Once and For All, Bill Maher IS NOT the Titular Head of a Major Political Party like Limbaugh Is

[Yavin4]

Unlike Maher's show, every Republican Presidential candidates since Bush I makes a pilgrimage to Rush's show.

Unlike Maher, Rush was named as an honorary House member during the Gingrich lead takeover of the U.S. House of Rep. in 1995.

Unlike Maher, Rush's show is available for free on the public airwaves and the U.S. Armed forces network.

Now, you can say that both are misogynist which is legitimate, but they are not the same when it comes to their effect on national politics.

[tridim]

1. He's not even a Democrat. nt

[Yellow Submarine]

2. in re

Rush Dimbaugh has finally passed the point of no return. He'll be off the air a year from now.

[certainot]

59. he needs to go ASAP.

[DutchLiberal]

3. More important: Maher is constantly defending womens' rights on his show.

But those who hate him are never going to find out, because they don't watch it.

[emilyg]

25. I thought at one time he had

a black girlfriend and beat her and called her racial slurs.

[2ndAmForComputers]

28. Ah, I see. Like that "Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990" prank.

I googled the phrase and only found bot-like repetitions.

[Hissyspit]

30. For the record, that lawsuit was tossed,

although I don't know the judge's reasoning. Whatever Maher may have or may not have done back then, repeating right-wing memes is not an effective way to help argue your case on this site.

[emilyg]

32. Is google right-wing?

[CrawlingChaos]

35. Defends womens' rights?! That's a hoot!

As one blogger put it, he supports their right to suck his dick.

Most of Maher's alleged concern for womens' rights comes up as part of his attacks on Arab Muslims. The hypocrisy is mindblowing. Let's not forget, Maher's not only a misogynist of the highest order, he's a despicable racist who's been waging a hate campaign against Arab Muslims for years (at least as far back as his Politically Incorrect days. And yes I DO watch).

You'll find a mere sampling of his hateful garbage here:

http://billmahersucks.tumblr.com/

[DutchLiberal]

37. Had you watched his shows, you would've known it's not a "hoot" at all.

And I wasn't referring to standing up for opressed women in Islamic cultures. Though thanks for reminding me of that, it only adds to my appreciation of Bill Maher.

I was talking about him standing up for people like Hillary Clinton, Sherly Sherrod and Sonia Sotomayor when they were under constant attack from right-wingers; but also of the times he slammed the Republicans for wanting to control womens' reproductive systems. Especially the past few weeks he has been railing against Santorum for his backwards stance on contraception and abortion. This friday, he paid attention to, and criticized, the Arizona bill that would allow doctors to lie to women if it prevents an abortion.

I don't find his criticism of Islam and Islamic culture to be racist at all. I know it's not considered 'politically correct' what he says and liberals are not supposed to agree with him, but I think most reasonable people would agree with him --they're just afraid to admit it. I remember a bit of stand-up he did on religion and then said: "but their [Muslims'] religion... still worse" and then he went on to speak about how NOT all cultures are equal. I know you and a lot of liberals at DU probably threw a fit, but he was right on the money. If we just look at the recent protests in Afghanistan, which killed 20 people, we know Maher was right when he said: "Islam is a religion of peace... there's a piece of you here, and a piece of you here..."

No, not all religions are equally dangerous and not all cultures are equally valuable. Some are better than others. Ours is better than theirs. I'm a liberal and I believe that.

[CrawlingChaos]

48. Well, now I see why you like him so much

You appear to be cut from the same cultural supremacist cloth. I hope that someday you will re-think your prejudice, because swallowing all that hateful propaganda only helps warmongers. Bill Maher is a liar and a bigot. If you're interested in the truth about Islam and the Muslim world, you might start with Juan Cole's work, but I don't suppose you will.

Furthermore, it is indefensible to try to maintain that Maher is not sexist. The evidence is virtually mountainous. Yes, he likes to talk about womens' rights, but when you say one thing and do another that is called LIP SERVICE. It means nothing. Maher is a misogynist of epic proportions.

Btw, I must say, you have a very different definition of 'liberal' than I do.

[DutchLiberal]

55. Sticks and stones...

You throw an awful lot of big words out there, but your huffing and puffing doesn't amount to much.

