Well, the dumpster fire that was the Wanda Sykes stand-up routine for the White House Correspondents dinner this weekend continues to smolder and drive the news. The MSM’s treatment of Ms. Sykes is tediously predictable. Remember the pass Alec Baldwin got when he “joked” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien that then Republican Rep. Henry Hyde should be “stoned to death” and his family killed? Yuk, yuk. As long as the object of ridicule is conservative, or Republican, or Christian—or even better all 3—then it’s all in good fun and the MSM is quick to justify or excuse, and taciturn in its criticism.
I’ve seen Ms. Sykes stand-up on late night comedy shows and she can be quite funny, though frequently off-color and “edgy”. This night, however, she was cringe worthy at best.
Let’s take her remarks about Rush Limbaugh first. It wasn’t the attack on him that bothered me. Rather, it was the personal nature of it. Rush’s painkiller addiction is no funnier than jokes about Owen Wilson attempting suicide, or Anna Nicole Smith’s fatal overdose. Nevertheless, Ms. Sykes crosses the line by “joking” that she hopes Rush’s kidneys fail.
Hysterical.
Is it ever funny to joke about someone dying? Rush is a big boy who can defend himself if he feels the need so I won’t do it here. However, liberals like Ms. Sykes can’t honestly think that joking about drug overdoses and particular people dying painful deaths is funny. Unless of course the target is an outspoken critic of a guy you support and then jokes or wishes for death are perfectly fine—like liberal columnist Julianne Malveaux hoping Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife “feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease.”
But Ms. Sykes didn’t stop there. Apparently, 9/11 is now fair game for comedians too as she suggested Rush was the 20th hijacker but missed his flight due to his drug use. Nothing like a good Holocaust joke, or Pearl Harbor bit to keep the crowd rolling. Heard any knee-slapping Katrina jokes lately? There aren’t many sacred cows in comedy but it seems that terror attacks should make the short list along with genocide and deadly natural disasters.
Some conservatives have criticized Obama for not storming out of the dinner in protest of Ms. Sykes’ bit. Under the circumstances, it was certainly poor taste for Obama to guffaw to his table mates. I’ll give him a bit of a pass since most of us have been present for the telling of an off-color or offensive joke and not left the room in righteous remonstration. However, he can be legitimately criticized for not showing some form of disapproval especially over the 9/11 comments.
Sadly, while skewering 9/11 is de rigueur thanks to Ms. Sykes, President Obama is still off limits to comedians! Ms. Sykes mustered up a joke about Obama being “half white” and photographed with his shirt off. That’s it. And David Letterman’s recognition on a recent Late Show that he hasn’t figured out how to poke fun at Obama generated a rollicking bit—filled with hackneyed jokes, not about Obama, but about George W. Bush. Now that’s entertainment.
We all need tougher skin when it comes to comments and jokes. Political correctness has created a culture of hypersensitivity about the words we use or “can’t” use. But I suspect not even the fiercest opponents of PC liberalism would sanction stand-up directed at the addictions and painful death of specific known individuals, much less terrorist attacks.
Just wait until Muslim extremists set off a WMD on American soil. Thanks to liberals like Ms. Sykes, we’ll be able to laugh it off. It’ll be a gas.
Showing posts with label MSM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MSM. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Quick Hit #1--POTUS v. Miss California
Over the past few weeks, during his "I'm Sorry America Sucks" Tour, President Barack Obama ("POTUS") has (as the London Telegraph put it) gone further than any US president in criticizing America on foreign soil. America, according to POTUS, has been arrogant, divisive, and derisive, and he shouldn't be blamed for what happened when he was 3 years old. These beliefs drive POTUS's bus thanks to his influences (Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Black Liberation Theology, etc.) and the goodness of America is relegated to the luggage compartment.
The MSM's response? POTUS is recognizing the fallibility of America. We have a president who is courageous and not reflexive--willing to recognize America's role in creating hardship around the world. Finally, a president of principles who won't genuflect to some American's outdated, simplistic notions of patriotism. The MSM "tolerates"--indeed, lauds-- POTUS for standing on principle.
Carrie Prejean, Miss California, also stood up for her principles. When confronted by gay gossiping blowhard Perez Hilton during the Miss USA Pageant with a question about gay marriage, Ms. Prejean spoke what she believed: marriage should be between one man and one woman, but people can have whatever private relationships they want. Uh oh.
Where's the tolerance and adulation for Ms. Prejean? Well, before the pageant she was essentially unknown. Now, taking Perez Hilton's lead (since when should a gossip be allowed to drive the news?) she's a "dumb bitch", "ugly", a public pariah with a huge target on her evening gown. She must have known that her answer would subject her to scorn and ridicule but she said it anyway. To an unfriendly crowd. On their turf. At the risk of losing the very crown she had worked so hard for.
POTUS, too, had ripe opportunities abroad to reassert America's principles. The goodness of America, the shining City on the Hill, the beacon of freedom and democracy, the flawed but mighty defender of liberty. To unfriendly crowds. On their turf. At the risk of losing their adoration. He could have stood his ground like Ms. Prejean. Instead, he blinked and told despots and dictators what they wanted to hear.
