Letterman-1

Where is the Outrage Over David Letterman?

Opinion by Catholic League
(October 02, 2009) in Society / Headlines
Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments today on the reaction to David Letterman’s revelation about having sex with his employees:

David Letterman began the week laughing about the authorities going after child rapist Roman Polanski, and he ended the week laughing about his own sexual exploits. His fans, of course, wouldn’t care if he sodomized the girls. Ali Hamoudeh of New York spoke for many when he said, “We love Letterman no matter what he does. He brings us joy.” And that’s all that counts—he brings joy. Besides, who cares? CBS quotes a Hollywood publicist today who says “the star wouldn’t be hurt by the revelations and might even be helped by them.”

It certainly didn’t hurt Letterman’s career when he laughed at the Catholic Church for what happened in 2002. That summer a man and a woman had sex in St. Patrick’s Cathedral around 4:00 p.m. on a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. They did so in plain view of men, women and children and had their performance described on the radio as part of some sick contest. Most people were aghast, the radio hosts who rigged the caper were fired, and apologies were issued by the radio station. Letterman, however, found it so hysterical that he used the story to tell jokes about it for three nights. Wonder how many nights he will use his own sexploits as source material?

There was a time, not long ago, when feminists would demonstrate in the street demanding Letterman be fired for sexual harassment. As defined by feminists, sexual harassment typically kicks in whenever a boss, usually a man, uses his position of power to initiate sex with his subordinates. But Letterman need not worry: feminists have shown so much interest in matching men at the game of sexual promiscuity that the issue of sexual harassment no longer interests them. Here’s the proof. The National Organization for Women lists six issues as “Key Issues” and twenty more as “Other Important Issues.” Sexual harassment is not one of the six hot issues, though “Lesbian Rights” is; sexual harassment is not even one of the twenty “Other” issues, though “Fighting the Right” is. In other words, as long as Letterman doesn’t tell lesbian jokes, he can take advantage of all the girls he wants.
Regarding Opinion
Where is the Outrage Over David Letterman?

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  • SolarSanitizer
    Where is the liberal outrage?

    I'll tell you:

    Roman Polanski has hidden it away in Jack Nicholson's house.

    - SolarSanitizerUS October 2, 2009 1:15PM

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  • jandro
    jandro

    I'm sure there is outrage among the Grand Exalted Knights of Colum-B.S. Tiller-Killer wack- jobs .

    The rest of us----not so much.....

    - jandroUS October 2, 2009 1:55PM

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  • KarenM
    Here is why I’m not outraged

    Comedy, laughing at something, is a way of coping with pain. We are human. We are frail. This can make for pain. Instead of choosing hypocrisy and trying to hide his weakness by paying his blackmailer—doesn’t the cover-up usually reek worse than what’s being covered?—he paid the higher price of exposing his weakness. Because he’s a comedian and his show is all about comedy, he used comedy when he announced to the world that he’s human, he’s frail, and he’s in pain.

    I’m a fan of his, and I’m offended by the suggestion that I wouldn’t care if he sodomized girls. Not only that, I’m offended that you would compare sodomizing girls with having consensual relationships with adult women (which at this point is what I’m assuming happened based on the limited information available so far).

    - KarenMUS October 2, 2009 2:00PM

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  • quantummechanik
    First of all

    Yes. Two people having sex in a cathedral is funnier than David Letterman having sex (though that in itself is pretty funny).

    The more you guys talk about it, the more he'll make fun of it.

    Also, there doesn't seem to be much evidence that he somehow used his position to have sex with these women. He's famous. He's a celebrity. Celebrities have a LOT of sexual cache.

    - quantummechanikUS October 2, 2009 2:13PM

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  • int
    Why should we be?

    While what Dave did may be morally wrong, we really don't have enough information to be outraged, especially liberals. Religious conservatives, yes. He had sex out of wedlock, so that should be enough for some of them.

    We don't know if he was married when it happened, but his wife definitely has reason to be outraged, as they were together for 22 years.

    He freely came clean and admitted it, unlike most others.

    We don't know the circumstances of the liaisons. We don't know if the women were forced or threatened, or even offered anything. The women may have initiated it, either with the hope of gain, or the allure of celebrity. Or it may have been an actual relationship. We just don't know at this point.

    We don't voice outrage over other celebrities having affairs, why should it be different with Dave. We don't vote for him, he doesn't represent our interests. We can turn him off or quit watching if we don't like him. I like his show, but don't watch often.

    - intUS October 2, 2009 2:30PM

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    • SolarSanitizer
      Why should you be?

      LMFAO. You people never cease to amaze me with your double standard.

