General Discussion

merrily

(45,251 posts)

34. Bill Maher needs to get over himself and stop acting like a petulant toddler.

Sat Nov 1, 2014, 02:59 AM

Nov 2014

As far as his political knowledge, he is like Joy Behar. She thinks she knows everything about politics--and she does know a fair amount as to the things that she's lived through that were part of the national conversation as they were occurring. However, her knowledge of other matters ranges from non-existent to superficial. For one glaring example, she was totally clueless about the relation between Bubba and the economic crash of 2008. However, she's never uncertain that her knowledge is complete and her opinion has the weight of supreme law. Maher is not much above that.

Ben Affleck is an A list actor? (Critics might argue that hes an A list director and a C list actor, but okay, let's give Bill A list actor.)

Bill Maher has had a huge megaphone for decades. And? This reminds me of Bill talking about the rich as though he isn't one of them. Ridiculous.

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Bill Maher slams Berkeley protesters: Who said you only had to hear what didn�t upset you? [View all] babylonsister Nov 2014 OP

They should let him speak. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #1

He is also not a liberal, but one of those libretarians hollysmom Nov 2014 #3

His two top religious targets are Muslims and Christians. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #4

and frequently an ignorant one. hollysmom Nov 2014 #8

I am glad to see people push back with him. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #11

That is very understanding of you, justin. Like a true Liberal Christian of Cha Nov 2014 #14

Thanks Cha! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #17

A' ole pilikia, Justin~ Cha Nov 2014 #18

I don't like him because of his meanness but also because hollysmom Nov 2014 #21

He's also spewed some ugly misogynist garbage.. whathehell Nov 2014 #55

"I don't like him because of his meanness" Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2014 #128

I have issues with DU - disagree politely. hollysmom Nov 2014 #143

He is myopic in selecting his Skidmore Nov 2014 #79

Agreed! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #81

He has actually read those holy books, which both have hurtful and cruel shit from coved to cover snooper2 Nov 2014 #133

And they also have loving things in them. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #136

No such thing as a libertarian who wants to ban guns Reter Nov 2014 #134

He holds a particular disdain for Islam. MontyPow Nov 2014 #26

OMG. He thinks that Islam is more violent than Christianity? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #85

No sarcasm thingy? Rhinodawg Nov 2014 #116

He's like Christopher Hitchens Scootaloo Nov 2014 #35

This is totally not true oberliner Nov 2014 #48

And he supported killing christians becuase they were christians? Scootaloo Nov 2014 #67

Let him speak after the ceremony. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #51

I would let him speak. bravenak Nov 2014 #2

It is a commencement speech. The graduates just have to sit there and take it. djean111 Nov 2014 #49

I thought the show tonight was great. I think he's wrong if he's blaming all,, or the majority, Hoyt Nov 2014 #5

I thought the lady on his show tonight went way overboard aint_no_life_nowhere Nov 2014 #6

It was something like 60 some percent applegrove Nov 2014 #16

You know if you watch the original exchange between Affleck and Maher he didn't say one thing scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #24

He was critisizing Islam. Just like he applegrove Nov 2014 #29

I always marvel at his selectivity when Skidmore Nov 2014 #82

He was saying no liberal criticizes Islam. Liberal certainly do criticize Israel. applegrove Nov 2014 #95

But 60% of Egyptians do not kill people who leave Islam. Bill was all but equating poll responses merrily Nov 2014 #38

I share yr thoughts and concerns. I also wonder how much Maher is getting truedelphi Nov 2014 #73

Bill is worth well over 20 million bucks.... Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #109

Diane Feinstein is also worth well over 20 million bucks. truedelphi Nov 2014 #124

Starts at 5:10 scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #7

Thank you so much for posting this. LittleGirl Nov 2014 #30

if his speaking fee came out of student fees, they certainly haave a right to have someone hollysmom Nov 2014 #9

