Colbert responds to #FireColbert backlash: ‘I would do it again’

24 posts / 0 new

Thu, 2017-05-04 17:59

Mr. Magoo

I like Colbert a lot. And he can insult Trump for the next 3.5 years, at least, as far as I'm concerned.

But I can't be happy about his homophobic/sexist choice of schoolyard taunt. Will we ever get past the idea that the ultimate example of un-manliness and lack of spine is some kind of homosexual behaviour? Is there still no better way to express contempt for someone than to suggest that they're "bending over" for someone or "giving them a reach-around", or (as in this case) to suggest that they're fellating them?

Thu, 2017-05-04 18:13

kropotkin1951

How did this joke get written and then not get scrubbed by someone on his team. Its unacceptable but not surprising.

Thu, 2017-05-04 18:31

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
How did this joke get written and then not get scrubbed by someone on his team.

Ya, I agree. But sadly we both seem to agree with -- Geez! -- Karl Rove who pointed out that this was a scripted joke, not an ad lib.

Thu, 2017-05-04 22:51

6079_Smith_W

Probably not the best choice of words. On the other hand, it is just a slightly more graphic version of a lot of slang that no one thinks twice about.

No one is concerned about a reference to someone being fucked or screwed by someone in power. And bending over isn't that shocking to most people either. And while this one can be taken as homophobic, it isn't actually specifically so, and I bet there would have been just as many if not more complaints if it was in reference to a woman.

Really, the unfortunate and predictable cliche is that the symbol of power is some guy's cock.

...or not. I presume some here have seen that cartoon of Bannon using Trump for a leather pony ride. I didn't hear any complaints about that one.

Thu, 2017-05-04 23:08

(Reply to #4) #5

kropotkin1951

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Really, the unfortunate and predictable cliche is that the symbol of power is some guy's cock.

Thu, 2017-05-04 23:18

6079_Smith_W

Exactly.

Though one of the most surprisingly graphic cartoons I have ever seen was one which went against that stereotype - Perrin Beatty as an infant, with a missile that had an anatomically correct (and rather grotesque) dripping nipple on the end of it.

Fri, 2017-05-05 19:04

6079_Smith_W

Guess it was the right joke after all:

http://occupydemocrats.com/2017/05/05/trump-just-launched-investigation-...

Fri, 2017-05-05 19:39

Mr. Magoo

Huh. Lèse majesté.

Tue, 2017-05-09 16:45

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Fucking dictator king idiot. Has every American fallen asleep? This fuckface and his crew of minions and sycopants are waging war against the 1st Ammendment and no one seems to give a damn. Not much use for your 2nd Ammendment when you no longer live in a free society.

This motherfucker is seriously unfit to govern. What's the deal 'Murica? I thought you hated strong-man dictatorships. You're a bunch of fucking idiots ruled by the biggest idiot on the planet.

I'm glad Colbert said what he said and I hope he keeps it up. That country needs to wake the fuck up.

Wed, 2017-05-10 10:01

#10

6079_Smith_W

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/09/stephen-colbert-ho...

Wed, 2017-05-10 14:48

#11

Mobo2000

I find the whole schoolyard taunting and tough talk from the Stephen Colbert/Samantha Bee/Bill Maher/SNL crowd somewhat disgusting. The "cockholster" comment was particularly bad. Samantha Bee is entirely unwatchable.

Talking about Trump's personality and mannerisms distracts from more important subjects. And quite possibly actually drives up support for Trump among politically unmotivated people, who expect the president to be treated with some degree of respect.

But outrage is addictive, and gets clicks. Colbert won't go broke preaching to his own choir.

As an aside, last night Colbert announced the firing of Comey to his audience and they cheered.

Wed, 2017-05-10 16:17

(Reply to #11) #12

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

6079_Smith_W wrote:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/09/stephen-colbert-ho...

I enjoyed that article,thanks.

The fact that these right wing knuckle dragging mouth breathing troglodytes are in an uproar screaming homophobia is as cynical and repulsive as it gets . Well,next to the uproar against Jimmy Kimmel relating his sad personal story just to be called an 'elitist' (a word those on the right have no clue what means) and that 'I shouldn't have to pay for your damn children' Keep it classy you selfish cold pricks.

I have no problem with Colbert's joke (and that's what it was -- a fucking joke) I thought it was a little funny.

Oh well,I guess not as funny as Repugnicans screaming homophobia...That's classic comedy.

Thu, 2017-05-11 00:02

#13

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
I have no problem with Colbert's joke (and that's what it was -- a fucking joke) I thought it was a little funny.

What was the part that was funny (even if it was just a little)?

Because I have no problem with Colbert INSULTING Trump. But gay fellatio as a synonym for weakness is not, in and of itself, witty (to me).

But if it's witty to you, can you break it down for us?

And really, if I posted here that the only thing YOUR mouth is good for is being the paperboy's cock holster, would you agree that I'd made a funny joke? Would you regard it as clever in some way, or witty in some way? Because I'd think a funny joke would be funny no matter who it was about, wouldn't it?

Thu, 2017-05-11 01:17

#14

6079_Smith_W

Not exactly.

The point of this political joke Magoo, is that the person being ridiculed is deserving of the honour. Don't know about you, but I'd say it is a fair satirical framing of Trump's relation to Putin. If someone doesn't get it I don't think dissection is going to help.

Thu, 2017-05-11 11:07

#15

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
The point of this political joke Magoo, is that the person being ridiculed is deserving of the honour.

I agree. I said so in my first post. Insult Trump all you want.

