“First, it was a joke.”
No, it was NOT actually a joke. It was a political attack on a leading conservative leader that was designed to boost Letterman’s ratings with his liberal viewers at a time when Conan O’Brien is struggling over at NBC. If you think that the selection of the “jokes” for late night monologues are picked out of thin air just to make people laugh, you are naive. The final selection of jokes for each night is a serious business decision with careful political consideration. Why do you think that NO obama jokes are ever made? Is it because obama is not funny or because of politics?
“Second, why should he not now apologize for every joke he ever told?”
This was an attack on the politics of the Governor by directly attacking her child. Something new and distasteful, even for Letterman. The fact that Letterman even agreed it was distasteful and apologized, shoots down your point.
“Third, she is in the public eye, and is therefore fair game of sorts.”
Fair enough, but this was an attack on her child. Why not attack the Governor’s politics instead her child?
“Fourth, and this is my opinion, I for one want leaders who can take the heat.”
The Governor stood up for our shared principles as well as standing up for her family, so what is your point?
First again, let me say this. I very much appreciate the tones fellow FReepers who have rebutted me. Too often, way, way too often, FR responses consist of somebody disagreeing with you by calling you a mule or some kind of body part.
FR was in the past a place where there was alot of serious discussion and debate, which was a very good thing.
Now, I’m not defending Letterman. And no doubt, people being outraged is just as much a part of the process as was his comments themselves, no matter how idiotic.
My point is that “Freedom of speech” is also freedom for somebody to say something we don’t like.
In fact this entire episode seems to me to play in to the hands of the liberals. Letterman said something that made somebody feel bad!! Boo Hoo!! He said something about a 14 year old!!! He’s gonna effect her self esteem!!!
I may be wrong, but that certainly sounds to me like the liberal mentality of looking at things.
I just think having people who have a wide berth about things to say (correct or incorrect) is important to the Republic. And the minute we decide we offended somebody, so that means they should be off limits, the next minute, they will arrest your butt for something else you said or did.
Slippery slope. Call Lettermen a jerk and get on with life. Turn the freakin tube off! Not hard to do.
Think about this for a second... way, way more people in the US learned EVERYTHING THEY KNEW about a certain subject from watching late night tv than the ones who ever read any parts of the congressional reports.
Ms. Lewinsky
regards,
djf