Letterman apologizes again for 'bad' Palin joke

Okay...okay.

Enough us enough.

No more apologies. Palin's using it for campaign purposes now. < :-)

Letterman lost me as a nightly viewer when it became apparent that he was more of a political hack and less a comedian. Making a joke about raping the daughter of someone he despises politically is sick and immoral warrants all the chastisement he is getting from the public.

I hope Palin also insists he apologises to A-Rod for labeling him a pedophile and rapist!

Well, there you go. And it wasn't some glib 'moushiwake arimasen' because people demanded it, it was well-explained, well-spoken, and well done. I still don't like the guy -- and never have -- but he went above and beyond here in my opinion. People like him make lousy jokes often, and I don't see the need to apologize in most cases.

What makes him the better 'man' in this instance though is that he said, which is something I also truly believe, that even if someone else perceives incorrectly what you said, that is at least in part your own fault. He could have easily just stopped by saying, "That's not what I said, but sorry you misinterpreted (that's YOUR fault)".

"Todd Palin issued a statement last week that said “any ‘jokes’ about raping my 14-year-old are despicable.”

So let's hope you realize it was not intended and stop milking it.

Notice there is no mention of or apology for having described Gov Palin on the same show as having a "slutty stewardess look".

Stay classy Dave, stay "Liberal."

"the misconception over which Palin daughter the joke was about"

Well, of course, it was about the daughter who wasn't with Palin at Yankee Stadium!

Letterman has always been lacking in humor, integrity, honor, and decency. Don't know how he has been televised for so long, but I do know why Johnny Carson didn't select him for the "Tonight Show".

On Monday’s edition of “Late Show,” Letterman explained that the risque joke thought by some to have targeted Palin’s underage daughter, Willow, was actually referring to 18-year-old daughter Bristol."

He still deserves a punch in the face for talking about, by name, anyone's daughter. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a punk. Maybe we should call Dave's mother a skanky hoe! An old battle axe and see how far we get.

the slutty joke stays, its against a politician!

Zurc: where are they calling her a gorilla? I know about the newpaper cartoon, but not about Michelle.

skip: "He still deserves a punch in the face for talking about, by name, anyone's daughter. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a punk."

Relax, skip. Whether you like it or not, people tell jokes about other people all the time. Those other people are daughters, sons, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and whatever other human relations you wish to name. If you're going to go punching people every time of those people is mentioned in a joke, you'll be in jail for life before you know it; and calling the cops rightfully arresting you 'punks' because they don't share your knee-jerk violent reaction will probably land you a couple years more per assault.

Letterman is a punk, granted, and always has been.

"Maybe we should call Dave's mother a skanky hoe! An old battle axe and see how far we get."

Guess you better start punching yourself in the face! See what I mean about how self-defeating your claim is?

No smith, when you call out someone's kid, its a different game to me. I may dislike you and call you a bad name but I would never say something like "smithy's kid" and labeling that person as such.

he doesn't deserve jail, but he does deserve a smack in the face. if he said that about your kid, you wouldn't jump on the street?

Notice there is no mention of or apology for having described Gov Palin on the same show as having a "slutty stewardess look".

Nor to the best of my knowledge has there been any apology from Palin with regard to typifying Obama as one who pals around with terrorists, nor any apology from McCain for mocking him as a self-anointed messiah.

We live in a country and in an age in which people demand apologies for things that never happened but gloss over the need for good behavior in public life. In my estimation--and I hereby apolgize to the ghosts of Braniff flight attendants and their sisters--Letterman nailed it (can I say that in this context?) when he suggested Palin had a slutty stewardess look.

Comedians offend. If they don't they're Bob Hope.

Heads roll out in Hollywood. Well maybe not.

It is good to see Letterman come to his senses and offer an apology. While politicians are fair game for comedians (part of the rough and tumble of politics), their children should not be (especially if they are minors). This rule should apply in all situations, irrespective of the political affilations of the parents.

There was no reason to attempt a joke about palin's children in the first place. One is a minor and the other has gone through enough recently. To me, it seems like piling on. There was little to no chance of that being funny, at least in my opinion.

Taka

One is a minor and the other has gone through enough recently." Thats a good point! the media has even left the Octomom alone and she's cost taxpayers big. what's this girl costing us?

