Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap
by John ZieglerThe fact that I’ve needed to correct the record every time I’m involved in some sort of media firestorm (about once a month since the election, it seems), probably says at least as much about the pathetic nature of our news media as anything I put in my documentary “Media Malpractice,” a film whose truth I’ve dedicated almost all of the last year of my life to. The most recent episode involving the controversy over David Letterman’s comments about Governor Sarah Palin and her family is certainly no exception.
First, let me tell you what really happened, and then I can explain what we should all learn from this. Here’s the timeline…
Monday, June 8th: Letterman uses Palin’s trip to New York to unleash a torrent of ”comic” attacks on her and her family. The entire “Top Ten” list is devoted to the Governor and includes cracks about her updating her “slutty” wardrobe and possessing illegal drugs. The monologue includes a “joke” about Palin’s “daughter” getting “knocked up” at a Yankees game by Alex Rodriquez during the 7th inning stretch while her mother and a stadium full of spectators presumably watched.
Tuesday, June 9th: As I’m getting ready for the second edition of my new Los Angeles radio talk show, I see a story on the Drudge Report about Letterman’s “Top Ten” list. Governor Palin was previously scheduled as a guest on that show because she’s basically the “star” of my documentary. I wanted her as my first guest on my new program and she was gracious enough to make the time for that to happen. When I speak to her off the air just before we go live, I ask if she’s aware of what Letterman had done the night before, she says she’s not. I quickly tell her about the “Top Ten” and the “slutty” comments but say nothing about the “daughter” “joke” because I wasn’t yet aware of it.
During my extensive interview with Governor Palin I ask her about Letterman’s “slutty” comments and she, as usual, takes the high road and offers only a mild rebuke of Letterman, calling him “pretty pathetic.”
While that clip from my interview makes the rounds for the rest of the day, the “spat” really doesn’t get that much play at first and Drudge even takes the entire issue off his site. However, it is important to note that there was plenty of information out in the public domain before Letterman’s taping that night which should have given the host and his staff all the facts they needed to realize that the only “daughter” with Palin on her New York trip was a 14-year-old, non-public figure, Willow. There is no apology from Letterman that night.
Wednesday June 10th: Much to my surprise I’m asked on MSNBC to discuss my interview with Governor Palin and the Letterman comments. I’m particularly stunned when I’m told I’ll be interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, with whom I’ve had on-air tussles in the past. Well, clearly O’Donnell either gets cold feet or simply chickens out when she finds out it’s her job to interview me (I was laughably told by the MSNBC producer that this change of plans – a plan I was given 25 minutes before the show — is due to “breaking news” of the Chrysler Supreme Court decision from the previous evening!).
Instead I’m “interviewed” by Contessa Brewer, and you can judge for yourself how that went:
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I later find out that what Brewer thought was an analogous situation in her own life was when Don Imus (oh, the irony!) said she had a large ass. Yeah Contessa, that’s pretty much the same as what Letterman said about Palin and her family!
Rush Limbaugh plays the highlights of what is likely my last MSNBC appearance (twice) on his show, and the video of this exchange is quickly all over the Internet.
Later, Governor Palin and her husband Todd release scathing statements condemning Letterman for his “rape joke” about Willow. That night Letteman mocks their statement, lamely claims that the joke was about Bristol not Willow (which, by the way, I think is a valid distinction but one which is not consistent with the facts), invites Governor Palin (while creepily urging Todd to stay home) on his show to further increase his ratings, and proceeds to retell the very same jokes for which he is allegedly “apologizing.”
Thursday June 11th: Governor Palin’s spokesperson (contrary to Contessa Brewer’s claims, that is NOT me) says she will not be coming on Letterman’s show and half jokingly says that it would probably be a good idea to keep Willow away from Letterman. This last statement would not (surprise!) be put in the proper context by the news media because they either didn’t know, or didn’t care, that Letterman had been making numerous overt references to his sexual attraction to the Governor for an extended period of time and of course he has just joked (whether he realized it or not) about a public sex act with Willow.
During most of the day the leftwing media goes into overdrive in their efforts to protect Letterman and even demonize Palin for having the gall to protect her daughter’s dignity. The bogus apology is largely accepted by the media and receives almost none of the scathing criticism it so richly deserved. At this point Don Imus must have been thinking back to his groveling to Al Sharpton after the “nappy headed hoes” outrage and wondered, “What the hell is going on here?!”
Shockingly, Keith Olbermann (who is both a Letterman sycophant and possessor one of the nastiest cases of Palin Derangement Syndrome in captivity) is one of the worst offenders in this crusade. He calls the Palins “opportunists” and his guest Margaret Carlson sells out her entire gender for future spots on Olbermann’s show by declaring that Palin should be considered “one of the worst people in the world” for having strongly stood up (in a written statement for heaven’s sake!) for her 14-year-old daughter. The National Organization for Women of course says nothing and does not call for Letterman’s firing as they did for Imus.
Friday June 12th: Governor Palin goes on The Today Show to discuss a major development in her efforts to get a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the lower 48. Matt Lauer, like a kid being forced to wait at the top of the steps before being allowed to see what’s under the Christmas tree, barely makes it through the “substance” so he can grill Palin about why she’s so offended by the host of a major show on CBS making rape jokes about her 14-year-old daughter. For some reason Lauer asks her how she found out about the Letterman attacks and she accurately (of course) mentions the events exactly as they happened on my show and gives my program an unnecessary, but still appreciated, mention.
Later that day I’m made aware of a website (that contrary to numerous allegedly reputable news outlets is NOT mine) www.firedavidletterman.com which is planning some sort of rally outside of Letterman’s theater early the next week. Long story short, I agree to be one of their spokespeople/advisors and promise to speak at the rally if my new radio station can get a studio in New York City in time.
Monday June 15th: I make an appearance on Fox News Channel to discuss the rally and why I think what Letterman did was far worse than what Imus was fired for. My radio station (KGIL in Los Angeles) is able to get a studio for me to do my show the next day in NYC, so that afternoon I head to LAX to catch the next flight across the country so I can speak at the rally.
As I am getting on the plane I get a call from a producer of the CBS Early Show telling me that Letterman had “sincerely” apologized and asking me if the rally is still on with the clear implication that this should be enough to call the whole thing off (the same presumption would dominate nearly every one of the dozens of media inquires I would field after that). The producer books me on the show for the next morning, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to cancel once he puts it up the flag pole and CBS makes it clear from the higher ups that they’re still supporting their guy (one of the obvious signs the Imus MSNBC show was toast was when NBC news spent an entire first segment of the Nightly News obsessing over the “nappy headed hoes” issue). Sure enough, I soon have a message on my voicemail canceling my booking on the CBS Early Show.
No one involved with the movement/rally/website really gives any thought to canceling because of Letterman’s belated apology. I’m just glad he essentially admitted that we were right. I also wonder what new information or event (other than watching Mark Shields on PBS criticize him; who knew Letterman watches PBS, or that Mark Shields was still alive?!) has suddenly changed the circumstances since Letterman had all the information he needed to apologize a week earlier and did no such thing. However, knowing the media like I do, I’m sure they’ll use this as the “move on” moment they are desperately searching for and that the environment for Tuesday’s rally is going to be even more difficult than I previously feared.
Tuesday June 16th: I’m awaken very early with media calls for me to react to Governor Palin “accepting” Letterman’s apology (contrary to the claims of Contessa Brewer and others, I am not part of Sarah Palin’s decision making process nor even in the loop). While I totally understand why she did it (one of the thousands of disadvantages she faces, thanks to the media agenda against her, is no flexibility when it comes to not taking the highest of roads. She would surely have been skewered had she had done anything other than show how classy she really in fully accepting Letterman’s second apology), I must confess that I knew her acceptance of the apology was going to derail our message. The media now had everything they needed to move on from a story that made them very uncomfortable because it forced them to either defend Sarah Palin or expose themselves as blatant hypocrites. Of course, this would mark the first time in recorded history that the national news media has accepted as credible anything Sarah Palin has said.
