Pop-ed: Recently, likely Republican presidential candidate and FOX News contributor Sarah Palin lashed out at comedienne Kathy Griffin over her guest appearance as a "recent Tea Party candidate and home schooler -- a Sarah Palin type" on an upcoming episode of 'Glee.'
Of Griffin, Palin said, "You know, Kathy Griffin can do anything to me or say anything about me, because you know, she's kind of this -- she's a 50-year-old adult bully is really what she is ... She's kind of a has-been comedienne."
It has become commonplace for Palin to use the language of disenfranchised, ridiculed and attacked communities to cast herself as some sort of conservative martyr, and frankly, it's bull. Here's why:
Sarah Palin is a public figure and has, with her countless TV appearances, books and reality show, become a celebrity, and by accepting the fame and money that comes with her higher profile, she opens herself up to scrutiny and parody.
Just as Palin herself is entitled to joke that First Lady Michelle Obama's seemingly benign anti-obesity campaign, with its push for new mothers to breast-feed, is a means to compensate for high milk prices and criticize 'Family Guy' for making light of Down syndrome, Kathy Griffin and the writers of 'Glee' are entitled to poke fun at Palin's politics, and Oscar-winning 'Social Network' writer Aaron Sorkin is free to call her a "witless bully" and assert that an animal shot during a hunting segment on the former Alaska governor's reality show, 'Sarah Palin's Alaska,' was "the first moose ever murdered for political gain."
None of the above is bullying because all of these people have knowingly entered an arena -- be it politics or entertainment -- that brings with it the propensity for criticism. A major facet of both politics and the arts is debating their merits, and criticism and parody are not the same thing as bullying.
Interestingly enough, during an interview late last year with Chelsea Handler, while discussing criticism Griffin received after making statements about Bristol Palin's (another public figure after her star turn on 'Dancing With The Stars') weight, Handler smartly noted, "Bullying ... is being a bully to someone who's defenseless, a poor little person who's done nothing wrong."
Griffin is no more bullying Palin by parodying her on 'Glee' than Palin is bullying Michelle Obama for, well, very frequently simply for being Michelle Obama, and any time she includes the term in her rhetoric, she minimizes it, and that is dangerous.
And, as is often the case, it seems Palin probably should have gotten her facts straight before opening her mouth. Without wanting to seem like we are rushing to the comedienne's defense, though we freely admit to being a longtime fan of Griffin, it should not go unmentioned that this particular "has-been" scored her third Grammy nomination in a row this year, had a recent New York Times best-seller with 'Official Book Club Selection,' has been nominated for six Emmys (and won two) in the past five years and this week will open a limited-engagement run of her stand-up at Broadway's Belasco Theater. She will also tape four stand-up specials for Bravo, five-year home to her now defunct reality program 'Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,' this year alone.
Objectively, Griffin is far from a "has-been" or a "bully," and Palin's use of the term falls squarely within the rhetoric she so often employs. She routinely attempts to minimize the importance of anyone who criticizes her, turns them into the bad guy and aims to inspire sympathy for herself by making it seem like she is being unfairly picked on.
Her famous deriding of the media and many democratic politicians as "elitist" is perhaps the strongest example of this. During her now notorious 2008 interview with Katie Couric, Palin talked circles around Couric's pointed questions about economic recovery and foreign policy without really answering any of them. But when the media called her on it, she pulled the "liberal media elite" card; the media was bullying her then, too, because it was for some reason inappropriate to ask a political candidate direct questions applicable to the office she was running for and expect specific and informed answers.
She was being victimized. Questioning her appropriateness for the office of vice president was tantamount to pushing her down on the playground.
In her recent comments to FOX, Palin also mentions a statement Griffin made on CNN's New Year's Eve telecast about Willow Palin, saying, "As she had stated on CNN that her New Year's resolution was to destroy my 16-year-old daughter." Here again, Palin uses attack and victimization language to amplify what Griffin actually said -- "I've already gone for Sarah, Todd and Bristol obviously, but I think it's Willow's year to go down."
Bullying has been a hot topic for the last several months following the suicides of several bullied gay teens. These teens were emotionally tortured and in many cases physically abused because of who they were, and every time Palin uses bullying language to describe media criticism of herself, she further displays her ignorance to the impact of real emotional abuse and the psychological distress caused by bullying.
Maybe if Palin conducted herself like a real politician and used her national platform to present solutions to the problems facing the United States, offering specifics on how to create more jobs and lower the deficit, instead of taking to the airwaves to issue snarky comments about comediennes and others who disagree with her political ideology, the big bad media would stop "bullying" her and listen to what she has to say for a change.
