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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumswhy IS it ok for Maher to say hideous things about women
such as calling them 'cunt' and 'bimbo' and yet there is all the outrage against Limbaugh? i mean, i recall some people getting upset with it, but i don't recall anyone asking for his head on a platter. is it just Limbaugh's hypocrisy? because if it is, this is nothing new. if it was his use of the word 'slut'... well, why is Maher considered with different standards?
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Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)airwaves, in addition to being on tax supported AFN. There's a BIG difference in their venues.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)and i support that (always have really as I don't feel it is the place for ANY mouthpiece for a political party to have a voice). and yes, HBO is a cable television channel...but it doesn't change the fact that he has said terrible things about women and people seem to just carry on as if it is no big deal. shouldn't it be about the content of the message and not the venue?
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Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)talking about a public figure who showed herself to be a vile human being, ( encouraging racist comments by her imps) vs, a young woman who wanted to testify about a medically necessary situation and hadn't tried to hurt people.
FarLeftFist
(6,161 posts)Not condoning Maher words, but Maher is on cable, a service you have to pay for. Rush is on public airwaves and can be listened by the public including children and others.
2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)Why do you think Maher got so little blowback? Why did Rush lose so many advertisers and Maher didn't?
Tell us. What do you think is the reason?
nanabugg
(2,198 posts)
redgreenandblue
(2,088 posts)Maher has occasionally said things that were overboard. I've never heard him go past the cynical/ironical into the downright cruel and hateful and double and triple down in his insults against somebody.
It should be pretty obvious actually.
And yes: He did face heat for it, so it was not "ok".
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)that is not cynical or ironical...at all. it was plain hateful. and when asked if he should apologize, yes, he very much 'doubled down' if you recall. and lastly, no, he did not face a nationwide outrage that suggested he be pulled off the air. sure, there was the right lambasting him for a short while but the left for the most part let it slide...
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redgreenandblue
(2,088 posts)I wasn't aware of that particular incident.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)over a few week period Maher called Palin a twat. Then after some people called for him to apologize he called her a bimbo and then to make it worse, while it was in a non televised event, he then called her a cunt. so, he just ratcheted it up over a several week period seeming to glow in the light of publicity.
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redgreenandblue
(2,088 posts)People have said mysogonist things before, and it wasn't ever ok. However the recent episode was particularly vile. I don't recall anyone ever going so thoroughly overboard as Rush just did. I mean he completely flipped out, repeating the insults over and over and over. Moreover, he lied and twisted what the woman was actually doing into something else.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)First of all there's no question that Maher is a misogynist. His comments were rebuked by NOW as they should have been. He should have apologized and didn't. He did double down on those statements. His explanation of those statements was pathetic. There's no question what he did was wrong, but it's not on the level of what Rush did. Maher said those things about a politician and a public figure. As such a person who takes extreme positions she should expect some of those comments regardless of whether they are right or wrong. She makes damn good money doing what she does and is well compensated for those troubles. Sarah Fluke is none of those things. She's a law student and a self described women's activist. Let's say Rush called Hillary Clinton a slut or a cunt. Certainly it would be just as wrong as what Maher did, but it wouldn't be on the same level as his statements about Sarah Fluke, and wouldn't have generated the same level of controversy.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)Does he have some type of new show I am not aware of where he is on everyday?
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)did i say that he did this on Real Time over the course of a week? no...i didn't think so.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)What shows were they? You posted the allegation, back it up. Youtube clips would also be helpful.
2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)Most people do not identify as feminists; and cunt and twat and pussy and bitch and slut and whore are acceptable insults even amongst liberals.
But really, are you dismayed that there is finally, at long last, a popular uprising against misogynist attacks? Should Rush get a free card because only feminists criticized Maher?
And where were you when feminists criticized Maher?
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)the point is NO ONE should. and i have posted here in the past about Maher and Imus as well... no one seems to give a shit unless it is about a right leaning host (granted, i would wager Limbaugh has unwavering support on that other site).
that litany of terms you throw out above...are they really acceptable? maybe in my early morning stupor i am missing what you are trying to say...sorry, coffee hasn't kicked in...
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)Rush doesn't get a pass because their was no national outrage.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)not even beginning to suggest anything like that. but Maher should be held to the same standard and subject to the same outrage if not MORE because he IS speaking to a liberal audience. should he be nice to the likes of Palin? uh, no. but should he call her a cunt? hell no.
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)non-politcos and conservatives use birth control. Thus, the huge blow back.
It is simply a matter of degrees. Rush has a huge audience and powerful influence so his assholery gets more attention. Maher probably has .001 influence compared to Rush.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)but the size of the megaphone does play into it...excellent point.
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Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)women's issues have been under constant attack from the right recently....from many angles, in many states and very publically. Rush jumped on that bandwagon and tilted it precariously just when we've all pretty much had enough.
Rather that finalizing the argument from the Right, rather than capping it and letting things die down, he ripped open an festering, oozing wound. Bad timing played into this backlash for sure.
Tunkamerica
(4,444 posts)homogeneously liberal by any stretch. Rush has a much larger "audience" and he wasn't talking about a public figure. He was talking about a lady who was asking lawmakers to support a women's health issue.
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)about the idiocy of rap music, among African Americans.
Limbaugh should hang, but not by himself.
vaberella
(24,634 posts)I normally disregard the workings of comedians because then I'd have to go after every comedian on Earth. George Carlin would be considered the king of sexism and borderline racism if taken seriously as a comedian during a comedic routine. While Limbaugh was committing slander on someone's personal life. Actually Limbaugh personally attacked her while Bill Maher called someone a name. Name calling and slander are two different things. Calling her a slut is one thing...extending that to how she lives her life on a daily basis is another thing.
Common sense should tell you they are different things.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)have done.
Sandra Fluke has never EVER insulted another person or degraded them or made them feel like they were a 'mistake'.
Palin and Bachmann do it all the time.
Maybe we need to find a better choice of words to show our anger towards Palin and Bachmann. I've always like 'Bat-shit Crazy' for Bachmann because it's not sexist in any way.
JaneQPublic
(7,113 posts)It's not okay for Maher, Stern, the rappers etc.
That said, what separates Limbaugh's comments from, say, comments against Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton, is that Limbaugh's were aimed at a private citizen rather than someone in office, media, etc.
Limbaugh's offense is more aptly compared to that of Don Imus, when he referred to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's." Imus -- like Limbaugh -- was universally blasted because he denigrated women who were mere private citizens.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)by mocking her with a 'Don't show me your boobs!' comment...now, it's not calling her a slut or a cunt but let's not kid ourselves and act as if Maher is only using this sort of commentary only associated to public faces. and to be honest, i don't care if they are public characters or not...it is attacking their gender and in a way that was no less hateful than what Limbaugh said...
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Sanity Claws
(21,852 posts)Sounds like a joke? How is don't show me your boobs the same as calling someone a slut because she wanted to testify before Congress?
