Olbermann highlights McCain's crude Gorilla joke. It's McCain Being Authentic
By John Amato Friday Jul 18, 2008 9:00pm
Keith repeats McCain's Gorilla/Rape joke. McCain's camp says that he's just being himself.
"This kind of stuff is an example of McCain being McCain."
My God, that's his peeps response? OK, line em up in the comment thread...
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So what did he say?
...or do I have to watch?
Ok , I watched it.
So? McCain's a pig.
My grandpa would tell that joke and yea, he's a pig too.
"…apparently a rape joke is authentic McCain."
That and being a stooge of the Corporatists.
As if I needed another reason not to vote for him.
Who cares how incredible his jokes are? Yes, it was a zany tale of beastial rape, but who cares? I got one about McBush getting released from his POW cage. "Wait" shouts McBush, { Deleted, you're right it is crude. SiteMonitor}" Crude and stupid and not newsworthy ten years later.
The policy of these two millionaires running to run your lives for the next several years is of far greater concern to me. Both love war and both love big government, two things that the American people would be better off without, especially in a horribly economy.
I don't know what is more astonishing...
McCain telling such a senseless joke, or his minions writing it off as McCain being McCain.
If it were Obama telling such a joke back in 1986 (when he was in college and not a sitting member of the House of Representatives) he would be crucified.
J Smith @ 4:
Bottom line: yes it was simply a crude joke... but it was also not funny in the least (when is RAPE ever funny?). Let's not forget about McCain calling his WIFE a C-NT. And also made a joke about Janet Reno being Chelsea Clinton's father. This man is a total mysogynist. You've got to wonder what he really says behind closed doors about Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and any other woman in a leadership role.
You know, I remember hearing how Bush joked and mimicked the woman going to death row. That was a hoot. and quite revealing about Bush's lack of empathy and decorum.
I would love to hear a funny crude and terrible joke frim a candidate...just tell one that's funny...
J Smith @ 5:
I would be outraged if the person representing this country to the world were to tell that joke. I happen to think that the president should have some class and dignity and represent America with honor. Unfortunately I have never seen that in my lifetime.
Here’s my question: What’s the joke?
I always thought the joke had to have an operative funny idea. But I don't get this one...is it a sex joke? If so, why is it important that the woman be "beaten senseless and left for dead?"
It's not even a tasteless joke...there's no joke here. There's no humorous point except the enjoyment of some sick idea. This is psychotic. This is a frightening look into a sick mind.
You would think that almost 8 years being embarrassed by Bush should be enough .
Vote for Obama and you can feel good and proud again of your country and President. McCain is a sick old geezer, more ready for an old folks home instead of being President.
greetings from north of the border
gee, if Obama told this "joke," do you think it would get a little bit of coverage? Maybe on O'Reilly, Fox and Friends, etc?
Naaahhh.
Yeah- How come we haven't (or at least I haven't caught wind) heard of anything on Barack Obama's part, that comes close to the junior high antics verbiage of the 'estimed' senator from Arizona. Makes you wonder where wisdom and gravitas lie....
Forget for a moment it was an anti-woman misogynist joke, it was just lame and dumb. Republicans trying to clever, funny and creative, like their economic and foreign policies, is just painful to endure.
I love a good offensive joke but that just wasn't funny. Not even deadpan.
Barack basically told all his deep dark secrets in his book. It was called adolescence and we all regret moments from those years. McCain, however, told this joke in 1986. He was in his forties. He called his wife a terrible name when he was in his fifties. Seems to me he's stuck in perpetual adolescence where such jokes and remarks should be left behind. His first wife spoke of the fact that he really wanted to be 25 when he was 40. I know lots of people like that - tend to be embarrassed for them. I don't think he knows that such remarks and such jokes are not the norm for adults.
And calling his wife a c#@t is also just McCain being McCain. This is the point.
Republicans are total sociopaths. They are broken genetically. They have an innate inability to feel empathy. 1,000,000 dead Iraqis mean as much to them as a melted Eskimo Pie.
