Isn’t Life Strange?

Hoo boy! It’s getting hot out there, and I’m not just talking about the weather here in sunny Houston.

Unless you’ve been trapped in a pit, or have been either intentionally or accidentally avoiding any and all news stories, you’ve probably heard about the recent flap over comments David Letterman made last week regarding Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her daughter. Now I won’t go into the gritty details here, but in case you have no idea as to what I am referring, just take a gander at this Google search and you’ll probably wish you hadn’t started reading this post.

In short, Dave said some really offensive things last week regarding a visit by Sarah Palin and her daughter, Willow, to New York City. This prompted both Sarah Palin and her husband Todd to speak out and let Letterman know that they thought he went over the line. This response by the Palins is perfectly acceptable and understandable.

It took a few days, but (I’m guessing) someone at CBS told Letterman that he should make an apology, and on last night’s show, he gave one. I’ve not seen it, but I have read the transcript and to me his apology sounds decent and genuine.

Quickly, (because I know you’re dying to know) here is my personal opinion on the matter: David Letterman went for cheap laughs, as has been the staple of his comedic efforts for several years. Calling Palin “slutty” or insinuating that (Yankee) Alex Rodriquez got her daughter - any of her daughters - pregnant, is crude and boorish. I am going to make an assumption that Letterman would not be making the same jokes about Michelle Obama or her daughters on the event of their recent European vacation - nor should he. Apparently, the Palins are fair game. Why?

I’ve seen many headlines about how people are demanding Letterman’s resignation, or demanding that CBS fire him. Things like this generally remind me of the movies that featured angry mobs marching through the streets, torches in-hand, threatening to burn down the town unless their demands were met.

If I were a person who had any influence, my message to these people would be simple. If you do not like David Letterman, you are free to turn the television off and simply not watch his show. The Palins aren’t calling for Letterman’s head. Why are you?

Grow up. Be an adult. Take responsibility for yourself. You are not entitled to silence anyone with whom you disagree or with one who may have offended you with an ill-conceived and insensitive comment.

I’m sick of this uncivilized, third-world, big bully mentality that gives people the notion that they have the right to seek a means of political revenge as a result of one man’s unfortunate exercise of free speech.

/rant off