Republican talking points are mighty thin these days.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)Please take my advice and take a break from the internet.
vaberella
(24,634 posts)No would have said anything about Maher saying that. Many people are turned off at seeing women breast feeding. That's personal preference. He's not on the rampage of trying to stop breast feeding mums... You talk in a similar way to Limbaugh with how he came to the conclusion he pays for this woman to have sex...in the comparison to Maher's statement is similar to Limbaugh. Unhealthy characterization.
Loudmxr
(1,405 posts)When Bill says something offensive people either laugh or it falls flat. That is comedy.
When Rush says something offensive and some object to it ... they have to go on air, stick their tongue up his butt and lick it clean.
Bill doesn't have power over the Democratic party, not liberals, or libertarians.
Rush has a clean ass. Thank the conservatives for keeping it clean... and their mouths dirty.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)then you are just not paying attention. anyone with a big audience/following has power. and while Maher may not have the audience Limbaugh has, you can bet your last sawbuck that no politician wants to be the target of his ire...and what he does on Real Time is far from just comedy.
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Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)is that WE.DON'T.MARCH.IN.LOCK.STEP. Trying to get us to walk the same line is the just like trying to herd wet cats...NOT THE SAME THING!
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)And, Maher doesn't hold anywhere near the sway over the Democratic party as Limbaugh does over the republicans. Not even close. The Dems don't tiptoe around Maher, or line up to apologize to him every time they say something that goes against him. They don't fear Maher like the repugs fear Rush. Maher is barely a blip on the Democrats' radar in comparison.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)he uses the exact same style language and should be raked over the coals for it by liberals and Democrats alike...and while some were certainly offended by the comments, there are so many that will say, "Hey, it was Maher and he's a comedian on our side so his hateful language is ok." You can see it in this very thread... and it is just plain disgusting.
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GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)I'm not readng that. I'm seeing people point out that what Maher says is shitty, but that it's not to the level of what we are hearing from Limbaugh. It's apples and oranges. As for style, I have yet to see Maher spend going on for nearly a week piling on a private citizen day after day.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)couldn't you have said that without creating that visual picture? Yuk.
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)I'm guessing a jury let it stand.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)he's a misogynist asshole.
Limbaugh has been spewing woman-hating crap for decades. What has fueled this protest is the fact that he launched a three day attack on a private citizen...
1) “testifies she's having so much sex she can't afford her own birth control pills and she agrees that Obama should provide them, or the Pope”
2) “they're having so much sex they can't afford the birth control pills!”
3) “essentially says that she must be paid to have sex, what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex.”
4) “Sandra Fluke. So much sex going on, they can't afford birth control pills.”
March 1, 2012:
5) “You'd call 'em a slut, a prostitute”
6) “she's having so much sex”
7) “are having so much sex that they’re going broke”
8) “they want to have sex any time, as many times and as often as they want, with as many partners as they want”
9) “the sexual habits of female law students at Georgetown”
10) “are having so much sex that they’re going broke”
11) “having so much sex that it's hard to make ends meet”
12) “four out of every ten co-eds are having so much sex that it's hard to make ends meet”
13) “Now, what does that make her? She wants us to buy her sex.”
14) “to pay for these co-eds to have sex”
15) “she and her co-ed classmates are having sex nearly three times a day for three years straight, apparently these deadbeat boyfriends or random hookups that these babes are encountering here, having sex with nearly three times a day”
16) “Therefore we are paying her to have sex. Therefore we are paying her for having sex.”
17) “Have you ever heard of not having sex so often?”
18) “Ms. Fluke and the rest of you feminazis, here's the deal: If we are going to pay for your contraceptives and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it. And I'll tell you what it is. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.”
19) “we want something in return, Ms. Fluke: And that would be the videos of all this sex posted online so we can see what we are getting for our money.”
20) “'If we're paying for this, it makes these women sluts, prostitutes.' And what else could it be?”
21) “essentially says that she must be paid to have sex. What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right?”
22) “I'm having sex so damn much, I'm going broke.”
23) “She's having so much sex that she's going broke! There's no question about her virtue.”
24) “having so much sex she's going broke at Georgetown Law.”
25) “Here's a woman exercising no self-control. The fact that she wants to have repeated, never-ending, as often as she wants it sex -- given.”
26) “She's having so much sex it's amazing she can still walk, but she made it up there.”
27) “Maybe they're sex addicts.”
28) “to pay for her to have sex all the time.”
29) “she wants the rest of us to pay for her sex.”
30) “She wants all the sex that she wants all the time paid for by the rest of us.”
31) “Here this babe goes before Congress and wants thousands of dollars to pay for her sex.”
32) “a woman who is happily presenting herself as an immoral, baseless, no-purpose-to-her-life woman.”
33) “She wants all the sex in the world, whenever she wants it, all the time.”
34) “If this woman wants to have sex ten times a day for three years, fine and dandy.”
35) “to provide women from Georgetown Law unlimited, no-consequences sex.”
36) “so she can have unlimited, no-consequences sex.”
37) “You want to have all the sex you want all day long, no consequences, no responsibility for your behavior”
38) “The woman wants unlimited, no-responsibility, no-consequences sex, and she wants it with contraceptives paid for by us.”
March 2, 2012:
39) "she's having so much sex, she can't afford her birth control pills anymore.”
40) “she's having so much sex, she can't pay for it -- and we should.”
41) “She's having so much sex, she can't afford it.”
42) “this, frankly hilarious claim that she's having so much sex (and her buddies with her) that she can't afford it.”
43) “And not one person says, 'Well, did you ever think about maybe backing off the amount of sex that you have?'”
44) “Does she have more boyfriends? Ha! They're lined up around the block.”
45) "It was Sandra Fluke who said that she was having so much sex, she can't afford it.”
46) “By her own admission, in her own words, Sandra Fluke is having so much sex that she can't afford it.”
47) “they're having a lot of sex for which they need a lot of contraception.”
48) “Her sex life is active and she's having sex so frequently that she can't afford all the birth control pills that she needs.”
49) “who admits to having so much sex that she can't afford it anymore.”
50) “she's having so much sex, she can't pay for it.”
51) “As frequently as she has sex and to not be pregnant, she's obviously succeeding in contraception.”
52) “Ms. Fluke, asserts her right to free contraceptive, to handle her sex life -- and it's, by her own admission, quite active.”
UPDATE: added thanks to your comments,
53) "Ms. Fluke, who bought your condoms in junior high? Who bought your condoms in the sixth grade, or your contraception?"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/04/1070884/-Rush-s-52-Smears-Against-Sandra-Fluke?via=sidebyuserrec
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)we allow Maher to be? this is exactly what i am talking about. you say it is not alright and i agree with you...but with Maher it IS apparently alright because he is still considered a liberal icon...i don't get it.
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)The title of your OP "why IS it ok for Maher to say hideous things about women"
The my response "It's not okay and plenty of people (mostly women) think that he's a misogynist asshole.
