I think internal pressure and a group-think attitude explains the political persuasion of most groups, be it defined by class, race, religion, etc. Most people in general are not heavily involved with politics anyway, so I think it’s safe to assume that a significant number of black people find it much easier to trust their democrat-leaning friends and family than to even consider switching parties.
Soonerman,
Of course I’m not defending them, only saying racists, hateful people and extremists exist on both sides.
But two can play this game.
“VH1 comedian Chuck Nice appeared on Tuesday’s “Today” show and compared Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the sexually transmitted disease herpes. He mocked, “But, Sarah Palin to the GOP, this is what I’ve got to say, she is very much like herpes, she’s not going away.”
“But let Sarah Palin’s acceptance of Letterman’s belated apology include thanks to the US military for making freedom of speech possible for all Americans, and Schultz condems Palin as “nothing but political slime.”
Yes, that’s precisely what the MSNBC host called Palin on his show tonight.”
And this other gem by Ed Schultz:
“JOE SCARBOROUGH: Do you agree with the CIA Director that it’s as if Dick Cheney hopes Americans die so that he gains a political advantage?
ED SCHULTZ: Absolutely. Absolutely.”
SCARBOROUGH: You just said “absolutely.” So again, I want this on the record: you believe the former Vice-President wants Americans to die in a terrorist attack so he can gain a political advantage?
SCHULTZ: You got it, Joe. You got it. I think Dick Cheney’s all about power. I think Dick Cheney’s all about seeing this country go conservative on a hard right-wing and I think he’ll do anything to get it that way.”
MIKE BARNICLE: I certainly don’t believe that the former Vice-President of the United States is sitting there in McLean, Virginia saying “you know, I hope today’s the day.” Do you believe that?
SCHULTZ: I really do, Mike. I do. I really believe, because I think it’s all about the conservatives grabbing the power and keeping it. These folks hate. Just my opinion. I mean, I don’t want to offend anybody.”
Yeah sure Ed…. you just accused the former vice president of hoping for a terrorist attack on national TV, but you don’t want to offend anyone.
Here is the “reverend”:
Asked if he had spoken to the President, Wright said: “Them Jews aren’t going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter, that he’ll talk to me in five years when he’s a lame duck, or in eight years when he’s out of office. …
I hope someone informs the “reverend” that Obama will officially be a lame duck on November 7, 2012, the day after a Republican wins the Presidential election.
1236 days until the next election, and the beginning of the end of the socialist nightmare.
Rev Wrong is just a bitter, racist. No excuse for him.
However, I don’t see him, Letterman, or the other obscure guy you quoted being the premier speaker at any democratic fundraisers and such…
On the otherhand, while you condemn your bad fruits here, cause you know they are wrong. You openly embrace them otherwise. Rush was the lead speaker at CPAC this year with roarin’ applause.
So, please, don’t go there….
Why Letterman’s “joke” can’t stand!
http://lesforlife.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-lettermans-joke-cant-stand.html
For Soonerman to brush up on his history:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/813094/posts
The KKK was the muscle of the DEMOCRATIC party, it was DEMOCRATS who opposed anti-lynching laws, and on and on.
“…the Republican Party has a far better record than the Democrats on race. Even more importantly, they need to stress that on the issues that most affect African-Americans today, the Democratic position represents racism of the most offensive sort—a patronizing racism that denigrates Blacks every bit as badly as the old racism of Jim Crow and segregation.”
Among those issues is abortion. In 2004, white women had 161 abortions per 1,000 live births, Hispanics: 211 per 1,000 live births…African American women? 472 per 1,000 live births. A black baby conceived in the U.S. is 3X more likely to be aborted than a white one. The AA population in the U.S. is currently BELOW replacement level thanks to its leading killer: abortion. Margaret Sanger would be delighted. Reproductive Racism is a reality and it should be denounced by everyone with a conscience.
“1236 days until the next election, and the beginning of the end of the socialist nightmare.”
Not worried Joanne. You practically gave up 2 states in Ohio and Michigan with your stance on the auto bailout. So, I know how those people are gonna vote.
All the GOP perceived racism towards hispanics is gonna prove fatal for you in 2012 also.
I don’t even need to mention black people.
Nah, we are fine.
America’s renewing will not end and YOUR nightmare will continue.
lol….
So, the southern Dems of old were conservatives…
The name has changed the actions, words, and spirit remain the same. Unfortunately, that spirit is alive and well in the GOP…TODAY.
