WHAT? A JOKE “OFFENDS” YOU? LIGHTEN UP, SNOWFLAKE, AND LAUGH IT OFF
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNEDSAY JUNE 6, 2018) — She’s a comedian and actress. Like many comics who have come before, her humor pushes the envelope up to and sometimes past tearing. Her jokes can be in bad taste and twisted, raunchy and rough. THE PLANET could cite a long, gray line (we’re dodging black and white) of jokesters who found their footing and fleeting fame plying similar material. That’s the astounding aspect of the Roseanne Barr affair.
The forces of political correctness have robbed so many of their sense of humor and the ability to take a joke for what it’s worth. When Barr called an Obama adviser the product of “the Muslim brotherhood” and “The Planet of the Apes,” no one should have taken that literally, but that’s exactly what one does if you condemn the words for “racism,” “race biting,” “ethnic stereotyping” or other similar denotations. There probably isn’t a joke that’s ever been written or told that could survive literal interpretation. Literalism snuffs funny every time.
One of the most interesting reactions of the online firestorm comes from commentator Oliver McGee. He wrote on Twitter, “I stand with [Roseanne]. Yes, she made horrible joke and she apologized. I see comedians, actors, etc. make the same jokes and get applauded.” In another post, McGee wrote: “What I find fascinating is that WHITE social justice warriors are the ones freaking out the most. … White SWJs are quick to defend black Americans because they don’t think [b]lacks are capable of defending themselves.” Finally, McGee shared this: “There is a BLACK character in the movie Black Panther named ‘Man-Ape.’ Man-Ape is the leader of the Gorilla tribe. The gorilla tribe is played by all BLACKS.” Every liberal that is calling for [Barr’s] head LOVED & RAVED about Black Panther.”
McGee is black.
Another relevant reaction came from radio talk show host Bill Mitchell: “I’m not sure how saying someone looks like a child of “Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of The Apes is racist. I thought ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ was supposed to be a good thing and Liberals say we are descended from apes?”
McGee and Mitchell have cleverly thrown the literalism of the left back at them, as did another tweet pointing out Joy Behar’s remark that Christians must be mentally ill brought upon her no consequences — nor should they have. As we mentioned at the top, THE PLANET could mention a long line of comics and smart alecks who have exercised their First Amendment rights to be offensive (Joy Reid, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert) but got a free ride, and we’re cool with that. When we hear a joke we like, we laugh. We do that, folks, because we appreciate humor and know that laughing is medicine.
Our message to everyone who is “offended” by Barr’s joke: Lighten up, man. Don’t let it ruin your life. It’s friggin’ comedy, snowflake!
“Snowflakes do not do well in sun” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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I strongly believe that hate speech is NOT Free Speech, and that hate speech should be condemned in the strongest of terms. I believe that U.S. President Donald Trump uses hate speech, and he should be denounced, impeached and convicted! Down with hate speech! Down with Trump!
Jonathan, you really come off as a sky is falling kind of guy. To so many people like yourself, you see hate speech everywhere. When the only tool you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail.
So who gets to define “hate speech,” Jon? You are using hate speech to condemn your own President!
I wish Donald Trump was not my president! I cannot wait to vote against him in 2020 if he is not removed from office before then. I am against hate speech! I am for “Liberty & Justice for ALL!”
Mr. Melle,
If Donald Trump wins re-election in 2020 (already a strong possibility), and if Mike Pence runs for and wins the Presidency in 2024, will you be calling everyone who votes for Trump and Pence hate-filled?
I have spoken out against politicians who are both Republican and Democrat! Please read the following letter I received from NH U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
—–
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you for contacting my office about the impeachment of the President. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
As you know, the Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove a President who has committed treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Impeachment proceedings begin in the House of Representatives, of which I am not a member. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should the House approve articles of impeachment and advance the measure to the Senate.
Thank you for your letter and I encourage you to continue to engage your local, state and federal officials on issues that are important to you – your efforts and advocacy are the only way we as Granite Staters and as Americans continue to move forward. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any future concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator
Mr. Melle,
Pontificate all you like, but you fail to answer the simple question that was posed:
Will you be calling everyone who votes for Trump in 2020, and for Mike Pence in 2024 hate-filled?
She was pretty much telling to to take a hike Jonathan.
