Bill Maher is involved in a thread on Huffington Post... And it isn't good

[Beelzebud]

From the 3rd page, someone asks Maher why he won't have Randi Rhodes on his show.

Maher says this: When Rhandi Rhodes has anything intelligent to say. So the short answer is never.

Here's the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/rumsfeld-more-stubborn-th_b_28399.html?p=3#comments

He posts under BillMaher, his posts are easy to find.

He won't have Randi on because he says she has nothing intelligent to say, and yet he has Ann Coulter on once a season.

More confirmation on what I alrady know about Maher. He's turning neo-con.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. His opening show was enough to turn me off. I have had enough

of Bill and his neoCon guests! I am done!

[orleans]

69. a friend of mine saw it and said bill asked spike lee a couple

questions about the new documentary and then started talking about another spike lee movie & a lesbian scene and spike was looking at him like he was thinking: get back to me when you're finished jacking off.

(my friend really likes spike lee--he interviewed him for an article he wrote--but he turned off the show, disgusted with bill)

[blondeatlast]

96. Pretty much sums up what happened. Maher got uncomfortable,

IMHO, and changed the subject fast.

Spike Lee was visibly disgusted, as I saw it, and rightfully so.

[EFerrari]

2. Not necessarily. He's always been scared of smart women.

Nobody's perfect.

[AZBlue]

102. Bingo.

I like Bill but it's one area that's always irritated me.

That said, he's hardly a neocon or turning one or even slightly becoming one. He's stated many times he's an Independent - he'll call out Republicans and Democrats alike. And, he despises Bush & Co.

[LSparkle]

3. He was TOTALLY supportive of the Israeli strike on Lebanon

His surety, lack of doubt, whatever you want to call it surprised the hell out of me. Usually he's a guy who can see the shades of gray, but in that fight he was pro-Israel 100% (and he admitted he's not Jewish, so it wasn't a "kneejerk" reaction but a determination he made). I'm also surprised about his dismissal of Randi ... Maybe he's becoming a con in his "old age" (ha!).

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. The guy's a real islamophobe.

If it involves arab muslims getting blown up, Bill Maher is probably for it.

[civildisoBDence]

4. Can't we all just get along?

I don't understand why people who should be uniting to defeat the Bush-hogs are having this circular firing squad around AirAmerica personalities.

Franken is on our side, Maher is on our side, Randi and Malloy are on our side.

The neocons are hoping to see us implode. Don't give them the satisfaction.

Satire as thick as a president's skull

[Beelzebud]

11. Tell it to Maher, he's the one that trashed her.

[Cha]

18. Why is maher "on our

side"? If there's no evidence of it how can it be so?

[orpupilofnature57]

64. Maher is a Free thinking Despiser of Shrub and makes an ass of Neo-cons

What the fuck are you people talking about? There are times when People take themselves too serious ,and I believe this is one of them.

[Protagoras]

71. People still get trapped into thinking the Enemy of my Ememy

is somehow my friend. There are lots of people who loath shrubco. That doesn't mean they agree with us about much else. Heck most of the time it's hard to get 6 people at DU to agree on the same thing.

I value BM for one thing...his ability to attack Shrub. Why should I look to him for anything else beyond being a semi-funny standup comedian?

[orpupilofnature57]

105. He at least has a function , more than most of MSM.

[itsrobert]

5. How do you know the poster is actually Bill Maher?

It could be another clown posing as the real clown?

[Beelzebud]

10. Because Huffington post gives their bloggers accounts..

And this isn't the first time Maher has replied to his own threads, it's just one time where he is really getting pissy with his readers/viewers.

[keepCAblue]

6. I stopped watching Bill Maher long ago...

...because of his misogynism. And he's a letch.

[Spazito]

7. I have never seen the attraction for Maher, he has always struck

me as an arrogant, second-rate entertainer who's goal in life is to treat people, other than his personal buddies, like pieces of shit.

I think he is way overblown and sadly lacks any talent.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. Having nothing intelligent to say has never stopped maher.

[seabeyond]

12. cant restrict maher, stewart, sheehan, moore into groups

they wont fit into what this board declares as a liberal or a democrat. they are here and there and think on their own and not always in line. looking for in line, look elsewhere besides to any of these people

[NYCGirl]

14. Bravo, seabeyond. If I only admired people who thought 100% like me, I'd

have no one to admire.

[tkmorris]

16. What nonsense

Look, I don't have a neat little box that people have to fit in before I will support them. I don't think many of us do. However, there is a point past which a person has gone too far.

To dismiss Rhodes as "having nothing intelligent to say", and yet to grant a forum for Coulter and that Hitchins idiot from which to pontificate, well let's just say that's a long way over the line. Speaking of which, Coulter declared today , speaking of Lincoln Chafee and his Republican primary battle in RI, "they shot the wrong Lincoln". Nice eh?

[seabeyond]

21. maher has liberal thinking. he has libetarian thinking. and he

is strongly in favor of isreal issues and will side with bush. otherwise he trashes bush.

make of him what you will. he expresses himself clearly.

i dont agree with him on much. i dont even argue your point. coulter is a friend, doesnt matter how outrageous she gets, she is a friend. he hasnt given rhodes a chance, i am sure. and rhodes yells and interupts on her show, hard listening to her. i personally like rhodes. she reminds me a lot like me

see....

i simply can be all over the place on this discussion.

[EFerrari]

23. Bravo, tk. The thing is, once you let Bill Maher slide for being a sexist

then you have to cut Ann Coulter slack for being a facist or, you're not being fair.

:applause:

I watch Bill Maher and sometimes enjoy his panels. But I know what I'm watching and I don't have to agree with it or excuse it in any way.

[seabeyond]

26. sexist. are we talking about letting him slide for being a sexist?

i thought we were arguing him not being fair to rhodes, yet having mouth coulter on. i dont know how that makes him a sexist

but i certainly agree he is a sexist and more. i cannot stand any of his conversation talking about females. he is pig. so....

[EFerrari]

31. Maybe that is what is in the back of my mind. So many times,

he's developing an argument and then has to ruin it by injecting his fear/hatred/distaste for women into it.

Whatever. I don't cut his check. And I don't cut him any slack on that one.

[NashVegas]

24. I Can Put Maher Into a Group

He's an actor. Maher doesn't create conversation, he creates theatre.

[seabeyond]

29. ya well i think he, along with a lot of others express opinion.

but of course it is about the theatre be it him, rhodes, or limbaugh, coulter or stewart.

[NashVegas]

107. Sure, He Expresses Opinion

I'm just not sure I believe it's his.

[NYCGirl]

33. Good thing he's on TV then. It's where he belongs. NT

[EFerrari]

36. He does both. He doesn't perform the works of others, he polishes

an image. So, that dodge only works in part.

[OzarkDem]

72. And he's doing it purely to make a buck

Its not hard to sort out those who have passion and commitment to their beliefs and work sincerely to enlighten the public vs. those who are just trying to create controversy for controversy's sake.

[DesertRat]

13. I don't think that's really Bill Maher

The spelling and grammar errors in those posts just don't sound like a Cornell graduate with an degree in English, imo.

[EFerrari]

15. Yeah, it's Bill Maher or one of his writers. The habits of grammar

are all the same. "But, don't you . . ." "And, you've got to . . ." Isn't it . . . ."

I'd say it's a match.

[devilgrrl]

28. Maher never answers flame posts on his own site.

This is bs.

[Subdivisions]

41. I noticed that too. Looks to me like as soon as the saw

BillMaher in the sig, they automatically assumed it's the real thing. Doesn't mean it is.

[itsrobert]

48. Yup, I just created an account with "RandiRhodes"

as my username. I replied, but I'm not sure if the comments are in real time or they close the thread.

[EFerrari]

78. Just because you can create that user name doesn't mean that

the people themselves don't post.

Go back and read that post. And listen to it. It's either Bill or one of his writers. You can't fake diction, rhythm and grammar unless you're very, very good.