I agree with Maher's sentiments: our culture is better than theirs and I can factually back it up. We don't criminally prosecute gay people, let alone hang them in public. We don't stone our women to death when they have been unfaithful to us. We don't keep women prison in the bee-keeper suits (the burquas). We don't wed our (pre)teen daughters to sixty year old men in exchange for a goat and a cow. We don't threaten or try to kill people who offend our religion, like muslims did when they attempted to kill two Danish cartoonists and slaughtered (literally) Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh in the streets of Amsterdam in broad day light. The worst Christians are the Phelphs, who hold up hurtful signs at funerals. That's the worst Christinaity has to offer. The worst of the muslims are the Taliban, who blow up girls schools, chop of hands and noses or throw acid in womens' faces. I hope you can see the difference.

Anyone who knows me, also knows I'm the biggest opponent of the anti-muslim politicians in Europe at this moment; and also knows I have befriended muslims (even fallen in love with some). But that all does not negate that I can see very sharply the difference between our culture and that of muslim extremists. And it's not less liberal to point that out.

Calling Bill Maher a "misogynyst of epic proportions" clearly shows you don't know who you're talking about. You've probably heard him make "potty-mouthed" comments about a woman and then drawn the wrong conclusions. And you certainly ignored everything I said about his stances on womens' rights issues --you know, the ISSUES that actually COUNT, but which you dismiss as "lip service" because it doesn't fit your framing?

[CrawlingChaos]

76. Oh, some of your very best friends are Muslims, I'm sure

And my, my, isn't it magnanimous of you to socialize with them even though you consider yourself superior.

I see that you vomited up Bill Maher's hateful spiel pretty much verbatim. He never misses an opportunity to portray Muslims as savage, barbaric, primitive, inferior. Of course it's total garbage but who cares about the truth? Not Maher and his fan base, apparently. Obviously the Muslim world is not perfect, but generalizing about a whole group of people based on the actions of a few is BIGOTRY.

Do you really believe there aren't Christian zealots who kill and oppress? That the worst any Christian does is hold up signs? It's hard for me to comprehend that level of obliviousness, but I'm sure nothing I say will shake you from your superiority bubble.

I don't suppose you'd care to hear what a Muslim woman has to say about Bill Maher's hate spew, because it certainly doesn't fit your framing, but just in case: http://muslimah.femagination.com/3576/bill-maher-misinformed-islamophobe/

[DutchLiberal]

83. No, darling, you're looking away from the real issue in order to appear PC...

... and then get angry when others, who are more realistic, don't fall for it.

What I summed up in my post, is the rule in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia. The rule; not the exception. Jail time for converting to Christianity is law in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, music, tv and other forms of entertainment were forbidden; girls coun't go to school; women had to wear burquas; men had to grow beards or else they would be punished. The death penalty by public hanging is the law in Iran. No permission to drive a car for women is the law in Saudi-Arabia. Stoning a rape victim to death because four male witnesses say she actually committed adultery is the rule in Pakistan. In Somalia, little girls are being wed to 60 year olds, after having cut up their genitals, of course.

Of course, you think you cannot point out those very real issues, afraid of being called 'un-liberal'. Me, I don't see what's liberal about a culture that promotes bigotry, oppresion and violence against gays and women. And like I said: it's not "a few" who do this. If only it were "a few", it wouldn't be such widespread problems. But it's entire populations which follow these rules; who approve of them. They're not 21st century cultures. Literally. Afghanistan and Pakistan are tribal cultures. Look at their infrastructure, their political and judicial institutions, their illiteracy rates. They're Medieval. Pointing out that this is true is not racist. It's realistuc.

Where in the West can you point to similar things happening with Christians? Sure, we have very vile, very dangerous people among them, but anything near the horrific things I described above? Today we learn about a dozen teenagers were stoned to death in Iraq because they were behaving like "emo's". You're telling me something like that could happen in a conservative Christian community in the West? Please...

[CrawlingChaos]

87. You really shouldn't get your information from Bill Maher

He's got as much integrity in this area as Pamela Geller (or are you a fan of hers too?)

What you're spewing is bigotry. You can pretend it's not, but that doesn't change reality or the very real harm it does to Muslims. But I can see you don't care to develop any kind of real understanding of Muslim people and culture. You prefer Bill Maher's brand of dehumanizing stereotypes.

Oh, and nice touch with the condescending 'darling' when defending a misogynist like Maher.

[DutchLiberal]

88. If what I write is "bigotry", then why don't you debunk what I wrote?

You didn't counter-argue one single thing I wrote. If all I write is really not true, why not prove me wrong? You have an internet connection, you know Google; well, then, point out how I am wrong. Just repeating something ("what you say is bigoted&quot over and over again doesn't make it true.

