Palin Accepts Letterman's Latest Apology

   By drodriguez  Jun 22, 2009
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After a couple of attempts at apologizing for a joke he made in bad taste, David Letterman has been forgiven.  The New York Associated Press recently reported that Gov. Sarah Palin has publicly accepted Letterman’s apology for making a sexual joke targeted at her daughter.  Though Letterman may be out of the headlines for the moment, his sexist remarks have drawn criticism from more than just an upset parent.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) has been instrumental in drawing attention to the dangers Letterman’s remarks pose to women.  Letterman joked on his show that Gov. Palin’s daughter “was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez” during a recent trip to a New York baseball game and that Gov. Palin had a hard time “keeping Elliot Spitzer away from her daughter.”  NOW discusses on their website how Letterman contributes to exploitation of women by saying, “The sexualization of girls and women in the media is reaching new lows these days ? it is exploitive and has a negative effect on how all women and  girls are perceived and how they view themselves.”

David Letterman first responded to criticism by apologizing for the jokes, but adding that he never meant the remarks to be targeted at Palin’s younger daughter, Willow (who is only 14), but rather at her 18-year-old daughter, Bristol.  The media soon shot back that this was not really an apology and that Letterman only clarified who he targeted the offensive remarks at.

David Letterman’s second, more serious, apology appeared to be brought on by protestors who called to have him fired.  The protestors, who formed outside the Letterman studio, were so well organized that they even have a website called www.FireDavidLetterman.com.  The website is still actively reporting on the recent media attention Letterman’s jokes have received. 

Gov. Palin accepted Letterman’s second apology before adding, “on behalf of all young women, like my daughters, who hope men who ?joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve.”

What do you think of the jokes David Letterman made about Gov. Palin’s daughter?

Do you think Letterman’s jokes warranted all of the negative press they received?

 

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Mudder by Mudder | Phoenix, AZ
Jul 01, 2009

I think it's absolutely rediculous how the news media picks apart everything everyone does & says & it's mostly negative. But Letterman was very wrong in what he said. I think Sara is a remarkable women & as any mother she would do anything to protect her children.

KSP123 by KSP123 | Glendale, AZ
Jul 01, 2009

David Letterman is a comedian, yes, however even they have a human responsibility towards children; it is not too much to ask to think before speaking when speaking of children in a public arena

merritt1976 by merritt1976 | stanardsville, VA
Jun 30, 2009

I was never terribly offended. It was a terrible joke in bad taste.

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Jun 29, 2009

As both a fan of David Letterman and the mother of three daughters, I can honestly say I'm with Gov. Palin on this one. I have no problem with politically incorrect jokes, but this one went too far. Letterman doesn't need to go for cheap laughs. And he certainly doesn't need to put down half the population. It's because of this attitude that women get perceived as "knocked up" and men are simply , well, men! No, Letterman should not be fired. Public humiliation was enough.

ucordax by ucordax | Cincinnati, OH
Jun 28, 2009

In my opinion this was blown way out of proportion. And it was just a way for Gov Palin to stay in the media.Granted it may not have been a great joke, but when you are in the limelight, all is fair. Get over it.

kailarl69 by kailarl69 | Saint marys, GA
Jun 28, 2009

I never saw the show however I did hear about it on the Shawn Hannity show. From what I heard I honestly believe that if the circumstances were flipped, say on Obamas children, that would have never been said. Thats just my opinion!

racisaac by racisaac | Ferndale, WA
Jun 28, 2009

To the people who say that since she is in politics she should expect and ignore these things; do you not recall President Obama saying that his family was off limits during the campaign? Also before you criticize her response why don't you actually watch/listen to it first. It was not an appropriate joke against any girl; but the fact was that it was her 14 year old daughter Willow who was there with her.

ladygracie by ladygracie | TROUT CREEK, MT
Jun 27, 2009

Politicans are the material for comedians.I dont think it was Govener like for Gov. Sarah Palin to even respond. If your in the spot light expect the jokes to follow. Its the American way. I used to like her.

LuckyStarxx by LuckyStarxx | Williston, FL
Jun 26, 2009

I found the jokes in poor taste regardless of which daughter he was aiming at. Either way he was talking about men who are somewhere around 15-25 years older than these girls and he was cracking jokes about them impregnating the girl and not being able to keep them away from her. It just makes me gag. I just don't understand why people think it is ok for men to make jokes like this. It is disgusting and it shows that regardless of how old females are they are seen as nothing more than sexual objects by some of the men in our society. It also shows that while women have achieved many things, we still have a long way to go when it comes to being seen as equal in the eyes of some men.

tammnatsav by tammnatsav | Bradenton, FL
Jun 26, 2009

It was a joke. It wasn't even a big deal until "it was made a big deal." He's a comedian and they make jokes daily about everyone. I think it was taken out of context and transformed into something that it wasn't meant to be.

Alizabelen by Alizabelen | HOUSTON, TX
Jun 26, 2009

I thought the joke was funny and besides he was just doing his job to entertain us and he did it ..Sarah Palin need to get out of politics since she doesn't know what the hell she's doing no wonder the Republican lost during the election since they're clueless!!!

BlondieKAA by BlondieKAA | CRIVITZ, WI
Jun 26, 2009

I don't think that the joke was funny or necessary, and it did not show good taste. There are so many other things that Letterman could have joked about instead of making this comment. I don't think that the issue should even be if it was about Bristol or Willow. Regardless of who it was about, it was an inappropriate joke.

CrystalBurgard by CrystalBurgard | N TONAWANDA, NY
Jun 25, 2009

That's when everybody else jumped on board too. After Sarah had her little meltdown. She doesnt even make sense half the time, just beating a dead horse. I dont know anyone who thought twice about the show, until Palin kept going on tv to say her useless talk and turned this into something against women, its just so stupid. Why does anyone really care what david letterman or Sarah Palin have to say? Who are they? They are people. Just people. So they can go on tv and talk, so what? Im not offended by letterman, but I am offended by Palin and her irresponsible way of dealing with this situation. Just another reason why the woman in this country are still regarded in the way that they are - because these women in politics dont even know what they are talking about and they give us all a bad name. Shame on Sarah Palin!

CrystalBurgard by CrystalBurgard | N TONAWANDA, NY
Jun 25, 2009

How ridiculous! Regardless if anyone was actually offended by Letterman or not, I don't recall hearing about them calling up the radio station to complain or picket or start a riot.Obviously it was no ones major concern or all the offended people would have been doing something about it. What was pretty obvious tho, was that someone put a little bug in Sarah Palins ear and she starting making this into so much more then it is - a comedians silly joke. And if the shoe fits .... someone musta been feeling guilty in the Palin camp, huh Sarah? And what's this about Palin then going on national tv and basically saying Letterman is some kind of pervert and should be kept away from young girls? She felt so compelled to make a major issue out of what was supposed to be a joke and then blows it out of proportion and then she has the audacity to say crap like that? How hypocritical, yet typical for Sarah Palin

MemawVann by MemawVann | Marietta, GA
Jun 25, 2009

I didn't watch Letterman, but I did hear about the incident by listening to radio. Any time a man refers to a woman's pregnancy as "getting knocked up" I am offended. It is crass, vulgar and offensive.