I'm braced for the inevitable flames, but the fact is, Bill Maher is a total asshole.

[Archae]

Even his movie about religion was just plain dumb.

Anyone who is against vaccinations citing conspracy theories, and is even against germ theory, is a total asshole.

Never let it be said that we don't pick on liberals here. Maher may have said some clever things in his life, even as a political commentator (he runs the HBO show Politically Incorrect), and he has gained notoriety as a critic of religion (for a focus on Maher’s positive contribution, see this). Then again, David Berlinski wrote an excellent introduction to calculus. Being smart, and being right on certain topics, doesn’t guarantee that you are not a loon. Bill Maher is a first-class loon.

http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/09/247-bill-maher.html

[grantcart]

1. Yes he is.

Doesn't mean that he isn't right about a lot of stuff, just that he is an ass all the same.

The thing is he seems to relish in being perceived as one, especially as a mysogonistic one.

Dennis Miller is also an ass but almost never right about anything.

[Bluenorthwest]

73. It is called a 'comic persona' . You know, WC Fields did not hate

kids, Jack Benny was not really a tight wad, and Harpo Marx could talk!!!!!! Think about it.

[Hoosier Daddy]

139. Agreed, grantcart

BM is funny, smart, a great comedian. But also an asswipe. I suspect other prominent comedians are the same.

[TheWraith]

2. The man's an egomaniac.

He believes that he has the One Absolute Truth, and that everyone who disagrees with him is stupid or crazy. Even when what he believes is demonstrably false.

[gateley]

5. Which could be said for a lot of people. Some of whom are

here on DU.

[TheWraith]

7. The difference is, Maher has a mass media platform which feeds his ego...

...and gives leverage to attack anything he dislikes. Including things which he needs to be slapped for, like vaccines.

[gateley]

38. I think most of the people who would tune in to Bill Maher or

read his blog are capable of making their own decisions and wouldn't be that easily swayed by that leverage. He's never changed my mind on anything, anyway.

[Whisp]

53. so true. he hasn't changed my mind on anything as well.

but he sure delivers the laughs.

[Bluenorthwest]

90. That is a point Bill makes himself when addressing this stupidity

Here is what Bill says Bill thinks, as opposed to the OP's fully fictional account.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/vaccination-a-conversatio_b_358578.html

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

102. Much more nuanced than the OP's baloney.

+1

[Lost-in-FL]

11. That's right!

:popcorn:

[astral]

47. +1.

[Initech]

20. Who in media isn't?

What I love about Stephen Colbert is that he the takes the concept of media egomaniacism to new extremes, and it works! Even Maher could (and should) take a lesson from Colbert!

[BlueJazz]

3. No Flame but I do disagree with your opinion.I feel Bill does much good in informing..

...the populace regarding the disastrous results of electing Republicans.

No..I don't agree with everything he says but as the saying goes...You like some people despite their faults.

[Archae]

9. A wise philosopher who sounds like a looney most of the time...

Will end up only with his groupies.

[Bluenorthwest]

75. But a professional comic is looking for an audience that pays

not groupies or 'followers' of a philosophy. A performer wants butts in seats with paid stubs in their pockets. That's it. Maher has a huge TV audience and is one of the largest live draws in the country, comedy wise. Sells out all of his halls, big ones, at juicy prices. He's at the top of his field.

[gateley]

4. He sure can be. He's a super health advocate and it's not surprising

that he'd view vaccinations from that viewpoint.

Just his opinion. :shrug:

I like him a lot, but others here don't like him at all, so I don't think you'll be flamed TOO badly. :7 :hi:

[HuckleB]

148. How is an anti-vaccination stance considered to be a "super health" thing?

:shrug:

[ashling]

6. And your point?

:shrug:

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. No flames. He is a really mixed bag to me - his anti vax stance is truly dangerous...

but we liked Religulous (certainly parts over the top, but it did point out quite a bit of the hypocrisy around organized religion)....he certainly has a huge ego. But on balance, I think he helps more than hurts the cause.

