The art of going too far
When I was writing a column for the newspaper, I often squirmed and grinned over some of the things I’d written before it made it to the page. Editor bashing, mostly. But there were swipes at city leaders, dumb crooks, mean letter writers and an array of others who seemed to invite scorn or ridicule. I always wondered when I would cross the line stretching thinly between opinion and bad taste. I always wondered which group would rise up and come after me with pitchforks and torches.
As far as I know, it never happened. Maybe that’s because instinctively, I wrote only wrote in the column those things I would state openly at a bar or brothel.
Maybe the predilection for controversy comes with an expanded audience. Get yourself a television or radio show, the intoxication of that success might blur the boundaries of good taste. God knows it happens enough. Jimmy the Greek, Howard Cossell, the Greaseman in DC, the Dixie Chicks, Imus with his sweeping remark on the hair and lifestyle of black, women athletes.
It’s always the same. The comment is uttered or written. Small protest swells like a tide and becomes an uproar. The media hops on board and there you have it: national news to offend an entire population of blacks, Jews, gays, Muslims, soldiers, animals or Texans. The responsible party almost invariably apologizes, offers a feeble explanation and then takes his lumps.
What’s interesting is that those who go about their rants unabashedly seem to survive unscathed, as though the unapologetic tone of their routines provides a magnetic field steering wrath away from them. Michael Richards has one exchange with an audience member and is subjected to the media equivalent of being lynched. Andrew Dice Clay openly and loudly tears into blacks, gays and women and is greeted by titters or mere tsk tsks.
Me, I’m still searching for the line but without the weekly column, few will notice if I skid over it. And anyway, I’m more likely to run into trouble in the fashion of Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly. Vicodin and lewd comments uttered in the dark? Yeah, that’s me all over the place.
April 10th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
As a woman, it does not offend me…I know a joke when I hear one; I truly believe it was never intended to be hurtful. Does anyone have a sense of humor anymore (or even the ability to just say “yikes!”, that was harsh, and then have the ability to move on)? I guess I need a guide telling me what is not ok to say…how sad. I absolutely give the Rutgers girls MUCH credit on focusing on the issue of insinuating promiscuity over race. I think they “get it”, unlike those trying to seek out a reason to make it a racial issue.
Think about whom Imus’ viewers/listeners are for a minute. Do you think he is “hurting the cause” by influencing young children? What about Jay-Z singing “99 problems but a bitch ain’t one”? Again, I would challenge that there are more girls listening to Jay-Z than Imus. All of you out there that so harshly criticize him, (i.e., journalists; slow news day? No Britney to talk about? Ya know, we ARE at war), I’d love to hear how YOU speak behind closed doors. Should that make a difference? Don’t take that out of context you vultures; I do not use the words “ho” and “bitch” at my house. I DO say “fat” though, because I am, I accept the truth and am not offended by it.
I hope everyone realizes how much money the corporation is going to get from the ratings of Imus’ first few days back. I see no consequence for anyone, aside from Imus at the moment, due to this insane coverage and focus on him in this time of fight for life or death to keep our nation safe – for ALL Americans. To make this point clear, I do not support the war, but do support our troops. I simply find it more offensive that we do not do enough to bring these heroes back home or even pay more attention to the fallen soldiers, than I do about what a celebrity has to say.
I stray from my point here. I am tired of this being a race issue and see it as a woman issue, I am not a “ho”. However, I see it as an honest slip of the tongue – call it a loss for a word, an error. As an established 40yr veteran of speech, he apologized and lost two weeks of airtime. I too am sorry if he hurt or offended you. Unfortunately, I now know the limitations of a “freedom” our country fought for. I think Imus was raked over the coals enough.
Next…
April 11th, 2007 at 1:08 am
This is probably too far. Although I did laugh my ass off.
http://leenks.com/link70415.htm
probably NSFW. Not porn, but highly distasteful
April 11th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Hey, Linda, Mark is squirming and grinning. What do you think he’s gotten up to lately?