Roseanne Barr and Samatha Bee should compete in the Miss America Contest, now that it isn’t based on looks come out in a trench coats and impress us with their wisdom. We’re all equal in the Metoo movement.
Lincoln was a snowflake of his time,very good company..Jesus ,Lincoln, Kennedy,Martin Luther King Jr knew words matter and they were crafted to make a point.
Trump,Rosanne,Sam B not so well crafted but a snowflake like lincoln would understand what Trumps point is.
Lincoln started a war that killed a good portion of America. He pretty much started the war against American Indians.
As George Carlin said in order for the rich people to keep all the money they need to keep the rest of the people fighting with each other .These kinds of comments are just Presidential approved slurs to distract whats really happened since the Reagan 80s.America is a very very conservative country with military power like no other that has a black ops budget of 200 billion per year that is not on anyones radar.We have a huge secret military and 10s of millions of people are busy wondering the have a free speech right to make racial slurs.No you dont have that right and pay more attention to what you president does.
I feel like you should be able to say ANYTHING you want. I also feel that you should not whine when you get backlash…because that is the world we live in, right or wrong.
Everyone is getting backlash for things they say even if they are nice things. The tribalism is overwhelming as is the ignorance that goes with it.
When
I remember some clown in Germany who used to promote hate with the way people looked and religion, he took the cowards way out and cancelled himself.
Jarrett does not look like a typical black person, so unless Planet of the Apes is real there is no real group being hated
Dan, you’re quoting a guy who thinks Evolution is a Liberal construct. Can’t say I’d call him a voice of reason. Look, if anyone is still unsure how black people feel about ape jokes try conducting a poll, face to face, and let me know how that goes.
Barr’s comment is not a joke, it is not comedy, it was not told in a context.
Shakes, it is free speech. She was not at work and not representing ABC. One can watch late night shows and see way more nasty things that what she said. As usual it depends on who says it and about who they say it about it.
Sure the comment is free speech. I never said it wasn’t. It is not a joke. It is a racist statement. She has a right to be racist and offend anyone she so chooses, just like she’s been doing for years. The sick part is that she believes it is humor, and her false apology is more of a “Sorry I got caught” than a “sorry I won’t tweet racist statements or otherwise share them publicly.”
Hey, Dan has left his left his lofty perch in the Bridge before to ask the tough questions, maybe you haven’t heard of the Generalissmo? The man has gone deep into the woods to expose blight,Hess Forest, and to the Courts,to defend 1st Amendment Rights, he wouldn’t b afraid to ask questions face to face with anyone!
Exactly Halo. Planet is like the G-Man, isn’t afraid to ask questions and doesn’t back down to anyone. On the flip side, the cowards, are the people who are Afraid of being interviewed bythe Planet, you know the players.
MIKE
Thanks for the input.
Nice dodge, but it won’t work. First, I obviously disagree with the dude’s stance on evolution. Doesn’t mean, though, that he doesn’t make good points on other topics. Second, you avoided the man’s point about “Black Panther” and the film’s “Man-Ape” character and Gorilla tribe, all played by blacks. If Mel Gibson made that film, he’s crucified. What say you? Third, as a matter of fact I have talked to a couple black friends about this. They took Barr’s remark as a joke. They laughed it off, literally.
Dan, you may have forgot that to liberals only white people can be racist.
The slow death of free speech in Britain. America, you are next.
https://reason.com/archives/2015/04/26/the-slow-death-of-free-speech-in-britain
Pat, I thought you were upset with Samantha Bee but now you are supporting her. Welcome on board the sane train …hang on and we will take you to a safer place.
I’m amazed at how some white people are being labeled racist and other names because they voted for Trump and yet some of these same supposed racist voted for Obama twice.Did they become racist in between the elections?
Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re really in favor of free speech, then you’re in favor of freedom of speech for precisely the views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favor of free speech.
Noam Chomsky
Great quote by a master linguist and communicator.
Free speech is just that…Free. If you don’t agree with what has been said…move on. Our freedom as an open democracy must
allow freedom of speech. period. Roseanne apologized…which don’t agree with…but let it go. Our patriots fought and died for freedom of speech and we should never forget it.
Your friends who laughed at Roseannes comments have very little to do with how white people who want to do comedy at the hands of blacks feel about such things.