      You twits freak out every time a (R) lawmaker does this crap. The recent ones were not even in the 'powerful man has way with underling' variety ala Bill 'the Cigar' Clinton.

      He didn't "freely come clean", liar! Someone had to hold him over the barrel for him to "come clean".

      You didn't know the circumstances of Gov. Mark Sanford either. Perhaps the woman wanted a real relationship, right? LMFAO!

      Do you really not see your hypocrisy?! Do you have eyes? Can you read?

      - SolarSanitizerUS October 2, 2009 10:56PM

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      • MrBook
        hypocricy

        There is as much flipping out from the left when conservative icons do 'this crap' as there is from the right when liberal icons do 'this crap'

        The added hypocrisy / humor is that those on the right often campaign on platforms of family / Christian values... while at the same time having extramarital affairs.

        - MrBookUS October 3, 2009 7:52AM

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        • SolarSanitizer
          This is not "added hypocracy".

          It is an unfair generalization wrapped in a nefarious attack against Christian values.

          To support your claim, list the politicians in the last 2 decades whom have campaigned on a Christian/family values platform and were also having extra-marital affairs at the same time.

          - SolarSanitizerUS October 3, 2009 8:03AM

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          • WayOfTheDodo
            Christian values

            What Christian values are being attacked? It's a Christian value to denounce extramarital sex while doing it yourself?

            - WayOfTheDodo October 8, 2009 10:44AM

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          • Indie
            Short List

            I’m relatively indifferent about a politicians personal life, but the Republican Party has been prying into personal lives of others for decades, even using the power of government to invade the personal lives of others.

            When Republican hypocrites like Republican John Ensign make themselves the moral authority of other people’s personal lives, it makes their hypocrisy particularly offensive.

            Republican politicians that have had extra-marital affairs: Republican Newt Gingrich, Republican John McCain, Republican Rudy Giuliani, Republican David Vitter, Republican Larry Craig, Republican Henry Hyde, Republican Ken Calvert (or was he unmarried when he got caught with that prostitute?), Republican Vito Fossella, Republican Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Republican Don Sherwood, and that’s just the short list.

            I don’t think Republican Mark Foley was married when he was chasing young boys, and while Republican Ronald Reagan betrayed his first wife and his children I’m not aware that he he had an extra-marital affair before abandoning his wife and children, and I’m not sure Republican Jim Gibbons extra-marital affair with a Playboy model has been fully substantiated, and what does one say about Republican Pete Sessions who was fundraising at a strip club, then there are the lesser known Republicans like Republican Ted Klaudt who doesn’t appear to have been married when he was charged with rape, and I don’t know what the marital status of Republican Bob Allen was when he offered $20 to an undercover cop for sx.

            The Republican Party is NOT the family values party.


            Republican presidential hopeful admits to extramarital affair
            Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich Friday told a Christian radio program he was cheating on his second wife at the same time as he was fighting for the impeachment of former president Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair.

            By CanWest News Service

            - IndieUS October 20, 2009 10:39AM

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            • SolarSanitizer
              Over-sample.

              "When Republican hypocrites like Republican John Ensign make themselves the moral authority of other people’s personal lives, it makes their hypocrisy particularly offensive."

              No. It makes /his/ hypocrisy offensive. Why attribute his actions with all republicans ?

              I didn't attribute Letterman's action to all talk show hosts, did I?

              Your argument is a farce.

              - SolarSanitizerUS October 20, 2009 6:49PM

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              • Indie
                k.

                ...When Republican hypocrites like Republican John Ensign...

                Yes, the reference was intended for the plural "hypocrites". Ensign's just one example that stood out.

                By the way, I hold close Christian values and try to remain politically independent. Both sides have hypocrites, always have - Hypocrites are merely individuals not truthful with themselves. God knows each of us for what we are. I've tired of the so-called Religious Right however. Remember Hurricaine Katrina and Jerry Falwell and his crew claiming it was God's way of ridding all of the sinners ( homosexuals ,prostitutes, etc) from New Orleans? Archaic thinking, comparable only to Muslim extremists who believe suicide bombings and killing gentiles is the only path to God...

                BTW, not trying to ruffle your feathers but I'm curious: Is "Solar Sanitizer" a codename for a specific axe you're hoping to grind on this site? Are you with the Clean Coal Lobby?

                - IndieUS October 20, 2009 11:26PM

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      • Vandal K
        Comparing David Letterman to Mark Sanford

        So you're actually comparing Mark Sanford and David Letterman?

        Let's see, SolarSanitizer, one guy is a stand-up comedian who has a TV show.

        The other guy is the elected leader of a state who literally disappears and doesn't tell anyone -- then lies about it. He then gets caught spending South Carolina tax dollars to fund his trips.