In-between numerous radio and television interviews, and in the wildest kind of irony, I was able to do my radio show from, I kid you not, the CBS News building. This is hilarious not just because Letterman’s show is on CBS, but because I was just arrested at USC for trying to expose Katie Couric’s Walter Cronkite Journalism Award for her Sarah Palin interview as the fraud that it is. For most people this situation would be off the charts on the bizarro meter, but my life is so strange and I was so busy that the whole thing barely fazed me. Sadly, Katie and I didn’t run into each other in the lobby.
After my show, I take a cab to the Ed Sullivan Theater. My expectations for what is about to transpire are extremely low. None of the heavy hitters in the conservative media (not to mention NOW) had stepped forward to help out the cause, and thus far most of the coverage of the rally was national and not local. The people who were organizing this event (again, contrary to numerous “news” accounts, that was NOT me) did not seem to have their act together and I was very concerned that even the basics for this kind of happening would not be properly in place. I warned them many times about various aspects of the basic logistics and they assured me it would be taken care of. They also seemed confident that the crowd would be at least a couple hundred people (over 300 had indicated they would be there), which I thought would be fine. To me the size of the crowd had nothing to do with anything. This was about right and wrong. But I also know the way the game is played.
When I arrived about 10 minutes before the scheduled start time, it was clear this thing would be a disaster. The small crowd was splintered by numerous members of the news media who were clearly dedicated to interviewing the craziest people they could find to represent “all” the protesters. One guy (later determined to be a plant from a satellite radio show) screamed and carried on like a lunatic. Things only get worse from there.
I immediately recognized that some of the people the owner of fire-david-letterman.com (a guy in Nashville, of all places) had put in charge of organizing the event were the same individuals who had royally screwed me in a NYC screening of my film originally intended for the “PUMA” organization (a pro-Hillary faction that I soon learned was mostly full of complete lunatics with racist and man-hating tendencies who had absolutely no ability to get people to any event of any kind). Now I’m sure we’re doomed.
Sure enough, no large crowd arrives. Worse than that, the audio set-up lacks a speaker system and there’s no power source (Fox News originally offered to plug the extension cord into their live truck but then apparently decided that might not send the right message; I’m quite sure that CNN and the local stations who were there would have fallen over themselves to help — without fear of repercussion — if Al Sharpton needed electricity). The woman who was supposed to know how to set up the audio system hadn’t yet arrived and the back-up bullhorn could barely outdo a church mouse.
It is a nightmare.
Seeking to make the best of a horrible situation and with no other viable options, I call a press conference. About half the media not distracted by the nut-jobs, gather and I proceed to give an address and then take questions. Here’s the video:
Part 1:
–
Part 2:
–
After I finish up and sign autographs for a few fans of my film, I have a decision to make: Either stay and watch the rest of the ship sink, or make a scheduled appearance on CNN Headline News. I decide on the TV show (some bloggers have charged that I just left, never even spoke, or split early for no reason — neither of which is remotely accurate). But even though I had to endure some jackass faux “independent” on the CNN television panel outrageously claim that this was all an attempt at publicity for Governor Palin and me, it was probably the right call.
As I fly back to LA that night I’m very depressed. I know the left-wing nuts on the Internet are going to have a field day with what happened and that the true point of all of this is likely to get lost. I get in too late to catch David Letterman do a somewhat humorous “Top Ten” list on the things overheard at the Fire David Letterman rally. He should have added, “Who’s that geeky white guy who wishes he had never spent $1,000 and 14 hours traveling from LA to be here?”
Wednesday June 17th : Though sure the media will let the story completely die, I’m shocked when e-mails arrive indicating Olive Garden restaurants has pulled their advertising from the Letterman show. I leak the strongly worded e-mails to Politico.com and they indicate that the story will break as soon as they can verify it.
Thursday June 18th: Sure enough, Politico confirms the Olive Garden story and it runs prominently (it gets the most page views that day). Drudge runs it, as well as Big Hollywood and Hotair. Weirdly, the article they run has several inaccuracies about me (once again, I did not organize the rally, and the firedavidletterman.com website is not mine). The reporter promises to correct the errors, but never does. He also never adds to the story our verification that Hellman’s/Whole Foods has pulled online advertising from Letterman.
The reporter claims this is because he’s too busy dealing with a New York Times report (from a reporter who has written a book largely about Letterman) that indicates Olive Garden is denying the story. Politico does not back off the story, but does let Olive Garden off the hook for their obvious reversal/disingenuousness. The media’s allowing Letterman to dodge another bullet. My guess is that the chamber is now empty.
In conclusion, I wish to share some general thoughts and observations on this whole saga.
For a guy who’s received WAY more hate mail in my life than 99.99% of the population, even I’m shocked by the volume and intensity of angry e-mails over this matter. They’re almost all the same; high on profanity and insults (for some reason “douchebag” is a favorite with this crowd) and extremely low on substance and logic.
The left-wing blogs have been seemingly obsessed with me — as if anything about me changes the basic facts of the story – but it’s obvious they can’t win this argument on the facts so they’ve chosen to make me the issue. Here’s an incomplete list of reasons they give for why my role in this story is illegitimate.
1. I’ve been fired many times for saying things on talk shows. (Ah, hello! That’s exactly why I am credible on this issue, and nothing I got fired for was nearly as egregious as what Letterman said. If I had said something as bad or worse and NOT gotten fired, THEN that would be a legitimate issue.)
2. I wrote a little-noticed book called ‘The Death of Free Speech.” (In which I lay out the “rules” for broadcast speech as determined by the news media, many of which were clearly violated by Letterman. I was simply trying to either get some equity or at least expose the massive double standard when it comes to the arbitrary enforcement of these rules, especially when the target is Sarah Palin.)
3. In an out of context interview for a reality show (which I doubt ever aired) put together by a left winger trying to make me look bad when I suddenly became someone they cared enough about to attack, I once said that most women are irrational and that the key to dating is to find a woman with a manageable degree of irrationality. (It is a shame they missed the section where I joke about a 14-year-old girl getting raped in public by an adult while her mother watches, because THAT might have been remotely relevant to this matter.)
4. I’m just a media whore. (So is there another way to get one’s message out when you don’t have a national television talk show? Please let me know if there is, because frankly no one hates the absurdity of appearing as a guest on TV talk shows more than me.)
5. I’m doing this simply to make money from my film. (Really? If anyone knew how much money and work and risk I have put into this film/cause and how little money I’m likely to make when all’s said and done, or how many copies of the film I’ve donated because that’s how strongly I believe in the message, they couldn’t possibly think money is anywhere near my prime motivation. I can also assure you that I have made no profit from this specific episode.)
6. I personally like Sarah Palin. (Yep. You got me. I guess we should wait for one of the millions who seem to hate her to devote their time, money and reputation to defend her. Yeah, that makes sense. I guess I should just shut up about the truth of the media agenda against her – a mission I’ve devoted my life to exposing — because, after all, I am biased, and even worse, actually know what I’m talking about.)
7. Other comedians had said things almost as horrible about Palin and her family and there was no outrage. (This might be my favorite bit of liberal “logic.” So, because others got away with verbal manslaughter, we should Letterman get away with comparative murder??)
Yes, much vitriol has been thrown my direction, but I’m not as bothered by that as I am by what has been once again allowed to happen to the Palin family because — despite what you might read on left-wing blogs — this is obviously NOT ABOUT ME.
