Whoopi Goldberg's Comments

[michaeledward]

Some have heard, no doubt, that at a recent political fundraiser for John Kerry, Whoopi Goldberg said some things that were described in the New York Post (owned by NewsCorp - same company as FoxNews):

"fired off a stream of vulgar sexual wordplays on Bush's name in a riff about female genitalia".

She has been dismissed as a spokesperson from 'Slim-Fast', a Uni-lever company. The Kerry campaign does not want to release the tape, which I sort of understand, but here is the quote as I found it;

"Anyone who would wave to Stevie Wonder is not fully there"
and
"We need to keep bush where it belongs and not in the White House."

My question is ... does anyone have a transcript of what was said? Can anyone help?

Mike

 

[someguy]

I'm half way intrested in what was said. I have heard it was vulgar. I have heard it was wordplay with his name. But I haven't actually heard it.
This kind of reminds me of people saying you know what they say about assume... They never finish that statement. I guess I'll just have to assume what they ment for the rest of that.

 

[Nightingale]

Personally, I think people need to just get over this.

They were COMIC remarks made at a PRIVATE party.

How many comics were making clinton/monica jokes after that whole fiasco? Political figures are going to be joked about and satirized. Its the nature of politics and too many people are taking life way too seriously.

get over it, people, and concentrate on the issues.

 

[michaeledward]

Listed below are some other quotes that I found from that fund-raiser. I heard O'Reilly screeching about this the other day, then I saw some of the news print articles. A clear example of the far-right echo chamber; they scream loud enough, and all of a sudden, it is being picked up by legitimate news sources.

What was actually said at the Democratic fund-raiser on July 8:

• Paul Newman "I think that tax cuts for worried, wealthy thugs like me are borderline criminal," and the notion they produce trickle-down benefits for the poor is "rubbish. I put my tax cut in my sock and buried it away. In November, let's sock it to them." "There is serious and dangerous stuff out there and something's gotta change."
• John Mellencamp sang "Let me tell you a story about the Texas Bandito" about a "cheap thug" who "sacrifices our young."
• Sarah Jessica Parker said she wanted a president who would "look after all people and not just privileged few."
• John Leguizamo a comedian and actor who is Puerto Rican, quipped: "Latins for Republicans? That's like roaches for Raid."
• Jessica Lange asked the crowd, "Are we going to continue to follow a self-serving regime of deceit, hypocrisy and belligerence?" Remarking that she usually refrains from quoting bumper stickers, she thought, why not? "We're in a time when our so-called president speaks in only bumper sticker slogans." The latest one she saw: "Defend America. Defeat Bush."
• Chevy Chase "Clinton plays the sax, John plays the guitar, and the president's a liar." and "This guy's as bright as an egg timer" But "Bush did get a real fighter pilot's suit."
• Meryl Streep attacked Bush's frequent references to his religious faith. "I wondered to myself through the shock and awe, I wondered which of the mega-ton bombs Jesus, our president's personal savior, would have personally dropped on the sleeping families in Baghdad."
• Mary J. Blige sang Marvin Gaye's Mercy, Mercy Me with its poignant chorus of "Things ain't what they used to be."

 

[Spud]

No luck with quotes or transcripts either. Kind of odd that such a brew ha would be absent of direct quotes.

We did get some quotes from Arnie on girlie men though (although I'm sure editors had to review if that was hyphenated or two words).

 

[michaeledward]

So last night, I hear Bill O'Reilly going on about Linda Ronstadt. Today I see a report that Linda Ronstadt was escorted out of the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas earlier this week for dedicating the song 'Desperado' to Michael Moore. The report goes on to state that as many as 25% of the 4500 seat theater walked out of the show during the song.

Man - I want to hear that dedication.

Anyhow, I went looking for the specific words Ms. Ronstadt used at www.aladdin.com and found this:

If you aren't outraged, you haven't been paying attention.