Maybe it doesn't matter. Why do we care so much about celebrities? They're just guys.

[Cha]

17. Hope bm enjoys the

the abyss with the bushlebuds..NOT!

[Swamp Rat]

19. Bill Maher who?

:evilgrin:

[EFerrari]

25. LOL! A warning should be mandatory.

lol

[Swamp Rat]

30. LOL! ... WARNING!

:D

[Cleita]

20. You know that he and Arianna are buddies as well.

When he wrapped up "Politically Incorrect" Ann Coulter and Arianna Huffington were two of his last guests. I heard a rumor that he isn't having Ann on anymore though because she's become too off the wall. We'll see.

[bbgrunt]

22. Like most of these celebracons, he is more interesed in

being controversial and strutting than advancing a dialogue. He earns my disgust.

[StellaBlue]

27. I LOVE Bill Maher... except...

his misogyny. On everything else, I always seem to agree with him and find my viewpoint being aired quite refreshing. However, recently, I am not sure I am with him on his 100% support of Israel. :eyes:

I don't get the big deal with Randi Rhodes, though. Her or any of the other AA pundits. They just seem to take HOURS to talk about the same old points OVER AND OVER. Just like their right-wing counterparts. Sure, it's nice to hear someone on the airwaves with a liberal point of view, but it's mostly too centrist for me, too shrill, and too overblown. I would prefer real, meaty debates between real intellectuals who are, nevertheless, able to share their knowledge with us masses because of their approachable yet informed delivery style. Like Chomsky. Or, dare I say, Al Gore.

I could do as good of a job as Randi Rhodes or Al Franken or any of the others I've heard. Too much silly banter with the producers, not enough intellectual heft. Then again, I could do Maher's job, too.

Point is, despite my being a rabid feminist and him being an obvious misogynist, I can't help but watch him when I happen to catch him on TV, because his assessments are so honest. He's even straightforward about his misogyny. I suspect MANY men agree with his statements, but, like Bill might say himself, are too cowed by their women (who they only want to hang onto for sex of to fill some mommy-need) to say what he does. I agree with him that about 85% of women want to get married, and 85% of men don't, and therein lies your problem.

$0.02

[peacetalksforall]

32. Randi is us. Coulter isn't. Maher isn't anymore. Bye Bill! nt

[Malikshah]

34. God....what a nub old billy must have between his legs... He is soooo

threatened by real women.

Can he get any more pathetic?

[EFerrari]

37. No. This would be it.

lol

[tabasco]

35. Not sure if it's really Maher posting on the site.

But I'll take this opportunity to remind everybody that Maher is a gutless weasel.

[EFerrari]

38. Now, that's funny.

:rofl:

[NYCGirl]

40. Weasel, maybe. Gutless, no. He's got major guts. NT

[EFerrari]

42. He has all the guts it takes to border on edge in a completely

scripted and controlled setting where his whole audience sits in the dark while lights shine on him and his amplified voice.

Speaking from experience here.

:rofl:

edit: oops! lights can't shine on a voice unless you're doing MSND. "I see a voice!"

[NYCGirl]

44. It takes major guts to go out on stage. It takes major guts to work your

way up, especially in the comedy business. It takes major guts to make a network angry at you. He's paid his dues.

[EFerrari]

47. Nah, it doesn't. It takes luck and handlers. And so have a brazillion

other people. He's not a hero. He's a guy with a contract.

[NYCGirl]

50. When you're starting out (especially in the comedy clubs) there are no

handlers. And it takes a lot more than luck — it takes guts and amazing, giant perseverance. Not a brazillion — do you know that 98% of the members of Actors' Equity make less than $3000 a year in their chosen profession?

[EFerrari]

51. You can't "start out" in comedy unless you have supporters.

They are your de facto handlers.

And yes, I'm 'way too intimately aware of what actors AND musicians clear. I'm surrounded by the mofos. :)

[NYCGirl]

52. Bull. My ex was a comedian.

And I'm an actor.