Don't gay people get hanged in Iran? Or is that a dehumanizing stereotype?
Are women not forbidden to drive cars in Saudi-Arabia? Or is that a dehumanizing stereotype?
Didn't the Taliban outlaw music, movies and other forms of entertainment under Sharia law? Or is that a dehumanizing streotype?
Doesn't the law in Afghanistan say you go to jail for converting to Christianity? Or is that a dehumanizing streotype?
Aren't women in Afghanistan forced to wear burquas and don't women have to wear headscarves in Iran; otherwise they will get punished, either by official autorities or the local warlords? Or is that a dehumanizing streotype?

You can continue to call me nasty names as long as you want. Doesn't make me any less right.

[CrawlingChaos]

90. Boy, you really don't get it

What's bigoted is saying that a whole group is inferior because some of them do things you don't like. What's so hard to understand about that?

The issues you raise are actions of individual oppressive regimes within the vast Muslim world, and as with all oppressive regimes, they are about control, not religion (religion is just a tool). Have you learned nothing from Arab Spring? I'm an American and my government does inexpressibly vile things. Am I inferior because of it?

You bring up these human rights abuses and you pretend to care, and yet you use language that fuels hatred and fear of Muslims. People like you and your hero Bill Maher couldn't care less about the welfare of Muslims - that much couldn't be more plain.

[DutchLiberal]

92. Like I said before, it's not a case of "some of them" or "a few"...

It's ingrained in their cultures. That's why they do it; that's why they have those laws and rules.

I'm arguing that our culture is better than a culture that stones women to death; that tortures and hangs gays; that has public beheadings; that forces women to wear burquas. That's my premise. You've made it quite clear you don't agree with that. You think an 11th century culture is at least equal to ours. Sorry, I don't think so. And all YOU have to retort my posts, is petty name-calling. That says a thing or two.

[emilyg]

66. Thank you. I used to watch

his show - don't need that vile garbage in my house.

[ProfessorGAC]

47. Watch. Listen. Pay Attention. Then Judge

You've done only the last.
GAC

[CrawlingChaos]

53. You really need to take your own advice

I've been following this POS since his Politically Incorrect days.

Care to expound on your deep thought?

[appal_jack]

62. Ah, now I see

I used to foolishly think that this discussion about women's choice and reproductive freedom and being open about who we are as humans and sexual beings was about true liberation. But now that I have read your oh so enlightened words, I see the error in my ways.



Yea, verily, if Santorum or Limbaugh speak against contraception or women's freedom, we must oppose it, because they are BAD. But if Arab Muslims say the very same things, we must support them, because... why again???

Oh, and ANY criticism of anything done by Arab Muslims is racist cultural imperialist warmongering oppression. Got it.



Look, standing up for freedom requires SOME measure of consistency. I believe that it's great if and when women enjoy sex. I'm also fine with Bill Maher, and all other men, Enjoying sex.

I oppose politicians telling people what to wear, what contraceptives to use, whom to worship, etc. I don't care whether they are Muslim or Xtian, oppressors suck. Bill Maher is often an ally in this cause. I don't think of him as a leader, but I definitely embrace him as an incisive comedian.

Knee jerk reactions are not 'liberal.'

-app

[CrawlingChaos]

71. That's some ally you got there

Declaring our right to reproductive freedom out of one side of his mouth, and then out the other side, with a wink and a sneer, signalling to his male audience the importance of keeping those bitches in line. Is that your idea of "consistency"?

Yes, oppressors do, indeed, suck. And they count on bigots like Bill Maher to spread the hate and create an environment where vulnerable people can be oppressed.

Here is another woman who failed to appreciate Maher's so-called "incisive" humor: http://jezebel.com/5471941/bill-maher-celebrates-fashion-week-muslim-world-with-disgusting-dior-show

[appal_jack]

79. asshole /= oppressor

Look, if you want to argue against someone who LOVES Bill Maher, you will need to find someone else. To me, he is just a comedian who often makes me laugh, and sometimes injects his humor with salient political barbs. He also often fails, and yes, many of his failures occur along the gender front. That does not make him an oppressor.

The religious and political leaders who command certain women about what they wear, whether they can drive, whom they can love and when and how: they are oppressors. They have power. Bill maher has a show, one which of scant audience and even lesser influence.