Mark, you better start practicing “restraint” before those books make you world-famous. Then you’ll have to be very politically correct. Y’hear, boy?
April 11th, 2007 at 2:45 am
Baby on board! Out of control tasteless!
April 11th, 2007 at 2:48 am
Flamette used to make reborners, those very realistic looking baby dolls. Creepily realistic. I thought it would be funny to set one in a baby seat on a car roof and drive off, inspiring panic and horror to witnesses. But you see? That circuit breaker. Somewhere in the fathoms of such twisted ideas resides a mechanism that alerts me when its too much, too over the line, going too far.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:41 am
I’m thinking you are right, Betty — sounds like a man with a guilty conscience.
But I don’t know, doesn’t a bit of sensationalism do an author good in terms of sales? I’m wondering about YOU, Betty — are you as squeaky clean as you seem, or do you have some dark secrets we should snoop out? Like those Toonies of yours, where did you get the idea of creatures coming to life out of your computer? What kinky stuff DOES go on in your corner of sunny California, if you don’t mind me asking? Will we ever know?
April 11th, 2007 at 4:49 am
Most of those were pretty terrifying, Gil, though I did like Darth Vader in the soup kitchen.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Kool and phunny; those pics were nice ! Some are real, some photoshop; all interesting.
The use of the mine-dog against the soviet-era T-34 was interesting. In 1941 during the invasion of Russia, the Soviet Army trained dogs to run under motor vehicles, particularly tanks. They then put an explosive package on the dog with a stick out out the top. The dog would go under the tank and the stick would set-off the explosive. BOOM ! No more doggy, no more German tank !
The Germans quickly wised-up to this, and for a few weeks wound up shooting every dog they saw.
My “adopted dad” was an SS-Officer during the war and told me many interesting stories.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:42 am
And they allowed Nazis on the police force? Why am I not surprised enough?
April 11th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Well, Linda, You seem pretty perky now that you’re getting ready to return from “down under.” But you’re right about sensationalism “selling books.” Perhaps that’s what Mark’s grinning about … but the “squirming?” You’re right; his conscience is probably worrying him to death … but just WHAT did he say? What race or gender did he insult? Hmmmmm …
As for me, what you see is what you get; if you interpret that as “squeaky clean,” then, of course, I am!
Re: Kinky stuff and computers, all I can say is that novelists are trained to use their imaginations, and I have an overactive one. I got the idea for the TOONIES in a completely innocent way. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
Perhaps the TOONIES is why I picture all Mark’s bloggers as cartoon or movie characters. Since I haven’t met any of you, personally, it’s easy to picture Mark as The Shadow (dig that cape!), you as a Power Puff Girl, BD as Calamity Jane or Mae West, TH as Yosemite Sam, Mainetarr as … But I better quit before you and MT tarr-and-feather me off this blog.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Yes, my “adopted dad” was a National Socialist; he doesn’t hide his past and, if anything, is proud of his military service. But after the war he came to the US, became a citizen and was damn proud of it. He was probably a better citizen than many who are born to it. He was a conservative Democrat; a species that is rarely found today.
By imputation that makes me a “nazi” ? Nope; no nazis over here at LPD. Perish the thought. Typical liberal democrat thinking. Must have thought you were over on Daily Kos. Oh well. You’re lucky The Flamer lets you people in here too.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Now the NAACP is calling for Imus’ firing. I kind of wonder what reaction there’d be if he had called a team of hockey players “a bunch of toothless goons.”
April 11th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
And he’s meeting with the basketball players next week. The I-Man is pretty rowdy, but pitted against a group of pissed-off, seven-foot women? Godspeed, Imus. Duck and cover.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
They’ve got nappy hair and tattoos too – Imus is gonna get his ass royally kicked. It’s too bad the circus obscures the olain truth; he said something funny but STUPID. He shoulda known better. His big mistake is puppying the way he’s been doing. Sharpton & Co. can smell weakness a mile away; just like sharks scenting blood in the water. If they can bring down the I-Man they’ll improve their street creds and strike fear into white men everywhere. Now, I don’t particularly like Imus; but he should be castigated only for being STUPID; since I don’t believe he was racist in that comment. Oh well.