Nor to the best of my knowledge has there been any apology from Palin with regard to typifying Obama as one who pals around with terrorists,

Obama never denied that his pal and mentor was one of the Weather Underground. Nor did the terrorist Ayers.

He apologized to both daughters, “and also to the Governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke,” he said as the studio audience applauded. “I’m sorry about it, and I’ll try to do better in the future.”

Sounds sincere enough and good enough for me, it's really all one can really expect from someone who put himself in such a sorry situation with this "attempt" at humor.

CBS obviously got a lot of heat on this one.

Could be one of those incidents and "dialogues" that helps turn the tide, helps define an era.

Good on Letterman for at least trying to stand up for family values,women,mothers,decency,the American way.

Personally, I was hoping Michelle Obama would weigh in. This could have been a Sister Souljah kind of moment that would have really made clear what the First Family stands for.

Palin apologizing to Obama for "hanging around with terrorists" is a red-herring with regard to this story. The President is a big boy and should be able to take such flak on the chin. If he cannot, god help the US when North Korea or some other rogue state ramps up the rhetoric.

The story here is a totally different issue. David Letterman (either through stupidity or malice) decided to put Palin's daughter in the firing line, a girl who is still a minor. Moreover, the content of the joke he made was detinitely adult in nature. Such behavior was totally unacceptable, for the simple fact that the child is still underage. It doesn't matter who her mother (or father is). I would be just as pxssed off if Letterman had lined up Obama's kids for similar treatment.

He did apologize, stating it was HIS fault that it was misinterpreted, a bit sarcastic, in my opinion. Why do Americans put such credence in what actors say?

He did apologize, stating it was HIS fault that it was misinterpreted, a bit sarcastic, in my opinion. Why do Americans put such credence in what actors say?" are you kidding? actors make elections happen. how many here were pissed when McCain bypassed his show for some other stupid event.

Only idiots that can not control their behavior threaten to punch someone in the face for words spoken. Letterman's joke does not compare to threats of violence. Both do not reflect well on either source. But threats of bodily harm are criminal.

I forgot to add that threats of punching someone in the face is an obvious lame attempt at chivalry. It is also obviously someone who is overcompensating. Of course there are those who brag about having been everywhere in the world, fought in places like Somalia, claim to have been an officer in the service and other outrageous claims when you sum them up and listen to their level of literacy and intellect. They would be more of a pathological type.

GD: calling me an idiot while you are behind a computer god only knows where makes nothing better than I, according to your logic.. You can call me an idiot if you like, but if your gripe went further and say came out and said that about my daughter because you had beef with me, you would deserve a punch in the face, which is a lot more human than having you fired - one is temporary, the other is long term!

I could careless what constitutes chivalry in your book!

Claims? with the exception to the officer part, which I never claimed to have been, I don't know why you want to single me out in your rant!

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic. Focus your comments on the topic, not at each other.

As far as I'm concerned, now that Letterman has apologized, the story is over. He made a mistake, one that publicly was aired, but no one was actually harmed, and he owned up to it and apologized. Enough said. I don't like the guy. I don't think he is funny at all, but all this stuff about him resigning, or being fired is in my mind going too far. Time to let it go.

i just got done wasting my time watching this creepy obama worshipper's opening monologue. a lot of joking around about him being public enemy number one but no apology and nothing very funny to laugh at.

oh he is starting his tap dance right after the first commercial break. ha ha Dave, yeah i accept your apology for your offensiveness, now go get some therapy.

Palin is already a joke so I don't know what she and her Republican fan club are so upset about.

Todd Palin issued a statement last week that said “any ‘jokes’ about raping my 14-year-old are despicable.”

Any jokes about the 14yo = No jokes by Letterman about thd 14yo = not dispicable.

Top 10 Reasons Sarah Palin's "Outrage" is Misplaced and A Little Late...

www.huffingtonpost.com/shannyn-moore/top-10-reasons-sarah-pali_b_215468.html

"He made a mistake........and he owned up to it and apologized."

Something Palin would never do in a million years. :-)

Good move on the part of Letterman. He made his case and now it's time to move on.

I've always liked the guy. I don't think he's as funny as he used to be, but I do think he is "old school" in a lot ways.

