It seems these days, anyone with a microphone and an audience is speaking before thinking and apologizing later.
Comedian Bill Maher is the latest causality of the “foot in mouth” syndrome. He’s the host of “Real Time” on HBO. On his April 11 show, he went on a bit of a rant about Pope Benedict coming to America. Maher was critical of the way he felt the Catholic Church was being treated in light of the priest sex abuse scandal.
Maher said “If you have a few hundred followers and you let some of them molest children, they call you a cult leader. If you have a billion, they call you Pope.”
Listen to Maher's entire monologue.
Maher later apologized but now several Catholic groups are calling for his resignation. The American Life League has even set up a Web site asking people to cancel HBO until Maher is fired.
Maher isn’t the only public speaker to have to apologize for an inappropriate comment he or she made while on the air.
There’s the infamous “nappy headed hos" comment from Don Imus about the Rutgers Women’s basketball team.
And CNN host Jack Cafferty calling China’s goods “junk” and its leaders a “bunch of goons and thugs.”
Or the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman’s suggestion that some younger golfers should “lynch [Tiger Woods] in a back alley.”
And the MSNBC reporter who was suspended for saying Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign had “pimped out” Chelsea Clinton to drum up superdelegate votes.
Some of the comments may have been gaffs, but the others I’m not so sure. The first thing everyone learns in “TV 101” is think before you speak. That leads me to believe some of these people are willing to risk pissing off one group in hopes of getting attention (ratings) from an even bigger group.
Comments (3)
No, he should not be fired. He's a comedian, it's what he does. No one else ever gets fired. Look at Don Imus, still employed and working. NO. LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE.
Posted by Spark Linden | April 22, 2008 8:59 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 08:59
It is about time to shine a light on the lies of the Catholic church. Catholics are taught that Saint Peter was the first pope. First off Peter the apostle was married. The bible clearly states that his apostleship was to the Jewish people. Paul was the apostle of the gentiles. To believe that Peter was the first pope and all the popes can be traced back to him is like believing in the Easter bunny. It is a lie and God calls satan the father of lies. The Dictatus, which is a Papal decree from 1075A.D. gives Popes the power to depose emporers. As the "successor of Peter" can we find the same doctrine or beliefs in Peter's writings? Of course NOT! Peter taught the opposite. Just read 1Peter 2:13-15 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king,as supreme; or unto governors, ....For so is the will of God...." This is just one of the many fallacies. Catholics think the Pope is the holiest man on the face of the earth. When this Pope passes away, what will happen? In a couple weeks there will be a new Pope, then that person will be the holiest man on the face of the earth. Romans2:11 "for there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 3;23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10 "there is none righteous, NO NOT ONE." Jesus tells us to search the scriptures. Just open you're bible and learn the truth for yourself!
Posted by Joe Guzman | April 21, 2008 9:22 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 21:22
I enjoy Bill Maher commentary weekly. I think his comments about the Pope were not offensive and it was a joke. The reaction from Catholics is not different from those of Muslims when the Pope made his statements about the Prophet Muhammad. Bill Maher, as an American has the right to freedom of speech within the great nation we call United States of America. The Pope could have been a Nazi who knows, but The Roman Catholic Church sure acted like The Third Reich in passed persecution of non-European cultures.
Posted by Joao | April 21, 2008 9:22 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 21:22