Btw, it seems like Hillary Clinton is closer to Bill & I in this discussion than she is to you:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101618787

-app

[CrawlingChaos]

82. I assure you one can be both

I feel like you should get some kind of prize here for the largest number of strawmen in the smallest amount of space.

I said Bill Maher's bigotry was helpful to oppressors, which is certainly is. Anytime you can convince the public that a certain group is somehow lesser than, they become more willing to tolerate oppression of that group. Maher's brand of hatred doesn't help Muslim women - it only makes it easier to bomb them.

Your posting of the Hilary Clinton article appears to be an attempt to imply I'm against supporting womens' rights, which is OBVIOUSLY the exact opposite of my actual position. You are apparently wholly unaware of the progress made by Muslim women, and which they will continue to make if their lives aren't manipulated by external forces, as has been the case for a very long time. Are you interested in the welfare of women or would you prefer to help propagate cartoonish, dehumanizing stereotypes like Bill Maher does?

If you want to keep defending a piece of sexist and racist scum like Maher, you go right ahead, but I sure as hell hope you continue to get called out on it.

[DutchLiberal]

84. When did Bill Maher ever suggest we should "keep those bitches in line"?

Oh, that's right... never! You made it up in your delusional mind.

[Sparkly]

4. I also missed when he spent 3 days vilifying a woman for things she never said

and then demanded that she post sex videos for his enjoyment.

[GoCubsGo]

9. In addition...

I also missed the two additional women he vilified for three hours at a pop after he laid off Sandra Fluke.

Bill Maher isn't the issue here, and I can't believe how people are allowing the subject to be changed so easily.

[Initech]

5. I've been saying this on every post about this for the last week now.

Good to have it repeated.

[Johonny]

6. but without false equivalency

we'd have no balance

[seabeyond]

7. i have yet to hear anyone argue that maher is. i have yet to hear anyone argue that maher is

comparable to limbaugh in anyway. i know that is not what the issue is, or what posters are saying.

if you ignore people and what they post.... it is easy to win a made up argument.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. So Limbaugh is the titular head of the GOP?

Look up the definition of "titular head".

[WCGreen]

36. Jayne Mansfield in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter....

That's my idea of a Titular Head....

Wonderful 1950's double entrende

[DavidDvorkin]

40. Hah!

[Gold Metal Flake]

41. You are now as misogynist as Bill Maher.

Wow. That was easy!

[WCGreen]

49. I'm just sourcing a cultural icon.....

[Gold Metal Flake]

64. The squeel she makes in that movie would be an awesome ringtone.

[WCGreen]

70. It's one of my favorite movies....

It so captures the repressed sexuality of the late 1950's...

[exboyfil]

10. Bill Maher's equivalent on the right is

Ted Nugent. He endorsed Mitt Romney, and I think Romney sought this endorsement. Don't expect to see the two on the campaign trail together though.

Nugent's meltdown with the machine guns
Clinton - "toxic c***" (earlier interview) and "worthless bitch"
Feinstein - "bitch" and "whore"

Obama a "piece of s***".

Wants Obama to suck on his machine gun and Hillary to ride his machine gun into the sunset


The sheer aggressive of it was amazing. I don't think Romney would like to see that clip played.

[otohara]

11. Giving A Million to Obama Pac

What do we call the top GOP PAC'ers, sugar daddies?

[ProfessorGAC]

50. You Have Missed The Point By Light Year

But, of course getting the point would cloud your predisposition.
GAC

[loyalsister]

12. Has anyone suggested he be boycotted?

Or vilified? Have there been petitions demanding he be taken off the air


How is any of the actions that have been taken in response to Rush Limbaugh similar to pointing out that someone makes sexist comments regularly?

[Yellow Submarine]

14. I have the answer

The Government should revoke his broadcast license.

[loyalsister]

15. Is that your suggestion?

Of has it some from feminists who have been critical of Bill Mahar and Matt Tabbi?

[railsback]

13. The GOP have given Maher a lot of material to work with.

Should be a hilarious show this weekend.

[Dems to Win]

16. Misogynists shouldn't be headlining Democratic fundraisers, as Maher is scheduled to do in Alabama

Gleefully touting and publicizing Maher's contribution to Obama's superPac undercuts the
Democratic Party's claim to be the party that respects women as full citizens and competent decision makers.

I'd like to see Democratic officeholders criticize Maher's misogyny, when asked. They shouldn't cower in fear of Maher the way Repubs quiver at the thought of criticizing Limbaugh.