This is not party of MLK, Douglas, Lincoln or even Colin Powell.
I don’t know why you guys are so naive.
Last time I checked, Michigan had the highest unemployment in the US. It’s been controlled by Democrats for years and years.
Government takeover of the auto industry is NOT going to save jobs. Michigan’s unemployment rate would likely be even worse except people are leaving the state in droves.
If Michigan votes Dem again in 2012 then it’s the equivalent of chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
As for Ohio, Indiana, Nevada which were states Obama allegedly “won” there was massive ACORN fraud going on. In Indianapolis they had more registered voters than people. In Nevada ACORN is being investigated by the FBI as well as a democratic attorney general.
President Bush appointed more blacks and hispanics than any other President in history.
And although I don’t go far back in time like you do, it’s worth noting it was democrats who opposed Thomas and Alito to the supreme court.
Bush appointed Powell, and Rice to prominent positions. He had an attorney general who was hispanic. Sorry at the moment I’ve forgotten his name.
He’s had a far more racially diverse cabinet than Obama has. Obama only cares that they are pro abort.
Soonerman, regardless of the fact that both comments were tasteless… can you really not see a difference between calling a young girl unattractive and calling a young girl a prostitute?
klynn73 9:37 PM, great post!
And while we are at it, Republicans ended slavery.
Joanne,
Was that you that posted on the CNN website about the Obama/Tennesee article?
To answer some questions posed to me:
Yes, Elisabeth, it’s terrible what Letterman said and he should have apologized and he did. However, NO ONE from your side called for an apology for all of those offensive things that I posted.
If you are principaled, then one would expect outrage about all of that stuff from all sides.
Also, Letterman is a late night comedian who happens to be liberal. He’s not the keynote speaker or the “de facto” voice of the liberal movement like Rush is for conservatives.
Therefore, for Faux and conservative bloggers to somehow paint this as a liberal establishment thing is beyond reasonable and certainly beyond “fair and balanced.” One lady even blamed the whole Letterman vs. Palin thing on Obama…come on, you have to be kiddin’ me.
As for my good conservative net friend Joanne…
Indeed it was a republican that emancipated the slaves. However, like I said before, he would not recognize his party today.
God Bless and have a good night.
Joanne,
Was that you that posted on the CNN website about the Obama/Tennesee article?
No, I dont spend any time listening to liberal TV or reading liberal web sites. I’ve never posted a thing at CNN or MSNBC.
One lady even blamed the whole Letterman vs. Palin thing on Obama…come on, you have to be kiddin’ me.
I totally agree with you on this. It had nothing to do with Obama. That’s like liberals blaming OReilly for the Tiller murder.
However, like I said before, he would not recognize his party today.
I agree with you again, but for different reasons. The GOP would not be recognized today because it’s tried to be “liberal lite.” We had a centrist called McCain running for President and we all know the result.
The Republicans need to get back to their conservative roots, that is when they win elections.
DeMint/Palin 2012!
God Bless and have a good night.
Same to you.
Posted by: Soonerman at June 16, 2009 10:51 PM
DAVID LETTERMAN’S HATE, ETC. !
David Letterman’s hate is as old as some ancient Hebrew prophets.
Speaking of anti-Semitism, it’s Jerry Falwell and other fundy leaders who’ve gleefully predicted that in the future EVERY nation will be against Israel (an international first?) and that TWO-THIRDS of all Jews will be killed, right?
Wrong! It’s the ancient Hebrew prophet Zechariah who predicted all this in the 13th and 14th chapters of his book! The last prophet, Malachi, explains the reason for this future Holocaust that’ll outdo even Hitler’s by stating that “Judah hath dealt treacherously” and “the Lord will cut off the man that doeth this” and asks “Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?”
Haven’t evangelicals generally been the best friends of Israel and Jewish persons? Then please explain the recent filthy, hate-filled, back-stabbing tirades by David Letterman (and Sandra Bernhard and Kathy Griffin) against a leading evangelical named Sarah Palin, and explain why most Jewish leaders have seemingly condoned Palin’s continuing “crucifixion”!
While David, Sandra, and Kathy are tragically turning comedy into tragedy, they are also helping to speed up and fulfill the Final Holocaust a la Zechariah and Malachi, thus helping to make the Bible even more believable!
(For even more stunning information, visit MSN and type in “Separation of Raunch and State” and “Bible Verses Obama Avoids.”)
