Posted on 05/04/2017 7:28:43 AM PDT by Kaslin
We all knew that Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner would be nothing less than a Trump/Republican bashfest with self-proclaimed journalists and self-righteous celebrities patting themselves on the back for their efforts to save the free world from Nazi occupation.
Alleged comedian Hasan Minhaj became the victim of backlash following comments he made regarding Rick Perry’s absence during the WHCD on Saturday night. After sufficient Trump bashing, Mr. Minhaj asked the audience, “Hey, has anyone seen Rick Perry since he became energy secretary? I have a feeling he’s sitting in a room of plutonium, waiting to become Spider-Man. That’s just my hunch.”
It was later revealed that Mr. Perry was making funeral arrangements and mourning the death of his father who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.
The social media backlash was instant as folks took to Twitter to express their disgust with the insensitive and “despicable” comments made by Minhaj. But are their grievances warranted? Can we assume that Mr. Minhaj was not aware of Joseph “Ray” Perry’s passing prior to delivering his speech?
Mr. Minhaj’s real offense was being the latest smug individual to question the intelligence of the current Energy Secretary and former executive of arguably the best run state in the nation during his tenure. At least Minhaj was clever enough to hide his disrespect under the guise of a completely unfunny joke.
Back in 2014, MSNBC reporter Kasie Hunt actually convinced herself that it was perfectly okay to look the sitting Governor of Texas in the eyes and just flat-out ask, “Are you smart enough to be president”? Comments like that and those made by Minhaj regarding Perry’s intellect are the things that should cause the outrage. Essentially calling Perry, a man who by all accounts is far more intelligent than Minhaj and Hunt combined, an idiot is the real offense. Why focus on the fact that he made the comments without the knowledge of an incident that made said comments seem more insensitive than originally intended?
Last month, another alleged comedian, Samantha Bee, came under fire for referencing the “Nazi hair” of a CPAC attendee. It was later revealed that the man’s haircut was actually the result of his battle with stage 4 brain cancer. Just as was the case with Minhaj, the right’s ire towards Bee was misdirected. It can also be safely assumed that Bee was not privy to the medical history of the young man she attacked.
The egregious offense was accusing a young man of being a Nazi because his political beliefs may not be in lock-step with her own ideology and that of other Hollywood elitists. Bee later issued an apology to the man. But her apology was misguided. Why should she apologize for lacking information that she could not possibly have been aware of? She should have apologized for calling a man she knows nothing about, a Nazi. That was her real offense.
Obviously, individuals have the right to express their disapproval with the comments of others. And as long as they do not advocate for the silencing of others' First Amendment rights, they should feel free to hold others accountable for what they say. But should we attack others for offensive comments that could not possibly have been known to be offensive at the time, at least not in certain context?
Liable, slander and hate speech are part of the daily lexicon of nearly everyone on the left. We do not need to bend over backwards looking for examples of offensive and hateful speech from those who claim to be champions in the fight against offensive and hateful speech. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to be offended. Let’s not look for fake ones. And let’s leave the speech policing to those who do it best.
Oooga Booga maybe I’ll go to his bazaar in India and haggle some melons from him. Hah a I’m funny too
I can only conclude, reading the jokes printed, that this guy wouldn’t make it on amateur night at Catch a Rising Star.
The word “alleged” says it all. These so-called “commedians” are anything but funny. I miss the real real comedians from the 60s and 70s, like Bob Hope, Red Skelton etc. They made you laugh and not roll your eyes in disgust.
I agree.
Skip all that insensitivity stuff.
I’ve watched a little bit of this guy’s act and he is just not funny.
They really should stop calling him a comedian and that Spider-Man joke could have been told by a 3rd grader.
Not bagging on the guy. He really is not funny and I don’t see any real creativity trying to break out of his skull.
I hope he answered and said, I don't know, but compared to you, I am a Rhodes scholar.
Every day I commute an hour to work, and I listen to a station that plays the monologue from Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. I’m serious— every monologue since Trump was elected is about Trump. Every night. I keep waiting for ANY other subject but apparently nothing else is “funny.” The “comedy” shows are just another wing of the uniparty, may they “not be here” very much longer
So do I.
“Back in 2014, MSNBC reporter Kasie Hunt actually convinced herself that it was perfectly okay to look the sitting Governor of Texas in the eyes and just flat-out ask, “Are you smart enough to be president”?”
How could anyone question his intelligence after he got those hipster glasses and fresh haircut?
Just about every night I watch the Johnny Carson re-runs on Antenna TV. He made political jokes all the time but he was always classy and never took himself too seriously.
I thought he was funny when he accidentally set off his suicide vest.
I always answer the same way when my intelligence is questioned - except that I say "Rogue" scholar.
Regards,
Is this the guy that looked around the room and said:
“By the way, I do notsee Bannon. Notsee Banon. Notsee Banon. Notsee Banon. Notsee Banon. Notsee Banon.”
LOL!
And the Gannett rag; Indianapolis Star; had TWO columnists today asking basically the same question of Trump.
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