Sarah Palin Supports Dr. Laura, Shocker.

76 Comments

1. 1
   Moli
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 12:07 pm

   Why is this hack still around? Every time she opens her mouth she looks worse. All of her supporters are slack jawed yokels trying to keep their shotguns! Sorry to the slack jawed yokels who aren’t following her

2. 2
   LAC
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 1:01 pm

   Does that SHTFUP button ever work on her? I am so tired of that woman’s twatty tweets being turned into news. If I had no life, I would tweet back – “that crone left on her own accord. The 1st Amendment does not protect you from criticism. We have become dumber knowing you.”

3. 3
   Moli
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 1:20 pm

   Lac….I wish she hadn’t disabled hers. Think we need to find a hacker

4. 4
   tvaholic
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 1:21 pm

   I’m happy Dr. Laura did what she did, I only wish she would have done it years ago if that’s all it took to get her off the air. She’s irrelevant, that’s why she’s letting her contract expire. And now Palin’s trying to turn her into a martyr. I wish these idiots who complain that they are just exercising their Constitutional right to free speech, would realize that is exactly what everyone else is doing when they are objecting to what was said-it goes both ways, jackasses!

5. 5
   marijai
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 1:40 pm

   You are irrelevant and manage to make whatever you say sound even more stupid then the last stupid sounding thing you said.
   Please go back to Alaska & shut-up.
   That is all.

6. 6
   cattyfan
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 9:06 pm

   Actually, Dr. Laura hasn’t been “kicked off the air.” She will be finishing out her contract (which expires at the end of the year.)

   And, like it or not, free speech still exists. So, while I’m not sure Dr. Laura used the best technique in trying to demonstrate to her caller that the caller was too sensitive about race, she certainly has a right to speak…and I understand why Sarah Palin would support a constitutional right. It’s in keeping with who she is. I think it’s sad so many others DON’T support someone’s right to free speech (even if you hate what’s being said.)

7. 7
   Pixielated
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 10:31 pm

   Hey, the people who came out in opposition to her and demanded she be taken off the air have free speech, too, catty.

   And since when do R-rated comedians establish social norms? (Laura said that many black comedians use the n-word) If so, it would be appropriate to call your neighbors bitches and hos and openly discuss oral sex.

   BTW, I refuse to call her “doctor” because her Ph.D. was in something like Medieval Studies. Anyone who calls themselves “Dr.” who doesn’t have and M.D. or is not a psychologist is a pretentious gasbag.

8. 8
   Pixielated
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 10:33 pm

   And how is it hypersensitive to object to being called the n-word by your neighbors, and for your husband not to object?

9. 9
   Robinez
   Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:09 pm

   @pixielated…”And since when do R-rated comedians establish social norms? (Laura said that many black comedians use the n-word) If so, it would be appropriate to call your neighbors bitches and hos and openly discuss oral sex.”

   The R rated comedians don’t establish the norm and many black comedians do use the word.Freely and without any consideration for other’s who may be offended.

   As far as calling my neighbor a bitch or a ho,it would only bother me if she wasn’t able to say the same thing back at me.Freedom of speach dontcha know…

   TC,Robin

10. 10
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    Like someone said in response to ‘Dr.’ Laura, (i think it was Howard Stern, whom she often tried to censor), that just because you have a right to say something, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to be said. We have a right to say anything we want, but that doesn’t mean we should.

    While I do find the n-word offensive when used by anyone, I find it suspicious that when non-black people want to use it..they only want to do so around Black people! If a group of young Black guys, or blk comedians, say they use it amongst themselves as a term of endearment and that the meaning for them is no longer negative, and then other ethnic groups would like to do the same..here’s an idea, don’t try to use it only when referring to Black people!! Show me the meaning has changed for you by first using it amongst yourselves. Call your little blond daughter a cute little n-word as you lovingly embrace her. Refer to your strapping husband as a sexy ass n-word. Then, and only then, could I be comfortable that the meaning has also changed for you. Other than that…leave it be.

11. 11
    Pixielated
    Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    That’s exactly what I meant, Robin. Why is Laura suddenly using R-Rated black comedians as social arbiters? She was telling the woman who called in that she shouldn’t be offended by the n-word because black comedians on cable TV use it all the time. I know I base all of my social discourse on what Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle say. (Actually, I think Chris Rock said he wasn’t going to use it anymore.)

    Certain words just aren’t acceptable in everyday social conversations, I believe. And the n-word (along with the c-word, the f-word and others)is one of them. Sure, we have a right to say it, but it has no class and is very hurtful.

12. 12
    Pixielated
    Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    @Sarcasatire: Your comment reminded me of an experience I had a few days ago. I was at the bus stop, and there were some women there. One of the women was talking about how much she was sweating, and lifted her top a little to show it. One of the other women said, “I don’t need to see that, N—–!” The funny thing was that the woman who said it was black, but the woman she said it to was white.

13. 13
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    Also, comedians use alot of words that others may find offensive. P*ussy, c*nt, mothaf*cka, etc.. While it is their freedom/right to do so, it is also our right to change the channel. If you’re offended, I’d suggest you excercise your rights!

