New Rule: Ebonic Plague

New Rule: Stop punishing people for saying harmless crap as the media did when David Shuster said the Clintons were pimping out Chelsea Clinton

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1430551241http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Comments

[orbit25]

If David Shuster said Barak pimped out Michelle Obama and/or the Obama's two daughters he would be fired right now - not suspended.

Bill what's with your continual biased support of MSNBC and inviting MSNBC staff on your show so regularly? Joe Scarborough & Chris Matthews have their own daily shows. Your viewers don't want to hear anymore from these loudmouthed bullies. I though "Real Time" was an alternative discussion of the news not more of the MSM?

The majority of female guests on "Real Time" are crazy republicans or christian republicans. Get more democratic/independent women on the show. How about Amy Goodman for a start? You hired her star reporter, Jeremy Scahill - how about inviting her as a courtesy??? Where's Arianna???

"Politically Incorrect" was so much better when you said what you thought right away; instead of thinking about it for a week. Stop incorporating so much MSM -you're losing your base.

[VicPerry]

So David Shuster is "people" and those who attack him are "media." "People" should get to say what they want but the "media" should not. Thanks to Bill Maher for clearing that up, but then he's just the guy to do it, cutting through all that politically correct stuff the fearless way he does. Bill Maher, you see, is "people," and so are all his buddies who get paid to talk on television. When they criticize people while talking on television it's not the same as the "media" criticizing "people"? Ok?

[SILVANUS]

So this is what the species is doing....
(Beep)

[NeverRepublican]

Interesting to see "pimps" who control women and keep them as "slaves." I thought slavery was dead in this country? I can find it in the streets just about in any big city. Pretty sad to think that slavery is alive and well in the sex trade here in USA...and it is slavery against women. Sad.

[Sean68]

Shuster used the term "pimping" as a synonym for "prostituting." Negative connotation retained. I don't know what Bill Maher thinks this has to do with black people. Unfortunately, the way "pimp" is used in some parts of the black community it is meant, sadly, as a term of respect; and, even worse, that white kids or anyone would co-opt this usage would be funny were it not so sad. I even hear white females use "pimp" as a compliment. Pimps are to be loathed.

[LonghornDem]

I wouldn't call Shuster's comment harmless. It was offensive and uncalled for. However, I fundamentally agree with you, in that there was an overreaction and that his immediate apology should have been enough. He wasn't Don Imus with a long history of this kind of offensive language. It was one slip. People need to learn to deal with folks in the media being imperfect.

[Carbon Footprint]

Conservatism is dead. Sen. Craig sounded taps, with his flag at half-mast.

[jadez]

why must we watch a 15 second commercial to see a 25 second clip?

[TommyHollis]

Just don't watch the 25-second clip.
Or finance your own internet feed so you can escape the schnorrer life.

[fairandjust]

No. I am not giving the so-called media people a 'free-pass' when they say something inappropriate. I have liked some reporting by David Shuster, but if they want to say crap like that - then call yourself a comedian or an entertainment reporter and not part of a news team - because that type of comment is not news reporting. Would they say crap like this about their wives or daughters?

[vsign]

I did not start out thinking about Obama in a negative way. A number of months ago I was awed with the possibility that Obama "might be the one". I asked myself where that feeling came from. I desired hope and optimism. I desired a leader that would make me feel those emotions. Obama said he would and he did. It was when he announced his candidancy for president that I attached those emotions to Obama. I called it "the voice of authority" and I believed he had superior judgement like he said he did.

Then when he got Imus ( a radio personality) fired (I believe), I realized how much power he already had. I began to ask myself questions about his judgement. Did he really want partnerships or like he said, he "would not go on Imus' program again". Imus was fired because of Obama's words. It worried me. The power of it worried me. Everyone's acceptance of it worried me. Imus was powerful but not equal to Obama's power. Many were giddy with how powerful Obama was (because he got Imus fired). The giddiness worried me and subsequent racial divide blogs worried me.

Look at whatever tapes are available. Look at the sequence of events, the timing of it all - David Gregory's interview with Obama on the Capital steps that morning when Imus was fired by NBC by 1:00 - 2:00 in the pm. It is an interview where Obama says the exact same words that Al Sharpton was demanding - that he wouldn't go on Imus show again. I think that is what got Imus fired.

When I was in NYCity going to school in the 80's, I was thinking that future radical change would happen by a "voice of authority" and that the voice would be a black american male voice. And that it would be so powerful as to influence masses because of a new technology. I wanted to research why this "voice" could influence masses by comparing it to the way Hitler had used the new technologies of his time - the microphone, the radio, and film. People had little experience before Hitler, of a leader using these technologies. The new technology increased by 10/100/1000? Hitler's influence or power. In my thinkiing, I imagined this voice to influence radical change. The 60's were a time of radical change. I felt good about the changes in civil rights, womens rights, human rights.

I no longer trust radical change Obama style.

[jadez]

what??

[Sean68]

I have that same feeling about Obama. What Imus said was SO terrible that not only should he be fired, but Obama said he would NEVER go on his show again. Meanwhile, his close personal friend, pastor, and "spiritual adviser" reveres Louis Farrakhan and he ("Rev." Jeremiah Wright) basically called Natalee Holloway a dead, drunken whore. I don't know that Obama caused Imus to get fired, and I've never found Imus funny or interesting, but stuff like this gets to me. Also, hasn't Obama spent the past 24 hours assuring us all he prays to jesus every night? Where's the forgiveness for Imus? I don't even recall "Rev." Wright feeling it necessary to ask for forgiveness for what he said about Natalee Holloway.

