I know before I even start to write this post that I'm going to be in some DEEP doo-doo over it. I'll be accused of continuing to "attack" Sarah Palin and her family, I'll be called a hypocrite, a liar, an Obama worshiper even though this has nothing to do with the President and any other nasty names Palin's self-described fans can come up with. To some of you what I'm about to say first won't mean a thing but I'm going to say it anyway.
THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTACK ON ANY MEMBER OF THE PALIN FAMILY OR ANY CONSERVATIVE OR REPUBLICAN NOR IS IT IN DEFENSE OF DAVID LETTERMAN'S TASTELESS AND UNFUNNY JOKES.
Let me start with a brief background for anyone who's spent this past week in a cave somewhere. Here's the timeline:
Monday, June 8 - David Letterman featured Governor Sarah Palin in his nightly Top Ten, including one about her "slu++y flight attendant look" and a joke about her daughter getting "knocked up" by a baseball player during their visit to a Yankee's game.
Tuesday, June 9 - Palin was interviewed by John Ziegler on his radio show and addressed the Top Ten. She called Letterman "Pretty pathetic..."
Wednesday, June 10 - The Palin's release a statement about the jokes about their daughter and all he11 breaks loose all over the internet about Letterman joking about a 14 year old girl being raped. Letterman addresses it on his show, explaining he was talking about older daughter Bristol and that he'd never make jokes about sex with a 14 year old girl under any circumstances. He admitted the jokes had been in poor taste and that he probably shouldn't have told them.
Friday, June 12 - Sarah Palin appeared on the Today Show with Matt Lauer.
Please forgive me if I missed or mixed up anything in this timeline. It was meant simply to provide some background information for anyone who hasn't been following this story as it's unfolded. I was flipping through the channels on Monday night and happened to catch the joke about "her daughter getting knocked up" during the seventh inning stretch. I didn't really laugh, I thought it was a bit over the line and not at all funny. I also assumed Letterman meant Bristol, not Willow, and I wasn't aware of which daughter had attended the game with her parents.
If I remember correctly it was the next day when I first heard of the "Top Ten" and that's when I also heard Sarah's comments about it to Ziegler. I THINK it was on Wednesday when I first heard and read of the "outrage" over Letterman making a joke about the "rape" of 14 year old Willow. Had I even thought in a million years he was joking about someone being raped when I initially heard the joke I'd have been outraged as well but, as I said, I'd just assumed he was referring to Bristol and that it was because Bristol had been pregnant. I'm NOT defending that, I already said I thought it was a bad joke from the start, I'm just stating the facts as I know them. Anyway, it was Wednesday night when Letterman issued his statement/apology/explanation - whatever you choose to call it. Call me a stupid, ignorant liberal but I BELIEVED him when he said he'd never make jokes about sex with any 14 year old child.
The Palin's then issued a statement through their spokesperson which read:
"The Palins have no intention of proving a ratings boost by appearing on his show. Plus it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman."
I'm sorry, but I think that sounds like they're calling David Letterman some kind of a pervert or pedophile, which like him or not, is really over the top. I also think by keeping this issue going all week now the Palin's has given Letterman a huge ratings boost but I think more importantly for Sarah it's given her a boost by keeping her in the news. It's now Friday which means she'll be the subject of discussion all weekend on the political shows.
Here comes the zinger that's going to get me fried - exactly WHO is really exploiting the Palin kids?
