AP wonders: In hindsight, wasn’t it hypocritical of Letterman to mock politicians for infidelity?
posted at 9:49 pm on October 2, 2009 by Allahpundit
Why … yes. Yes, I suppose it was.
Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards and Larry Craig came in for their share of abuse, as did the governor of South Carolina. “Gov. Mark Sanford didn’t really enjoy this year’s Fourth of July. He left his favorite firecracker in Argentina,” Letterman wisecracked…
Not that Letterman falls into quite the same category of unfaithful officials who hypocritically spouted family values. After all, comedy — not moral guidance — is Letterman’s aim. And he is not facing re-election, though he did briefly fret on the air about keeping his job.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who had a run-in with Letterman over jokes made at the expense of her teenage daughter, declined through a spokeswoman to comment on his admissions. But visitors to Palin’s Facebook page did not hold back.
One Palin supporter who posted under the name Linda Aragona wrote: “Amen! God said you will reap what you sow. Letterman tried to destroy Sarah personally and professionally. Looks like that wagging finger was turned right back on him. Who’s laughing now Dave?!!!”
Being blackmailed by an avaricious scumbag is God’s revenge on Dave? Hmmmm. In any case, Verum Serum was way ahead of this meme last night, chronicling some of Letterman’s greatest side-splitting hits at the expense of Larry Craig, David Vitter, Eliot Spitzer and others. I’m assuming he’ll skate on the hypocrisy unless the mysterious “creepy things” that he did turn out to be even creepier than what those turds were charged with doing, in which case this’ll be a source of content for months on end. Are you looking forward to post after post about Letterman’s skeevy behavior? Me neither.
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Palin was right about Letterman
http://voices.kansascity.com/node/6083
D0WNT0WN on October 2, 2009 at 9:51 PM
That’s not what the quoted line says.
Ronnie on October 2, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Funny thing you posted Imus. He basically called Sarah Palin a dunce today on Neil Cavuto’s show. One of his lines went something like…. “I was surprised she could read let alone write.”
txag92 on October 2, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Letterman got caught in the honey jar,and
yes he`s a hippy-crit!!
canopfor on October 2, 2009 at 9:54 PM
No, that’s what it clearly implies. But you’re such a knee-jerk critic of my posts that you can’t even concede that point. Keep smiling, Ronnie.
Allahpundit on October 2, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Not excusing Letterman at all. But he doesn’t claim to be a public official.
btw, on a theological note, just because God states a truth does not necessitate that God is involved in the revenge.
John the Libertarian on October 2, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Time for Letterman to go away.
Just go away.
artist on October 2, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Never interrupt a fool engaged in his folly.
I’m not going to get duped into message whoring for this one.
Where’s my new Palin thread… I’ll be good for fiddy posts tonight. I’m having some Yuengling and really feelin’ it!
ted c on October 2, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Exit Question:
Will CBS punish David Letterman for his behavior?
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Obama’s been picking the winners lately, huh?
Bet he almost wishes he’d gone on Conan O’Brien instead.
notropis on October 2, 2009 at 9:57 PM
why does IMUS come back again and again? He says the shi…stuff. Many think but never say. Whats his political leaning? Frankly who cares. He says what he thinks, and does some good things to boot.
Indian Outlaw on October 2, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Even his “scandals” are boring to me. Since when did he become such a political voice that what happens to him is any more interesting than Jessica Simpson or Lindsay Lohan? I needn’t remind you that when David Letterman and Jon Stewart hosted The Academy Awards and both famously bombed and weren’t asked again. I think it has to do with the previous conventional wisdom that it is “uncool” or “unhip” to say out loud they are both smarmy a-holes.
Marcus on October 2, 2009 at 9:58 PM
I don’t think it’s hypocritical. Letterman is an entertainer and was using the infidelity of those politicians as a source of humor. If he was using that infidelity as a springboard from which to promote his own political or moral philosophy instead, then that would be hypocritical of him.
mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 9:58 PM
President Obama reached for comment…
President Clenis reached for comment…
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 2, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Exit Question:
Will CBS punish David Letterman for his behavior?
