General Discussion

Johnny2X2X

(24,299 posts)

28. Very very few defending what he said

Sat Jun 3, 2017, 04:02 PM

Jun 2017

What he said was wrong. Very wrong.

But, he apologized now. When the Nebraska GOP Congressman said, "You need to come work in the fields with us." It triggered a terribly racist joke that Bill regrets saying. It was disgusting, but seriously, Bill is not the enemy and saying what he did doesn't alone make him a racist. It makes him a careless and insensitive asshole.

Bill is one of the good guys and has spent many years fighting for causes that benefit minorities, such as criminal justice reform, and law enforcement reform. If he had spent the last 30 years railing against mythical "Welfare queens" while claiming White Men are the real victims of racism, his use of the word would be way more damning.

He apologized, he should also do something else, perhaps have an all black panel next week he apologizes to as well.

Let's not eat our own here. Guy made a mistake, but he's got a long history of fighting on the right side and giving a strong voice to issues that matter to minorities.

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Bill Maher is an asshole. [View all] ciaobaby Jun 2017 OP

It is wrong to label people as racist with no regard for context whatsoever. Be fair. LBM20 Jun 2017 #1

Your opinion, but I only called him an asshole and stand by it. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #3

And I don't think it is fair condemn a satirical comedian over a slip like this. Context, always. LBM20 Jun 2017 #8

He has a history... ciaobaby Jun 2017 #12

and if you can't criticize someone SCantiGOP Jun 2017 #25

False Orrex Jun 2017 #84

Nor do I. Brainstormy Jun 2017 #18

Nor do I. Rustyeye77 Jun 2017 #26

Nor I. NT pablo_marmol Jun 2017 #79

Perhaps this will help you understand.... ciaobaby Jun 2017 #67

Context is indeed important Orrex Jun 2017 #85

Maybe all the people overreacting to what he said are the assholes njhoneybadger Jun 2017 #65

Perhaps this will help you understand..... ciaobaby Jun 2017 #68

Words are cheap. Actions matter. Drahthaardogs Jun 2017 #41

Excellent, thoughtful post. Thanks. n/t Beartracks Jun 2017 #47

Yeah. Maher is not a racist. He reflects the world on his show applegrove Jun 2017 #64

I've already conceded that he is. But I also BootinUp Jun 2017 #2

Using racist language helps what cause exactly? ciaobaby Jun 2017 #4

I think u r missing the bigger picture. Nt BootinUp Jun 2017 #5

And I think you are. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #6

Do you think there's a middle ground between supporting the use of that word and him getting fired? Bucky Jun 2017 #9

Me too True Dough Jun 2017 #57

I could agree with you if he did not have the history he does: ciaobaby Jun 2017 #80

When Richard Pryor used this word SO much in his stand-up comedy, was that right? Please explain. LBM20 Jun 2017 #10

NO and he later took it out of his act. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #13

Exactly! Stellar Jun 2017 #29

The bigger picture is actually having BootinUp Jun 2017 #11

and how does the use of the term promote anything..... ciaobaby Jun 2017 #14

U can either take the good with the bad or Not. Nt BootinUp Jun 2017 #16

AGAIN - how does the use of this term promote anything - as you said ???? ciaobaby Jun 2017 #17

Your attempt to put words in my mouth and categorize BootinUp Jun 2017 #20

OK - I get you - you can not or will not answer the question. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #22

It's called freedom to reject your worldview. BootinUp Jun 2017 #27

Reject away ciaobaby Jun 2017 #30

"It" did not refer to racist comments there. BootinUp Jun 2017 #32

Sure thing.... ciaobaby Jun 2017 #34

not surprised by your response, lol. BootinUp Jun 2017 #35

Not surprised by yours either. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #39

The use of the word doesn't help anything, but Bill Maher does. christx30 Jun 2017 #52

If it were a right wing comedian.... mdbl Jun 2017 #78

How do you feel about his apology on Twitter just now? Bucky Jun 2017 #7

Haven't seen it but the fact that he apoligized is telling. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #15