        Great point, SolarSanitizer. I totally see how it's the same thing. I totally see how liberals are hypocritical here. Thanks for sharing the wisdom.

        - Vandal KUS October 7, 2009 12:39PM

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        • SolarSanitizer
          You are quite welcome.

          Let me further dazzle you with my brilliance:

          Both men cheated on their wives. Both men got caught. Both men had to air their dirty laundry all over the airwaves.

          There is more. You need but ask.

          - SolarSanitizerUS October 7, 2009 12:47PM

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          • WayOfTheDodo
            The difference

            You aren't seriously suggesting that you can't tell the difference between a liberal comedian, and a conservative politician who has spent his career pointing fingers at people who have extramarital sex ?

            - WayOfTheDodo October 8, 2009 10:47AM

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            • SolarSanitizer
              Show me the money!

              Show us how that conservative who has done exactly what you claim.

              Show me how he has spent his entire political career pointing fingers at people who have extramarital sex . Give quotes. 2-3 quotes for every year in office backing up your charge.

              - SolarSanitizerUS October 8, 2009 11:02AM

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      • mr average
        Here's why we shouldn't be

        There is a major differnce between Letterman and people in the Catholic Church or members of congress , etc.

        That difference is that we have different expectations for the way these people conduct themselves based on their positions. We rightfully expect our clergy to behave in accordance to the morality that they espouse. We expect our leaders to behave in morally responsible ways - although we do not hold them to as high a standard as that for religious people. We do not generally expect our entertianers to live up to any strict moral codes - and rightfully so. These people are not runnou our government , taking care of our souls or otheriwise doing anything but making us laugh or dance. Their "office" is significant only in the sense that many of us like what they do. But they are insignificant concerning our country's our our souls' fate.

        Letterman was not elected. He has no obligation to us and we have none to him. If he entertains us, poeple will watch him. If not, people won't. That is the only "contract" there is between us the people and him. The "contract" between the people and their political and moral leaders is much more serious, much more significant. To insist that our celebrities have the same moral and ethical obligations to the public as our political and moral leaders to is to cheapen the significance and gravity of the social contract we have with these leaders.

        (and no, I don't think that it should make any differnce what political party the offender belongs to, and yes, I do think that if Letterman broke the law he should be punished)





        - mr averageUS October 7, 2009 2:45PM

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      • WayOfTheDodo
        Rep vs. Dem

        Republicans are the ones who are the most vocal about "wrong sex ". So when a Republican who has spent most of his life crying about how people are having nasty extramarital sex engages in the very same thing himself, it's even more hilarious than when some guy who doesn't really care about whether you have sex outside of marriage or not does it.

        Hypocrisy? No, just holding people to their own standards!

        - WayOfTheDodo October 8, 2009 10:43AM

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        • SolarSanitizer
          Ok, that seems fair.

          Name republican politicians who, in the last couple decades, have "cried their whole lives about how people are having nasty extramarital sex " and then "engage in the very same thing himself."

          Yes, I asked you to back up your claim.

          - SolarSanitizerUS October 8, 2009 10:59AM

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  • Babaroni
    If

    If someone comes forward and says that he had sex with them against their will or when they were underage, then I'll be outraged. But, no, I don't get outraged over people's private, consensual sexual behaviors. I get outraged about people who try to blackmail them for it.

    I see no evidence that Letterman exploited anyone or forced them to participate in anything unwillingly. Bring me the evidence and I'll be happy to work up some outrage.

    - BabaroniUS October 2, 2009 2:49PM

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  • Babaroni
    And, incidentally...

    And, incidentally, OP, calling the women he had sex with "girls" does not make him a child molester unless they actually WERE children , so using this as a comparitive to the outrage over Polanski's behavior is a gross manipulation of terms. YOU are the one who offends, by using the term "girl" when speaking of a woman.

    - BabaroniUS October 2, 2009 2:52PM

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    • Echidna
      Letterman

      Wait until Leno's writers get a hold of this...

      - EchidnaUS October 2, 2009 3:15PM

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      • Babaroni
        Yes

        You're right. That will provide some entertainment fodder for the next few weeks.

        - BabaroniUS October 2, 2009 3:25PM

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  • LawDude
    Letterman

    Rather surprising to see the word "liberal" in one of the comments. Sexual harassment law is what it is -- political views are irrelevant. (It does vary somewhat from state to state, however.) At least here in California, the conduct Letterman has professed to would be of grave concern to his employer and to his employer's insurance carrier---with respect to the potential for civil liability. From what I've read so far, it sounds as if Letterman's conduct might no longer be civilly actionable as the statute of limitations could well have expired. (One report mentions 2003.) But, as I said, in most employment circles, this conduct would be proscribed and ridden with potential civil liability. On another aspect, seems a bit odd to me that Letterman himself "broke" the story---that no news outlet picked up on the DA's investigation or on the grand jury proceedings. I guess the DA out there and the grand jury are good at keeping a lid on (certain) things.

