Comedian Wanda Sykes made two jokes about Rush Limbaugh on Saturday night which are receiving much media attention. The White House offered a light critique over one of Sykes' jokes.
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White House offers comedy advice to Wanda Sykes
By Jimmy Orr | 05.11.09
It happens at every White House Correspondents’ dinner. Someone gets bent out of shape over something said in jest.
Quite often it breaks down by party affiliation. The party that gets burned cries foul while those on the other side think the jokes were funny.
But in the case of one Rush Limbaugh joke, even the White House thinks comedian Wanda Sykes could have used a little more discretion.
“I think there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection rather than comedy. I think there’s no doubt that 9/11 is part of that,” Robert Gibbs said today at his briefing.
Jokes
The joke in question?
“Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails,” Sykes said. “So you’re saying, ‘I hope America fails.’ You’re like, ‘I don’t care about people losing their homes, their jobs, our soldiers in Iraq.’ He just wants the country to fail. To me, that’s treason.
“He’s not saying anything differently than what Osama bin Laden is saying. You know, you might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker. But he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight.”
Not everyone laughed at that joke. She recognized it and said, “Too much?”
If it was, that didn’t stop her.
“Rush Limbaugh, I hope the country fails; I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?” she continued. “He needs a good waterboarding, that’s what he needs.”
It’s a joke
Despite the White House admonition, she still has plenty of supporters. They say she was doing what comedians do. And they’re right. Go see Jay Mohr some night. He makes Sykes look like Joel Osteen.
The difference, you could say, is that Mohr and other comedians play in clubs and aren’t broadcast on C-SPAN. Right?
Our friend Yael Abouhalkah at the Kansas City Star doesn’t buy that argument.
“Sykes wasn’t joking about people being murdered by terrorists. She was comparing Limbaugh to a terrorist for his comments about the Obama administration.
“Over the top? Probably. Funny? To some, yes.”
Response
Limbaugh did not formally respond to the comedian’s remarks on his talk show today. But may have made an unintended reference.
Politico’s Patrick Gavin points out some weirdness during his broadcast.
“There was, however, a mysterious moment during the show’s final minutes, when Limbaugh interrupted a dialogue on fiscal policy and, in a statement seemingly directed at his prodding producer, said, ‘How can they be running a response, when I didn’t respond? Well, there isn’t going to be a response!’”
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2. Jeff in Orlando | 05.11.09
Limbaugh is an entertainer with a political point of view. He has no power over our political process other than his powers of persuation regarding his listeners. Furthermore, he has a right to say what he wants; that is guaranteed by our Constitution. The same applies to Sykes, but wishing that he would die as a result of kidney failure is over the top. Other than that she can impune Limbaugh’s character all she wants. Now,if Limbaugh had wished physical harm against the President, as opposed to wanting his administration to fail, he would have had a vist from the Secret Service.
3. Michael | 05.11.09
Hoping that someone’s kidneys fail, i.e. that he dies, is totally out of line. You can rest assured that if it had been Limbaugh wishing Sykes kidney’s failed or calling her the 20th terrorist and every Democrat would have been calling for a federal investigation into his activities. If the Democrats say something like this it seems to be ok to the mainstream media (i.e. Peter Moore and those like him), but if it’s a more conservative viewpoint going after a leftist why that anathama! She was disgusting and so was the president for smiling during the foul lines.
4. Hank Browne | 05.11.09
If there were nothing objectionable, would it be worthwhile? All of it has to stretch the envelope.
Consider this: Limbaugh and his ditto heads are always accusing everyone who disagrees with torture as being un-American.
That begat the comparison with Osama whose is on dialysis which begat the kidney comment.
5. draco | 05.11.09
His drug abuse issue may have been a low blow, but he’s a hater by anyone’s account, so few people are worried about his feelings being hurt.
6. Dick Hudson | 05.11.09
Wanda Sykes did not in any way exaggerate the utterances of Limbaugh and her reactions were appropos. His “wishes” were frankly treasonable and in many countries he would have been carted off to jail. He wished us harm and ill fortune, and by “us” I mean all Americans, even Republicans. That she wishes his kidneys would fail is certainly softer than my sentiments. I’d like to see him (along with a bunch of bankers, health insurance execs, pharmaceutical company execs, wall street fat cats, and the execs of Walmart) decorating lamp poles.
7. HMSFox | 05.11.09
Is Obama laughing at Rush Limbaugh having kidney failure, usually fatal, funny? How about wishing Obama getting sickle cell anemia? Funny? Here is a commentary video on YouTube about Obama laughing it up at Rush having kidney failure … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVo_MZpP_A
8. mike | 05.11.09
THE ONLY THING OBAMA NEEDS NOW IS TO HAVE ROSEANN SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.YOU KNOW LIKE AT THE BASEBALL GAME.
11. M derosa | 05.11.09
Where’s the joke? A joke is: a Priest a Rabbi and a Penguin walk into a bar…..Where’s the joke Wanda? That was hate speech, pure and simple. But since Rush is white and a man…..hate speech is acceptable in our growing liberal society.
12. Amie | 05.11.09
The funniest part of Wanda Sykes’ joke was that it was taken from Rush Limbaugh’s playbook. Limbaugh has a history of accusing people he disagrees with as being terrorists, working with terrorists, or at least supporting policies that support terrorists. Limbaugh can’t say anything without exposing more of his hypocrisy.