Saying "It was my fault it was misinterpreted" is not an apology. It is an accusation against one's intelligence.

I look into my crystal ball of politics and it says,"Palin will not give it a rest, she and her clan will try to push this further. But she will fail and look worse."LOL

Maybe my crystal ball is wrong, but we will she who she and her AIP husband truly are soon enough...

Another reason Palin is definitely a "not ready for prime time player". With all that is going on in the world, she chooses to focus on a bad joke by David Letterman. Even if the joke was misinterpreted or even in bad taste, it is not what she needs to be spending her time on if she is thinking about being president. Good publicity for Letterman, I guess (you know, even bad publicity is good publicity).

"Palin will not give it a rest, she and her clan will try to push this further. Of course she will, she's a politician. And yes, I think if she does keep pushing it, it will back fire and help David. So, she should either slap him or let it go.

Wow, pretty obvious (once again) that most people posting here didn't even here Letterman's joke. He never said anything about rape. He never used either of the daughter's names. It was a tasteless joke that was uncalled for and poorly delivered. But before criticizing and jumping on the bandwagon at least get a clue. He made a mistake and apologized for it.

Those here who think that Letterman should be assaulted for his comments should seriously seek some help before they end up in jail.

He made a mistake and apologized for it." there are quite a few entertainers who have said they made a mistake and didn't get off with only an apology, in fact they were fired, forced fired, and in one case killed. He knew he said something in order to hurt Palin, which as a politician is ok, but he used her daughter in a joke, and that at least calls for the guy to get his butt whipped.

If you want to let him get off with only an apology, you need to make sure you stay off of comment when you hear something from a comdian that you don't like.

Of course I would let him get off with an apology (at the very worst I would accept his apology but not forgive him). I don't advocate violence, like you do. skip, did you watch the comment he made? If you walked around hitting people for those kids of comments you'd spend a fair amount of time in jail. Once again, he said nothing about rape. Period. Infer as much as you want from what he said but he certainly wasn't advocating statutory rape.

Thundercat,

Skip is very proud of his Latino heritage. Did it ever occur to you that Letterman said it as Alex Rodriguez that knocked up Palin's Daughter in front of all those fans at Yankee Stadium?

Think you might have clue as to why he might just be a little more angry at this then the rest of us?

"He made a mistake... and he owned up to it and apologized. Something Palin would never do in a million years."

Palin would never make a mistake like that.

I think the way Todd Palin replied with a detailed situation involving someone raping his daughter was very strange. The fact that their minds went to the most perverse thing kinda disturbs me. The way Sarah Palin went ON AND ON about old men was also really creepy.

It's funny how they seem easily able to conjure up terrible scenarios when Letterman said very little about any of that. And I highly doubt that Letterman making a joke requires an apology to all the girls in the country. Hey maybe they should get their religious leaders to apologize for the far worse raping of children and destroying of lives instead of making such ridiculous statements.

It's their over-the-top rude and crazy reactions that cause people to make such fun on them anyway. I wonder if they realize that. If they just responded with "That's inappropriate considering the daughter accompanying me was 14." instead of the huge, gross diatribe that came out of their mouths.

I'm glad the Sarah Palin is NOT in charge of the whole of the US.

Shame on Letterman not for the joke but for giving the Palin's more airtime. After losing the election I was hoping they'd be forgotten.

WHO CARES!??

Its nice whenever a bully gets his butt whooped. Dave got beat on this one. Hopefully he learns to keep his partisan hatred in check. Maybe he will start being a comedian again instead of a cheap shot artist for the Democratic party. Thanks for the laugh Daaaaaaaaaaaaave.

It's curtain closing time when comedians must apologize for their jokes. -Jokes are an innovative process. =Communists/Socialists are not the most innovative bunch. You should perhaps try for the pet tricks (again) or maybe a joke sidekick.

Two words come to mind here in everyone's efforts to run to Palin's (and Bristol's) defense for Letterman's panning of perfectly legitimate (albeit tacky) facets of their public life: "Grasping" and "straws."

Palin would never make a mistake like that.

No, but conversely, Bristol wasn't as fortunate.