In November 2000, American democracy was hijacked by a gang of lying, arrogant, power-drunk fascists. Since then, they have been shredding Constitutional democracy, and Americans' rights and liberties, as fast as they can ram their legislation through a compliant Congress with the approval of unprecedently manipulated public opinion.

The article is fairly limited ... but worth a look. Mike


If anybody finds a transcript of Linda Ronstadt's dedication, I am very interested in reading it.

 

[michaeledward]

If anybody finds a transcript of Linda Ronstadt's dedication, I am very interested in reading it.

So, I found an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that reports some of her dedication:

Before singing "Desperado" for an encore Saturday night, Ronstadt called Moore a "great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth." She also encouraged the audience at the Aladdin hotel-casino to see the documentary about President Bush.
Ronstadt's comments drew loud boos, and some of the 4,500 people in attendance stormed out of the theater. People also tore down concert posters and tossed cocktails into the air.

"It was a very ugly scene," Aladdin President Bill Timmins told The Associated Press. "She praised him and all of a sudden all bedlam broke loose."

Timmins, who is British and was watching the show, said he didn't allow Ronstadt back in her luxury suite afterward and she was escorted off the property.

So, from this article, I would suggest that while President Bush sought to restore 'Honor and Dignity' to the White House, it appears his supports do not feel bound by acting in an 'Honorable and Dignified' manner, eh?

So ... How's that First Amendment working out for you?

Mike

P.S. apparently, Ms. Ronstadt has been offering this dedication throughout her current concert tour. So, the actions of those at the Aladdin hotel (and Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay) may not have been as 'spontaneous' as some have described it.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040720-9999-1c20linda.html

 

[Trident]

How is this a First Amendment issue? Whoopi is free to say anything she likes. The makers of Slim-Fast are free to use whomever they like as a spokesperson. Had she been arrested afterward, you would have a good case for violation of free speech, but she wasn't. Same for Linda Rondstadt. The audience expressed their first ammendment rights by booing and walking out. Freedom of speech does not mean that everything you say is free from consequence.

If that were the case, where was the outrage when Rush Limbaugh was fired from ESPN for his Donovan McNabb comments? He said something stupid on the air & ESPN canned him. Was his first ammendment right infringed upon because there was a negative consequence for him?

Mike

 

[michaeledward]

How is this a First Amendment issue? Whoopi is free to say anything she likes. The makers of Slim-Fast are free to use whomever they like as a spokesperson. Had she been arrested afterward, you would have a good case for violation of free speech, but she wasn't. Same for Linda Rondstadt. The audience expressed their first ammendment rights by booing and walking out. Freedom of speech does not mean that everything you say is free from consequence.

If that were the case, where was the outrage when Rush Limbaugh was fired from ESPN for his Donovan McNabb comments? He said something stupid on the air & ESPN canned him. Was his first ammendment right infringed upon because there was a negative consequence for him?

Mike

Good questions Mike.

First let me say that my comment about the First Amendment to the Constitution is asked in a far more broad manner than just these two incidents in the entertainment world. I feel the current political climate is putting increasing pressure on those who might voice dissent, whether it be in the form of 'Free Press', 'Free Speech', 'Freedom of Religion' and 'Freedom of Assembly'. If one voices a minority opinion, and is then branded as a traitor, or unpatriotic, or giving aid and comfort to the enemy or in some other way ostracized, I propose there is a lessening in effectiveness for the First Amendment.

Now, let's turn to your thoughts. You are correct Whoopi is allowed to say anything she wants. She is also free to associate with whomever she wishes to associate. Further, the far right spin machine is able to say whatever they wish to say, specifically about Whoopi's comments at a private party. The problem arises when the spin machine (New York Post - Fox News - Drudge, et al) begin to attack the 'mainstream' media for not covering the story. When the major news networks are now describing an 'obscenity laced riff' at a Democratic Fundraiser (a minority function), can you not see how free speech is being quieted? Soon, only the most courageous might say "Let's keep Bush where it belongs, and that is not the White House".