It's a sad day in America when a beauty queen has bigger balls than the American President.
The MSM's response? POTUS is recognizing the fallibility of America. We have a president who is courageous and not reflexive--willing to recognize America's role in creating hardship around the world. Finally, a president of principles who won't genuflect to some American's outdated, simplistic notions of patriotism. The MSM "tolerates"--indeed, lauds-- POTUS for standing on principle.
Carrie Prejean, Miss California, also stood up for her principles. When confronted by gay gossiping blowhard Perez Hilton during the Miss USA Pageant with a question about gay marriage, Ms. Prejean spoke what she believed: marriage should be between one man and one woman, but people can have whatever private relationships they want. Uh oh.
Where's the tolerance and adulation for Ms. Prejean? Well, before the pageant she was essentially unknown. Now, taking Perez Hilton's lead (since when should a gossip be allowed to drive the news?) she's a "dumb bitch", "ugly", a public pariah with a huge target on her evening gown. She must have known that her answer would subject her to scorn and ridicule but she said it anyway. To an unfriendly crowd. On their turf. At the risk of losing the very crown she had worked so hard for.
POTUS, too, had ripe opportunities abroad to reassert America's principles. The goodness of America, the shining City on the Hill, the beacon of freedom and democracy, the flawed but mighty defender of liberty. To unfriendly crowds. On their turf. At the risk of losing their adoration. He could have stood his ground like Ms. Prejean. Instead, he blinked and told despots and dictators what they wanted to hear.
It's a sad day in America when a beauty queen has bigger balls than the American President.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Amateur Hour on the World Stage
Long before Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State, she was revered by many Democrats and the MSM as "the smartest woman in the world". This despite her distinct lack of uniquely significant accomplishment. Oh she has done some things that are unusual for a woman of her age. She graduated from Yale Law School when most law schools had few women students. She served as Congressional legal counsel, and became the first female partner of a (then) well-respected law firm. Those are accomplishments and women who serve in such capacities now stand on her shoulders to some extent.
But let's be real. Hillary's public popularity (or notoriety) are directly attributable to her marriage to Bill. That's not intended as an insult; it's just the truth. No one would know or revere Hillary if she hadn't hitched her wagon to her husband. Frankly, there is nothing wrong (or new) with a person trading a bit on a loved one's success.
Measuring her intelligence with reference to these accomplishments (or how she got where she is) would be strange since she finally has her own position. No, I don't count carpetbagging to get her Senate seat. Thanks to Pres. Obama, she is on the world stage, now, as Secretary of State, unhitched from her husband, free to display her intelligence in diplomacy, foreign policy and influence world affairs.
Unfortunately, a quick survey of Hillary's performance in Act I, and that of the Obama Administration, shows that this is Amateur Hour. Hillary and Barack are acting on Broadway while mis-delivering lines in a style more akin to a Little Rock dinner theater.
Scene 1: Meeting with her Chinese counterpart. Enter Hillary, hat in hand, begging the Chinese government to keep buying American debt. In exchange, she chooses not to linger on those pesky human rights issues. Shortly after the meeting, Chinese warships challenge US Naval vessels in international waters, suggesting China is no longer bedazzled by Hillary, if it ever was.
Scene 2: Meeting in Israel. Hillary touches the "third rail" of the Mideast peace process by declaraing the establishment of a Palestinian state is "inescapable", while expressing the desire to normalize relations with world terror leader Iran and its surrogate Syria--both sworn enemies of Israel. Israeli officials are not amused. Hamas officials--perpetually unamused--express anger at Hillary's failure to criticize Israel, but she still gives them a check for nearly $1 billion.
Scene 3: Meeting with her Russian counterpart. Enter Hillary with a gift in hand. Hillary presents a button to Foreign Minister Lavrov and, while taking an indirect swipe at the previous administration, tells him its a "reset button" to "reset" our relationship. The button was supposed to say "perezagruzka", which means "reset" but instead it said "peregruzka", which means "overcharged".
Scene 4: Brussels and the EU. Hillary claims she has "never understood multiparty democracy" and claimed that "our own democracy...has been around a lot longer than European democracy." Apparently, she either forgot Greece was in the EU or never studied Greek history. She also refers to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as "High Representative Solano", and European Commission External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner as "Benito." The MSM excuses her missteps as symptoms of fatigue.
Now, it goes without saying that the MSM would never have let George Bush, Condi Rice or Don Rumsfeld get away with such gaffes. It's expected from those dolts. But Hillary? She's too smart for that. She must have been tired.
Admittedly, Hillary is probably taking orders from Pres. Obama when she discusses policy positions. Clearly the Obama Administration has staked out positions in the mushy middle, which is just what we'd expect from loyal adherents of political correctness. Don't come on too strong, don't offend anyone, keep standards and expectations low, and never truly take a forceful stand. But, as Secretary of State, Hillary has a say in these positions...or she's entirely feckless. America must support her friends and gain compliance or concessions from her enemies, and defeat them if necessary. Staking out the mushy middle is a sure way to lose the upper hand. For example, in the Mideast, taking the mushy middle in an effort to secure "peace" risks alienating good friend Israel while never truly getting anything meaningful out of the PLO/Syria/Iran, in large part because Israel's enemies won't let peace and Israel coexist.