This is about a woman who has seen her character and reputation attacked relentlessly and illegitimately by a news media with a clear agenda. She’s been accused of faking the pregnancy of a down-syndrome baby, had the details of her teenage daughter’s sex life discussed on Larry King Live (well after the election), watched one of her previously unscathed children joked about in the most heinous way imaginable, and then gets accused of trying to get media attention when she releases a statement expressing outrage. Is there another parent in this country who wouldn’t have completely lost it at this point, even if they weren’t also the highly successful governor of our largest state?
Regardless of your political persuasion, what happened to the Palins should be of grave concern. What should sadden and frighten all of us is that we are now in the process of clearly setting a precedent that there are no rules or standards when it comes to attacking a particular public person (and their private family). Sarah Palin and her family have done absolutely nothing to deserve this treatment. The media simply decided they don’t like them.
Thankfully, my sense is that the Palins are probably uniquely suited to survive and prosper through an unprecedented firestorm that has gone on for almost a year now. But just because they are tough enough to take it, doesn’t make it right and doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be stopped or at least condemned.
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176 Comments
Do not give up!!! Letterman got off with a light slap…this time, and there will be another time. I reccommend Media Malpractice to everyone I know. It is well done, even though it makes my blood boil…
Hey John, can we paste some David Letterman pictures on watermelons and drop them from fireman towers and film what happens and discuss it on your show? I was just thinking of what it was like when Letterman was actually funny and didn't suffer from Angerzheimer's.
Yes, don't give up! The Left is up for vilifying any honest work done by someone that's not of their ranks. To heck with them and what they say (as if they have any credibility outside their little circle of friends anyway).
Good for you!
D.I.S.S.
David Is Stupid Slut.
If I were rich I would buy a TV station, offer David big bucks to do his show on my channel, then cut his time to half an hour at 3:00 AM just to piss him off. Double Douchebag!
I have your "Media Malpractice" and strongly urge others to get it and watch it to the end, even though the leftists in the film are putrid, dishonest, bigoted, biased, and uninformed. I wished more had shown up for the "Fire Letterman" rally. I have bookmarked the "Fire Letterman" website. Through it all I think a real distinct message was sent to Letterman (who I don't like for other reasons anyway).
Protesting any left wing supported issue seems like a lost cause to me. Those who do protest will be portrayed as "hate filled" members of society, usually followed by other descriptions, whether it be racist, sexist, idiotic, etc. etc. Protest anything the left wing supports and you are a brave soul, clamoring for the justice we so rightly deserve.
You should've called Contessa a c–t(even though she is hot), that would've really caused a stir.
Was the pro-Hillary crowd that was there associated with Hillbuzz.org? They're still actively trying to get sponsors to abandon Letterman. Olive Garden (General Mills) has already jumped ship. Strangely though, the Hillbuzz crowd are also huge Palin fans, which tells me they're more concerned with identity than policy positions.
[...] related stuff on Letterman and Palin: John Ziegler, Big Hollywood: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap Politico: Olive Garden pulls Letterman ads and Olive Garden backtracks on David Letterman ads Free [...]
I love how you have nothing at all to say about the actual incident.
But then, that's what I've come to expect from the Palin haters, Obama worshippers and the rest. All you have is name calling and silly remarks.
Zeigler has a new show?
"You should've called Contessa a c–t (even though she is hot)"
There's the respect for women & return to decency Gov. Palin was calling for! Good job!
[...] Must Be Mental Illness: Sullivan Still Suffering From Trig Trooferism John Ziegler, Big Hollywood: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap John Romano, Big Hollywood: Race Only Matters When it Favors Democrats Environmental Republican: [...]
Thank you for keeping on this! I know even some conservative people are saying we're making too much of a big deal over this. But I don't think so. If we do not speak up, this will continue to happen – not just to Sarah Palin's family, but to other families as well.
Being a conservative in this country means being treated like garbage. It's time we started standing up for ourselves and for others.
Joking about raping anyone – legal age or not! – is vile and should not be allowed to go without rebuke. That pig Letterman would never dare say such filth about Obama's daughters. And if he had, the media would crucify him. But for Sarah Palin's family it's acceptable? I've HAD IT with this attitude. It's time we started fighting back, and fighting hard.
This should stir up the troll patrol Big Time.
Paging mr. ross…paging icky ross…
Like him or not, he's one of few conservative pundits who can do what he does. We've been media punching bags for so long that we need a few "douchebags" on our side.
Olive Garden has been waiting for a reason not to advertise on Letterman ever since going to the Olive Garden was one of the top 10 ways to get grounded by the Gotti family.
[...] Conservatives4Palin: The Fate of Alaska’s Joan of Arc John Ziegler, Big Hollywood: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap Goodtimepolitics: Sarah Palin is a genuine ethics reformer, so they are trying to destroy her with [...]
I get the impression that if Ziegler gets short changed at the bodega it generates a 1500 blog post somewhere
John Ziegler, you are a true being, your work for Gov. Sarah Palin is noteworthy. I wish you will find all the great achievements you deserve. God Bless You, don't give up !
You'll have to give him a little bit. He just delivered my pizza.
Thanks for giving us a 'behind the scenes' look in real time at a cultural event that holds much more meaning that its superficial 'newsy' nature. Ours is a culture 'progressing' towards its own demise and this was just a blip in the slide downhill.
[...] more here: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
Really? Why don't you just shout "Hastur" over and over again? Maybe antifascist will show up.
Minimum wage to troll/whine/cry for Obama.org is no way to make a living son.
I really enjoyed Media Malpractice and the way you continue to make the MSNBC info babes squirm. Keep up the good work. Maybe your radio show can be picked up in the Eastern Tennessee marketplace.
You're on the money, John.
Kudos to you and Governor Palin for following through and not letting the matter drop in the interest of avoiding bad press.
Ignore liberal bad behavior and it WON'T go away; the attacks will just become more vicious and personal.
Good on you for standing up for your beliefs (which I happen to share). I hope you can keep the hate mail and negative posts from getting to you, b/c you're a good person who's trying to the right thing.
John, David Letterman is a bitter biased leftwinger who has taken more cheap shots at George Bush than MSNBC has.
Unfortunately this week, Barrack Obama has decided to hand over the unprecedented power to seize private companies, at their discretion, to the Federal Reserve, which is in itself a private organization, not subject to control of anyone.
While blowback at David Letterman when the opportunity arises is cool with me, in perspective, his little watched leftwing venom is inconsequentional as the tide of Mussolini like National Socialism is washing over the boat.
This kind of stuff is why we can't get decent people to run for office. I get that Letterman apologized, but IMO we need to keep the pressure on because the word needs to get out that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed.
Mo – I had never before thought about how well the term "pig" applies to Letterman. Jolly good show!
Contessa would deserve respect if she respected women…her statements indicate she does not. Either that or she is too much of a liberal puppet to see the light.
KGIL 1260 Los Angeles. I was listening today.
John, I just wanted to thank you for the work you do, and to offer my condolences for the steaming crap you have to put up with. No good deed goes unpunished, eh?
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I believe that there will be a reckoning some day, and thus, ultimately, truth prevails. Keep fighting the good fight!
Ah don't dispair, there's always somthing F###ing up the leftwing, otherwise they wouldn't be this "horrible"..oh wait, that's how they are ALL the time. ROCK ON and keep up the good fight, we're behind you 100%!!!
"do what he does" = Be an opportunistic drama queen frantically clutching at the coattails of any conservative figure who makes of the mistake of massaging his ego by giving him an interview?
Miles. After John Ziegler writes about hate mail he received: "for some reason “douchebag” is a favorite with this crowd) and extremely low on substance and logic.' You actually entered that comment?
Talk about validating Zieglers point.
[...] Over at Big Hollywood, John Ziegler sets the record straight on his Palin/Letterman adventures. [...]
