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
You just refuted the rest of your own post pretty effectively there.
Remember the phrase "...and I can see Russia from my house!"
Not Sarah Palin. Tina Fey. Most people really think that Sarah said that, and therefore dismiss her as an idiot.
And yet such remarks which are designed and intended (particularly when part of what Limbaugh calls a "journalistic front") to take out the reputation and credence of a conservative.
Remember the Saturday Night Live skit where the New York Times staffer suggests that the Palin family engaged in incest?
Why did they suggest that about the Palins? Have they ever suggested that about ANY other candidate for President or Vice-President, in all of US History?
Why doesn't Letterman tell a joke or Mel Reynolds (former US Congressman, Democrat, from Chicago) having sex with one of Obama's daughters? (And then of course, her "not being punished with a baby.")
Oh, and in case you forgot, Mel Reynolds was a US Congressman from Chicago, has a Master's from Harvard, and is a Rhodes Scholar...and still lost his career over *CONVICTIONS* of having sex with an 16-year-old intern. For real, not just "jokes" on Saturday Night Live or Letterman. But somehow to mention facts, if the person involved happens to be black, still opens one up to the spurious charge of "that's racist!" So, if you want another example, about Gerry Studds (Democrat, Massachusetts, censured by Congress for doing a 17-year-old page) doing Letterman's *own* son?
The double standard is what allows liberals Communists to take and maintain power.
And this is why continuing past the point at which the rubble bounces (to paraphrase Winston Churchill, not Ward) is vital. To borrow counter-culture language, we are "consciousness raising" (gaining mindshare in marketing-speak), we are "sending a message" and "making a difference".
This oppositional behaviour is the very currency of the left; it is the only thing they understand; and they have counted on the acquiescence of the right for too long.
Cheers!
Sometimes actions have consequences. If the Dixie Chicks ever decide to be candid and honest they can tell you all about it.
A television personality can say what they want, but they risk being fired at their company's convenience when they get too "edgy."
"Freedom of Speech" does not mean that you can say what you please without consequence.
If it did, then
"No, Mommy, I didn't eat the cookies [and I don't know how I got crumbs on my face]"
and
"Why, yes dear, those pants do make you look fat [or maybe you really are puttin' on the pounds]"
would be perfectly OK with the hearers thereof.
I'm sorry to understand that this has to be explained.