More Political Ranting.

I generally try to keep out of current events and dramatic news because I get too worked up about how fucked up everything is, how stupid most Americans are, and how horrible the media is in general.  That said, I also feel the need to share my holy opinion sometimes (see previous post).  It's my duty as an American to blather on about how right I am.  Even better if it's in a blog, right?

SO- I've come to discover (through a friend on Facebook- my news source) that Sarah Palin Tweets.  I've also come to learn that "Dr. Laura" Schlessinger chose to step down from her job as ranting radio bigot.  Awesome!  It's about time!  Apparently Ms. Palin is very worked up about Dr. Laura's retirement, and that has a lot of people up in arms.  I did a little research and found the audio clip of Dr. Laura using the word "nigger" repeatedly while talking to a lady who called in to complain about how she (an African American) is tired of her husband's (he's white) brother making racist comments.  This is what got Dr. Laura in trouble and led to her choice to "retire":  She said "nigger" on the radio (11 times) and people were outraged, sponsors pulled their support of her show, and she chose not to renew her contract when it expires.  Now, before I heard the actual sound clip, I was outraged too.  Especially after reading my friend's intro to the article:

So Dr. Laura goes off on a racist rant calling an African-American woman the N word over and over, loses her sponsors and leaves her radio show, and what is Sarah Palin's advice to her? "Don't retreat...reload!" Once again, Sarah Palin shows that she won't "refudiate" racist comments, and she supports the racists who make them.

If someone is calling someone else a "nigger" on a syndicated radio show, I agree that s/he should be censured.  Dr. Laura didn't call anyone a "nigger".  She merely said the word, repeatedly, to make her point that "black people" use the word a lot with each other; in comedy acts, and in general. An irrelevant point, really, but not the same as calling someone a "nigger".

Anyways, I really like what I wrote in a comment on the thread following my friend's outraged post complaining about how awful Palin and Schlessinger are (with a link to an article about the issue), so I'm copying it here (I'm so in love with myself):


Now believe me, I do not have any love for Ms. Palin or Dr. Laura, both of whom I think are shallow misogynistic racist bigots who scare me a little with their power over others' minds. HOWEVER, I listened to the clip of the "offensive" language, and I have to say that I don't think that Dr. Laura should get in trouble for saying nigger in that context. She wasn't calling anyone a nigger. She said that "black people" use the word nigger all the time. It's true. Lots of people use the word a lot. The clip did do a fine job of highlighting Dr. Laura's inherent racism and defense of it, but every word she utters on her show does that. She's a known bigot and has been for YEARS. I'm glad she's stepping down, but sad that now she'll be a martyr for bigots to wave around as someone who got skewered unjustly.


Indeed.

Thank you for your time.