Maher: Obama should ‘act like real black president,’ ‘have gun in his pants’

IRHari

IRHari

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http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0531/maher-obama-gun-pants-bp/

In a segment during his Real Time HBO program Friday, HBO's Bill Maher accused President Barack Obama of not acting like a "real black president" because he didn't "have a gun in his pants" when meeting with the CEO of oil giant BP, which is accused of being unprepared for the massive oil spill in the Gulf.
"I thought when we elected a black president, we were going to get a black president," Maher declared. "You know, this [BP oil spill] is where I want a real black president. I want him in a meeting with the BP CEOs, you know, where he lifts up his shirt where you can see the gun in his pants. That's -- 'we've got a motherfucking problem here?' Shoot somebody in the foot."
"Haw haw, all black people have guns," replied the popular blog Gawker. "Huh? The most offensive thing about this is that we can think of at least a half-dozen black stereotypes that would be much funnier as premises for this hacky joke."
The website Hip-Hop Wired asked readers if they thought the joke was racist, and got mixed replies.
"Of course it's racist," one commenter remarked. "He's basically implying that all black people walk around with guns in their over sized pants and say things 'we got a problem mother*****er?'
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I only quoted part of the article. Thoughts?
 
Pretty stupid and racist thing to say. I'm pretty sure Bill Maher has said a lot of stupid things though, so I dunno if it's really surprising.
 
It's a joke, he's a comedian. Was it a good joke? Maybe not, but it wasn't any more racist than anything you'd hear on an HBO comedy special. I think Cornel West was on that episode, he wouldn't have hesitated to call Maher out if he thought it was a racist comment.
 
Does a comedian get a pass if he was trying to be funny and we generally agree with his political opinions?

Put those words in Glenn Beck's mouth, then tell me what you think. Funny or not Glenn Beck uses comedy in his show. I used to listen to him before he went AWOL.
 
[quote name='xxDOYLExx']
Put those words in Glenn Beck's mouth, then tell me what you think. Funny or not Glenn Beck uses comedy in his show. I used to listen to him before he went AWOL.[/QUOTE]

But Glenn Beck positions himself as a serious pundit, and unfortunately is viewed that way by a great many people.

Bill Maher is a comedian, and part of his appeal is that he is not afraid to say sometimes controversial things. It was clearly a joke, and is certainly in keeping with his sense of humor. I like his show, and I've heard him say plenty of things more offensive than this.

Again, we're talking about Bill Maher here.
 
Huh? The most offensive thing about this is that we can think of at least a half-dozen black stereotypes that would be much funnier as premises for this hacky joke."
Click to expand...

i agree with this.

[quote name='xxDOYLExx']Does a comedian get a pass if he was trying to be funny and we generally agree with his political opinions?

[/QUOTE]

comedians get a pass because theyre comedians. but it probably doesnt hurt that maher is a well known lefty.
 
Beck did a tour across America in '09 doing a show called "The Common Sense Comedy Tour" He started his career as a a FM (boy, they sure are a hoot!) radio personality.

Again I am not trying to vilify Maher or Beck. I think they both have said racist things.

I also happen to believe that 99.9% of the worlds population is racist.

I would just appreciate some consistency.
 
[quote name='xxDOYLExx']
I also happen to believe that 99.9% of the worlds population is racist.
[/QUOTE]

Sad but probably true.
 
I don't think the vast majority of the world is racist. If you just mean that they think people of other races are somehow different because of only their race then maybe (though probably not 99.9%), but that people of other races are necessarily inferior to people of their own race then no.

Race itself is a relatively modern concept anyway.

But in any case a person can say a racist joke while not themselves being racist in any significant way. It's just not the best indicator that one isn't racist of course.
 
[quote name='SpazX']I don't think the vast majority of the world is racist. If you just mean that they think people of other races are somehow different because of only their race then maybe (though probably not 99.9%), but that people of other races are necessarily inferior to people of their own race then no.

Race itself is a relatively modern concept anyway.

But in any case a person can say a racist joke while not themselves being racist in any significant way. It's just not the best indicator that one isn't racist of course.[/QUOTE]

This is pretty much what I mean.