[Initech]

14. This is where I chime in on Religulous.

The thing is - he certainly made an entertaining documentary. There were some excellent points made (like the absurdity of Scientology, the ridiculousness of the Bible-based theme park in Florida, and don't get me started on the opening scene in the truck stop), but I really drew the line at his absurd negativity toward Islam. It's like all other religions are funny or crazy to him, but Islam the end of the world? Give me a fucking break!! :crazy:

[NRaleighLiberal]

22. Good point...well taken. n/t

[Initech]

23. I always relate to that opening scene in the truck stop. I went to a church full of people like that

"Yeah if I wasn't into religion I'd be doing tons of drugs, hookers on each end, drinking every night..,"
"Your point?"

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[Initech]

33. True - there's not a lot of logic to it!

But you could say the same for about 99% of the world's religions! :rofl:

[cpwm17]

39. There's a big difference between attacking the stupidity of religion

and being bigot. Bill Maher is a bigot. His attacks on Muslims (and Arabs) go way too far. I can't imagine what his reaction would be if he saw someone say equivalent things about his favorite religion.

He has claimed in the past that Arabs can only be dealt with through violence, because violence is their nature. He was clearly projecting.

Here's more Arab bashing: http://www.loonwatch.com/2011/02/its-official-bill-maher-is-a-racist/

I despise Bill Maher.

[Initech]

43. I dont totally despise Maher.

He makes some really good points, but that doesn't justify being a bigot. Being a bigot doesn't justify being a bigot, no matter who you are.

[Bluenorthwest]

78. Bill on the subject, in his own words.

I just looked this up because I watch his show all the time and I've never heard him say he is against vaccinations or that he denies germ theory. I've heard him say he is mindful of over medication, as am I. I've had many vaccinations, even smallpox, and yet like Bill, I did not take the 'swine flu' vaccine. I also did not get the flu.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/vaccination-a-conversatio_b_358578.html

[catabryna]

10. Oh, this oughta be good...

:popcorn:

[crazyjoe]

12. I'm glad someone pointed this out, I couldn't agree more.

He doesn't help us liberals with bringing people over to our side. This ass is so conceded, he thinks he's the smartest man in the room. He really believes anyone who doesn't agree with him is clearly stupid, his sarcasm is irritating, he's just a pasty faced asshole. I'm surprised he still on TV, I guess some people like him.

[aikoaiko]

40. He is an asshole, but he is also right often. Not always, just often.

[sethgrogen]

13. he just plays one on tv.

[frazzled]

15. I determined he was a sexist pig 8 or 10 years ago

He really is shockingly misogynist, and a nutter libertarian to boot. My two cents.

[Chorophyll]

97. Yep. I gave up on him a long time ago.

Never liked the way he treated his female guests on Politically Incorrect in the late 90s. He's an ass.

[A HERETIC I AM]

16. "(he runs the HBO show Politically Incorrect)"

No, his show on HBO is named "Real Time with Bill Maher". He USED to have a show called Politically Incorrect.

"Politically Incorrect" hasn't been on TV since 2002.

And, since opinions are like....well...you know.

Maher is funny, smart and brave enough to call bullshit when he sees it.


I like the guy. But then, I also thought it was funny when that little old lady in Florida had her leg bitten off by the alligator the other week, so there you go.

Thing is, I bet Bill thought it was funny as well.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Logical]

17. He is right about religion being a farce though!

[lob1]

18. The poster might check on his own facts.

Politically Incorrect has been off the air for 10 years, canceled by ABC right after 9-11. His HBO show is Real Time.

[shanti]

66. the author of this article

loses credibility when they can't even get the name of maher's show right.

[Bluenorthwest]

79. Gets nothing right at all...

Here is Bill on Bill on vaccines and all....Maher is able to speak for himself and it is a tradition for me personally to take a person's views from that person, not from gossip out of fact free action posters...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/vaccination-a-conversatio_b_358578.html

[Lucian]

96. Yeah, the article in the OP is very, very misleading.

His views on vaccinations is summed up right here: Is getting frequent vaccinations for any and all viruses consequence-free?

Doesn't sound anti-vaccination to me.

Plus, the article in the OP didn't even get the name of his show right.