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
Before making such a crude joke about a baseball player knocking up Palin's daughter at the game, Letterman should have checked his facts since it was only the 14 year old who was at the game. So how else are the Palin's supposed to take what he said but that it was about their 14 year old bing knocked up by a player during the seventh inning stretch. He would never have made that mistake about a liberal Democratic. Also, if a TV host did make such remarks about Democratics 14 year old daughter they would have a very short lived career after the media and press got through with them. [stealthy]
I don't doubt one bit that if everything else in this situation remained the same but involved some female Democratic politician instead of Sarah Palin the same joke would have been told. It was a crude joke but I really think it's a stretch to say he was talking about Willow. This is such a sensitive subject and some people are so defensive when it comes to anything dealing with the Palin's but the fact is Bristol Palin had been pregnant which is sometimes referred to as "knocked up" and that pregnancy had gotten a gret deal of media attention, whether it was right or wrong for it to have done so. Willow has obviously never been pregnant. Simple deduction would lead to the conclusion that Letterman was referring to Bristol. It was a bad joke that never should have been told but the story should have ended about five days ago. Annie [anniepa]
Palin is obviously exploting her children more then David himself. Of course David's joke was crude, but isn't his jokes are crude more often then not. If you feel offended by him, don't support him. Palin is just bitter, and trying to do everything to get back in the media and I have a feeling she won't go away. I never knew her children got rape to begin with. I think Palin should get over it. I don't see the sexism in it even if she was carrying a juicy couture bag. She does look like a sluti flight attendant. And no one is demeaning her intelligence because she is women, but because she doesn't have intelligence. [johnnyg456]
Wow, are you ever brave! If I'd said those things about poor Sarah I'd be dead meat for sure. You really said the most sensible thing I've heard on this whole topic - if you feel offended by Letterman don't support him. Change the channel! It seems that if any woman doesn't think Sarah Palin is the best thing ever we're somehow betraying our gender. I feel that if I were to support her just because she's a woman I'd be betraying my gender for sure! She could set us back a few centuries. Women have fought for equality for years and she gets the V.P. nod of a major party and thinks she can smile and wink her way through it. Then they blame the media! Annie [anniepa]
The joke was totally disqusting to say the least. What I do not understand how does it fall into the left and right wing subject. Many people in the audience laughed at this does anyone know what their political views where? This falls into the foul jokes that many comedians use "YO MOMMA" what gives anyone the right to use these kinds of jokes. It is just direspectful. My daughter came home with some jokes the other day, I about fell on the floor not from laughter mind you but from disgust. She is going ot be 18 and I had to remind her that although things are said to be a joke sometimes what they are is insulting and cruel. Now if someone said that joke about you would you be laughing so hard? I sure knocked her into reality. As for Letterman giving his half arse apology first off when anyone is forced to do so that is what you will get. If it doesnt come from the heart then why do you want it? Just chalk Letterman up to being an ignorant arse with no morals. [grammasnook]
Well said! I really don't have a thing to add. Annie [anniepa]
I'm still trying to figure out why anyone cares... David Letterman tells jokes for a living. Sometimes those jokes are offensive. Why be surprised? The Palin's are exploiting the situation. The smart thing to do would've been to ignore David Letterman and leave it at that. But, no, they are making the situation even bigger. This whole thing is completely unnecessary and kind of makes me think that Sarah Palin might be an attention wh*re. [lisan23]
Careful lisan...don't you know that you're either "with them or your against them"? lol "Everyone knows Letterman told that tasteless joke. It's a fact. Do you know, for a fact, that Palin is milking the situation for all it's worth? Do you?" ummm and do YOU know for a fact that every single person in his audience was a liberal and that not ONE singe republican laughed at the joke? I seriously doubt it. There are PLENTY of Rebublicans that are sexist pigs, of that I'm sure. [miamilady]
I believe that Letterman has gone overboard several times with some of the comments that he makes. I can understand Sarah's concern, but she will probably milk it for all it's worth just to stay in the limelite. He shouldn't have made the statement though. [iriscot]
My wife and I watch the Letterman show quite a bit and he does make statements that I are kind of raw at times, Leno does the same, but we're talking about Letterman in this case. We all know that she will hammer away at it just to get attention and try to stay in the limelite. [iriscot]