I would also add that I believe that any preoccupation with race makes someone a racist. Whether it is well intentioned or not. Just like people who aggressively persecute homosexuals. It's amazing how many (in closet) gay politicians have sponsored laws that deny the rights of gay people.
 
Well you'd have to define what "preoccupation with race" means. That could mean that somebody who studies race academically would be a racist, or with a looser definition of preoccupation even that anybody who notices or points out anybody's race for any reason is racist, which would stretch the meaning of the word out so much that it isn't very useful.

Even the first definition I put out is a little too loose.
 
I believe that the majority of Americans are racist so yes that would include the people that study race academically.

If you can look at another person that is not the same race as you and not even notice the difference and not alter your behavior despite the difference, then you are not a racist.

Of course not all racist behavior is equal.
 
"He's basically implying that all black people walk around with guns in their over sized pants and say things 'we got a problem mother*****er?'

lol
 
So how is that a useful definition of racism? Only blind people could possibly not be racist. Racism would generally entail a prejudice based on race at the very least, simply noticing race is unavoidable unless you literally can't see someone.
 
Uhh, being color blind is not a requirement of not being racist. People like Michael Eric Dyson (another frequent Maher guest) would say that is exactly the wrong way to think about race. If you have to ignore someone's race just to tolerate them then that is the racist behavior, not noticing that they are different from you.

We should be able to recognize differences and not allow them to come between people living peacefully.
 
Wouldn't noticing someone as being a different race than you involve some sort of prejudice?

I don't think it is useful at all to concentrate on the difference. I think it is more useful to admit and respect that differences exist, then build on common strengths.
 
Prejudice means to pre-judge. You can see differences without judging anyone. No one is saying you should concentrate on differences either.

I still don't get the issue, Maher is a comedian first and foremost. Chris Rock had a show on HBO for a while where he also interviewed people, but would anyone call him anything but a comedian? I mean Maher actively tours as a comedian doing stand up.

Beck may try to be funny, but he isn't a comedian.
 
maybe my understanding of the term racist is wrong. I just base my understanding of the word on how it is used by people I speak with.

Not that I care, but I have already pointed out that Beck has toured as a comedian.

If Chris rock said it, this wouldn't be an issue at all. It's an issue because Maher is white.

Are you telling me that you can recognize differences without making judgement?
 
Not that I care, but I have already pointed out that Beck has toured as a comedian.

If Chris rock said it, this wouldn't be an issue at all.
 
Simply touring as a comedian doesn't make you a comedian. I can't even begin to imagine what Beck's comedy would even be like. Maher has been doing comedy for decades and it is still his primary profession.

It's different when you're basically making fun of your own people. Take Bill Hicks, the guy made fun of people from the south constantly, but he was from the south himself. Jokes about one's own race, nationality etc. aren't seen as being mean spirited I suppose, if they were you'd be insulting yourself basically.
 
I just don't understand why liberals seem to get a free pass when it comes to making jokes. It was the same thing with Al Franken in his pre-senate days. When he exaggerates or passes lies and half truths as fact, well he was really just joking, you are the one who is wrong for taking him seriously. God forbid however that Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity use hyperbole or stretch the truth a bit, well they're racist liars who do nothing but bloviate and make stuff up. Double standard maybe?
 
This story is kind of boring (typical) unless we play a game and pretend that someone else..... oh, maybe ...Rush Limbaugh said this.

I wager front page of CNN. Anyone want to raise?
 
I think the difference might be your view on PBObama. If you agree with him on most things, then making a racial joke at his expense will probably be not be analyzed as something racist.

On the other hand, if you disagree with him for generic hypocritical reasons and you make a racial joke at his expense...well it's going to look like you don't even disagree with him enprinciple, but merely because he's a black man.

Oh and I this is just my analysis of why people don't think this is a huge deal. fuck you guys for thinking I endorse either view.
 
[quote name='IRHari']I think the difference might be your view on PBObama. If you agree with him on most things, then making a racial joke at his expense will probably be not be analyzed as something racist.

On the other hand, if you disagree with him for generic hypocritical reasons and you make a racial joke at his expense...well it's going to look like you don't even disagree with him enprinciple, but merely because he's a black man.