[Bluenorthwest]

106. His show Friday really pissed off Republicans with a sketch

about a Republican in a giant bubble unable to hear the truth. Keith Olbermann also involved so the right is all in a tizzy.

[tblue]

19. I wouldn't say "total"

Yeah, he's a cynic and he's pigheaded. But he makes me laugh and he's generally pointed in the right direction. I'd rather he be on the air than a lot of other people.

[Modern_Matthew]

21. You get no argument from me...

He's one of the few people I can constantly agree with and still dislike.

[Swede]

24. He has his faults,but I like his schtick.

And who here on planet earth,does not have faults?

[glinda]

26. He is inconsistent with his views. Came to the conclusion he likes attention.

[MADem]

27. He's a Libertarian, so he says.

Even he defined them as "Republicans who like to smoke pot."

He's moved slightly left over the years, but that's probably more by way of recoiling at the antics of the real crazies on the right.

I don't look to that little masturbator for any profound wisdom or slices of truth. He's a comedic-pundit, and sometimes, he is funny, and sometimes, not.

[Warren Stupidity]

101. who supports universal healthcare

Maher's positions on most issues are to the left. His positions on vaccination are odd, not off the wall anti-vac, but odd.

[MADem]

133. He's a work in progress. Either that, or he's a panderer. Not sure which.

Don't really care, to be frank.

I will watch him and sometimes be amused. I don't invest any emotion in his viewpoints, though. He's just a guy on TV, who can be very funny on occasion.

[Joey Liberal]

28. I love Bill Maher. Do you prefer Sean Hannity? nt

[emilyg]

32. Dislike Maher - what does Hannity

have to do with this?

[cherokeeprogressive]

42. So it's either one or the other? No in between?

That's fucked up.

I wouldn't walk across the street to see a Bill Maher show if it were free. Then again, I wouldn't piss in Sean Hannity's mouth if his teeth were on fire.

[Union Scribe]

57. Were you recently standing under a coconut tree?

That's the only way I can think someone could come up with that illogical a post.

[whatchamacallit]

29. Don't always agree with him, but

I often love New Rules.

[Mz Pip]

30. Then he's my kind of asshole

I don't have to agree with a person's positions on everything. shit, me and Mr Pip don't agree on everything - even in politics.

He makes me laugh and he really trashes Republicans. For what he does that's enough to keep me watching.

[emilyg]

31. No flame from me. Agree.

[ohheckyeah]

34. Oh good grief...

first of all Politically Incorrect was cancelled in 2002 and was not on HBO. If the author of the piece can't even get the damn name of his show correct I don't put much credence in anything else he has to say. By the way, it's Real Time with Bill Maher.


As for his ego...he's a friggin' comedian for God's sake. Of course he has an ego and likes attention.

[crazyjoe]

72. He's a comedian? I had no idea......

[Kennah]

35. He seems enamored of the DLC Third Way approach

His lips are often affixed to Bill Clinton's ass, figuratively speaking.

[DutchLiberal]

89. Maher has repeatedly stated his disappointment with Obama's DLC 3r Way approach...

He has stated he sees Obama as a center-right politician whom he'd like to see move more to the left. He has said Obama hasn't tried any Democratic (= left-wing) policies. And then there's this little gem, in which he condemns the Democratic Party for thwarting real liberal policies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPDhQAeMYmI

"Over the last 30-odd years, Democrats have moved to the right and the right has moved into a mental hospital."

[Kennah]

141. I'll have to rethink my view of Maher. He so embraced Clinton he seemed a DLCer.

[MrSlayer]

36. Bill Maher is great.

I don't agree with him 100% of the time but most of the time he is spot on correct. Hardly a loon.

[TheDebbieDee]

37. You'll get no flames from me......I've known this for several years now.

He doesn't know any more than the rest of us but he's got a TV show and we don't!

[BlueIris]

41. No flames here; Maher is one hateful tool.

Plus--Ann Coulter. 'Nuff said.