Actually, I think all parties concerned have exploited the children. Like you, I never considered that Letterman meant the younger daughter, Willow. I assumed he meant Bristol. As for Letterman, I think Palin and her husband are fair game. The children, however, should be off limits. With regard to Palin, I think she has placed her family in an unbelievably hot spotlight. In some ways her excesses invited excesses by the tabloid set--print, broadcast, and blogosphere. In my view, a pox on all their houses. Leave the children alone. Tasteless jokes about teen pregnancy are uncalled for. The situation itself was difficult enough for the young woman without adding that sort of nonsense. If the talking heads have something to say, let it be about how the parents use the children, not the children themselves. [LovesTravel]
"I will add that whether or not Palin got dragged through the mud by Washington (which, for the record, I do not accept), there was no need for her to make a tasteless remark even more unfortunate by using it as a political opportunity--and by using exaggeration and outright invention to drag her own daughter(s) through the mud." Exactly! I'm in total agreement with you there. "And I personally simply do not like Sarah Palin. Her willingness to subject her children to blatant voyeurism is one more incident validating my opinion of her tactics and her behavior in general." Thank you for saying it so well! I don't ever remember there being any political figure whom if someone said they didn't like that person it was like they were the worst villain ever born! I don't like her either and it's not because I'm sexist being a woman myself and it's not because she's a Republican or conservative. There are lots of people with whom I disagree on political issues and I still like and respect them immensely. It's also not because I'm afraid of her or jealous of her. I don't wish anything bad on her - unless you count hoping she never is elected President or Vice President - but I just don't like her attitude or her manner. If some people hate me because I don't adore Sarah Palin that's their prerogative but I left junior high a long time ago...lol! Annie [anniepa]
Well This is pretty tame for you annie. But of course you had to get your dig in with the last line. NO She is not exploiting her own kids and the very fact that you ask a question like that just proves her point. This woman is a Governor of a state. and a former VP candidate. Ithink she deserves abit more respect. And as a woman i think that you would show her a bit more respect yourself. But I guess Rush is Right when he talk about The National Organization Of Liberal Women. The left can't argue her facts so the degrade and ridicule her and her family. It's Pathetic. and textbook Marxism. SNL did the same thing only worse when they said Her husband was "doing" his daughters. What if someone made a comparable statement about BhO's Daughters?????? When dave said that ARod "Knocked up her daughter", He was talking about the 14 y.o. She was the one at the game with her mother. So if he wasn't insinuating that she was raped, Did he mean that she was willing??? Remember when Sarah Bernhart said her Big Black Brothers would gang rape Sarah Palin if she came to NY? What is it with you people and rape??? [morethanamolehill]
She Has been talking about the issues annie. You just don't want to hear about that, so you focus on this "feud". And I am not reading dave's Mind. I am calling him a liar. He made a Joke about Palin's daughter being raped at a baseball game, Bristol was not at that game. Willow was. You can feign ignorance til the cows come home, but it won't change the facts. And why should it matter which daughter he was talking about anyway?? It was degrading to all women. That is the point Palin is trying to make. It's not just about her daughter. If you would actually listen to HER instead of what Olbermann tells you to think about her, then you wouldn't need me to explain it to you. "What's this "you people and rape" supposed to mean? I find that remark offensive." You find MY remark offensive?? And you don't see the hypocrisy in that?? Thank you for once again making my point for me. Kinda Like this "nutty snewscaster" (Is it any surprise that mL doesn't allow that word?) on MSNBC who can't figure out why Palin should be offended by Letterman's jokes, But when John Ziegler throws a few of his own jokes her way SHE get's offended and says to "Cut the mike Please." 100% Pure Grade AA #1 HYPOCRISY. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvC7n6-buo&feature=channel_page [morethanamolehill]
I thought about this one for a little while before responding. As a mother, my first reaction to someone saying what Letterman said about my daughter(s) on national television would be outrage. My second response would be to protect them from further damage. I said in another discussion that I found Letterman's *jokes* to be disgusting but, having said that, where is this pit bull's maternal instinct to protect her daughter(s) from further embarassment? Palin could have reacted to his comments behind the scenes and not subjected her daughter(s) to further humiliation by talking about it on radio and television interviews. I don't care what excuse she gives, she's exploiting the situation. [spalladino]
Nice Try ladies, But now Letterman has actually apologized (publicly)so Palin was successful. It was a weak,late, apology but no more than should be expected and Dave's rep is tarnished and his pervy nature is public record. We can move on now. [morethanamolehill]
This double standard is pathetic. It is so obvious to anyone reading this. IT IS NOT OKAY TO MAKE JOKES ABOUT RAPING ANY ONE. IT IS NOT OKAY TO ATTACK ANY POLITICIAN'S KIDS NO MATTER THEIR AGE. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. I don't care if you don't like Sarah Palin. IT IS NOT OKAY. STOP LETTING POLITICS BLIND YOU to what is really happening. STOP THE ATTACKS ON THE KIDS. IT IS WRONG PERIOD. There is no this side or that side, such behavior is unacceptable. Both sides should be condemning these actions. IT IS NOT FUNNY AT ALL!!!! [sierras236]