[EFerrari]

54. Cool. What part of the post was bull? I'm curious. Not hostile,

just curious.

[NYCGirl]

55. "You can't start out in comedy unless you have supporters."

Ever hear of open mike nights at clubs? Ever hear of "cattle call" auditions?

[EFerrari]

56. I've booked many showcases and every starting out comic

with a clue came with their people -- who fed them or gave them a ride or gave them some kind of support, including sitting in the front and laughing and helping the audience to get drunk.

They are the de facto handlers. I not clear why that is so hard to understand. Comedians, mnore than other kinds of performers, seem to need this. :shrug:

[NYCGirl]

58. Those are their friends. Unless they're their agent (and here in NY,

probably 99% of starting out actors and comics don't have agents), they have no power. There's often a clique with comics — sort of a "misery loves company" crowd — but they often stab each other in the back if one gets more laughs than another.

[EFerrari]

59. And so it goes on up to every level. You think there are no power

grabs among handlers, bookers and agents? The same semi-creepy dynamic obtains. And that's why I can like Bill sometimes and really dislike him at others. He's guy with a gig.

If nothing else, I learned that much, in my decade in the circus. If your ex was a comedian, count yourself lucky. lol

(That would be kidding.)

[NYCGirl]

62. Sounds like you have more of a problem with the business than with

Maher himself. But I guess if you were a booker, you have a legit gripe.

BTW, I was with the comedian for three years (we met in an acting class). I lived with an actor for 14 years.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

63. I try not to have gripes. it is what it is.

lol

:shrug:

[tabasco]

65. We have different definitions of guts.

I am talking about the moral courage to stand by your positions when you know you are correct.

Maher caved to right-wing pressure after fallout for his 9-11 comments and it was a disgusting thing to see. I haven't been a fan ever since.

You think it takes guts to be a comedian? LMAO. Try combat some time.

[NYCGirl]

67. See my post above. Link inside:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2025698&mesg_id=2026273

Combat takes guts, too. I'm not debating that.

[tabasco]

61. Hahahahahaha.

That's why he caved in to the freepers after the fallout from his 9-11 comments.

[NYCGirl]

66. When was that?

In the context of the sensitive aftermath of the attacks, such a remark was deemed too controversial for some financial supporters. Although some pundits, including conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, supported Maher, pointing out the distinction between physical and moral cowardice, companies including FedEx and Sears Roebuck pulled their advertisements from the show, costing the show more than it returned. The show was subsequently cancelled on June 16, 2002. On June 22, 2002, six days after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect, Maher received the President's Award (for "championing free speech") from the Los Angeles Press Club.

Another controversial reaction to Maher's comment came from Ari Fleischer, who was the Press Secretary of the George W. Bush administration at the time. Fleischer responded to a reporter's question about Maher's comments by saying that people "need to watch what they say."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#Talk_show_host

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=131

According to Salon, it was a "non-apology":

Maher apologized for his statements to "anyone who took it wrong," but the damage was done. Major advertisers pulled their commercials from the ABC show; 17 ABC affiliates dropped the program from the air. It was canceled May 14.

http://archive.salon.com/people/interview/2002/12/11/maher/index.html

Here's the entire quote:

"In no way was I intending to say, nor have I ever thought, that the men and women who defend our nation in uniform are anything but courageous and valiant, and I offer my apologies to anyone who took it wrong," Maher said in a statement. "My criticism was meant for politicians who, fearing public reaction, have not allowed our military to do the job they are obviously ready, willing and able to do and who now will, I'm certain, as they always have, get it done."

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,8852,00.html

[rinsd]

118. What when he was fired? I guess Malloy caved too. what a wuss!

:eyes:

[itsrobert]

43. Well, for what it is worth. I created an account just now as

RandiRhodes. So I don't think the guy is the real Bill Maher. thanks.

[Sydnie]

70. I don't believe that Randi is a "guest blogger" there

nor have I ever heard that she ever posted there, so signing up with her name doesn't mean much to me.