People are defending Maher's overall work, not his use of a slur BeyondGeography Jun 2017 #31

and perhaps this will help you understand ciaobaby Jun 2017 #69

Lazy response BeyondGeography Jun 2017 #72

Alrighty then. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #73

Yes, but... Adrahil Jun 2017 #70

The fact it's a casual part of his vocabulary throws a questionable shadow over his character. Kablooie Jun 2017 #19

Along with him using the word Quayblue Jun 2017 #21

Being a Trump critic and a comedian orangecrush Jun 2017 #23

The main reason people watch him. L. Coyote Jun 2017 #24

Very very few defending what he said Johnny2X2X Jun 2017 #28

It wasn't wrong. It was just a riff gone bad. gulliver Jun 2017 #42

No !!!...Lets verbally kill him !!! Rustyeye77 Jun 2017 #45

He is though. I don't want that creepy, though funny, asshole Alice11111 Jun 2017 #93

Maher is occasionally an asshole. Nitram Jun 2017 #33

Agreed! 40RatRod Jun 2017 #37

He is an asshole. I remember him being rude to Studs Terkel when mucifer Jun 2017 #36

Yup an arrogant asshole Egnever Jun 2017 #38

Nope. He's mostly good guy. gulliver Jun 2017 #40

If he makes a habit of it like Ted Nugent then I'm done with his show.... Bengus81 Jun 2017 #43

Trump made a career out of slamming Obama and he's the president! Initech Jun 2017 #56

Apologies matter reggaehead Jun 2017 #44

He only apologized because he is afraid of being fired, again.. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #51

Your concern and outrage billh58 Jun 2017 #46

Amen billh58, my thoughts exactly!!!!!! onecent Jun 2017 #60

You know, it is interesting you write this... GetRidOfThem Jun 2017 #48

He took down a handicapped girl with no arms. He said Alice11111 Jun 2017 #49

Yeah I love that Ben Affleck episode Bucky Jun 2017 #66

I missed that one, but sorry to hear it Alice11111 Jun 2017 #81

very googlable. It's all over YouTube. search for "Afflack Maher Muslims" Bucky Jun 2017 #86

Yeah, I agree.Good guests He has a lot of talent, but a part Alice11111 Jun 2017 #92

I support Bill Maher. This inability to recognize that people make mistakes is out of control. nt Honeycombe8 Jun 2017 #50

It's not a mistake Orrex Jun 2017 #75

The thing with Bill Maher is Scalded Nun Jun 2017 #53

He is racist, misogynist, transphobic, and he endorses child rape Orrex Jun 2017 #54

* Adding Islamophobe, anti-vaxxer and Rush Limbaugh defender. demmiblue Jun 2017 #58

Don't forget crude, misogynistic comments about the handicapped Alice11111 Jun 2017 #82

Well, that I don't agree with J0D Jun 2017 #88

... demmiblue Jun 2017 #89

May as well as add this, regarding child rape: demmiblue Jun 2017 #59

+1 ciaobaby Jun 2017 #63

Well, NPR had an opinion about that as well.. J0D Jun 2017 #90

... demmiblue Jun 2017 #91

the difference in years is not the issue. its that kid's age. mopinko Jun 2017 #94

Yes, it is understood J0D Jun 2017 #95

Here we go again.... floWteiuQ Jun 2017 #55

it is the past clu Jun 2017 #61

you do apparently. ciaobaby Jun 2017 #62

hmmm clu Jun 2017 #74

while bill maher pisses me off sometimes heaven05 Jun 2017 #71

I don't defend Maher, I don't like him, but I find it extremely ironic that a good number of still_one Jun 2017 #76

Don't watch him liberal N proud Jun 2017 #77

It's not that simple Orrex Jun 2017 #83

He is neither all good nor all evil. But it's a discussion show. You hear different points of view. Bucky Jun 2017 #87