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 9:56 PM
HornetSting: That would be a start!:)
canopfor on October 2, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Being blackmailed by an avaricious scumbag is God’s revenge on Dave? Hmmmm.
________________________________
Why yes, you atheistic douche, it is…
fabrexe on October 2, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Dude, i just checked out the comments on Palin’s facebook page… I bet she gets as many per day as hotair…
ninjapirate on October 2, 2009 at 10:00 PM
All can be explained by the communicable disease called narcissism that Letterman caught from too much brown-nosing of the Clintoons.
Don Imus has pretty much corroded himself into an Ozzy Osborne (without the optimism) equivalent of bitter morning show hosts and for most of the same recreational pharmaceutical reasons. A Mexican Jumping Bean of angry, disjointed thought processes.
viking01 on October 2, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Allah
I wouldn’t say being blackmailed is God revenge. I would say that if he hadn’t been screwing around he would never be able to be blackmailed.
Plus the whole thing is just plain bad. Owner of the company screwing around with the paid staff and not just one but “affairs”? It just wrong.
I also really don’t want to hear the details for his kid sake and his wife.
Gracelynn on October 2, 2009 at 10:01 PM
It’s not that the extortionist is punishment sent by God. The entire idea of punishment for our sins is that sinful behavior (and motives) inevitably leads to our own suffering. Like a Shakespearian tragedy.
AbaddonsReign on October 2, 2009 at 10:01 PM
She should hookup with breitbart and start the palinpost…
ninjapirate on October 2, 2009 at 10:02 PM
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Unfortunately not. All the Liberal Elite seem to think that have no moral compass is “cool”.
kingsjester on October 2, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Nope. Not knee-jerk. You’re just wrong a lot — like when your heart breaks for Dave, like when you say Obama hasn’t neglected anything in Afghanistan, like when you take the same book rankings for Michelle Malkin and Sarah Palin and spin the stories in two completely different directions. Keep shoveling, AllahPundit.
Ronnie on October 2, 2009 at 10:04 PM
have=having
oops
kingsjester on October 2, 2009 at 10:04 PM
We can always count on you to provide the scumbag version
Says a lot about ya there
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Dave has always struck me as a mean nasty old perv. I hate it when I am right all the time.
TXMomof3 on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Maybe Letterman’s ‘Top 10′ list will be on how Obama, the Lieutenant, and Oprah enjoyed their trip to Copenhagen just to get the spotlight off of him….?
Seven Percent Solution on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Exactly. The quote says what goes around comes around. Of course that’s just knee-jerk criticism, you know.
Ronnie on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I’m guessing that when a couple of informal “settlements” become known, Letterman’s career will be about shot. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if the Enquirer is already on the trail.
notropis on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Actually there is the Biblical law of sowing and reaping. Just like gravity, whether you believe it or not, it is a law. Letterman has sown a lot of bad seed, especially lately. He is starting to reap the crop that he has sown.
MeAlice on October 2, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Letterman a hypocrite? Don’t you first have to have a set of values before you can be a hypocrite?
GarandFan on October 2, 2009 at 10:07 PM
OT: Beta male blogger has some serious considerations this weekend.
mizflame98 on October 2, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I bet there was an undocumented intern and a there was a mexican breakup gone bad…
ninjapirate on October 2, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Seriously, AP, stop defending Letterman.
amkun on October 2, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I thought Letterman was an ass before. The fact that someone tried to blackmail him certainly doesn’t make me feel pity or sympathy for him, but I take no joy in it either. I guess “reap what you sow” sort of applies but in the end it’s not surprising. If he hadn’t done it he wouldn’t be having the problem I suppose.
Shocking! A celebrity with a lack of self-control.
JeffinOrlando on October 2, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I was saying the same thing last night on our blog. In last night’s monologue, he made an infidelity joke – a reference to Mark Sanford…knowing he was about to admit his own infidelity, he had to take a shot at a Republican first.