Oh and I this is just my analysis of why people don't think this is a huge deal. fuck you guys for thinking I endorse either view.[/QUOTE]

Damn.....anyway for the record nothing I have said in this thread had anything to do with you or your opinion on the matter. You never even gave an opinion until now.
 
[quote name='spmahn']I just don't understand why liberals seem to get a free pass when it comes to making jokes. It was the same thing with Al Franken in his pre-senate days. When he exaggerates or passes lies and half truths as fact, well he was really just joking, you are the one who is wrong for taking him seriously. God forbid however that Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity use hyperbole or stretch the truth a bit, well they're racist liars who do nothing but bloviate and make stuff up. Double standard maybe?[/QUOTE]

Serious pundits on news stations vs comedians on cable

Here's the difference between the two and why it isn't a double standard.

Comedians are going for the joke, if they can get their point of view in it...even better, but, at the end of the day, it is all about the joke.
Serious pundits are trying to hide outrageous things behind "humor" that way if anybody actually questions them about whatever dumbfuck thing they said, they can go "hey I was just making a joke come on go get a funny bone" to the people questioning them while ;)'in at their fanbase who is taking them at 100% face-value.

That's the difference between The Daily Show/Real Time With Bill Maher and The O'Reilly Factor/Glenn Beck. If Daily Show was on CNN and Bill Maher was on MSNBC, you might have more of a leg to stand on. As is though they are worlds apart.
 
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If CNN and MSNBC were serious news outlets, then you might have a leg to stand on.

For people that are not to be taken seriously, Maher and Stewart sure get quoted a lot here.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']Serious pundits on news stations vs comedians on cable

Here's the difference between the two and why it isn't a double standard.

Comedians are going for the joke, if they can get their point of view in it...even better, but, at the end of the day, it is all about the joke.
Serious pundits are trying to hide outrageous things behind "humor" that way if anybody actually questions them about whatever dumbfuck thing they said, they can go "hey I was just making a joke come on go get a funny bone" to the people questioning them while ;)'in at their fanbase who is taking them at 100% face-value.

That's the difference between The Daily Show/Real Time With Bill Maher and The O'Reilly Factor/Glenn Beck. If Daily Show was on CNN and Bill Maher was on MSNBC, you might have more of a leg to stand on. As is though they are worlds apart.[/QUOTE]

But the problem is, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Maher, Stewart, Franken, and others claim to be serious pundits when it's convenient for them to do so, but then hide behind the veneer of comedy when they get called out on their bullshit. Many of these guys have written legitimate books, had legitimate television or radio shows, or made appearances on other peoples legitimate shows and present themselves as serious pundits when doing so. You can't have it both ways, but many of these guys seem to think they can, it's been going on for years, but no one in the media ever seems to call them out on it. God forbid however that Bill O'Reilly is misquoted or something Rush Limbaugh says is taken out of context, well then all of a sudden it's headline news.
 
[quote name='xxDOYLExx']If CNN and MSNBC were serious news outlets, then you might have a leg to stand on.

For people that are not to be taken seriously, Maher and Stewart sure get quoted a lot here.

Is Greg Gutfeld a pundit because he has a show on Fox news?[/QUOTE]

1) lol
2) I don't get what you mean. Maher and Stewart are stand up comedians. Their shows are meant to be funny first and informative (if possible) afterwards. If they weren't funny, they wouldn't have near the audience they have today. Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity are all serious pundits on a major news network. You really don't see the difference between the two categories?

Take Glenn Beck on the "Freedom Flotilla"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593963,00.html

There's no jokes, nothing funny about what he is saying, just ranting.

Now compare that to Jon Stewart making fun of Beck for what he said on the "Freedom Flotilla"

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-3-2010/glenn-beck-airs-israeli-raid-footage

You may not find it funny but it is based in comedy.

3) I've never watched Red Eye so I can't say either way.