Please, folks. Palin should have considered the ramifications of rushing to the national stage and how her candidacy as a representative of the often trumpeted "moral" GOP might negatively affect her and her family, more specifically her daughter, who, as no great secret to anyone in the contiguous 48 states, Hawaii, and Alaska, became "knocked up" in an exercise of very poor judgement. If you step into the limelight of national politics or appear on Good Morning America as a self-appointed spokesperson for abstinence, then you've for all intents and purposes opened yourself up to criticism, and yes, off-color jokes.

Also, this wholly manufactured "outrage" over a suggestion of rape of a minor that was never made in the first place has gotten old pretty fast. Letterman wasn't talking about Palin's younger daughter, any more than his choice of Alex Rodriguez as material for the joke was some sort of veiled suggesting that Latinos are child rapists, in some sort of attempt to piss off Skip. Artificial anger is incredibly lame by any account.

Palin has better jokes. MICHAEL Palin that is.

"Artificial anger is incredibly lame by any account."

Yeah, but it sells newspapers, doesn't it? There's plenty of blame to go around and people in glass houses shouldn' throw stones. Then again, Letterman should be giving up on Palin jokes by now. Old news, isn't it? It is only because the media is so busy trying to avoid Obama jokes that they have to recycle stuff from last year.

when i heard the joke i assumed Letterman was talking about the unwed teen who has already been knocked up at least once, as i am sure most rational and lucid viewers did. i thought it was a fine joke. this whole situation has been contrived by Palin to try to get back at Dave after he pwn'ed her yet again. Palin dived on the fact that she took her 14 year old to the game, but Dave never said it happened at the game. Bristol was probably close by, possibly hosting a victory party Alaskan tramp style. Palin is so deranged. She was almost considered a serious national figure yet she allowed herself to be baited into a petty squabble by a late-night comedian..too funny. More funny is the few (very few) loons trying to defend her. She should have just stayed home and watched the game. If she can see Russia from her house, Yankee stadium should be no problem. We have people starving in the state of Africa, yet this is news....

I honestly don't understand why people hate Sarah Palin so much. Is it really that horrible to be a conservative and a woman? To be willing to stand for what you believe in regardless of the people who want to tear you down? Why is it so many people hate her so much? Why do you vilify a self made woman, is it because she is a woman, and unapologetic? Because of her stance on issues such as abortion? What?

Also, this wholly manufactured "outrage" over a suggestion of rape of a minor that was never made in the first place has gotten old pretty fast. Letterman wasn't talking about Palin's younger daughter, any more than his choice of Alex Rodriguez as material for the joke was some sort of veiled suggesting that Latinos are child rapists, in some sort of attempt to piss off Skip. Artificial anger is incredibly lame by any account.

Regarding this little controversy, I don't think its manufactured outrage at all. I mean, hell even NOW finally had the guts to stand up and speak out against Lettermen for it. The joke reference a game she attended with her 14 year old daughter, and referred to the daughter being "knocked up" by Rodriguez. Oh, and Obot2008, he said she got "knocked up" in the 7th inning, so nice try, but sorry. Anyway, Lettermen made a mistake, something the majority of posters here don't seem to want to acknowledge, even if he finally did. He assumed that it was the 18 year old girl at the game, and didn't name her, just said daughter. However this controversy touches on some serious subjects. 14 year old girl having relationship with a much older man is statutory rape. Teen pregnancy, etc.

I said before however the man apologized. Thats where this ends. Palin herself was on TV saying much the same thing. Those who want to hate on Palin, will keep hating on Palin. Regardless of what happens. So, let the ranting and the hate fest continue.

I honestly don't understand why people hate Sarah Palin so much.

There are two reasons:

The rank and file hates her because she is a Republican and thats makes her evil in the tiny minds of your typical leftist.

The Democratic leadership (if you can call it that) and lapdog media are working overtime to destroy her personally in order to prevent her from running on the national ticket a few years from now.

They got caught this time and Dave is left apologizing for the whole sad lot of them.

Molenir,

However this controversy touches on some serious subjects. 14 year old girl having relationship with a much older man is statutory rape. Teen pregnancy, etc.

