The Letterman/Palin debate rages on. Palin may have accepted David Letterman’s apology, but an outrageous, emotional rally outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre Tuesday night proves that there are plenty of folks that are still ticked off. Is it more because they adore Palin or is it because they think Letterman is part of the liberally biased media and think this is a perfect opportunity to strike? Probably a bit of both.

Let me be clear on where I stand. I can understand why people think Letterman’s jokes about Palin’s daughter having sex with Eliot Spitzer and A-Rod were out of line. Letterman’s acknowledged it. But I truly believe Letterman was referring to the 18-year-old daughter, not the 14-year-old. You may say that’s an easy excuse, but I’ve been watching Dave for more than 20 years and jokes about a 14-year-old is just not his style. If you can find one other example of such lewd behavior, lemme know. I think the track record is important and his is clean in this area.

Does that excuse a joke directed at an 18-year-old? Not entirely -but I’m not nearly as offended. I understand if some of you are - but I hope that you’re equally offended by jokes about Monica Lewinsky, who wasn’t much older that Bristol when she became a national punchline. Sarah Palin is obliviously taking political advantage of this scenario (if she was really worried about her daughter’s well being, she would have let sleeping dogs lie; instead, by publicly scolding Letterman, she’s made the story even more prominent). That, of course, is her right. And as a mother, you may argue that it’s her duty.

BUt let’s not pretend this is not a political issue. You may not find Letterman’s jokes on the subject funny (I didn’t). You may not find him funny, either. But to call him a rapist is way out of line.

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