Fucking misogyny, how does that work?

[iamashamed]

Hypocrisy regarding misogyny and sexism on the left?

It exists, and I am so sick of it. What makes Bill Maher's sexist drivel any better than Bill O'reilly's? Why is it okay for Chris Matthews to be commenting on the looks of female pundits or politicans, instead of their work? Because they are on the left, we are supposed to 'accept it' or 'chill out', because they are on 'our side'? Hell no, misogyny is misogyny no matter what party you belong to, and I HATE seeing the same people on the left who complain about misogyny and sexism on the Republican side, accept and play down misogyny when it comes to the left. 

And yes, the right does this as well, obviously. There are Republicans who fight sexism against Sarah Palin, and then turn around and bash Hillary Clinton using misogynist slurs. These people are hypocrits, I am not defending that.

But this is not about the Republican party, because that is not what I'm talking about here. When I see Republicans say this stuff, I obviously get angry and hurt, like I should, but not as hurt and angry as when I see a supposed 'liberal person', who calls out Republican's sexism on regular basis, turn around and defend misogyny on the left, because the person who said it 'didn't mean it like that' or because they 'agree with other points the person makes'. What makes you different than a republican person defending misogyny on the right?

A Democrat, fighting sexism on the right, who then starts to make remarks regarding Sarah Palin's looks and body, and calls her for misogynist slurs, is no better than the person they were calling out before that.

The Daily Show, which I love and adore, has made some borderline sexist comments in the past, and I call them out whenever I can. It is possible to be a fan and still call out these things, and as long as Jon stewart don't start to regularly making outright misogynist remarks, I can deal with it. 

But what I have never heard Jon Stewart say or joke about, is stuff like this, which Bill Maher has uttered/joked about, more than once:

1. In regards of Tila Tequila, he started victim- blaming while using misogynist slurs: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/reproductivejustice/142662/newsflash%3A_bill_maher_is_sexist_and_annoying/.

 2. Him making sweeping generalizations about women in politics and in general: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/2/83236/46536.

3. And finally, here he is, making these remarks regarding breastfeeding: http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2007/09/bill-maher-is-misogynistic-anti.html.

How is that okay? Really? I don't care if Bill Maher has made other great points in regards of other things, at the end of the day he is still a misogynist and I don't care about what party he belongs to. When I see people, that I know, defend this, I get angry and frustrated.

"But women make sweeping generalizations regarding men as well, so it's not sexist, it's just something that people do."

Yes, and that isn't okay either. But do we have a history of oppressing men? Do we have the male privilege in regards of work and social status? Check out this blog and come back to me: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/.

This just really bothers me, and it isn't okay. Am I alone in this? I am sick and tired or seeing progressive people defending statements like these, because it's the left making them.

Comments

[schmiss.livejournal.com]

No, you're not alone. I dislike excuse making and I REALLY dislike Bill Maher, who seems incapable of going an hour without making a hilarious joke about rape or women being stupid.

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

ugh, thank you. It just... Really bothers me.

[ms-treesap.livejournal.com]

Fuck yes. And I really hate Bill Maher, to the point of losing respect for people who like the edgy fuck.

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU. Ugh I just... can't....

[aurora]

Maher is a smug dick.

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

I agree sfm.

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

Yep. Bill Maher's one mega sexist douchebag! But this is no surprise. He's been making sexist jokes for years and years. I remember a few years back, when I was really into stand-up comedy, I tried watching a clip of his routine on YouTube. And it was this bit on feminism that made me want to scream. and from that point on I just thought, 'mmmkay, he might say true things from time to time, but he's clearly sexist and not taking women or women's rights seriously. No, thanks.' And I don't watch his show for that exact reason. That is why I like Jon Stewart. Because when Jon debates a subject with his guests, whatever the topic, he is respectful and articulate without being a douchebag. Bill Maher rarely is.

He's a jerk. I'm glady you made a post about it. Those links made me boiling mad. I just LOVE how Bill says, "Now I'm not being sexist here, but..." and then goes on to say extremely sexist things. I'm sorry, Bill, stating that something isn't sexist right before you say it doesn't ACTUALLY MAKE IT NOT SEXIST.

UGH. Idiot.

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

I just don't understand how people can defend this, especially not people who call other people out on it. I just... Ugh.

Thank you, I had to vent, this has been bothering me for some time now. And exactly, I have never heard Jon outright say shit like this.

[sarcasticsra]

You're definitely not alone. Bill Maher being a sexist asshole is nothing new.

One of the things that annoyed me most about the campaign was that I kept hearing people ask "Who will take care of her children if she's elected?" re: Sarah Palin. I just kind of stared. I guess her husband is somehow incapable of caring for children. How bizarre.

(I'll be honest, though: the Republicans suddenly giving a fuck about sexism the second Sarah Palin showed up pissed me off way more than liberal sexism, even though that pisses me off too. It's just the utter gall I find teeth-gnashingly appalling. What's that, you want to be able to comment about sexism? STOP PERPETUATING IT FIRST, ASSHOLES.)

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I freaking hate that as well.

[paperdays.livejournal.com]

I've seen precious little of Mr. Maher, but I was always under the impression that he's conservative! His politics seem to lean independent, which is typically considered conservative, and yeah-- the sexism, which is typically conservative (in my experience).

George Carlin's sexism used to REALLY bother me, especially because I LOVED some of his stuff (all the language jokes like "I'm an alpha male on beta blockers" and "what if there were no hypothetical questions?"). But honestly? He clearly has a great respect for women (for example, he lists all the crap women have to put up with, including "men", and then points out that women live longer, too, so clearly we're stronger), he just also likes to cuss. So instead of getting pissed off, I either laugh or get slightly annoyed.

There ARE a few Maher vids that I've seen. He interviewed Jon two or three times in the 90s. Otherwise... once I was showering and turned the radio on to whatever it was last on, and Maher was on, and the radio was out of reach, and he just continually managed to piss me off, and I don't even remember what he was talking about anymore. Yeah. I avoid him.

[smithalot.livejournal.com]

I think we all have things we just can't find funny ,and the only I can say is try to take it with a grain of sait.

[kalliopeia.livejournal.com]

Bill Maher is a smarmy, obnoxious douchebag. He and I may share a lot of political views, but I have always loathed that guy.

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

Certainly concur on all points--- TDS has had the occasional sexist joke, but they (as well as TCR) have been the ones to bash sexist assholes (particularly HYPOCRITICAL sexist assholes) where it hurts.

Fuck Bill Maher. Fuck Bill Maher and his Playboy Mansion-attending, child-molestation-defending/advocating, utterly sexist, loud-mouthed, smugfuck views. He's the O'Reilly of the Left (if such a thing can exist).

Since Sarah Palin defines herself as a feminist (no, seriously), I wonder how she felt about one of her BFF neo-con buddies Rush Limbaugh and his infamous quote about how “Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream.” or her prom date Glenn Back telling her to get back in the kitchen.

On a happy note, I thought you might be interested in these icons. I particularly love the one made from this famous piece of graffiti: