Media Research Center Director of Communications Seton Motley appeared Sunday morning on Fox News Channel's "America's News Headquarters" to discuss comedian David Letterman's inappropriate joke about Gov. Sarah Palin's 14-year-old daughter Willow.
Motley noted a marked difference with the now infamous Don Imus joke about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
While both Letterman and Imus made crude and inappropriate jokes, conservatives like Gov. Palin do not have the benefit of the mainstream media's outrage as did the Rutgers basketball players [audio available here, see embedded video at right]:
JAMIE COLBY, host: What's different, or not different about this situation from the Don Imus circumstances?
SETON MOTLEY: You don't have an Al Sharpton haranguing David Letterman and CBS, saying he needs to go. It's just a matter of if you get into a grievance group situation where you are offensive, and I'm not, none of this is defending Don Imus, from me, the MRC, none of it. He was obnoxious, he was offensive. But, it was a different situation where there is no grievance group for conservatives, for conservative women. The National Organization for Women has placed David Letterman in its hall of shame but, they have often been dyslexic and dichotomic on how they handle sexism. If it's coming from a liberal at a conservative, as it is in this instance, they are not nearly as quick to raise the roof as they are going in the opposite direction with a Bob Packwood or someone like that.
Motley concluded that there is a double standard in media: liberals are more "off-limits" than conservatives:
There is a double standard. There is a media double standard as far as who can get attacked and who can't and who's off limits and who's not. And there are a lot more, they give a lot more latitude to liberals attacking conservatives than they do in the other direction.
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So now it's "Letterman's
June 15, 2009 - 15:54 ET by balboaSo now it's "Letterman's inappropriate joke about Gov. Sarah Palin's 14-year-old daughter Willow" by default? COME ON.
Of course it is, Bal. It's
June 15, 2009 - 16:06 ET by Another Dead KennedyOf course it is, Bal. It's always been that definitive from the first article on this story. You might note, however, that it was several days before anyone even brought up Willow by name. People really want the joke to be about Willow, and no matter what Letterman says to clarify, the joke will always be about Willow, as it is believed it was always intended to be about her. I still say it was about Bristol, but I've given up that fight.
I think the teenage boys
June 15, 2009 - 16:18 ET by Jack Hermanwriting Letterman's comedy should have done a bit of research to determine which daughter was at the game--if you want to believe that Bristol was the target.
Personally, I don't think Letterman and his staff cared which daughter it was. Why else did it take so long to come up with the lame excuse they presented?
Can anyone find a story
June 15, 2009 - 18:06 ET by Another Dead KennedyCan anyone find a story pre-Letterman's joke that states by name that Willow was at the game with Palin? We know now that she was, but her name is not included in the majority of articles in the aftermath of her appearance.
This one says
June 15, 2009 - 20:14 ET by Jack HermanWillow accompanied the governor to Auburn and Seneca Falls, NY on the 6th. Took me a whole 10 seconds to find it too. (And I have no intention of making a crude joke.)
forgot attachment
June 15, 2009 - 20:19 ET by Jack Hermanhttp://www.syracuse....
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 17:39 ET by well99It has to do with Willow being at the game.Unless you can prove different.
It has to do with Bristol
June 15, 2009 - 18:10 ET by balboaIt has to do with Bristol being the formerly pregnant one. Unless you can prove different.
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 18:21 ET by well99I can prove Willow was at the game.Lettermans joke was about the daughter at the game.I can prove that.Go ahead tell me this isnt the facts.
He was joking about "a"
June 15, 2009 - 18:27 ET by balboaHe was joking about "a" daughter who's inclined to have sex. There's only one of those in the Palin family.
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 18:34 ET by well99His joke was about the daughter at the game.He never mention it was about the one who was pregnant or had sex.He did mention the daughter at the game.Which was Willow.That is the bottom line.
Bottom line is he said he
June 15, 2009 - 18:37 ET by balboaBottom line is he said he never meant Willow. Most people understand that Letterman wouldn't make a joke about a 14-year-old having sex with A-Rod.
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 18:43 ET by well99After there was a big fuss over it he did say that.Gee I wonder why.Sorry if I dont believe Dave.I think he was pulling a CYA because of the disgust of many towards his joke.
And we're back where we
June 15, 2009 - 18:51 ET by balboaAnd we're back where we started. :-)
I just refuse to believe that Letterman or his writers decided to do a joke about sex with a 14-year-old. That's Andrew Dice Clay material.
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 19:01 ET by well99Yup your right there. It shouldn’t have made a difference which daughter. It was contemptible. Same way with the Spitzer joke. I wouldn’t say that about Obama's daughter's even if they were in their 30's.You believe Dave I dont.It is what makes this country great.The right to express our opinions.Even if you are wrong..)