Ow!! Number#15 Thank you! You pretty much summed it all up-
Has it ever been more transparent than it is today of the chasm between left and right in this country?
Just look at the right today, supporting a fascist administration that starts wars that terrorize millions of innocent people in Iraq, borrowing money to create astronomical debt and then pay off in many billions all their buddies in the defense hydra along with the upstarts like Haliburton, Blackwater, etc..., performing horribly in response to terrorism (9/11) or natural disaster (Katrina), __________, etc, etc...
Add to this stew the often confused policy stammering of an old man, jokes like these that are offensive and often violent in their humor, and a largely fictitious persona based on 5 years being held as a POW and you have yet another incredibly poor choice for a Republican as President. Before the idiot son was handed the title of President by outright theft you had another war hero (Bob Dole, a product of war and politics) as their party elder and leader.
Today's GOP: Everything that is wrong with politics
Real issues are worth fighting over, here people. This is nothing, and when the undecideds realize it's nothing, McCain's opponents will have wasted valuable campaign time that could have been focussed on Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan, the economy, the damage to the Constitution.
It was a sick joke, it wasn't funny, but it was 10 years ago. Do you have a recent quote? Even one from his 2000 campaign? No.
You won't win on this issue, so stick with the important stuff. You're wasting time.
Here we go again, attacking a man's (bad) sense of humor...
Alice X (Chomsky Nader) status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 3:
McCain and Obama are both that
#11 is right on... It doesn't matter who told the joke, it's a reflection of the teller's character and how they perceive the world. #5 it's not just a dirty joke... if you replace the woman with your son, the ape with a guy that hangs out in bathrooms who raped and beat your son within an inch of his life with a punch line of the "experience" causing your son to love guys that hang out in bathrooms... you can see this is really not a joke but a glimpse of McCain's worldview of women.
Whenever this sick old fuck gets cornered with something awful he's said, he breaks out his best Ronald Reagan with the "I don't recall" bullshit or he tells us to "move on". And how many God Damn weeks did we spend on Obama's "bitter" comments? This mean, stupid old fool is truly a worthless candidate.
Sorry- I have to agree with the conservatives on this one. This IS and example of McCain being McCain.
A really good example.
I agree McCain used bad judgement in telling this joke if his intended purpose was to be funny. That joke is McLame.
Green Eagle @ 27:
I love how people keep saying this is a non-issue - it SHOULD be an issue to at least half the population, especially because he's said he wants to repeal Roe v Wade, and because of his lame-ass response to the question of Viagra vs birth-control coverage. And hell, it should be of interest to the rest of the OTHER half of the population that just cares about doing the right thing and treating ALL people as human beings, not just the ones with penises (whether they're artificially hardened or not).
(btw I wasn't claiming that you were saying it was a non-issue Green Eagle -- I was agreeeing with you that it was an awesome example of McCain being McCain -- this is what you're gonna get if you put him in charge, people.)
See, here's how I see it. Everyone tells crude jokes (though this one is deeply offensive, not crude). But most people have the sense to make sure they're not telling those jokes in a room where reporters are present.
Maybe it is "gotcha" politics. But really, considering that McCain's latest gambit is to play for the "disaffected Hillary Clinton crowd" of voters, it does kinda matter. Just as George Allen's "macaca" moment resonated because he was trying to position himself as more than just the "white person's candidate".
George Allen's macaca moment was DURING his re-election the campaign. This McCain joke was told 10 years ago.
I agree it's offensive, but it's not going to become a campaign issue, so you're wasting time trying.
The funny part is supposed to be the bit where the woman liked being beaten and raped so much that she is asking for the perp.
The irony is that Olbermann tells this joke almost every night on his show. Or perhaps he doesn't any more, and that's why he can churn up some faux outrage when someone else does it.
I stopped watching him some months ago because I got tired of his nightly slut shaming segment which was pretty much this joke over and over every night.
