Senator Al Franken Cancels Bill Maher Appearance Amid Controversy

[Miles Archer]

Senator Al Franken Cancels Bill Maher Appearance Amid Controversy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bill-maher-controversy-al-franken_us_59359b04e4b013c48169f65c?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

A spokesperson for Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) confirmed to HuffPost that the senator is canceling his appearance on the upcoming episode of “Real Time” in the wake of host Bill Maher’s use of a racial slur on-air.

“Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of ‘Real Time,’” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment.”

Last Friday, Maher joked that he was a “house n****r” while in conversation with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who invited Maher to “work in the fields” of his represented state. Maher later called his use of the term “offensive.”

The backlash was strong enough for Maher to apologize ― something he’s known for rarely doing ― and for HBO to confirm that the network currently has no plans to fire him.

[still_one]

1. For a lot more f reasons I think Al is doing the right thing, not the least is it has the potential

to distract from what he is trying to do

[OnDoutside]

2. I think he might have been better off going on the show and make his point that this sort of

use of language is not acceptable.

[still_one]

12. I think he made that point pretty effectively by his comment on not showing up

[geek tragedy]

3. man, Franken's scheduling agent must have some bad karma going

He also had to cancel a gig with Kathy Griffin.

[Rorey]

4. I respect his decision

I know Maher apologized, but he should have known better. We don't get to spew out whatever comes out of our pie hole and then apologize and then think that it's forgotten. It never is. He needs to start putting himself in check. Maybe he should curtail his alcohol and marijuana use before he goes on air so he has a bit more self-control.

I used to drink. A lot. I didn't say anything when I was a bit tipsy that I wouldn't say sober. That word just isn't in me.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Too bad, because I would have tuned in to see Al.

But I understand why he made that call.

[Rorey]

6. I only ever watched Maher for the guests

His personality is just not my cup of tea.

[Warren DeMontague]

13. He gets on my nerves sometimes, like when he starts opining on shit like science/space exploration

two subjects he knows less than dick about.

Still, he's sometimes worth a laugh. He hates the GOP and he doesn't grant any of the special pleading favoritism to religious belief that believers generally are granted in public discourse, even here in the 21st century, so that's refreshing.

[nolabear]

7. I think it's a prudent thing to do. I'd like to see more of him though.

[Fluke a Snooker]

8. He would do much better to rebuke Ben Sissy's unclassy non-response

At least Bill Maher is a comedian-host, so while he can't be excused for his faux pax, Ben Sissy is a sitting member of Congress. He should be raked through the coals, and certainly Al Franken, as well as every Democrat Senator, should force him to be heavily censored, if not removed from office. Pragmatically, this is actually worse than the original offense, particularly since Sissy has far greater oppressive control over the disposition and future of African Americans than Maher.

[JTFrog]

9. K&R

[L. Coyote]

10. K & R

[kacekwl]

11. Good move Mr. Franken. n/t

[Rustyeye77]

14. Do a million things right, nobody cares.

Make one slip of the tongue , youre screwed.

[bresue]

15. Unfortunately, we all do stupid things....

But as someone mentioned on a different post concerning the 25 year old who leaked information....our actions do have consequences. And I am glad Franken took a stand and did not sugar coat the issue.

Any slurs of bigotry is wrong....and for Maher to represent the righteous among us....he has to clean up his shit too.