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As succinct a definition of arrogant, self-centered liberalism I've heard in a long time. |
Posted on 07/23/2004 6:30:37 AM PDT by jmstein7
In response to being fired by Slim-Fast for her lewd and outrageous anti-Bush diatribe at John Kerry’s exclusive, closed-door fundraiser on July 8th, the now-infamous Radio City “Hate Fest,” Whoopi Goldberg stated that “America's heart and soul is freedom of expression without fear of reprisal.” A close reading of Ms. Goldberg’s remarks divulges Hollywood’s fundamental misunderstanding of the First Amendment and the freedom of expression.
The First Amendment is not the exclusive property and privilege of the Hollywood elite; but, perhaps more pointedly, the First Amendment absolutely does not shield people who exercise their First Amendment rights from the consequences of the resulting expression. Unlike the idyllic bubble-world that is Hollywood, in the real world – including portions of fly-over country that elite celebrities like Goldberg would never dare set foot in – actions have consequences.
Of course, the authorities cannot stop a speaker from exercising their freedom of expression for fear of the audiences’ reaction – the so-called “heckler’s veto” – but, on the other hand, the speaker has no right to suppress that reaction. Goldberg averred that “The fact that I am no longer the spokesman for Slim-Fast makes me sad, but not as sad as someone trying to punish me for exercising my right as an American to speak my mind in any forum I choose.”
Someone should point out to Ms. Goldberg that the First Amendment only protects her from government reprisal; it does not insulate her from the ire of ordinary Americans who she might have actually insulted with her remarks. Apparently, the fact that people might actually disagree with her never crossed her mind; whither the favorite phrase of the entertainment elite “dissent is patriotic.” For Ms. Goldberg, dissent is patriotic, as long as it is not her remarks that one is dissenting from.
In fact, the First Amendment is not the exclusive privilege of the denizens of Beverly Hills; regular folks – ordinary consumers – had every right to express their own ire by demanding that Slim-Fast drop Whoopi. To paraphrase Justice Holmes, America is a marketplace of ideas. Ms. Goldberg’s overt belief that her ideas are superior to John Q. American who expressed his idea – i.e., “I choose not to buy products that Whoopi is associated with” – to Slim-Fast merely evinces her sheer arrogance.
Predictably, instead of accepting responsibility for her actions, Whoopi blamed the Republican Party for her dismissal – a pathetic cop out. Her automatic assumption that every single incensed person who contacted Slim-Fast was a Republican Party operative is preposterous. One needn’t be a registered Republican to be insulted by what is known of her remarks. In her defense, perhaps her remarks were taken out of context by reporters. If that is indeed the case, Americans will never know – the videotape of the event has been shrouded in secrecy, and the Kerry campaign has refused to let America see it. Perhaps it has been secured in Al Gore’s “lock-box”?
The bottom line is that if vociferous celebrities choose to carelessly, and publicly, emote with inflammatory rhetoric, which is their right, the ultimate audience of that rhetoric has every right to react with expression of its own – including boycotts. In case Ms. Goldberg hasn’t heard, boycotts are one of the most time-honored forms of expression. And, for Ms. Goldberg to call the indignation expressed by Americans participating in the boycott “disingenuous” merely adds insult to injury. The implication is that that the elites have a monopoly on genuine expression, which is asinine and deprecating.
Other reactions to Ms. Goldberg’s dismissal from Slim-Fast have been quite laughable, albeit predictable. Asa Khalif, head of Racial Unity USA in Pennsylvania, and self-proclaimed “diversity promoter,” released a statement relating to Goldberg’s firing. He stated that “I smell racism from beginning to end. . . . SlimFast must realize that black women have every right to voice their views.” Well, the race-baiters are out in force. Now it is just a matter of time until Jesse Jackson is marching, with his trademarked grim expression, on Slim-Fast headquarters.
In all frankness, Khalif’s absurd remarks should not merit media attention. However, it won’t be long until the misery merchants and masters of discord capitalize on the opportune firing of – gasp – a black woman. Perhaps Mr. Khalif glossed over the fact that people found the content of the remarks objectionable, not the person delivering them. I can guarantee Mr. Khalif that if lilly-white Michael Moore had delivered those remarks, the reaction would have been identical.
Like Mr. Khalif, I too smell something… but it isn’t racism.
LOL! I hear ya!
People like Khalif carry little Racism Smelling Salts capsules and crack them under their nose anywhere they feel they can get some print.
Whoopi isn't worth deconstructing.
I smell Whoopi Poopi
Someone should also point out to these Nit Wits that ONLY The Government has the power of CENSORSHIP!If ordinary,decent AMERICANS don't want to pay to hear the filth that erupts from their Pie Holes,that's their business and it's not CENSORSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As succinct a definition of arrogant, self-centered liberalism I've heard in a long time. |
It must be nice to live in a world devoid of consequence.
Goldberg and Slim-Fast both acted within their rights.
Just an excellent deconstruction job! There should be "a whole lot more boycotting going on around here." Jolly good show!
**Whoopi Goldberg stated that “America's heart and soul is freedom of expression without fear of reprisal.” **
correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt it against the law to yell fire in a crowded room? Isnt that my freedom of speech to scare the pooh out of people without reprisal?
Hello... hi, is your refrigerator running?... yes... you better go catch it...
Must be nice to think you are so high and mighty that you are above it all....
Has anyone checked Sandy's pants?
Thanks :)
LOL!
Maybe if they taught Citizenship in schools instead of condom tasting more people would know and understand this.
Please don't post that picture of Whoopi bathing in milk.
From the Wellstone Funeral to the Hate Fest this article discusses, the Democrats political tin ear has caused massive damage to their hopes in the coming election.
The only question is this: Will they learn before next weeks convention in Boston?
I have my doubts. Liberals, as we all know, cannot admit an error, cannot accept their message has in fact "gotten out" and been heard ad nauseum, and REJECTED repeatedly.
There is a reason they lost the House after a 40 year run. There is a reason they no longer control the Senate. There is a reason they don't hold the Whitehouse, the majority of governorships. There is a reason they've lost control of most state legislative bodies, most county level elective offices.
Its because if you are a Liberal, you are incapable of seeing any error in your views, and therefore are incapable of making changes to your strategies.
We are witnessing the final Kamakazi dive of the Clintonian Era, folks. It will take one more can of whup ass this November for the Democratic Party to purge itself of the far leftwingnuts that are in control now.
How do I know this? Easy. Nobody likes to lose in this culture. Not even Democrats.
I wonder how many babies she has silenced?
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