Next, you addressed Slim-Fast terminating her contract. To a certain extent, Slim-Fast can have any spokesperson they wish, again here, you are correct. However, once they have entered into a legal agreement with a spokesperson, there are contractual obligations that must be met. Contracts like these often have a 'Morals' clause which the company can use to terminate the contract in the event of the spokesperson receiving bad press. So, Slim-Fast certainly has the right to invoke the Morals clause when Rupert Murdoch's business ventures start spinning a story about an 'obscenity laced riff'. Except, that Uni-Lever, the parent company of Slim-Fast has a written company policy stating that all employees may associate with whomever they wish. Well, apparently not.

Turning to Linda Ronstadt, the Aladdin Hotel, and the audience at the show last week. The worst culprit in this event is the Aladdin Hotel. When Ms. Ronstadt completed her show, she was escorted out of the building without even being able to return to the dressing room. While I don't know, it is quite probable that her performance contract included rooms for her and those members in her performance group, these were apparently denied after the incident.

I am not proposing that Freedom of Speech be without consequence. I know that with great Freedom comes Great Responsibility. But do you think that suggesting that an audience go see a movie should require the same pledge of life, fortune and sacred honor as our Declaration of Independence from England?

Lastly, it may be a semantic issue, and then again it may not; but, Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN. Now, it may be that had he not resigned, that ESPN would have fired him, but the comparison does not equate to Ms. Goldbergs dismissal from Slim-Fast, or Ms. Ronstadt's removal from the Aladdin.

If dissent is quieted, then there is no Freedom of Speech. If we, as citizens, stand by and do nothing as the voices of dissent are quieted, we are contributing to the loss of the principles that created this nation. To stand by idly, giving up those ideas that make us American is dangerous. I would suggest you ask your question in the affirmative, rather than the negative; How are we going to protect those who speak in dissent?

Going out on a limb here .... some have wondered how Hitler was able to gain control in Germany in the 30's. It wasn't as if one day Germany awoke under a Nazi regime bent on global conquest. It was a process that changed the country over time. I am further reminded of the Star Trek episode 'The Drumhead', where Worf was put on trial for his beliefs. At the conclusion of the episode, Picard reminded Worf that 'Constant Vigilance' is one of the obligations of a free society.

Thanks for contributing, and listening.
Longwindedly, Mike

 

[MisterMike]

Well, Kudos to Linda for being brave enough to say what she said in spite of what's happened to the Dixie Chicks, Madonna, Johnny Depp, etc.

The thing is, Linda has been spouting this stuff for a while and "fans" of hers should know by know where her political views lie. I don't think half these people were her fans to begin with. Most people don't plan their trips to Vegas based on who's perfoming that week. Their dumping silver dollars into the slots or whatever.

She's kind of a one hit wonder in my book. That "Different Drum" song has a nice jingle to it but it's like 2 decades old.

"Boos" are not uncommon in any entertainment or sporting event. That's the other end of the free speech. What you say may prompt something from someone else. It goes in line with a bad performance. Dedicating a song to someone as controversial as Moore is kinda risky, especially if your audience is probably as divided as the rest of the country. Apparently the hotel thought it may prompt more than words in return so they said "adios".

 

[Phoenix44]

True, even with W in the White House, this is STILL a free country, and people can speak their minds. And Slim Fast can fire Whoopie Goldberg. And people can choose not to buy Barbra Streisand's records.

BUT, when Fox "News" pretends to be a "news" station, when their "reporters" are actually opinion commentators, when they use "Fair and Balanced" as their slogan, all the while acting as the media arm of the right wing Bush White House, then they are breaking Truth In Advertising laws. I don't care if they call themselves a talk show, but this is not "news".

In fact, on 7/19/04 MoveOn.org filed a formal petition with the Federal Trade Commission urging an enforcement proceeding against Fox News Channel to cause them to cease and desist using the phrase "Fair and Balanced" to promote their programming.