13. Squanky LaFarge | 05.11.09
When I was a kid, my Dad told me that a bully is a guy who can dish it out, but can’t take it. The way to deal with them, he said, was to give them a bloody nose, and they’ll go home crying to their mommy. By this definition, Rush is a bully, and I don’t think Wanda Sykes has to worry about ever hearing from him again.
14. cbog76 | 05.11.09
This is just another example of someone who isn’t really funny trying to impress others by making statements that are meant to hurt. Unfortunately, that’s what this country is becoming, a land of people who would rather tear down anothers character then try to come up with comedy that everyone can laugh at.
15. jtj06 | 05.11.09
I guess in Obama’s world, the comics role is now to carry the president’s water rather than roast the administration. The press corp might as well have skipped the comic and just lined up for autographs and photos.
16. RM DUNCAN | 05.11.09
What is the real issue here, Rush, Wanda or the fact that in America there are still some things we cannot speak about far less joke about in our “free” society. For reference see the Obama ( terrorist) New Yorker cover.
17. DRW | 05.11.09
Sorry if this joke cause any heartache for the Families that lost love ones on Sept. 11th.
18. Samantha | 05.11.09
Ugh, it was a joke. Pretty good ones too. Why is it that Republicans can get away with saying these things and when they do why are they labelled as Patriots? Then why are those who are Democrats (assuming Sykes is one) catch heat for jokes like this? The 9-11 reference might have been too much. But her jokes make a valid point: That Limbaugh sounds like a jerk.
About time someone pointed this out and that it is getting media attention
19. Samantha | 05.11.09
Hey it was funny. Why are Democrats criticized when they make jokes and point out the absurdities expressed by the lunatic right? Limbaugh says heinous and morally reprehensible things all the time. He never gets this much heat.
Kudos, Wanda, Kudos.
20. Hilary Smith | 05.11.09
I think it’s hilarious that the people getting upset over Sykes’s “hate speech” are the same people who spend their afternoons listening to Michael Savage. What hypocrites.
21. Stephen | 05.11.09
Maybe she should have done a joke about Michael J Fox…
I thought she did a decent job. I’ve been a fan of hers from when she did bits on “Inside The NFL” so many years ago.
22. lj | 05.11.09
Good god it was a joke have we forgot how to laugh at ourselves as well at jokes about others.
23. DLM | 05.11.09
regardless of which party you support, one thing is very clear - Conservitaves love to dish it out, but cant take it!
24. Harold A. Maio | 05.11.09
Limbaugh and Sykes are both entertainers. One, the comic, is over the top. and so is the other.
25. w bradford | 05.11.09
They were just jokes… I’d take 3 Wanda’s to any one
Limbaugh anyday. Ive listened to the RL spews out
daily on his shows.. the outright lies and distortions..
and its clear to me he’s more interested in himself and
his paychecks than in truth or what happens to anyone
else in this country.
26. george | 05.11.09
Do you know how many years Black men have been picked at.It is hard to see that the times are changing.But all the people of all races will come together one day America will no longer cater to one race or one person.
27. Bob | 05.11.09
Look, any reasonable compassionate person would see that wanting anyone to die, especially a private citizen that harms no one, is just plain awful.
And the president laughing at it impugned all of us, by association, which made it even worse.
And then the people who try to defend what she said, they’re the worst of all.
28. paul | 05.11.09
The flaky liberals are the only people who pay attention to Limbaugh! I noticed the same hatred and ugliness come out during the campaign. They
ruined Clinton, with lies and innuendo, and they’ll ruin anyone they don’t agree with. Janet Napolitano needs to add these mean-hearted liberals to her list of enemies, they’re very disturbing.
29. H Hubbard | 05.11.09
Kinda weird some people on here are screaming “racists”…there was nothing racists about what she said. She was talking about the negative things he said about Obama’s ideas and hoping it would fail, which like she said would mean we would have to fail as a country. He spews hatred all the time, do I think he’s racists, I don’t know, I don’t know him. I’m a black male and I like to think of myself as intelligent and the type who likes to think about what i’m going to say before I commit to saying it, but what she said did not strike me as racist in the least bit. So what he’s white? Why is race always bought up when it comes to something as silly and not really worth talking about as this? I’ve heard worse from other comedians and what it comes down to is our society has gotten sooooo sensitive about every little thing that everyone has to walk on eggshells. But its easy for us to get online and rant “shame on you” when your closet is due for spring cleaning in reality. Hope all of you had a great Mother’s Day for you if you’re a mother or for your beautiful mothers in general! : ^ )
30. Jason - pastey white guy | 05.11.09
We have a history of 200 years of lynching black people and now that it’s “some sort of crime” (thanks to those “liberals”), suddenly white folks are experts on racism (against whites) and anything that happens to be said about a white person by a black person is racism. Hi-freakin-larious people.
And as Hank Browne posted earlier:
“Consider this: Limbaugh and his ditto heads are always accusing everyone who disagrees with torture as being un-American. That begat the comparison with Osama whose is on dialysis which begat the kidney comment.”
How many of you knew Bin Laden is on dialysis before you started snarling?
Are you sure you understand the jokes at all?
31. Bo Q | 05.11.09
This whole administration and EVERYONE connected to it brings us to a new low. I am ashamed.
33. Steve - Another pastey white guy | 05.11.09
Why isn’t Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the NAACP “rushing” to defend the poor white guy. Pun intended.
34. pj | 05.11.09
As much as I don’t like, even detest Rush Windbag, I wouldn’t wish kidney failure on him. I’d wish for him to swallow his tongue maybe for say, 42 hours, but kidney failure is a low joke and exceptionally tasteless. Sykes forgot she was not in a seedy comedy club in the tenderloin and should have been professional enough to temper her comments.