Hey Mark, hows your nappy hair; and more importantly, got any new tattoos ?
April 11th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Sorry, but this is one of my pet peeves!
Mr. Laflamme, the title should read
“The Art of Going TOO Far”
not to.
And I’m there not their…
Anyways, could go on for awhile.
Also, I have to say, I do not see Dixie Chicks in that category. They voiced their opinion (political) not racial or religious intolerance. Also, they stuck to their word regardless of the backlash and horrible death threats etc…
Seems like everyone now can say anything they want to then they think an apology or going to rehab will make everything better.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Ha. I never noticed the “to” as opposed to “too”. Thanks for pointing that out, Crystal.
As far as Imus goes, I agree that he shouldn’t have said what he said but, get over it already, Al! I never hear of any white leaders getting upset when other races call white people “whities”….ENOUGH! Al Sharpton needs to get a life.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I noticed the “to” instead of “too,” too, but was going to e-mail Mark about it; that’s the polite way. but you girls saved me the trouble.
Now I don’t mind a little typo (or even an occasional error) in the body of a story, but can’t stand to see it in a headline. But we gotta remember, this is a blog. Since blogs and e-mails are always rapid little firings of words and NOT literary offerings, I think anything goes. Well, almost anything … Anything but calling nappy-haired women, nappy-haired women.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
P.S. I see nothing wrong with “nappy hair.” I find it rather attractive.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
What are you people talking about? There are two O’s in “too” up there. Man, quit drinking.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
i haf nu idee wat there problum iz wit chur speling and gramer. it luks ok tu me.
And by the way, why isnt “Phonics” spelled phonetically?
April 12th, 2007 at 12:29 am
And just how did I know that Mark would sneak in and change that … just when we were having fun? And I was just defending the rb 2.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:30 am
A grammar Haiku from your Friendly Buddhist
A real journalist
Has no time. Deadlines negate
Spellcheck and grammar
“Grammar’s not your Grandma, it’s your grammar”
Grammar Rock
Too much saturday morning cartoons as a kid
April 12th, 2007 at 2:23 am
I always liked Saturday morning cartoons, but they didn’t have them when I was a kid. It was only the Sunday Funnies (newspaper) like L’il Abner and Maggie & Jiggs in those days. So I had my second childhood watching TV cartoons with my kids. Could that be why I like writing kids books?
Anybody remember Dagmar on black-and-white TV?
Go, Gil! You da bomb!
April 12th, 2007 at 6:10 am
If I were a journalist, I’d probably be fired the first day.
I’ve always had a problem saying what I think before thinking of what I was going to say. I’ve gotten better over the years but I still catch myself doing it- it’s hard to teach an ol’ dog new tricks.
But, I do find it hard to picture the Flamer squirming over his stories and restraining himself. The only type of restraint he shows is leather, hand cuffs and whips (sorry, that’s the picture that keeps popping in my head and it’s not pretty) **oh, spank me…please… come on baby, harder**
April 12th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Wow, Crystal, you dodged a bullet there. Usually AO gives me an ass ripping whenever I mention the Dixie Chicks.
On another note, I don’t understand liberals. They get their panty’s in a knot over something stupid like this, yet they support NAMBLA? WTF? Makes no sense. I don’t think Imus should have apologized. And now that he did, everyone should shut up already. What, he’s not entitled to his own opinion? You don’t think it’s offensive when 50 Cent sings about his “niggas”? I don’t hear anyone bitching about that. These morons who are in an uproar over this probably uttered “That wrinkled up nasty white bastard Imus needs to shut up. Let’s call Jesse Jackson. He’ll whip his white ass into shape, real fast!” But that’s ok…It’s not a race thing, it’s about wasting time on stupid shit. How about focusing on real problems? How about working on lowering taxes? Ending the war in Iraq? Dealing with Iran? Helping the poor? Oh hell no, we’d rather spend time watching the Anna Nicole bullshit and anxiously waiting on DNA results. Or giving Imus all this media attention. People are idiots.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:35 am
I pray at the Church of Mainetarr: Amen !!
