David Letterman vs. Sarah Palin
Posted on June 18th, 2009 – 12:11 PMBy Neal Justin
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.
5 Responses to "David Letterman vs. Sarah Palin"
I am not offended in any way shape or form by the joke that David Letterman told on his show. It was very tame compared to most jokes by ALL of the late night television hosts. I am more offended that they bullied David Letterman into thinking he needed to apologize for it.
Sara Palin and/or her daugher are not so special that they get preferential treatment in the press or on television. What about all the crappy things Mrs. Palin has said and alluded to that she was ever taken to task for?
I am so offended by the outrage against Mr. Letterman that I wish he would retract his apology and just forget that this mean woman ever existed. Too bad her unpleasant image and voice has been burned into my mind.
Just make her go away and let me enjoy my comedy without her, or the zealot far right weirdos interfering.
From what I saw, there were only 15 people at this “protest”. So I think that says how much people cared about it. The fact is that her 18 year did have a child out of wedlock and has since moved to the cover of People magazine and done other media events. That doesn’t mean her mother can’t defend her, but it does mean that she’s putting herself in the public limelight and thus open to the same treatment that other public figures receive.
If it was my daughter, I would certainly be upset and defend her the way Sarah Palin has defended her daughter. At the same time, she has exploited her 14 year old by continuing to bring up her name even when it’s obvious the joke wasn’t about her. If Sarah Palin is going to be a national politician, shouldn’t she be above this kind of stuff, including the break up of her daughter and Levi?
The only reason that the joke was told was because Palin was at the Yankees game with her daughter - her 14 year old daughter. Why tell the joke if you were talking about her 18 year old daughter? Letterman blew it and needed to apologize. Now let’s move on. The issue is over.
Mark-did you see the video? I did and the 14 year old looks EXACTLY like the 18 year old. So his excuse seems perfectly legit. Plus the joke makes zero sense if he’s talking about the 14 year old. I personally think it was in bad taste either way, but plenty of comedians say things in bad taste and don’t apologize. By their very nature, they’re going to push the envelope sometimes.
I think the comments from people stating they weren’t terribly concerned about Letterman’s comments show the direction our society is heading — anything goes. Yes, I am a senior citizen so I remember the days when courtesy, common sense and compassion were the norm.
It was a crude comment no matter whom it was intended to denigrate.
If I were Sarah Palin I would initiate a lawsuit. And no, I am not a Republican; just someone who cares for my fellow man.