35. Dan from Virginia | 05.11.09
Why would the White House have Sykes who is known for her offensive language giving a speech there? What else would you expect? Oops…I know why now!..
36. Anna Fassenhritz | 05.11.09
I cant believe all of you defending Rush, you think he cares about you? Not unless you’re his pharmacist! Maybe what she said was a bit cruel, but defending Rush??? someone who said he hopes our current president fails??? Seriously, when are you guys going to see the only people that should be inline with him are the super rich and the religious right, if you aren’t part of that group, you’ll make your way over to the good side soon enough.
37. Mike Mathes | 05.11.09
Rush is so filled with hate he deserves anything he gets. He brings it on himself with his hate-filled world.
He needs to mellow out and think positive otherwise don’t give him five years before his heart goes from all the hate.
38. Anna Fassenhritz | 05.11.09
Let me guess, you aren’t going to publish my comments. Big suprise! I’m sure your pockets are all lined anyways!
Peace!
39. james | 05.11.09
Why is it the Liberals think this was funny when if someone says something negative about their chosen one, the person is automatically labeled as a racist and/or illiterate. This was simply hate speech and just expands the divide from liberals and conservatives. Granted that Rush says things that makes liberals get up roared, but they seldom hear what he really says, only the liberal translation in partial sound bites…
40. Rush is so over | 05.11.09
C’mon you tough neocons, grow a pair! You can dish it out but when it comes back at you, you whine and cry like babies. Poor, poor l’il Rush, so misunderstood.
41. joejoe | 05.11.09
Is anyone really surprised with this low class bunch, the only CHANGE we can
HOPE for is for the current occupant to be evicted in 2012 and bring some decorum back to the the office of the President.
42. Carolyn | 05.11.09
Wishing your opponent’s death seeks to stops the game while vanquishing your opponent’s idea allows the play to continue. What people think, say or do may provide material for humor but not their very existence.
Our individual right to live is not bestowed by men or constitution but divinely authorized. And that’s no joke!
43. lonecrone | 05.11.09
Poor Rush and his minions. They can’t take it, but they sure can dish it out. After the constant, daily vitriol they spew they have no room to complain when someone does it back to them.
44. David Murphy | 05.11.09
It would be great if the electricity to Limbaugh’s microphone failed. Sad that so many people listen to this guy. $400 million dollar contract…you’ve got to be kidding.
45. doug | 05.11.09
Wanda just put herself in Rush’s category - both are polarizing, self-centered, grandstanding “entertainers” whose only accomplishments consist of helping to further divide our great country. Congratulations to both of you pathetic losers.
46. Jason | 05.11.09
Steve, you mean to say, “why *aren’t*” they? Not why isn’t.
And thank you for making my point about suddenly white folks are experts on racism (against whites). Because when I say “experts”, I mean it sarcastically. You have absolutely no clue what racism even is, do you?
How is it possible that people can be so obtuse about anything outside of their own head? You’d have to read every book and ignore anything that doesn’t apply specifically to you and refuse to imagine what it would be like to be anyone else but yourself.
47. WMGRAY | 05.11.09
Certain comments are bound to offend some people. I only hope that those offended by Wanda’s comments were equally offended by the offensive comments of others in recent years … attacks against the 9/11 widows, the mocking of Michael J. Fox’s disease, thinly veiled threats (and some not so thinkly veiled) against people such as Clinton, a Supreme Court Justice, President Obama, etc. not to mention comments expressing a clear desire for our nation to fail.
48. Joe | 05.11.09
Purely disgusting. No matter the party affiliation to wish someone death or sickness is vulgar and inappropriate. It shows a lack of compassion and humanity that borders on misanthropy. I am no fan of Rush or his type of politics but such comments disguised as “jokes” are morally repugnant and classless. Even humor has its limits.
51. techlady44 | 05.11.09
This was very alarming to watch and hear. Even more alarming to watch the US president laughing and smiling as well as high level administration personnel doubling over with laughter at these very low level jokes. Is this what the Obama’White House’ enjoys?
52. out of context | 05.11.09
you know that the whole “I want America to fail” line was taken out of context in the first place. he wants liberal ideas to fail because he doesn’t believe they are positive in the long run. it was the liberals who took his sound-byte, made it into something else, and then made fun of that. it was a classic straw-man attack, and it doesn’t deserve a rebuttal. bullies. the liberals are the only bullies in America.
53. DRW | 05.11.09
It is sad that anyone would take a horrible day as the Sept 11th and mesh these memories in a form of a joke. How disrespectful to the Families who lost love ones. And for or President of the United States to laugh, this is very sad indeed.
54. Harrison | 05.11.09
The problem is, no matter which side of the fence your on, some people like Mr Orr and Miss Sykes don’t know whats decent or not decent, whats out of line or not out of line any more. The so called jokes about Limbaugh were mean spirited and didn’t belong in that setting as Sykes found out but thats Wanda Sykes, you get what you get.
55. wynzy | 05.11.09
First of all Rush did not say he hoped the country failed, I looked up the transcript since I don’t watch Rush, or much TV.
The joke went to far, while it may have been ok for some audiences, it was not ok for the venue it was in. See, usually the the dinner is about political bickering, its usually about roasting the President. Apparently for some unknown reason that has changed with President Obama, and instead it is about skewering those that disagree with Obama, or just trying to make a joke out of kidney disease, drug addition or terrorism. Those things are not any funnier then people being killed in wars, or overcrowded jails, innocent people in jails or all the other things. Crass humor is crass no matter which side of the political fence you are on. Nor do I think the rest of the world is going to take us seriously if we do not take ourselves seriously. So now 9/11 is a joke, yet the world is supposed to work together for peace. Why? its just a funny, funny joke. Nothing serious.
57. DanO | 05.11.09
She didn’t say she wanted him to die, but to have his kidneys fail. Imagine the practical effect of that. He would have to experience the degrading dialysis centers that so many Americans have to deal with. The man sits in an ivory tower and makes heinous comments about others. Meanwhile, he has no clue what the average American has to deal with. Of course, I’m sure he would just buy his way through the system and push his way up to the top of the donor lists.
58. Stella | 05.11.09
You got it Steve. A good thing she was black. If she had been white making black jokes the NAACP et. al. would be out in force rushing around trying to look important and asking for someone’s job.
59. Sean | 05.11.09
If you cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen! Rush can dish it but he can’t take it? First, it was funny. Second, Rush has not responded which means either he thought it was funny or he knows he can’t come back. Do you think he really wants to take on Wanda… that girl is loaded with jokes.
60. face the facts | 05.11.09
did neone see rl’s comments? he did not say he wanted america to fail. he wanted obama to fail. in rl’s eyes, obama wants to socialize america into france. rl is a free market capitalist (by the way see ben franklin’s or thomas jefferson’s view on bigger government and government spending… aka nationilzing healthcare, banking, the auto industry). rl said he wants obama to fail so that america will not fail. dont think that pelosi, reid, dean, and obama was rooting for bush. deep down both sides wants eachother to fail at their goals so that their own goals can be achieved. wanda’s comments said he wanted america to fail. nobody is looking at facts anymore. and thats the biggest problem our world faces today.
read the transcript
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481484,00.html
61. DRW | 05.11.09
It is sad that Wanda Sykes would take a horrible day as the Sept 11th and mesh these memories in a form of a joke. How disrespectful to the Families who lost love ones. And for or President of the United States to laugh, this is very sad indeed.
62. blueowl | 05.11.09
I don’t have a problem with the jokes she made. I don’t agree and don’t even think it’s that funny, but whatever. She can say it if she wants to. What I have a problem with is the difference in the reaction by Democrats to inappropriate jokes made by one of their own compared to those made by Republicans. When a Republican makes an inappropriate joke, there is a firestorm in the media and calls for boycotts. When a Democrat does the same thing, the reaction is “Oh, well free speech…” I just hate the hypocrisy. Either you like free speech for everyone or you don’t like it at all…
63. Chris | 05.11.09
“Despite the White House admonition, she still has plenty of supporters. They say she was doing what comedians do. And they’re right.”
I beg to differ with you. Last year, comedian Bernie Mac made some offensive remarks at an Obama fund-raiser and Obama took him to task for it.
http://obamareport.blogspot.com/2009/05/will-president-condemn-wanda-sykes-as.html
Obama should take her to task too…
64. RE | 05.11.09
Bo Q: The last administration cheated to win both elections, started an unnecessary war costing billions of dollars and thousands of lives so far, ruined our economy, and destroyed any good will citizens of other countries might have had for the U.S., and you think Barack’s administration thus far brings us to a new low?
Seriously?
65. Maggie | 05.12.09
What I find sad is that people can actually condone cruelty because they don’t like Rush L? What if these things were said about Obama? Would the reaction be the same and would those who condone it call it comedy? Would it then be funny? Who are the haters here? Even brining up 9/11 in a comedy act is inexcusable, it’ cruel and I can’t imagine any American President laughing at it. If he had any class at all, he would have immediately appologized for that.
66. Maggie | 05.12.09
I thought Obama didn’t believe in torture? Joking about his girls flying a plane, the cost of would have supported a half a dozen people out of work? Showing the world he has no class to be a part of a cruel joke that made reference to a horrible even that changed America forever and claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people? This is torture for sure, having to watch our country salute scum like this and call it comedy. Shameless.
67. Hamid | 05.12.09
I am very disturbed by all the obvious hate-speech and racism this new president surrounds himself with. This administration is setting American race relations decades back.
68. Josette | 05.12.09
I don’t believe that people would be offended by Sykes remarks. Limbaugh is constantly accusing people and making false allegations. Didn’t he say as Sykes mentionned that he wanted Obama to fail. Wasn’t that an outrageous comment coming from an American, whether white, black, democrat or republican. I was literally shocked when I heard him said that, coming from someone who often criticizes others as being unAmerican. It is about time someone responds to this guy, and makes him experience what it feels like to be attacked. Maybe then he would start respecting others and think before he spits out absurdities. As someone said, he’s lucky he’s in America, in some countries, he would have been thrown in jail a long time ago.
71. Chris | 05.12.09
Rush Limbaugh deserves the negative comments said about him by Wanda Sykes and then some. He is the very antithesis of what it means to be an American or even a human being for that matter based on the lies and distortions he spews out on a daily basis not too mention his vile hatred of anyone who doesn’t agree with his viewpoints or beliefs. Wanda Sykes’ admonishment was just a modicum of the reverse negativity that should be given to a self-proclaimed proselytizer who takes such joy in broadcasting his indictment of Obama and the current administration without remorse. Go Wanda!
72. sandie | 05.12.09
omg she was soooo out of line. she is a hater and she did her nasty jokes in a setting that made her look like an idiot. and i’m not even a republican or a limbaugh fan. i like “funny”….she was not funny…she was a nasty hater using horribly inappropriate subjects. Think she’s not or never was a “user” of some drug or alcohol? she wishes someone *anyone* dead by painful death like kidney failure? well, what’s good for the goose there, wanda…back atcha….hahahaha funny now?
73. sandie | 05.12.09
And no, her idiotic “jokes” aren’t going to bother Limbaugh. She’s more like a bothersome gnat, actually. no worries there. She made the wrong jokes in the wrong venue. Limbaugh is on the radio and that is his schtick.
Good God, the libs have the entire rest of the media bought and paid for by the backers of Obama to speak kudos to him and his Administration. Never hear a bad word on mainstream TV about Obama.
Media is dead. Racism lives on and that is sooo sad.
74. clairty | 05.12.09
The people who are screaming racist are delusional. Maybe they are screaming because when is the last time you witnessed an African American female berate a white male on TV? I am trying to understand their claim. Maybe, it’s a “How dare they talk about us?” Let’s give it an historical American perspective. The descendant of slaves had the audacity to speak poorly about a descendant of slave masters?” I hope that is not the issue. If the shoe fits wear it.
75. Cartman | 05.12.09
Jokes about the special olympics kids were a step up over 0bama laughing at this crude, yet not particularly witty or funny, type of comedy.
This administration is lowering the bar in so many ways. Oh well, people voted for this guy after seeing him openly flipping off Hilary and calling Palin a pig so no surprises here really.
76. Kathy | 05.12.09
She made a comparison. Her point was that wishing that Obama fails would have the same impact on the country that wising someone’s kidneys would fail would have on an individual–needing major surgery and severe adjustments to survive, and possibly not doing so. The comparison is valid. Obama failing would have a severe impact on the health of this nation and thus all of us, just as kidney failure would on an individual. The fact that bin Laden has this problem just makes it more appropos.
People are upset because it put Limbaugh’s words into their true context. He’s wishing for the death of our country by wishing for the failure of a major organ. I think she did us a service.
77. dallas mike | 05.12.09
I don’t remember any of the supposed righteous right complaining when Ann Coulter said her only regret about Timothy McViegh was that he bombed the wrong building.
Hypocrites.
All of them.
78. Mike J | 05.12.09
I think Limbaugh is a vile human being, and what Sykes said was mild compared to the filth Limbaugh utters during one of his shows.
But that doesn’t make what Sykes did any smarter. It would have been much more effective to make fun of Limbaugh in a smart and intellectual way that the audience could have related to. What she did just gave Limbaugh’s followers more ammunition to fire back.
79. Marcos El Malo | 05.12.09
I don’t personally think Sykes is funny, but fairness dictates that I point out how her comment about wanting Rush’s kidneys to fail was misunderstood. What she meant was that she wanted his kidneys’ POLICIES to fail.
80. Norris Hall | 05.12.09
What we need in this country is to start censoring Commedians!
They should be restricted to making jokes about things that don’t affend anyone: Politics, race, sex, relgion are just a few of the topics that people are likely to be offended by…even if in jest.
Censorship…you know, like in Communist China or Saudi Arabia.
81. J | 05.12.09
I think what people don’t get is that she was imitating Limbaugh style. For everything she said, you can find analogous examples in Limbaugh’s utterances. So, if you find wishing that someone die of kidney failure or making fun of their drug addiction to be bad, look to Limbaugh.
Sykes screwed up because people didn’t get it and it didn’t work as comedy. But Limbaugh deserved everything she said, because she was just echoing the kinds of things Limbaugh says regularly about others.
82. george | 05.12.09
She usually tell like it is but she’s picked the wrong place say things like that. She just an outspoken person. Not all the comedians are good for all the functions so you have to pick and choose the right ones. I blame the whitehouse for picking the wrong comedian. I don’t blame wanda because that the way she is and I like her president laughed because he doesn’t hurt her feelings. That’s all, so take it easy and just forget about it. We have more important things to worry about
83. Jim | 05.12.09
It serves the Republican Party what they were dishing out during the last 8 years, anti-pluralism rhetoric and stupid character smears against Obama such as claiming he was a Muslim and implying his middle name is anti-American. It’s about time the Republican Party relearned what America is about: cultural diversity. Not Christian Fascism.
84. Tim Assura | 05.12.09
It was funny when the drugged out fat man made treasonous comments against our president and government, wasn’t it my Republican whiners?
Go look in the mirror and see who the real racist is.
Support America always. Not just it’s current talking heads.
85. Bob | 05.12.09
The worst part of it all is Obama sitting there laughing like a goon. Dirty Chicago pol humor.
86. Matt | 05.12.09
Your frigging joking right? About Rush’s “feelings”. The guy makes a mint off of crushing people. Come on now-you sound like a bunch of whiney liberals!
87. John Cowie | 05.12.09
limbaugh should be arressted for treason. Its amazing that he’s still on the radio and anyone pays any attention to him. Wanda’s jokes are funny and appropriate.
88. Rodney K. Smith | 05.12.09
If you hear a true racist talk, an intelligent person knows the racist is only exposing their own ignorance and hatred.
Do you think hating someone, lying about them, and wishing them to die is funny?
If you do, then you have exposed what a small minded and hateful person you are.
Has Rush Limbaugh ever wished for somebody to die, then defended it as a joke?
No he has not.