April 12th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
It’s amazing how quickly these personalities apologize when the heat is on. Few people stand by their opinions if public reaction is loud enough. Sad. Although, in the utterance of “nappy headed hos,” I suppose there’s no principal at stake. Why not mumble an apology and be done with it.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Hey, waddaya know. Imus is going on the offensive. To put his comments in perspective, he compares them to the false accusations lobbed at that Duke University trio a year ago.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Radio personality Don Imus has called out for justice in the Duke Lacrosse scandal, wondering where Rev. Al Sharpton’s apology is for that false accusation.
Imus stated: “My position on all of this is not whining about the hideously hypocritical coverage from the newspapers — from everybody — or the lack of support…”
April 12th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
And also: “We can talk about all the good work that I’ve done forever, but I still said that. I’m not making any excuses. Everybody’s got to stop whining and quit talking about it.”
April 12th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Imus fired. Unbelievable.
April 12th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
‘Bout time, Huh?
April 12th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
No, Dan. I don’t think its “‘Bout time”. I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
April 12th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I’ll say it again: the media is for the most part responsible for deciding who gets crucified and who does not. Damn vultures.
April 12th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Perhaps, AO, however if you’re the one insulted, you’d want him strung up by the balls. Someday you people will learn that insulting people by physical characteristics is wrong. Well, perhaps not.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Well, Dan I don’t think you’ve ever learned that lesson. I seem to remember you calling other bloggers and myself horrible names in the old S/J blogs. Take a look in the mirror, buddy. You’re not as holy as you seem to think you are.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Geezzeee, I am going to have to widen the doors on my house to fit my big fat head through them. Thanks Richie!
We gotta sit down and have a coffee sometime. I’d love to pick your brain. Gil, that goes for you too.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Imus has the perfect set-up now to make it big in the satellite radio field. Look at the bucks that Howard has made.
He’s gonna laugh all the way to the bank.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I have to agree with you there, Dave. He’s gonna have the last laugh on the Reverends Al & Jesse.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Mainetarr – you speak your mind. I like it.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I’m invisible as usual. Guess my post was too long to read.
Anyway, Mainetarr…I love you girl! Well put about Imus!
My other 2 cents:
Well, you got your wish, zombie America – Imus was fired. Congrats, one more victory in the war against the ability to have a voice. God (yeah) Bless corporate capitalist America. I love my country, I love where I live…but I used to have a shirt that says “never underestimate the power of STUPID people in large groups” – I couldn’t have said it better myself.
April 13th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
David Carr, who writes a Monday media column for the New York Times business section, decided to scrap his planned subject and write about Mr. Imus instead. He called the remark “the kind of unalloyed racial insult that might not have passed muster on a low-watt AM station in the Jim Crow South.”
April 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
By Jimmie Walker http://www.JewishWorldReview.com
…But the race police ( Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton) were on the prowl and they pounced. They made an incident that no one would’ve otherwise noticed into a national event.
If the language that Imus used offends you, then sell your 401(k)s because major corporations like
Time-Warner, Viacom, and others support it. ‘Cause
they support and make lotsa money off artists like
Snoop Dogg, 50 cent, and others. Turn on ” Def Jam”, HBO, The Big Black Comedy Show on Showtime or BET’s Comic’s View. Listen to the language. You’ll be begging for Imus. “
April 14th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
More opinion on the topic at http://www.myspace.com/spiralingfurther
April 24th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Imus got it right about the hypocrisy of Jesse jackson. If memory and google serve, didn’t the good Reverend not only have an affair that produced an illegitimate child, but also used the funds of his rainbow Coalition to support the mother and child?
Notice that jimmy Swaggart stayed right out of the mix? Maybe he was chasing after them ‘ho’s.