And no. Maher is not a liberal icon. He is a libertarian icon.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)he is clearly loved by MANY liberals...not just the libertarians of the group.
sorry, if my posting is disjointed...i probably shouldn't be writing anything this early...
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Life Long Dem
(8,582 posts)After 3 days of hurtful comments he apologizes saying it was a bad choice of words. Go figure.
JI7
(89,262 posts)ass and afraid of him. and feel the need to get his approval . and they don't defend him.
but Rush is so much a part of the republican party . as george will said the candidates are not afraid to call for bombing Iran but afraid of Rush Limbaugh.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)but not attacking his use of these hateful terms directed at women is a silent consent...and it makes me sick.
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)22 threads on the first page of GD about it...I recall ONE about Maher. And I don't recall NOW or even anyone here on DU asking for Maher's resignation or termination but I didn't read the whole internet that day.
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Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)(I would but I do not have HBO) There are significant differences.
Limbaugh attacked a college student, not a politician or a fellow pundit. Ms Fluke does not have a radio show or a news network to defend herself.
This language should never be used in my opinion, but there is a long history of this vile language being used on liberal women far before conservative women (I assume you are referring to as above) Secretary Clinton has long been a target of misogynistic commentary from the right.
Also Cable vs Public Broadcasting might have a bit to do with it as well.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)and should be reason for liberals to disavow Maher...regardless of venue. why the hell do people tolerate his bullshit?
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SpartanDem
(4,533 posts)Simply, America just doesn't hate Maher as much as Rush, who has a much longer rap sheet in offending people. If Rush said these things about Pelosi or some other female Dem politican we on DU would still be just as pissed, but most of the rest of the country would shrug it off, there is a much lower tolerance on attacking non public people. It doesn't make what Maher said right, but this is the reality of the situation.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)he has earned it.
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2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)The same? More? Less?
What do you think?
Liquorice
(2,066 posts)of that language on the DU, men have argued with me and insisted that Maher is right and Palin is a c-word, or Bachmann is a b. It's disgusting and complete hypocrisy. There should be zero tolerance for sexist language like that, especially on a progressive site.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)the use of that language...but i have seen it passed over as if not a big deal.
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Liquorice
(2,066 posts)with guys here who think it's fine to use those words against right-wing women. There is also a sexist photo of Bachmann that someone has in their signature line that is apparently allowed (the corndog photo).
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)and the whole situation is just terrible.
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REP
(21,691 posts)Maher is an ass; Limbaugh is an ass. More people take what Limbaugh says seriously.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)and i am at a loss why anyone would support someone who targets women with that sort of language...no one should take either of them seriously.
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me b zola
(19,053 posts)But it is not comparable to what Limbaugh has done.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)while it may not have the frequency or 'loudness' of Limbaugh, it is exactly the same use of misogynistic language.
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me b zola
(19,053 posts)What Rush did was beyond language. It was meant to intimidate, like many of his attacks on minorities are meant to achieve. There are miles between unthoughtful, hurtful words thrown out in a comdey routine and a three day screed attacking a woman for speaking out on an issue of importance to all women and those who care about them. Rush spent hours personally attacking this citizen who had the audacity to speak before Congress.
Limbaugh's words (3+days of them) are meant to bully, denigrate, and demean, where as real comedians sometimes throw out insensitive words to get a cheap laugh, then they move on to the next joke.
I don't get what isn't clear about this situation. This wasn't just about language. I'm sorry that you don't see that.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)you support. limbaugh IS trying to intimidate and while Maher may not be the intimidating sort, the language is still unacceptable. and to suggest that Maher is 'just a comedian' is like saying Limbaugh is 'just an entertainer' and doesn't hold water. Maher likewise sought to denigrate and demean these women he railed against. To suggest otherwise is to turn a blind eye...
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me b zola
(19,053 posts)But I find it interesting to want to change the subject from a powerful person in the republican universe finally, after years of hard core attacks inteded to denigrate women, being called out in a very real way, to false analogies to the left.
My eyes are wide-open.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)no one should ever be allowed to call someone a cunt and not get called on the carpet for it. sorry you think it is ok.
and while you claim your eyes are open you sure seem to be missing the simple point that an attack against someone because of their gender is NEVER OK.
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me b zola
(19,053 posts)My first response to you was to say mysonginistic language against women is not ok.
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)There is a huge difference between a comedian (Bill Maher) with occassional political asides and a political commentator (Rush Limbaugh) with occasional "comedic" asides.
By your logic if comedian Maher can't say whatever he wants neither can Lisa Lampanelli and her whole act is about abusing people based on race, sex and orientation. In fact people go to a Lampanelli show just to be insulted like that. If you're right and you have to hold comedians accountable for talk like that than Lampanelli's whole act is off limits.
Comedy is a totally different context than serious commentary. You have to grant it that flexibility or pretty soon you will not have any comedy at all. Moreover, that doesn't mean that when Bill Maher goes on a serious talk show like Piers Morgan he can't be held accountable for something he may appear to say in all genuineness.
But as the comedian host of a show the context for Bill Maher's role is pretty clear. It's to provide both comedic relief with occasional forays into serious commentary. So yes he does get a pass and if he doesn't, no comedian does. And that just makes no sense.
There is no explicitly pre-established comedic context with Rush as there is with Maher. Rush is not a comedian, he's never done standup. No firm reason to overlook his latest comments.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)it is more politics than comedy...
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Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)but attacking someone who has a platform with which to defend herself with and attacking a college student are two different things.
Mahr also doesn't go on 3 or 4 day rants making up falsehoods about them. He points out something they have said or done and attacks both those statements/actions and the person herself. He should stick to attacking the statements and actions and leave the personal attacks out of it.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)about Limbaugh not counting this one...i recall ONE about Maher. Maher most certainly carried on for days escalating through twat, bimbo and onto cunt relating to Palin and while he may not have been making shit up...he certainly stayed on it and seemed to revel in the publicity while he should have been ashamed of his words.
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Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Ms. Fluke appeared in front of Congress once and was attacked for three days because of it.
You are really trying to make these things equal. They aren't.
They are both wrong, but they are not equal in their intensity.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)so, yes, as a father of three girls who will have to face this shit, i see it as equal.
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)A very powerful one, who is being targeted. One down, millions to go.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)but there should be TWO down and millions to go. it really should be BOTH.
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Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)And homophobic crap and racist crap... He lost his ESPN job and an opportunity to an owner of a football team because of his racist crap. I don't want the government or CEOs to take Rush down, I want the market of citizens to take Rush down. Which they are doing.
Maher is a blip. He won't even have a comma in history books. Rush, on the other hand, will crop up as an important reactionary like Father Coughlin.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)speaks before Congress, just once, and is then viciously attacked for 3 days as a slut and prostitute who makes plans to have sex with three guys in one night ahead of time and feels somehow entitled to taxpayers money being spent to make sure she doesn't get pregnant and is even told that she now needs to post videos of herself having sex so that the man attacking her can watch.... Then having others join in on that attack (all of FOX news and talk radio) to continue the attacks into the next week....that would be the same as....