[quinnox]

44. yes, many comedians seem to be

nothing surprising really.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

45. Bill Maher fills a void and I think his

cynical, sarcastic sense of humor fits my mood some weeks.
More than anything else he has some great guests if you can
tolerate the repukes that show up as well.

[Recovered Repug]

46. Never liked him enough to watch his tv show.

I did see a part of his stand up routine. The only reason I knew he had told a joke was that he laughed. I don't think I heard him say anything remotely clever, let alone funny. He seemed to think he was hilarious, tho.

[JVS]

48. No flames here, but there are worse total assholes.

Maher is occasionally cool.

[Lucian]

49. I loved his movie on religion.

I agree with him on all aspects of religion.

His anti-vaccination stance...not so much.

Disagree with calling him a loon.

[iris27]

50. Anti-vaxxer AND virulent sexist!

This atheist agrees Maher's a douche.

[Blue_In_AK]

51. He has his faults, but he's generally on our side,

and he's a very funny person.

[Whisp]

52. I agree, but he's a smart asshole.

[TheKentuckian]

54. Huge asshole but I like him as such.

Assholes serve a purpose and our side has too few that are actually on the side of the people and decency.

[Kalidurga]

55. He is always good for pointing out the absurdities of Republicans...

but I don't particularly like or dislike him. If someone posts a video I will watch it. But, I don't usually go out of my way to watch him. But, I am glad he is around because anyone that drives repukes crazy is fine by me. I can't do that myself, so...anyway...he is sometimes a voice of reason, he is sometimes funny, didn't know he was anti-vax that is kinda loony. In any case he is entitled to his opinion.

[B Calm]

58. I loved his show this week when he put the republican in a bubble

on stage. Keith Olbermann and Maher both then tried and failed to reach the republican with truth telling.

[Bluenorthwest]

81. If he's 'entitled to his opinion' you should at least know what his

opinion is as opposed to listening to gossip about his opinion, don't you agree? Here you go-
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/vaccination-a-conversatio_b_358578.html

[justiceischeap]

84. Bingo! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

99. This thread is everything that is wrong in our culture

I Googled that piece up in 10 seconds. Maher's opinions are a matter of record, and very clear. Yet, even here where they claim to despise 'MSM lies' they listen to gossip, clearly misinformed opinions about what a person said, rather than just reading what that person said directly. It is intellectually dishonest, FoxNews worthy and poison to the general public. This thread is exactly how people 'know' that Obama was born in Kenya and other absurdities. Everything the OP claims Maher believes, Maher says otherwise. Everything. The whole piece is made up and it attributes to Maher things he never said, things he does not believe. All of this when his actual opinions are a matter of public record.
It is also interesting that much of his response to the whole freak out is about how he is a comic, not a scientist, and how his show is about entertainment, not science, and that his opinion is the opinion of a comic, not of a person claiming to be an educator on health issues. All of that would be self evident, one would think, to the startling intellects of those who claim the science mantel. They claim to be all about facts and science, but they do not even bother to look at the facts of what Maher said, so their 'science' is the sort that leaves you typing the name of a show cancelled 10 years ago. Science looks for facts, science does not run around shouting 'asshole Anti Vaxxer'. Scientific minds would read Bill, quote him, and counter his points if they did not agree, using facts, not name calling and taunts.
I am amused by the 'Science Crowd' that does not care about facts, nor about reason, but instead indulges in name calling and in making up 'facts' to put forth. Science? I think not.

[Whisp]

116. +1

good post, you really hit it right on.

I read your link to Bill's talk on vaccinations and it is not at all what some people are saying here. It's just a common sense and good attitude to have not to just blindly accept everything the medical field dishes out. That was a great piece!

I still think he can be a huge arsehole at times, but I don't know anyone in real life or fantasy life that is without blemish. I have often shook my fists and cussed at him but I still look for his youtubes because he is very sharp and hilarious most of the time. I can't think of anyone else that does the schtick he does so well.

[B Calm]

56. I was a bible thumping born again crazy out of my mind Christian

then I watched Bill Maher's movie on religion and was magically transformed.

Grow some skin and get a grip, it's only entertainment!

[goforit]

59. Well said

[goforit]

60. Take a deep breadth sweetie.

He's right on.

