Tell Bill Maher to apologize for his terrible comment on Al Gore

[Jackson4Gore]

As you may know I am the founder of the Al Gore Support Center. (http://www.algoresupportcenter.com/)

I must say I am a big fan of Bill Maher and his show, but last night the comment about Al Gore was just wrong and off base. It may have been a joke or in a humor manner, but it was not funny at all. Here is the comment:

"Does it take a stake through the heart to kill Al Gore, this grotesque freak of nature".

Not only is this sick, but charcter assassination. We must call him out on this and make him apologize.

Our media watch group has already started the movement to get an apology: http://algoresupport.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=grassroots&num=1064636716&action=display&start=0

But we need your help. Please read this thread: http://algoresupport.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=grassroots&num=1064636716&action=display&start=0
to learn how to contact Maher, or simply post your comments on here to send to Maher and I will deliever them to our group. If you don't want to do either, you can email us your comment privatly here: [e-mail]

We apprecaite your help in this matter that is near and dear to us!

Chris Jackson
GSC Admin

[demnan]

1. Bill Maher isn't really a Democrat

he says disperaging things about Clinton, too. I don't know the basis of the remarks because I haven't seen the program yet. But you know the people who should apologize to Gore should, like stand in line, there are so many of them.

Gore is a non-issue in this Presidential campaign. He chose not to run and I respect his wishes.

[Jackson4Gore]

3. What does him running have to do with this?

[Terwilliger]

23. he says disparaging things about Clinton?

are those the disparaging defenses of Clinton throught the entire run on Politically Incorrect?

Oh, I'm sorry...please resume your rally round the Dem flag :eyes:

[koopie57]

2. I suspect that

Al Gore is a big enough man to blow that cheap and ignorant comment off, but I still think Mahor should apologize for going after the cheap laugh at the expense of another person; who by the way, has made a great many positive differences in the world. I can take or leave Bill Maher, but that was an ignorant thing to say, and a cheap thing to say ... he behaved no better than Limbaugh or O'Reilley.

[Cha]

4. bill maher has been making derisive snidely whiplash comments

about our President Al Gore for as long as I can remember! And I lost my respect for him over that.

[glarius]

17. His big thing is to be brave enough to say ANYTHING!...He admires

anyone like that (including himself). The thing is SOME THINGS SHOULD NOT BE SAID!...but he doesn't seem to get that subtlety....I lost interest in him ages ago because of his lack of discernment!

[Cha]

22. Well there ya go!

Exactly!

[Mikimouse]

5. Don't hold your breath waiting for a reply

When he made a simlarly irresponsible statement two years ago, I wrote him an e-mail, suggesting that his commentary was not appropriate. I never received any reply, and my note was not vitriolic, just chastising.

[Jackson4Gore]

6. Yea but there are thousands of us in our group

They cant ignore a majority.

[greyl]

7. What was the context?

It is a comedy show, ya know.

[Jackson4Gore]

9. Fine if you people dont have respect enough to

fight this kind of things, foret it.

[greyl]

26. don't worry, it's forotten. ;)

And I asked "what was the context?"

You should really have an answer prepared. The proper answer may gain some support for your quest.

[Cheswick2.0]

44. It doesn't matter what the context is

bill maher will do the same in 2004 to whoever runs because he is a jackass. He should know that people will not accept his ugly behavior. Somethings are not funny.

[greyl]

56. I want to know, and the answer should be given. nt

[Demobrat]

8. Maher is an equal opportunity asshole.

It's all about him and his ratings. Ignore him.

[Jackson4Gore]

10. Is anyone going to write a few lines to send to him or not?

[Mikimouse]

14. Easy, bug fella...

I'm composing a contribution to your site and sending it to the e-mail.

On edit:shoulda been 'big' fella, could have changed it, but thought it was a cute typo.

[Jackson4Gore]

16. Cool, he needs to be callled out on this

[Mikimouse]

20. I had to send it from my private e-mail

I would appreciate it (my address) not getting into the public domain

[Terwilliger]

11. oh give me a break

Bill was also labelled "media whore of the week" for lighting into Gore back in the day.