John:
I admire you for using your own funds and personal capital to stand up for what's right. Sarah has been wronged big time with the worst "politics of personal destruction" I have seen in my lifetime. The left greatly fears an articulate, conservativem beautiful, successful woman and will stop at nothing to muzzle her.
Sarah, although a fine, rising politician, was dragged into the slipshod McCain campaign with zero preparation and put up gainst politicians who had years of practice on the stump. Not surprisingly, she wasn't yet ready for national prime time, but will be. She has more integrity, honesty and sheer common sense than almost every politician on the national scene.
By the way, you massacred that little MSNBC interviewer twit, dude
I will not buy any products or services that advertise on the David Letterman show. Had David Letterman said that President Obama wife dresses like a "slutty stewardess" and his children should be raped at baseball in NY city. CBS would have fired him and all the people at NBC, ABC @ MSNBS would not be defending him.
It seems it is impossible to shame David Letterman and CBS.
"This kind of stuff is why we can't get decent people to run for office."
I don't want "decent" people running for office. I want the sleaziest, nastiest cutthroats possible running the show – not just because I can relate to them, but because they can get things done.
There's basically two kinds of public people frequently described as "decent:" The extremely-religious (that'd be the Palins) or the extremely-naive. Neither type should be in charge of anything more important than a neighborhood watch.
"The left greatly fears an articulate, conservativem beautiful, successful woman and will stop at nothing to muzzle her."
The only people who've tried to "muzzle" Sarah Palin are on the "right" – i.e. "conservatives" who would like to WIN at some point. Hyperreligious "family values" dipsticks have been occasionally useful for packing a voting booth, but you don't actually put one of them in CHARGE of anything.
"The left" wants her to run her mouth as much as possible. Why do you think they covered this story? Why do you think anyone wants to talk to Zeigler? Why do you think MSNBC etc. are always so eager to have Vote Repelling Entities like Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul on as talking heads? If there IS a "liberal media conspiracy," they couldn't have asked for a bigger godsend than Palin – she's entertaining, gives great copy, gets big ratings, and can ONLY hurt Republicans in the long run.
Thank you, Mr. Ziegler, for doing the trench work legacy media won't do and, frankly, is incapable of doing. Beyond their institutionally, if not blindingly, ingrained bias, there's simple incompetence via contemporary schooling.
Your contributions remain instructional and bring the critical sunlight so lacking in The Deciders today.
Reporting for duty sir.
I didn't bother to read this one, But common guys, apology has been accepted… advertisers have been lost. Can't we just move on and worry about N Korea.
Any consevative who is gone after so viciously from so many on the left is woth voting for.
It's way past time for your to have your medications adjusted.
So we should keep going after her?
Mr. Ziegler delivers the sad truth that the left is far more organized than we are (they took control of the 'fire letterman' rally, plus delivered a bullhorn that couldn't outdo 'a church mouse', etc.) Worst of all, the left holds the position of power – they OWN the media. We have a hard fight in front of us.
Thank you, Mr. Ziegler, for fighting it. Damn, if I'd been in New York, I would have shown up. I'm sorry for the fiasco that happened. But so glad that you're fighting for Palin. Bless you for that!
John, I say ditto to all the above comments begging you to keep fighting the good fight for us as your voice is more powerful and important than so many other voices out there today. We Conservatives who know and love your work know it is not in vain and we will continue to promote you in every way we can. I am sorry the vicious left has even looked in your direction as we need someone with your courage to face them, especially like you did when Katie Couric got her bogus award for smearing our Sarah. We love you John!!!
Translation for icky boy…
common guys = come on guys
Since you didn't bother to read this one, how about watching this instead. One of my favorites, just for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B35rYEkYgvs
You already sent that one big guy.
There will be blood is decent at best.
Please don't give up Mr. Ziegler. Thank you for standing up to the bullies of the new regime. What’s been done to Sarah and her family is outrageous, and I and many others are grateful for all you’ve done- Which is simply to expose the truth about what has been going on. Don’t give up; keep doing what you do and God Bless.
[...] Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap by John Ziegler [...]
How about this one, little fella…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cD3ROznxyI
Olive Garden, like any large business (i.e. "The Client"), has a media placement firm (or department of their ad agency) buy ad space for them. They don't do it themselves, unless they handle that "in house" (which is unlikely). Regardless, all media buy schedules are approved, in advance, by the higher ups at The Client.
If The Client were offended by something a host of any program said at an earlier time, the media buyer would have never been allowed to spend the money on another spot with that show.
Every contract has some kind of "good faith" clause. Part of which says, I'm paraphrasing here with my own words, "we're spending big bucks with you to reach your audience, if you portray us in a negative light we reserve the right to withdraw our media placement dollars".
So, it's unlikely they were "just waiting" for a reason not to advertise on Letterman.
Perhaps Letterman thinks the same of Palin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1umKvJe4AQ0
For your health.
Please don't stop telling the truth. We have been silent far too long. Just keep at it. My husband and I support you and others like you. You are on the right side of the issue; the hatred of the left for people like you only prove how vile they are. Liars and hate mongers hate the truth. Don't stop! Thank you for your courage.
Mr. Ziegler your tales are full of drama, intrigue, and deep paranoia. I didn't even know you were involved in this mini-controversy until you wrote this painfully detailed account of your involvement. Also, you note numerous news accounts numerous times (4 or 5 at least) without any links. Surely if your tormentors are real (and numerous) you could provide a link or two.
"The left-wing blogs have been seemingly obsessed with me"
Really? Not seeing that. I think you are obsessed with you .. and Sarah Palin of course.
Hey John,
How does Sarah's ass taste? A lot of the male (and I'm sure some female) public would like to know.
The reason you take so much flack over this is because the majority of people in this country have common sense and are smart enough to know what your, and your follower's, true motives are. This has nothing to do with Letterman's "offensive" jokes (get it right you imbeciles, they're jokes, not comments or remarks as you keep calling them) but more to do with your political agenda and you're simply using an innocent man in an attempt to score a point for your side.
Outraged, my ass. You fool nobody…except of course yourselves.
I for one love HillBuzz, and despite the dichotomy of supporting both Hillary and Sarah, it speaks to competence and honesty in politics rather than mindless jibberish a la Pelosi.
Your Media Malpractice DVD was excellent, wish FOX News would show it on air, sometime.. people (even my conservative friends and relatives) are infuriatingly disinterested in the truth about Hussein's campaign, and all the sordid details (at least those that are not under lock seal, like his birth certificate..) about the Palin smearing. What happened to you at USC, where my kids attend, was incredible, we watched in stupified amazement at your treatment by that school. We know what the left wing is capable of, and we are behind you 100% in your ongoing efforts to get to the truth, and then share it with all of us soon-to-be tax-burdened-to-the-grave conservatives. Go get 'em, John.
Gee, you're classy!
Your comment, and Letterman's comment, crossed lines. Male or female, white or black, people deserve respect. Sorry if we think that making a joke about STATUTORY RAPE isn't funny or appropriate. If you don't think the same joke would be funny about Obama's daughters, then you have what most "level-headed" folks call a double standard.
And by the way, if you want the political discussion in this country to improve, maybe you should leave off the sexual jokes yourself.
New cologne for republicans, "Sarah's Ass"
"you're simply using an innocent man in an attempt to score a point for your side. "
Letterman's comment was worse than Imus'. Since Barack Obama himself (peace be upon him) called for Imus to be fired, anyone who thinks that Letterman should keep his job disagrees with Obama (pbuh). And, as was amply repeated (thus, by lefty logic, proven) during the campaign, any disagreement with Obama (pbuh) is racist.
You, flathead, are therefore a racist. Q.E.D.