Your daughter spending years as a mayor, then being elected governor. Then being picked as the Vice Presidential candidate on a major party ticket in her mid 40s. Then speaking on national TV and at the party's convention, and continuing to speak out every day, and having one jerk call her some terrible names. Even though she has all the resources of that major party to respond with?
You call that equal?
For the sake of your girls you should think more about this. If Ms. Fluke can be attacked like this they anyone can. It isn't the same as someone who chose a public life.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)regardless of venue or target. i am so sorry you think it is ok simply because palin was a political figure...
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Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)go reread my posts
please don't place those words in my mouth
It is wrong. I know damn well it is wrong and I have said so in every post.
The very fact that you need to resort to falsehoods and insults (yes that was insulting) just goes to show that you don't have a clear view of this issue.
Stabbing someone to take their wallet is not the same as picking their pocket. In both cases you have stolen their wallet but the damage is not equal.
You are mistaken on this one. Not all things that are wrong are equal.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)to many people excuse him because they think he`s cool
pecwae
(8,021 posts)Syrinx
(14,804 posts)Maher uses colorful language to describe and mock women, and (usually) men, that he perceives as stupid and hateful. And the people that he mocks and criticizes, like Limbaugh, usually fall into the category of people that are against women, as well as minorities, and anything resembling a decent society. A comedian using a couple of dirty words to describe a couple of female politicians who are actively working to roll back women's rights is not the same thing as, in all seriousness, calling a grad student a "slut," because she advocates for women's rights. Especially by the unofficial but true head of the Republican Party.
Also, I bet that Maher knows that you don't have to boost your pill dosage when you engage in orgies.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)and he is not a comedian any longer...he is a political pundit whether he likes it or not. the rest of you post rings true...but i still think Maher should go.
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Syrinx
(14,804 posts)Who did Maher call a "cunt?"
And why is "cunt" so much worse than "asshole" or "dick?" I admit it. I don't get it.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)all in an escalating series of attacks against her and while i think she is vile the attack was equally disgusting. asshole, everyone has one. dick could certainly be argued. but cunt? yeah, definitely a word that ranks right up there among the most vile insults you can hurl at a woman...
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Syrinx
(14,804 posts)They are both slang words for genitalia. I don't understand why one is worse than the other. But I don't generally call people either one.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)neither should be used to denigrate one's gender...
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Syrinx
(14,804 posts)He calls about thirty guys a night (Monday-Thursday) a dick.
Tunkamerica
(4,444 posts)truthfully, i hear women calling men dicks about 1000x more than i hear men calling women cunts.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)why would I be? why can't someone just make a point without a slur? maybe that would be too difficult?
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Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)other than your own ranting. Why the second hand, context free rewording?
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)interesting...you are the only person here who seems to be looking for a link to a topic that EVERYONE seems to know about...
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muriel_volestrangler
(101,354 posts)The concert played out more like a rally than a comedian’s concert. “Your new theater isn’t gonna be clean for long,” Maher joked early in the set, before letting loose a parade of F-bombs and angry rants that touched on some easy pop targets (Justin Beiber, Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen), but were most concerned with weighty issues including gay marriage (Maher said people in the military and the clergy have managed to scare people into thinking that just the sight of gay people will make you gay — in other words, “cock is like dessert at a restaurant — it’s what they’re known for, maybe I should try it”); Democrats’ wishy-washy leadership (when 75 percent of the American public supported repealing the ban on gays in the military, it “was still not enough political cover for these pussies”); his avowed atheism and even Lee Harvey Oswald (“Oh, yes, I went there — even in this town,” said the former North Texas resident).
It’s that fearlessness — he acknowledged that some people would probably be uncomfortable with some of his remarks about religion, not to mention calling Sarah Palin a “cunt” (“there’s just no other word for her”) — that makes Maher the most dangerous person in comedy. He’s painfully well-informed, which means he takes no bullshit from anyone. President Barack Obama took it on the chin almost as much as Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. How dare the President say he would not settle for America being No. 2 — America is already out of the top 10 in most international lifestyle and human rights categories (health care, education, social mobility, women in high political positions). “I’d be thrilled if we were No. 2,” he ranted, noting it’s nice to be behind Bosnia in life expectancy (where the chief cause of death is wolfman attacks, he joked).
http://www.dallasvoice.com/maher-your-beautiful-theater-gonna-long-1070487.html
And the RW newsbusters wesbite caught it: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/03/29/bill-maher-calls-sarah-palin-vagina-again-time-beginning-c
after he had called a "dumb twat" a few days earlier on HBO: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/03/19/bill-maher-calls-sarah-palin-dumb-vagina
snooper2
(30,151 posts)ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)why? you don't like someone, hell you HATE them, you attack THEIR IDEAS...
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snooper2
(30,151 posts)to be educated, but quit
I guess I should use white, she is still trash...And where did I specify gender? Last time I checked one of the biggest whores in the country was a man.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)though more frequently used to describe women. still don't know why her race has anything to do with it.
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kaitcat
(193 posts)But okay, I'll take another, more pragmatic angle -- I can set myself up for being called an angry feminist for protesting every flaw in men who can help me. If I do this, I give credence to the femiNAZI label that Rush paints on me. Yeah, that's a hard one. I can cut off my own nose to spite my face and demand strict purity of a comedian on a network that prides itself on objectifying the female form in some of the most sexist ways imaginable and demand my flawed male ally denounce that sexism because it's sexism and thus take away his voice altogether.
You fight the fights that make you stronger, that mean something when you win them, not fight the ones where you hit your head upside a brick wall and all you come away with at the end is a bloody forehead.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)he has clearly crossed over to political punditry... and why can he just not use words like that? i don't get it. it wasn't about being funny when he did it...he was attacking her...and not just her ignorance, stupidity, vanity or general idiocy...
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kaitcat
(193 posts)Soap in his mouth? For people to not watch his excellent, smart, funny, kick-ass show? Pretend that his using those awful words, which you seem to delight in retyping in this thread even though they're noxious and putrid, is equivalent to the toxic bilge that flows from Rush and his clones every single day over every single square foot that there are people across this damn country?
For the record, Bill Maher is a comedian. Jon Stewart is a comedian. Lewis Black is a comedian. George Carlin was a comedian. They do political commentary in their comedy, which is fantastic for the world.
Your tilting at a windmill here is kind of fun to watch in a "can't look away from a train wreck" kind of way.
saras
(6,670 posts)The same reason a guy who has raped and killed thirty babies is worse than one who has inappropriately felt up one nine-year-old. It's just not that hard to tell the difference unless the nine-year-old was your own kid.
redgreenandblue
(2,088 posts)The content, context and flavor of Rushes insults are far above the "usual misogyny".
lukkadairish
(122 posts)Limbaugh is going down. Hopefully AFR will drop him in that spewing hate like he has ad nauseum will finally insult the last troop forced to hear it. If you feel that strongly, begin here. Copy us all the link where it was said and when, list the sponsors (although on HBO I think it is subscriber driven) and let's go. Put it down on the table and let's go. Semantics are gonna come up so be prepared to defend and measure. Private vs public is coming so be ready. Quit arguing with the choir and take it to the elders. See how that works? Have at it. Get with it. Go on. Good luck
mainer
(12,023 posts)His use of "cunt" and "bimbo" was a non-literal pejorative; he wasn't saying that she was actually getting paid for sex. He used the terms in the same way we say "son of a bitch" or "bastard." And besides, Palin is a public figure.