[BlueMTexpat]

61. I tend to agree. Anyone who can admire Ann Coulter for any reason

is by definition a loon.

But he is also a loon who is spot on about many things and frames those things well.

In his own words ... http://www-cgi.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0307/31/lkl.00.html

[timtom]

62. And, I thought I was the only one!

Can't stand to watch him.

[Militant_Liberal]

63. He maybe one however

We need more like Bill speaking up, you may or may not like the message he puts out and that is fine and dandy, YOU can always choose to not listen, in fact why do you listen and watch a person you don't agree with and then take time out of your day to come and bash him on the internet?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

64. I think he's an asshole too...

But that movie was freaking awesome and hilarious.
His assholiness and his egomania are his schtick. Get at thick skin, change the channel, and don't worry about him.

[justiceischeap]

65. I won't flame but I disagree. I think he makes some salient points about vaccination

It's been proven scientifically that people need more aggressive antibiotics because they are over prescribed and our systems have become immune to them. I think that maybe he has some phobia's that play into his rhetoric but he's not off the mark about how medicine can sometimes make things worse than better for people. For example, I never get the flu shot because I don't want anyone "introducing" the flu to my system just so I can fight it better in the long run. Though, I must admit, since giving up meat and almost all dairy, I've cut down on getting the common cold and I can't remember the last time I've had the flu.

Anyway, I find him no worse than any other source of information. I use my own common sense to read further about things of interest and don't take what he says at face value.

[Bluenorthwest]

67. Politically Incorrect was an ABC TV show cancelled years ago

in 2001, in fact. A decade off the air, a thing of the past. Bill Maher is not a political commentator, he is a comedian, he tells jokes about politics and other things.
Personal slanders coupled with dated and incorrect information. How charming. Not surprising from a person who can not tell a comic from an anchorman, but still.

[NNN0LHI]

68. I think the confusion comes in when people mistake him for being a liberal loon

When in fact he actually a libertarian loon.

Don

[Bluenorthwest]

80. He advocates for strong social programs and higher taxes on

rich people like himself to pay for them. That is not very libertarian. He urges major reforms and regulation of industry for the sake of the natural environment, for safety in food and drugs. If he is a libertarian, he is not a very good one.

[DutchLiberal]

91. For a libertarian, he supports a lot of socialist ideals and policies...

I've never seen anybody in the media defend socialism as much as Bill Maher. He's only a libertarian when it comes to personal freedoms, but when it comes to government healthcare, regulation of financial markets, taxes, distribution of wealth, poverty reduction etc., he is a far-left 'big government' liberal.

[kentuck]

70. There are many assholes...

..even here on DU... :-)

[Edith Ann]

71. BM

He is.

[reformist2]

74. I just watched one of his shows, and he is not a germ-theory denier.

As for mass vaccinations of the public for every new disease that comes down the pike, he's just (very) skeptical that it's the best way to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSg6lG3cvTE

[muffin1]

76. He's hilarious.

[kentuck]

77. This is brilliant!

From Friday night's show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9kKiCvWdbxE

[bluestate10]

82. I take Maher for what he is worth and leave the rest. He ISN'T going to make policy. nt

[undeterred]

83. He is an arrogant, misogynist pig of the highest order.

Sometimes he says things that are amusing and he is on the right side of things but his attitude toward women is disgusting.

[Shagbark Hickory]

85. You don't know what you're talking about. His show on HBO is called "Real Time"

Unrec.

[Shagbark Hickory]

86. By the way, "I'm bracing for flames" translates roughly to "I'm trolling"

n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

87. Don't forget the whole "Vote Nader Because Bush And Gore Are Exactly The Same!"

He can be funny at times but the very idea of accepting his political views as valid isn't realistic.

[DutchLiberal]

92. Maher is right: Democrats and Republicans are serving the same corporatist masters.

They don't fundamentally differ all that much. There are slight differences in tone, nuance, approach of certain specific policy issues, but roughly, they're the same, because they support the same structure and system of the status quo, in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and everything they do is aimed at keeping it that way; otherwise, their donors stop paying them.