14. 14
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 19, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    @Pixielated: I live in a latino community, well predominately so. And i tell you, no one drops the n-word in NYC more than latino teens. But it doesn’t offend me as a Black person because they aren’t using it to refer to Black people..they use it amongst themselves as friends, which indicates to me that they don’t mean it in a derogatory fashion. That doesn’t mean I like it, I’m over the use of the word by anyone, but i don’t feel creeped out either.

    @Pixie: The black woman who used it towards a white woman is another indication of my point that many people, who keep that word in circulation, do not see it as a term that is specific to Black people. The people who only want to use it around or towards Blk people are the ones i take issue with.

15. 15
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 12:14 am

    I understand, sarcasatire. I was just amused by that interaction. It just amazes me that Laura equates the use of the n-word by comedians to the use of it in social discourse. Next, maybe we should all take vocabulary tips from rappers.

    I sincerely hope that the level of vulgarity displayed (and I do think it is funny, don’t get me wrong) by comedians will become the norm in our society. And Laura, I’m sure, would be the last one to condone it if it were directed at her.

16. 16
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 12:26 am

    @Pixielated: True. Which is exactly why she has tried so hard to get Howard Stern off the air for being vulgar. He slapped her with a big, “Ho, sit down.” (Urban slang for STFU)

17. 17
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 1:26 am

    Oh OK,If I say it to my white niece it automatically becomes ok to say it now? Shit,I didn’t know the protocal.

    Quit making that word so special that we need a rule change every few yrs on how and when to use it.It is a fucking word!

    TC,Robin

18. 18
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 1:30 am

    I dislike it and think it is an ugly word. It is often used with hateful and ugly intentions.

    Fucking words are powerful. That’s why the Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech. It is also why it does not protect yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

    To me, as a white person, I feel pretty confident in not using the n-word under any circumstance. No how, no way.

    But then, I’m old enough to remember when it was used more frequently by whites and I also remember seeing a burning cross once (in the ’60s).

19. 19
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 2:05 am

    @Robinez..I believe you are missing my point. Allow me to make myself clear. I have already said that it is an offensive word for me, in any context. However, I take issue with white people feeling as though they are being left out, as if they deign to also use this word endearingly, however, they only want to use it towards Black people. My point was a facetious one, like, if you wanna use it..say it amongst yourselves as a term of endearment before you try to convince others that you are not using it derogatorily towards Black people. I’ve had acquaintances, all white, who expressed disdain that Black people think they ‘own’ the word. They wanna use it, too. Well…why do you take this issue up with your Black friend? Specifically one who has never used it in your presence? (or ever, for that matter) Because, for some white ppl, and I mean very few, the pleasure of introducing this word into their vernacular would only derive from using it in the presence of Blacks. And this makes me uncomfortable.

    My parents were born in the 40′s, in the deep South. My mom and grandparents were sharecroppers. My 42 yr old brother was even born into segregation, so yes, the connotation of this slur will not be easily forgotten. I can understand (barely) why some Black youngsters feel if they ‘take back’ the word and attempt to change it’s meaning that they are extracting the hurtful meaning behind it. However, this is their perception. If someone of another ethnicity, not acquainted with them, just appeared and directed the n-word towards them, then these kids will not know the context in which it is used, which would lead to confusion and them taking offense. So, is it really worth it? There are so many other words in the English language..why get mad over not being able to use one? Why would Dr. Laura and others, who deem themselves educated and articulate, not decide upon the use of other adjectives to communicate their affection?

20. 20
    vallegirl
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 9:37 am

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

    That’s the full text of the First Amendment. Palin needs to read it, it’s only slightly longer than a tweet, and learn that what “happened” to Schlessinger was, in fact, the free exchange of ideas. She expressed her opinion, others expressed theirs and her sponsors finally expressed their opinion that she was a waste of their money and chose to pull their support.

    Saddest thing about Palin is, she’s not even the dumbest Republican. She’s practically William F. Buckley when compared to such intellectual lions as Louie Gohmert and Rand Paul.

21. 21
    tvaholic
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:29 am

    What really pisses me off about “Dr.” Laura’s response is that she didn’t even address the topic the caller wanted to discuss. If I am correct, it was a black woman who married a white guy, & his family felt it was ok to use the N-word in her presence & also make racist comments around/to her. All Laura said basically was who gives a shit. This woman has a husband who allows his family to treat her like shit, & all Laura cared about was how “unfair” it is that so many black people use the word, why can’t white people?

    All I could think of was that Seinfeld episode where the dentist converted to Judiasm so he then felt he could tell all the Jew jokes he wanted, cuz it was okay, he’s one of them. This guy’s family probably thinks having a black sister-in-law gives them a free pass as well. “Hey, I’m not racist, I have a black sister-in-law!”

    For the record, I’m white, don’t like the N-word, & never have the desire to use it or agree with the whole “if they can say it why can’t we” argument. Not soapboxing, just sayin’. As far as the people who for some reason use that argument in their Constitutional right to free speech, well fine, that’s your right. But that’s just a right, not protection from backlash.

    And I agree with sarcasatire in that a lot has to do with who uses a word, the context, and the audience. My good friend can call me a fat bitch in jest & I know she’s joking; you say it to me as a stranger on the street, & I’m pretty sure I won’t take it as well!