The person responding in that thread as Maher is believeable as being Maher because he is a guest blogger there and the blog was started by Maher.

If you think it's not, then hit the abuse button and tell them so.

[Beelzebud]

97. Randi isn't a blogger on the site...

[itsrobert]

101. Okay I will create an account using someone who blogs there

Thanks

[Beelzebud]

110. How did it go? Were you able to create one?

[bluestateguy]

39. He has Ann Coulter on because he likes to bang her in her hotel room

You really think he invites her out to LA for the show so they can talk politics?

Maher is well-known for not being able to keep it in his pants. Why he finds Coulter attractive, I don't know.

[EFerrari]

45. Because it isn't a woman? n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

60. i thought bm preferred women of color...

i could be wrong, tho.

[Mr_Spock]

85. Been bangin' her since Politically Incorrect

Heck, she would be nobody if he didn't keep inviting her on his show so he could bang her.

I was wondering when someone was going to post this bit o' truth :D

[earth mom]

46. Maher's a reTHUG-it's TOTALLY obvious!

:eyes:

[EFerrari]

49. There are plenty of good Libertarian and / or Independent sexists.

Why go to right field?

[lonestarnot]

53. I think you're right.

[geek tragedy]

57. He does us a favor by putting that she-beast of a harpy

on the air. I wish Ann Coulter was the only conservative people got to see on TV.

[FUGW]

68. That prick would be alone if he held everyone to that standard.

[William769]

73. Bill Maher Is a great friend to our side.

Get over it! :eyes:

Talk about wanting to eat our own.

[EFerrari]

74. Unless you're a woman. And overlooking sexism from hell,

not so progressive.

He can be amusing. He's not any kind of a political asset

[William769]

75. Well we will have to just disagree on this one

I TIVO his show evey time it's on.

[EFerrari]

77. Oh, we watch him most every week, too. n/t

[OzarkDem]

79. No use for sexism - I never watch him

Anyone who is sexist can't be very smart.

[EFerrari]

80. Or they compartmentalize much too well. n/t

[stanwyck]

116. I like his show, but he's not a great

friend to "our side".
He tries to stay neutral. He just doesn't have Jon Stewart's unswerving ability to behave like a gentleman while deftly exposing the hypocrisy of the right.
And Maher is a horrible chauvinist. His low opinion of women makes him borderline watchable. That's a real Achilles heel for him.

[NewJeffCT]

76. Maher's dream president is Colin Powell

And, he thought Ashcroft was right for profiling & locking up Muslims after 9/11.

He said both on Larry King a few years back.

[AnnInLa]

81. He may not use good judgement at all times,

but Bill Maher is not a neo-con. Folks, please learn what a neo-con really is, and watch the way you throw that term around. It is much more serious than "turning into an asshole, or turning into a right-winger."

I found Maher rather condescending to Kos the other night, and I think that shows his ignorance, but he is not a neo-con.

I will continue to watch him until he declares he has converted to repukeness.

[EFerrari]

82. Of course not. That's just silly. n/t

[itsrobert]

83. LOL. RANDI RHODES responds to Bill Maher!!!!!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/rumsfeld-more-stubborn-th_b_28399.html?p=4#comments

[Mr_Spock]

86. I would think Randi probably knows how to spell no?

I doubt that Randi would be so brief - nice try though!

[Sydnie]

87. You nailed it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2025698&mesg_id=2026005

[Mr_Spock]

89. :o)

That was quick!

[NYCGirl]

92. It isn't her. It's this guy who posted above:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2025698&mesg_id=2026051

[Sydnie]

90. Not a good idea to impersonate Randi

It doesn't do a thing for your credibility and opens you up to a world of grief. Oh boy, not smart.

[itsrobert]

91. I don't believe that the poster posting as BillMaher is the

real Bill Maher.

Thank you.

Plus, this BillMaher has broken the rules of the HuffingtonPost by insulting other posters.


Thank you.

[Sydnie]

93. If you think he has broken the rules, alert his post as abusive

but impersonating Randi is no better than what you accuse the other poster of doing, is it?