Very sneaky. :-)
June 15, 2009 - 19:02 ET by balboaVery sneaky. :-)
balboa
June 15, 2009 - 19:04 ET by well99You have to take your shots when you can..lol
Yeah! His poisonous bile
June 15, 2009 - 19:02 ET by Chris NormanYeah! His poisonous bile has standards. The thing is, I don't give a flying leap at a rolling doughnut which young daughter he meant to demean. Even if he meant the older girl, she still didn't do anything to deserve being ridiculed on national television by some over-age punk in front of his hyena-like audience. The fact is that David Letterman is a miserable, craven, and hideous human being who doesn't deserve to be defended to the death here.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Ditto Chris... I've said
June 15, 2009 - 19:11 ET by bigtimerDitto Chris...
I've said your same sentiments here regarding all of this...what difference does it make one way or the other which daughter he was talking about, let alone that disgusting lemmings he has for an audience following the bouncing ball, clapping and cheering.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
It strains credulity to imagine that the writer of that joke
June 15, 2009 - 18:43 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltwas not aware of exactly which daughter was at the game. If the writer bothered to find out that any daughter was there, he could not avoid being hit in the face with her name.
"He was joking about "a" daughter who's inclined to have sex." That's your interpretation. Mine is that he was making light of a teenage pregnancy in her family, and that it now spread to her 14 year old, because THAT'S WHO WAS THERE.
Using your argument that he meant a different daughter, one might as easily assume that he meant Piper, the eleven year old. But no one is making that argument because it's absurd to reference a daughter who was not there.
Points well made, job well
June 15, 2009 - 16:07 ET by bigtimerPoints well made, job well done.
I'm just out of things to say about this all at this point.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
me too
June 15, 2009 - 16:27 ET by delmarMaybe it's time for Bonnie Erbe to weigh in.
you guys sound like a bunch
June 15, 2009 - 16:36 ET by criticalthinkingyou guys sound like a bunch of backstreet boys fans the way you know all the names of Palin's kids, and the ages of Bristol or Willow or what ever other name they come up with. And you jump to there defense, using their first names as if you know them, like a 13 year old girl might refer to "justin" because somebody said something nasty about their fav singer in a tabloid. I'm a younger chap, but i wonder if in the good old days, folks focused less on bristol and willow and pipington and winking and flag pins and more on the noises coming out of the politicians mouth.
It's time for Todd Palin
June 15, 2009 - 16:40 ET by CoolShadesIt's time for Todd Palin speek up and request an apology from Letterman. The issue will pop back into the news cycle. Letterman will be forced to make another statement. For now, Letterman is laying low checking to see if the coast is clear.
The Palin's can't let this blow-over with the help of the MSM.
Fire Letterman
June 15, 2009 - 17:03 ET by kilrodSent: Monday, June 15, 2009 12:37 AM Subject: What you can do TODAY to help Make TOMORROW's Fire David Letterman Rally in NYC a Success
As one of the 5,225 Americans who have signed the letter asking CBS to fire David Letterman, you've already shown that you care about restoring common decency to public discourse in our country.
It's a new world of media combat these days, and this time, those of us who believe in traditional American values have a rare opportunity to WIN a public battle. Too often in the past we've not taken those extra steps necessary to win the day for our cause. This time, our efforts have a chance to create a different outcome, to begin forcing the out-of-control, unfair, and unaccountable mainstream media to live by rules of fair play. Please consider taking that extra step so we can win this time.
Specifically:
1. If you live within a 4 hour drive of New York City, please consider making a special effort to come to the FIRE DAVID LETTERMAN RALLY in person on Tuesday.
2. Today, it's very important that you try and take half an hour or an hour of your time to call your local talk radio programs and the national talk radio programs (Rush, Hannity, Glenn Beck) and tell listening audiences about http://www.firedavid... and the FIRE DAVID LETTERMAN RALLY in New York City on Tuesday.
3. Please forward the content of the press release below to any local media (radio, newspapers, TV) and your entire email contact list.
Here it is: START PRESS RELEASE
www.FireDavidLetterman.com Announces Fire David Letterman Rally Tuesday, 4:30 pm at Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City Challenges New York City Chapter of NOW to Join Rally and Calls for CBS to Fire David Letterman
NEW YORK—A diverse coalition of concerned citizens, whose website is www.FireDavidLetterm..., today announced a Fire David Letterman Rally on Tuesday, June 16, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on the sidewalks outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697 Broadway in New York City. CBS films the Late Show with David Letterman at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Tuesday's show, hosted by Letterman, will be taped at 5:30 pm, and will feature guest Michelle Pfeiffer.