22. 22
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    @sarcas OK I see where you are coming from.And I truly appreciate your position,I really do.It just seems to me that a word that most find offensive keeps getting a get out of jail free card depending on who says it,in what context,where it was uttered..ad nauseum.It is an insulting word according to those that it is used against and that should be enough.No new rule changes..JUST DON”T SAY IT.The same can be said for other word’s that are associated with certain religions and even where people live.I live in the south and some yankee’s feel as if it is ok to disparagingly refer to some of us with a word that I won’t utter here or anywhere.I don’t embrace the word.I hate it.To embrace it would mean I agree with it.

    Anyway,That’s my take on it.

    @tvholic I understand what you are saying but the fat bitch name doesn’t have near the history as the N word.Beside’s being called a fat bitch in some cases is true I am not sure the same applies to the other words that are so frequently used just to bring up hundreds of years of old wounds.

    I think everybody should just say the N word when they feel like calling someone any hurtful name…and that word is “NOT” gonna do it.

    Hugs,Robin

23. 23
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    The thing that Palin doesn’t get (one of many) is that, yeah, in this country we do have freedom of speech, but we have to deal with the consequences of what we say. If I use inappropriate language at work, for instance, make sexual comments to a coworker, I can be fired for that. I just can’t be thrown in jail for it.

24. 24
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    @Robin. You make valid points and it seems we both agree on the word’s offensiveness and the fact that no one should use it. However, as we cannot go around censoring the world, we can just observe the repurcussions of those who choose to freely utter this word. When a Black person does it, someone may take offense, feel uncomfortable, or such, but that is usually the extent of it. However, when a white person does, there WILL be backlash. From all sides. This is an observation we can agree on, right?

    There is no new rules change regarding it’s usage. The point is, the word became famous during a time when Black people were actively oppressed and persecuted by Whites. The negative connotaion that the word has is due to the context in which the racial slur was used toward Blacks by Whites. Therefore, there will never be a time when anyone is comfortable with a White person saying it, Dr. Laura, or anyone..because everyone will automatically believe it is being used as a racial slur, especially when the word is uttered in the company of or towards Black people. I’m sure we can agree on this, as well.

    While I don’t agree with Blacks or Latinos using it amongst themselves, I also believe we can longer identify with the term as a ‘racial slur’ when they do so. It’s like the person above’s analogy of the Jewish man make Jewish jokes. Can he be called racist, too? Or how about when a gay guy affectionately refers to his friends as ‘fags’ and his girlfriends as ‘fag hags’?

    @tvholic: I actually found your ‘fat bitch’ analogy to be appropriate. Who cares about the history? We are discussing the context in which a word is used, in conjuction with it’s user and it’s intended target. Which is why the lady was upset when her family used it towards her. Which is also why Dog the Bounty Hunter came under fire, but Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor never did. Whether it’s something one can accept, is irrevelant. That’s just the way it beez sometimes..

25. 25
    georgiababe
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    I really hate it when people squawk about free speech when they use an offensive word and get backlash for it. Sure, it’s your right to say it – that’s why I can’t have you arrested for saying something rude or racist or whatever to me. However, that doesn’t mean that you can say whatever you want and nobody can get angry about it.

    I agree with tvaholic’s “fat bitch” analogy. You have the right to say it, but I also have the right to not like it.

26. 26
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    @ Sarcas,Good thoughtful post.Thanks.I can’t say that I agree with it all.But I can say that it was worth reading.I am not sure that a Jew telling Jewish jokes is comparable to being called a K word.

    The ez at the end of my name is the letters in the end of my last name…maybe we will talk about that sometime..not in the near future tho.This thread has made me uncomfortable.I am afraid I will hurt someones feelings and that just isn’t like me!

    Hugs,Robin

27. 27
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    Hugs!

28. 28
    Memememe
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    I just wish I could find a forum where I can chat and joke and snark about entertainment and the boobs therein without having to listen to people’s politics.

29. 29
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    @Memememe,

    As do we all.But sometimes the shit hits the fan.Fortunately,the fan gets turned down quickly around here.

    Nobody has ever turned down a good conversation about snark and boobs.
    

    TC,Robin

30. 30
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    I don’t understand how this woman stayed relevant to anyone as long as she did. She bases her entire show on “moral health”, yet seems to only have situational morals at best. She slept with two married men; had extramarital affairs of her own; posed for nude pictures; started out supporting gay issues then turned on gay people; became an Orthodox Jew then said she couldn’t connect with God and protested a Menorrah being placed in an airport, while claiming she was putting up a Christmas tree in her home.

    And people go to her for advice why?? Bottom line is, that her use of the N word – putting aside for a moment whatever that word means to any particular person – she had a pretty good idea it would be offensive to her GUEST. What she did was abusive and cruel, and she essentially bullied this woman with offensive language, personally I think it’s a form of harassment.

    I’m glad she’s gone, and I hope she stays gone – now if only we could find a way to get rid of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and a few other idiots who somehow ended up on the air.

    As for Sarah Palin – I want to see that crazy bitch on Real Housewives of Wasilla, and until I do I don’t want to hear any more dumb shit coming out of her First Dude-hole.

31. 31
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    @Memememe: Perhaps then, you should stick to the boobalicious recaps and not a Newsgasm feature about a politician. Considering that, you know, you don’t want to discuss politics. *shrugs*

    For all of us who can ease from intelligent, thoughtful discourse to snarky, witty humor depending on the topic..I think TVgasm.com appreciates it. Oh, and thanks to Nads for not dumbing us down with just one tabloid type news. Now..
    *on to read about Speidi’s sex tape* Wanna meet me over there, Memememe? I’m sure there’s plenty of snark to keep you satisfied..