The students are the ones who originally chose him. Dr. Strange Nov 2014 #59

to me he has always been a seriously flawed person. hollysmom Nov 2014 #63

we are all seriously flawwed.. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #77

exactly hollysmom Nov 2014 #90

The problem is, which students? kiva Nov 2014 #106

I think the contract is of first importance. hollysmom Nov 2014 #125

Berkeley has already said they won't cancel him. tammywammy Nov 2014 #126

Free speech doesn't mean he's owed a speaking gig. Union Scribe Nov 2014 #10

He's not 'owed' one, but who will be good enough for Berkeley now? nt babylonsister Nov 2014 #15

Maybe someone who has some kind of academic achievement rather than a talkshow host. JVS Nov 2014 #46

That is not the rule for commencement speakers. former9thward Nov 2014 #61

No - the first rule of commencement speaking is... Blue Idaho Nov 2014 #121

+1 Exactly. merrily Nov 2014 #28

Uh, no SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #76

you understand freedom of speech only pertains to the govt right? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #94

And you know that UCBerkeley is a state university and thus part of the gov't, right? n/t Sivafae Nov 2014 #138

not the way meant by freedom of speech... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #142

That's right, Bill ATTACK! I imagine they'll be protesting at his gig, too.. good. Cha Nov 2014 #12

If you only listen to people you agree with, Stonepounder Nov 2014 #13

Don't go? They are supposed to not attend their own graduation? merrily Nov 2014 #32

Nitpick Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #52

Who said Maher had the right not to be protested? Orsino Nov 2014 #83

Seems to me there is a difference between protesting and 'uninviting'. Stonepounder Nov 2014 #89

The protesters are asking those who hired him to cancel the appearance, yes. Orsino Nov 2014 #137

The pro lifers do far more than mere disagreement. They interfere with women's life choices. alp227 Nov 2014 #99

That's the thing about free speech... MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #19

One thing i've learned from DU... Scootaloo Nov 2014 #36

Or Zionists oberliner Nov 2014 #80

Political affiliation is not identity Scootaloo Nov 2014 #96

It's a generation composed of special snowflakes... Oktober Nov 2014 #20

Bill Maher's generation? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #53

Uh huh... Oktober Nov 2014 #57

Haha. Great evasive, broad brush ad hom. alp227 Nov 2014 #100

So make the case... Oktober Nov 2014 #104

Sometimes, differing ideas are far beyond mere disagreement. alp227 Nov 2014 #105

Of course Bill is speaking in favor of equal rights for LGBT people and freedom of religion Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #110

He does while at the same time othering American Muslims. alp227 Nov 2014 #114

They aren't trying to "shut him up" BuelahWitch Nov 2014 #118

"why, I have to look at Muslims every day on the street--even at Nobel awards!" nt MisterP Nov 2014 #22

Berkeley's still got a chance to keep its reputation for "free speech," but not without a fight, ancianita Nov 2014 #23

This has nothing to do with free speech, nothing. Please see Replies 28 and 32. merrily Nov 2014 #33

I appreciate your points about students' views. Thanks. Does the protest represent ancianita Nov 2014 #40

On another thread, I did specify it would, for me, turn on how a merrily Nov 2014 #44

My last commencement was high school; didn't attend my college ones. I read #41. ancianita Nov 2014 #45

As to representing the views of the majority of students... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #54

I'd prefer a majority representation of the graduating class, although a case can be made for ancianita Nov 2014 #58

Berkley has a not so great reputation among Union loving performers, the last non CEO or political Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #113

spot on Bill. Puzzledtraveller Nov 2014 #25

Guess what, Bill. They don't have to listen to you. MontyPow Nov 2014 #27

Maher's abrasive, know-it-all attitude is why people dislike him. Ykcutnek Nov 2014 #31

It's like inviting Gordon Gecko to speak at graduation - it's an insult to the graduates. nt bananas Nov 2014 #43

Bill Maher needs to get over himself and stop acting like a petulant toddler. merrily Nov 2014 #34

