Today Show

[ols386]

Yes, but you have to think for 1/2 of 1 second to figure this out. Was it a mistake? Yes. Did Letterman discuss this on air and admit that? Yes. Many of the offended haven't listened to what he politely said in reply to Mrs. Palin. Sadly, it's turned into a convenient media attention getter.

I listened to what he said....he did not apoligize. He danced around an actual apology. I can't even believe that anyone can think for a minute that this is ok. It's not.

 

[Lionqueen2]

maybe it isn't about "knowing better", but about having a different belief about the importance of being married first? Many people in this day and age do not hold the belief of marriage before sex/children.

and, really, which is worse?? Someone that touts deeply held beliefs about marriage first/abstinence and then makes that mistake OR someone for whom this is not an issue and NOT a "mistake" but a choice????!!!

so, he didn't make a mistake - she did..so your argument doesn't hold.

Actually, Letterman's mistake was thinking that he could joke about raping a 14 year old girl. I guess anything goes when ratings are failing.
How noble of Letterman to blame his writers for his disgusting comment instead of taking responsibility. He should be ashamed of himself.

 

[Disney Doll]

See bolded

I think that anyone who makes a crude comment about women is just plain disgusting. Letterman is no exception. There is no need to demean women and it is not funny.

I do not watch Letterman because I do not like his brand of humor. This comment just validates my opinion of him.

Matt Lauer should also be ashamed of himself for poo-pooing this incident.

I can't help but wonder what Imus is thinking about this, but I guess there are two sets of standards depending on who makes the comment and who they are making the comment about. I can only imagine the outrage had a similar comment been made about one of the media's "darlings". I think Letterman should be terminated just like Imus.

 

[merryweather20]

I think he asked the relevant questions. He was just doing what he always does - asks the questions that need to be asked.

She needs to be called on the "14 year old, rape, blah blah blah...". Letterman sincerely addressed that. He admitted the joke was in poor taste and clearly some writer made a mistake in which DD was at the game.
I was also waiting for someone to address the ridiculous and unnecessary statement by Stapleton that Willow would be best served to be kept far away from Letterman. That one statement shows me they are just hyping and spinning this to get .as much media attention as possible. First, Letterman did not extend the invitation to her, if I remember correctly. Either way that one is really over the top.

Palin looked like a fool spinning and exaggerating.

I think most reasonable people have her number...she will do anything to increase her time in front of the camera.....

Dave made a major blunder, but you watch who handles it gracefully from here on out.

I have to call you out on you bolded comment. He DID NOT, he made light of it and made another joke.

 

[Shutterbug]

Nods, people make tasteless jokes. Its a fact of life.

Even President Obama made one concerning his daughters taking a plane and flying low over manhattan with it.

 

[merryweather20]

well, I think many people know exactly what was implied with that statement. If you interpret it that way, then it is on the same level.

your interpretation is another way it could be viewed and is valid, but I think the Palins/Stapleton meant to imply much more - with a wink and a nod, of course. It was meant to add to the hype and the fervor of her already indignant and riled up supporters - and to add to the hype that will lead to even more media coverage.

What in the world? With a wink and a nod? The statement was pretty clear, Letterman's not a good guy and they don't associate with perverts. How does one "read something" into that.

 

[ols386]

I have to call you out on you bolded comment. He DID NOT, he made light of it and made another joke.

Exactly. The guy will never do an actual apology. I'm sure he thinks it's beneath him. He's a lame excuse for a man.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I have to call you out on you bolded comment. He DID NOT, he made light of it and made another joke.

you could not have heard what I did - say he wasn't sincere if you want, but he clearly stated he would not make that kind of joke or find that kind of funny.

I see sincere, others see "making light"..but he said what he said.

ETA: *******for the record******I never said he apologized - said he addressed it and explained ther e was no way he would make a joke about a 14 year old.

 

[rie'smom]

It's now ok to say the same thing about those girls in the white house if it's meant as a joke. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

What in the world? With a wink and a nod? The statement was pretty clear, Letterman's not a good guy and they don't associate with perverts. How does one "read something" into that.

Palin is saying it is because he disrespected Willow and why would she want to go on the show with someone who would say those things.

The implication they are making with the wink and the nod, is he is a pervert that would make a move on a 14 year old girl - and that is as low as anything Letterman said.

They will not admit that is the meaning, of course, but their followers are meant to "get" it and carry on with the hysteria. AS stated it others whips up the hype and frenzy and keeps Sarah in the forefront - her intended reasons for making that low life statement.

As I said, she COULD do the classy and respectable thing and except his explanation - and move on to asking for an apology on the Bristol joke. That would be reasonable.

 

[merryweather20]

He WAS joking about the 18 year old who WAS previously knocked up.

Letterman was trying to cover his but, the older one didn't go to the base-ball game, he wasn't referring to Bristol at all.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

It's now ok to say the same thing about those girls in the white house if it's meant as a joke. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

really??? Two wrongs make a right. someone makes a joke in poor taste so now it is all holds barred?????

as I said, kids are totally off limits, period!!!..Bristol not so much.....


(again, just to save everyone the unfounded righteous indignation...YES the joke was in poor taste even given it was about Bristol)

 

[ols386]

Letterman was trying to cover his but, the older one didn't go to the base-ball game, he wasn't referring to Bristol at all.

Yep. He knew exactly who he was referring to. He just tried to change his story, after the fact, to cover his butt. He's pitiful. His mother must be so proud.

 

[ols386]

really??? Two wrongs make a right. someone makes a joke in poor taste so now it is all holds barred?????

as I said, kids are totally off limits, period!!!..Bristol not so much.....


(again, just to save everyone the unfounded righteous indignation...YES the joke was in poor taste even given it was about Bristol)

Then why are you trying so very hard to defend him?

 

[blissventure]

really??? Two wrongs make a right. someone makes a joke in poor taste so now it is all holds barred?????

as I said, kids are totally off limits, period!!!..Bristol not so much.....


(again, just to save everyone the unfounded righteous indignation...YES the joke was in poor taste even given it was about Bristol)

I appreciate your well reasoned, thoughtful posts on this subject.

 

[TinklednPants]

Letterman was trying to cover his but, the older one didn't go to the base-ball game, he wasn't referring to Bristol at all.

Letterman had no clue whatsoever WHO was at the baseball game. He doesn't write the jokes, he reads them.
And as a previous poster pointed out. The joke doesn't even WORK if directed at the younger daughter. So clearly the writer was referring to the older daughter.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

It's now ok to say the same thing about those girls in the white house if it's meant as a joke. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

if you continue to bring politics into this, I would expect the Moderators to shut YOU down - or are you trying to get the thread shut down?????

if you don't like what you are hearing, please leave. Otherwise, quit trying to sabotage the thread.

 

[Castlebound]

It's now ok to say the same thing about those girls in the white house if it's meant as a joke. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

If one one of those girls got pregnant as a teen while their dad was preaching about abstinence only education yes there would be plenty of jokes.
Comics are always on the edge with their jokes. Someone is always going to find some jokes offensive. Nobody is saying that the joke wasn't in bad taste. BUT it does not amount to him being ok with a 14 year old getting raped.

 

[RobDoc]

It's become very apparent that this thread is not really about the Today Show. It is about political "jokes" made about and at the expense of a national political figure and her family.

Even without the other comments (never raised or suggested on Today), this thread is inside the border of the DIS political discussion policy. When those other comments are included it definitley crosses the line and is closed.