[Lisette]

That is right Bill,
That is just the way people talk today,
The sinister meaning was not there at all.
And, everyone knows it,
But Hillary is a complainer
And like George Bush is drunk with power.
Hillary is a Stalinst.

[zitlight73]

Yes by all means we have to let pinheads like Imus and O'Reilly say anything that pops into their pointy little heads. I've always been a strong supporter of freedom of speech and the rest of the Bill of Rights. I agree with the Abbie Hofman axiom, of being free to yell threator in a crowded fire. But if you chose to say something reprehensiable and stupid be prepared to be ridiculed and maybe even unemployed. or if you insult someone's kid to get your ass kicked.

[johnmorgan]

Should you have the right to lie?

[BushSunkOurShip]

I wonder how Mel Gibson felt when he was attacks for statements he made under the influence. Who determines what one saids and can't say.
I believe it was very clear what David shuster's statements mean.
Why isn't Bill Maher's statements directed at the source that is really destroying our free speech and democracy like the Judges , courts , Bush , Cheney , senate and the house of representatives.
I believe the garbage mouths in the news media should be kicked the h... out and the sooner the better...

[Waldimore]

Here are my rules:

White folks, STEP AWAY FROM THE EBONICS, PLEASE!

You don't know what you're saying, what the words mean, the rhythmn of our venacular, the correct tone of voice.... you just don't get it! You ain't cool or hip. You only get into trouble when you use these words and get your asses fired or suspended or kicked.

So just leave it alone!

You have your own language. It's called Standard English.

I'm African American and I approve this message.

[zull2]

What's really hilarious is how many of these media types probably use the word "pimp" to describe the same sort of situation in personal conversation. One jerk slips and says it on the TV, and that equals outrage.

I hear it all the time as a software contractor. The street term for "job placement person" is frequently pimp, and it's generally acceptable in personal conversation. To take someone that you are tied to and put them to work is referred to as "pimping them out". It's just a broader usage of what is more narrowly referred to within the prostitution racket. BUT, if the Clintons make a big deal about it, you're supposed to be outraged. That's the subrule to that above rule.

[smayhew]

zull2 obviously has never had a member of his/her family attacked. zull2 also has pretty superficial ideas about the politics of personal attack. Do you flare when Obama is called Barack Hussein Obama? The 'liberal' media went nuts on that one ... no one is criticizing Michelle Obama for her foot-in-mouth disease - Tom Hartman forgives her as 'new to politics' . Is Obma 'pimping' her? Schuster would have been fired for attacking the sacred cow.

Randi Rhodes on 'progressive radio' mocked the Clintons' hurt and anger over that remark - btw: Imus was FIRED for his remarks - guess it's worse to make a racist remark in this racist country than to attack the parents of a woman who supports them.

You people have only been able to attack Clinton personally. The Obama supporters are the most unsophisticated, hateful group in history.

What do you actually know about Barack? He beat Alan Keyes for the Senate, he voted 'present' on key bills that effected the black community when he was in the Illinois senate, his co-sponsored bill failed to pass the Senate, he made a shady real estate deal with a felon, he was editor of the Harvard Law review which means (for those of us who went there) he's always been a highly political creature and highly adept in making guilty whites believe he doesn't think we're racist... The race card has rarely been so subtly played.

This is a youtube 'movement' and just as shallow ... these are the people who don't have to pay mortgages - Obama won in states that will not go democratic ... are any of his followers readers? are any actually informed? The only clear characteristic is that it's sure they all fear and hate women.

Bill Maher is a 50 year old, single, Peta board member who recently flipped out saying he'd never get sick because he'd stopped putting 'shit' in his body.... Bill interrupted the governor of Pennsylvania when the governor was praising Clinton, Bill said ' But Obama has stadiums coming to see him, who else has done that?' ... he didn't allow a response - which should have been 'the Beatles'.

'Be the Change'? What the hell does that mean? Just WAIT for John McCain's attacks... get ready for the third Bush presidency...

[optiquest]

how is keeping a 28 year old woman (Chelsea C.) quiet on her Moms campaign stump "progressive"? How are ideas of increasingly taxing the salaries of over achievers and the motivated American that are high salary earners "progressive"? Progressive would to me, mean that they would not be punished, or taxed for their outstanding work and reward with good pay.

Progressives like Obama and Clinton seem regressive to me.

[nyboomer]

Progressive taxation is not the exact equivalent of progressive politics. Perhaps you need to study English vocabulary in context? As you progress you might understand both meanings and contexts. If you regress you will become GW Bush.

[Deadbeat1000]

Progressive taxes prevent the concentration of wealth and income. Since the 1980's tax burdens have been shifted onto people who make LESS money than Chelsea whose 200K job came primarily from nepotism than real achievement.

[vsign]

The media has definately helped decide this primary election, along with the money. I got my information from the MSM and it was clear as our water is in this small mountain town.

Obama's candidancy should be seen for what it has been - a bought election and a scam on the VOTERS.

I want someone to recognize that my vote should have counted more.

[XCITIZEN]

Who'd ya vote for? You didn't say....

[Dahveed]

It's all about perspective, I guess. From my view HC has gotten away with little investigation into her refusal to release her taxes; provide the list of the dozesns of lobbyists supporting her camoaign; examining thoroughly her claims of "35" years of experience; her qualifications as "experienced in foreign policy;" her rudeness and hateful treatment of her opponent in debates; and her constant portrayal of herself as "victimized."

Having followed Obama for a year now, I have read his books, examined his policy positions, and watched how he has campaigned. He seems to have a gift for taking the high road, never resorting to insults or snide, shaming remarks. And, I have been one of the one million small donors to his campaign. His character, integrity, and vision compell me to support him.