Bill Maher’s post-debate show
Thank you Ralph Nader!
Ralph made many insightful, right-on comments during this show, but I want to thank him in particular for calling Bill Maher out for making sexist comments about Sarah Palin. Sure, Sarah Palin isn’t a good vice presidential candidate, but does that make her a bimbo?
Bill responded to Ralph’s schooling by saying that George Bush is a “bimbo with a penis.” Even “liberal” Bill Maher doesn’t seem to understand the power that prejudice gives to words, and that words like bimbo carry specific and damaging weight because they are part of a patriarchal tool kit.
In the comments section for this clip on YouTube, one commenter called Ralph “arrogant.” Another wrote “that fat woman lisa – she seemed extremely nervous…” This commenter must not listen to Ralph or understand the power of words either. Why does Ralph get to be called arrogant, but Lisa Schiffren of the National Review Online is called fat? And Sarah Palin is called a bimbo?
To clarify, I don’t think anyone should start making fun of Ralph Nader’s appearance. I do think we should all take the time to criticize people for what really bothers us – their politics, inexperience, nervousness, whatever it may be.
What I fear is that when it comes to women, many people really hate the fatness or bimbo-quality most of all.
Filed under: television on September 27th, 2008 by Anna Lisa
I totally agree. I am so sick of hearing about Sarah Palin in this way. I don’t agree with her politics at all and I honestly don’t believe that she is the caliber of person that I would choose as a potential president, HOWEVER she is still a human being and still entitled to be treated with dignity. I can be disgusted with someone’s views, I can argue with and disagree without hope for a resolution and I can totally dislike a person for no reason… and still treat them humanely and I feel like she has been shredded by the media. I am also of the opinion that if she were a man, this circus wouldn’t be happening in the first place.
Maher is kind of hit-and-miss. Sometimes I really love him, sometimes I really hate him.
While I’m commenting, when is thefeministreview going to really comment on Palin’s nomination? Is this a victory for feminism or a step back? I’m curious!
thanks for your thoughts, Melissa!
i am quite tempted to comment on things like Palin’s nomination, and other current events, but i’ve learned that blogging is more successful with a specific, narrow focus:-)
so i’ve narrowed it to reviews of consumable media items: books, movies, even conferences. this helps me stay in line, and resist the urge to blog every time i’m frustrated with a conversation or news item.
do you think this is a reasonable distinction? anything you’d like to review for the site?
Palin provides so much fodder for her own demise as a politician, that fact that Maher has to be sexist to make a joke of her, simply shows the level of his misogyny. Newsflash! It’s possible to be a liberal and still hate women. Just ask Alex Baldwin.
And then what about a guy on the Diane Rehm Show last Friday (10/24) referring to Palin having appeal because she’s attractive? When Diane called him out, he hastily added that John Edwards also had appeal because he’s attractive.
I’m so glad I rarely watch TV and mostly just listen to the radio; it helps me stay away from being affected by appearances.