I didn't know that Bristol was raped. If she was, why isn't the rapist in jail and serving time? I remember a story that was going around several years ago about a judge throwing out a rape case. The lawyer for the defendant presented a coke bottle and asked his assistant to stick his finger in it. He couldn't because the lawyer moved the coke bottle when he tried. This doesn't have anything to do with this case but it was talked about several years ago. [iriscot]
Anyone that would defend David Letterman I would not trust with my daughter same as Gov Palin,a man can think it he dammed sure can and may very well do, it is just a thought away. Letterman said how Gov Palin dresses is like a stu**y airline attendant I assume Letterman was referring to female fight attendants like the ones that just recently help save 153 human beings life's when their plane landing on the Hudson river. David Letterman like a dam fool placed himself in the light many parents see him a old man thinking about the rape of a young girl. Barack Obama during the campaign said my children are off limits and this was respected rightfully so and honored by all media, the same respect and honor was never extended to Gov Sarah Palin and her children. David Letterman called Gov Palin out talking trash about her daughter and as a decent and respectable parent she has spoke out against David Letterman's gutter sexual exploitation of her child and everyone that I know supports Gov Palin 150%. [kennyrose]
I admire your persistence and patience, Annie. But aren't some of these people just too stupid to reason with? It's ridiculous how a joke about a woman getting knocked up has been turned around to be condoning rape. I suspect these people are being deliberately obtuse just make mischief. Bristol was knocked up at 16, and that was not rape, so why is this joke about rape? Knocked up is generally accepted slang for getting pregnant with consent, but also is loosely a baseball term, hence its use in the joke. Time the mob put away the pitch forks and returned under the rock from whence they came. [bravenewworld]
I agree with you completely. The way I see it is the Palins are making this bigger than it is just to be in the spotlight. They can't live with just the 15 minutes of fame they have to go for more. I wish to god that the whole family would just go away already and stay in Alaska where they belong. David Letterman is a comedian and I truly believe he was directing this towards the 18 year old. Remember she was the only one in the spotlight due to getting knocked up without being married. If you look at the clip of the mother and daughter at the game I would have thought that she was Bristol. The two sisters look so much alike to me. If I was Letterman I would never mention her name again so hopefully she will go away for good. She reminds me of the girl in high school who couldn't get enough attention. [lelin1123]
Jealous, jealous, jealous. rasp [piasabird]
This is the first time that I have talked about the joke, I have seen it mentioned here and avoided it for as long as i could but I watched the original joke, the apology, and Palins todayshow interview all just now and..... *takes big breath* It was obvious to me that he was thinking that it was Bristol in that joke about getting "knocked up by Alex Rodriquez", then in his response or "apology" show discussion, he says that point blank, but the Palins continue to make it an issue over Willow which it wasn't about at all and the man point blank said so....he was referring to Bristol who is 18 now and has already gotten "knocked up", it was a joke that people have taken and blown it out of proportion, and you are so right Annie about whose staying in the news because of this....it was a misunderstanding and Letterman said that he did not mean the 14 year old and that that would be gross if he did, but Palin and her team continue to feed off of the controversy and not acknowledge the misunderstanding.... I'm going to get ripped for this following thought, im sure but.....Palin talked about girls low self esteem on the today show and how the joke (the way she took it) contributed to girls having low self esteem because it basically just supports the sexualization of young women, but the joke was really intended for her 18 year old daughter who got pregnant at 17......where was she in raising her daughters self esteem and confidence to not have sex until she was an adult? My point is that Palin is a hypocrite to ranting about a joke lowering girls self esteem because it paints them as a sexual object supposedly, when her daughter was caught up in a much more bigger sexualization of girls by boys their own age [spicysweetie21]
She not only refuses to acknowledge the misunderstanding she denied that it existed. She told Matt Lauer it was a "weak excuse" and said it had taken him several days to think of it or something to that effect. I think carrying this to the point of blaming Letterman for giving girls low self esteem is definitely for political gain but I'm afraid it may backfire. I could be wrong and I'm sure I'll be told how wrong I AM but I think it just might... OK, not let's get ripped together...lol! Annie [anniepa]