Maher is not on the public airwaves, but rather a premium network that specializes in crudity and vulgarity (from the tiny sampling I've seen). Thus, no reason to campaign to get him off the public airwaves.

At the same time, I'm disgusted when he's associated with the Democrats in any way, shape, or form.

[emilyg]

22. Thank you.

[DutchLiberal]

38. Oh please, as if Maher doesn't "respect women as full citizens"...

"Maher's misogyny"... oh, cry me a river...

And HBO specializes in "crudity and vulgarity"? Really? The network that brought forth Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, Rome, Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, Band of Brothers?

[UTUSN]

17. R#11 & K, n/t

[ljm2002]

18. Absolutely!

It just irks me to no end that now we are getting a barrage of posts here, not to mention articles all over the news trying to equate the two men and their statements.

As you point out, Rush really is embedded in the Republican power structure, to the point where Republican lawmakers who have criticized him have actually been compelled to apologize to him -- putting the lie to his claim that he is "just an entertainer".

How many Democratic politicians have been compelled to go to Bill Maher and apologize for something they said about him? Oh yeah, that would be ZIP, NIL, ZERO.

[roguevalley]

19. actually, no one in broadcasting gets a pass from me. There is no acceptable assholes on this subjec

and unacceptable. A fucking pox on both of them. As for the scope of their affect on national thinking: The young guys that watch that show don't need to hear another asshat calling women the c word, etc. They have music for that and entire mountain ranges were eroded by the steady drip of one drop of rain. It all matters, it all adds up.

[emilyg]

23. +x100

[Yavin4]

26. Maher Isn't Broadcast

He's on Premium cable, and he used the "C" word in his stand up act not on his show.

[roguevalley]

33. unless cable isn't broadcast then you are right but he is. I don't also care where he uses it

that word needs to die. he doesn't get a pass because of 'technicalities'. He is a public figure with a platform and he gets zip pass from me. Either it is wrong when everyone does it or we shouldn't get upset with Rush. Wrong is wrong period.

[ProfessorGAC]

51. Intellectually Convenient

And unimpressive.
GAC

[DearAbby]

20. Maher didn't go on nine hour tirades

this shit to make comparisons with Maher is just smoke and mirrors. Don't fall for it. What this vile piece of shit did was take 9 hours to personally attack this woman. IT'S NOT THE SAME.

[emilyg]

21. Once and for all...............Maher

is a misogynist. But he donated $1 mil so it's ok.

[Yavin4]

24. Not Defending Maher

I'm arguing against the false equivalency bullshit.

[DutchLiberal]

39. Except that he's not.

"I'm a potty-mouth. That's different from being a misogynyst" he said this week. And he's right. Misogynysts don't stant up for womens' issues the way Maher has done.

[Volaris]

27. I would just like to add...

I think the issue of whether or not Maher OR Limbaugh is a misogynist is a secondary issue here. It's not that I think Maher should get a pass from us for being a misogynist ,he really should not... its that Bill Maher, to my knowledge, has never had to resort to using misogyny as the underlying foundation for an argumentative position, and (in this case, anyway) Rush most certainly HAS. I am also wary that the Right is raising the double-standard, "well, the Left does it, too", Free Speech card, and I to that I say bullshit. I think Bill Maher (and other comics and Social Commentators) can use Free Speech as a defense because they have to understand as part of their livelihood the LIMITS of Free Speech and the legal definition of SLANDER, which Rush CLEARLY does not. There IS a false equivalency at work here, but I take caution when its the Right-wing Echo Chamber that brings it up, because they are not known for their introversion, rational self-reflection, and prowess with argumentative debate, as Rush's entire tirade against this woman would seem to would seem to clearly indicate, no? (I think it comes with most of the Right-wingers being Holier-than-Thou Narcissists.)

Just my observations, fell free to respond

[Rex]

31. People are desperate to get Gush out of the headlines

and will pick the obvious 'lefty' to disrupt the actual topic at hand (Gush). Sad, but works.

[MADem]

34. Anyone who buys into any equivalence between the two is smoking crack...or taking too much oxy. nt

[Gold Metal Flake]

42. Or on the GOP payroll.

[MADem]

43. Yep--on the payroll AND taking Oxy! nt

[Gold Metal Flake]

45. On the payroll AND taking Oxy AND vacationing in the DR with 29 pills of someone else's Viagra! nt

[MADem]

54. Heh heh--think the boy was doing a bit more than golfing...

I shudder to think what...

