How can Letterman make nice with the Palins?
How can David Letterman apologize to the family of Willow Palin in a manner befitting the circumstances?
While I don't agree with the Palins that Letterman's joke was aimed at Willow Palin--I'm certain that the target was Bristol who is now of legal age--but it was a clumsy attempt at humor and the writers should probably steer away from Bristol, as well. But, the Palins have never been ones to ease up on the feigned outrage if they can find some benefit to themselves or their party. So, David probably should apologize and I think I see a way that not only expresses his remorse but also turns this unfortunate incident around and ends up with a positive and productive outcome.
Consider the following. According to the 2005 statistics gathered by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
I would encourage David Letterman to contribute a large sum to the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (http://www.andvsa.org). Here is ANDVSA's info:
The Network is a non-profit membership organization that is composed of 21 programs across Alaska. The 21 programs provide victim services for domestic violence and sexual assault, offender services, and crisis intervention services. The Network exists to promote communication and information sharing between programs across the state and to expose and eliminate interpersonal violence in the lives of Alaskan victims.
While I don't agree with the Palins that Letterman's joke was aimed at Willow Palin--I'm certain that the target was Bristol who is now of legal age--but it was a clumsy attempt at humor and the writers should probably steer away from Bristol, as well. But, the Palins have never been ones to ease up on the feigned outrage if they can find some benefit to themselves or their party. So, David probably should apologize and I think I see a way that not only expresses his remorse but also turns this unfortunate incident around and ends up with a positive and productive outcome.
Consider the following. According to the 2005 statistics gathered by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
- · The Alaska rape rate is 2.5 times the national average.
- · Child sexual assault in Alaska is almost six times the national average.
- · Alaska has the highest rate per capita of men murdering women.
- · Almost 30% of Alaskans were not able to access victim services or encourage others to do so because there were no services available in their area at the time.
I would encourage David Letterman to contribute a large sum to the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (http://www.andvsa.org). Here is ANDVSA's info:
The Network is a non-profit membership organization that is composed of 21 programs across Alaska. The 21 programs provide victim services for domestic violence and sexual assault, offender services, and crisis intervention services. The Network exists to promote communication and information sharing between programs across the state and to expose and eliminate interpersonal violence in the lives of Alaskan victims.
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I would encourage him to stop trying. While his humor was graceless, ill-targeted, and not up to his usual standard, to apologize to them here will not be the end of it. The Palins will demand ever more, and keep pressing, and as he gives ground they will continue, and ramp up pressure for additional concessions.
If he wants to donate to the very worthy organization you suggest - and do so publicly, that's one thing. And definitely tie it to his stumble. Acknowledge his mistake, make a public gesture of support for a good group working to good ends, that's the important part. Where he has to draw the line is that he does not refer to the Palins in any way in the process. Or in any other way, for some time to come.
He has good writers, including himself, and he's a sharp guy. He can do this.
June 12, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Willow Palin was the one at the game, the joke was certainly written about her. Yet I like your post, as it points out some serious problems in my home state.
What governor up there cut social spending?
Mmmm.
Dave could start calling Todd "Abu El Banat" Palin. Perhaps that's more amusing and might better inflame the Palin demographic.
Letterman owes the Palins an apology, but make no mistake - no one owes her a vote.
June 12, 2009 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since Palin and her fundamentalist backers want to inject themselves and the government into the lives of fertile women everywhere by banning abortion, even it it threatens the life of the mother, Grandma Sarah and her Bristol are fair game for jokes.
Their hypocrisy in preaching about using the law to mandate how everyone else should run their lives, when they can't even run their own family responsibly, can and should be exposed by humor.
Palin said Obama pals around with terrorists, O'Reilly called Tiller a baby killer, Republicans claim Democrats hate America and other lies and they haven't apologized.
If Letterman makes jokes about Palin or her immediate or extended family of unwed teenagers, in-law meth dealers and thieves, high school dropouts and liars - it is well deserved.
June 12, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, Palin is not a defender of women as Mayor of Wasilla she cut funding for rape victims
Palin is a user of women, her daughter and anyone else she can manipulate to advance herself or her career. She deserves nothing but scorn and contempt from Letterman or anyone else.
June 12, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink