Part of American Free Speech: Offending the Offenders

Quotes that have offended me this year:

“If you like your plan, you can keep your plan.”  – President Barack Obama

Shouldn’t lies offend everyone?  Especially lies that affect millions of Americans and their pocketbooks?

““With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night decided to go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make?”  Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton

If this doesn’t offend you, then I’m going to guess you already have a Hillary 2016 sticker on your car.

Given her well-established reputation as a world class idiot, it’s hardly surprising that [Palin] should choose to mention slavery in a way that is abominable to anyone who knows anything about its barbaric history. So here’s an example. One of the most comprehensive first-person accounts of slavery comes from the personal diary of a man called Thomas Thistlewood, who kept copious notes for 39 years. Thistlewood was the son of a tenant farmer, who arrived on the island of Jamaica in April 1750, and assumed the position of overseer at a major plantation. What is most shocking about Thistlewood’s diary is not simply the fact that he assumes the right to own and possess other human beings, but is the sheer cruelty and brutality of his regime. In 1756, he records that a slave named Darby “catched eating kanes; had him well flogged and pickled, then made Hector, another slave, s-h-i-t in his mouth.’” This became known as “Darby’s Dose”,’a punishment invented by Thistlewood that spoke only of inhumanity. And he mentions a similar incident in 1756, this time in relation to a man he refers to as Punch. “Flogged Punch well, and then washed and rubbed salt pickle, lime juice and bird pepper. Made Negro Joe piss in his eyes and mouth”. I could go on, but you get the point. When Mrs. Palin invokes slavery, she doesn’t just prove her rank ignorance. She confirms if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, she would be the outstanding candidate.

– Martin Bashir

Bashir DID lose his job over it.  I wasn’t asking for his head on a platter personally. Let him keep his job. What do they have over there, three viewers?  Do you know how hard it is to stage a boycott of a network no one watches?

“I watched it as an experiment to check, but you look at it and you say, ‘What’s everyone shouting about?’ I think it was only mildly shocking. It wasn’t explicit at all.” – Paul McCartney on Miley Cyrus’ VMA Twerkfest

Why not ask the foam finger how he feels?  Yeah, try to unsee that.

When considered that way, “Redskins” can’t possibly honor a heritage, or noble character trait, nor can it possibly be considered a neutral term. It’s an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present-day intent. It is fair to say that for a long time now, and certainly in 2013, no offense has been intended. But, if you take a step back, isn’t it clear to see how offense “might” legitimately be taken?

– Bob Costas

Bob, you offend me.  Your halftime rants offend me.  And, if we’re being honest, your toupee offends me.
 
It’s worth noting two things.  Phil Robertson didn’t make my list.  And I didn’t ask for any of these people to lose their jobs.  (As much as I’d like to see the President resign for sheer lack of competence, he WAS elected.  God help us, a lot of people bought into hope, change, unicorns and fairy dust.  I’d like to think more than a few of those people will vote with their heads next time and not their feelings).  

Here’s one more quote:

“

Let me get this straight, single teenage mothers…the Kardashian train wreck….shows about overbearing, potentially abusive stage mamas….an overweight hillbilly with an equally overweight child…all perfectly acceptable television. One guy stating his opinion in an interview (not on the show) gets him “suspended?” Look, it shouldn’t matter your feelings on the subject. I’m offended by the glorification of unwed, teenage mothers. Can I claim “outrage” and get the show suspended? Things in life are bound to offend us. We aren’t always going to agree with each other. We WILL think the other guy is wrong. Isn’t that what is supposed to be great about this place?

-Pauline Wolak

And that, my dear readers, is the point.  I might write an article that offends you.  That is one of the things that makes being an American so damn great!  I can have an opinion. You can chose to read it and share it.  Or you can print it out, burn it, and stomp on the ashes.  We don’t have to agree.  Heck, we don’t even have to respect each other. But we do need to stop with this pc, wishy-washy, nonsense.  

The 1st Amendment doesn’t protect your itsy-bitsy precious little feelings.  You don’t agree with Phil Robertson?  Great, don’t watch his show.  Don’t buy his wife’s cookbook. Don’t eat duck as a matter of principle.  But you don’t get to decide for me what I can watch or buy or enjoy because it might kick your self-esteem in the ass.

Image: Courtesy of: http://www.atoast2wealth.com/2013/12/19/gay-organization-requests-ae-to-end-duck-dynasty-after-phil-robertson-calls-homosexuality-a-sin/