Gore is not running now, and he's had a terrible time gaining sympathy since 2000. Just relax.

If Gore can't take a mild bash from Bill Maher, he should stay out of politics.

[Jackson4Gore]

12. It's not that he cant take it

but it is a very sick and rude comment. The stiff jokes and such were fine but implicating killing is just wrong. If you dont think so, you are just as sick as he is.

[Terwilliger]

21. yep

I'm just sick...sick of this shit

[Cheswick2.0]

49. sick of what shit?

the fact that hard as you might try not everyone is as cynical and bitter about the democratic party as you are?

[grasswire]

13. how about....

...providing an email address for Maher's program? I'd like to send comment directly there.

I agree that Maher was over the top.

[Jackson4Gore]

15. Thank you for agreeing

Contact Maher:

http://www.safesearching.com/billmaher/fan/askbill.shtml
And HBO via their website:
http://www.hbo.com/corpinfo/contactus.shtml

There is also a message board on his site. You have to register but use an alternate email address.
http://boards.billmaher.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=newshow

[e-mail]

[Cheswick2.0]

45. don't let the door hit you in the ass

I mean when you "leave the democratic party" as you so theatened on another thread.

[Terwilliger]

86. I won't Cheswick...but thanks

Love to you.

[AmeriCanadian]

73. You're right ...

... Gore is a "has been". Let it go man.

[Enraged American]

18. Maher also says Ashcroft and Patriot Act keep us safe.

Maher also says Ashcroft and Patriot Act keep us safe. He said that on Larry King Live.

Maher is just an angry effete bigot who is bought and paid for by the corporations.

[TheBlob]

19. There was a time when I was a huge Bill Maher fan

I went through my video archives recently and discovered I have 48 Politically Incorrect episodes on tape.
I've also got one of his books.
About five years ago I surmised that I agreed with Bill Maher about 75% of the time.
Today that number is down to about 50%.

He's become such a tool.
His whole thing is about how he can't be bought off or intimidated yet in reality he's scared to death of appearing too leftwing.

He's not stupid, he knows what's going on.
The stolen election of 2000, the corruption in the White House, the power grab, PNAC etc. Yet he laughs it off and lets it all slide and then gives us cheap attacks on Gore and Clinton.

He's just capitalizing on the division in the country.
He's not really after the truth.

[Terwilliger]

24. neither is the Democratic party leadership

but I don't see you being as hard on them

[TheBlob]

28. Must you bring that one note into every thread?

What does that even have to DO with this topic?

"but I don't see you being as hard on them"

You're a pretty confrontational member, ya know that?
For a guy who's been here two years with less than 500 posts, there's a lot that you don't know about me.

[Terwilliger]

29. did you answer the question?

[TheBlob]

30. I didn't recognize one

n/t

[Terwilliger]

31. let me help you

You said:

He's not stupid, he knows what's going on.
The stolen election of 2000, the corruption in the White House, the power grab, PNAC etc. Yet he laughs it off and lets it all slide and then gives us cheap attacks on Gore and Clinton.

He's just capitalizing on the division in the country.
He's not really after the truth.

In reference to Maher.

I said "like the Dem leadership" where you accused me of being one note

However, your contentions about Maher in this thread are symptomatic of all the other Dem defenders and apologists: Call Bill Maher some leech preying on division, while completely ignoring the fact that the one party in power capable of stifling and re-directing this polarization sits on its hands waiting for the media to tell the truth. Maher does tell the truth...he knows that most of the American people are sick of the divisions inspired by a lack of leadership on all sides.

[TheBlob]

36. It's not the topic here

I know what you want to talk about.
It's the same thing you always want to talk about.

"your contentions about Maher in this thread are symptomatic of all the other Dem defenders and apologists: Call Bill Maher some leech preying on division, while completely ignoring the fact that the one party in power capable of stifling and re-directing this polarization sits on its hands waiting for the media to tell the truth."

