Palin v Letterman

Donkey® · 06-12-2009, 03:14 PM

So apparently the right is in a tizzy about this. I looked at Hannity.com last night and there were like 20 threads on the front page about it.

Originally Posted by article

June 12, 2009
Palin calls foul on Letterman's 'weak' excuse
Posted: 01:46 PM ET

From CNN.com's Kristi Keck

(CNN) – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday it was a "weak, convenient excuse" for talk show host David Lettermen to claim his controversial joke made earlier this week targeted Palin's older daughter, and not 14-year-old Willow.

"My 14-year-old was there with me at the game. She was the only one there with me," Palin said Friday in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

Letterman joked Tuesday that Palin's "daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez" at a recent Yankees game. He admitted the following night that the joke was in "poor taste," but he insisted the line was in reference to 18-year-old Bristol, who gave birth to a boy in December.

"We were, as we often do, making jokes about people in the news and we made some jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter [Bristol]… and now they're upset with me," Letterman said.

"These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl," he said.

"Am I guilty of poor taste? Yes. Did I suggest that it was okay for her 14-year-old daughter to be having promiscuous sex? No."

Palin was unimpressed with Letterman's explanation. "Regardless of which daughter it was — inappropriate," she said Friday.

The former Republican vice presidential nominee said she will "always forgive whomever is asking for forgiveness," but noted that what she's upset about goes beyond Letterman's "sexist, perverted joke."

"This insinuation that it's ok, that it's acceptable to talk like that and then that it's acceptable for the media to not provide the American public, the listeners, the readers the full context of that joke," she said, adding that it's also a "sad commentary on what Americans are fed in terms of full news."

Originally Posted by article

"Acceptance of inappropriate sexual comments about an underage girl, who could be anyone's daughter, contributes to the atrociously high rate of sexual exploitation of minors by older men who use and abuse others," Mrs Palin said.

Her husband Todd added: "Any 'jokes' about raping my 14-year-old are despicable. Alaskans know it, and I believe the rest of the world knows it, too."

Palin is a moron and her daughters are whores. Claiming he is advocating rape is pure stupidity...but typical from her ilk. Stay the fuck out of the news if you don't want to be commented and joked on.

HughRuss · 06-12-2009, 03:19 PM

Underage? When is that paragon of feminine chastity turning 18 anyway?

JaJae · 06-12-2009, 06:21 PM

I'm sure this thread would look the same if conservative made fun of Chelsea Clinton..

Photon1001 · 06-12-2009, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

I'm sure this thread would look the same if conservative made fun of Chelsea Clinton..

Really, you think so? Cause I think Chelsea looks kinda like a guy. I think there was a Family Guy episode about that too, so I'm sure Jon Stewart made a great big stick about it, right? Oh, wait a minute, maybe it was 'cause he was too busy making jokes about that liquid cum dispenser of a father she has. Of course, we all know liberals just can't ever take a joke and conservatives are hilariously funny at parties with all their oh, so exciting talk-radio rantings...

Donkey® · 06-12-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

I'm sure this thread would look the same if conservative made fun of Chelsea Clinton..

Conservative comedians (if that even exists) make fun of Democrats/Liberals all the time. Even people like Hannity and O'Realy do the same shit. Comedians make jokes. That's what happens. Letterman did all comedians a disservice by apologizing and addressing her and her stupid shit husband's comments.

northhunter · 06-12-2009, 07:11 PM

I'm having a hard time understanding how a radio host can say "nappy headed hoes" and get pulled off the air, but a TV show host can joke about a 14 year old white girl getting "knocked up" by a baseball player and it's all good fun. Anoyone who is a parent can understand the outrage over this, Letterman crossed way over the line. Will he loose any sleep over it? No way, even his apology was a non-apology.
To deny a double standard here is just a waste of time.

Scrum · 06-12-2009, 07:16 PM

More false outrage from the right.

If Palin wants to hold public office, she's going to need to grow a thicker skin about stuff like this. Your kids are free game because you use them as political props.
And it was obvious that Letterman was talking about 18 year old Bristol (the teen mom that shills for abstinence, sponsored by a company that makes slutty shoes for young girls) and not 14 year old Willow.

JaJae · 06-12-2009, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Scrum

More false outrage from the right.

If Palin wants to hold public office, she's going to need to grow a thicker skin about stuff like this. Your kids are free game because you use them as political props.
And it was obvious that Letterman was talking about 18 year old Bristol (the teen mom that shills for abstinence, sponsored by a company that makes slutty shoes for young girls) and not 14 year old Willow.

That argument worked out so well when Chelsea was claimed to have been "pimped out" during the campaigns. Her children are not running for office. They're innocent bystanders in all of this. Attack Palin, not her children.

Scrum · 06-12-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Attack Palin, not her children.

It wasn't an attack, it was a joke.

Photon1001 · 06-12-2009, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

That argument worked out so well when Chelsea was claimed to have been "pimped out" during the campaigns. Her children are not running for office. They're innocent bystanders in all of this. Attack Palin, not her children.

Actually, I thought that was kinda funny. Chelsea being pimped out? For what, fake mashed potatoes down at homeless shelter?

northhunter · 06-12-2009, 09:42 PM

Yeah it was so obvious that everyone is now asking how can that be when the only daughter with her at the game was the 14year old?
The more you try to rationalize what he said the worse it gets.
Because it was a Republican's family being attacked some will think it was no big deal no matter what was said.
I shouldn't have expected any honest thoughtfull discussion about this but I'm still dissapointed.