"Protesting any left wing supported issue seems like a lost cause to me."
This is why conservatism is thought (of course, by the MSM to be in a tailspin): this attitude.
Yes, this protest turned out to be nothing, but only because of the accepting the apology, which someone should have told Palin to wait a day on. There is plenty we the people can do to make our voices heard. Cowering and letting the Left have the field is the wrong answer. It was McCain's strategy, to try to elevate the game, and look where it got him?
Conservatives need to act like Al Sharpton every time something like this happens. For God's sake, unify. Take the fight to the Left.
Even better, take it to Capitol Hill: both sides are shatteringly corrupt.
Listen. The Democratic left has obliviously and obviously become the 'party of hate and intolerance'. This is coming from a gay, disenchanted democrat, and I ain't alone. Letterman deserves to be eviscerated. But I strangely believe in Karma. Because of how the uber left is behaving, the laws of karma dictate that there is now a price to be paid. Don't worry, Letterman's heart will probably explode on air one night, and he won't be the only one touched by fate. And speaking of douche-bag, I can't think of a finer tiara for Contessa to wear. And finally talk about "slutty stewardess' looks, have you seen some of Michelle's get ups? That garish costume she wore to Westminster made her look like a float in the Rose Bowl parade. Not quite 'slutty' byt certainly overpollinated.
You're doing a great job, John.
I have a ton of respect for you, man
Your comment is a joke. Go troll public bathroom's where you will feel more at home.
That's just about your speed, thank you for sharing.
Have a nice rest of day.
Why read the article then, you dolt?
at least he still isn't snorting crack like the lying messiah your responsible for!
I'm of Irish descent and never thought much about it until recently when a relative did some intensive research on not only our family history, but on how the Irish were treated here about 150 years ago. While I was aware there had been a dislike of the Irish by some, I had no idea it was so vicious, wicked and widespread. My cousin copied old articles from newspapers and publications that mocked the Irish and the similarity between that and what the media is doing to conservatives and Christians right now is uncanny. The "humor" of those that despised the Irish in the media used cartoons, showing the Irish as smelly uneducated simpletons with ape-like facial features. It was not unlike the tactics some had used against blacks. Their "humor" was a very thin disguise for their pure hatred of another class of individuals. A the time, it was perfectly legal to engage in practices such as placing signs stating "Irish Need Not Apply" at places of employment. Unfortunately, we have entered another era where some are trying to hide behind laughs to spread their sickness and hatred.
Keep it up, Zig! You are the only conservative in the media who will not be browbeaten by straw-brained chattering cable nitwits. Most conservative leaders are hesitant, weak, and gutless. Keep polishing your stones, my friend!
I would love to see Ziggy and Olbermann go at it. He would have old Keith crying "Uncle" in 20 seconds.
@ MovieBob and his fellow travelers –
Originality's not really your strong suit, is it ?
It's always a hoot when some lefty comes here and talks about how we're all parroting Rush .
Then one of you guys comes here and spews , almost word for word, something that I can find @ HuffPo, DemoUnderground,, whatever.
Talk about sheep.
This is GOOD!! We have got to call-out the filthy, vulgar "celebrities" who coarsen our American dialogue. Some lemmings are so brainwashed that they believe wallowing in the gutter is advancing society when actually they reveal their poverty of mind, vocabulary and intelligence. You are a jewel, John; a shining light amid the dim bulbs of pathetic, tasteless Yuks!!
I sent Olive Garden Business heads a letter of concern over their support of CBS ' Late Show, and the issue discussed. It would not have happened without your help in all of this. Thank you John Z.
High alert @ Troll central!!
Palin post . Palin post.
Thanks Jim, u 2.
Yes, I saw it in in Nordstrom the other day.
It's situated around the corner from the HUGE end cap display of ; Obama the Obsession.
Sadly sales are down for the Obama cologne, it seems to attract flies.
I had to laugh on ol 'Tessa's "cut his mike" comment. I think she's in love with ya man! Of course I only judge this by how often my wife tells me to shut up.
You have to understand that in the minds of the MSM anyone who is disgusted with the treatment of the Palins must be inbred hicks just like Sarah Palin. Of course the media is too arrogant to realize that the majority of America are more like the Palins than any of the media hacks on the major networks and liberal blog sites.
I get the impression that if Palin's name is mentioned anywhere it attracts 1500 trolls.
Yes, keep making asses out of yourselves.
Please
I saw it @ the 99 cent store.
Right next to the bug spray
As I am getting on the plane I get a call from a producer of the CBS Early Show telling me that Letterman had “sincerely” apologized and asking me if the rally is still on…
WOW! John how did you miss the irony’s of all irony’s?
CBS called you knowing what Letterman WAS going to say on his show Monday but that same CBS didn’t know what THEY, CBS New York, reported about Palin’s Trip to New York, including that Willow was the daughter with her NOT Bristol.
June 7th, CBS New York reported (as their TOP story) Palin’s Trip to New York, http://wcbstv.com/local/palin.special.needs.2.103...
“Alaska Gov. Palin Talks About Special Needs In NY
NEW YORK (CBS) Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has called for measures to make life better for people with developmental disabilities during a speech in New York….
Palin was being honored at an anniversary celebration for the Manorville-based Independent Group Home Living Inc. after attending a Yankees game.
She was joined by her husband, daughter Willow and a sister.”
Isn’t that Ironic? CBS completely missed the there own report! What are the odds of that?
Thanks, John, for your hard work on behalf of Sarah Palin and her family. In my 60 years, I've never seen such malicious attacks on anyone as what's been directed on the Palins – it's unprecedented.
They even obsess over her shoes – shows you what weird people they are!
"Hate Filled members of society…" Oh whaaaaah.
If the Klan Robes Fit… Right wing whiner.
Jokes aside, Palin is a disaster.
Don’t sweat it John, the parasitic left can’t abide a successful self made woman threatening the hive. Keep up the good work. Just look at the troll action on this post, they’re scared out of their government issued diapers.
Hank, you do know Miles never read the post. Most likely, he sent 2/3 of the e-mail to Ziegler in the first place.
Well, see, when they do it, it's not considered "spewing talking points." It's the God-honest truth to them, so one can't be blamed for spreading it around.
Imagine if Palin/Mcain won! You hacks would all be like they're so awesome. Of coarse with Palin at the helm I'm sure we wouldn't be here anymore.
As opposed to what? Ricky you know it’s almost Friday night, there’s brain cells to damage, and you never know you might get lucky? Now, go party, be careful, and wear your seat belt.
John has done a yeoman'sjob on this episode, and this post is a fundamental source for those who will continue to write and opine about it. In spite of his pessimism about the protest event in New York, he should bear in mind that the controversy has not been lost on Olive Garden and Hellmann's, or on any other potential sponsors of his show.
They know that David Letterman undertook to engage in a written, rehearsed and uttered personal attack on Sarah Palin and her children on a broadcast network show, one where he knew that millions would hear, and where millions more would hear about it. They also know that Letterman's intentional personal attack on Sarah Palin's family started all of this controversy.
And they know that he waited until he was absolutely boxed into a corner of bad publicity to finally cough up a real apology, one that only came after spewing out a snarky and phony first attempt. And they know that we know it. Above all, they do not want their brands associated with that controversy, and they know that if we make that association, their brands are hurt accordingly.
Then, too, there are a whole host of media clowns who gave themselves real exposure over this issue. Contessa Brewer is only one of them. That video, by the way, is one of my favorites of all time. And I love the Imus angle as well. She comes off as so petty as to undo any credibility she may have ever had.
Also once again proving her true clinker status was Margaret Carlson, who posted one of the truly laughable posts of all time about it at the Daily Beast, to wit — "Palin Can't Outsmart Letterman." Yeah. As everyone knows, when someone has to apologize to you twice, that makes them the clear winner. Huh?
