A little bit more about Roseanne . . .

[MichMary]

What Roseanne did was horrendous, vile, disgusting, and she deserved everything that has happened in the last week, AND MORE.

I never knew that she had a traumatic brain injury many years ago, and I'm wondering if that may play a part in her impulsiveness and lack of judgment.

Years ago, I worked with a woman whose son had been brain injured in a motorcycle accident. She told me that you could converse with him, and never know that there was anything wrong with him; but if he got mad, he totally lost it--to the point where he couldn't hold a job, because he would lose control and lash out.

I certainly have no empathy for Roseanne, but it just seems like any normal person would have a little more self control, especially after all the stupid stuff she has done and said throughout her career. I mean, doesn't she ever learn?????

[grumpyduck]

1. Your fourth paragraph

could just as easily apply to that bad joke in the Oval Office.

[OldHippieChick]

2. Just thinking out loud here, but I do know what you mean and I have

heard of people w/ brain injuries having violent episodes. I have not, however, heard of them having "racist" episodes. This is more an example of the entitled rich. She has gotten away w/ so much in her life that she feels as she can do anything w/ impunity and continue to get richer. I'm glad that someone finally showed her the brakes. Her entitlement was further evidenced in her reaction to the firing. "I didn't do it" "It was a joke" "I thought she was white" "You are throwing me under the bus", etc., etc. She deserves to be banished to the pasture.

[MichMary]

4. I know what you mean

but I'm wondering more about impulse control than violent episodes. Twitter is especially bad for people with no impulse control.

As for Roseanne, I'm thinking that her lack of a mouth filter is probably what brought her fame and fortune in the first place.

[OldHippieChick]

8. What brought her fame and fortune was a

marvelous stand-up she used to perform on the "Tonight Show" concerning the domestic goddess. That was completely scripted and controlled. That helped lead to her situation comedy. As her fame grew she did become less scripted and more crass. Sad. The real Roseanne came out and has been coming out even more in later years. Deep down, she was never anything more than a RW redneck.

[ismnotwasm]

3. She was 16

She is a bigot with poor impulse control, but the TBI didn’t turn her into a bigot. She has the ability to choose and was quite savvy business wise at one time, if not particularly likable. I think being famous and rich and having a ton of validation from her fans for her bigoted behavior made her think she had a free pass.

[MichMary]

6. There are lots of bigots out there

who don't advertise it to the world. Twitter enabled her to advertise it, but lack of self control may have caused her to blow herself up on Twitter.

Not disagreeing about her bigotry. Just wondering if she would have done what she did (or a million other things she's done--like the nazi uniform thing) if she hadn't had a TBI.

[hlthe2b]

5. Her traumatic brain injury was in childhood...

While there can be lifelong repercussions to severe brain injury, it would be hard to explain the many years when she was 180 degrees in opposition to the things she says now and seemingly lived her life as normally as most around her. Was she always a outspoken comedian? Yes, and I suppose that is a confusing aspect to the whole mix.

Do I think she may be experiencing some personal or mental (perhaps chemical imbalance) issues that are driving her to seek out/disseminate conspiracy theories and to embrace racist Trumpster "persecution" philosophy? Maybe... But, I'm not sure I could see a direct line to her injury in childhood without a lot more information on its nature. Had her TBI been more recent--ie in adulthood, I COULD see a possible link, but it was not.

[MichMary]

7. Well, she was 16

which was a long time ago, but very nearly an adult. She has exhibited breathtakingly stupid behavior for years. The nazi uniformed baker, the Star Spangled Banner, a different racist tweet a few years ago--and probably lots of other stuff, which may indicate that she has had pathologically poor judgment going back years.

[hlthe2b]

9. I've known people (mostly friend's parents) who suffered personality changes from severe TBI

The neurologists explained that much of the change would likely be permanent as opposed to similar injuries happening to children and adolescents, who still have considerable ability to heal and adapt those injured portions of the brain. One one passes into midlife, that ability is extremely limited or nil and even in ones 20s we have begun the process of losing brain cells that would diminish any remaining ability to replace injured nerve cells.

So, no.. I don't think it has bearing. She has always been a "cutting edge" (impulsive) comedian, but the blatant racism was not evident on her first go around in her career success and political views. Shocking audiences in the name of comedy? Yeah... I think the screeching Star Spangled Banner performance is clear evidence of that. But, I just think she was of a cohort of comedians who pushed the envelope to get attention.

Something has really changed the past two decades. Sad as I do think she had talent early on, even if she wasn't everyone's "cup of tea".

[Wellstone ruled]

12. Something caught my attention a couple days ago.

In one of her statements she mentions being by polar. Oh boy,if she is,which she appears to be on the surface,that throws a dynamic into the ugly mix.

And for those who have friends or relatives dealing with this disease,you know what to expect. Until their Meds are adjusted to keep them on a even keel,their mental wondering's get damn interesting .

Wonder if Dementia is not one of her issues. Scary when one hears of someone playing the Ambient game. Had a SIL that was given this crap during her battle with Cancer. She kept a Journal,and after she passed,her Daughter found it. Her writings were that of a totally different person than we knew.

[hlthe2b]

13. that would not surprise me...

The wild swings, not only in mood, but "impulsivity" can be a consequence of untreated or poorly controlled bipolar sydrome

[dlk]

10. A Serious TBI Changes a Person's Behavior Permanently

Something to consider, especially when granting someone a national audience.

[Mosby]

11. a friend of mine rolled a golf cart when he was a kid

He developed a seizure disorder in his 40s, he can't drive and lives on disability.

[lame54]

14. So, you think the brain injury changed her?...

I wonder if she used to be funny

[MichMary]

16. I don't think it changed her

personality/biases/bigotry. I just think it may have made her less able to hide it.

[Goodheart]

15. I agree it was vile and disgusting, but we really ought to reserve the word "horrendous"

for things like murder, rape, genocide, slavery, or separating children from their parents.

[MichMary]

17. I felt like I needed more adjectives. n/t