Luckily for Hillary, she is not on the hook for the insulting treatment of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. When the leader of your greatest friend and ally pays his first official state visit, you should welcome and treat him as such. Pres. Obama did not see fit to hold a joint press conference and barely had time to meet with Brown. Obama did, however, have a couple of toys from the White House gift shop for Brown's kids and a box of DVDs. Do you think he was smart enough to give him DVDs that will play on European systems? Doubt it. It's unclear whether Blockbuster will waive the late fees if Brown doesn't return them on time. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way back to 10 Downing, Gordo.
Unlike dinner theater, you only get one performance on the world stage. You can't show up for the next night's show with a clean slate and a new audience. For America's sake, and that of the free world and emerging democracies and capitalist nations around the world, we can only hope the performance will improve as Act II begins.
But let's be real. Hillary's public popularity (or notoriety) are directly attributable to her marriage to Bill. That's not intended as an insult; it's just the truth. No one would know or revere Hillary if she hadn't hitched her wagon to her husband. Frankly, there is nothing wrong (or new) with a person trading a bit on a loved one's success.
Measuring her intelligence with reference to these accomplishments (or how she got where she is) would be strange since she finally has her own position. No, I don't count carpetbagging to get her Senate seat. Thanks to Pres. Obama, she is on the world stage, now, as Secretary of State, unhitched from her husband, free to display her intelligence in diplomacy, foreign policy and influence world affairs.
Unfortunately, a quick survey of Hillary's performance in Act I, and that of the Obama Administration, shows that this is Amateur Hour. Hillary and Barack are acting on Broadway while mis-delivering lines in a style more akin to a Little Rock dinner theater.
Scene 1: Meeting with her Chinese counterpart. Enter Hillary, hat in hand, begging the Chinese government to keep buying American debt. In exchange, she chooses not to linger on those pesky human rights issues. Shortly after the meeting, Chinese warships challenge US Naval vessels in international waters, suggesting China is no longer bedazzled by Hillary, if it ever was.
Scene 2: Meeting in Israel. Hillary touches the "third rail" of the Mideast peace process by declaraing the establishment of a Palestinian state is "inescapable", while expressing the desire to normalize relations with world terror leader Iran and its surrogate Syria--both sworn enemies of Israel. Israeli officials are not amused. Hamas officials--perpetually unamused--express anger at Hillary's failure to criticize Israel, but she still gives them a check for nearly $1 billion.
Scene 3: Meeting with her Russian counterpart. Enter Hillary with a gift in hand. Hillary presents a button to Foreign Minister Lavrov and, while taking an indirect swipe at the previous administration, tells him its a "reset button" to "reset" our relationship. The button was supposed to say "perezagruzka", which means "reset" but instead it said "peregruzka", which means "overcharged".
Scene 4: Brussels and the EU. Hillary claims she has "never understood multiparty democracy" and claimed that "our own democracy...has been around a lot longer than European democracy." Apparently, she either forgot Greece was in the EU or never studied Greek history. She also refers to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as "High Representative Solano", and European Commission External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner as "Benito." The MSM excuses her missteps as symptoms of fatigue.
Now, it goes without saying that the MSM would never have let George Bush, Condi Rice or Don Rumsfeld get away with such gaffes. It's expected from those dolts. But Hillary? She's too smart for that. She must have been tired.
Admittedly, Hillary is probably taking orders from Pres. Obama when she discusses policy positions. Clearly the Obama Administration has staked out positions in the mushy middle, which is just what we'd expect from loyal adherents of political correctness. Don't come on too strong, don't offend anyone, keep standards and expectations low, and never truly take a forceful stand. But, as Secretary of State, Hillary has a say in these positions...or she's entirely feckless. America must support her friends and gain compliance or concessions from her enemies, and defeat them if necessary. Staking out the mushy middle is a sure way to lose the upper hand. For example, in the Mideast, taking the mushy middle in an effort to secure "peace" risks alienating good friend Israel while never truly getting anything meaningful out of the PLO/Syria/Iran, in large part because Israel's enemies won't let peace and Israel coexist.
Luckily for Hillary, she is not on the hook for the insulting treatment of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. When the leader of your greatest friend and ally pays his first official state visit, you should welcome and treat him as such. Pres. Obama did not see fit to hold a joint press conference and barely had time to meet with Brown. Obama did, however, have a couple of toys from the White House gift shop for Brown's kids and a box of DVDs. Do you think he was smart enough to give him DVDs that will play on European systems? Doubt it. It's unclear whether Blockbuster will waive the late fees if Brown doesn't return them on time. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way back to 10 Downing, Gordo.
Unlike dinner theater, you only get one performance on the world stage. You can't show up for the next night's show with a clean slate and a new audience. For America's sake, and that of the free world and emerging democracies and capitalist nations around the world, we can only hope the performance will improve as Act II begins.
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