Apparently, there is a good chance I am a prostitute!
I was not going to get political on this blog, because we all know where that leads... lots of hate mail. No, I actually did not want to delve into politics because I believe that a weblog is not the correct forum for that sort of debate. I like discussions to occur in person and to allow equal time for everyone to air their opinions. However, I believe I have discovered a particular political issue everyone can get behind. I call it: "Tucker Carlson is a big fat asshole".
How is this political? Well, Tucker Carlson is a right wing pundit, so already we are deep into politics. Also, the particular issue that is causing me to call him an asshole is also deeply political, the David Vitter scandal. For those of you who do not know, this started with his number appearing on the list of phone calls to the "D.C. Madam". Later, a former brothel owner in New Orleans alleged that David Vitter also had patronized her house of ill repute. This has become mired in politics not only because Vitter is a US senator, but also because he is a fairly conservative Republican. David Vitter is known for: being an opponent of same sex marriage, being a proponent of abstinence only education, and being heavily critical of former President Clinton's moral behavior. In particular, Vitter claimed that Clinton had behaved immorally in a public office and therefore should be removed from that office. The strong statements against Clinton have come back to haunt the senator since he has been caught engaging in an extramarital affair.
Now, I know you are thinking, well, this is all very interesting Nora, but how do we get back to Tucker Carlson? I am getting there, I promise. So, this last week or so, after Vitter's number appeared on the phone list of the former D.C. Brothel owner, Democrats have been going crazy accusing Vitter of Hypocrisy. Similarly, Republicans have been going crazy claiming him as man who stuck by his morals, has made a public apology to his constituents about his affair, and is trying to live up to high moral standards. Among his defenders has been Tucker Carlson, who used his show "Tucker" on 7/13/07 to discuss why the Senator should be allowed to retain his seat. (transcript of the show can be found here)
Excerpts from the show: (the italics are mine)
PRESS: He lied about going to a hooker. By the way, may I point something out? This is against the law. This is a felony. The question is not is he going to resign, the real question is; is he ever going to be charged with breaking the law. By the way, prostitution is against the law even in New Orleans and even in Washington, D.C.
Before I continue I want to make one thing clear. I am making no claims about whether Vitter should be allowed to stay in office, no claims on the legality or appropriateness of prostitution, of extramarital affairs, of being a hypocrite or being a moral human being, none of it.
I am just saying this: Tucker Carlson is an asshole, because he is just making shit up to defend a position he supports. How does disparaging a third of the women of New Orleans help anyone in this situation? Does him calling this city a modern Sodom and Gomorrah help with the recovery effort? Does it help Vitter retain his political position? Does it help ensure sexual privacy, which Carlson is such a huge proponent of? No. It helps none of those things.
If the American people are ever going to have real conversations about morals, politics and "The American Way" we need to be honest. We need to use facts, figures and logic, and not grandstand. Tucker Carlson is clearly not capable of engaging in a real conversation, because he is just an asshole.
How is this political? Well, Tucker Carlson is a right wing pundit, so already we are deep into politics. Also, the particular issue that is causing me to call him an asshole is also deeply political, the David Vitter scandal. For those of you who do not know, this started with his number appearing on the list of phone calls to the "D.C. Madam". Later, a former brothel owner in New Orleans alleged that David Vitter also had patronized her house of ill repute. This has become mired in politics not only because Vitter is a US senator, but also because he is a fairly conservative Republican. David Vitter is known for: being an opponent of same sex marriage, being a proponent of abstinence only education, and being heavily critical of former President Clinton's moral behavior. In particular, Vitter claimed that Clinton had behaved immorally in a public office and therefore should be removed from that office. The strong statements against Clinton have come back to haunt the senator since he has been caught engaging in an extramarital affair.
Now, I know you are thinking, well, this is all very interesting Nora, but how do we get back to Tucker Carlson? I am getting there, I promise. So, this last week or so, after Vitter's number appeared on the phone list of the former D.C. Brothel owner, Democrats have been going crazy accusing Vitter of Hypocrisy. Similarly, Republicans have been going crazy claiming him as man who stuck by his morals, has made a public apology to his constituents about his affair, and is trying to live up to high moral standards. Among his defenders has been Tucker Carlson, who used his show "Tucker" on 7/13/07 to discuss why the Senator should be allowed to retain his seat. (transcript of the show can be found here)
Excerpts from the show: (the italics are mine)
PRESS: He lied about going to a hooker. By the way, may I point something out? This is against the law. This is a felony. The question is not is he going to resign, the real question is; is he ever going to be charged with breaking the law. By the way, prostitution is against the law even in New Orleans and even in Washington, D.C.
CARLSON: It‘s against the law in the sense that double parking is against the law.
PRESS: Tucker, you ask the vice squad about that. They‘re a little more serious.
CARLSON: In New Orleans?
PRESS: I think it ought to be legal.
CARLSON: Have you ever been to a restaurant in New Orleans? One out of three women is for sale. I mean, come on—
Before I continue I want to make one thing clear. I am making no claims about whether Vitter should be allowed to stay in office, no claims on the legality or appropriateness of prostitution, of extramarital affairs, of being a hypocrite or being a moral human being, none of it.
I am just saying this: Tucker Carlson is an asshole, because he is just making shit up to defend a position he supports. How does disparaging a third of the women of New Orleans help anyone in this situation? Does him calling this city a modern Sodom and Gomorrah help with the recovery effort? Does it help Vitter retain his political position? Does it help ensure sexual privacy, which Carlson is such a huge proponent of? No. It helps none of those things.
If the American people are ever going to have real conversations about morals, politics and "The American Way" we need to be honest. We need to use facts, figures and logic, and not grandstand. Tucker Carlson is clearly not capable of engaging in a real conversation, because he is just an asshole.
posted by Nora at
10:21 AM
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