Bill Maher = Joy Behar - yes! Though I like Joy. closeupready Nov 2014 #120

Reza Aslan is a nice man Scootaloo Nov 2014 #37

Exactly why Bill Maher welcomes him on the show. That, and Bill Maher makes money from his show merrily Nov 2014 #41

"I have no pretensions of being a nice person" oberliner Nov 2014 #127

offending folks is what he does dembotoz Nov 2014 #39

On his own dime. That doesn't mean anyone has to have him as commencement speaker. merrily Nov 2014 #42

Exactly. This is a commencement speech, it is not about Maher. djean111 Nov 2014 #47

Face it Bill. Boom Sound 416 Nov 2014 #50

IIRC, a student led group extended the initial invitation several months ago... CincyDem Nov 2014 #56

The students did pick him. A small number protested after his episode with Affleck riderinthestorm Nov 2014 #78

From your link, student led group called The Californians picked him BuelahWitch Nov 2014 #123

people that are purposely offensive, get offended when they offend. he needs to suck it up. nt seabeyond Nov 2014 #60

With Bill 100%. True Blue Door Nov 2014 #62

+1 superpatriotman Nov 2014 #65

+2 Throd Nov 2014 #66

+1 PasadenaTrudy Nov 2014 #69

Your post whatchamacallit Nov 2014 #71

Monosyllabic sniping - is that how you make an argument? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #72

Protesting is a big part of civil rights, and people have the right to protest... Violet_Crumble Nov 2014 #75

You have no clue whatsoever how ironic and hypocritical that statement is, do you? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #88

+1000 Rhinodawg Nov 2014 #117

I largely agree with you. Anyone who is actually for human rights would be Marr Nov 2014 #139

Of course, nobody "has to hear" him speak. LWolf Nov 2014 #64

So does Maher realize he is doing the exact same thing he so protests? Rex Nov 2014 #68

Once more, Maher doesn't know squat... joeybee12 Nov 2014 #70

I like Bill, but he needs to learn to be more tactful ecstatic Nov 2014 #74

I agree with Bill! Way too much political correctness with liberals. If you need to know whats the B Calm Nov 2014 #84

"Way too much political correctness with liberals"? Like what? alp227 Nov 2014 #101

Please, please won't someone protect the young impressionable Berkeley students Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #86

Campus statement on commencement speaker antiquie Nov 2014 #87

Sounds like they're doubling down on dumb. ucrdem Nov 2014 #91

Exactly. antiquie Nov 2014 #92

They shouldn't hire political figures to give these speeches LittleBlue Nov 2014 #93

Students make the selection, it is usually a CEO or a political figure Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #107

The student group that invited Maher disinvited him LittleBlue Nov 2014 #119

Did the students not originally pick him? If they did - oh well. Drunken Irishman Nov 2014 #97

Some ideas are too worthless - not offensive - to be spoken. nt alp227 Nov 2014 #98

I don't think I have ever seen a better example of "Poutrage" Sen. Walter Sobchak Nov 2014 #102

Maher can be brilliant at times, however Voice for Peace Nov 2014 #103

If, say, a right winger had said what Maher said - hedgehog Nov 2014 #108

nope noiretextatique Nov 2014 #112

It amazes me there is one key fact that eludes Maher and the debate in general JonLP24 Nov 2014 #131

they said fuck you, maher: get over it noiretextatique Nov 2014 #111

if an opposing/upsetting opinion can't be heard Nevada Blue Nov 2014 #115

Maher has the right to speak, and the students have the equal right to protest his speech. n/t. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #122

If your answer is to fire someone or to shut them up BubbaFett Nov 2014 #129

The article opens up with the one of the worst and common defenses of a bigot JonLP24 Nov 2014 #130

Here's some more wisdom from good ol' Bill Maher Orrex Nov 2014 #132

Some comments Maher made reminded me of an odd story JonLP24 Nov 2014 #135

I think he's right. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2014 #140

This is what I don't get. tammywammy Nov 2014 #141