[HuckleB]

44. And the point of this red herring is ...?

[Yavin4]

46. The Point of it is

to dispel the notion that Bill Maher is the Liberal equivalent to Rush Limbaugh, and to crush the idea that criticizing Limbaugh is hypocrisy.

[HuckleB]

67. Did anyone say he was the equivalent of Limbaugh?

I've not seen that.

Oh, and I think you might want to reread what you just wrote.

[ProfessorGAC]

52. To Dispel The Red Herring

How could you have missed that? It's so obvious.
GAC

[HuckleB]

68. At first I thought you were being humorous.

But apparently not.

Interesting.

[JSnuffy]

56. So it's ok for him to be a sexist pig...

Got it..



It's really just that simple...

[Yavin4]

57. Sigh. I will Try This Again

Is Maher a sexist pig? Probably. Is he the Liberal equivalent to Rush Limbaugh? No. There is no Liberal "commentator" or "entertainer" that is the equivalent to Limbaugh in terms of influence, and when we start threads on DU about Maher, we are giving into the right wing meme that "both sides do it".

[JSnuffy]

58. It's not a "meme"...

... or some evil plot. Both sides do do it.

The point is that everyone who does it needs to be called on their bullshit. Shit like this means that it's ok as long as you have the right message the rest of the time.

Fuck that...

[Yavin4]

60. There Is Not Enough Time nor Energy

to call out EVERY racist, sexist, homophobic, anti-semetic, entertainer, commentator, comedian, actor, athlete, etc. in the world. Again, the difference between Limbaugh and EVERY ONE else is that Limbaugh is the defacto head of the Republican party.

The average rapper using racial slurs or sexist terms DOES NOT HAVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES FOR PRESIDENT ACTIVELY PURSUING ENDORSEMENTS FROM THEM.

Now, if you cannot see the difference nor understand the difference, then you're just being obtuse.

[JSnuffy]

61. Ok lemme check...

"Again, the difference between Limbaugh and EVERY ONE else is that Limbaugh is the defacto head of the Republican party. "

Using that logic, everyone else who isn't Limbaugh gets a free pass.

Oh, wait.. Maybe you just want to expand it to people you don't like.

Got it...

[Yavin4]

63. Like It Or Not, People Have A Right To Be Racist, Sexist, Homophobic, Anti-Semtic, etc.

However, once they become a major influence in a major political party then they get special attention, and a higher level of criticism.

Let me offer you an example, Michael Savage, a far right wing conservative, has said even worse things on his program than Limbaugh. Far worse things, and he's said them several times. There is no organized boycott against him. There is no one going after his advertisers. Why?

Because Michael Savage DOES NOT have ANY MAJOR influence in the Republican party. None. Zip. You won't see Mitt Romney visit his show once he gets the nomination like Limbaugh did.

Now, Savage is a guy that I hate, but I am not going to ask his advertisers to drop his show. Why? Because he's a marginal player.

[HuckleB]

69. Blah. Blah. Blah.

Cut the crap. You're using logical fallacies to attack legitimate criticism of Maher.

Sheesh.

[Yavin4]

73. And You Are Being Deliberately Obtuse

and buying into the right wing meme, "hey both sides do this" crap.

Why single out Maher? Why not attack liberal rappers who supported Obama? Professional athletes that have said homophobic things and support Obama.

Rush Limbaugh, the head of the Republican party, IS THE ISSUE here, and if you don't get that, then may be you're just spoiling for a fight or you just cannot comprehend a simple argument.

[DutchLiberal]

85. Except that he's not, yes.

[RZM]

65. Do you know what 'titular' means?

Here's the definition from dictionary.com:

tit·u·lar
   /ˈtɪtʃələr, ˈtɪtyə-/ Show Spelled[tich-uh-ler, tit-yuh-] Show IPA
adjective
1.
existing or being such in title only; nominal; having the title but none of the associated duties, powers, etc.: the titular head of the company.
2.
from whom or which a title or name is taken: His titular Saint is Michael.
3.
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a title.
4.
having a title, especially of rank.
5.
designating any of the Roman Catholic churches in Rome whose nominal incumbents are cardinals.

Rush is not the 'titular' head of the Republican party. He holds no title. You could argue that he's the de facto head of the party, though I think even that is a bit exaggerated (though there's no question that he wields great influence). Actually I think the real heads of the Republican party probably resent his status, since he's not accountable to fundraisers and voters like they are.