More jokes last night at the expense of Cheney (though that one was mild – about waterboarding), McCain (an age joke -had to have Palin “cut up his meat” for him), and he said Todd Palin “sits on his ass”.
What I found weird was the laughter and embrace from the audience.
capitalist piglet on October 2, 2009 at 10:09 PM
David Letterman is a schmuck! And he has outlasted his welcome.
Go away David!
Just go away!
pilamaye on October 2, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I do believe in karma. The many mean-spirited nasty things he’s said against Palin and her daughters, was vile and crude.
Shows how much of a phony and hypocrite Letterman is.
Am I sorry this is happening to Letterman? Hell no. He bought it on himself. I am sorry for his kid. The dunce he has as a father can’t see the err of his ways. Nor do I think he cares. He’ll continue to be worshiped by the liberal Hollyweird and comedic community, and the harping seals that occupy the audience space that laugh at anything the jerk says.
This is the same broadcast network that fired Don Imus for lesser crimes. Despicable.
cubachi on October 2, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Saying “you reap what you sow” is not the same as saying it’s God’s revenge. One says this is the way the universe operates, the other is saying God personally picked out DL via blackmail.
Spirit of 1776 on October 2, 2009 at 10:11 PM
OK, I’ll make it up to you, AP. Here’s an angle on the Olympics I haven’t seen anyone blog about. “Obama trashes Special Olympics on Tonight Show. IOC remembers.” Happy blogging.
Ronnie on October 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Ah, I see the point was already brought up. Note to self, read comments before posting.
Spirit of 1776 on October 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM
You know, that is a subtle and brilliant point, one lost on many “knee jerk” athiests. And, that’s what I don’t understand about AP. He possesses a brilliant intellect, and a rare and keen understanding of the nuances of theory and policy, but when it comes to “religion” or “matters of faith” his “attacks” (for lack of a better word) have all the subtlety and sophistication of a stone axe. No offense, AP, I’m just confused by it.
aquaviva on October 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM
He is a comedian , sort of like if you think a bully is funny . His cruelty was obvious way back when he had Williard Stiles day . Not funny . The exploitation of his own mother . Not funny . His running mockery of those two mid-eastern asians and the Hello Deli fellow preceeded 9-11 . Just saying , he started it first .
borntoraisehogs on October 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Gee, and I thought it was hypocritical for him to mock Palin’s daughter for getting knocked-up when he got his girlfriend knocked-up…
Levi is one up on Dave… at least he didn’t cheat on his babymama!
metrygirl on October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Don’t you get it? knee-jerk = saying something he doesn’t like.
You should be praying for poor Dave right now, and all those scumbags out there who attack him. It’s awful. //////
I_C on October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
What say the women of NOW?
Nuttin honey ….. Dave’s a lib, get’s a automatic pass.
fogw on October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Ronnie I joked earlier that essentially the Special Olympics would be O’s consolation prize
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Again, make them live by their own rules. lOL
Daggett on October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
So See BS is keeping this sexual predator?
macncheez on October 2, 2009 at 10:14 PM
aquaviva on October 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM
+1
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Man, I hope so. Because it’s funny as hell.
(sorry, my sympathy button is mysteriously broken)
mjk on October 2, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Of course it was hypocritical. but he’s a liberal. Did you expect any different?
OT, and BTW, I’m getting a bit sick of these liberals insinuating that their progressive fascist bullcrap is patriotic, while individual freedom and personal responsibility is not.
If they keep this crap up they’re going to gen up a shooting war a LOT sooner than they want, or are prepared to deal with.
Spiritk9 on October 2, 2009 at 10:15 PM
David Letterman – A role model for creepy old men everywhere.
Hellrider on October 2, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Geez guys, I almost feel sorry for AllahP. You guys are eating him alive. How does his azz taste?
Happy blogging.
bessex on October 2, 2009 at 10:16 PM
OT:
this Megyn Kelly special on ACORN is excellent. Some of the money quotes are ACORN founder Rathke’s comments about the Big Gov videos. (at end of hour) Essentially says ACORN is the victim.