Anna Barone, who worked for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign, and later for Democrats for McCain, called on CBS CEO Les Moonves to fire David Letterman for his sexist insults of both Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Palin's 14 year old daughter. "David Letterman's disgraceful comments were a violation of standards of common decency. They were as bad as the comments Don Imus made that caused CBS to fire him in 2007. CBS needs to apply the same standards to David Letterman they applied to Don Imus."
John Ziegler, producer of the documentary film Media Malpractice, called for representatives of the New York City Chapter of NOW to join the rally, and for the group to call for CBS to fire David Letterman. "In 2007 NOW called for the firing of Don Imus in a situation that was far less egregious than what happened here. Are they once again going to sell out their principles for politics? It is clear that Letterman needs to be held accountable in some way for this and the unprecedented media assault on the Palin family must end. "
New York State Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who has already publicly sent a letter to CBS CEO Les Moonves stating that CBS should fire Letterman, is also one of the leaders of the Fire David Letterman Movement, whose website is www.FireDavidLetterm... END PRESS RELEASE
Thanks for all you've done so far. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. Our on-site coordinators in New York City on Tuesday will be Anna Barone and Laureen Cummings. As always, forward any suggestions to me at michaelpatrickleahy@gmail.com
Best Regards, Michael Patrick Leahy
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
Thanks
June 15, 2009 - 19:24 ET by CoolShadesThanks. I'm way out on the West Coast, so I've just fired off a couple letter's (emails) to CBS advertisers.
Check out this punk from the San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercuryne...
Waiting on Michelle
June 15, 2009 - 16:40 ET by CatherwoodI thought the same thing---that Michelle Obama being the parent of young girls should be all over Letterman for his uncouth remarks. If Letterman had said those things about the Obama daughter would not the liberals and women's organizations have hit the roof? Sure they would have. Yet, Michelle and the liberal groups say not one word in defense of Palin's 14 year-old. Then I remembered. I live in a racist country where Mexican a nomonated for the Supreme Court just because they are Mexicans and you can say any dirty thing you want about white women just because they are white and white people deserve nothing. Thanks, Michelle for standing up for the children.
Call your cable or satellite company and demand that they remove CNN, MSNBC, and MTV from your entertainment package. Stop subsidizing the liberal left.
FYI, Sotomayor's Puerto
June 15, 2009 - 16:44 ET by balboaFYI, Sotomayor's Puerto Rican, not Mexican.
whirrr, whirrrr, whirrr......
June 15, 2009 - 18:27 ET by NavyBuckeye"Can you please pull over, this is teh PC police. You are white and can not mistake a Puerto Rican for a Mexican..how dare you.."
"You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
It was an FYI, not a
June 15, 2009 - 18:29 ET by balboaIt was an FYI, not a condemnation.
Sorry...
June 15, 2009 - 18:36 ET by NavyBuckeyeMy honkey ass thinks they all look alike...can you take the hand cuffs off sir. Oh wait..I'm also on the terror watch list because Im a Veteran and own a gun....but.....
(only if I was a muslim and gunning down American Soldiers in America, then no one would notice me)
Spare me Bal, your kind has finally just did enough.
"You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
Oooookay...
June 15, 2009 - 18:38 ET by balboaOooookay...
Balboa's soft nuances
June 15, 2009 - 18:53 ET by Chris NormanBalboa's soft nuances demand hard and accurate facts.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
WOW WOW WOW hold the phone,
June 15, 2009 - 22:27 ET by criticalthinkingWOW WOW WOW hold the phone, if you dont know the difference between mexico and puerto rico, you are a class A idiot, and I highly reccomend that you consult a map. Sir, you have played directly into the lefty stereotype that righties are fools that have no idea about the world. Congratuations.
Are you proud that you dont know which one is mexico and which one is puerto rico?
I hope that is satire
June 16, 2009 - 14:08 ET by Dan The Man 2I hope that is satire because there are lots of different types of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans from brown to black to white skins. My Sewell clan who are Puerto Ricans would most likely take offense at what you said.
I thought
June 16, 2009 - 06:07 ET by CatherwoodI thought Puerto Rico was an island in the middle of the Rio Grande in Mexico, California.
Call your cable or satellite company and demand that they remove CNN, MSNBC, and MTV from your entertainment package. Stop subsidizing the liberal left.
OK bal
June 15, 2009 - 17:27 ET by gxa99But how bout' you tell us your feelings on the Michelle's non-response about young teen-age daughters being "knocked-up". If Letterscrub reffered to a lefty that way, there would be caos and you know it...???????