[Yavin4]

75. Rush Was Named An Honorary Member of the U.S. House of Rep. in 1994

That's his title.

[RZM]

81. Sorry if I came off as rude

I reread my post and it was a bit too snarky and arrogant.

But anyway, I still disagree. Being an honorary house member is not a leadership title. Hell, Mike Tyson has an honorary doctorate from Central State University. It doesn't really mean much though. But the point is moot anyway. What matters is how much influence he wields in the party. And the answer is, a lot, title or no.

As I've argued before though, I think that's sort of an accidental situation. The actual Republican leadership is pretty weak. Hardly any Congresspeople are popular nationwide and Reince Preibus is pretty much unknown. The party also lacks a governor or presidential candidate that can serve as strong leader. So given the lack of alternatives, it's essentially Rush. Though I would argue it's less Rush himself and more the entire RW radio collective that's sort of like a Republican politburo.

[onenote]

89. I didn't think your post was rude or snarky or arrogant. It was accurate

Limpy is not the "titular" head of the republican party (if one is using the word "titular" correctly). He may be regarded, I suppose, as a "titular" member of the 1994 freshman class of republican congresscritters (which is what was bestowed on him by the repub freshman at their retreat following the 1994 elections). Of course, that's not worth spit since by my estimate, of the 73 freshmen repubs congresscritters in 1994, all but around 17 are no longer serving in Congress and a not insignificant number left Congress (or a subsequent office) under a cloud (e.g., Ensign, Sanford, Foley). Come to think of it, limpy probably is a good titular head for that bunch of losers.

As for the repub party, limpy unquestionably has a lot of influence. But like you, I'm not sure it amounts to being the "de facto" leader of the part. But I also agree that it may come as close as anyone.

[Dreamer Tatum]

72. best rationalization yet for calling a woman a c***

Seriously, making excuses and distinctions makes people look silly.

[Yavin4]

74. Best Deliberate Mis-Reading of My Post

Please do not spin your own argument on my post. I am NOT defending Maher's use of the C* word.

I AM REFUTING THE BULLSHIT MEME THAT BOTH ARE EQUAL. BILL MAHER IS NOT THE DE FACTO HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LIKE RUSH LIMBAUGH IS.

IF YOU CANNOT FUCKING UNDERSTAND MY POST, STAY OFF MY THREAD.

THANK YOU.

[Dreamer Tatum]

78. Once words like 'slut' and 'c***' are tossed out, there are completely equal.

I misread nothing. You're just parsing to suit your preferred point of view and trying to bully anyone who doesn't agree with you.

Which puts you in good company with Limbaugh and Maher, actually, tough guy.

[DutchLiberal]

86. No, they're not equal. One is a potty-mouth; the other is a misogynyst.

One stands up for womens' rights on a regular basis, despite making the occasional non-PC joke; the other denigrates and dehumanizes all women on a daily basis.

You can't see that difference, you're engaging in false equivalency.

[Demonaut]

77. "titular".........libs alway breaking it down to sex and body parts

morans!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

80. I would also add

that Bill Maher is an "equal opportunity offender". He is no ideologue and he ridicules all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons, including President Obama and Democrats in general.

Whatever offensive and/or misogynistic comments Maher might have made were likely one-off remarks and I can think of anything in particular Maher has ever said that is, in any way, equivalent to what Rush said yesterday, said today, or will say tomorrow.

There is absolutely NO equivalence whatsoever between Bill Maher, Ed Schultz, Michael Moore, et. al on the left and Rush Limbaugh other scions of hate on the right.

I really think that we need to get away, both on the left and the right, from "getting the vapors" over one-off remarks made by public figures because, frankly, everybody is going to say something stupid, sexist, bigoted, off-color, politically incorrect (at least could be interpreted by somebody as such) and I hate to see people's careers automatically ruined over them or from being used to damage somebody else by association. I think that, in most cases, if somebody makes an offensive remark and upsets somebody, they should pony up with an apology and then everybody should just move on. This doesn't really apply to the current situation with Rush, particularly since he has been unrepentant about his comments (re: Sandra Fluke) but in general people need to relax a little bit IMHO. The best way IMHO to counter bad speech is with more good/better speech (and to vote with our wallets as well).

[librechik]

91. Rush is not titular, either, he's de facto

although he does have the best tits in the repub party.