Speech is not alway free even in American institutions. For instance, if I walk into BCC I am free to speak to the class advisor. But if I ask to sign up for a speech class I will have to pay for it. So the whole thing seems to be some kind of shell game if you ask me.
Good thing nobody asked you
A good thing indeed sir.
Twists and turns and nuances can corkscrew a mind giving it a turbulence which challenges the steering. But you knew that.
Just increase your fiber intake and in a day or two your problem will disappear.
You can also enter a Bank and ask for a million dollar loan and when you don’t qualify the V P will politely say vamoose.
You can also enter a Bank and ask for a million dollar loan and when you don’t qualify the V P will politely say vamoose.
Last night the G Man gave Marchetti a good tongue lashing, all Marchetti worries about are rules. How many times have you seen and heard someone go over the three minutes, Gataeni is the accepting. Gaetani made it clear last night that the taxpayer is King of the City. The Man was trying to read the letter he got from the EPA, a good Council President should sometimes make acceptions especially someone who saved this stupid city over 100 million dollars which the G Man did.
Who the hell knows how much salt was used other than the perps that ordered and delivered it. You could put it in one big pile and say it would be worth two million, in reality is worth a hundred grand. You could say an easy winter would cost more in salt and sand that a harsh winter? Who’s to know? Add twenty departments to it and do the math.
Yes, the King is Gaetani,and can be seen on P C T V at Six Tonight on Channel 1301
Gaetani got three minutes at the podium,another three from Alex,and another three from the seats, that is. Ine minutes Mr. President!
More winning……..Trump signs Veterans Choice Bill which allows veterans to get care from private health institutions.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/06/06/trump-d-day-veterans-choice-bill/
The bill is an EXTENSION of an existing Veteran ‘s healthcare program.
The new law is not an accomplishment, it’s a continuation of a longstanding program. His campaign promise takes credit for something that already exists.
June 6, 2018
Re: My request to blogger Dan Valenti
Dear blogger Dan Valenti,
I enjoy reading your blog and I find your views interesting, especially when it comes to Pittsfield politics. I have been reading your thoughts on Freedom of Speech. While I support Free Speech, I believe that hate speech must be denounced at every turn. I do not believe that Free Speech includes hate speech. I request that you support my views that hate speech is wrong, dangerous, and needs to be denounced. Please make it clear that Free Speech does not include hate speech.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle, so who decides just what exactly hate speech is? You? Me? Some useless government bureaucratic? The political correctness crowd?
It is simple: “Liberty and Justice for ALL!”
“Equal Justice Under Law”
“We are a nation of laws, not of men”
“Human Rights for ALL”
We are all entitled to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!
No one or group is superior to another person or group.
No one or group is inferior to another person or group.
We are all God’s children!
Jonathan, that’s all warm and fuzzy but in no way defines what hate speech is.
Jon, aren’t you the guy always expressing your hatred for President Trump & Andrea Nuciforo on this blog?
Since I was 20 years old when I first met Luciforo in May of 1996, Luciforo conspiratorially had people associated with his third-rate political network bully me on his behalf without Luciforo leaving behind his own fingerprints or DNA. When I was 22 years old from the Fall of 1997 – Spring of 1998, Nuciforo tried to get my dad fired from his state government position at the Pittsfield District Courthouse by filing multiple “ethics” complaints against him. Then, during the Spring of 1998, Nuciforo filed secretive complaints against me that I made “veiled threats” against him. Nuciforo tried to jail me, where his close political ally then-Berkshire County Sheriff Carmen Massimiano would have had his staff abuse me. Then, during the Summer of 2005, Nuciforo had possibly Denis E. Guyer spread vicious rumors against me that I “stalked a Jewish woman from Otis” to the people of Pittsfield. The woman’s father was one of Nuciforo’s bullying henchmen who verbally assaulted or verbally abused me with insult after insult as the then-BCC environmental science professor/Becket man would viciously point his finger at me each and every time I would encounter him. This man even threatened to physically assault me. So yes, I will always speak my good conscience as long as I live against the likes of Luciforo!
