"All right, here - I've been thinking about this situation with Governor Palin and her family now for about a week - it was a week ago tonight, and maybe you know about it, maybe you don't know about it. But there was a joke that I told, and I thought I was telling it about the older daughter being at Yankee Stadium. And it was kind of a coarse joke. There's no getting around it, but I never thought it was anybody other than the older daughter, and before the show, I checked to make sure in fact that she is of legal age, 18. Yeah. But the joke really, in and of itself, can't be defended. The next day, people are outraged. They're angry at me because they said, 'How could you make a lousy joke like that about the 14-year-old girl who was at the ball game?' And I had, honestly, no idea that the 14-year-old girl, I had no idea that anybody was at the ball game except the Governor and I was told at the time she was there with Rudy Giuliani...And I really should have made the joke about Rudy..." (audience applauds) "But I didn't, and now people are getting angry and they're saying, 'Well, how can you say something like that about a 14-year-old girl, and does that make you feel good to make those horrible jokes about a kid who's completely innocent, minding her own business,' and, turns out, she was at the ball game. I had no idea she was there. So she's now at the ball game and people think that I made the joke about her. And, but still, I'm wondering, 'Well, what can I do to help people understand that I would never make a joke like this?' I've never made jokes like this as long as we've been on the air, 30 long years, and you can't really be doing jokes like that. And I understand, of course, why people are upset. I would be upset myself.
And then I was watching the Jim Lehrer 'Newshour' - this commentator, the columnist Mark Shields, was talking about how I had made this indefensible joke about the 14-year-old girl, and I thought, 'Oh, boy, now I'm beginning to understand what the problem is here. It's the perception rather than the intent.' It doesn't make any difference what my intent was, it's the perception. And, as they say about jokes, if you have to explain the joke, it's not a very good joke. And I'm certainly - " (audience applause) "- thank you. Well, my responsibility - I take full blame for that. I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception. And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke. It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault. That it was misunderstood." (audience applauds) "Thank you. So I would like to apologize, especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the Governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke. I'm sorry about it and I'll try to do better in the future. Thank you very much." (audience applause)
If anybody owes an apology, it's Sarah Palin. She should apologize to David Letterman. He made a bad joke and had apologized already, but she couldn't let it go, continued to cast aspersions on his character and worked her fan club into a bloodthirsty frenzy that is completely out of proportion.
Sarah Palin should also apologize to women everywhere for setting our cause back by 100 years. A former beauty pageant second runner-up who wants to legislate over women's bodies, who cuts funds to projects for women and children, this woman doesn't have the right to stir up all this shit in the name of feminism.
The hot image, the winking, the kiss blowing and the disrespect she shows her own daughters' by throwing them under the bus are an insult to women.
.
Sarah is responsible for using explosive language, accusing Dave of using the word "rape" in the joke (when he didn't), accusing Dave of being a pedophile (which he isn't).
ReplyDeleteSarah's use of extreme language, ramping up the discussion to a fevered emotional level is the same thing that she did when she riled up her campaign crowds with cries of "Kill Him." (Oh, I didn't tell them to say that, they just said it on their own).
The way that Sarah responds to many issues is to take it personally, play the victim, play the emotional card. Can you see her trying to address sensitive international issues (like the elections in Iran, for example) using her tactics? Oh yeah, I forgot, "When Putin rears his head...."
This is a great post...thank you! Palin really needs to back off already. She is way out of control.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that Dave is bending over backwards to apologize over and over again for something he DID NOT SAY!
ReplyDeleteWTF kind of power is coming up behind Teflon Saracuda that everybody has to apologize for non-issues???
She is almost like Rush Limpballs - whenever someone tries to diss him/call him out on something he said, that person later has to come crawling on their belly to apologize...
I am really getting concerned here about the future of our country, because Teflon Saracuda seems to be just that - clad in teflon, where everything just slips off her!
Oh, I am getting soooo steamed about some of the comments on HuffPo! I can't take much more before *I* go crazy!
ReplyDeleteI wish that 'iceberg' was coming!
Unfortunately, though, Saracuda is Teflon-clad and literally gets away with murder (as in 'inciting murder')
@FED UP, remember that some of the people are paid to post positively about Palin.
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin should be quiet about this now.
But she won't. Mark my words. She is so compulsive that she will speak out about it again. And again.
It's one reason she can't be near any seat of power. She can't control herself.
Regina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a moment of sanity.
c4p did an update on Letterman
"We knew this was coming. He's not really sorry for telling the joke. He's sorry for getting called out on it.
He needs to be suspended. We won't stop until he is suspended."
They also have Shannyn Moore as "the worst person in the world." They rip her a new one but do not link to her facts. Just make excuses for you know who.
This is making me feel physically sick. What is happening to Letterman?
@b-p-p, to phrase an old axiom:
ReplyDeleteThe Sea for Peers are all hat and no cattle.
Or in this case, they are all hat(e).