32. 32
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    Wait..Dr. Laura posed nude?? @Memememe, there goes the boob angle you were looking for!

33. 33
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    LINK NSFW, and shows full frontal, Dr. Laura bush (she needs some ladyscaping)

    Here ya go:

    http://www.pencilnecks.com/Laura.htm

34. 34
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    Wow.. no words. Okay, maybe a few. Eeeeewww..the spread-eagle shot was the worst. Made me think of old balogna flapping in the breeze. And, please..let’s hope she trims now. Because the carpet definitely doesn’t match the drapes!

35. 35
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Amen, @ProdigalCheez!

36. 36
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    @P-Cheez: You said, “Dr. Laura bush” Bwahahahahah!

37. 37
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    I can totally understand that Laura probably did things in the past that she is embarrassed about now and disapproves of, and it would be fine if she weren’t so intolerant and hateful about other people’s faults and mistakes. Can you imagine if some teenager called in about posing nude and having the pictures posted on the web by her boyfriend? Laura would say, “It’s your own fault.”

    That’s the issue I have with so many of these people who put themselves in the position to establish moral, ethical, and religious standards for everybody: they don’t seem to believe that these standards apply to them.

38. 38
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:16 pm

    Heh… Dr. Laura was a very badly groomed strumpet!

39. 39
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    It took alot of courage to do what you did pcheeze….:-)

    TC,Robin

40. 40
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    “That’s the issue I have with so many of these people who put themselves in the position to establish moral, ethical, and religious standards for everybody: they don’t seem to believe that these standards apply to them.”

    I totally agree @Pixielated, and that’s my biggest problem with people like her – in addition to her personality, which sucks.

41. 41
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    Or stupidity @Robin – not sure about the NSFW policy, but I figured one of the admins could just take it down if it’s too over the top. No offense meant to anyone – but these are all over the internet.

42. 42
    Robinez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    @pcheeze, lol I meant it took courage to have to see the pics to make sure they were the right ones.Oh how I would loathe to have to look at her face let alone her..UGH..

    TC,Robin

43. 43
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    LOL!!! I’m an asshat.

44. 44
    Pixielated
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    Remember when they used to have a warning on TV about material not being appropriate for “more sensitive viewers.” I think that applies here. I mean those with sensitive stomachs, that is. LOL

45. 45
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 20, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    True @Pixielated, Dr. Laura’s shrubby vag is the visual equivalent of Mai Lai. LOL.

    It also appears that DL wears her Levi’s commando-style – a very risky proposition when her ladybits have the same hairline as Teresa Giudice’s forehead.

46. 46
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 3:40 am

    Zzzzzzzzip!

47. 47
    cattyfan
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 9:45 am

    I guess I just can’t relate to all the hate for Dr. Laura and Sarah Palin. I find them far more interesting and intelligent than much of what currently passes for “relevant.”

    And I would certainly prefer Palin as second in command over the dolt who is now holding the position. You can’t get much more stupid than Joe The Plagiarist Biden.

48. 48
    vallegirl
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 10:02 am

    The “plagiarism” is an interesting charge because he’d been using the Neil Kinnock story, with attribution, for most of the campaign and slipped up once then BLAM! He’s a plagiarist.

    He’s also a man who lost his wife and baby daughter, and nearly lost one of his two sons, right before Christmas and managed to rebuild his life. He never left his home, which was easier since he’s from Delaware and didn’t need to relocate to DC but still, and always wanted to be home to put his sons to bed while they were growing up. He’s the very parent Palin pretends to be when she talks out of her ass about “mama Grizzlies.”

    He may not have a finely-tuned filter, but in a crisis I’d rather have Joe Biden leading me than a narcissistic, self-aggrandizing, lazy, intellectually stunted, feckless harridan like Palin. She’d probably just give a press conference to announce she’s quitting, anyway.

49. 49
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 10:44 am

    I hate Dr. Laura because she’s a mean-spirited hypocrite who uses people’s faith in her self-proclaimed “calling” to do good, to cover up a highly dishonest and unstable personal history. I don’t disagree with you @cattyfan about the dearth of intelligent commentary in our culture, but I think Dr. Laura crossed a line when she abused one of her call-in listeners. Her show is built on the premise that listeners will get “tough-love” advice, not be bullied by language that is considered universally offensive and inappropriate. Her response to this woman was neither intelligent nor was it relevant, it was cruel and lacked any semblance of love or compassion.

    Sarah Palin is intellectually lazy, dishonest, obfuscating, hypocritical, one-dimensional, and woefully unequipped and under-educated to have any position of responsibility in ANY government capacity. Alaska is still in many ways a frontier, and the constituency there is not reflective of the majority of Americans – she would never even have gotten on a local school board in most towns in New York State. She is not a breath of fresh air – she is a blustering ass who can’t even handle a television interview, much less negotiations with other foreign heads of state who have a monumentally better understanding of the policies and procedures mandated by our Constitution. She’s dangerous because she’s arrogant and stupid, and oblivious to the consequences of her own behavior.