So, all you defenders of Skyes, how does it feel to look in a mirror and know you are a bigger and meaner hater than Rush Limbaugh?
89. captbilly | 05.12.09
Rush Limbaugh makes his living selling hate, so it is hard to imagine anyone saying anything that would “too far” by Limbaugh’s standard. He has called for the destruction of America, as well as calling virtually every liberal, or Democrat in America, a terrorist. What can someone say in response to Limbagh’s decades of hate mongering that would be worse than what Limbaugh has already said about millions of Americans?
90. Jay Johnson | 05.12.09
A few short sentences from a fiesty comic, and Rush Limbaugh is silenced. Wonders will never cease. Just like one commentator said, bullies love to bully, but when they are bullied in return, the run away with their tail between their legs. We need a few more Wanda Sykes to really give those right, republican, plutocratic, conservative wacko talk show hosts, a kick in the teeth. Kudos to you, Wanda
91. RR | 05.12.09
If you’re going to argue for Sykes, then you have to allow Limbaugh his comments. This isn’t a childish game of deathwishing… that isn’t just ‘over the top’… it’s childish, cruel/crude, inflammatory, threatening. Sometimes people have to grow up, and not say “I hope you die” at national events.
Limbaugh made a political statement against Obama… I find it objectionable too - he’s our President, our First American, ‘us’ …but you want to read it as treason, and take it personally as against all America, our soldiers, etc… then I’m glad you’re not running the country. This is why people are said to have chips on their shoulders… because they read a far larger personal attack into things. I didn’t like Limbaugh’s comment, but I recognize he’s got a problem with Obama and that he’s -not- wishing ill for the rest of the country (well half of it) and our soldiers. His problem is the same problem that Congress has… bickering against each other instead of working for the common good.
‘20th hijacker’ was ok, even ‘waterboarding’ was ok. She just could have left off the bits before and after ‘Too much?’ and it would have been a laugh. I don’t know why a comedian is making a treason judgment in her monologue. That’s not much of a ’setup’… it sounds more like indignation/tantrum. It just wasn’t something for national consumption… a treason tirade and wish-you-were-dead aren’t very adult. She ought have sense to keep deathwishes in the comedy ‘club’… and not make a national agenda of it. If Miss California has to swallow her opinions for the good of the state, then performers at national platforms could project just a bit more adult composure… and not deathwish ‘attitude’. But it’s a free country, idn’t it? No censorship… but a little wrist slapping is appropriate sometimes.
I like a previous Sykes joke though… she said she (or ‘they’, meaning African Americans… and I’m not saying ‘they’ as in ‘you people’… it’s just what she said to Leno, etc) …they couldn’t complain about ‘The Man’ anymore… because they -are- ‘The Man’ now. I wish the President the most success he can find amidst the bickering… even when disappointed, humbled and ‘enchanted’, etc. There was the Pres. admitting it’s hard to get things done, because our elected officials want to ‘fight’ rather than work. I don’t want my reps to ‘fight for me’… I want them to get their jobs done.
92. ExDem | 05.12.09
I allways thought it would cool to live to see the day a Black man was in office. But Black or White, this presendent is like Jimmy Carter on steroids…and a serious bad “joke” in many ways. It’s just the package that looks good.
93. The Truth | 05.12.09
libtards think every vicious, racist attack on white people or Western culture is justified or “jokes”, then cry “hate speech” when the same treatment is given back. libtards want to silence anyone who speaks the truth about them, but give special forums to those who attack honest, patriotic, religious Americans. leftist marxist libtards are the worst examples of freedom crushing dictators on earth. I too am ashamed of Obama, his administration and supporters.
94. Martian Gas | 05.12.09
By definition, comedy is funny because it contains truths that we don’t otherwise want to look at or admit. Wanda’s “joke” contained some uncomfortable truths… maybe too uncomfortable for some to laugh at, which is why there has been all the uproar. Shhh, guys! Don’t tell anybody, but did you know that Rush Limbaugh said [insert quote of your choice]? C’mon guys! Let’s get real!
95. RR | 05.12.09
@Jason. Uhh… did -Sykes- know Osama’s on dialysis? (duh,z anybody, really?)
Nice posted example of high (larious) ‘exaggeration’… of course, you’re right, it goes along with the rest of the exaggerated posts.
The all-American rat race sure heats up nowadays… along with the more commercial ‘media’. News… the cash-cow of… sensationalism …it’s what’s fer dinner.
“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
Seems we’re all gettin’ “small”… (where’s that ‘pasty white guy’, Steve Martin when ya need ‘im?) Wanda’s alright… just a little ’sharp’ for a national family discussion.
96. Jay Johnson | 05.12.09
Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment. I can wish you were dead, and say it and there is nothing you can do about it. It is that same constitutional right that allows RL to spew forth with vituperative and treasonous mongering on a daily basis against three quarters of America. It is unfortunate that so many of the misguided ditto head followers of RL, love to post the malicious rehashes of Chief ditto head RL on the blogs. A few miscreant views giving the false impression of widespread consensus with such ideas in America. I can assure you that we will never see another Republican president in this century, irrespective of the malignant, misinformed and disinformed views on Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Republicans can only win elections (See Karl Rove Handbook on How to win Elections)by crooked means a la George Walker Bush. See where that brought us, today. Why Reagan ever wanted to be President is a mystery. Truth be told, he was just a lazy jerk who did not know how to do his job, which finally brought us to economic ground zero. An accumulation of failed conservative policies. But America is finally on to Conservatives and Republicans. You can fool me once…
97. Nobody You Know | 05.12.09
Hate speech as comedy is fine only when a liberal/leftist is spewing, evidently. Sykes is a tragic figure and very unfunny, but good enough to draw horse laughs from Mr. Kumbaya-compassionate Obama.