I'm not protesting someone hurting The Donald's feelings, I'm protesting the need to insult gays at the same time. Gay sex isn't the only way to suggest that someone is subservient or weak. Just like you can suggest someone isn't so smart without having to ever mention "the short bus".

Quote:
If someone doesn't get it I don't think dissection is going to help.

I'm beginning to agree.

Thu, 2017-05-11 11:53

#16

6079_Smith_W

Obviously I am not calling you or anyone else a Trump supporter because you are offended by it; it is a matter of personal sensibility. But there is definitely some difference of opinion about that.

http://www.advocate.com/media/2017/5/03/its-trump-supporters-who-are-cal...

If the graphic nature of it offends, I suppose he could have also said Trump was as subtle about being on the metaphorical downlow as he is about being president, but then it might not be quite so clear who's boss.

And of course no one would ever think about making a joke questioning Vladimir Putin's heterosexuality. Not any more, anyway. Can't imagine why anyone would question it in the first place.

http://www.politico.eu/article/russia-bans-image-of-vladimir-putin-in-ma...

I'd have thought they'd go for the Tom of Finland treatment myself. That is kind of more his thing, and hits a bit closer to home.

Thu, 2017-05-11 11:50

#17

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Obviously I am not calling you or anyone else a Trump supporter because you are offended by it

Thanks for that. I would hope, at this point, it's clear that the fact that it was directed at Trump is exactly 0% of why I think it was offensive.

Let's switch Trump out for someone else who's unliked.

Christy clark has the penis of Big Business in her mouth, and she's furiously licking the tip hoping for a reward.

Was that offensive in any way? I hope not, because that's about the only possible way to suggest that a politician is too cozy with the financial sector.

Thu, 2017-05-11 12:02

#18

6079_Smith_W

Well what that illustrates is what I said upthread: that this is not a specifically homophobic reference, though it could be depending on the context.

I'd suggest that the bigger issue is where people stand on the coarse, graphic nature of it. I regularly see comments on FB calling out some anti-gay republican or right wing Christian who has been arrested in a bathroom for being a closeted cocksucker. The comments are generally not made by my straight friends.

For that matter, there is still difference of opinion around words like "queer" and "faggot".

So is it their word and their slur to make, and straights can't touch it?

I'd say that is an open question and a matter of context. But I think the giant LGBT protests in front of Colbert's studio might be an indication of where this incident lies on that spectrum.

Thu, 2017-05-11 15:45

(Reply to #18) #19

Ken Burch

Mr. Magoo wrote:

Huh. Lèse majesté.

Which was apparently a major problem in 18th Century Britain, judging from this warning poster:

Thu, 2017-05-11 17:23

#20

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Well what that illustrates is what I said upthread: that this is not a specifically homophobic reference, though it could be depending on the context.

True enough. It can either make fun of a person for being like a homosexual, or make fun of them for being like a woman. Fellatio is a shameful, submissive, unmasculine thing either way, I guess.

Quote:
So is it their word and their slur to make, and straights can't touch it?

That might not be a bad policy. I can think of another word that might be an even bigger issue... and it also rhymes with "bigger".

Anyway, maybe Colbert will free us of all this political correctness by making some mental health jokes and some cognitive delay jokes and suchlike, so we can go back to calling each other schizophrenic retards like in the olden days. Jokingly, of course.

Sat, 2017-05-13 09:24

(Reply to #20) #21

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Mr. Magoo wrote:

What was the part that was funny (even if it was just a little)?

Because I have no problem with Colbert INSULTING Trump. But gay fellatio as a synonym for weakness is not, in and of itself, witty (to me).

But if it's witty to you, can you break it down for us?

And really, if I posted here that the only thing YOUR mouth is good for is being the paperboy's cock holster, would you agree that I'd made a funny joke? Would you regard it as clever in some way, or witty in some way? Because I'd think a funny joke would be funny no matter who it was about, wouldn't it?

The thing is,Magoo..If someone called me a cocksucker in jest or insult,I wouldn't be outraged. What would there be to get offended. I know I'm not,so who cares. And if I was a cocksucker,I'd wonder aloud 'What's your point?'

But let me flip the script. If someone called me a pussy eating clit licker as an insult I'd find that very amusing because my answer would be, 'And?'

Tell me,is it progressive dogma to take offense and be outraged by literally everything? It certainly does not help our cause.

Lighten up. He insulted the 21st Century Nixon (which is an understatement) I could give a fuck how he frames it.

Sat, 2017-05-13 08:14

#22

6079_Smith_W

Nicely done.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/05/11...

Sat, 2017-05-13 13:05

#23

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
The thing is,Magoo..If someone called me a cocksucker in jest or insult,I wouldn't be outraged. What would there be to get offended. I know I'm not,so who cares. And if I was a cocksucker,I'd wonder aloud 'What's your point?'

And if someone called me a "stupid ni**er!" I wouldn't be PERSONALLY offended, for myself, because I'm not even black! LOL!

Except I would be offended that that person still thinks it's a funny and socially acceptable insult to call someone a "ni**er" in Canada in 2017.

And with that, I think I may have officially run out of ways to try to explain that it's not about Trump or his feelings or whether he deserves insults. It's about using homosexuality AS THE INSULT.

Sat, 2017-05-13 15:36

#24

6079_Smith_W

As I said, assuming a that all fellatio jokes are gay slurs, that explanation would go better if it were backed up by LGBT groups calling Colbert out.

Or who knows, maybe he also deserves to have the NAACP or BLM after him for that Brer Rabbit joke.

Or Not.