Did the author or anybody even read Palin's entire quote? She said she is okay with being criticized, just not the kids. Palin said "Kathy, pick on me..." But if you read that then you'd have no story... inconvenient.
THEN the author gets plain stupid when he says: "Maybe if Palin conducted herself like a real politician and used her national platform to present solutions to the problems facing the United States"
Does "Drill baby drill" sound familiar? And would we be in the situation we are in with gas prices if people had listened to her? How is that for "Specific?”
Palin can have a sort of annoying voice at times, which is probably why Kathy Griffin is perfectly qualified to mimic her. The difference is Palin is trying to make a difference for the better and Griffin is not. Griffin would have already been forgotten, again, if Palin hadn't showed up a few years ago. She should be thanking Palin for keeping her career alive, she should be sending Palin royalty checks. Appearing with Levi is proof that she is dependent on Palin to be relevant.
Sarah Palin needs to grow up and get a clue!!! Anyone who thinks that this woman is ready for the White House is just a crazy as she is. She acts like a self grandizing child. she needs to stay in Alaska and leave the rest of us alone.
Kathy or Kathy's people need to get a better definition of a "bully" because theirs is way off base. And I quote: "Bullying ... is being a bully to someone who's defenseless, a poor little person who's done nothing wrong." That is so lame. You can bully anyone - they don't have to be defenseless - they can just be... High school kids bully every day - are they defenseless?? I think not. They just get bullied by a bully.
Mitchell, way to be objective! You obviously love Kathy Griffin, by mentioning her awards in an article that has nothing to do with awards or achievements. Knee jerk defending Kathy when she makes snarky remarks about someone's (public figure though she is) 16 year old daughter??? Whether or not she was serious (she probably is) drawing the ire of all her followers against a 16 year old who hasn't done a thing to her?
Why doesn't she stick to insulting and belittling adults? I guess teenagers and kids make easier targets. Not having kids of her own she may never get it. She's pretty sad.
Yes OLD Kathy is a cheap, vulgar, uncouth bully. What if somebody said the Obama girls would be giving discounted hummers at a baseball game in Chicago? Oh, I see, that's different. Is it?
I'm tired of right-wingers saying democrats are afraid of Sarah Palin. We're not. She's a joke, and a hypocrite. If, in the off, she did run for president and won, it wouldn't be the end of the world. She would quit because the job was harder than she anticipated -- just like she did as Alaska Governor. Then, the next president would and We The People would clean up her mess.
We've got enough problems right now. We don't have to wonder if or when Palin were president. Good question though, who's going to clean up Obama's mess? Nice try, Dorothy...
Public figures need to take it. But, Willow Palin's only claim to fame is being Palin's daughter. Nobody picks on the President's kids. Bristol has put herself out there and she can take it. Kathy Griffin just reaffirms her spot on the D-list.
All she's saying is what every other respectful celebrity with children has asked: lay off the kids!
Kathy Griffin has broken the most sacred cardinal rule of slanderous gossip. Palin has no issue with Griffin's slandering of her - she is asking for the same thing Preasident Obama has asked for, as well as celebrities across the spectrum.
The problem with Griffin is that without Palin and her family, she's not funny. She thinks she's the next Joan Rivers, but Joan Rivers is actually still funny. Her career is more like Perez Hilton's now - only revelent to a miniscule group. It's just annoying now.
How far is this guy's tongue up Griffin's arse? It never ceases to amaze me the visceral reaction this woman generates from liberals. Not very well done of Popeater...
Kathy Griffin IS an adult bully. What is sooo sad is that people like the one that wrote this article and others who like her...support and excuse her bullying. Trying to make it OK for her to do it but if others do it...they're horrible and wear the mark of a bully.
There's something wrong there.....Kathy Griffin is washed up. It's just not funny the way she picks on young kids (Palin's kids) and that people support her. Sad.
you like all the abusive attacking bullies need to get a life. Nasty kathy is a bully yet she whines about bulling in schools.!! wake up!!! bully kids learn from their bully parents!!
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Pop-ed: Recently, likely Republican presidential candidate and FOX News contributor Sarah Palin lashed out at comedienne Kathy Griffin over her guest appearance as a "recent Tea Party candidate and home schooler -- a Sarah Palin type" on an upcoming episode of 'Glee.'
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Did the author or anybody even read Palin's entire quote? She said she is okay with being criticized, just not the kids. Palin said "Kathy, pick on me..." But if you read that then you'd have no story... inconvenient.
