General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn Bill Maher's own words, policing pc language is the wrong focus
I have to say that I'm a fan of Bill Maher. Do I agree with everything he says? No. I have seen his stand up show--twice--here
in Durham, NC. Bill's mistake last night--and I saw the show live--was to forget he was on live tv and respond as a stand up comedian.
He did cover the comment immediately: "it's a joke", he told the audience.
I also have lived in Nebraska. I know what Ben Sasse was talking about in terms of working in the fields. Lots of corn needs detasseling,
and it's usually done by teenagers. Nebraska has special rules to allow kids--yes, kids as young as 12--to work at these jobs. But let's not focus
on the child labor involved, let's criticize Bill Maher for his use of language.
http://www.notafraidtosweat.com/faq/
So, Ben Sasse can go fuck himself. Bill's comment might have been not pc in terms of choice of words, but he was right on in terms of the labor that Sasse was inviting him to do.
Bill is right--in the video posted above--we liberals have to focus on the issues and not the choice of words.
On edit: and here's a story about migrant labor working in Illinois to detassel corn.
Farm labor, among the most backbreaking and lowest-paid jobs, is, for many, an honorable career passed from generation to generation.
But it also is subject to conditions not tolerated in most other industries. Agricultural laborers are exempt, in federal and Illinois law, from receiving overtime pay. Children can work in the fields as young as 12.
The composition of the farm labor force, which toils largely out of public view, gives workers little leverage to challenge poor treatment, worker advocates say.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-migrant-farm-workers-corn-detassling-0807-biz-20160805-story.html
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Represent but disrespectful childish white men who refuse to listen to POC and women- and treat their concerns with complete disregard. Way to talk to the real base of the party, assholes. We've had enough of the slurs.
mnhtnbb
(31,404 posts)The invitation to come work in the corn fields of Nebraska should be the focus of the issue
not Bill Maher's characterization of why he would prefer not to do that kind of labor.
But in the moment of live television (have you ever done it? or even taped it?) let's be sure to criticize
Bill's choice of words.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)It's actually a huge cultural issue. Your mistake in excluding it- I get that it's not important for YOU.
That's what I see here, a whole lot of me me me.
WTF happened to solidarity?
mnhtnbb
(31,404 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Or is this just a desperate ploy to change the topic?
Again, very disrespectful. Not playing this game.
SaschaHM
(2,897 posts)then so be it.
But don't come at Black and/or Muslims Democrats/progressives/liberals/allies with this "focus on the issues" bullshit whenever Maher fucks up (and this flap isn't the first). No one is forcing him to say or do these things. No one is forcing you to defend him.
Slurs don't roll off my tongue w/ ease on national television when I'm speaking about "the issues". And I'm sure throwing around "house n*gger" when talking about the issues is really going to bring people to our side.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)I also don't think it is the end of the world.
mnhtnbb
(31,404 posts)realize that the labor Ben Sasse was inviting him to come do is primarily done by kids as young as 12. They are paid very little.
It is not well paid. If they can't find kids to do it, it's done by migrants who come from other states.
It's not all family farms anymore in Nebraska, either. It's corporate owned farms. FFS, isn't labor on farms an issue for Democrats?
I have to agree with Bill Maher that focusing on language is a distraction. How about focusing on the issues of child/migrant farm labor?
SaschaHM
(2,897 posts)Racism and the use and acceptance of racist language is an issue to many folks. If I'm called a "N*gger" while I'm walking down the street or trying to shop, that's an issue for me. So why don't you focus on that issue and instead of dismissing it because a white man that you liked used it?
How many votes against child/migrant labor did "House N*gger" get you and Bill Maher?
How about you don't use racist fucking language to describe your issue?
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Quayblue
(1,045 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Market forces made Mr. "never apologize" eat his words- that's free speech in all it's glory, LOL.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Seeing as how the word "hysterical" is derived from the Greek word for womb. I suppose if someone is looking for reasons to be offended over words, there's an argument to be made there.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Love your demo of faux outrage though. And lack of an honest reply - LOL
I see you!
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Perhaps it's because using that word in a different context takes away from it's original meaning, no?
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)I see you!
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)And that's exactly what I got. Zero regard over here. HA
Rustyeye77
(2,736 posts)hes 100% spot on.
Paladin
(28,272 posts)The fact is, Maher is drifting further and further right as time goes on. His Islamophobia has been over-the-top toxic for some time now. His lectures about how fucked up liberals are, turn up a lot more often than they used to. I stopped watching his show some time ago; don't miss it a bit.
Rustyeye77
(2,736 posts)sorry
Paladin
(28,272 posts)loyalsister
(13,390 posts)He complained about it over and over, giving cover for his supporters to be as hateful as possible. In that regard this anti-PC thing is a team trump tactic intended to make hate comfortable. Will the new targets be people who think not showing basic respect is a problem?