Let me first say that I found Letterman's "joke" to be unfunny, tasteless and cruel. Whether it was one of Palin's daughters or anyone else's child it was a low and senseless remark. I am not a Palin fan by any means but I think that a parent regardless of their profession should be able to take their child to a ballgame or any other function without it being considered exploitation. Are you suggesting that children of a parent who is in the limelight should hide their family members in a closet and never be seem with them in public as this could be considered exploitation? Ridiculous! During the Today Show Matt Lauer interviewed Palin and I think a very importation point was made. From day one Obama said his the media, etc. could say whatever they wanted negative about him but family was off limits this was and has been respected sadly this courtesy has not be extended to other politicians' families. [whiteheather39]
"Are you suggesting that children of a parent who is in the limelight should hide their family members in a closet and never be seem with them in public as this could be considered exploitation?" Absolutely not, no way am I suggesting that. I couldn't agree more that everyone should be able to take their children to events like ballgames. What I think is exploitation is the way Sarah and Todd have kept this issue going for nearly a week now. I agree that families should be off-limits in political campaigns and that should apply to everyone but - and I know this may get me into more trouble - in all fairness there was and has been a difference between the Palin children and the Obama girls. The Obama girls were shown publicly now and then during the campaign but for the most part they remained back home while there dad was traveling around campaigning. Sarah Palin introduced her kids when she was introduced, which is great. She announced Bristol's pregnancy then had Bristol and Levi attend the convention. Since the election the announcement of the birth of Bristol's baby has been made then the reports that she and Levi have split up. Levi and his family made some TV appearances and Palin made statements about those appearances. Bristol herself gave a few interviews early on but more recently became a spokesperson for abstinence only education. I guess I'm trying to say it seems there should be a difference between someone being constantly hounded while they try to live as private a life as possible and someone who voluntarily appears before the cameras and gives interviews and releases statements about private matters. I know I'm not ogoing to win this argument here but I just think the media isn't TOTALLY to blame. Annie [anniepa]
Lets look at this for what it really was, a tasteless, sexualy tinted comment about a young lady, someone's daughter. Doesn't matter which daughter, what age or even who's daughter, it was tasteless, disgusting and ungentlmanly. A young man (about 22-23 years old?)made an equally disgusting comment reguarding my own daughter (who is 18) the other day and I happened to be in ear shot, I nearly put the boy through a wall. Anyone who was raised propperly and knows how to behave as a gentlman, especialy on national tv, would never have made such a comment. I would almost pay to see Tod Palin put his fist through letterman's jaw over this one, he is well with in his rights and I'd shake his hand for it. Reminds me of the time Mickey Mantle was on Letterman telling drinking stories. [xfahctor]
"I nearly put the boy through a wall. Anyone who was raised properly and knows how to behave as a gentleman, especially on national tv, would never have made such a comment." xfahctor, I think I've actually agreed with much (if not all) of what you've had to say on this topic. But here, I have to disagree... Not everyone who has been "raised properly" behaves properly. I'm also just curious...you said you "nearly, put him through a wall". What did you actually do? Unfortunately, I've encountered situations where I've heard young men who had SEEMINGLY been raised properly make extremely inappropriate comments about young women. Also, as in your case, by overhearing comments. I'm pretty sure most of these young men were raised by supposedly "conservative" dads and will go forward in becoming "conservative" men themselves. [miamilady]
Letterman could have easily turned it into a generic joke without mentioning names. As I've heard he has no room to criticize as he's no angel himself. He needs to actually apologize or this will end up hurting him in the long run because people are already going after his sponsors. They are the bread and butter of television that his show can't afford to lose. Now as far as Sarah Palin goes if she's asked about it I don't see any reason for her not to answer but nothing other than that. [irishidid]
On that we're 100% in agreement! Annie [anniepa]
Nice job Annie. Only you could turn a perverted joke and an attack on Palin's daughters into a bash Palin thread. You must be so proud. I see all the liberals who approve of this crap are flocking to your banner. [Taskr36]
"Even worse is that people like you on the left choose to throw even more insults at her for defending herself and her children." Taskr, how is personally causing the words "Bristol" and "knocked up" to be repeated again and again in numerous national media venues for an entire week the correct action for a PARENT to take? You don't "defend" your child at the expense of your child. This is not about politics...it's about the choices made by two parents. Apparently the idea of going to the network CEO never entered the Palin's minds. Instead they chose to have a very ugly, very public fight which I'm certain has caused continued embarassment to Bristol. The public side of this could have ended with Letterman's first shot at them...and I'm in no way suggesting that they should have simply ignored what was said and walked away. I believe that if they had complained strongly to the network CEO and the sponsors, Letterman would have been quickly put in his place...because he did cross the line...and he wouldn't have had the opportunity to retell the same jokes the second night. [spalladino]
