I agree that the context is a little different in that Rush is much more a part of conservative identity and politics but I also agree that Maher is an idiot and probably a misogynist and should be called out. I don't know the chubby guy and have only seen snippets of Olbermann but they too should be called out if they are slinging derogatory slurs over the air. And the woman had a further point in that Maher has big name Dems come on his show so he does put himself more in the political realm. I recently read an article (perhaps on Slate...but their writing is going downhill lately) that was pointing out how recently liberal media and comedians (Daily Show being a big culprit) were using "gay" as a suggestively bad thing or, at least, finding humor in mocking someone for seeming to be in the closet (Bachmann's husband. I watch the Daily Show a decent amount and had noticed that and it is a little weird. It is not a direct "gay = bad and something we should make fun of" but it definitely uses gay as a punchline. So I thought the criticism in the article and the criticism by the woman in the video were both valid and it should not be about scoring points from either side but about recognition of language usage.
The reason that "gay" is a punchline WRT Bachmann is because of how virulently anti-gay the Bachmanns are. I mean, for God's sake, the Bachmanns run a clinic where you can "Pray away the gay." http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/miche...-pray-gay-candidates-clinic/story?id=14048691
This just shows basso's double standard because he came down on Letterman when the Palin thing happened and isn't holding Limbaugh to the same standard.
I am aware of that but it still is using gayness and gay stereotypes as punchlines. I can't remember the other examples but gayness comes up a bit and it is a little odd.
No I'm saying you're full of crap per your usual. Bill Maher is a comedian, Rush Limbaugh is a political commentator. Sarah Palin was an elected public official and this girl is a private citizen testifying before Congress. This it the typical conservative dog and pony show that you guys run out any time a prominent conservative offends minorities, gays, or women. The usual groups that you attack while you implement your ideology.
Have you ever watched Maher's show? It's not stand-up you know. Is that not full of political commentary-- including his own. Rush is a talk show host. That is entertainment. Sometimes he makes commentary, political or otherwise; sometimes he offends. Okay, so far you are 0 fer 2 in your re-writes.... you can't just unleash Maher on a whim even as you try to constrain Limbaugh. Fluke videotaped her "testimony." She surrendered her privacy; I'm quite sure that's in the fine print somewhere in the video distribution software. Make that 0 for 3. You just seem to be one of those angry and arrogant liberals a la Batman; please tell me there's more to you than that? You should be better than to take broad, belittling swipes at those groups with whom you do not agree. If you want to take me on... fine. I'm pro-Life, pro-Gay Marriage, pro-Gun Control, pro-National Healthcare (conceiving a workable plan is a huge problem). Now go ahead and try and pigeonhole me or just shuddup about it at long last. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
I think that this is the point Why the hell is RUSH so fricking powerful. He *IS* Bill Maher to the Right BUT He is given power . . . .and I have no idea why Rocket River
His message is self-righteous indignation that provokes a visceral response and gives self-validation for those who 'have theirs' and are afraid of change. i.e. the stuck in the past AM radio audience. It draws their ears, so it draws advertiser, who want to exploit the identification of the group to sell things to them at a profit. It's greed exploiting fear and ignorance that gives him his power. (Like every other institution in human history)
i'm not getting into a stupid giddy argument, and the only reason i responded is because i feel sorry for those that still do
So you think it is "stupid" to attend to the facts? No wonder we have a hard time talking about things. She's not an elected official but she gave up her privacy when she stepped in.
Rush should have learned from Don Imus- you don't attack a student, regardless of whether that student is 20, 30 or 40+ years old. Americans don't like when you call its female students "sluts," especially when they are providing a legitimate, respectful argument for a cause. Sarah Palin has said numerous insulting things in the press against Obama and other Democrats, so she sets herself up for that. Don't agree with Bill Maher's use of words regarding Palin, but come on, the Right has been insulting Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton regularly (Big Momma Obama), so why hasn't there been outrage for the attacks on Obama/Clinton on one side and Palin/Bachmann on the other? Because they're public figures. If you want to start criticizing Maher and Matthews, then we can bring out all the people who have insulted Obama/Clinton, and we have plenty (Mr. Limbaugh included). Rush will learn like Don Imus: don't slander female students who are not public figures (and don't give me any nonsense about her being a public figure because she happened to testify before Congress- the American people see her as no more of a public figure than me or you or anyone on this board were we to testify before Congress). Rush has been doing this for years, and he is on public radio, not HBO like Maher- but just like Maher paid for his 9-11 comments, Rush is paying for his loose tongue against a female college student. Pardon me if I feel not a whit a sympathy for someone who coined the term "Feminazi" and then gives further evidence of misogyny.
bill maher is friends with ann coulter. he brings her on real time and they have funny debates and joke about their sexual tension...could you imagine rush being cool and joking around with with maddow or some "feminazi" he condemns daily? sorry, one is intelligent and funny (and 50% blowhard) and the other is just pure ****ing blowhard.
You are setting yourself up for failure. Regardless of whether there is a double standard (and I think there is), the fact is that women are not in the next 9 months suddenly going to flee the democrate party and become republicans. It doesnt work like that.
The real issue is that there really is no call for outrage and it's hypocritical for the Left to trot it out when convenient... because their "side" has been just as guilty. Just vote with your feet or your dial or whatever but the Left has this desperate need to leverage Rush's faux pas to try and gain and advantage. We don't need to pout and pounce just because we are "offended." I only bring others up to point out that Rush is not the first or last. It is a matter of taste not a matter on which to launch a boycott. Rush is not on "public" radio. He has a syndicated show which means he commands an audience in the free market. Rush is but a long line of entertainers from both the Left and the Right who shake us down for money with their quips, insights, insults and commentary. You vote with your feet and your dial or whatever it takes to turn it on or off. Why do these women supposedly need all this protecting? The Left was brutal towards Linda Tripp.... because she landed squarely on the opposite side of that argument. Anyone remember the John Goodman impressions on SNL? Please don't try to argue that one side is decent and the other indecent.