When he attacked Fluke, he used "prostitute" literally, saying that she had a lot of sex and wanted to be paid for it. He attacked her for things she never said, and he attacked her for doing no more than testifying at a hearing. He used the word "prostitute" very specifically, saying that she is paid for sex. He also attacked the whole coed population of her university (saying they're all prostitutes) and implied that every woman who uses birth control that's paid for by a third party is a slut and a prostitute.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)It is all about context. Why can David Chapel stand up on stage and use the n-word 30 times in a skit? Heck, he even did a whole skit about a white family named the Niggars. Rush on the other hand is supposedly an informational show and is trying to be taken seriously. There is a huge poetic license granted in this country for comedy.
aaaaaa5a
(4,667 posts)In addition there is a difference in going after a celebrity or someone who voluntarily puts themselves in the political spotlight, compared to attacking a private citizen on air who is not a public figure.
Jello Biafra
(439 posts)Limbaugh wants to make these type of statements...make them on satellite radio not on the AM dial.....this type of hate speech, or any hate speech for that matter, can not be allowed to continue on the AM dial.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)... so if Rush was a visiting guest on a TV show or XM and said the same things to the same number of people it would be fine?
The ethical gymnastics people go through to justify the people they agree with are ridiculous.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)i like it...
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Jello Biafra
(439 posts)but if people want to pay to hear this garbage, they have a first amendment right to listen to it...
Howard Stern went through this...Opie and Anthony went through this also...it doesn't belong on free radio at 12 PM in the afternoon when a child could listen to this.....
"Mommy....what's a slut?"
JSnuffy
(374 posts)So its about who hears it instead of what is said?
Am I not a misogynistic @#$#@er if I refer to a woman as a c*@#, even if I am just talking to my male friend in a private conversation?
It is the message and not who receives it.
If the message is fucked up then it is fucked up, regardless of who/how/how many people hear it.
Kingofalldems
(38,469 posts)No hiding from that.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)and...?
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)There are certain standards that those using the public airwaves must adhere to, and content can be controlled.
If you own your own cable network, you can control the content.
No gymnastics involved whatsoever.
Love the gymnastics of the "HE DOES IT TOOOOOOO!!!!!" crowd, though.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)It's not the fact that he called her a slut and a prostitute that makes him a misogynist.
It's the fact that he says those things on a certain frequency?
Again I ask... If he says those same things to the same number of people on a private network it's a-ok
or..
If Maher (for example) had said the same things (bitch, cunt, bimbo) as a guest on someone else's terrestrial radio show... Those statements would have become naughty.
Did I sum that up correctly?
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)Right over your head.
The argument you are using is a logical fallacy to begin with.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)Look at my post and explain how that is different than what you are saying. Enlighten me with your glorious wisdom.
As opposed to just declaring yourself grand champion for no reason whatsoever.
Kingofalldems
(38,469 posts)Guess you missed that one.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)... for someone to address the point.
I feel like I'll be waiting for a long time.
Once that is done, you can move onto new topics.
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)has a well known and well established comedic context. Bill Maher is a comedian. He has done stand up. Rush is not a comedian and has never done stand up. There is no pre-established comedic context to Rush's show.
If comedians like Maher can't say whatever they want, what do you do to comedians like Lisa Lanpanelli whose whole act is based on bigotry and offending people in the most vile way?
There is a difference between comedy and political commentary. Comedy is not the place to fight the bigotry battle because it's intent is always more ambiguous. Leave it alone or there will be no comedy at all.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Oh, wait..... never mind
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)the post was a joke
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)But I didn't go with it. Nevertheless your post was funny.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)once again...it is a show that is ROUNDLY political commentary. it is not stand-up. it is not like he's JUST playing comedian here. he has gone well beyond that with this show...and to say otherwise is simply whitewashing that is typical of the hypocrisy i am talking about.
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Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)I don't recall Maclaughlin Group having comedians, musicians and actors as regular guests. Or doing short comedic skits.
deutsey
(20,166 posts)I think a big part of the reaction against Limbaugh was that he went beyond using the "two words" that were bad enough on their own. He riffed and riffed on how much sex she's having, demanded to see sex videos of her, etc., for three days. I think people would've jumped all over Maher if he had done the same.
But the larger point you make is valid to me: I think it's a cheap shot to use that language in political discourse.
jefferson_dem
(32,683 posts)1. Rush equals Maher.
2. Palin equals Fluke.
3. A private citizen testifying about public policy before a congressional committee equals a self-promoting former Vice Presidential nominee of the Republican Party.
4. A three day tirade on 850 radio stations equals one or two "offensive" words on a cable network comedy-commentary show.
5. Your objection equals a totally transparent red herring effort to create trumped-up false equivalencies.
Only one of the above five statements is true. And it couldn't be more obvious.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)your 'equivalencies' aside. i have stated over and over in this thread that it isn't about equivalencies but you somehow manage to miss that.
nice back-flip there.
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jefferson_dem
(32,683 posts)"...why is Maher considered with different standards?"
Nice try though.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Oh yes, now I remember, Limbaugh is making the exact same argument in his defense. Maher was criticized here and elsewhere for calling Palin a cunt. Other than that you are doing a good job in this thread.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)or that HBO should be boycotted...and certainly not 22 threads on the first page of GD about it...
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Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Seriously you should google this and consider the company you are keeping. This is the rightwing defense of Rush.
There was quite the uproar surrounding Maher calling Palin a cunt in a stand up routine he did in Dallas. All sorts of left of center groups voiced their anger.
Then again Maher is not the unofficial media spokesperson for the Democratic Party. He is a comedian with a politically topical comedy show.
Then again, this isn't about "but Billy did it too". Why are you buying into that?
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)does not mean that i am. can you honestly not see that i am pissed at the use of misogynistic language by anyone? are you really getting that i am trying to defend the indefensible here? hell, i am not really suggesting that limbaugh and maher are the same in their 'stature' (using that word is a little frightening when referring to limbaugh) within political circles. i simply want to know why some people get a pass and some people don't. and if you don't see that through all the posts i have made in this thread then i cannot help you because no matter what else i say you won't believe it.
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LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)that's how he wound up on HBO. Granted, it wasn't about women, it was about terrorists, but the point is Maher has already been here and done that- and got a public outcry, lost advertisers and got fired.