Soonerman,
Just imagine the reaction if Rush Limbaugh had made a comment like this about Mrs. Obama and one of her daughters.
The MSM and feminists would have howled like banshees. But then Rush, something like Letterman, is only a talk show host so I suppose it would not be such a big deal.
Oh and Soonerman, check out your history. Lincoln would most certainly recognize his party which has a long history of fighting for the rights of black Americans.
Thank the Democrats for the KKK and segregation.
Thank the Republicans for the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Without Republican support they never would have passed. The Democrats filibustered these acts. Obviously they preferred black Americans at the back of the bus.
“Except that her 14 yo and not Bristol was at the game.”
Yes, I believe that Letterman mistakenly thought it was her other daughter who was there. I’m certainly not defending the joke. And by “enough is enough” I’m not referring to Palin’s reaction to recent events, but rather to the incessant attacks on her and her family since she was named as a running mate.
One would think flight attendents would have a serious issue with the “slutty” jokes, and I use the word “jokes” loosely.
This is indeed sexist as well as demeaning to a group of professional men and women.
Bmmg39,
I got what you were saying. And I agree. I just think SP was responding more to the attack on her daughter than the incessant attacks on her & her family because it was more threatening in its way towards her underage daughter.
Maybe it was just a final “Enough” as you indicated. As a mother, I think I would react much more to an attack on my son than to an attack on myself, however.
And I get that Letterman says he didn’t know any daughter was at the game. I’m willing to believe that. I’m arguing that he ought to have found out if he was going to make such a joke. Not that it would make it ok, but at least it would have been clear that he was talking about a legal behavior.
I’m just saying that a comedian needs to know what he’s joking about before he makes the joke.
I will always give credit where it is due. The National Organization for Women did indeed speak out against Letterman and put him in their Hall of Shame. I stand corrected.
Um, Soonerman, some of us were just kids when those original comments were made. And how precisely do you know that nobody complained?
Oh, and Limbaugh is a commentator (as is Beck)… they are not “de facto” anything… the only people claiming they lead the GOP are the people on the left. We’re talking about radio show hosts and TV show hosts… not elected officials. So I fail to see how that is different than Letterman… or why they should be held to a higher standard (although again, your very own comments show a possible lack of class on Limbaugh’s part about a child being not very cute, you don’t even say he came out and called her ugly… and Letterman compared the other child, just about the same age, to a prostitute and joked about statutory rape…)
But you expect people to be as upset and calling for the firing of a man because he said a kid wasn’t cute? That’s equitable because people say that a man shouldn’t get away with joking about statutory rape or a 14 year old as a prostitute?
Elisabeth,
Good points. Concerning Limbaugh and the “cute kid” incident. It was an employee of his program who put the picture up. Limbaugh had the employee fired then sent a written apology to the Clintons.
Soonerman,
Obviously you are someone who, once he/she has made up his/her mind, does not like to be confused with the facts.
The state of Michigan is in the crapper. My family lives there. Its been under Democrat control. Ever hear of Jennifer Granholm? The city of Detroit is a sinkhole. I can’t remember it not being run by Democrats. Why isn’t it a Paradise?
History is history. Live with it. Its the Republicans who have the history of fighting for the rights of black Americans. The KKK was the terrorist arm of the Democrats. The Jim Crow south was run by Democrats.
You sorry souls cry the modern Republicans are the “old” Democrats. Oh, you acknowledge the Democrats in fact have a dubious history then? Name some Republicans who were klansmen. Name Republicans who opposed civil rights.
Some more prominent Democrats. George “segregation forever” Wallace and Bull Connor, the police captain notorious for turning fire hoses and police dogs on black civil rights demonstrators.
Another thing, definitions of liberal and conservative change. John Kennedy, viewed as liberal, would be seen as more conservative with his tax cuts and stance in the Cold War. FDR, viewed as liberal, had no problem putting American citizens in concentration camps(over the fierce objections of his wife Eleanor) and refusing to give his moral support to anti-lynching legislation, much to the chagrin of his wife Eleanor.
David Letterman really never was funny. If someone called his wife “slutty” I do not imagine he would take it too well. His lame excuse about not knowing it was the 14 year old that was present is pathetic.