[quote name='spmahn']But the problem is, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Maher, Stewart, Franken, and others claim to be serious pundits when it's convenient for them to do so, but then hide behind the veneer of comedy when they get called out on their bullshit. Many of these guys have written legitimate books, had legitimate television or radio shows, or made appearances on other peoples legitimate shows and present themselves as serious pundits when doing so. You can't have it both ways, but many of these guys seem to think they can, it's been going on for years, but no one in the media ever seems to call them out on it. God forbid however that Bill O'Reilly is misquoted or something Rush Limbaugh says is taken out of context, well then all of a sudden it's headline news.[/QUOTE]

Examples?

(I don't know why you are lumping Franken in with Maher and Stewart. He actually went comedian -> pundit -> US Senator. And if you think he could still say the same things as Maher/Stewart, you are highly mistaken)
 
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[quote name='IRHari']lol he deleted the Greg Gutfeld reference[/QUOTE]

so what? I deleted it to avoid the inevitable Fox news fallout. Point still stands. It was also deleted before his post was made.

I don't know who that is so I don't know why you did it. Funny that someone else responded to it quickly before you could delete it.
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funny how, you mean like a clown?


@sporadic, we can argue whether or not Beck gets to be considered a comedian at a later time. I have no issue with the others that have been mentioned.

Just so I understand correctly. Its okay to perpetuate negative racial stereotypes as long as you are on record of supporting the person/race in question and you were trying to be funny. However, if you were trying to be funny you better be able to provide sufficient proof that you are a comedian. Is this correct?
 
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I don't know who that is so I don't know why you did it. Funny that someone else responded to it quickly before you could delete it.
 
Someone better send out notice, comedians can no longer make racial jokes. There goes the careers of half the comedians in the country.

And if a comedian appears on a pundit show, it's because the hosts want them to be serious while on the show, even that doesn't always happen.

Here you see that tucker "dick in a bow tie" carlson is treating stewart like some kind of clown, when he's actually trying to be serious, but carlson won't let him. So he does what he does best, make jokes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmj6JADOZ-8

One of the greatest moments in pundit show history.

Btw, does dennis miller even do comedy any more? All I ever see him on is fox news.
 
I don't think I've heard Stewart make nearly as many racial jokes (if any) as Maher.

It'd be interesting to know what one thinks of the other. I've never seen them do each others shows.
 
Stewart should have Maher on his show, the same way that O'Reilly has Beck on his show, it would be hilarious.
 
Except that if that happened, one would have to not take the other one seriously.

O'Reilly seems to think of Beck as a big joke. He was angry one time and asked him, condescendingly, 'ok BECK whats the conspiracy of the day today?!?!?'

Although O'Reilly is good at echoing Beck's arguments that Obama wants social justice, etc.
 
[quote name='xxDOYLExx']Wouldn't noticing someone as being a different race than you involve some sort of prejudice?

I don't think it is useful at all to concentrate on the difference. I think it is more useful to admit and respect that differences exist, then build on common strengths.[/QUOTE]

I think that is the common misconception of racism. Alot of people would claim ignorance of someones race as the way to go, and yet the same people say those people should celebrate their race. Yet if someone is trying to be ignorant of that persons race, their celebration is just going to run against that ignorance.

So I think the only real way to go is not to pretend races do not exist, but to celebrate each others differences.

But what would I know, Im just one of those white middle aged conservative males who must be racist.
 
[quote name='Msut77']You are middle aged?[/QUOTE]

I guess not yet lol depends on your definition of middle aged, I knew someone would call me on that, but my age is beyond that point.
 
[quote name='Knoell']But what would I know, Im just one of those white middle aged conservative males who must be racist.[/QUOTE]

aw, you poor baby...

128936559532269266.jpg
 
Hey I'm just sticking to your guys profiling that all conservatives are a bunch of big old mean rich racist white guys.
 
[quote name='IRHari']Except that if that happened, one would have to not take the other one seriously.

O'Reilly seems to think of Beck as a big joke. He was angry one time and asked him, condescendingly, 'ok BECK whats the conspiracy of the day today?!?!?'

Although O'Reilly is good at echoing Beck's arguments that Obama wants social justice, etc.[/QUOTE]
Well of course, it would be a mocking of O'Reilly/Beck. Stewart would ask Maher something like "So Bill, how many drugs did you take before the show?" Bill would say something like "Less than Rush Limbaugh."
 
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