Meanwhile, Dear Leader’s material was Gong Show weak, just like his policies. While Bush had the backbone to deal with real satirists at such dinners during his tenure, Obama gets pablum level “comics” like the screetchy voiced Sykes.
Dennis Miller would’ve ripped the room with precision, but obviously his powerfully clever stuff intimidates the goosestepping class.
98. msgijoe | 05.12.09
A joke is a joke is a joke. A jerk is a jerk is a jerk. Some jerks tell jokes but a jerk usually can’t take a joke.
99. Chris87654 | 05.12.09
I don’t think much of many comedians. And think less of Rush - I can’t believe he said he wanted Obama’s policies to fail - had it been during good economic times (like the Clinton years), it would have been different, but not when so many are out of work. Bush’s policies failed, so Rush should have joked about that. Any way Rush gets out of the picture is okay with me - same with Coulter, but it is cruel to hope someone’s kidneys fail.
101. US Male | 05.12.09
Just another incident reinforcing the increasingly sharp divide growing in America. Ms Sykes is abrasively funny that’s her forte, but in the tit-for-tat column Rush wins this one by not responding to it. If there’s a surprise at all I think it would have to be that the entertainment establishment is far too close to becoming rabid in it’s attacks on conservatism. I consider myself a social and political liberal but am also very aware of the importance of a moderating opposing viewpoint. And that seems to be the missing element now in what is becoming a disturbing trend toward extremism. I am no longer comfortable with the “piling on” coming from my party, because of the risky precedent it may be setting for the future. I don’t know what the exact demographics are but didn’t we only barely reclaim the Whitehouse by a coalition of forces? If that’s the actual case then I submit that the Republicans may in fact be the largest cohesive political bloc contrary to what we’re being led to believe. I suggest “dialogue”, and leave the “debate” to the sophomore academics.
102. Barry | 05.12.09
Well the line about Rush’s kidneys was in poor taste, but frankly it was delivered by a comedian, with a clear setup about Rush hoping Obama failed as President, so it wasn’t *that* bad.
Furthermore, Rush Limbaugh and his colleagues Ann Coulter and Shawn Hannity do nothing but make ugly verbal attacks. So none of them should really have anything to say about anyone else going too far - they set the bar pretty low - subterranean.
103. Jo | 05.12.09
“Seriously, when are you guys going to see the only people that should be inline with him are the super rich and the religious right, if you aren’t part of that group, you’ll make your way over to the good side soon enough.”
I would disagree on the super rich. Most of them are too smart to listen to the low brow rantings of Rush. Actually, anyone with any degree of intelligence or sophistication would find Rush offensive. It is so clear that he loves to hurl insults and racist and sexual innuendo, his value as “entertainment” is questionable.
Rush has two purposes. To make people mad and to make money. He is successful. His listeners are not the truly religious or the truly rich. Both demographics would find Rush offensive.
104. Rick | 05.12.09
I love when people criticize Rush’s drug use. It reafirms that he really was fighting the liberals with half his brain behind his back! It shows how good he is at what he does. To maintain an addiction and still work flawlessly everyday, not everyone could do that. Rush is my daily dose of reality.
105. swine flue | 05.12.09
I lost my mother to this. And it was not funny or entertaining, to laugh at the fate of another and their death is wrong, now and 50 years ago. Skkes is a hater and a very poor entertainer.
106. Agnes Ginch | 05.12.09
I’m wondering about all these folks saying “Now, if a conservative had said that about Obama…” Well, haven’t they been doing so for ages? During the campaign, I saw any number of posts on blogs, or heard comments on TV and radio, about Obama being a radical Muslim who was in league w/Al Queda (sp). And stating it as if it was a fact even…at Sykes was only speculating. And as for Sykes’ comment about wishing Limbaugh’s kidneys would fail being “over the top”; again, on all those outlets I mentioned (esp online) you can read far far worse comments.
Finally, I’d say it’s Limbaugh’s karma. You can’t spew hatred for years and not expect to receive blowback.
107. margaretta swigert-gacheru | 05.12.09
Wanda went over the line in only one area, commenting on Limbaugh’s kidney. that wasn’t called for. otherwise, what she said about his compatability with Osama is true about his drug-taking keeping him from making it as the 20th hijacker was a line Limbaugh deserves. He deserves somebody to challenge him at his level of alacrity. Where Wanda went astray was challenging Rush at the level of malice, for he is full of it.
108. Bill | 05.12.09
The story is about the appropriateness of the humor, not Rush Limbaugh’s feelings. Come to think of it, has it ever been proven that he has feelings?
109. AdamG | 05.12.09
This whole fiasco has exposed a giant rift in America. The conservatives dismiss torture as tough tactics, and the liberals dismiss a bad joke as a joke. How did we get here people!?
I was personally offended that Wanda Sykes was a speaker at the correspondent’s dinner, considering the number of comedians out there. Someone has mentioned that the correspondent’s dinner has reached a new low. I feel that it’s been going downhill ever since Stephen Colbert spoke at Bush’s dinner.
A note on Rush: Rush resigned immediately from ESPN after commenting on Donovan McNabb and the NFL’s search for a heroic black quarterback. So what ESPN finds racist, illogical and just plain untrue, some of you defend with a passion.