You subtle McDumb apologists are such hypocrites. If you people keep changing the rules to accommodate and justify this stupid old man and his dumb, forgetful mouth you'll truly get a Bush's third term. The way the Obama's have been scrutinized virtually anytime they speak compared to Johnny Dementia is a fucking disgrace.
An authentic misogynist.
*
Worse yet, McCain fumbled the punchline. In McCain's version the woman asked "Where is that marvelous ape." In the real punchline the doctor asks, "How do you feel?" and she replies, "How should I feel? He never writes; he never calls."
That still isn't so funny, but at least you can find the shadow of a joke. McCain is just ignorant and incompetent, and much too arrogant to realize he is ignorant and incompetent.
What a pig! If anybody finds this funny, shame on you!
Big fricken deal! Wah Wah Wah! McCain told a joke. You all must be desperate to make Obama look good. Which one of you has never told a tasteless joke?
And you are judging others? Shame. I'm voting for Obama because I think his ideas for America are better than McCains. I could care less if McCain, Obama, you, me, or anyone else told a joke! C'mon guys, let's talk about something more intelligent.
Skip @ 38:
I have told many tasteless jokes. But never in public, and certainly not where reporters could write them down.
Mike @ 11:
and you know what his fellow students called John McCain at Annapolis FIFTY years ago, McNasty !
he has a long long history of being strange and mean and not quite normal.
then graduating 894th out of 899th for 1958 qualifies somebody (esp a grandson of an Admiral, and son of almost an Admiral) for top gun naval school.
They almost could have written the song 'Fortunate Son' for McNasty.
Northern Trombonist @ 32:
get yer Repug facts straight, this was a joke told twenty years ago in public to a Republican political dinner,
I bet it had the fat white Repugs rolling on the floor over the not so subtle race angle to the joke,
and it pertains very much to the gag Repug candidate's state of mind or lack of it.
Trekkie @ 39:
McNasty has all the traits of a genuine tourettes superhero
Left&Left @ 26:
and every time one of his faded political advisers comes under the spotlight they all resign or get arrested or something similarly Republican.
Gramm is the latest GOP hack to resign and run away screaming, dont they have any F*cking backbones or what !?
Two Jews walk into a bar, the one drop his pants and stars f{offensive - DaveMonitor}....HAHAHAHA!!!
hey, i just being myself...
okay, here's a classic steve martin joke for the kids...
Two lesbians are walking down the street {more offensive - DaveMonitor} -- WOOOO!!!
hey, i gotta be me!
anyway...we've had a president who's done the whole 'i gotta be me!' thing for 8 years...in fact its gotten to the point where ive been referring to him as the 'fuck you' president....id really rather have someone like that in the senate/congress where he can be overruled (and i realize that technically, he can as president...but please...)
I've said it before- everyone under the age of 70 knows rape jokes are only funny when they involve at least one clown.
@ #31:
Everyone tells crude jokes.... But most people have the sense to make sure they’re not telling those jokes in a room where reporters are present.
The thing is, I don't think that displayed foolishness. I think it displayed the fact that McCain saw nothing wrong in the "joke." Which to my mind is a lot worse.
And as for our concern trolls grousing that this is all just a "waste of time" and "get over it," thank you for your input but as the GOPpers are always saying, "it speaks to character and character is an issue."
I find it hard to sympathize with people who complain that this is gotcha politics. I am glad C & L and Olbermann have brought this to my attention. Frankly, if this "authentic" McCain, I don't trust him with the task of rehabilitating our human rights record, I wouldn't want him anywhere near survivors of Darfur or the situation in the Congo or their loved ones, and as a survivor myself, this is reason #15,866,767,676 for me not to vote for him. I'm glad he finds rape and sexual assault oh so funny...I'm not laughing with him.
McCain has a problem telling the truth just like Bush.
If this is "authentic" McPander Bear, I think we should insist on a fake. Then vote against him.