So there is reason to believe that this episode is having a very good outcome. Letterman is the biggest loser, but some of his defenders jumped the shark as well.
John you are true American hero. Keep up the good work.
I like that Jimmy calls you Icky.
Can you do the shuffle?
God, learn how to spell, Lil Ricky.You're embarrassing yourself.
And yeah, I'd be happy as hell if Palin was our VP.
So bite me
Yeah, my bad.
It's the "Truth To Power" thingy.
He can't go out. He hasn't finished his chores
Rickey, I told you to put away your Barry doll and do your damn chores. Kids these days?
Yea, fatso makes up a good name or two
Letterman told a dumb joke about the apparently sainted Sarah Palin.
Palin fanboys spilled kool aid all over the place typing out their outrage.
Letterman makes half-assed apology attempt.
Palin fanboys spilled kool aid all over the place typing out their outrage.
Letterman makes a more detailed apology attempt. But he didn't cry, so it wasn't sincere enough for Palin fanboys.
Palin fanboys spilled kool aid all over the place typing out their outrage.
At this point, you are the joke. Just walk away now. There will be plenty more Palin jokes coming from Letterman. Especially when she runs in 2012. Pace yourselves.
Ziegler did a good job standing up to the MSM shill. However, his condescending smirk didn't help to convince anyone who wasn't already on his side.
I believe that Steve's point is this: Contessa & the leftist media pretend to be above the fray while they are obviously favoring the left. It is like watching a sporting event where you can see the umpire or referee is cheating for one team. Cheerleading for one team is at least honest. Claiming to be above the fray but always tilting toward the same side is what makes Contessa & her cohorts c–ts, whether they are male or female!!!!!!!!!!!!
Learn your history…the KKK is & always was exclusively Democrats (republicans freed the slaves). If you're too dumb to put facts in context, maybe you should read more before you spew nonsense.
The Palins are extremely religious?
Funny that Obama has made more Scriptural quotes than Palin has.
Provide me a link where Sarah is screaming at the top of her lungs, eyes bulging wide, the way Al Gore did–AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED–at a rally some years back.
But I guess that having the strength of character not to slaughter your own unborn children is just zealotry, right.
Well, you've had the nastiest cutthroats possible running things for afew months now. like it?
Your side is only nasty and cutthroat to women, children, and the generally decent working class. When you're not giving handouts and handjobs to criminals, terrorists, and dictators you are apologizing to them and begging to play nice.
That's exactly why Olbermannn will not have anyone on who won't obsequiously agree with him and kiss his pompous, misshapen ass.
anyone who refers to himself as "the man" is a numb dumb who cant even get a woman, let alone know what a real woman actually is and does.
Agreed. I don't think Pelosi accomplishes much for the cause of women in leadership roles.
ricky, your messiah is making a speech on FOX news right now. Shouldn't you be on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a tube of KY?
I think its clear that if I spoke on tv and said I just saw your 14 year old sister/daughter having sex you'd be pretty f*****g livid. take your BS and jump off a bridge you troll. Letterman knew damn well what he said..if he didnt he knew the next day but still refused to say he f****** up…now the sponsors go bye bye…just the start for the left wing scum who wanna fight…but we will win..left wing hacks like letterman will learn lessons the hard way from here on.
all you trolls who wanna attack women are spineless little vermin…and we all know where vermin end up: landing on a big pile of POTUS
I understand your point, but how can that even bother you after what the mainstream media has been doing for Obama for over a year now?
And I don't think any conservative figure that massages Ziegler's ego is making all that big of a mistake when the guy makes an entire documentary supporting that politician's career.
I like to use hand sanitizer
Keep up the good fight John.
Yes, I'm one of those right-wing racist nutcases the left loves to spew hatred about. I still ask where the love and understanding is for those of us who disagree with their Gestapo fascist tactics? Oh wait, now I remember, that's only if you AGREE with their Gestapo fascist tactics that you feel the love. Ok, got it, I have to repeat such tripe to myself a lot because I'm getting old and senile and the first thing to go is your memory you know. The 2nd thing to go is.. umm.. must not be important.
As for Letterman's "jokes" about the Governor.. I guarantee that if he had made such sexually explicit jokes about my daughter (who is 32 and not 14, but age would not be the issue to me), I'd be IN New York City, ON his show, and he WOULD apologize to my face!!! and he would at MINIMUM be made to take a vacation for no less than a week nor more than a month. And then when the show was over and I was sure the cameras were off, I'd deck his a$$ right to the floor and see if I couldn't break a few more teeth and his jaw !! I may have arthritis in my hands, but I'd feel no pain when i knocked out his lights! Then when he's down on the floor I'd kick him in the nutz so hard he wouldn't be able to sit down for a week, much less think about making sex jokes again. And when the left wing loonies finish their daily intake of koolaid and start griping about his injuries, I'll be so proud to confess that I gave him his due, and will be very happy to let the world know what a moronic jack-ass he is to let a little old lady beat the crap out of him. Yep, I'd get way more than 15 minutes of fame and a few months in jail out of it, I'd get the satisfaction of having defended my child and myself, regardless of what the loons on the left thought about it. Hey, jail ain't so bad from what i hear, 3 free meals a day, no taxes, free clothes, room and board, tv, computers, A/C or Heat 24/7, no bills to pay! And i even hear they pay You to do work like in the laundry and such. I can handle that. -grinz-
As for the current situation, i did write emails to every one of Letterman's sponsors, and i received letters back from two of them, Lexus and Proctor & Gamble. Both said thank you for your 'concerns', but they will not pull their advertising just because of a 'bad joke'. So I wrote them back and said no problem, expect a boycot of your products for a very long time by nearly every woman and a whole lot of men in this country who don't agree that it was only a bad joke. See how that works out for ya. Haven't heard back from them, but then, haven't seen a lot of their advertising on the Late Show either. Hmm, could it be mine wasn't the only letter that was sent?
Hey John, Honestly I had not heard of you before this incident, but I caught the Contessa interview making the rounds on the web and thought you did a bang up job. I love your style and will catch up with your other work as well.
FWIW, I feel the same as you about Sarah Palin. What a strong classy woman to stand up to that assault on her and her family. What they are trying to do to her is despicable.
"But I guess that having the strength of character not to slaughter your own unborn children is just zealotry, right."
Something like that, yes.
"Well, you've had the nastiest cutthroats possible running things for afew months now. like it?"
I seriously doubt Obama etc. qualify as the nastiest cutthroats POSSIBLE, though he personal has shown more of a skill at fighting dirty than I was expecting, which I find a rather pleasant surprise. I'd prefer he drop a few more bombs and give a few less speeches, but it's early yet. So far, though, marked improvement from the last guy if nothing else – The Bush's were certainly "dirty" enough… but they were incompetent at it AND frequently turned their darker actions toward things I LIKE – not a great combination.
God bless you John Ziegler. God sent such a talented angel to defend Sarah and her family.
How Brown your nose must be having it so far up Palins rear end! Way to go Conspiracy nuts!
I'm sorry, but this is the type of thing that makes conservatives sound like Gloria Steinem. Letterman already apologized TWICE and he has been losing advertisers because of this incident, so what more should be done? Conservative movie critic Michael Medved, whose button is on the right-hand bar on this page, said that it is pathetic for people to protest outside of CBS after everyone has apologized and accepted the apology. He said it makes Gov. Palin look bad because she is supposed to be a leader, not a whiner. And I hate boycotts! This is just like that creep Steinem trying to protest "The People Vs. Larryu Flynt." Political Correctness can infect both sides of the political spectrum, and since I have no love for either side, I'd like to see this given a rest already. It also proves that conservatives are just as likely not to have a sense of humor as liberals.
