Did You See Bill Maher's Disgusting Croc Hunter Halloween Costume?

[Principessa Alba]

I see your point, and I agree with you. I do think we consider celebrities fair game, I know I do. Its human nature. But when you consider just what you have said, and putting ourselves in the shoes of the celebrity, you can really consider just how hurtful something like this costume would be if you were a member of the grieving family.

But we so pick and choose about this! We're mad at the Dixie Chicks, so they are fair game for death threats. We don't like Michael J. Fox campaigning for the Democrats, so he's fair game even with his horrible illness. We don't like Bush, so a movie about his assasination doesn't seem offensive.

All of these things are I'm sure very painful to the families, and yet we only defend the ones we care about.

 

[N.Bailey]

Celebs are fair game while they're alive (and even their politics after their gone), but their death should never be mocked, no matter who is doing the mocking.

 

[Crankyshank]

Why should Robin apologize for not thinking the costume was offensive? It's her opinion and she's entitled to it. She's not discounting the feelings of others for finding it offensive - just that she personally did not take offense to it.

I have to say I'm pretty amazed by the hypocrisy on this board regarding celebrities. Seems like it's only ok to be non plussed about something is if it involves someone outspoken with liberal politics or Rush Limbagh.

ETA: I find it hard to believe that realize is Bill Maher. If it is, I find the costume tacky and inappropriate considering how little time has passed since his death. In all honesty if he did it next year, I probably wouldn't find it offensive.

 

[Principessa Alba]

Celebs are fair game while they're alive (and even their politics after their gone), but their death should never be mocked, no matter who is doing the mocking.

Sorry, but who made up that rule?

I'm sure that I would find many instances to disagree with you, many times when a living person, no matter how famous, should be respected.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I don't think it's reasonable for people to say that there is NOTHING that will offend them. I don't see people imitating pedophiles on Halloween and I'm not aware of anyone dressing up as the victims of 9/11. I do think that some people are fascinated by gruesome and morbid things (Saw III is doing wonderfully at the box office) and maybe some see Halloween as a free for all. I can have a pretty twisted sense of humor, but I just don't find this amusing.

 

[Principessa Alba]

Why should Robin apologize for not thinking the costume was offensive? It's her opinion and she's entitled to it. She's not discounting the feelings of others for finding it offensive - just that she personally did not take offense to it.

If you are talking to me - I meant that Robin should be apologized to, not do the apologizing.

 

[robinb]

I didn't attack your daughter.

No, you used her to make your point which is inappropriate.

I'm sorry to offend you. I thought it would, and I do agree, it's out of bounds, but sometimes, we need to try and put ourselves into a similar situation to see how we'd really react.

Is this an apology or simply a justification? Real apologies never include "but ...".

 

[cardaway]

Not cool is right. It's never OK to bring a persons family into it even it's just to make a point.

 

[poohandwendy]

We're mad at the Dixie Chicks, so they are fair game for death threats.

With all due respect, I have never seen anyone say that they thought the DC were fair game for death threats. People acknowledged that it was not surprising that they received them, but no one condoned or agreed with it.

I don't pick and choose, I think it is wrong to make light of any persons illness or death.

 

[Principessa Alba]

I wish I could find that thread where everyone was telling me that nothing was off limits in terms of making fun of it. Everything can be joked about....I was quite in the minority when I said that there were things that just weren't ever funny!

 

[N.Bailey]

But we so pick and choose about this! We're mad at the Dixie Chicks, so they are fair game for death threats. We don't like Michael J. Fox campaigning for the Democrats, so he's fair game even with his horrible illness. We don't like Bush, so a movie about his assasination doesn't seem offensive.

All of these things are I'm sure very painful to the families, and yet we only defend the ones we care about.

I know Natalie (is that the correct spelling?) did receive death threats, but I have never seen anyone who thought that was okay. Obviously someone did, but not the vast majority.

MJF was only fair game for Rush. I didn't see anyone defend the things he'd said, though they still like Rush (beyond my comprehension) and they feel his apology was sincere (I did not).

Bush is alive and kicking, so yes, he is fair game. By running for the office, you automatically put yourself out there to ridicule. When he's gone, his politics will still be fair game, but his death will not be. I didn't hear of the movie you're talking about, but I find the title offensive.

 

[gobears!]

Sure it's tacky, but it's Halloween. For a few years in a row people I know threw dress as your favorite dead celebrity parties. There were some hilarious costumes! Some people dressed as JFK, (with bullet holes), Marilyn Monroe (with pills stuck on her face, looking like she overdosed) and others.

Is there a time-frame when it's okay to wear a costume like that? The person should be dead for a few years? Seriously, because I know some would laugh at some of the costumes I've seen, but find others offensive. What's the criteria?

 

[Principessa Alba]

With all due respect, I have never seen anyone say that they thought the DC were fair game for death threats. People acknowledged that it was not surprising that they received them, but no one condoned or agreed with it.

I don't pick and choose, I think it is wrong to make light of any persons illness or death.

Oh, I think I remember them being accused of *whining".

I'm not talking about you personally, after all, just human nature.

 

[Crankyshank]

If you are talking to me - I meant that Robin should be apologized to, not do the apologizing.

I wasn't talking to you

 

[Mom2Ashli]

That is so wrong.

 

[poohandwendy]

Not cool is right. It's never OK to bring a persons family into it even it's just to make a point.

Really? Don't we do that all of the time here? Ie "What if it were YOUR husband who cheated? What if it were YOUR child who was sick? What if it were YOUR daughter who became pregnant? What if it were your wife who was laying on a hospital bed? "

I guess we should drop hypotheticals completely, because surely someone will be uncomfortable imagining painful circumstances.

 

[N.Bailey]

Sorry, but who made up that rule?

I'm sure that I would find many instances to disagree with you, many times when a living person, no matter how famous, should be respected.

Perhaps you could, but I don't think mocking Hitler's death would be funny.

I don't necessarity think everyone should be respected, but to mock their death, only hurts their loved ones.

 

[Principessa Alba]

So, I guess I'll never see any of you on a thread telling anyone that they are silly for thinking these kinds of things are offensive! I'm glad to hear it!

 

[Principessa Alba]

Perhaps you could, but I don't think mocking Hitler's death would be funny.

I don't necessarity think everyone should be respected, but to mock their death, only hurts their loved ones.

Obviously this is a subjective thing.

 

[lclark0621]

Steve Irwin was a public figure.

So that makes it ok to make fun of his death? Worse, it is ok to make fun of his death when you know your photo will be taken & it will get back to his wife & children?