By the way, we are also free not to buy products of the sponsors of Fox News.

 

[rmcrobertson]

There're a few things I don't understand here.

First, why didn't the management of the Aladdin simply let the marketplace handle it? That's what we're always hearing from this Administration, so why not simply let people vote with their dollar? They contracted to have Ronstadt come in and play--so why not just do that?

Second, why's everybody worried about what happens when "controversial," (code for "leftist," here; if we were discussing, say, Savage, "controversial," would be code for "right-wing wacko") actors and singers oppose Bush clearly and openly, but not when we have jingoist loon-box songs about revenge everywhere? Why's open dissent bad, but tacit complicity with madness perfectly OK? Goldberg no, that Dennis Miller character si?

Third--kinda helps explain the famed Ted Danson-in-blackface incident, don't it? But why in the world would anybody turn to ACTORS for serious ideas?

Fourth--I see Paul Newman still rocks.

 

[Cruentus]

My take:

This is just more manufactured idea's from PR under Bush.

Instead of arguing coherently, many conservatives under this administration simply like to label their opposition with 'insulting without the insult" type labels. Then...ad naseum, ad naseum, ad nasuem. Oh, and did I mention ad naseum? BTW ad Naseum. And...one more thing before I go....ad naseum.

"Kerry is a flip-flopper!"

"Edwards is a Trial Lawyer!"

"Edwards and Kerry are the most liberal senators of them all"

"The Kerry campaign is out of touch."

and...(drum roll please)

"Kerry and Edwards hollywood celebrety ridden fundraiser that was pornographic and indecent!"
:bs1:
republica pleez. I'll just sit back and wait for some logic to hit the american people while I arm my compound...

The Nuge

 

[Feisty Mouse]

republica pleez. I'll just sit back and wait for some logic to hit the american people while I arm my compound...

artyon:

LOL!

 

[michaeledward]

This just in ...

And Linda Ronstadt will be on the TODAY show tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM ... July 22, 2004 .... if you are intersted.

July 21st, 2004 2:04 pm
Desperadoes



New York Times

Something went awry at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas last Saturday night. Linda Ronstadt did what she has done at several concerts across the country this summer. She dedicated the song "Desperado"- an encore - to Michael Moore and urged members of the audience to go see his new movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Elsewhere, audiences have reacted to the mention of Mr. Moore by cheering, booing, walking out and sometimes glaring at one another in parking lots. At the Aladdin, a few audience members tore down posters, threw drinks and demanded their money back. According to one person who was present - William Timmins, the Aladdin's president - it was "a very ugly scene." Mr. Timmins promptly made it even uglier. He had Ms. Ronstadt ejected from the premises.

This behavior assumes that Ms. Ronstadt had no right to express a political opinion from the stage. It implies - for some members of the audience at least - that there is a philosophical contract that says an artist must entertain an audience only in the ways that audience sees fit. It argues, in fact, that an artist like Ms. Ronstadt does not have the same rights as everyone else.

Perhaps her praise for Mr. Moore, even at the very end of her show, did ruin the performance for some people. They have a right to voice their disapproval - to express their opinion as Ms. Ronstadt expressed hers and to ask for a refund. But if their intemperate behavior began to worry the management, then they were the ones who should have been thrown out and told never to return, not Ms. Ronstadt, who threatened, after all, only to sing.

 

[Trident]

Here's a thought on Fox News, since it was brought up: if Fox was indeed centrist, when compared with Left leaning outfits it would appear to be slanted to the Right. Considering that 90%+ of journalists consider themselves to be liberal and/or Democrat, wouldn't it follow that the media in general is Left leaning? Even if not doing so consciously, things will get colored according to one's particular wordview. I don't think Fox is a Right wing shill of the White House, they just say things that the Left leaning media won't & therefore appear so by comparison.

Mike

 

[michaeledward]

Here's a thought on Fox News, since it was brought up: if Fox was indeed centrist, when compared with Left leaning outfits it would appear to be slanted to the Right.

