Instead of an Emmy, Letterman wins a place in NOW’s Hall of Shame

June 13, 3:22 PMSF Politics ExaminerArthur Bruzzone

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Newest NOW Hall of Shame Inductee

SAN FRANCISCO, CA --  The National Association of Women (NOW) has inducted late night comedian David Letterman into their Hall of Shame for his recent opening monologue jokes.  Presumably, CBS “Late Night” technicians enhanced the audience response which may have included more than laughter.

NOW noted “on his June 10 show, Letterman said he was referring to Palin's 18-year-old daughter, Bristol -- not the 14-year-old daughter who actually accompanied Palin on her New York trip.

“Letterman said 'I recognize that these are ugly" jokes'. NOW agrees. Comedians in search of a laugh should really know better than to snicker about men having sex with teenage girls (or young women) less than half their age.” 

This attempt at an apology,  Letterman seems to indicate that he knew the original joke referred to Governor Palin’s 14-year old daughter, not 18-year old Bristol.

Letterman also continued what NOW calls “examples of how the media loves to focus on a woman politician's appearance, especially as it relates to her sexual appeal to men.”  NOW was referring to Letterman’s second attempt at humor about what he called Palin's "slutty flight attendant look".

It’s part of a pattern. When Chelsea Clinton was 13 years old she was the target of numerous insults based on her appearance. Rush Limbaugh even referred to her as the "White House dog. More recently. Obama strategist, David Axelrod, suggested that dethroned Miss California, Carrie Prejean, might make a good name for the official White House dog. 

As the NOW website notes, starting in 1966, NOW's founders addressed the impact of media on women's lives. Ever since then, NOW's leaders and members have fought for “media justice for women.” Couching clearly degrading representations of women in humor, or what passes as humor forty years later in 2009 shows the extent of the problem. 

That's the syndrome we’ve reached.  Comedians, politicians, talk show hosts, and news organizations are allowed to incrementally demean woman public officials.  That seeps into the private world of all women.  If remarks like those of Letterman, Limbaugh and Axelrod are permitted for whatever political or comedic reason, then what is said in work places, and in private gatherings, is licensed -- even when clothed in sick humor.