I speak out against Donald Trump because he uses hate speech against people and minority groups of people to tear people down to build himself up. Does this M.O. sound familiar? Indeed, Donald Trump = Adolf Hitler! Donald Trump has targeted Mexicans (multi-billion dollar border wall) and other immigrants, Muslims, Women, and other peoples and groups with his hate speech. Donald Trump represents the racist views of White Nationalism in the White House. He wants to take our country back to the racist era of the 1920’s when hate groups and racist ideology was its highest level of the 20th Century. Even Hitler admired our country’s hate and racism during the 1920s! Trump wants a racist 2020 U.S. Census citizen question that will skew the count of people who he is forcing into the shadows. Trump wants a racist religious test for Muslim immigrants. Donald Trump even had alt-right bigots work in his campaign and administration, including neo-nazi Steve Bannon. Trump even failed to condemn the hate and neo-nazi groups who marched in Charlottesville, Viginia. Worse of all, Donald Trump has endorsed the use of torture that was used during the Bush/Cheney years! Trump even mocked the disabled! Trump is a moral hypocrite who cheated on all 3 of his wives. Trump won’t release his federal tax returns because he is hiding his shady business dealings. Trump declared business bankruptcy 4 times over. Trump’s tax cut bill will increase the national debt by trillions of additional dollars. Trump opted out of the Paris climate agreement, he rescinded the Iran Nuclear Treaty, and he imposed tariffs on our economic allies. Trump admires authoritarian dictators in Russia and China. So yes, I am proud to speak out against the fascist U.S. President named Donald Trump!
Does anyone take this guy seriously?
If a Liberal doesn’t like it then it’s hate speech
If you’re really in favor of free speech, then you’re in favor of freedom of speech for precisely the views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favor of free speech.
Cool, Vets deserve it,and so to all those sixty pittsfied draft dodgers, you know who you are?
Check out http://www.promiseskept.com for a list of all of President Trump’s accomplishments. It’s an extensive list.
It is amazing how one can affect a mind with simple smoke and mirrors. When I was four years old I thought Bugs Bunny was real but at some point I grew up and was able to tell fact from fiction. Not everyone evolved as myself.
What kind of Health Insurance do you have and how much do you pay.If its fed,state,or city then your good.How much extra cash is in your wallet?
Trump helped the well off…not so much lesser haves. Higher gas, heating oil and consumer products will eat any benefit ehy may have gotten and take a chunk of what you were able to keep before.
Smoke and mirrors and they know that by now most people have it figured out and are not even going to talk about it going into the fall elections…
I always enjoy a good Trump read, like him taking credit for an Obama era program to fix the VA. This just in, Trump proclaims he won WWII for the allies and discovered water is wet. Join us next for the FOX News panel…..
He’s getting a Nobel Peace Prize ya know. And if they don’t give him one he will have one made up in the White House wood shop, but he is gonna get one one way or another.
Jonathan, boy oh boy you really do see monsters behind every tree.
Masimiano was a teacher and then he became a political hack and got a good courthouse probation job,imagine that.Court jobs are awesome.
Roseannes comments no matter how you read it does not in anyway sound like she was trying to be funny,more like she was trying to insult at the very least.
Sneeze a tired woman. Who knows,she was probably stoned when she spoke, or on something.
Ever watch Amos & Andy? – reruns are on YouTube – entertaining and no one seems offended
A great show … and a funny one.
Let’s circumcise our watches before we start
Dusty asked me if supporting free speech means that I’m OK now with what Samantha Bee said. No, I still think it was wrong and nasty. Also, the hypocrisy of Rosanne saying something on her own free time and being fired while Samantha Bee made her scripted remarks on company time. One is fired while the other is honored. I can just imagine Turner Broadcasting telling Bee not to worry. We will protect you even in this climate of sensitivity and respect toward women. You can say this because we have your back. Bee deserves to be criticized for those remarks even though I do believe in free speech. Not firing her, but certainly she should be called out for going too far.
Supporting free speech doesn’t mean we should all go whacky and foul-mouthed and say anything that comes to mind no matter how disgusting. It’s called having common decency and living in a civilized society, but firing people for what is said on their free time is bad in my opinion and does violate free speech.
I hope the Donald does not see your post Pat. He totally does not live by that creed. He said he wanted to do away with political correctness but I guess he just meant for himself huh?
and why do you want Miss Bee fired and not Scott Pruitt who is under investigation for about 12 fraud thingys? OH, I Know…he is Donalds friend.