110. robert hutton | 05.12.09
What is the fuss all about? what Limbaugh was not that unpatriotic? why the “real’ americans did not speak out she wants his kidneys to fail she never said she wants him to die Rush and his friends cannot face the fact that their president is a black man
111. marie | 05.12.09
to me this isn’t a rush lumbaugh issue. this isn’t a democrat or republican issue. i care very little about that. the issue here to me is that jokes are being made about 911. i’m glad that the white house made the comment that they did and i totally agree. 911 is no joking matter regardless of who the joke is aimed at. 911 was a horrific sad day and nothing about it could possibly be turned into a comedy routine. personally i think wanda sykes should apologize. i doubt if the families of those that died on 9-11 thought it was funny.
112. Philvs | 05.12.09
Wanda Sykes will be working some seedy bar for tips in a few years. Limbaugh will still be rolling in advertising dollars. Is this a great country, or what?
Quick observation…these Limbaugh haters sure seem to know a lot about what Limbaugh says. Regular listeners? Ka-ching.
113. David | 05.12.09
Are we forgetting that just a few months ago every “Joe Plumber” out there was implying that Obama was a terrorist, not as a joke, but as a fact?
114. Mike Greene | 05.12.09
Two giant parts of comedic delivery are ‘timing’ and ‘warming up the audience’. Once warmed up, we will anticipate a punchline, and laugh at nearly anything.
Obama laughed at the Wanda’s bad joke because it was a natural human reaction.
Later, given time to think about the joke, the White House realized they needed to push her back a little.
Obama is human. Wanda is expert at pushing the limits of comedy. She blew it.
Rush started out decades ago as a little extreme, now his rants are even more destructive than the *** David Duke.
115. California Joe | 05.12.09
Democrats these days seem to be growing into the Norsefire party from V for Vendetta.
116. Portland Jake | 05.12.09
Why cant people accept Wanda for what she is? Shes dirty and hilarious. I don’t think people are comfortable with the white house looking so “Black”. After two terms of the term “Liberal” being equal to “Commie” or “Terrorist”, things are going to be different. If the comedy people yearned for was dry and clean, like Jerry Seinfeld, they should have hired him.
117. maryland boy | 05.12.09
Wow. This world is too serious, just jokes, just words. Remember when we were kids… stick and stones…..
118. governmenthemi | 05.12.09
You people are ridiculous (libs). How about Obama spending more in 100 days than Bush in his last seven years? No problem eh? As long as it’s your party.
The US government is bankrupt - both fically and morally. Both parties are the same.
As for Wanda? Pssst (she’s not funny).
119. freetodisagree | 05.12.09
personaLLY, I don;t care for our president obama..and no, i could careless whether he were red, yellow, black or white. I dislike him for his naive, pandering, apologetic ;foreign policy’, i dislike him for his social welfare policies and the way he is spending money like a kid in a candy store.
i dislike president obama because i believe he was carefully contrived and groomed by the democratic party for Years before he officially ran for president. i dislike obama because i don’t believe he is sincere and he wants to turn America into a welfare state. I dilike Obama followers because i don’t believe many of obama’s cult really know too much about him and yet are ready to lie down for him. I dislike Obama because he should have had the presidential decorum to not laugh at such tasteless jokes made by wanda sykes whether he thought they were funny or not.
120. Homunculis | 05.12.09
This is the beauty of these White House Correspondence Dinners. Watching the President squirm, or a lack thereof. Its kinda like laughing when a friend stub’s there toe. Your not really laughing at there pain, its not really Schadenfreude, its that you know how it feels and have done it before yourself. As in.. ‘Ugh’ , and ‘darn it I should watch what I’m doing’! Well.. the President should watch who he invites, because the audience IS listening.
The secret pleasure I have from these experiences (cspan) is defining who does and does not laugh. Its an interesting compass to their character.
121. Mark Viehmann | 05.13.09
I think that people who say that Rush is full of hate speech need to listen to Rush himself, and not to the bloggers who pick words and phrases out of context. Listen to the man before you condemn him, at least.
Context is important, not just content. Ms. Sykes was at a Gala with the President of The United States! She should know better than to even bring up the name of Mr. Limbaugh in this setting. Tactless, tasteless, demeaning, and stupid, are what describe her comments. Rush gets free advertisement from it, too.
122. annie | 05.13.09
This wasn’t funny. I saw it, and I was embarassed.
And she didn’t get that many laughs. I question
Obama’s perforamcen although I voted for him, but
I was uncomfortable seeing him laugh at some of
this stuff, too.
123. AmMod | 05.14.09
I’ve heard enough from Ditto-heads scrambling to justify Limbaugh’s many offensive comments, including the one currently in question. The truth is Limbaugh wants Obama to fail UNLESS Obama runs the country exactly how Limbaugh thinks it should be run. In other words, his way or no way. Pretty clear to most exactly what Limbaugh meant. He never tires of trying to weasle his way out of foot-in-the-mouth comments and some are amazingly gullible enough to let him get away with it … oddly enough most of the same who make a habit of being outraged at comments criticizing Limbaugh.
124. JunkieRush | 05.14.09
Limbaugh has said much worse about many people.
Anyone who stands up to justify his hatred must be a bigger junkie than he is.
125. Joshua Brown | 05.20.09
If this is “hate speech”, as a few here have claimed, then it’s the first time I’ve laughed at it. Wanda Sykes is blunt. Get over it.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. s | 05.11.09
The white house is apologizing to rush now? Maybe this country cannot be fixed after all!