THEN the author gets plain stupid when he says: "Maybe if Palin conducted herself like a real politician and used her national platform to present solutions to the problems facing the United States"
Does "Drill baby drill" sound familiar? And would we be in the situation we are in with gas prices if people had listened to her? How is that for "Specific?”
Palin can have a sort of annoying voice at times, which is probably why Kathy Griffin is perfectly qualified to mimic her. The difference is Palin is trying to make a difference for the better and Griffin is not. Griffin would have already been forgotten, again, if Palin hadn't showed up a few years ago. She should be thanking Palin for keeping her career alive, she should be sending Palin royalty checks. Appearing with Levi is proof that she is dependent on Palin to be relevant.
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Griffin is Butt ugly
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Sarah Palin needs to grow up and get a clue!!! Anyone who thinks that this woman is ready for the White House is just a crazy as she is. She acts like a self grandizing child. she needs to stay in Alaska and leave the rest of us alone.
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Kathy or Kathy's people need to get a better definition of a "bully" because theirs is way off base. And I quote: "Bullying ... is being a bully to someone who's defenseless, a poor little person who's done nothing wrong." That is so lame. You can bully anyone - they don't have to be defenseless - they can just be... High school kids bully every day - are they defenseless?? I think not. They just get bullied by a bully.
Reply
Mitchell, way to be objective! You obviously love Kathy Griffin, by mentioning her awards in an article that has nothing to do with awards or achievements. Knee jerk defending Kathy when she makes snarky remarks about someone's (public figure though she is) 16 year old daughter??? Whether or not she was serious (she probably is) drawing the ire of all her followers against a 16 year old who hasn't done a thing to her?
Why doesn't she stick to insulting and belittling adults? I guess teenagers and kids make easier targets. Not having kids of her own she may never get it. She's pretty sad.
Reply
Yes OLD Kathy is a cheap, vulgar, uncouth bully. What if somebody said the Obama girls would be giving discounted hummers at a baseball game in Chicago? Oh, I see, that's different. Is it?
Reply
I'm tired of right-wingers saying democrats are afraid of Sarah Palin. We're not. She's a joke, and a hypocrite. If, in the off, she did run for president and won, it wouldn't be the end of the world. She would quit because the job was harder than she anticipated -- just like she did as Alaska Governor. Then, the next president would and We The People would clean up her mess.
Reply
We've got enough problems right now. We don't have to wonder if or when Palin were president. Good question though, who's going to clean up Obama's mess? Nice try, Dorothy...
Ummmm....she was talking about bullying her children not herself. Do a little research!!!!!
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Public figures need to take it. But, Willow Palin's only claim to fame is being Palin's daughter. Nobody picks on the President's kids. Bristol has put herself out there and she can take it. Kathy Griffin just reaffirms her spot on the D-list.
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All she's saying is what every other respectful celebrity with children has asked: lay off the kids!
Kathy Griffin has broken the most sacred cardinal rule of slanderous gossip. Palin has no issue with Griffin's slandering of her - she is asking for the same thing Preasident Obama has asked for, as well as celebrities across the spectrum.
The problem with Griffin is that without Palin and her family, she's not funny. She thinks she's the next Joan Rivers, but Joan Rivers is actually still funny. Her career is more like Perez Hilton's now - only revelent to a miniscule group. It's just annoying now.
Reply
um - are you a dope? She calls her a bully for picking on her children, not for picking on her.
I remember when Hillary Clinton asked SNL to stop picking on her daughter, the producers happily obliged and the Weekend Update anchors apologized.
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To: Sarah
From: Kathy
Date: 3/2011
All publicity is good publicity. Thank you for putting my name in lights.
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griffin is not a bully. she is also not funny!!! Palin is keeping her on the D-list otherwise sh'd fade into oblivion
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You are all crazy if you believe one word out of any politicians mouth. Even quitter politicians like Palin!
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Pathetic article, leave the kids alone!
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Funny stuff Kathy, why don't you attack her car next or her shoes? If you attacked my kids, I would hunt you down.
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How far is this guy's tongue up Griffin's arse? It never ceases to amaze me the visceral reaction this woman generates from liberals. Not very well done of Popeater...
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Kathy Griffin IS an adult bully. What is sooo sad is that people like the one that wrote this article and others who like her...support and excuse her bullying. Trying to make it OK for her to do it but if others do it...they're horrible and wear the mark of a bully.
There's something wrong there.....Kathy Griffin is washed up. It's just not funny the way she picks on young kids (Palin's kids) and that people support her. Sad.
Reply
you like all the abusive attacking bullies need to get a life. Nasty kathy is a bully yet she whines about bulling in schools.!! wake up!!! bully kids learn from their bully parents!!
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