The current wingnut argument is backwards- Maher hasn't gotten a pass, but the wingnuts want one for Limbaugh.
jefferson_dem
(32,683 posts)It's what "they" do when they have been exposed... Play the schoolyard "oh yeah...I know you are but what am I" card. Dismiss it for what it is.
phleshdef
(11,936 posts)Bottom line. Bill Maher hasn't attacked anyone who wasn't asking for it. He isn't a sexist. Simply calling a woman a name is not sexist, the same as calling a man a name isn't sexist. I know this is hard for some people to accept, but logically, its the truth of the matter.
The women he has happened to insult are women that have engaged in nasty personal attacks or nasty political actions against other people. Palin is a perfect example of this. Sandra Fluke was not attacking anyone with her political speech. Palin, however, engages in attacking people constantly. She is fair game for attack. Sandra Fluke is not.
Also, Bill Maher is a supporter of womens rights. No one can deny this. He is pro-choice, pro-access to birth control, pro-equal rights for women in the workplace, etc.
There is no different standard here. Bill Maher is a foul mouthed guy, yes. But he is on the right side of the issues and he attacks people that are asking for it.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)are you fucking kidding me? this is your logic? and because he is on the right side of issues you give him a pass! thank you for proving my point...we can end the thread now.
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phleshdef
(11,936 posts)But I also don't agree that someone simply calling a woman that is sexist. It doesn't imply that a woman is inferior to a man. Its just a nasty word. Its logically no different than "dick" as others have pointed out.
My point is, Palin subjected herself to nasty personal attacks when she engaged in them against other people. What goes around, comes around.
Bill Maher uses language that pushes it, but he doesn't attack anyone that doesn't give as good as they take. If Bill Maher ever attacked someone with such language that wasn't doing anything to provoke it, as was the case with Rush and Sandra Fluke, then that would be a different story. And Bill Maher didn't do it in the context of opposing women's rights, as Rush did.
So no, thats not the case. And no, it doesn't prove your point. It disproves your point entirely. Its not a different standard.
Tveil
(108 posts)Because some Muslims are violent the rest deserve this label?
phleshdef
(11,936 posts)He makes the point that its part of their own scripture. But he misses the fact that the people that follow it and what they believe matters a lot more than what its own scriptures say. Regardless, I fail to see what that has to do with the topic of his attacks on Sarah Palin vs Rush's attacks on Sandra Fluke. He has never made a general attack on women. He called one woman a name, as he has called many men names just as nasty. Rush however characterized all women who use birth control as sluts and all women who want assistance or insurance coverage to pay for it as prostitutes.
greendog
(3,127 posts)...affording it. Rush was essentially attacking and trying to silence ALL those women.
Maher attacks were on established political figures with lots of money and power behind them. That said, I think I think Maher is wrong to use that type of language.
blogs
(4 posts)It should be pretty obvious actually. [img]
[/img]
mac56
(17,574 posts)so Limbaugh gets a free pass"?!
Why are you spending so much time and energy here, taking up the gauntlet for this guy?
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)mahers sexism, speak out against it and respect him less for it. when it comes to misogyny i dont see maher any differently than stern, flint or rush.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Howard Stern, Larry Flynt and Bill Maher are all vocal supporters of women's rights. None of them are working day and night to promote the ascendency of a rightwing theocratic regime that would attempt to roll back the clock to some mythical prior era. The word police here are shooting their friends.
The difference between calling a nobody, some college student activist on women's health care issues, a slut and a whore and demanding porno tapes in exchange for birth control, and calling the snarly nasty race baiting Palin a cunt is clear to many. What Rush did is equivalent to what Imus did to that basketball player from Rutgers: he used the power of his media outlet to verbally abuse a person with no ability to respond in kind. He beat up somebody who could not defend herself. That this difference isn't clear to you is just sad.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)denigrating women.
mac56
(17,574 posts)
laconicsax
(14,860 posts)"Howard Stern, Larry Flynt and Bill Maher are all vocal supporters of women's rights."
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)They might have all sorts of egregious opinions about sexuality, but when it comes to fundamental rights - equality, reproductive health care, freedom from religion, all three of these men are vocal supporters.
Unlike for example Rush Limbaugh.
baldguy
(36,649 posts)OTOH, when Rush says "Jump!" there isn't a Republican alive who doesn't even wait to ask "How high?" before they start leaping.
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts) 
spanone
(135,861 posts)ru$h limbaugh is not a comedian and can't claim to be one when he gets in trouble.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)hmmmm...the show Real Time and it's format and content seem to disagree with that.
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obamanut2012
(26,111 posts)I think he really sabotage's his message because of this, and I do consider him, at best, someone who uses misogynist language, and, at worst, a "liberal misogynist."
But, that has nothing to do with Rush.
Iggo
(47,564 posts)...and said something that pissed people off, far fewer people than are now screaming for Rush's head called for Maher's, and they got it on a silver platter.
You mean that kind of equating?
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)is on the public radio.
JSnuffy
(374 posts)... and made you listen to that particular station.
I refer you to post #180.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=391082
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)called a terrible name on national radio plays. It would be great if no insults would be done by anyone on either side. Don't you think?
Chorophyll
(5,179 posts)I think that's about it. I can't stand him. I agree with him on 90% of everything, but he is a sexist jerk.
A wise Man
(1,076 posts)the rethugs are on another site.....you're on a sight where people make sense. TRY THAT QUESTION SOMEWHERE ELSE
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)thank you very much...can't talk about it HERE!
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wildeyed
(11,243 posts)Was not aware that he used the C word. Not ok, you are right, but not the magnitude of what Limbaugh did either.
varelse
(4,062 posts)thanks for the straw.
cherish44
(2,566 posts)as far as the differences of outrage....Limbaugh has an extraordinary amount of political influence, Mahr, not so much. No, what Mahr said is not ok, but there's your answer put very simply.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)those 53 comments Rush Limbaugh has made.
She has never repressed voters or called a gay person a 'mistake' or tried to take away rights of others.
She just wanted her insurance company to cover birth control pills.
People like Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin have been dishing it out for ages. Look at the list of book titles Ann Coulter has done - everyone of of them saying that Liberals/Progressives/Lefts are stupid or ignorant. (basically the same book just remashed again).
Do these women deserve to be called sluts or whores. No, they don't and I'm sure I have called them at least a whore although technically something like 'whore to the corporations'.
But if they are going to insult me or my friends because we happen to be democrats, or from another country or gay - then they need to be able to take it back.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)the very worst thing people can find to describe and put down someone is most often misogynistic?
Why can't they belittle people without using misogyny? That is the question. Is our language lacking in nasty words that are not misogynistic?
How many women have to say "that's offensive" before people hear them? I don't get it.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)I think for people like Bill Maher, his justification is that women like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann have done a world of vicious harm with their rhetoric. But perhaps we do need to be better and find non-misogynistic words to use.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)i am offended by the words as well. you make an excellent point about a lacking vocabulary...
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Little Star
(17,055 posts)Sorry I worded that so narrow.