[RegieRocker]

94. No fog here. You see clearly.

[RegieRocker]

95. He's just screwing with people. To get them to think.

Sometimes that is what it takes.

[Motown_Johnny]

109. Unions v. Corporations is one pretty serious difference

[DutchLiberal]

123. Democrats are serving the corporations.

They serve the pharmaceutical industry, they serve big agriculture, they serve health insurance companies, they serve hedge funds, they serve Wall Street. You must not pay attention if you want to deny this.

[Bluenorthwest]

93. Can you attribute that quote? Nope, because it is not a quote.

Like Thom Hartmann, Bill was one of the 'safe state' voters who voted Green that year to try to get public funding for the Green Party. CA went Gore, heavily, and many people there made the choice to vote Green for that reason. I did not and did not agree with Bill or with Hartmann on that.
Neither of them said 'Bush and Gore are exactly the same' ever. You said that, and claimed Bills said it, which is what it is.

[Motown_Johnny]

108. well, you never watched Mahr's old show, did you?

He said they were exactly the same dozens of times


He constantly harped on there being no difference between them, he even called them "Gush and Bore" because he couldn't tell the difference.

[proud2BlibKansan]

88. The name of his show is not 'Politically Incorrect'

and he's not against vaccines.

Facts matter - especially when you want to play critic.

[FarLeftFist]

98. Its REAL TIME with BILL MAHER. And I agree with him on many issues. Anti-Vax isn't one of them.

[Joey Liberal]

100. Bill Maher is a hero!

The stuff I'm reading here is what I'd expect to see on Free Republic. No wonder the republicans are beating us at every turn.

[InvisibleTouch]

103. I thought his movie on religion was great.

Did not know he was "anti germ theory." Now THAT is dumb.

But just about everyone contributes both good and bad things to life. Doesn't necessarily make them an asshole.

[Bluenorthwest]

105. He's not 'anti germ theory'. Read for yourself...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/vaccination-a-conversatio_b_358578.html

[Greybnk48]

104. He's not a loon. He often pisses me off, and I don't

routinely watch his show, too edgy for me, but he's not a loon and he's not stupid. His movie on religion stomped on a lot of toes, but that doesn't make him wrong or looney. He just quite often presents unpopular/uncomfortable opinions.

[Safetykitten]

107. Oh dear, did he say bad things about the President again?

[fishwax]

110. meh, I think he's a mixed bag

Right on some things, wrong on others. I think he's often funny, though at times his schtick wears thin, particularly when misogyny shows through. I haven't watched Real Time that often (not having had HBO for most of the last few years), but I used to watch Politically Incorrect relig(ul)iously.

[LWolf]

111. Why would anyone say DU doesn't pick on liberals?

What the fuck do you think has been happening here since at least 2007?

As for Maher, you are certainly free to form whatever opinion you like.

I sometimes agree with him, sometimes not. What I really like about him is that he doesn't fit in anyone's political box, which is what frustrates many. Too many people want their media personalities to be black and white; either a good guy that's always right, or a bad guy that's always wrong. They want leaders to follow, and predators to hate and fear.

That's not reality, not even for sheep.

[Hoyt]

112. I look forward to his shows, but don't always agree. His Friday show was particularly good and

aimed squarely at the stupidity of the right wing candidates.

He was really funny with his bit about Obama needs to go into Republicon districts and stand next to a bridge and say something to the effect that -- this is a bridge and like 1000s around the country it will fall down if we don't spend some money on infrastructure, which will also produce jobs.

Liked his stuff on right wingers cheering letting people die.

His shows are a respite from the right wingers who surround me.

[Bucky]

113. I retroactively predict that this thread is going to be controversial.

Also, I believe, several people will present vehemently held non-complimentary opinions on a variety of subjects.

[Honeycombe8]

119. Your predictions are spot on! You should go into politics! nt

[chillspike]

114. So what am I doing?

Am I deleting Maher from my Facebook favorites? Am I keeping Maher as a favorite? First he's a good liberal. Now he's a bad liberal. This is exhausting.