Hillbuzz would have to be one of the best political sites for bringing people together in the spirit of respectful debate and intelligent observation of events. The fact that tney LOVE.THE.PALINS as they would put it, only makes their site even more welcoming.
Keep up the good work, John. You're someone we can believe speaks the truth.
God bless you, John Ziegler! I look forward to hearing more from you. You are a breath of fresh air. Bill Buckley would be proud. The left may have their brown shirts and union leaders but we (on the right) have great mines like you.
Don't ever let them get to you. We need your voice. Cut them down, slice them up. Make them look as stupid as the are and laugh all your way to the bank.
John, if I were a man, I would have a man-crush on you. Alas, I am not a man, but, you have my utmost respect. Period. Women's groups worldwide should be singing your praises. If you need *ground troops*, count me in!
One could also make a similar point over Babs Boxer.
Okay, pinhead;
Time to learn something. This will not compute in your extremely narrow statist view of how the world works, but I'll have a go at it:
Let's say I spend a lot of money with your hypothetical show. You mildly insult my business. I know you're a schmuck, but lots of people see my ad on your show, so I decide to tolerate it for now.
You go off into la-la land and say something so ugly and vile under the pretext of being funny, people start calling my business and beat on me in a "guilt-by -association" impression. They tell me they won't set foot in my business to even use the bathroom, and would prefer overall to relieve themselves on my front doors if they could.
You have now jeopardized my business in a real way, and in tight economic times, that is a no-go. I call your network head, and tell him I can't support your fruitcake show while you cost me business. I advertise elsewhere, you lose a sponsor and money.
Lefty's used to do this to us all the time. Now come and take yours.
Little dicky has shrinking manhood issues?
Had the microscope out to check to make sure you were still "the man"? Better re-check that chromosome.
You'd feel better if you went and found a job and not let Mommy wear your pants. Someone needs a paperboy on a bike somewhere…
Well played Mr. Eaton!
John, I have to give Contessa "Slutty" Brewer credit for at least listening to you in the interview. It was much better than those ones with Nora "The Slut" O'Donnell where I don't think she was hearing all the verbal jabs you were throwing at her and MSNBC.
Also, kudos for continuing to take up the offers to go on MSNBC. I don't know why they keep letting you on, but I am glad you go there and tell them what you think.
Careful, Gary, micro dicky has unusual diseases not covered under Obamacare.
They just put you out on an island and tell your family you died from a social disease.
Such as stupidity, a known killer in statist ranks.
Better to keep your wits about you, and vote Palin in 2012.
Why am I not surprised?
Nauseated to the point of throwing up a little…
But not surprised.
In a way, keep that up. I really want females to stay an unknown to you. And stay away from farm animals, too.
I think by the troll response we've seen here, something is quite obvious.
The left is DEATHLY AFRAID of Sarah Palin. Otherwise, why waste time yelling, screaming, and beating on the walls here? If she were the weakest link, the silence would be staggering, more in line with when the Committee came up with Grandpa to run against the Dali-Bama. We watched the two of them shoving each other over the locations of commas and periods in their similar position statements…
You lefties out there; please, keep up the dance. It is actually quite entertaining to watch how you knot yourselves up in spin, statement management, and politicizing/depoliticizing mixed messages. As well as damage control when one of you say something really outre and stupid in front of recording devices.
If Nokorea decides to be as idiotic as you lefties and try that missile thing, I hope Sarah decided to be there in Hawa'ii and share the danger, pointing up how the Dali-Bama was under the bed hiding at the time. She can then mention how she would defend all of America just like she would one of her kids. Anyone that can face down a bear can deal with that little puke extra from a Charlie Chan movie.
Barry would melt away in the white-hot glare. FOREVER.
Why is St Sarah Palin off-limits to any jokes? The jokes about her are no worse than any Dave has done about other men and women. He did fat jokes about Oprah for years, Oprah did his show and had Dave on hers. Has joked about Bill and Hillary for 17 years and will continue to do so.
If Sarah wants to be in public life, she is going to get joked about. If she can't handle it, she should just stay in Alaska.
At the point in the article where this stooge began calling it a "rape joke about a 14 year old girl" there was no credibility to continue reading. Obviously the joke was not about rape and not about a 14 year old. I saw the Top 10 List live and knew exactly who the joke was about (the slutty older sister who is currently "knocked up" out of wedlock) and was a reference to her reported promiscuity, not intended or implied against her will. There was no insinuation of rape and nothing about 14-year old Willow in that joke. Everybody watching knew it was a joke about the perceived promiscuity of Bristol. And everybody who is trying to muster this fake outrage would be laughing at the same joke if the target was Britney Spears rather than Bristol Palin.
Where was all this outrage last year when Leno and Conan did jokes about John Edwards having sex with then 17 year old Bristol?
If all these protests against Letterman are sincere and not just some publicity stunt, then there should be similar protests against Conan and Leno.
"Regardless of your political persuasion…"
I can see why you would say something like that, but when you are talking about Liberalism, the political wing of criminality, it seems like wasted storage space.
Take Jon Stewart's recent defense of abortion against Mike Huckabee (I paraphrase):
"Pro-choice voters absolutely believe in the intrinsic worth of every single human life! Uh, except where that life is living inside someone else. Uh, when I use the word 'living', of course, I don't meant that I agree that life begins at conception, that was just a Freudian slip…" [etc., etc., another million dead children].
oh look, more LIBERAL VITRIOL AND HATE
from an angry obama defender
jokes about chelsea being raped? jokes about the obama kids being raped?
did not think so. LIBERAL HYPOCRISY OR STUPIDITY?
is your defense of obama corruption any more coherent – if not, you need to go back to dkook and huffpoop and get more training from your masters
letterman defense by obama sycophant – how usual and weak.
Obviously, it will be funny when letterman jokes about obamas kids being raped. Right?
Oh, its just the cons that dont have any humor. Right?
ricky – we know you luv Palin, you dont have to keep proving it – you need to moderate some of your fawning over Sarah.
come on, your adoration is embarrassing.
FireLetterman.com Shows how the left carries on an assault. Fight fire with fire. Olive Garden and Embassy Suites have stopped advertising with this pathetic pervert's show.
Hey idiot, where the hell have you been for the past eight months? She has taken more slanderous bile than any public figure in my lifetime within the first week of her introduction. She sat back for months and listened to lies about how she cheated on her husband, banned books, and how she faked her pregnancy, how she forced rape victims to pay out of pocket for medical care, how she is an evil fascist just for trying to fire a bad cop, how her daughter is a whore and how her family is white trash, how she hates women because she is pro-life, how she is anti-semitic because she hunts moose, and how she is a racist because she rightly questioned Obama's association with Bill Ayers. You libs were crying hysterically about George Wallace after that, remember? But you think the shots at kids are okay. Whatever.
That's just the tip of the iceberg, and through it all she took it like a good sport and didn't say a damn thing. And none of this was from comedians, by the way. This was from so-called news journalists, including the lies about a shopping spree and her supposed ignorance of Africa as a continent. This was proven false, but that got no coverage. Wonder why? Same reason her record of reform and energy policy didn't I suspect.
What a pitiful crybaby loser Ziegler is!
Yeah Republicans freed the slaves, but those Republicans are being asked to leave the GOP by Republicans who were once Democrats. See Rush Limbaugh for conformation.
Today's GOP is nowhere near what the party of Lincoln was during the Civil War. The GOP has been hijacked by the racists of the South.
My desire is for Palin to be the GOP presidential nominee in 2012……..NOT!!!
Hahahahaha!!! Ziegler gets his jollies this way. It's an orgasmic moment in time for him…
Sad but true Mo, if Letterman did the same with the Obama children, the leftoids would , all of a sudden ,endorse the death penalty.