The sad part is that all the religious right have the ultimate solution to this man's sickness, "God's forgiveness." I would never even consider thinking about telling a joke like this, but I guess that doesn't count. I'm still damned to Hell for taking a higher road because I frown on corporate greed. Go figure.
I'm sorry some of you think this is a non-issue. It speaks to the man's character. I think it's very important and it's the same reason I have no respect for Bill Clinton even though I'm a die hard liberal. He effed up big time and is a huge disappointment. I wish he would go away already.
Enough is enough of this kind of crap coming from our leaders. You want to lead this country? Prove it already that you can do it without leaving a stain. They all need a lesson from Dennis Kucinich and Al Gore.
Until then, I'll take Obama anyday over McStain.
Seriously? We're still worried about rape jokes?
I dislike republicans more than anyone, but I think going after McCain for this is silly. Real issues please; I'm not going to worry about someone's sick sense of humor--I thought the joke was delightful, by the way.
51 cg Says: Seriously? We’re still worried about rape jokes?
You've never been raped obviously. Get back to me when you have. I'll listen to you then.
djr @ 53:
No offense, but that doesn't change the stupidity of getting into a huge snit over this trivial nonsense. The fact that soldiers are dying, people are losing their homes on a daily basis, and our political discussion is about a dumb joke McCain told?
54 cg Says: djr @ 53:
51 cg Says: Seriously? We’re still worried about rape jokes?
You’ve never been raped obviously. Get back to me when you have. I’ll listen to you then.
No offense, but that doesn’t change the stupidity of getting into a huge snit over this trivial nonsense. The fact that soldiers are dying, people are losing their homes on a daily basis, and our political discussion is about a dumb joke McCain told?
A huge snit? No. This is just a fragment of why McCain should not become our next president, but it still speaks of this man's character and why he calls his wife the C word. Why are you discounting it? Do you actually read C&L or even all the other news available out there or just pick out random threads? This is FAR from being the only thing discussed here. If you're not a troll, get busy already.
I heard Joan Rivers tell that joke 15 years ago. If John McCain is getting pilloried for the re-telling; the terrorists have won.
orcas @ 56:
Maybe the terrorists have "won" when your government (provided you live in the U.S.) can spy on you illegally and without provocation, when they can "detain" you as an "enemy combatant" under the "Military Commissions Act", and if these are not reasons enough to remind people why Republicans are evil we have the illegal and criminal occupation of Iraq that has likely led to the unnecessary and unjustifiable deaths of over a million Iraqi's, all of which dont seem to bother John McCain one iota.
The joke? Its was stupid and offensive, just like the old fool who told it.
The authentic mc cain is just plain creepy -
the terrorists have won? this site has been invaded by trolls. you idiots are so transparent it's pathetic.
djr @ 55:
Right, I'm a troll because I'm taking an opposing viewpoint. Lame. And I'm not allowed to speak on this subject because I've never been raped. Double-lame. Don't play the victim card with me. Nobody's arguing about whether or not rape is a vile and heinous act. That's not what this thread is about, or what my objections are.
Anyways, responding on the MERITS of what you wrote, let's focus on what I bolded:
NO.
IT.
DOESN'T.
If you have the ability to read into someone's personality based on what they find funny, you are, to be blunt, a quack. Saying that reveals ANYTHING about Jon McCain's personality (even more so since it was 20 years ago) is like saying people who enjoy horror movies endorse murder and disembowelment. It's ludicrous on its very premise. Mentioning it is just a distraction, and one without any basis. As you've illustrated in the latter part of your post, we have LOTS of ammunition against McCain without mentioning something as trivial as his dubious sense of humor. I prefer to judge my candidates on their policies, but to each their own.
America and the world doesn't need another fool in the White House; especially an old fool.
McCain is the joke.
Conservatives are not only tasteless, they're just not funny. There are some tasteless right wing jokes, where I at least see what the joke is supposed to be. But here I don't get it.
cg @ 60:
People can judge a person on what style of joke THEY TELL IN PUBLIC, and what their audience finds amusing.