Oh spare me.....
June 15, 2009 - 18:22 ET by NavyBuckeyelets see, the game was televised, they showed Palin and her daughter at the game....it definately was not Bristol...
So get off you god damn lib sorry fest. I am so sick of this oh he didn't mean Willow....c'mon..now...(even though Willow was shown on TV with her and Brisotl didn't even make the gosh darn trip).
I have a joke, it's just as good as D. Lettermans....
Man I was going down Exectuvive Ave NW, when I waved down some street walkers...man it was a good time. Then I said shouldnt you mocha skinned sweethearts be in school.....they said no "My dad wrote me a note" <band playing, bada bing>
Go ahead libs, say something....I dare you......."You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
Do you have video of Willow
June 15, 2009 - 18:42 ET by Another Dead KennedyDo you have video of Willow at the game? I have yet to see this footage.
Here is a photo...
June 15, 2009 - 18:59 ET by NavyBuckeyeunfortunately the lower half is missing but those who know willow know it is her...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/08/sarah-palins-yankee-stadi_n_212566.html
and it is the Huffington Post...who claim there is no evidence of Willow being their....even with her in a a photo..
Edit: It is the third photo...Balbaoa dn Death that means teh third blue dot needs highlighted.....the link goes directly to the first one.
"You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
I'm sorry, but I'm looking
June 15, 2009 - 19:04 ET by Another Dead KennedyI'm sorry, but I'm looking for a pre-Letterman show photo or article that clearly shows Willow, not Bristol was at the game. The truth here is that Willow's attendance was not newsworthy, and in most cases it was reported simply that Palin attended the game with her daughter.
OH yes...typical lib...
June 15, 2009 - 19:16 ET by NavyBuckeyenot not that proof....I mean the other proof...nope not good enough..
Can I use the other three photo's death...where she isn't shown...is that the proof I'm am permitted to use???
"You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
unfortunately the lower
June 15, 2009 - 19:25 ET by Another Dead Kennedyunfortunately the lower half is missing but those who know willow know it is her...
You know what Willow looks like? No you don't, not until you tried to dig up this photo. She's never been in the news before, and I do not believe for 1 second that you, and all those out here calling for Letterman's scalp know what Willow look like. I don't even know which one she is in the picture, unless it's the girl who only has the top half of her face showing. In that case, she looks like Bristol, so Letterman was right in saying that his joke referred to Bristol. And if you really think that Letterman gets his joke material by reading Huff Post, then there is no satisfying you.
So now all little white girls look the same to you
June 16, 2009 - 04:37 ET by NavyBuckeyei thought that kind of thinking was only supposed to come from the right. I always find it amusing how you libs dodge the facts and go right back to your original point. I bet you're one of those individuals that just gets louder and louder in a conversation when you have been proven wrong. You eventually start yelling because louder makes you right, not the facts.
You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
You'll know when I'm
June 16, 2009 - 11:40 ET by Another Dead KennedyYou'll know when I'm yelling. I have a few generalization of my own about conservatives, but I'm not interested in a pissing match. I've stated my arguments. I'm walking away.
"The Mysterious Willow Palin"
June 16, 2009 - 07:05 ET by SickofLibsNever been in the news before.
http://images.google...
They will probably claim all
June 17, 2009 - 07:38 ET by well99They will probably claim all those were taken after the game.Their nah ah defense of DL is weak.Since they have no facts to back it up.
Also Death...
June 15, 2009 - 19:18 ET by NavyBuckeyeIf it wan't news worthy why was the lib trash paper the Huffington Post there? And why was Letterman joking about it?
Because it was..until it got Lib into some trouble.
"You see Obama is going to tax those not paying taxes...those making over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and food st
I've never seen any
June 15, 2009 - 18:53 ET by ChaitealoverI've never seen any indication that Palin's older daughter ever had sex with anyone other than the father of her baby, a teenage boy she was probably in love with. To make a comment that she [or her little sister] would have quick and dirty sex with a 33 year old man during a baseball game is just plain nasty.
But then again, consider the source: a nasty 62 year old man who waited 6 years after impregnating his mistress before marrying her.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
I assumed he was talking about the...
June 15, 2009 - 19:47 ET by jawebster1older girl because she was the one who got pregnant out of wedlock. It was only later that I too found out that it was the younger daughter who attended the game with her mother. I thought Letterman was a cad when I thought it was the older daughter so his explanation that he thought it was the younger daughter carries no weight with me. And what about A-Rod? Is he proud to be equated with loose morals? I still won't watch his stupid show no matter how many times he apologizes. Jim Webster