    I’m saying this as a registered Republican, who disliked ALL of the choices in our last election. I don’t strongly dislike Obama or Biden, but I have reservations about their underlying agenda which at times does sound very much like Marxism, something with which I have some working familiarity. The Rebublican’s aren’t much better, and I loathe the Far Right for many reasons, first and foremost among them are their positions on gay rights, abortion and allowing big business to function unfettered while the middle class disappears.

    I’m sick of most moral and political commentators, I would like to see a true third party emerge that reflects what most of us are – moderate people trying to balance our personal belief systems, and finances against a government that has become too powerful and doesn’t seem to need to answer to any of us anymore.

    I think we’ve lost our ability to be critical thinkers, and look to be spoon-fed easy answers and opinions by the media. 50 years ago a program like Dr. Laura’s or Dr. Phil would have been unthinkable because people had common sense, now we look to charlatan’s to find a benchmark to measure our own life experiences against – We’ve become a national psychological revival meeting, and always searching for our next Elmer Gantry.

50. 50
    cattyfan
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 11:24 am

    vallegirl…I’m talking about Biden’s college career during which he plagiarized others’ writing. It’s how he “earned” his degree.

51. 51
    classy drunk
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    I am not sure I would consider Sarah Palin intelligent, interesting maybe, but intelligent…no. I can understand if you agree with the stances she has on certain issues at hand, and that I can respect that. But to call her intelligent is probably stretching it. I think many politicians have instances where they’ve said the wrong thing as the wrong time as we all would if someone was recording every word that we said about our respective fields. Many politicians’ gaffes seems to come from they fact they’ve been asked a question and they have not done their due diligence and respond from what they know or they are attempting to be humorous or purposely cause a stir. I think that Mrs. Palin quite often does not know what she is talking about and makes knee jerk comments. Honestly if she was to do her homework on the subjects she tries to come out and talk about she would often times sound smarter and much more knowledgeable and there fore garner more respect from the people who thought she was a dolt during the 2008 election.

    The first amendment works both ways. Dr. Laura can say whatever she wants to say and the activist can say whatever they want also. But Dr. Laura said her at work where they are consequences to what you say. She has to still report to the higher ups that have to listen to advertisers that will pull their money because they do not want to support that kind of speech. Ask Imus.

52. 52
    chemgal
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    sarah palin is the gift that just keeps giving. Like Pcheez, I too am a registered republican. I am a strict fiscal conservative, but socially libertarian. Like PCheez, I would love to see a branch off in the republican party. However, most repubs realized there was no way anyone was going to beat Obama (even McCain didn’t even try). Who ever realized that nominating Palin would rile up so much hatred from the Democrats was a pure genius! No one ever considered her a serious candidate, but she deflects so much attention that all I can think is the decision maker deserves a huge award of some type.

    As for Dr. Laura, I love her books. In written form, the lady can dole out some good advice (10 stupid things men/women/parents do to mess up their lives should be mandatory reading.) However, she has always been a bully on her show – this is not new by any means. She only half listens and can even turn a compliment from a viewer into a reason to rip them a new asshole. However, while I don’t like what she said, I will defend her right to say it. The n-word, and f-word (not fuck, that word I use all the time) are two words I will never use. Their history is just too filled with hate. I think the part of the black community that has come forward to pledge not to use it should be hailed as heros. Too many people of ALL cultures/colors have no idea the hatred behind these words and the audacity of thinking they can ever “own” the word and remove the loathing associated with it.
    I think a lot of people bring up good points though about double standards. Currently, it seems people can say anything about any other group without any blowback. I believe if the media, corporations, individuals are going to protest against someone who uses the n-word, they need to do the same against people who speak with hate towards all groups.

53. 53
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 6:28 pm

    “However, while I don’t like what she said, I will defend her right to say it. The n-word, and f-word (not fuck, that word I use all the time) are two words I will never use. Their history is just too filled with hate. I think the part of the black community that has come forward to pledge not to use it should be hailed as heros. Too many people of ALL cultures/colors have no idea the hatred behind these words and the audacity of thinking they can ever “own” the word and remove the loathing associated with it.”

    So well said @chemgal – and I couldn’t agree more.

54. 54
    cattyfan
    Posted August 21, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    points to chemgal for making some excellent statements.

55. 55
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 1:53 am

    Damn you Captcha! Losing a well written message is so discouraging..

    Hey Chemgal! Just want to add a bit more to the discussion. You made good points, some that I agree with. So please forgive me if I seem a little nitpicky but something made me a little uncomfortable in your last statement. You said, “I think the part of the black community that has come forward to pledge not to use it should be hailed as heros.” The first problem I have with this statement is that it implies that the majority of the black community uses the n-word and the courageous few has stepped up to ‘pledge’ to never use it again. However, the exact opposite is true. Most, the overwheling majority, to say the least, of the Black community has never introduced the n-word into their vernacular. Ever. So there was never a pledge to stop using it when they didn’t use it to begin with. The small majority of the Black community that does use the n-word, unfortunately, make up a large majority of the Black people that are depicted in the media and in music. So, I can understand why some may believe that it is in fact a popular word used amongst Black people. (Damn you, MTV! lol)

    Then there is the fact that you want to call Black people who don’t use the n-word, “heroes.” Um…ok. Would it also be appropriate to say the white people who choose to no longer use the n-word should be hailed as heroes, as well?