Photon1001 · 06-12-2009, 10:21 PM

Thoughtful discussion about a joke made by an increasingly senile talk show host? Come on, the fact that any of this is even being debated is a joke...

... :yawn: btw, seriously, this is what passes for news? I think I'll go watch Robot Chicken now...

Donkey® · 06-12-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by northhunter

Yeah it was so obvious that everyone is now asking how can that be when the only daughter with her at the game was the 14year old?
The more you try to rationalize what he said the worse it gets.
Because it was a Republican's family being attacked some will think it was no big deal no matter what was said.
I shouldn't have expected any honest thoughtfull discussion about this but I'm still dissapointed.

I haven't seen anyone elses jokes called out by Palin...and there have been LOTS. This isn't serious. This is horseshit...no discussion needed.

thatguyoverthere · 06-13-2009, 08:18 AM

I'll give ya some thoughtful analysis of this. In the end of this conflict Palin has the most to lose and Letterman the most to gain. If Palin can somehow turn her lemons into lemonade, I'll be impressed, but recent history has shown this to be a losing situation for her.

In one corner we have Palin, who by engaging in a public battle with Letterman strengthens her only with the deteriorating and increasingly irrevelant Republican right wing base, further alienating her from the mainstream while Letterman continues to re-enforce the popular idea that she is a public figure worthy of ridicule. It's worth noting that Sarah's side of the story comes out in repeated 10 second soundbites on poorly rated news programs where she has the minimum time allowed to make her case to the widest possible audience.

In the other corner we have Letterman, who is locked in a ratings struggle with a new rival and can use all the free publicity he can get (and he's getting quite a considerable amount; this thread is additional evidence of that.) Now Letterman is going against the public figure who in 2008 single-handedly helped Saturday Night Live attain its highest ratings and relevance in years. It's also worth mentioning that Letterman is beating the Tonight Show for the first time in a quite a while. (It may be because of the Palin flap or that Leno's audience doesn't like Conan, but the fact still remains.) Let's also note that Letterman gets equal time with Palin in the repeated soundbites played on the news, but he has an additional five hours each week on his own highly rated program to say whatever he wants with minimal rebuttal and zero editorial interference.

I feel this is similar to Dan Quayle's "feud" with Murphy Brown way back in the day. It diminishes the political figure to be feuding with imaginary characters like Murphy and jesters like Dave, while it also raises the comedians to a level where public figures with real political powers are.

As for if Dave's joke crossed the line, who cares? A comedian made a joke that was in poor taste? Stop the presses.

You pussies must have heart attacks every White House Correspondents Dinner.

As a great man once said, "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke."

JaJae · 06-13-2009, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by northhunter

Yeah it was so obvious that everyone is now asking how can that be when the only daughter with her at the game was the 14year old?
The more you try to rationalize what he said the worse it gets.
Because it was a Republican's family being attacked some will think it was no big deal no matter what was said.
I shouldn't have expected any honest thoughtfull discussion about this but I'm still dissapointed.

Looks like you were right.

Stylerod · 06-13-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Scrum

It wasn't an attack, it was a joke.

A joke from an old man about an adult having sex with a 14 year old girl (which, technically, would be rape). Pretty dumb.

If you guys are so pissed off about Palin being in the news, write Letterman and tell him to quit talking about her every night. I mean, she's is last years news. There are plenty of things to talk about that are relevant now.

Scrum · 06-13-2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

A joke from an old man about an adult having sex with a 14 year old girl (which, technically, would be rape). Pretty dumb.

If you guys are so pissed off about Palin being in the news, write Letterman and tell him to quit talking about her every night. I mean, she's is last years news. There are plenty of things to talk about that are relevant now.

He wasn't talking about the 14 year old. He was joking about the 18 year old that already has a baby. You think Letterman pays attention to which daughter is this weeks accessory?

And why would "we" be pissed off that Palin is in the news? She could be the best thing that ever happened to voters with intelligence.

garbagemanlb · 06-13-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Scrum

He wasn't talking about the 14 year old. He was joking about the 18 year old that already has a baby. You think Letterman pays attention to which daughter is this weeks accessory?

And why would "we" be pissed off that Palin is in the news? She could be the best thing that ever happened to voters with intelligence.

Conservatives can't get the fact that the reference to being 'knocked up' has to do with the girl who is known to have been knocked up, the 18 year old.

There is a reason you don't see many conservative comics- they don't get humor.

garbagemanlb · 06-13-2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

A joke from an old man about an adult having sex with a 14 year old girl (which, technically, would be rape). Pretty dumb.

If you guys are so pissed off about Palin being in the news, write Letterman and tell him to quit talking about her every night. I mean, she's is last years news. There are plenty of things to talk about that are relevant now.

Palin herself is feeding this by implying she wouldn't want her 14 year old around Dave, as if he was a fucking pedophile or something. She has been going on all the chat shows whining about the jokes and acting as if she is a victim because she has a vagina. Talk about playing the victim card that you conservatives despise so much.

JaJae · 06-13-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by garbagemanlb

Conservatives can't get the fact that the reference to being 'knocked up' has to do with the girl who is known to have been knocked up, the 18 year old.

There is a reason you don't see many conservative comics- they don't get humor.

She went to the game with her 14 year old. That's the way the joke comes across. Letterman was wrong making that joke. It was out of bounds. And even if he was referring to something else he should be willing to apologize for what he said. It wasn't just conservatives who "thought" he was referring to the 14 year old and who were offended.

In my opinion I think one of his writers wrote the joke. He repeated it not knowing the details of what he was saying and now he's backtracking his statement. Palin, as the mother, has every right and is justified in reacting the way she is.