The joke was tasteless and Letterman went as far as clarifying it and the intentions of the joke which the palins still have not acknowledged yet sarah is content to run around and take the accusations over the top. She is the one fueling the flames of the saga, if she had stayed on topic instead of going for the far reaching accusations she would have been fine and even justified in her media complaints but it doesn't surprise me that she didn't take the high road. Frankly I'm surprised she stepped out of her depression saving tanning bed to make any statement. [barrudaki]
I agree. I understand how to some who are being really "technical" about it could make the claim that his apology wasn't really an apology. I mean, he acknowledged it was a bad joke and that he probably shouldn't have told it. That's actually quite a bit to get from a comedian who makes a living by making jokes at other people's expense. I know many of those who are so pi$$ed off at Dave won't give him this but I'm willing to allow that he was so distracted by being accused of making a joke about Willow being raped he focused on clarifying that rather than on apologizing for making a tasteless joke about ANY young girl. Annie [anniepa]
Could you please give me the link where the Palins called Letterman a pedophile. I haven't been able to find it. I agree if they did make such a comment then it would have been over the top. "The Palins have no intention of proving a ratings boost by appearing on his show. Plus it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman." Just because the Palins issued this statement doesn't mean that they are calling letterman a pedophile. The Palins are saying that they don't want to subject their daughter Willow to Lettermans sick humor. In the same position I wouldn't subject my daughter to Lettermans kind of behavior. Everyone has thier own way of handling situations. I am the type who will tell someone how I feel about what they say or do to my children. Other people are the type who just walk away. Some just stand there and take wahtever is being dished out. Personally, I think Sarah is trying to do her best to show her daughters that she isn't just going to stand by and let someone insult them. Good for Sarah. [KissThis]
"Since his joke was about Palins daughter that went to a Yankees game with her then of course he would have been talking about Willow." I had seen it on the news that the Palins had attended the baseball game and I didn't know it was Willow who was there. "1} He should never had told a joke like that in the first place." Agreed! "2} He should have gotten his facts straight." Since when do COMEDIANS have to do a fact check? It's comedy! In this case BAD comedy but comedy just the same. Annie [anniepa]
My opinion may make BOTH sides hate me at this point. lol Oh well. I think perhaps the "conservatives" are overreacting a bit... YES, the "joke" was absolutely in poor taste. I DON'T think he knew WHICH daughter he was talking about and I DON'T think the idea of "rape" ever entered his mind when he recited the joke. Nonetheless, regardless of which daughter he was referring to, it WAS tasteless. Now, as to Sarah Palin's reaction... Although I haven't watched her comments or read them. (I caught a glimpse but was not in a place where I could truly watch what was going on and haven't had the opportunity to youtube it). I think she absolutely has the right to comment on what was said. I don't think she is necessarily exploiting her daughter just to get more press attention. I think she has been put in one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" situations. The few things that I heard her say, I agreed with. As a mom, she had a choice to make...let it go, or confront it. She chose to confront it. There is nothing wrong with that. I still think it's sad that so many people are making this an argument about liberals and conservatives instead of focusing on the fact that our society as a whole has gotten to the point where these types of comments about women (young or old) are commonplace. And YES they are commonplace. At least among our young people it is. And apparently among adults as well. Actually, if you think about it. People poking fun at girls who managed to get "knocked up" has been going on for as long as I can remember. Why is it only a problem to some people now that the target was the daughter of a Republican? What about all those unwed mothers around the country that are being labeled EVERY DAY? Do they not matter? Or the girls who don't want to play by "the rules" of being a "good girl"? Do they not matter? [miamilady]
You sure won't make ME hate you but I'm afraid there are some people who hate anyone who has anything other than glowing praise for anything Palin...lol! I agree, I don't know why something like this had to turned into a right versus left issue. It might be true that Letterman is a liberal but I think he's pretty much an equal opportunity offender. He's certainly done his share of Clinton jokes - Bill AND Hillary - through the years and he's also picked on V.P. Biden, Al Gore and John Edwards; all of them were Democrats the last time I looked. I really have no problem with Sarah commenting on it initially but I think by her refusing to let it go and refusing to accept Letterman's explanation that he was NOT joking about raping her younger daughter she has been exploiting the situation. GREAT point about the young girls who are being labeled every day! The sad and ironic thing is many of the same people who are so incensed about this being said about a Palin daughter have been guilty of trashing other girls for the same sort of thing for years. I think some of them assumed only poorly brought up daughters of liberal parents with no family values or morals got "knocked up" out of wedlock. Annie [anniepa]
