Bill Maher Defends Paula Deen After Firing: ‘Do We Always Have to Make People Go Away?’

The Blaze ^ | 6/20/13

[Impala64ssa]

Bill Maher offered one of the rare public defenses of embattled celebrity chef Paula Deen on Friday, asking why “we always have to make people go away” for saying bad words.

Bill Maher Defends Paula Deen After Firing: Do We Always Have to Make People Go Away? AP

Deen was dropped by the Food Network following her public apology after it emerged this week that she had admitted to using the n-word in the past.

“I’m just wondering,” Maher began on his HBO show “Real Time,” “if you’re 66 years old and you were raised in Georgia and you were a child before the civil rights movement, do you get a bit of a pass — ”

“No — ” members of his panel cut in.

” — or you say no, you’ve had 40 years to get used to — I agree,” Maher said. But he added a few moments later, “I also think people shouldn’t have to lose their shows and go away when they do something bad.”

“It’s just a word, it’s a wrong word, she’s wrong to use it, but do we always have to make people go away?” Maher asked.

The panel again disagreed, with former New York Times columnist Bob Herbert saying, “For me that word is the line…nobody should be using that word.”

Maher asked whether “we should ban rap records” and said that in America, “you’ve gotta be a free country, even to be an a–hole.”

[Impala64ssa]

Video at clip. One of those rare times when Bill Maher actually makes sense. Especially around 3:02 in the vid where he exposes Bob Herbert's hypocrisy when he asks if the n-word should be banned from rap music. IMO, say what you may about Lenny Bruce with his drugging and potty mouth humor, but this routine goes to show that words are "hurtful" only if we let them be hurtful.

[BunnySlippers]

I’ve never been a Paula Deen fan but I feel sorry for her.

What now? Retire from the scene?

[Charles Henrickson]

This is twice now this year that I’ve agreed with Bill Maher on something. This is weird. I have usually ranked Maher as the worst person in the world, but now I may have to move him up to tied for last.

[Gene Eric]

I’d rather live in a world of obscenity than one that stifles speech, and polices thought and expression.

Don’t be a statist!

[Dilbert San Diego]

well, the rule is, blacks are allowed to use the N word, and that’s okay in that context. But whites aren’t allowed to do so. That’s hpw political correctness works. Officially recognized grievance groups are allowed to say and do things which whites are not allowed to say and do.

[Gene Eric]

>> This is weird. I have usually ranked Maher as the worst person in the world

He doesn’t consistently support liberty through his defense of the Left and attacks on the Right.

[South40]

in America, “you’ve gotta be a free country, even to be an a–hole.”

And that pretty much defines his "show" and his career.

[livius]

I don’t particularly like Paula Deen because I think she’s a smarmy “movie-Southerner,” and her restaurant (which people stand on line for hours to visit) sux.

But really. This is ridiculous.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Let me guess: Paula Whoever is not a conservative, otherwise he would not be asking the question.

I'm right, aren't I?

[Charles Henrickson]

So if a black comedian or rapper uses the "N" word, I guess they need to be fired and never heard from again. Likewise, if anyone uses an offensive word to refer to European-Americans.

Holding my breath . . .

[liberalh8ter]

Which is why he’s coming out in defense of her. He sees the writing on the wall.

[ArrogantBustard]

“For me that word is the line…nobody should be using that word.”

Not even Trayvon "No-Limits Nigga" Martin?

[South40]

His brand of filth is why it’s been 10 years since I have watched HBO, 10 years since that network has gotten one dime from me.

[bray]

Tolerance is a one way street.

Pray for America to Wake Up

[FlingWingFlyer]

This is weird hypocrisy when you consider how many black rappers, black standup comedians and black actors have made careers out of using “the N-word”. The people in this country need to grow up.

[Impala64ssa]

Does anyone remember this blast from the recent past? Where Paula Deen was schmoozing with Moochelle 0?

[ansel12]

They do not disappear if they are too useful, Senator Byrd was not even badgered for using it a few years ago.

[Mustangman]

I’ve made this same point as Maher many times in my life. Do you really need to be completely destroyed for saying something regrettable? I say, “No.”

Look, the lady apologized. What else do we need? Blood? Her first born child? It was a screw up!! I know the word that she used is a biggey-the N-word and all—but turn on any rap station and its mentioned about every third verse....along with ‘bithes’ and ‘hos.’ It’s ironic a word can be simultaneously so offensive and so shamelessly used at the same time.

Also, remember when Reggie White went in front of the Wisconsin State Legislature and made a fool of himself using a bunch of stereotypes? Well, we didn’t ruin this guy. He apologized and we moved on.

Bottom line: It’s time to give the word police a little less power in this country. People make mistakes. If they apologize earnestly, then we all just have to let it go.

[clintonh8r]

Blacks are also allowed to disparage whites in the most repulsive ways without consequence.

[ctdonath2]

Also weird hypocrisy with those so outraged having no problem applying comparable terms to others (”teabaggers” etc).