All valid points, and yet when issues of teens have sex, resulting in unplanned pregnancies was thrust into the national spotlight by Palin's candidacy and a knocked up - yes, knocked up - Bristol, none of Palin's supporters mentioned even a peep about the outrages of two teens screwing around unprotected or leaping into a marriage of expedience and convenience, rather than love. Rather, it was rousing choruses of "Let's keep her family out of it."

I also agree that this should end with Letterman’s apology. But there’s still this asinine undercurrent that he’s apologizing for advocating statutory rape in a joke, when the plain and simple truth is he said nothing and meant nothing of the sort. THAT’S the manufactured rage I’m talking about.

The joke was a stab at the poor decision making skills of Bristol when it comes to casual sex. Rape wasn’t even an element of the joke until some folk, more attuned to who Palin went to the ball game with than Letterman in all likelihood responded to the joke somewhere along these lines:

“Ouch! Mean one, Dave. But, yeah, Bristol sort of set herself up for that one.”

“Hey, wait a minute. Bristol didn’t attend that game. Willow did!”

“Why, that would mean Dave’s joking about sex between an adult and a minor!”

“Why, that would be statutory rape!”

“Dave, you scoundrel! You made a joke about statutory rape!”

. . . Or something along those lines.

Like I said, the rage is manufactured rather than genuine. The only people up in arms about the joke are Palin supporters, while anyone else with even a modicum of awareness of the daily news understands that Bristol was clearly the butt of Letterman’s joke.

The only people up in arms about the joke are Palin supporters, while anyone else with even a modicum of awareness of the daily news understands that Bristol was clearly the butt of Letterman’s joke.

Jokes about 18 year old single unwed mothers, well gosh darn it are just soooo funny also.

Jokes about 18 year old single unwed mothers, well gosh darn it are just soooo funny also.

I agree here actually. I don't find Letterman funny at all. Even had it been about the older daughter, the joke would have been in poor taste.

All valid points, and yet when issues of teens have sex, resulting in unplanned pregnancies was thrust into the national spotlight by Palin's candidacy and a knocked up - yes, knocked up - Bristol, none of Palin's supporters mentioned even a peep about the outrages of two teens screwing around unprotected or leaping into a marriage of expedience and convenience, rather than love. Rather, it was rousing choruses of "Let's keep her family out of it."

I hear what you're saying here. But please keep in mind, that they were in the middle of a Presidential Campaign. Trying to have a dialog about the subject would have completely distracted from the message they were trying to put out. And the fact was, that those on the left and in the media, who are frequently one and the same, spent more then enough time on the subject as it was. In fact, it sometime seemed like it was more about Bristol, then about the Presidency. Take that however you will.

Jokes about 18 year old single unwed mothers, well gosh darn it are just soooo funny also.

Sure they are. Just ask any Republican at a fundraiser when the candidate talks about about "welfare moms." Always raises a chuckle or two.

Sure they are. Just ask any Republican at a fundraiser when the candidate talks about about "welfare moms." Always raises a chuckle or two.

Why must this be a 'political' issue with you? You don't think a good amount of decent Democrats weren't also appalled at this "joke". NOW was pretty upset and they're not exactly the bastion of Republican thought and support. I'm rather sad to see you go the partisan route in defense of this and there is no other word for it "crap". I'm glad Governor Palin stood up and put his butt on the carpet for it. It's sad that if this was a Democratic female and Letterman went after her with this crude joke, you'd scream for his head also. Are you upset because a Conservative woman stood up agaisn't sexist juvenile remarks? Do you think that is only the exclusive domain of Liberal women? I'm sad LFR that you are so blinded by your partisan thinking that it has blinded you to going so low to claim that only Republicans and her fan base would be offended by this joke. I can only assume you we're not and If I had to judge the Democratic party on that mindset.......I'll just leave it at that.

Molenir,

" . . . those on the left and in the media, who are frequently one and the same, spent more then enough time on the subject as it was. In fact, it sometime seemed like it was more about Bristol, then about the Presidency."

Good points. Personally, I think the children of any candidate should be off limits in a campaign. It’s not as if children can pick their parents, so it’s not really fair to hold them to the same standards or in the same silly contempt we reserve for our political opponents.