Let's see them step away from the keyboards. Let's see them stand on the street and protest en masse.
Dave is not done with her. there will be subtle digs from now on, constantly, is my guess.
ReplyDeleteGreat for ratings if he starts doing it nightly.
Remember when he ran short clips of Bush's most embarrassing moments? He has plans...
Yes, I'm sure Dave will stay away from the kids but fun with Sarah is just starting...just wait. He'll win in the end.
ReplyDeleteRomney, Jindal and Pawlenty have got to be loving this. Yes, Sister Sarah wages war with...comedians!
ReplyDeleteThis is getting ridiculous. He apologized twice now! Of that is not good enough for Palin or C for P, the at a) definitely not Christian and b) vindictive, petty and deeply disturbed! I am getting really angry!
ReplyDeleteThe Christ I know believes on forgiveness, in kindness and tolerance! Something is very wrong with those C pee people to be that blood thirsty! Enough is enough. David L shows pure class unlike her fans and the Palins!
And CNN is broadcasting incorrect information. Anderson says all across the country people are angry at Dave! That is not true! There ate just as many and probably more who feel like we do!
Is this over yet? Is Palin going to shut up finally and show one oz of class? And their mad at Shannyn? Her articli is factual! Their nonsense is made up and exaggerated!
Sarah Palin and her supporters are nasty, mean vindictive people. And their words and behavior are the farthest from Christianity you can get!!
You know, I've decided, Sarah Palin is right. David Letterman, despite being a 30 year veteran of showbiz, has no business on television. I mean, one wrong move and you are out! We need to make an example of him, and maybe the rest of the TV personalities and especially the liberal newspeople would finally fall in line, once and for all. People are really mean and vile to poor Sarah, and why? because they are frightened and jealous and panicky and she is such a strong, stout, upright, perfect and moral person that she gets them to act crazy, which is how they are really are anyway on the inside. And that comes from the debauched and depraved life of thinking liberal thoughts and letting gay people do things like get married, and killing babies whenever they feel like it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to make my protest sign, "Fire David Letterman, and Obama too while you are at it!" and buy a plane ticket to New York and protest the way this comedian dares disrespect the one woman in the US who deserves the utmost of our loyalty, cash savings and devotion.
If David Letterman isn't thrown out now, what is this country coming too? We've got to take it back, NOW!
.........
Sorry, but I just had to try living a moment as a Palinbot. Try it, it's really weird.
Regina-Great post!
ReplyDeleteShould we forward background info. to the David Letterman show? There's plenty of material.
Dave is such a gentleman. So kind. He shows such sincerity. something Palin knows nothing about.
ReplyDeleteI think anyone who knows Gino, knows that the real reason for the vicious attack on Dave is because he rightly called her look "slutty." She couldn't attack him on that so she resorted to the alternative - throwing Willow under the bus. Can you imagine the harassment Willow is now getting from her peers? Protective mother my a$$.
ReplyDeleteDave will be careful never to mention her kids again but watch out GINO, you're now in for some major jokes - from all comedians. You are a joke!!
Just wondering: Will Sarah Palin be classy and accept Dave's apology, never mentioning the episode again-- or will she go all snarky again, insist on one of those soft-ball interviews to rage on about how Dave just abused and insulted all of the women in the world? To remember a famous short story, which door will it be: The Lady or The Tiger?(excuse me, Pit Bull).
ReplyDeleteMark my words, his apology was underhanded and he will pick back up by Wednesday making snarky comments about Palin....just his entire handling of the Paris Hilton jail thing; she received an underhanded apology and a bouquet. She's just to vapid to realize that he was still making fun of her even when she went on his show. Also too, Sarah and her supporters will not have the mental acuity to recognize the future darts that Dave will throw her way....wait, they're boycotting Dave, so he can make fun of her as much as he wants now!
ReplyDeletePalin has shown herself to be a mistress of delusional thinking to believe for one moment that she should not show up on Letterman and grab another moment of her short lived fame and defend her "honor", or the honor of her 14 year old daisy duke cut off wearing daughter. (Come on, A-Rod boinked Madonna, he'd be more apt to have some sexy time w/ the Sarah herself during the 7th inning rather than her inexperienced 14 year old daughter, or her poor sexually inexperienced 18 year old daughter that seems to have only had unprotected sex "once" to produce the sainted Tripp child :-)
Better people than her have faced their critics and come out looking like better people for it. Her, she's just using this episode to take attention away from the tangled web of Alaskan politics that she is currently weaving.
I mean really, to show up on SNL after they made a joke about the first dud diddling the daughters? Letterman's humor pales in comparison.
"So too also", Bill Maher reamed the entire first family of the great state of AK repeatedly and never a word was uttered from them in defense. I personally would LOVE to see the first Redneck Family of our state of Alaska take on the mind that is Bill Maher. They would lose, and lose badly. He eats idiots like them for lunch. Letterman in my opinion was being too nice, but he'll get over it and I can't wait.