However "symptomatic" you find my contentions, they have nothing to do with defending, apologizing, or ignoring ANYTHING about Dems.

Go start a thread about the Dems sitting on their hands and enjoy yourself for the rest of the day. I'm sure you will find someone who wants to play with you.

[Terwilliger]

38. once again

you don't get it, yet lay personal attacks on me :eyes:

[Must_B_Free]

25. Ok, so it's the ZIonist opposition

that keeps Gore from running. I was wondering.

[alfredo]

27. Gore is a big boy, he can take care of himself.

If Gore was offended, then it is up to him to ask for an apology. Why should you ask for an apology if you are not acting at his request?

[Jackson4Gore]

32. Uh because that is what WE are here for.

[Terwilliger]

33. hmm...politicians cant stand up for themselves...

so political sycophants should do their legwork? Isn't that what the group of screaming Repukes did in the Florida recount offices?

[Loyal]

34. Bill Maher is very different from the democratic leadership

Why do you bash Democrats and stuff? This place is called Democratic Underground, sir. Most people here are Democrats.

[Terwilliger]

37. and stuff?

what stuff? Leftist thinking? Liberal thinking? Is that what I do?

[DarbyUSMC]

35. "Tell Bill Maher to apologize?"

Oh, yes, I'm sure if we "tell" him to apologize, he will. And then he will apologize to every person he's ever made fun of, used as the butt of a joke, satirized, etc. etc. And then he can stop being a comedian and tip toe through the thorns of life never offending anyone, never stepping on anyone's toes. Well, maybe he can step on the toes of those who we don't like, that would be alright.

I'm sick of seeing and hearing politicians and people in the spotlight apologizing for every politically incorrect thing they say. This is more and more a world where what you say isn't what you think but what won't offend anyone. A radio commentator here compared a person running for office in this area with an orangutan who escaped from his cage at the zoo. Big hullabaloo. Wouldn't have been any hullabaloo if the candidate had been white but no, he wasn't. I don't care for the radio personality but now the big apology. He made one that wasn't good enough so has to make another.

How I wish Al would say this in front of millions:

[leftofthedial]

39. what a tool Maher has become

and sadly irrelevant for one who had such a promising start.

He is not the epitome of the media whore, because he is so transparently self serving. But his smarmy opinions during the Clinton witchhunts were always painfully convoluted and hypocritical given his own misogyny.

[kaitykaity]

40. kick

:kick:

[Character Assassin]

41. Sheesh, people, LIGHTEN UP. It was a pretty funny line

"Does it take a stake through the heart to kill Al Gore, this grotesque freak of nature".

Not only is this sick, but charcter assassination. We must call him out on this and make him apologize.

It's not sick in the least, and please, let me be the judge of any character assissination.

[Terwilliger]

43. That's true!

CA is the arbiter of ca

CA-ca

[Character Assassin]

48. Potty mouth

[Journeyman]

47. More than that, CA. . .

let Al Gore decide if his character has been assassinated. We should just decide if we find a comedian humorous or not.

Too many people on this board have no sense of humor. Quite pathetic, actually. For myself, I've always lived by Lenny Bruce's precept: Satire is tragedy plus time. And the determination of sufficient time (and indeed the decision of what constitutes tragedy) is the comedian's alone. As the audience, all we can do is appreciate or reject the joke. But getting pissed off about it? Too many important things to concern yourself with to waste life on a humorist's sometimes weak efforts.

[Cheswick2.0]

52. I have a great sense of humor

In fact I spent many years in the theatre doing comedy roles. Maher has never once made me laugh. He is crude, stupid, biggoted and sophmoric. Maybe I just don't find those traits amusing.

[Journeyman]

59. Well, bully for you, Cheswick. . .

Make your decision and stick to it! But don't expect me to march in lockstep with you just because you hold an opinion. If you don't find Maher amusing, turn him off. Otherwise, I have to conclude that your determination of what's "stupid, bigoted and sophomoric" is what you spend time watching.