It’s unreal all the corruption of this org. & the politicians affiliated with it. Disgust.
conservative pilgrim on October 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I repectfully disagree that this is God’s revenge. This is “Dave reaped what Dave sowed” all on his own. It wasn’t an act at God’s hand, he just put the warning out there. You could leave the God out completely and it means the same thing IMO.
I hate to see people’s personal lives trotted out for all to see. Especially when kids are involved. Do I feel bad for Dave though? No, sorry I can’t muster any outrage.
thevastlane on October 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Dave – Your idol, Johhny Carson, drank and enjoyed the company of beautiful women. But, he did it away from the office. He was way funnier and more professional than you will ever be.
kingsjester on October 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
No, more like he is being destroyed personally and professionally as a horndog hypocrite who probably would have been dangerous to leave around Palin’s daughter.
Paul smiles an awful lot, ever notice? Hmm…
BTW there is a God, and mocking Him is a sin, and when you die you will have to answer to Jack Webb and Harry Morgan for it. Just sayin’
Chris_Balsz on October 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Now I don’t want ya’ll jumping down my throat for standing up for Allah, but I think the issue is that he was the target of an illegal act. Blackmail is wrong, even when the guy you are doing it to is not worth killing.
TXMomof3 on October 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
If it’s salacious enough to humiliate and belittle the man? Sure.
Petty, I know. But it would be karmic retribution.
Vyce on October 2, 2009 at 10:19 PM
So are the libs anti-family values?
ddrintn on October 2, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Hippy-crit.
Nice.
seejanemom on October 2, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Well, I sort of liked the fellow.
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Some gross details on Gawker (via Mark Levin).
Feedie on October 2, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Yeah…that whole “sucking an unborn innocent life down the sink” kinda kills the whole “Libs for family values” gig.
Or something.
seejanemom on October 2, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Somebody tell Treacher we need another top Ten.
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Allah, why does God need ‘revenge’? It seems a little ridiculous that an all powerful deity would lust for revenge against such small beings as ourselves.
Does it not make more sense that he is warning us to be careful what we do because if we hurt others we are likely to be hurt in return and if we are helpful, then we will in turn be helped?
That to earn and expect forgiveness we must first give it? Dave is suffering now because he refused sympathy and forgiveness.
Before you try to turn that around on those criticizing Mr. Letterman, recognize that the first step in attaining Forgiveness is regret, the second is atonement. Mr. Letterman has produced some interesting statements, but does he truly sound penitent to you? IMO, regret and atonement do not include explanation and minimization.
Fighton03 on October 2, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Hey Allah, Ronnie’s right. That is not what the quote means. It doesn’t have to do with God’s revenge on Dave. It has to do with making your own path.
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Sounds like these girls were treated pretty well. Letterman’s just playing the “old guy who showers affection on pretty young women” gig like lots of wealthy old men do.
mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
John the Libertarian on October 2, 2009 at 9:55 PM
seesalrun on October 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I wasn’t trying to be ugly, that’s why I said repspectfully and I’m not jumping down your throat at all. Just disagreeing. This is a simple case of Dave reaping what Dave sowed. Yes, blackmail is wrong, and hopefully the guy gets his due. Then he will have reaped what he sowed as well.
thevastlane on October 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Oh poor, poor Dave. The horror. The horror.
Just when I didn’t think this day could get any better, it did.
There is a God and he’s not Barrack Hussein Obama.
TheBigOldDog on October 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM
The sad thing is (other than what this does to his kid) that the extortion thing will be played so that ol Dave looks like the victim. A point that he played up himself.
conservnut on October 2, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Maybe Dave’s stalkette was telling the truth.
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Oh poor, poor Dave. The horror. The horror.
Just when I didn’t think this day could get any better, it did.
There is a God and he’s not Barrack Hussein Obama.
TheBigOldDog on October 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM
TheBigOldDog: See,and it only took less than an hour!!
canopfor on October 2, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Libs without any morals. Their path through life is so easy, guilt free and uncomplicated.