I suspect the reason so many took aim at Bristol during the campaign was because the GOP practically beat the electorate over the head for the past 30 years with how “morally ” superior they were in contrast to we “immoral” Democrats. Then along came Palin and the news that her high-school-aged daughter became pregnant after a ill-considered tryst with a boy names Levi. The unwed pregnancy of a daughter of a vice-presidential candidate belonging to a party that actively and fervently courted voters affiliated with the Christian Right, the Moral Majority, and the Christian Coalition, organizations that regularly seek to dictate public policy regarding what they perceived as “good” and “bad” was certain to raise more than a few eyebrows.

In particular, the Christian Right’s (and by association the GOP’s) constant admonition of the American public regarding what does and does not constitute a legal marriage, how couples should conduct themselves before and after marriage, and what Americans’ attitudes should be concerning pre-marital sex, particularly when it came to the dispensation of contraceptive information and material stand out as the strongest examples of how the GOP unwittingly railroaded Palin into a no-win situation with liberal and moderate voters. When the GOP knowingly got into bed with far-Right groups to gain votes, they placed each and every candidate they ever have and ever will put up for election under the same criteria they constantly found the Left to be sorely lacking in, namely morality.

Palin, had she been the epitome of moral perfection via her family’s conduct that the GOP somehow got fooled into believing their party alone embodied, would likely have faced less criticism than she did, at least as far are morality is concerned. I’m not saying it’s right or fair that she was held accountable for her daughter’s actions, but that’s just how people are, Left or Right.

When synched with the constant drumbeat of “We are Moral while the Left are Godless heathens,” the hypocrisy is gong to be glaringly obvious and impossible to ignore on the national political and social stage. Besides, I think Bristol’s been called far worse by people in the GOP itself than anything implied in Letterman’s tacky joke. They were just more discrete about it.

Sailwind,

Okay. Let's play your version of "Sweeping Generalizations" and "I Know What You're Thinking Even If You Don't Say It."

I'm saddened that you can't or won't acknowledge that your own anger is stoked primarily because Letterman is a member of that "Liberal Media" Conservatives blame for the world's ills depending on the direction of the political wind, and because Palin is a Conservative who was attacked by "Liberal scum" in national media.

I'm saddened that you, for all your intelligence, would so easily allow the politically motivated current to crucify Letterman for his crude humor drag you into the idiocy of disingenuously claiming he advocates the rape of minors.

I'm saddened that you can't see the irony of your own criticisms of my position when you painstakingly lay out how my opinion can't be borne of anything BUT Democratic partisanship as you - how do I put this gently? - politicize the discussion?

You try very hard to place yourself on a pedestal high above the political fracas that the rest of us poor peons exist in, but truth be told, you play the same game as the rest of us. I'm not fooled for a second.

I'm saddened that you can't or won't acknowledge that your own anger is stoked primarily because Letterman is a member of that "Liberal Media"

Agreed, They don't accept folks like me in the club, I don't tow the party line.

being here in japan has given me a bit of distance on the american culture. is it just me or does it look ugly and mean spirited as hell.

can you imagine the hate spewing if mccain and plain had actually won?

So is A-rod going to marry Willow?

it's nice being a nobody. no one cares if you tell a stupid joke.

"can you imagine the hate spewing if mccain and plain had actually won?"

No, not at the levels we are seeing now. And there wouldn't have been murders because of liberal talk shows--we respect the sanctity of life.

Personally, I love Sarah Palin, and I hope she becomes President next time around and is able to clean up the shambles left behind by the Obama/Biden crowd. She will certainly have her work cut out for her. Letterman`s remarks were a disgrace. He should not only apologise to Sarah Palin and her daughter but to all women. Then he should resign his job, or else be sacked by his employers. Wilol that happen? No, of course not, becuase he is only obeying the official party line - destroy Palin and the Republicans by all means.

All is fair in love, war, and comedy... unless you are an uptight republican or a knee-jerk democrat. He was just doing his job, trying to get some laughs. Palin was using it to her advantage. Seems like everyone was just jumping on the bandwagon going nowhere.

Maybe Letterman needs to find a more useful job.

He's like the colloseum in Rome for all the Romans before the fall.

I heard that Freud says there is no such thing as slip of the tongue. All the more reason to question this guys integrity and what he does for this world. Just doing your job in this case is not very useful. Kind of like, just watching TV.

Try flicking the channel to real news and and get a dose of reality for a change.