Want to give Randi an opportunity to respond to this poster with her own voice? Email her a heads up about the thread and trust her to make her own decision to respond or not herself. Want to defend Randi, then sign up with your own name and do so.

No need to thank me again. I'm just nice like this all the time. ;)

[itsrobert]

94. I'm sure she really cares about an imposter

trying to insult her on the internet. She has better things to do.

thank you. ;)

[Sydnie]

95. Better things to do then protect her name and reputation?

The very things that are her stock and trade? Ok, buddy. :eyes:

[LTR]

84. She must have "given him the Heisman"

Anyone who watches his show knows he usually only has on women that he thinks he has a chance of screwing. The guy's a pig. A funny pig, but still a pig.

That is, if that was really him that entered that reply. But this is the internet, so who knows?

[Disturbed]

88. "Bill Maher Is a great friend to our side.."

He is a Libertarian. Research what Libertarians stand for. He attacks Busholini and the Fascist Regime but he is not a "great friend" of Dems.

[cigsandcoffee]

98. Maybe they don't get along.

Have they had run-ins before?

[Cleita]

99. Some people are hard to get along with.

I get the impression both of them could fall into this category. It doesn't mean that they aren't good people, just that they can be difficult to be friends with.

[LaPera]

100. As to Bill Maher and the other Hollywood phonies...

please don’t count on them to help. They only care about themselves. It is interesting that shortly after I wrote my book about AAR, my publisher hired the finest PR firm to get some guest appearances for me. One of the firm’s contacts was to the Maher show. At that time, AAR was one of the biggest media stories in the country. And it was mostly positive and well supported. I watched with great interest that season the Ann Coulter premiere interview on the Maher show promoting her new book about how all liberals are insane perverts. That took precedence over a book about AAR, which could have helped publicize the network for the greater good. I did not write the book to make money and in fact I have spent close to $100,000 to get the AAR story publicized for the sake of some balance.

If anyone has any complaints about AAR, please direct them to the phonies in Hollywood and in broadcast journalism who grease each other’s palm instead of doing the right thing. Yes, I am angry with these people for their selfishness and disregard of the struggling constituency that they pretend to support. I actually was a true believer before this all happened. And for those of you who criticize me for my lack of tolerance of these crazy hateful people and their enablers, keep on watching these shows and make them all rich while your life goes down the drain. Economics is a zero sum game. That is a fact and whatever share of the economic pot the wealthy elites have comes right out of your pocket. It is time for everyone to open up their windows and scream out, “I’m as mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheldon-drobny/air-america-complaint-dep_b_28024.html?p=3

[samsingh]

isn't he censoring Randi?

i thought he was against doing that as a libertarian?

[samsingh]

103. isn't he censoring Randi?

i thought he was against doing that as a libertarian?

[Eurobabe]

104. Maher lost me when he was all goo-goo friendly with Man Coulter

last season.

[liberal1973]

106. maher

Maher is full of himself.

[sendero]

108. Maher is a classic..

... smug Libertarian. I despise Libertarians as much as I despise neocons, not because of their policies, I agree with a lot of them, but because of their stupid, stupid, stupid one-size-fits-all pipe dream of how to run a country - and the fact that when you point out the absolute fallacy of their economic arguments they get that smug attitude and glassy eyes and you might as well be talking to a rapture-ready fundy.

[dogday]

109. I couldn't help it

had to post and let him know he is a coward for not having Randi on the show....

[wicket]

111. Good for you!

:yourock:

[dogday]

114. Did you read it? nt

[wicket]

117. I certainly did!

:D

[EFerrari]

112. That was hilarious.

:toast:

[dogday]

113. I really couldn't help it

My husband was :rofl: when he saw it... Randi would tear Bill a new one and he knows it... Coward...

[EFerrari]

115. Girl.

:evilgrin:

:rofl:

[JuniperLea]

119. Excellent post, dogday!

I was :rofl: too! heh!

:toast:

He knows he doesn't have the artillery power to battle wits with Randi. He's ascared:)