Thanks for the correction.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)So among other things, specific quotes are needed. What you offer is your own retelling of things you claim to hear on Real Time. Without context, without proof, without anything other than your own words.
Aside from that, comics are not commentators, the standards are different. Also, your Rush attacked a citizen, not a famous person, not a politician, a specific American for speaking her opinion, which he misrepresented. He lied while he slandered a regular American. Maher simply does no such thing. At all.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)oh for FUCK'S SAKE...I have NEVER supported a damn thing he has ever said. and you think Maher has NOT said the things that I have mentioned here? Take TWO SECONDS to search for it and you will find it...or ask just about anyone on this thread. And no, his show Real Time is clearly a political commentary show...
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mac56
(17,574 posts)Why.. why.. you're no better than Rush!!!!1!
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)too bad I didn't attack anyone's gender...
keep trying...
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It isn't about "vulgar language". It is not about the words.
It is about misogyny. It is about the pervasive attitude that causes the words to be chosen.
negativenihil
(795 posts)...while Rush is on the public airwaves (which we ALL own), free for all to hear.
Maher is not using any publicly owned means to spread his message.
kctim
(3,575 posts)Because Maher is liberal and Limbaugh is republican.
Any other reasons are nothing but weak excuses attempting to justify.
RickG
(9 posts)While "cunt" may be a horrible name to call someone, it is still just that, name calling. Name calling is name calling. When you call a girl a slut and prostitute in the context that Rush used, it is a personal characterization, and slanderous. He wasn't calling her these names just to be mean, he was actually saying she was a slut because she wants to have as much irresponsible sex as she can, and a prostitute because she wants to be paid for it. All, of course, which is bullshit.
Your getting to caught up with this "mysogony" argument. Yes, Maher called Palin a cunt, but not only is she a public figure, but a vile one at that. Cunt may be a horrible word to call a woman, but when someone stirs up the anger and vitriol that she does, then one might try to think of the worst thing possible that they can call her. No different than "Asshole, Bastard, MFer, or whatever curse word you can use to describe a man, on the level of lets say...Rush Limbaugh. Is there a word you can call him that would be considered "over the line"?
And on a side note, I will agree that while Bill Maher does not have near the reach that Limbaugh has, he definitely is more than just a comedian who occasionally talks politics. But there is no way shape or form that his comments about Palin can be compared to Limbaughs attack on this woman.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)I don't care who or when or why. but it gets a pass from many here because people thing Maher is cool...evidence abound within this thread.
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MicaelS
(8,747 posts)If a man makes a reference to a woman's genitalia, or calls a women a slang or vulgar term for a woman's genitalia, then talk about outrage!!
But, if BOTH women and men, call man a slang term for a man's genitalia, or claim a man has small genitalia, or is "compensating" in some manner because he allegedly has small genitalia then you can hear.... crickets. That type of misandry gets a hell of a lot more passes.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)i hate that people attack a person's gender. but i would agree that it gets a lot more passes than what we are discussing here.
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Scout
(8,624 posts)
jeff47
(26,549 posts)What, exactly, is sexist about calling a woman a cunt? It's not flattering, but not flattering is not the same as sexist. Is calling a man a dick sexist against men?
Or are we now the language police, retreating to the fainting couch whenever someone says a word like "fuck"?
To answer your question, the difference is Maher apologized and acknowledged that he hurt people. Same for Ed Shultz. Limbaugh has not. He has doubled down, and released an "apology" along the lines, "I'm sorry if anyone was offended". Not "I was wrong".
Plus, calling a woman a whore 53 times and demanding a sex tape from her isn't the same as calling a woman "bimbo" once.
Heck, even David Frum disagrees with the attempts at false equivalence: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002389543
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)discuss a point then maybe you should expand your vocabulary (not you, but the person in question).
Also, before his 'apology', Maher doubled down as well...but that doesn't get a mention by you?
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jeff47
(26,549 posts)Instead, you've simply asserted that as fact. How do you expect to convince anyone when you won't talk about it?
You'll also have to explain why "cunt" is a terrible slur, but "dick" is so accepted the FCC will happily let it into "family" programming.
bullwinkle428
(20,629 posts)all know the answer to that one.
Catherine Vincent
(34,491 posts)Was it you? Then shame on you!
Rex
(65,616 posts)The OP decided to throw out that blanket attack to bait somebody in imo. I don't approve of ANYONE using those words.
Must be a mouse in the OPs pocket. 
Rex
(65,616 posts)I don't approve of Maher saying those things at all. However, he is nothing compared to the Gusher in stature or control of his current political party. Gush controls the GOP, Maher don't control shit but his mouth (and his little TVEE show).
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)he should be gone from AFN...
but once again, why should it matter how large or small the audience is? do you approve of the language because the target audience is small?
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Rex
(65,616 posts)That kind of language is horrendous and one reason why I don't watch Bill.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)as if preparing to make an excuse for why one person saying it was not as bad as the other...there is NO excuse for that garbage...
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Rex
(65,616 posts)between the two people you are comparing. IMO. Since you are not trying to be objective here and only want one answer. No, it is NOT okay for anyone to use those words no matter what party they are in. I personally think you are trying to yank some chain around here.
Whateva.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)no...i do not like ANYONE to use those words regardless of who they are, what their audience is or what their political leanings are AND i think all people who use those words should be held to the same level of ridicule.
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NightOwwl
(5,453 posts)is not the same as insulting your daughter, sister, mother, wife.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)as it targets gender not the person.
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pokerfan
(27,677 posts)1. Maher is routinely called out for his sexist language and attitude both on this site and other progressive blogs.
2. (and this is most important) It isn't merely about Rush's choice of words (the Mitt defense) but the content and meaning behind his three-day diatribe.
- The distortion that this is about taxpayer's footing the bill and not private insurance
- That oral contraception is about lots of recreational sex.
- That women shouldn't shouldn't be having sex out of wedlock, anyway.
- That many (most?) in the GOP feel that contraception amounts to cock-blocking the almighty.
- That the amount of sex you have determines the number of birth control pills you need.
There are more, but that's the general idea and the reason why Limpball's "apology" that narrowly only addressed the two words he used rang so hollow while he doubled-down (hell, he super-sized it) on everything else.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Rush may not be a politician in that he is an elected official, but since he's head fot he GOP, it's splitting hairs.
IndyJones
(1,068 posts)Rush is getting a lot of backlash for making moral judgements against a private citizen. His timing was at a point when women are sick and tired of men making comments and decisions about our healthcare. Like someone else said, the issue was already festering and Rush just made it explode.
Rush is now getting the anger of a lot of issues right now dumped on him because he brought it on himself with his hateful comments.
I've never heard that Maher acts like he's some moral authority. Rush acts like he's a moral authority every day. No one thinks that what Maher says is really fact (that I know of, anyhow). Millions of people really do think that what Rush says is true. They actually believed what Rush said about Fluke without even reading her testimony for themselves.
There are some differences. But no, neither is acceptable, in my opinion.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)Seriously? Who said that Maher's sexism is okay?