It was a shallow score for Palin. She staged her fake outrage on lies, that cheapened her far more then any joke would come close to doing.
ReplyDeletePalin issued a statement after the broadcast early Tuesday, saying she accepted the late night host's apology.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526525,00.html
“Of course it’s accepted on behalf of young women, like my daughters, who hope men who ‘joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve,” she said.
“Letterman certainly has the right to ‘joke’ about whatever he wants to, and thankfully we have the right to express our reaction,” Palin said. “This is all thanks to our U.S. Military women and men putting their lives on the line for us to secure America’s Right to Free Speech - in this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect.”
The End
With her close ties to Zeigler and the tea parties #1 conservative she will insist they call off the protest to fire Letterman.
Yes, but this unnecessary apology leaves Dave free free free to zing SP herself as often as he likes. Just as long as he leaves her daughters out of it. Has she thought of that?
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with Letterman. He's a class act. But I honestly don't think he'll go near her again, which is a scary thought. When she first started this, I thought, "How stupid; you don't tangle with a comedian, especially Letterman." But if Sarah is good at one thing, it's playing the victim and manipulating people. She has now made herself untouchable.
ReplyDeleteShe terrified everyone in Alaska to the point that no one dared speak out against her, and now she has effectively scared all commentators in the lower 48. Anyone who says anything against her will come off as attacking women and bring her horde of flying monkeys down on them. I hope I'm wrong. I"d like to see every late night comedian in Hollywood rip her to little shreds, but they have jobs to worry about. As long as public opinion is behind her, they'll back off. If only we could prove that Willow was not at the stupid ball game!
As a public figure, Palin must be exposed when she acts dumb, stupid and crazy. Just because Letterman apologized, don't think the others won't ramp up the SP attacks. She's too rich a fountain of insanity material.
ReplyDeleteThis had nothing to do with "young women" or "the military" or "free speech" - because nothing SP ever says or does is about anything or anyone except HER.
She is still a public figure (yuck) and as long as she sticks her face out there, they're going to go after her.
But they should focus on her only. Not to defend the kids, but her nasty hideous filthy exploitation of her kids shouldn't be joked about. Actually her use and misuse of her children should have her investigated by Child Protective Services.
DNA tests would be fun too.
But SP is fair game. Full on attacks on HER. Let HER use the kids - everyone else leave them alone.
Bristol is fair game if you attack what she does for a living.
Letterman played it SMART. He did not bow to a threat. He simply took the classy road, admitted some individuals might have misunderstood and apologized.
Something SP has NEVER EVER DONE.
wv: bunwar
C4P...hmm. Ridiculous is really all I have to say about them. Someone on some blog...perhaps here, referred to RA Mansour as very intelligent. She is apparently a screen writer who wrote a movie. Big whoop. She graduated college...another big whoop...so did I. I dont write movies...but I am a social worker doing what I think is much more effective work. (lol..sorry...I am just angry)
ReplyDeleteRA Mansour is as nutty as Palin is. She is so very brave behind her computer screen....but I would love to have a face to face with her. She is also a liar. She states that her site is open...people can express their views. Not true..not in the slightest. Say one thing that differs from their point of view, and you are called names for awhile..and then banished. Its a creepy site with creepy people, and I dont even click on it, as I dont want to show any more traffic than they already get.
I actually feel sorry for them in a sense. Most of the posters are almost illiterate...and when the bottom falls out for Palin they will be crushed. Of course...it will be Obama's fault. "sigh" Good thing he has broad shoulders.
Another great post Reg. Cannot tell you how refreshing it is to come here every day.
Laurie
Thoughtful post Laurie. You are so right about C4P not being open in the least. I went and posted back when Redoubt was erupting and they were instantly vicious - the most important thing to them was name calling and attacking my picture which I neatly turned around on them. But in the end, they were just boring. They can't stand alternative opinions, even extremely softened ones, they have no manners, and to be honest, the've only got about 8 people that post regularly, so it gets pretty incestuous and redundant. For international flavor they've got a weird British dude who thinks Palin is the answer to Marlene Dietrich. It's not some vast movement anywhere but in Mansour's fervid 'Cuda cuddling imagination. She actually semi- apologized to me when I returned weeks later to post a quick link to my Scientology article - I had said previously I would back up what I was saying to them about that subject, or I wouldn't have bothered to return at all. But the reality is, the crowd at C4P are just boring - minds as flat as pancakes, and about as lively.
ReplyDeleteLol as for Mansour's intelligence, I'll add, I lived in Hollywood a long time. Trust me, being a screenwriter is DEFINITELY NOT a sign of intelligence.
Did Sarah Palin apologize for calling David Letterman a pedophile and a sexual pervert?
ReplyDeleteIn Alaska, all it takes is an allegation for an investigation.
Good for Letterman- this time it was a real apology for what he had actually done. Last time was just a denial (I would never have done that)and then a repeat of the slutty stewardess crack.
ReplyDelete