:roflmao: If :roflmao: Fox :roflmao: was indeed :roflmao: centrist :roflmao:

Haa Haa Ha ... that's a good one!

Considering that 90%+ of journalists consider themselves to be liberal and/or Democrat,

Please back up this statement? I would love to see that statistic.

wouldn't it follow that the media in general is Left leaning? Even if not doing so consciously, things will get colored according to one's particular wordview. I don't think Fox is a Right wing shill of the White House, they just say things that the Left leaning media won't & therefore appear so by comparison.

Mike

You don't say .... hmmm. Did you see the memo's from the Fox Executive?

http://www.wonkette.com/archives/fox-news-memos-the-whole-batch-017613.php

 

[Trident]

Here is one study from Pew Research Center
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=829

The poll in question was a Roper Center survey of Washington bureau chiefs in 1996. I can't seem to find the poll itself, but there are other references to it: http://www.mediaresearch.org/specialreports/1996/clinton/stats.asp
or
http://www.aim.org/publications/special_reports/bias.html

The "wonkette" site was interesting. It would be intereting as well to see some of the editorial direction given at NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, or any of the other Left leaning outfits. You may not agree with the way Fox reports things, but it is a refreshing change from the other networks.

Mike

 

[michaeledward]

Here is one study from Pew Research Center
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=829

The poll in question was a Roper Center survey of Washington bureau chiefs in 1996. I can't seem to find the poll itself, but there are other references to it: http://www.mediaresearch.org/specialreports/1996/clinton/stats.asp
or
http://www.aim.org/publications/special_reports/bias.html

The "wonkette" site was interesting. It would be intereting as well to see some of the editorial direction given at NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, or any of the other Left leaning outfits. You may not agree with the way Fox reports things, but it is a refreshing change from the other networks.

Mike

Here is a quote from the first post....

About a third of national journalists (34%) and somewhat fewer local journalists (23%) describe themselves as liberals;

And here is what you said ..

Considering that 90%+ of journalists consider themselves to be liberal and/or Democrat

Now just a reminder .. you can not add the 34% to the 23% because they are not from the same sample. It looks to me that you estimate was about as accurate as Fox News. 90% versus 34% Oops! (Please take that as friendly teasing ...)

I do note that in post immediately preceeding this, you did not call what Fox reports 'News', thank you; you said the way 'Fox reports things'. Yep ... Fox does report Things ... wacky kookie unsubstantiated things ..

Mike

 

[rmcrobertson]

For a genuinely-leftist news source, you need to go to "Nation," or to "I.F. Stone's Weekly." For genuine rightist sources, try "National Review," "American Spectator."

For liberal, try something like, "Atlantic;" for conservative, "The Wall Street Journal."

All the major networks--NBC, ABC, CBS--are centrist. FOX is somewhat rightist; "McNeill Report," a bit leftish.

It's utter nonsense to argue that the networks and "the media," reflect a liberal bias--except for the way that this claim has turned out to be a very successful tactic for groups like the Republican Party. The networks are "liberal," only in the sense that capitalism is liberal--that is, they are corrosive of things like, "family values," whatever the hell those actually are when you actually look at history and at cultures, to the extent that they are interested in selling new products that rest on new values.

In other words, most of this pissing and moaning about liberalism is really pissing and moaning about the ideological changes attendant upon changes in capitalism--an economic system that really does simply everything by reducing everything to questions of economic production, and which really does cause, "everything that is solid to dissolve into air."

The republicans and conservatives are upset these days because their very favorite economic system destroys the "core values," they espouse. The democrats and liberals are upset for pretty much the same reasons.

Whoopi Goldberg? Who cares...it may be funny, but as analysis, it's absolutely a joke. Types like Dennis Miller? Less and less funny by the minute, since he's become the court jester for the likes of our current President. There's your political balance in the media--anybody feel better?