    Either way, I’d rather not be ‘hailed as a hero’ for not doing something that most of us never do anyway. A hero does something unique, no? So, in my humilty, I’d prefer to not be a lauded as a hero unless it was for doing something heroic. Like finally getting the upperhand on my willful infant child and getting her to sleep at a decent hour. And then to sleep for longer than 4hrs before feedings. If I can do that, I’d like to be accolladed from all sides!! Trophies, ceremonies…I want it all, because, dammit, I deserve it! *Mel gibson voice*

56. 56
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 2:08 am

    “small majority” should read, “small minority.” Once again..damn you, Captcha! hehe

57. 57
    Pixielated
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 4:16 am

    What chance McCain had to win the presidential election went down the tubes when they picked Palin for VP. It took away the ability to criticize Obama for lacking experience, since McCain had put someone “a heartbeat away” from the presidency who had even less experience. I will never forgive McCain (or whoever made the decision) for foisting that horrifyingly stupid and inexperienced woman on the American public and giving her any sort of legitimacy at all.

    Hey, all of you fiscal conservatives: Did you read David Stockman’s opinions on the performance of Republican presidents from Nixon onward? He makes some strong points, the best of which is that Republicans are no more “fiscally conservative” than Demos, what with their unwillingness to raise taxes on the rich and constant war-mongering.

    BTW, my old economics professor (a Republican) used to say that fiscal policy is useless because no President or Congress would ever raise taxes and lower spending. The only thing that truly affects the economy is monetary policy, i.e., the Federal Reserve.

    I think we can all agree that Dr. Laura had the right to say whatever she wanted on her show, and that her opponents have the right to say anything in opposition, and her employer had the right to fire her (not that they did; she saw the writing on the wall).

58. 58
    chemgal
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 6:47 am

    @sarcasatire – you’re not being nitpicky, you are merely pointing out my inability to articulate using the written word effectively! Having grown up in a multicultural area, I am aware of how in often the n word is used. Growing up, until NWA became popular, I had never heard the word spoken out loud – by any one, black or white. I apologize if I implied that I believed it was used by the majority of the black community. I meant to use the word hero (for Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, 400+ other rap stars) because they are getting involved and are trying to do something. To me, a hero is someone who sees something wrong and doesn’t sit around and do nothing but rather, tries to make it better. And, I’m not throwing stones here, just speaking from experience, there are a lot of white kids who have never had a black friend, not because of hate or racism, but due to logistics of where they live. Here in Maine, until recently (and I’m talking only about 5 years), seeing a black face was extremely, extremely rare. And some kids have never, ever even left their hometowns. Their only exposure is through Hollywood and music and I’m sure there are other areas in the country that are the same. These kids have no idea the power of the n word, as they have never heard it used in the manner in which it was truly intended.

    So my friend, first I apologize for not using more paragraphs! And second, for not explaining myself well enough, I promise in the future to try and remember to hit the return key twice between thoughts AND to try and use a thesaurus.

    @pixielated – In addition to the federal reserve, the congress also affects the economy with the budgets/spending packages they pass. Unfortunately, we are seeing the federal reserves inability to correct the current market due to all the other influences (housing market, consumer confidence). They have played all their cards and still haven’t turned us around. This upcoming double dip is going to suck!

    I’m a Repub who puts just as much blame for the economy on Bush. He got this ball rolling – and while I don’t believe the current Congress or President Obama is helping by focusing elsewhere, I have no patience for those who can’t or won’t place a good portion of the blame on W. We need to start our own party.

    @mememememe – sorry to you as well! I know that most days its good to come here and read some fun snark, but try to have some patience with us! Myself, I’m a house frau with limited adult/stimulating contact during most days. My last great intellectual conversation that took place was “is Dora stupid?”.

59. 59
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 7:04 am

    Well, I know a lot of people are getting annoyed that some of these comment sections are getting political, but in this case the Newsgasm article is about a politician. I’m beginning to wonder if we’re a microcosm of the national landscape, and feeling the need to start opening intelligent discussions in places we feel comfortable because our individual views, while they may differ amongst us in ways both great and small, are just not being represented or reflected in ways we relate to?

    What’s interesting to me is the two-sides of the coin nature of the N-word debate between some of us. My sense of this is that the way a white person views and positions themselves on the use of this word will never be able to encompass the experience nor the subtlety inherent in it’s use in the black community at large. I’m not going to debate the finer points here, because the fact is I can only bring MY opinions and experiences with this word to the table, and needless to say as a white woman I will never, ever be able to experience this word in quite the same way @saracasatire, or other black Americans would.

    That being said, I will say my personal preference regarding this issue is zero tolerance. While I will always support the right of free speech, I will also always reserve my right to decide what I will and won’t accept as part of my overall social responsibility.

    Anyone has the right to say anything pretty much, and I have the right to decide how I feel about it.

    @Pixielated, I’m a registered Republican and consider myself a fiscal conservative, and I agree there’s not much difference these days in the execution of financial policies on either side of the fence. I live in NY state where our last governor, a Republican, basically bankrupted the state. I’m very jaded on the state of the economy in general, and don’t even get me started on the banks – because I viscerally hate them all.