(For the record, I don't watch Maher's programs and found this particular joke quite lame -- though I must admit, it was rendered out of context. I listened to a tape of his book, When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden, on a recent cross-country trip and found it both amusing and insightful. Beyond that, I choose to find my comedy and political commentary elsewhere.)

[Character Assassin]

53. I agree completely

The man is a comedian. He made a joke.

If Gore isn't used to jokes at his expense (esp. ones that involve wood or wooden implements) by now, he isn't equipped for the realities of modern politics.

Hell, he'd probably get rid of the jokes once and for all if he joked about himself in the same manner.

[Cheswick2.0]

55. what?

You are suggesting that Gore's humor is as crude as bill mahers? Why in heavens name would any inteligent adult joke "in the same manner" as the terminally juvenile Maher?

[Character Assassin]

70. No, Maher's the comedian, not Gore.

Maher made the joke, not Gore.

[Cheswick2.0]

50. it wasn't funny at all

but considering your political party I guess you would think so.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cheswick2.0]

54. oh really? So when did you stop being a libertarian?

I am sure that is what you claimed a while ago. :shrug:

[Character Assassin]

69. I am a libertarian. I am not, as was explained to you a while ago...

A Libertarian, or a formal member of the Libertarian Party. Never was, most likely never will be.

I am an adherent to the philosophy, not a contributing member to the Party.

Clear now?

[wryter2000]

42. I stopped watching him shortly after he got started

When he called tail hook "boys being boys" and stated flat out that women weren't bright enough to understand science, I turned the misogynist asshole off. Don't bother writing to him. Write to his sponsors.

As far as I'm concerned the whole politically incorrect shtick is the intellectual equivalent of yelling "pee-pee kaka" into a room full of church ladies. (Don't mean to offend any church ladies.)

Edit: You'd think I could spell misogynist, wouldn't you?

[alfredo]

64. You have to understand that he plays the devils advocate at times,

just to get a discussion going. Sometimes it doesn't work, and sometimes it lights up the audience more than his panel. His chiding of the audience for their reaction is something we expect. It's a pair of comfortable shoes.


His irreverence is his schtick. It's what people pay to see.

[Piperay]

46. I STILL like Bill Maher

90% of what he says is on point and he does make some good points for our side, I'm willing to "cut him some slack." I will send him a message though.

[cherryperry]

57. To quote Jon Stewart: Whaaaaaaaaaa?

A woman who likes Bill Maher is equivalent to an African American who likes David Duke or a Jew who likes, oh, never mind, that one will get me alerted and so I repeat: what is going on with you to have internalized such self-hate as to both be a woman and a person who likes Bill Maher?

[Piperay]

61. You make a good point...

I wasn't thinking about that part of it. Maher does some good bashing on the repukes but he is as anti-woman as arnie the groper. I will have to rethink my position on him, he can be funny BUT (and that's a BIG but).


NOTE: I do NOT have "internalized self-hate". :crazy:

[cherryperry]

83. Whew!

As long as you are willing to rethink your position on him due to the fact that he thinks of us as OBJECTS (and worse...), I hereby rescind my overboard comment re internalized self-hate.

:pals:

[Cheswick2.0]

58. I'd much rather someone drove a stake through Mahers heart

He adds a hell of a lot less the country than Gore does. What a bitter piece of shit Maher is. He is simply unfunny and desperate. He is a misogynist, a bigot and not very bright.

Why would we want Gore to go away when he is one of the few people willing to take on the lies and failings of the Bush administration? Why would be want less voices rather than more?

[Terwilliger]

87. yeah, but Maher still has a job

and Gore isn't still in the campaign

He gave up

He quit

He doesn't believe in the Democratic party.

He believes in himself.

[OneTwentyoNine]

60. Why does your site set a cookie on users machines??

Man...I hate THAT shit!! Of course I have mine set up to send your request for a cookie back into the cyberspace trash can... but, for those who don't, you now have a cookie from algoresupport.com lurking on your hardrive.

Thanks alot....