John,
As you said the biggest issue is the Palins and the double standard. I still would pay good money to watch Todd Palin kick Lettermans ass. Don't worry about those who mock, honest hearted americans get it.
Jenny
If they don't fit… complain.
A sentient person would realize that.
I cannot wait for the day when John Ziegler gets punched in his smarmy-smug face and someone is there to record it. I will dance a hearty dance as he cries from the beating.
It will happen. No one that much of a heartless, souless loudmouth ass goes without a beating.
John, Compared to you David Webb is a wimp, don't ever stop.
You say " . . . so what more should be done?"
How about Letterman — and CBS — telling the little creep who wrote the joke to come out and publicly apologize as well? This was not an off the cuff remark. It was intentional and planned.
Also, tell us how you (citing Michael Medved) conclude that Governor Palin looks bad because some protestors appeared at CBS? She graciously accepted the apology! So, she was supposed to appear at the rally and beg them all to go home?
You say: "It also proves that conservatives are just as likely not to have a sense of humor as liberals."
We only get to laugh at what YOU think is funny? I thought the tape with Contessa was a gas! I'd love to see Tina Fey do a skit on SNL playing Contessa interviewing John Ziegler, and acting like a humorless scold.
And come on . . . you didn't have a good laugh when David Letterman had to apologize to her twice? He has been relentlessy attacking her on his show since she first appeared on the national scene. He so badly misjudged this one that he had to go back and mop up his mess again. Oooooops!
There is no evidence of Willow attending the game, no independent witness, no photo, no TV footage taken at this media event. Either Willow has the power of invisibility or this whole outrage is based on a big fat lie.
Honestly Im not shock letterman shot himself in the face, he hasn't been funny for years and most days he looks hung over or was spark'n up on some fine hydro pot ing the green room before he steps out in front of cameras. About three years ago I read some where (lost the link in a harddrive sudden death) written by a former assistant producer(no he wasn't fire, he just got tried of working for a bozo) 95% of time letterman just the goofy looking dude with bad hair and buck teeth who just show up nightly to read the Que Cards shoved in front of his face has zero to do with the writing/production of the show and it so called jokes and when he looks like surprised by a guest or poor tasted bad joke he really is because has so little to do with the day in and day out production of the show. Letterman is a out of gas moron who by dumb luck collects millions of dollars for reading que cards and looking like goofy bastard that he is.
What's the difference between Letterman and Leno?
Leno knew when to quit.
(joke submitted by me to the Letterman show – I should have sent it to Conan…)
I watched a related interview by "Nora" on MSNBC where you talked about SNL being a news source. I find that most liberals think that Sarah Palin said she can see Russia from her patio as reported in a spoof on SNL. What she actually said was that you can see Russia from Alaska, albeit an Aleutian Island. Also, president Ford was shown to be a clumsy fool by Chevy Chase in skit after skit when he really was one of our most athletic presidents. A reputation that follows him to this day.
Hey John, one of your liberal friends from LA from back in the KFI days (THAT was a good show) putting in my 2cents for what it's worth….
I know that "news" has to be sensationalized today to get coverage and your people in NYC did fail in that regard and I don't blame you, in fact I admire you, for the choice in appearing on CNN. I agree Letterman's jokes were way over the top and I saw the original broadcast. I thought he was talking about Bristol, although at the time I didn't know Willow was with Sarah at the game. Even when I saw Willow, she looks so much like Bristol, very pretty, that I assumed it was the older daughter. Regardless, I was shocked, and I am a staunch liberal/progressive etc. I was equally surprised that no one from NOW immediately condemned the Top Ten list for that choice. I also remembered no on stepping up for Hillary on many occasions so I believe that there are women the media love and women the media love to hate. Sarah and Hillary are the right/left targets of choice.
You did the right thing and I think it is hilarious that some in the msm love to whip you because good publicity is good, bad publicity is sometimes even better. I had to chuckle at how well you played this latest outrage.
As you already know I don't like Sarah because of her support of the aerial wolf slaughter since it goes against my most core belief against cruelty and the real science doesn't support the practice.
That being said, I'm glad you're back on the air because you are funny, smart, unpredictable and often correct. Too bad about Tiger this go round.
I just wish you had asked Contessa to explain why a simple sincere apology is not in order if a "joke" is made that offends the target. If it was a simply just a joke then a simple apology is no bid deal for Letterman. But, if as I suspect, it was meant not as a joke but a harmful snipe, then I can see why he would not want to appologize. He had nothing to apologize for! It was his intent to hurt Gov. Palin.
I don't ever watch Letterman but saw his so called apology on FOX News. I was appalled because he said it was his fault BECAUSE HIS COMMENTS WERE MISINTERPRETED BY OTHERS. He isn't decent enough to make a true apology just blame others. John keep up the great work you are doing.
Still no evidence that Wilow was at the game. If it turns out she wasn't there what does that say about the Palins?
I vote for John Ziegler to take over the TONIGHT SHOW!!! You are so entertaining, intelligent and very funny! I love it when you give the "Left" Hell! Keep it up!!!!
Ziegler, I knew the Fire David Letterman rally was going to backfire after his 2nd "apology," but you were right that the message should continue the Letter should be fired.
I admire your hard work. You should start Twittering if you haven't already.
[...] Here’s The Rest… [...]
….. the personal attacks by the liberal left i.e. media and others on a particular group of people that don't think like they do (people they hate) ….. poses a striking similarity to the terrorizing tactics of the KKK on Blacks and others that they hated ….. they knew that they could lynch a Black man in a public place and it would be a warning to other Blacks not to "step out of line" …… this is the real purpose of David Letterman's comedy routines etc. ….. it is a "public lynching" of the "new Black man" i.e. the "New White N-gger" i.e. Sarah Palin types ….. it is the coming out of the "new KKK" ….. it is the PKKK (Progressives Klu Klux Klan) exact same storyline ….. "We (PKKK) are superior and we will lynch you in the media and we will get away with it period …. just watch us ….. no one is going to stop us ….. end of story ….. "
Hey John,
I am so frustrated for you and the rest of us who are demonized by the left for simply stating our side of the story. I thought the liberals are all about "tolerance" yet they don't "tolerate" our opinions, only their's.
I remember the times when you were on KFI and so openly admitted your frustration and despair over the condition of our country, such as the lack of interest for the flight 93 movie.
The thing is, the fiesty John we all love was always back the next night. You never let the despair shut you down, You always got back up and fought harder. That's what all us fans love about you. You are so resilient. You are our man…all of us need you and will always support you. You are not out there by yourself so keep going John and call on us listeners when you need help
The news media in this country is a joke anyway, particularly television "news". Also, variety shows like Letterman etc are simply boring.
Ayn Rand characterized people like Letterman in her book "Atlas Shrugged". People should read it again as it now seems more relevent than ever!
John, I used to be a fan of your show at KFI 640AM. One day about 3 weeks ago during lunch driving, I happen to play around with my radio and recognized your voice on 540AM even though the channel did not sound clear on my radio at my location and was so happy that you are back! Please keep up the great works.
I stopped watching Letterman. I used to prefer him to Leno, but he has gone downhill fast.
[...] David Letterman’s latest publicity stunt: You’re the Taliban John Ziegler, Big Hollywood: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap and Letterman’s half-assed apology; Update: Palin accepts and Why They Hate Us and David [...]
[...] David Letterman’s latest publicity stunt: You’re the Taliban John Ziegler, Big Hollywood: Inside the Letterman/Palin Flap and Letterman’s half-assed apology; Update: Palin accepts and Why They Hate Us and David [...]
[...] Hollywood’s John Ziegler has an exceptional run-down of the whole sordid mess, including the press covering for Letterman. [...]
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