    I’m inclined to be a lot more interested in studied opinions about how each administration’s legislative arm came down on fiscal policies during each president’s tenure, and why. I think the most overlooked and under-scrutinized aspect of our government is the legislative branch – these people pass law after law, and how many of us really know from session to session what each and every one is? Oh – and special interest lobbyists should be eradicated – bills that are under consideration to become laws should arrive at that point through a series of referendums that reflect the majority opinion.

    What’s ironic to me is that “Taxation without Representation” is what kicked off the process of independence for this country – yet here we sit, none of us really feeling taxation is fairly distributed, nor representing our best interests. The system is broken and there are too few bridging the gaps for too many, and the things we should value like education, manufacturing and healthcare are eroding from under us and leaving us with a precarious future that seems to be built on shifting sands. I honestly think we’re poised for a civil revolution, and I’m not actually sure how I feel about that – I’m not as scared of it as I would have been 10 years ago, although I am very scared about our collective future in general.

    The middle class is the backbone of this country, things never really change much for the very rich or the very poor, and as the middle class shrinks things will become even more unstable. Taking things away from a group that is by and large educated and willing to work hard is very risky business, IMO. I know I resent the hell out of it, and my level of rage is not unique.

    In regards to the war/clusterfuck now, I’m old enough to remember Viet Nam, I had several uncles and cousins who went there. The ones that made it back were horrified by Rumsfeld, and the fact that we learned nothing from that experience.

    When it comes to GWB, I am not a fan.

60. 60
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 7:09 am

    Heh, posting at the same time @chemgal…

    ““is Dora stupid?””

    No, but she is really fucking annoying! LOL

61. 61
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 7:41 am

    @Chemgal..no worries..we’re good!

    As far as kids isolated from ethnic groups and not understanding the meaning or significance of racial slurs, I completely concur. While living abroad, I met and began dating this Slovenian guy. (super hot, btw!) Anyway, one day he affectionately call me his ‘n-word’. I was like, “WHA??” I told him that it was offensive to me and most Black people and should never be used. He was like, “My friends and I say it all the time. We got it from MTV!” I was the first Black girl he’d dated (and probably met, if I remember correctly) so this had never been addressed before even though he was almost 40 yrs old. I didn’t go into a history lesson of the word’s origin but told him it was a racial slur. Of course, I didn’t hold it against him, either. Forgive them, for they know not what they do. Bless his heart.

    From another perspective I went to a specialized middle school for gifted students in NYC. However, it was in a small, predominately Black community in Brooklyn with teachers of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I remember in 7th grade, this kid named Mitchell, daring students to go up to Mr. Levine, the English teacher, and raise their right hand while saying “Heil Hitler!” Now, gifted as this school was, the Holocaust was not yet on the curriculum for 12 yr olds and many of us didn’t have Jewish friends therefore did not know the severity and hurtfulness behind a comment such as this. Nevertheless, common sense was enough to tell us we would be in deep doo-doo if we did watch Mitchell dared. But there was still was no connection to the slur itself or it’s significance in history because we had not yet been exposed to Jewish culture nor were we well versed on the history of the Holocaust. Then in high school, we had a mandatory trip to see Schindler’s List and it all became very clear. (@Chemgal..maybe you should invite the kids in your town to a viewing of Rosewood, lol Knowledge is power!)

62. 62
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 7:44 am

    *if we did WHAT Mitchell dared*..it should read

63. 63
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 8:16 am

    Knowledge really is power. When I was 14 we spent a month in Germany, Austria, Bavaria, France and Switzerland. We spent a day at Dachau, then a day in Bertchesgarten at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. It was jarring to say the least, and the hardest thing to process was how someone who clearly appreciated beauty and nature could unleash such horror on his own people, and the world at large. The most stunning aspect of the entire thing to me was that ordinary people not only participated in this terrible persecution of the Jews, they embraced it. The shame that many German’s feel about this part of their history is palpable, and to this day it’s very hard to find a picture of Adolf Hitler that isn’t defaced, even in the Holocaust museums.

    My biggest fear is that something like that can happen again, and God forbid if it ever does that I will recognize it for what it is and have the courage to stand against it.

64. 64
    chemgal
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 10:17 am

    BTW, I lost the Dora debate with my 5 year old. He rested his case with a “Dora is fucking stupid. I told her 5 times the stars were in the tree!”

65. 65
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    Hahaha!! He’s right then @chemgal, LOL.

66. 66
    Pixielated
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    @PCheez: I read a study that found that the highest spending (and, you’re right, the legislature, that is, the House, controls the purse strings) occurs when Republicans control both the White House and the houses of Congress. The lowest spending occurs when the White House and Congress are of different parties.

    “Taxation without Representation,” as it was used in the Revolutionary War era, meant that the colonies were being taxed but could not vote. That is not true now. We may not have much of a choice of who gets elected and what they do, but, theoretically, we are represented.

    I encourage you to read the Stockman article, as it is quite illuminating. The Republican Party needs to focus more on fiscal conservatism and less on moral and religious issues, IMO. (BTW, I’m a Democrat, partly because I believe that religion and politics should be COMPLETELY separated, as our founding fathers believed.)Barry Goldwater is no doubt spinning in his grave at what the GOP has devolved into.

    P.S. Can you tell I was a Political Science minor in college? (Geography major).