David

[Cheswick2.0]

62. you get cookies everywhere

No big deal, it just means the page will load faster the next time. I clear them out every few weeks.

[OneTwentyoNine]

65. Everywhere?? Hardly....

Sites that you have to log on to get in,yes of course you need a cookie to remember your preferences. But you control that aspect and thats fine with me. What I don't like are the sites that set cookies on your HD without so much as a mention.

Set your browser up to alert you to sites that want to set cookies. You'll find that the majority of sites don't and it makes you wonder why sites like the Al Gore site want to set a cookie. They don't need any info about my IP address IMO.

David

[Jackson4Gore]

66. Cry me a handfull

[cosmicdot]

63. Bill Maher is one to call someone a grotesque freak

how much of that 5'8" stature is 'ego'?

:crazy:



:spank:

[latebloomer]

67. Bill Maher makes me laugh

I think he is extremely funny, and most of the time on target. He spends a lot more time debunking the current slimy cabal than he does attacking Dems. And I forget the context, but a laugh did escape my lips regarding the Gore jab.

Where else on TV can you see Michael Moore talking about the voting machine scandal? Or hear Aaron McGruder tearing Bush a new one? Or Arianna, or Tim Robbins, or Janeane, or any of the other scathing critics he has on there regularly!

No, I don't agree with everything he says, not by a long shot. But he, and the show, are often incisive, witty, and brilliant.

[TexasEditor]

68. Here's his 'blog, which is sort of amusing.

http://www.safesearching.com/billmaher/blog/

[James110261]

71. My letter to Bill Maher

Mr. Maher,

I have been a fan and supporter of yours for many, many years, ever since "Politically Incorrect" debuted on Comedy Central in 1994. You probably don't remember me, but we met once in 1996 at a luncheon for advertisers in Playboy's New York offices. We even shared a drink of Bourbon together. When you came under fire for your remarks after 9/11, I protested the cancellation of "Politically Incorrect" by ABC. I was overjoyed when HBO gave you a new series and have never missed a single episode. I even make it a point to tune in whenever you appear on other shows such as Larry King, Newsnight with Aaron Brown or even The Tonight Show (despite being a die-hard Letterman fan).

This is not to say I have always agree with your opinions. I don’t on several issues. (For the record, on Larry King you said that Roger Moore was the best James Bond. Everyone knows the greatest 007 was Sean Connery.) But even when I have disagreed with you, I always supported your right of free speech.

However, on the September 26th episode of “Real Time” you made a comment that is so vile, heinous and despicable that it demands an immediate apology from you, HBO and TimeWarner. The comment I’m referring to was in your ‘New Rules’ segment where you said, "Does it take a stake through the heart to kill Al Gore, this grotesque freak of nature". I find this comment both abhorrent and shameful for many reasons.

First, as someone who has been personally attacked and demonized in the media, in addition to publicly defending others (such as the Dixie Chicks) who have also been victims of similar vilification; I find it unconscionable that you would inflict the same treatment on anyone else in this world (except maybe Osama bin Laden) let alone a man who has spent most of his life in the service of his country, first in uniform, then in Congress and who was the choice of most Americans to be their President in the 2000 election.

Second, the level of political rhetoric in this country has risen to a very mean spirited and personal level. We will never be able to have a meaningful dialogue about real issues that are crucial to the future of America as long as this kind of hate-speak poisons the national discourse. You have often commented on this problem deriding Conservative talk show hosts for exactly this kind of unfair and dishonorable commentary. While I realize that you are a comedian, the remark was not said in a comedic or lighthearted way. But rather, your tone was very angry and nasty. I find it hypocritical for you to condemn others for the same behavior you are engaging in.

Also, for the past several years I have failed to understand your on-going and increasing animosity towards former Vice President Gore. You seem to be almost bordering on an obsessive hatred for the man. In the past, you have been a huge supporter of Bill Clinton. Al Gore is almost ideologically identical to President Clinton. Your views on many issues of substance are, for the most part, in complete agreement with Mr. Gore’s. Why then this personal dislike? Have you ever met Al Gore or read his book ‘Earth in the Balance’? If you did, I think you would find more common ground than disparity with the man and his opinions.