[Zorra]

115. I think he's really funny and insightful.

Even when he's poking fun at me, which has happened once or twice, and it has given me cause to think.

[RZM]

117. I like his show

I liked his previous show as well. I agree with him on some things and think he is full of shit on others. I do like his willingness to buck PC conventions. I think that does get him into trouble, but it also probably makes him funnier.

[Honeycombe8]

118. I think he's one of the cleverest, most well informed political humorists in history...

There have been few like him. I've seen him on various shows in interviews, even one hour long extended interviews. He is so quick witted, very well informed on just about any current topic, and very funny.

You know, with everybody, it's always a case of you agree with some things that another person thinks, and you don't agree with other things. We don't have to agree with every position he takes. His main purpose is to be funny. Maybe you're taking him too seriously.

[2banon]

137. Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, Bill Maher is not and never will be

I don't think he aspires to be. I prefer Maher unscripted or should I say I've enjoyed his guest appearances on cable politcal shows, but I've have rarely enjoyed watching Reel Time.
the mysognist element in hs show and his own persona is but one issue I have with his production. I also do not consider him to be much of an intellect, nor well informed. Being "up" on current events is not the measure of how well informed someone is, imo.

[DutchLiberal]

144. The "misogynist element" is a purely made up fantasy by women with no sense of humor...

These allegations against Maher of sexism and misogyny have no basis at all. They're fictional, made-up, invented. Just used as an excuse to hate on him.

[Douglas Carpenter]

120. I agree

[bvar22]

121. The "Fact is". No, thats YOUR "opinion".

Ask Bill Maher what his opinion of you is.

[HuckleB]

149. I'm fairly certain that the evidence against Maher is clear.

I don't think it's quite so clear against the originator of the OP.

[wildbilln864]

122. first off...

"even as a political commentator (he runs the HBO show Politically Incorrect), "
it's called "Real Time" not "Politically Incorrect"! Get shit straight before slinging it! :eyes:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

124. An asshole who I like.

Yes, he's a sexist bastard, but he is very direct at calling out the Repubs on their hypocrisy.

Unfortunately, he looks like a greasy cocker spaniel who needs a bath. We had a clueless but sweet cocker spaniel named Cain. So named because he slew his brother. We have a term, "Cain people" who look like that. The other two Cain people on TV are the two tall blond guys on "Whose Line is it Anyway?"

He just makes Keith Olbermann look all that much better. :evilgrin:

[DutchLiberal]

145. How is he sexist? Because he calls out Palin and Bachmann?

These allegations of 'sexism' is just a bunch of humorless women all parroting each other.

[ThomWV]

125. I agree with you completely, I haven't bothered watching him in years.

He's just a clueless jerk if you ask me.

[Quantess]

126. "Religiosity" was great, what are you talking about?

I like Bill Maher.

[David Sky]

127. I'm certainly NOT going to flame you, nor am I going to denounce Bill Maher!

There are dozens of intelligent people in my life, and probably another dozen or so on the media, internet, TV, whatever, whom I respect.

RESPECT does NOT EQUAL Agreement over every issue.

Specifically, some of the positions Bill Maher takes, I agree with, some, I certainly do not!

I think being for Bob Dole in 1996 was a bad idea as we were happy with Bill Clinton who was doing a masterful job as President, and only was slightly haunted by both rumors of his past passionate womanizing and infidelity and by the pre- Tea Bag era Republican House under Gingrich.

Support of Nader in 2000, in retrospect, was foolish, for ANYONE, given what happened in Florida and in the Supreme Court. Yet Nader, again, like Maher, is an anti-authority figure, and he raised great issues, agree or not with his position. Nader has an ego as big as Maher's; accept it as such.

I would NEVER have voted for Nader, and never will, but he represents a point of view I want to hear, (unlike, for instance, the point of view of Glenn Beck, which is totally fictional, but likewise to Nader, self-aggrandizing).


I watch Maher's show sometimes, only because I have a free 3 month trial of HBO on my cable box. I won't pay after the trial is over, and I won't miss Maher's show that much, but sometimes when home on a Friday night, and after Rachel Maddow, (my favorite person ever on the TV machine) I'll give him a few minutes of my time.