    - LawDudeUS October 2, 2009 3:08PM

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  • pc5
    Outrage Over What?

    It is pretty rich that an organization which hides pedophiles should demand "outrage" over this. We don't know when these events occurred, what his wife thinks about it (she used to be a staffer, I think), and it really isn't our business since he has no control over our life (unlike elected officials).

    I personally am disappointed that he built his comedy on the failures of Clinton, Spitzer, Sanford, etc., while he was guilty of the same thing. But I think his approach to the problem was more honest than that of those politicians (and others).

    - pc5NZ October 2, 2009 8:22PM

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    • SolarSanitizer
      lol.

      "It is pretty rich that an organization which hides pedophiles should demand "outrage" over this."

      I didn't see Switzerland demand outrage, or are you talking about another organization hiding pedophiles, Mr. Polanski?

      - SolarSanitizerUS October 2, 2009 11:02PM

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  • Starlon
    Sorry

    Sorry, but comparing Letterman's sexploits with someone raping a 13 year old girl is intellectually dishonest. That is of course what you alluded to by by the term "sodomized the girls" right? Even if he announced he had anal sex with these adult women, it's no reason to get all fussy. It's hardly a very taboo topic amongst the today's sexually active demographic. Of course, that's not to say everyone's doing it. It's just not as shocking as it used to be. It's time to accept that Americans are okay with expressing sexuality. Welcome to the 21st century.

    - StarlonUS October 3, 2009 12:44AM

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  • bhall
    The Truth Will Set You Free......

    I think the reason that people are reacting as they are is because rather than deny it and hide it and then have to come out and say "yeah I did it", he just stood up and said yeah I did it and I messed up. Plus the fact that the public in general is so used to hearing about these situations that they are desensitized.

    - bhallUS October 7, 2009 11:45AM

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  • ebsarver
    Outrage?

    Maybe the outrage is where it belongs...only among the nutjobs.

    Thanks for small favors if we're finally reaching a point where sex is neither sin nor harassment, and people can get back to having sex be a natural part of the human experience.

    Perhaps the "outrage" is exactly where it belongs...fading away due to people finally starting to be okay with their sexuality.

    I doubt it. It is more likely some double-standard between celebrities and politicians, but one can hope. I don't care who has sex with whom, so long as it is consensual, which appears to be the case with Letterman, Clinton, Kennedy, and other luminaries "busted" by the media .

    Screw them if they can't take a screw.

    - ebsarverUS October 7, 2009 3:33PM

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    • rottenray
      Outrage Pt II

      Thanks ebsarver for making a couple valid points.

      I agree with all who have stated that there is a huge difference between a celeb falling in lust and being blackmailed as a result and the abuses which have taken place in the church and the behavior of Sanford.

      Letterman should have shown better judgment - I'm sure his dalliance has caused pain at home, although we don't know the terms of their relationship.

      As far as coming clean, at least Letterman conducted his assignation with a degree of privacy -- until some loon saw it as a profit opportunity.

      Where is the outrage over that?!

      Bored? Broke? Just plain mean? Buy my new book, "Outing People For Fun and Profit"!

      As far as Letterman yucking it up over the Polanski arrest , I don't believe he actually made funnies over Polanski's act - merely the amount of time the man has been on the loose and how Bin Laden might be snared by a similar tactic.

      And finally, why the mention of sodomy without so much as a hint that it happened?

      That's a bit yellow, don't you think?

      Here's the big difference between Letterman and the CLRCR writer who penned this article: One spreads humor and causes happiness, the other preaches distrust and attempts to spread hatred.

      Ask me again why I'm not Catholic...

      - rottenrayUS October 7, 2009 6:36PM

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  • WayOfTheDodo
    Catholic bigotry and hypocrisy

    One moment, the Catholic League is whining and shouting "persecution" because someone even vaguely criticizes them. The next moment, they are all over some poor guy who made a mistake, trampling all over him while he's down.

    Give it a rest already. You are nothing but a bunch of hypocritical bigots. You constantly whine about persecution, but you violently and relentlessly go after anyone who even looks at you funny!

    - WayOfTheDodo October 8, 2009 10:39AM

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    • SolarSanitizer
      You exaggerate.

      "You constantly whine about persecution, but you violently and relentlessly go after anyone who even looks at you funny!"

      That is overstating reality. Calm back down and try again... Use honest arguments.

      - SolarSanitizerUS October 8, 2009 11:16AM

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