67. 67
    Prodigal Cheez
    Posted August 22, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    “I encourage you to read the Stockman article, as it is quite illuminating. The Republican Party needs to focus more on fiscal conservatism and less on moral and religious issues, IMO. (BTW, I’m a Democrat, partly because I believe that religion and politics should be COMPLETELY separated, as our founding fathers believed.)Barry Goldwater is no doubt spinning in his grave at what the GOP has devolved into.”

    @Pixielated, where can I find the article? Is it online? I agree with you completely on your take on the Republican party, BTW. I know you’ve mentioned the article a couple of times, and I meant to ask you about it before.

    I know you’re right about the Taxation without Representation too. I’m incredibly frustrated by how our tax dollars get allocated, and the level of control the IRS has. And I don’t feel my interests are represented or considered by our elected officials, so I was being a little facile. I have to admit, when I voted I literally sat in the voting booth and just had no idea what to do – I even debated doing nothing, for the first time I honestly felt my vote didn’t matter.

    I’m glad you clarified things though, @Pixielated – I’m always up for increasing my knowledge, and you definitely have a better understanding of it than I do!

68. 68
    tvaholic
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 8:00 am

    Wow, I go offline for the weekend & look at all I missed! I wish I could articulate my opinions half as well as some of you here, & P.Cheez your comment #49 absolutely hit the mark for me. I’m half-tempted to print it out & keep it in my purse so I can just show people as to where I stand!

    Just a couple more of my 2 cents-as far as “Dr.” Laura, I think a big reason she is not pursuing a new radio contract is she realized how irrelevant she is. From what I understand it took a while for the story to get out, & it hasn’t stayed at the top of the news very long. Heck, I didn’t know she was still doing her thing until I read about it online.

    @sarcas-I really like your story about the hot Slovenian. It really shows how we are represented as a culture & I think your reaction was great. And when you think about it, how much do most of us know about foreign cultures? Would we be able to know what is or isn’t appropriate? The only regularly streamed-in foreign TV is BBC and Japanese game shows. I can sit here all day & criticize things that Palin & Laura have said, but can I say I’m that much more educated? Oh wait, bad example, when it comes to those two I feel pretty safe!

69. 69
    Montana
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    I am so happy that the ugly (inside and out) crazy old gym teacher reaped what she had sowed. She could have gotten her argument across by saying “N word” and not using the word and by not saying “don’t NAACP me” but like Michael Richards AKA “Cosmo Kramer”,she ends up the the trash heap of history, a history of her own making. I am so happy that the free market AKA sponsors started to pull their ads (I guess they were exercising their free speach) and she finally realized that she was just another “run of the mill gabby” and her days were numbered. She realized that she was not as smart as she thought she was, finally!

    The problem with Palin is the same when she mistakenly referred to Ronald Reagan Eureka College, being in California and we all know its in Illinois, same thing, she does not fact check anything she is going to say. She is soooo Palin!

70. 70
    cattyfan
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Yeah, Montana…that more than 20 year, highly successful career and the millions of dollars Doctor Laura made really demonstrates she isn’t smart.

    And if we’re basing intelligence on making an error, then out “illustrious” President has shown his absence of intellect repeatedly, starting with when he talked about how he had visited “57 states,” so he only had a “few more to go.”

71. 71
    Pixielated
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    @Cheez: I saw it on AOL somewhere; I don’t remember where. Maybe you could find it if you Google “David Stockman.” I am sad that it didn’t get more attention.

    @Catty, there is no question Laura is intelligent. She has a Ph.D. in Physiology. However, I question how smart she is. To me, they are two different things. A smart person would not have used the n-word in public like she did.

    I read her biography on Wikipedia. Boy, it’s pretty interesting!

    You’re right, also, about people making slips of the tongue, from Palin to Obama to whoever. I try not to hold those against folks, and look more to their overall record. I have a very low opinion of Palin, but she isn’t stupid.

72. 72
    Pixielated
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    However, I must disagree with your assessment of the President as having a “lack of intellect.” He is an intelligent and well-educated man. His shortcomings have nothing to do with that.

73. 73
    cattyfan
    Posted August 23, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Pixielated…exactly my point. A slip of the tongue doesn’t mean someone is stupid. Neither he nor Palin lack intelligence.

74. 74
    sarcasatire
    Posted August 24, 2010 at 1:05 am

    Here is a story featuring Michael Ian Black (comedian), Obama, and the term, “Heil Hitler!”. I guess it wasn’t only my classmate Mitchell that gets a Darwin award. Only difference, he was 12. This guy..definitely old enough to know better.
    http://tv.gawker.com/5619204/michael-ian-black-goes-after-a-racist-obama+hater-during-his-set?skyline=true&s=i

75. 75
    Montana
    Posted August 24, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Palin was the one who got bent over the use of the word “Retard”, Palin also said that the people have the right to build the Mosque in NY, but out of respect for the 9/11 families they shouldn’t, but I guess this same standard is not applicable to Laura Schlessinger. Do you see the hypocrisy?

    http://vodpod.com/watch/3927439-video-palin-makes-gaffe-during-speech

76. 76
    tvaholic
    Posted August 25, 2010 at 7:17 am

    @sarcas-I was a fan of MIB’s before but love him even more now. Thanks for the link!