I don't like to be seen as a one-dimensional progressive. I don't waste my time with Fox News, but I can take a little from some anti-authoritarian with whom I don't always agree.

What about others here? Can you be entertained by less than complimentary reflections of your own views?

[sfpcjock]

128. Rick Perry, he's not. He's actually correct on a lot of issues

that you probably would agree with. I think that's worth something.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

129. his misogyny bothers me, i liked his movie about religion

didnt know the vaccine thing. though he does kinda seem like a douchebag (which stewart and colbert don't)

i mean, he is still funny and i like when he rips the GOP a new one, but he wouldn't be my bff. :)

[Ikonoklast]

130. He says stuff on tv to make money.

I put as much validity into anything he says as anyone else that says things for money.


None.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

132. Exactly. He called it once

"Fuck You" money. Once you make enough you can say fuck you to the people that
want to own you. Maher lost a lot in the last stock market crash so he'll be around
for awhile.

[Major Hogwash]

131. I totally agree, especially since he said there is no difference between Bush and Gore

And ran around like he was King LadidahPooftah talking down to everyone about it.

[DutchLiberal]

146. In their campaigns, there *was* no difference between Gush and Bore.

[FourScore]

134. so what's your point? n/t

[JCMach1]

135. Isn't that the job of a satyrist???

:shrug:

[Boojatta]

154. That's too good to be merely a typo.

Satyr
(Classical Mythology) A sylvan deity or demigod, represented as part man and part goat, and characterized by riotous merriment and lasciviousness. (1913 Webster)

Satirist
One who satirizes; especially, one who writes satire. (1913 Webster)

[JCMach1]

155. Freudian slip maybe...

have been reading "American Gods"

[Bryn]

136. I always enjoy watching him...he's funny!

I do consider him on our side.

[K8-EEE]

138. I love him and loved the movie

That's the only media thing I've ever seen on religion that reflected my views -- and btw he was NOT aggressive or an a-hole in it. Far from being dumb he asked some questions that are very relevant, such as, is it for sure a GOOD thing if a political candidate says he hears God talking to him?

[AtomicKitten]

140. I like him and never miss his show.

He's a libertarian and I agree with him on most issues but not all. I think his seemingly sexist jokes are as much a part of his schtick as anything else. I think it's funny when his audience groans at his jokes about Obama and he says "Hey, he's not your boyfriend." When he has the right mix of guests, his show genuinely rocks.

[EstimatedProphet]

142. So?

Don't watch him. Big deal.

[Marrah_G]

143. I don't always agree with him, but I like him

And I loved his movie :)

[librechik]

147. he's not a total asshole, just a half assed one n/t

[mrs_p]

150. I don't care if he or anyone else doesn't want to get vaccinated.

I'm getting the shot and so are my children. As an influenza researcher, I know what this magnificent virus can do. I do think it's curious that European medical workers refuse to be vaccinated, which could set up for an interesting epidemiological study...

[HuckleB]

151. If you're a researcher why don't you care?

You know the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, but yet you don't care that anti-vaxers are killing herd immunity?

[mrs_p]

152. Well, for influenza, herd immunity is a tricky concept

as the virus is constantly evolving with host pressure. So, even if everyone got the vaccine this year, the virus would still mutate and infect people. Although, we would hope that the viruses in any particular year's vaccine would be close enough (antigenically) to provide cross-protection. That is one reason. The other reason, is that there really is no arguing with these people. Fine, don't get vaccinated. It leaves enough stock for the rest of us. If I don't get the vaccine, I, for some reason, be it genetic predisposition, the innate ecology of influenza, or other (not self-inoculation :)), get sick. So, I get the vaccine. I don't want my daughter to get a co-infection that causes a horrible life-threatening pneumonia. So, I will make sure she is vaccinated. Also, influenza's persistence keeps me in business as I am not on the vaccine side of things. :evilgrin: (just, kidding... sort of).

[HuckleB]

153. Yes, he is a total idiot.

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/some-muddled-thinking-from-bill-maher/