And, while Maher is sexist and yes, people have complained, he is stating an opinion. Rush lied and slandered Ms. Fluke. Calling someone a twat is a lot different from saying she wants to get paid for sex, is a prostitute and "since I'm paying her to have sex".
hughee99
(16,113 posts)Most of the other explanations I see seek to take some small difference between the two and say that THAT, not personal bias, is the real reason one is unacceptable and the other is not. Really, it's all about the personal bias.
Johonny
(20,879 posts)in comedy there is a thing called timing. Lots of comedians throw out the N word. Micheal Richards did it in a way that was not funny. He paid the price. Using loaded words to be funny or insulting (there is a difference) can lead to trouble. People that use those words live and die by them. Maher has been taken to task for use of these words by the same people that have taken Rush to task. His show exists on paid TV and not public airwaves for a reason. Being rude can have a negative impact on your career, even a comedians. Chris Rock is funny, reciting a Chris rock joke to your office workers can lead to awkwardness. Life's rules are complex.
Initech
(100,099 posts)He doesn't have sponsors or that wide of an audience. Limbaugh on the other hand is the spokesperson for the propaganda wing of the GOP. He's on free radio (not to mention Armed Forces Network) with hundreds of sponsors and reaches an audience of millions. Big difference.
GeorgiaDemGuy
(43 posts)Maher says those things about other commentators, celebrities, those in the public eye (fair game, imho).
Rush said his about a private citizen (not fair game)
Yavin4
(35,445 posts)Limbaugh is the head of the Republican party.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)I don't buy that at all.
But to answer your question, some of the things Maher says are NOT ok. Not the same as what Limbaugh does, but still not ok, imo.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Limbaugh went after a private citizen who was asked to speak and he did not simply call her a slut, he asked her about being a slut in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and on and on...
however, I agree that the anger entertainers, etc. feel toward political figures should not let them feel they are justified in using words like slut toward women. George Carlin called Rush a cocksucker, which, to me, was against both hetero women and gay men.
Rush has spend decades bringing the political discussion in this nation into the gutter. I don't care if others are not treated the same way - I think it's important for this nation to reach a point like they did with McCarthy.
If he weren't out there spewing his hate speech, maybe all political speech would be elevated. When McCarthy was brought down, it took decades for his followers, aka the tea party, to bring the Republicans to shame, again.
I hope this moment destroys Limbaugh. He has added nothing worthwhile to this nation.
jillan
(39,451 posts)last weekends show had some stupid woman joke and the audience did not clap and made noises instead.
Bill looked confused.
He'll get the message that women have had it with this degrading humor.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)but, the reason why Limpballs is getting the most attention for it is because of his influence with prominent repubs and his devoted listeners. Limpballs is not a comedian like Maher is.
MineralMan
(146,325 posts)
nolabear
(41,990 posts)I'd like to see people use wit rather than offensive language, to say what they mean. Language, though, gets an instant shock reaction and that substitutes for the harder work of a well thought out attack.
And when I'm particularly pissed at someone I laugh. It's an imperfect world.
marlakay
(11,484 posts)But in general...still not good terms but I think that is why others get away with it.
mackattack
(344 posts)so its ok when he does it. Or, at least, we dont raise a big stink about it.
Limbaugh bats for the other team, therefore we dont like him. So this is an opportunity to take down his show.
Look, we can lie to ourselves all we want and say that there is a HUGE difference because of the venue, audience size, amount of influence, etc. But the real issue, which few are willing to admit, is that Maher generally presents liberal ideas and he makes fun of conservatives. As such, he gets a pass and is benefited by every single excuse we can think of to make the situation different.
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Also one is a comedian that makes fun of famous, rich people, and occasionally deals with politics, the other is a fat-fuck sonofabitch political activist that claims he is a comedian...
Oh, and as for as Bill Maher's comments about Caribou Barbie, he is SPOT ON...
mackattack
(344 posts)So, it's ok to say those things as long as the target is someone you dont agree with?
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)...it is NOT okay when it is a private citizen....
mackattack
(344 posts)I am in agreement with you
ecstatic
(32,727 posts)I agree that Maher is a jerk, but his show comes on at 10pm on a premium network. It's meant for adults.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)Or license should be revoked. But the FCC is too chickenshit to do anything about it unless a nipple is exposed.
Taverner
(55,476 posts)Are you actually defending RushPig?
HangOnKids
(4,291 posts)2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)Gruntled Old Man
(127 posts) 
pa28
(6,145 posts)Not only did he continue his tirade for three straight days but he also lied about the contents of Fluke's testimony to fit the story line. That's where name calling turns into slander.
The OP seems like a false equivalency to me.
October
(3,363 posts)got root
(425 posts)or whatever derogatory word you may have in mind.
thats a huge difference. not to mention he's a comedian.... wether you get it, or not.
undeterred
(34,658 posts)WHICH IS NO BETTER OR WORSE THAN A REPUBLICAN MISOGYNIST ASSHOLE.
otohara
(24,135 posts)was all about making himself feel better.
Sorry Bill, but Limbaugh is a cancer on our society.
For someone who makes $10 million per year, he's grossly unprepared. Damn, he didn't even know she mostly testified for her lesbian friend. He's the most disliked "personality" in the country for good reason.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)He spoke the truth about the 911 and terrorists. Show was pulled from ABC-
cpwm17
(3,829 posts)Maher is one of the worst racist and sexist personalities on TV; but he gets away with it since phony liberals like him.
His overt racism is much worse than Ron Paul's, but Maher only occasionally gets condemned on DU - unlike Ron Paul.
2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)Am I a phony liberal?
cpwm17
(3,829 posts)If you give him a free pass, or especially, if you promote him, then you'd be a phony liberal in my opinion.
His bigotry is extreme, so he shouldn't be promoted at all by any true liberal.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)but it's just once in a while, and still that is no excuse. most of the times I find him entertaining and a pretty smart guy overall. but yah, I want to pull his lungs out of his ears when he goes all mysog.
but I hate Rush All of The Time - there is nothing of value to his screeds, ever.
I can fully understand people's anger at Maher tho.
ljm2002
(10,751 posts)...for him or anyone to use words like "cunt" against women. Second, when he did so, many people were outraged. Third, "bimbo" isn't even in the same ballpark, it's a pretty light insult and IMO is within bounds especially for a comedian. Fourth, Bill Maher did not spend hours at a time for days in a row lying and making up stories about any of his targets. Finally: right now, the current offender is Rush Limbaugh and he is (a) much more vicious and (b) a repeat offender who is off the scale compared to Bill Maher. Why the focus on Maher when we finally, at long last, may have the opportunity to take Limbaugh down?
C'mon. We can complain about Bill Maher anytime. But let's make the most of this current opportunity and put the focus where it belongs for the time being.
Just my NSHO.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)See Tu Quoque fallacy...
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)his attacks though are not as vicious as limbaughs was this week.
viciousness counts.