Thats the gist of the Gorilla rape joke, that its considered ok to joke about rape by Repugs and McNasty.
Also it tells us a lot about McNasty's judgment in using such a joke in public, even if he didnt source it for the telling.
Even back in Raygun neanderthal times ie the 80s it was considered rather bad taste (by most thinking people) to joke about rape and other crimes of violence.
In a private drunken poker game or a corner of a bar then such jokes might get told, but not as an entertainment piece for a speech at a political dinner, thats akin to publishing or broadcasting.
ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 63:
Hypocrite.
So you can be honest in front of a poker crowd but not in front of a large group of people.
orcas @ 56:
One is an actress, the other is a politician that represents all sexes and all of his constituents and wants to be POTUS.
Also an actress or female comedian could tell the 'joke' from the victims point of view, a big difference.
Boils down to context and delivery, McNasty can only tell this 'joke' from the aggressor or amused bystander point of view.
Nikola @ 64:
One is private and self censoring, jokes in too bad a taste will get reproached.
The other is public and theres no immediate feedback for the person pushing it, the audience will passively applaud bad jokes out of politeness, or wanting to fit in with the perceived group think.
Context and applied moral behavior, separates us from the lower animals (Repugs etc)
I am English, I will not swear in mixed company, but in male company and if the situation warrants it I will occasionally say the F word. :)
McCains a demented man, no doubt. While this sort of "humor" may be acceptable among some crowds, it should not be in the political circles McCain has been part of for all these years. This type of "joke" is something you would expect to hear from uneducated, redneck types, not someone in public office even if it was 20+ years ago. What's next - McCain telling ni**er "jokes"?
This joke is just one indication of the sick and twisted mind of mcshame. It is a long time til November and I believe we can be assured of more misspeaks from the "non-hero" before then. He just can't help it. He thinks he is god's gift to women and he can say what he wants. If people would just put together everything mcshame has done and said they would see he hates women. I'm sure all the psychologists out there are having a hey day trying to analyze mcshame.
McCain has a disgusting bent towards blatant mysogony. It is embraced by republicans. Also, it further proves he called his wife a c*nt in front of other people. McCain is an idiot. I used to feel sorry for him after Bush and Rove did him so dirty. But after he hugged Bush I realized he was an idiot. Now he is a woman hating idiot.
61 uk visa Says: America and the world doesn’t need another fool in the White House; especially an old fool.
McCain is the joke.
I guess I've lost my sense of humor.
if barack obama had cracked that "joke" it would be covered in every paper and every news source across the world. it would be the most famous "joke" in the world.
I have a master's degree in clinical psychology. And part of my job is making psychiatric diagnoses. To do so, I use the following tools:
Detailed history of the person's behavior
Interview with the person
Objective tests such as the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) and the Beck Depression Inventory, etc.
Projective tests such as the TAT (Thematic Apperception Test) or other storytelling techniques; the House-Tree-Person and Kinetic Family Drawing (especially if it is a child)
In particular, the TAT and other storytelling procedures are a good glimpse into a person's typical frame of mind. Indeed, what a person considers funny, or sad, or commonplace, is a very good indication of who they are, what the core personality is like.
Since I don't have access to most of the above sources of information about John McCain, I will not hazard a specific diagnosis--but I will tell you that this is someone who is likely to have negative attitudes toward and negative behavior toward women.
This is a far cry from Carlin's "Rape can be funny" bit: "Picture Elmer Fudd... raping Porky Pig." I'm all for offensive jokes, but at least try to make them funny. That one just sucked. Sure offers plenty of insight into McCain's attitudes regarding women's rights. He's probably a throwback to a bygone era. His voting record regarding abortion and access to birth control reflects that.
Have people forgotten Clayton Williams' joke so soon?
yup.... conservative humor.... unfunny and tasteless at best or horrifyingly rife with sociopathic insensitivity at worst...
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