Letterman porking his female staff and Clinton getting hummers from his 21 yr old intern are normal behavior to them. Put an R behind the name and it’s a whole different story.
fogw on October 2, 2009 at 10:33 PM
TXMomof3 on October 2, 2009 at 10:05 PM
seesalrun on October 2, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Of course he’s the victim here. One of his own employees tried to extort two million dollars from him under threat of destroying his career.
He might have slept with some of his female employees but it’s not apparent that he did anything illegal in the process.
mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Scum defending scum
Letterman was using his position to get sex
Seems that used to be considered a bad thing
Now the disgusting pigs defend it
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Thank. BTW, do you live in the Boston area? I happen to be related to some Aquaviva’s
AbaddonsReign on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I feel blessed. I almost hate to see the day end.
TheBigOldDog on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
What will be funny and probably deserved, is when one of his staffers files a sexual harassment suit against his ass.
conservnut on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
And do you know why that is? Because the people with “R’s” behind their names are usually the ones who are first and loudest to condemn the very things they always end up getting busted doing.
Liberals don’t try and tell you what your sexual business should be.
mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Look, Letterman is already famous for his sexcapades.
An past affair with staffers can NOT be what he was being blackmailed for.
It has to be something really sorted and vulgar.
It is possible the man charged merely was trying to get a screenplay together about Letterman’s life. Dave not wanting that to happen, offers to buy the screenplay, then has his lawyers set him up for extortion charges.
Just because Letterman says something happened a certain way doesn’t mean it did.
LeeSeneca on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Yeah, Republicans are so moral. They never have affairs. Uh huh.
Proud Rino on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Mr B …listen up dimwit
most business frown on such activities
they know it sets up a very bad scenario in which their employees may feel compelled to go along with the scumbags advances
you have a penchant for defending the most vile
you are one sick individual
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Sounds like these
girlsho’s weretreatedpaid pretty well. Letterman’s just playing the “oldguypervert boss whoshowersabuses his power for sexualaffectionon pretty youngwomenvictims” gig like lots of wealthy oldmensexual predators do.mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
David Shuster was talking with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC this afternoon. Andrea went on for about five minutes ripping into the producer/blackmailer. Not a word was said about how Dave came to be blackmailed.
In other words, I agree with you 100%.
fogw on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Sounds like these girls were treated pretty well. Letterman’s just playing the “old guy who showers affection on pretty young women” gig like lots of wealthy old men do.
mr_B on October 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
seesalrun on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
They are separate issues though. Yes, blackmail is a crime. But that has absolutely NO bearing on Letterman’s actions or any resultant sympathy/forgiveness for said actions.
Fighton03 on October 2, 2009 at 10:37 PM
So,according to some posters at Gawkers,its normal,
for assistants to have sex!
Unbelievable!!
canopfor on October 2, 2009 at 10:38 PM
ahhhh….the old everybody does it routine. Does that change anything?
Fighton03 on October 2, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Spectacular.
Proud Rino on October 2, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Hypocrite? I don’t think scum bags can be hypocrites since they have no morals.
One scum bag shaking down another scum bag. Sounds more like irony… or poetic justice.
Hog Wild on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I agree. I wonder what else is going on. Grand jury stuff is supposed to be secret, no? What is really going on?
bloggless on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
….from the crackhead turd that voted for obama.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Dimwit Rino– fogw just said a Repub could do it
It is the reaction that was the point
CWforFreedom on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Several female employees. Just how many of your subordinates do you get to sleep with before it’s called a company policy? Dave better watch his step because any one of them could make things a whole lot worse for him.
Ronnie on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I used to be a huge Letterman fan in the 80s. I was part of the studio audience when he was over on the Obama network. I stopped watching him after he mistreated Bill O’Reilly. I’m not an O’Reilly fan at all, but I found Letterman’s attitude offensive. It just got much worse with the constant attacks on Sarah Palin and her family.
Even though I’m not a proponent of blackmailing (really I’m not) I can’t summon any sympathy for this cranky, lecherous, bottom-feeding tool.
alwaysright43 on October 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
and retain their jobs or positions?
Fighton03 on October 2, 2009 at 10:40 PM
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