On the racial thing: I look at the evidence of today. The story in Tennessee. The story in South Carolina. Rush’s constant inuendo racial jokes during the presidential campaign. You guys can choose to believe what you want. My opinons are not formed from viewing the MSM. They are my life experiences. Reject them if you want, I don’t care… Some of the stuff from the GOP side, during the campaign and now, is simpy indefenseable. However, you guys continue to make excuses. At least, AT LEAST, Letterman was MAN enough to apologize. Rush Limpbaugh has never apologized…never! (Look up Rush and his strange obsession with Donovan McNabb… I never understood why the man, when he was on ESPN, decided to interject something about a guys race into a debate on his QB’ing skills). Instead of saying, hey he was wrong Sooner, you guys continue to deny, and defend. It’s pathetic and screams hypocrisy.
For Jerry:
“David Letterman really never was funny. If someone called his wife “slutty” I do not imagine he would take it too well. His lame excuse about not knowing it was the 14 year old that was present is pathetic.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/16/letterman-protest-draws-m_n_216566.html
Don’t read the commentary just watch the video.
On Rush being your “de facto” leader: I’ll just say this. What Democrat fundraisers, mainstream liberal conferences has Letterman spoken at?
Has Rush spoken at any of yours? Just curios…
“Um, Soonerman, some of us were just kids when those original comments were made. And how precisely do you know that nobody complained? ”
Because I was in college then, I saw the show with my own eyes and was surprised that no one called him on it. During that time, when RL would say something contreversial enough to make it into the MSM, all republicans would say…”You liberals just cannot take a joke.”
Double Standard much?
On the civil rights issue: Here’s the votes on 1964:
Southern Democrats: 7-87 (7%-93%)
Southern Republicans: 0-10 (0%-100%)
Northern Democrats: 145-9 (94%-6%)
Northern Republicans: 138-24 (85%-15%)
The Senate version:
Southern Democrats: 1-20 (5%-95%) (only Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas voted in favor)
Southern Republicans: 0-1 (0%-100%) (this was Senator John Tower of Texas)
Northern Democrats: 45-1 (98%-2%) (only Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia opposed the measure)
Northern Republicans: 27-5 (84%-16%) (Senators Bourke Hickenlooper of Iowa, Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Edwin L. Mechem of New Mexico, Milward L. Simpson of Wyoming, and Norris H. Cotton of New Hampshire opposed the measure)
However, notice the shift:
Beginning in 1980, Senator ORRIN HATCH spoke in favor of rolling back provisions of the Fair Housing Act. Acting on his motion in 1988, Congress voted to weaken the ability of plaintiffs to prosecute cases of discriminatory treatment in housing.
Orrin Hatch is from what party?
The Civil Rights Act of 1991:
All Dems were for it…5 republicans were against it.
Most of the time, when Limbaugh’s “in trouble” for mentioning something about race, he’s merely repeating something a left-winger said or wrote (see the “Magic Negro” controversy). His comments about McNabb were that he’s overrated and that some in the league have a vested interest in seeing a black quarterback succeed. I don’t really agree, but Limbaugh certainly DIDN’T say that “McNabb stinks” or “blacks aren’t smart enough to play football” or any of the other misrepresentations his words underwent. If you’re going to disagree with someone, at least know what the person actually said (and did not say) first.
That would completely ruin Soonerman’s fun of taking conjecture and half-facts (best lie is 99% truth) and then lashing out against people of differing ideological beliefs based upon his own “interpretation” of reality.
Soonerman,
Fritz Hollings, S.Carolina senator(1966-2005) who flew a Confederate flag as S.C. governor to protest civil rights. Also “joked” about African leaders being cannibals. Look up his party affilication.
Robert Byrd, longtime senator from W.Virginia, former klansman and klan recruiter who used the term “white n—–” on national TV.
Check out his party affiliation.
In case you didn’t notice Soonerman, those making an issue of Obama’s race were mostly Democrats.
Please give us examples of Rush’s racial innuendoes.
Uh Soonerman,
The tune “Barack the Magic Negro” is a parody of an article that appeared in the LA Times called “Obama the “Magic Negro”, written by black liberal columnist David Ehrenstein.
Great post — thanks! I never looked at it that way before.
I mean, of course Sarah Palin got emotional when Glenn Beck said, “President Obama, why don’t you just set us on fire? For the love of Pete, what are you doing?”
But, remember, Glenn Beck promised he’d never modify an electrical treadmill just to torture those dogs (Pit Bulls) again. He invited Bristol Palin and her friends to a steak dinner in Chicago to reduce stiffness and muscle ache. Then he left for Montreal. Funny how he never talks about those dogs anymore, isn’t it?