I think that it is just basically wrong to make sexually related jokes about someone's old daughter. People's children need to be treated better than this. I would very much like to see Letterman suspended from CBS for making these remarks. It does not matter if Letterman was talking about Palin's 18 year old daughter or 14 year old daughter. Letterman still should not have made those remarks. I find Letterman to not only not funny but obnoxious as well. Let us all stop watching Letterman's show and thus make CBS take Letterman off of the air. [albert2412]
I think having him taken off the air would be a bit harsh, don't you? I mean, are you in favor of strict censorship of all comedians on TV? What should and shouldn't be allowed and who would make that decision? This is the perfect example of why there shouldn't be censorship. Some people are still dead serious when they say Letterman was intentionally joking about the RAPE of a minor child. What he did say was in terrible taste and it wasn't one bit funny but I have no doubt he was referring to Bristol because she's the only Palin daughter who had ever been pregnant. I don't think anyone would disagree that he shouldn't have said it but to go so far as to imply he can't be trusted around a 14 year old girl is really pushing the issue. The free market will take care of this. If enough people feel as you do and stop watching and/or boycott the sponsors something will be done. In all honesty I doubt there are enough people who feel strongly enough about it to make any difference. I get the impression from myLot that not many Palin "fans" care much for David Letterman to begin with. Annie [anniepa]
Letterman should sue Palin for slander. Except that he has too much class. Is there a better example of the pathetic, desperate, petty-minded, rabble-rousing, intellectually corrupt nature of Palin and her conservative supporters? Geez, it's infuriating that the country should be brought so low by these idiots. [bravenewworld]
WOW, if I'D said any of that I'd be tarred and feathered! I've tried to be as sensitive as possible about this topic and to be respectful of Palin, her family and her supporters but once this story lingered on for over a week it just got OLD! I've said before that there has never been a political figure as polarizing as Sarah Palin. That was once said about Hillary Clinton but Sarah has her beaten by a million miles! If I've read it here once I've read it a million times about how the "liberal media" spread lies about Sarah's baby actually being Bristol's. That was not done by anyone in the MSM. When she totally tanked the few national TV interviews she gave during the campaign it was the interviewers' fault for asking her "gotcha" questions. Her adoring fans cried "sexism" every chance they got yet they found it perfectly acceptable for her to wink her way through the V.P. debate and openly state she wasn't going to answer the questions she was asked. I'm a mother and a grandmother with a 12 year old granddaughter right now so I can certainly understand feeling protective of your child and getting upset at the slightest perception of that child being disrespected. I GET that. But Sarah took it so much further and she didn't come across as someone just speaking as an angry other. She took the opportunity to get her political "talking points" in right down to her "acceptance" today of David's apology where she had to toss in a comment about our military forces. "This is all thanks to our U.S. military men and women putting their lives on the line for us to secure American's right to free speech," she said. "In this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect." http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/16/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5091236.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody Thanks for a great response! Annie [anniepa]
this is not about EXPLOTATION. This is about making fun of someone being raped. I have not watched letterman since that bad joke, Rape is not funny. [General_Spacey]
Spacey, you are being very offensive by saying that someone is defending rape just by stating that the joke was about an 18 year old and no where did it imply rape, if not specifically saying "oh and both parties wanted it to happen" means that a joke is about rape, then a lot of jokes about sex are about rape according to your standards.....no one is defending rape, all I am saying is that the joke was not about rape.....tarnishing someones reputation and saying that they joke or defend rape is a serious accusation....and if it can't be backed up with logical evidence, and no not "oh they didn't specifically say that it was consentual" ...then the person who makes the wrongful accusations is awful for making such horrible untruthful statements....and especially that you say that I'm defending rape when I KEEP SAYING THAT ITS NOT ABOUT RAPE....how am i defending rape when I'm saying that its not rape? I think that you are too sensitive to the subject and are taking it too far,,,,you don't know me and nowhere in any of my statements do I defend rape [spicysweetie21]