I don’t necessarily want her fired, but just to rein it in although not fair Rosanne is fired when Bee isn’t. People SHOULD stop listening to Bee if she continues to use such disgusting terms. We know it is not joking. It’s personal because she even admitted she isn’t making a joke about Ivanka. Bee made her attack very personal because it was politically motivated. Where was Bee and other liberals when Obama was doing the same thing with separating illegal immigrant children from parents and putting them in cages? We have seen the pictures of children in cages from 2014.
Ok Pat ,Roseanne should keep working.I can take the comedy of her statementwhich as the planet says was a funny joke.I think she should continue with this on stage …progressives wont go but you conservatives are in the majority and the country needs a few laughs
I would NOT be OK with Roseanne saying that stuff in a stage act and I think people would rightfully complain and stop going to her shows, but if she says it on her own time, that’s her business. It’s wrong and terrible, but that is free speech.
So yeah I guess being a racist on your own time is OK.
So can you call someone a feckless cunt on your own time or does that cross a line?
Dusty you have called President Trump some not so nice words on this site so…..but in a work situation everyone can’t go around saying whatever they want. We can’t go around rounding up people for being racist. People will just not want to associate with them.
She like Trump know darn well how big their audience is.I suppose you think the pardond Trump is giving is not to send a message that he can and will pardon anyone he wants and that includes himself.We will find out if this President and all his friends are above the law.I know you belive he is and you will allow him god ststus….that is America u der regression
Jonathan, why don’t you take a page out of Gaetani’s play book and confront Lucy with your personal attacks, Gaetani isn’t afraid of these impostors and old Massimiano or Nuciforo don’t look like could do anything to you?
So whatever happened to manners & civility in this country? It’s become a free-for-all, say what you think regardless of its impact on the person to who it is directed, all in the name of free speech.
Hillary,Chelsea, Michelle, and Barrack set regressives to bully school taught by the great regressives of am talk radio
Do you have any idea how stupid you come across?
Jong is locked and loaded. Beware of this Man.
But Trump goes around saying what he wants at work Pat. Talk to Jeff Sessions for one.
Trump is to receive the Noble Piece of Ass prize.
Pompeo is a big turd.
Philadelphia mayor and his Chief of Staff dancing around the office because they are a Sanctuary City for illegal immigrants and a judge ruled that President Trump can’t cut off grants to their city. Why don’t these liberal politicians get this excited over solving problems for law abiding Americans?
In fact if liberals worried as much about all of the problems facing law abiding Americans as they do about illegal immigrants, this would be a much better country to live in for everyone.
Pat do you think you would recognize a liberal if you seen one in a super market or bank? What do they look like? Should they have their parental rights revoked? Should they be allowed to drive on the same roads as you? Attend the same churches?
What would you do if you found out at the last minute that the doctor who was about to give your child a heart transplant was a goddamn liberal? Would you shut it down?
You act like anyone who does not have the same political leanings as you belongs in a leper colony. Should there not be some middle ground in politics?
Amen, Pat!
Only in a Palookaville budget goes up over a million, and headline reads council cuts 15 grandor your home goes down from trulia or realtor.com And the City assesses it higher.
Health Baoard is citing violatators of high grass, about time.
Over the past couple of weeks I took a couple of trips back in time; as far back as 1930 and watched the “Our Gang/Little Rascals” series and “Amos & Andy.” Some could say they are “racist” but it didn’t disparage other races; it simply played people as they were, black, white or whatever. I watched the “3 Stooges” and their war time views of Italian, Japanese and German leaders WAS rather racist, but who cared, they were the enemy! “Popeye the Sailor” was racist as hell! So were U.S. Gov’t publications concerning conscription and keeping secrets!
Fast forward to “Blazing Saddles,” “History of the World” & “Spaceballs” by the Jewish wit Mel Brookes. Blockbusters!!
Then on to George Carlin, Richard Pryor and the irrevrant Sam Kinison; WTH?
There are Puerto Rican, Mexican and Black comedians today making jokes of EVERYBODY!
Why in hell are somegroups picking upon certain people for being racist? Because it’s NEWS and NEWS sells!
I am not offended by Jew jokes, Italian, Irish or Polish jokes. I have been the butt of and the provacateur of MANY an ethnic jokes and I’m damn proud of it!
And NO, I am not a racist or homophobe; I am a rational human being!
How can they Insult you, your a ghost?
Dan is the best!