Yet you always seem to have a double standard in regard to Mr. Gore. On the September 22nd edition of Newsnight with Aaron Brown you made the following statement about your support of Wesley Clark, "And I've said many times that I believe that, all things being equal, with the field of candidates, I think you've got to give it to the guy who has went to war, because, if he made the ultimate sacrifice, I think he's got dibs on the nomination." I find this remark extremely disingenuous because in the 2000 election you supported Ralph Nader. To my knowledge, Mr. Nader has never served in the military. President Bush only served in the Texas Air National Guard. The only candidate running for President in 2000 that served in the Military and went to Viet Nam was Vice President Gore. Why then doesn’t Mr. Gore deserve similar deference and consideration as General Clark, or at least some modicum of respect, for his service?

Finally, both you and I know that your remark, "Does it take a stake through the heart to kill Al Gore” was meant figuratively in regard to his political career. However, there are many people out there who may not have understood that. There may even be some who might misconstrue your statement as being literal and may possibly act on it. Thus, this comment has the potential to put former Vice President Gore and his family in harm’s way. In my opinion, this is the most contemptible aspect of what you said.

With every right comes responsibility. As someone who has a public platform for your right of free speech, you have an even greater responsibility not to advocate or incite the potential for violence against a fellow American.

I believe that you, HBO & TimeWarner owe former Vice President Gore an immediate and deeply earnest apology. Additionally, all future airings of last night’s segment of “Real Time” should be edited to excise your statement.

Respectfully,
James

[neuvocat]

72. Maher needs to apologize for being on the air.

Anyone who truly believes that you have to make an effort to be poor here in america really shouldn't continue to embarass himself like that.

[joe_momma]

74. do you really think...

that Maher was inciting people to kill Al Gore? You are a little too serious about Al Gore. Don't drink the kool-aid.

[Name removed]

75. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Room101]

78. joe_momma, LOL

Look here Mr. soon to be 17 posts, you better keep up that humor it's good for my mood.:party:

[Journeyman]

79. Make what comments you want to make, joe_momma. . .

and don't let faux elitist "posting snobs" try to intimidate you. Quality people will gauge you by the quality of your contributions, while those who see merit only in quantity may prove to be no more than . . . well, people who only concur with what other people have said, in a determined effort geared solely to drive up their post count. They're judged, too, just with a weighted scale.

[latebloomer]

82. Well, you could have phrased it more diplomatically

But I do agree that Gore is in no danger.

[Room101]

77. I hate what he said, but he should not have to apologize

He got fired back in the day for people over reacting. Do not through the baby out with the bath water. I agree with Bill on 6.5 out of 10 times on issues.

[joe_momma]

80. I agree...

I get pissed off about some things he says, but I will guarantee that he pisses off the other side much more often.

[latebloomer]

81. Yup, he's just contrary

Doesn't like to be predictable, and purposely takes annoying positions at times just to be "incorrect".

Let's not start trying to censor him.

[cherryperry]

84. Now, that we've solved that one,

let's make him apologize to the women of the world...talk about a majority!

<<<only kidding>>> hey, over here: Joe Momma! <<<only kidding>>>


:grouphug:

[James110261]

85. Tell Bill Maher to apologize for his terrible comment on Al Gore

There's a great thread over at AGD about Maher's inconsistant & unfair statements about Gore over the years:

http://www.algoredemocrats.com/04um/YaBB.pl?board=Media;action=display;num=1064637248;start=15

[Terwilliger]

88. oh good

spend your time worrying about Maher's attacks on Gore

THAT'LL defeat Bush! :eyes:

[VermontDem2004]

89. You go ahead

I don't have problems with comedians telling jokes, but whatever you do, trust me on this one. Bill Maher will not appologize, I know for a fact he says things that will get him booed, I don't think I ever heard him apologize for a comment others thought were innapropriate.