So-called comedian Bill Maher is the poster boy for the brutish. He reminds me of a series of classmates during my school years. They were trash-talking bullies, encouraged by peers who would laugh, but always with unease.
Maher, born in New York to a Jewish mother and Irish-American father, apparently loves to bash America, where he has grown rich, while using his priceless freedom of speech. It might be said, it’s allowed him to become a member of the wealthy, one-percenters, so despised by the “occupiers.”
His recent crack that America is a “stupid country” and should “get over” the idea of being “exceptional,” tells us the blood and lives sacrificed, so he can thrive, are inconsequential. But, still, he is revered by some and honored in his industry. What that says about his adoring fans is the disturbing rub.
Should we worry about such talk? Not if it comes from a few, but for decades now, the trend is growing; more generations are adopting media language and attitudes found in universities and coffee houses located on our East and West shores. America bashing has become the politically correct thing to do. Interesting, Maher once hosted a show titled, “Politically Incorrect.”
We need only look at our own lives to know what happens when gifts go unrecognized; when negative overrides positive. Natural law takes over.
Those who understand the law of the power of language, focus on positive to create more of the same. They focus on solutions. Those who understand that perception is reality, that what we think, we become, that “as a man thinketh,” so is he, are those who reject destructive negatives. The wise understand there’s a difference between trash-attacks and healthy critiques lending to beneficial disagreements.
People who use negatives as currency, intentionally destructive, are to be avoided, not applauded. Should the applause grow, it won’t take many more years before America’s light and hope succumb.
Unrecognized are the extraordinary gifts America shares with this planet, by anyone’s measure. Considering our current day politics, I will only mention our immigration policy. At least a million immigrants are legally granted citizenship annually in the most generous policy in the world. But, it’s never enough.
Perhaps the most tiresome attack on the USA has been over slavery, never mind that slavery of every sort was the world culture at the time and to this day, still exists worldwide, including Africa. Never mind about a country which aggressively addresses civil rights. Garbage talkers keep attacking, keep complaining. We can only assume they wish for the downfall of America.
But, hope rests with the fact that Americans have the guts for smart, constructive dialogue. And, if the Maher types don’t propagate, our country will continue solving its problems.
This is why: At least 73 percent of Americans (of both parties) view this grand nation “exceptional,” (Gallup.com/poll, Dec. 22, 2010). But, the respondents also agreed we are at “risk of losing our unique character.” This will surprise Maher fans: At least 66 percent of Americans believe we “should lead in world affairs.”
Take advantage of July 4th. Inject positive into the system. It’s a great time to teach children why we reverence this nation. Hillsdale College is encouraging families to read the Constitution on that day. Teach your children why it’s great, why we are exceptional, why our mistakes are opportunities to make corrections.
As for Maher, he’s exercising his rights, in an “exceptional nation,” while his fans cheer his destructive negativism. Thus we see that junk-talk comes from small minds, while great leaders understand that words are creating our tomorrows.
East Valley resident Linda Turley-Hansen (turleyhansen@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist and former Phoenix veteran TV anchor.
mnjcpa posted at 9:05 am on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Great article Linda. The television has been off in my home for a few years now, as liberal cultural depravity has entrenched the airwaves. I guess that's what you do when you see your market share disappear to convert to National Enquirer type of entertainment. Thanks for pointing out why those that do, can listen to trash. Maher is a misguided misogynist - hope he's happy with the legacy he's leaving.
sockratties posted at 9:22 am on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Once again Linda tries to wrap her unexceptional mind around a concept she can’t fathom; self evaluation and criticism.
Bill Maher does use rough humor and irreverence to express his point of view. It’s easy to see how Linda was intimidated by such ideas when in school. She probably got made fun of because she volunteered to be a hall-monitor and tattle-tale.
A major theme of Maher’s admittedly bias politics is that America has no innate entitlement to exceptionalism. We must continually earn our place in the world politically, morally and ethically. America is exceptional because of our ability to come together when needed and to overcome obstacles that threaten our chosen way of life. Maher does not knock America but he does knock our actions and our willingness to rest on our laurels. He does attack our growing inability to compromise and those who hide behind platitudes and simplistic surface idealism.
The “media language and attitudes found in universities and coffee houses” have always been the first element to be attacked by fascists and dictators. Those who are willing to think outside the party line are the most dangerous to those who would destroy those things that make us exceptional. Many who wave the flag are hiding a political agenda behind it. Agree with Maher or not, he makes those who are willing to, think. Sometimes that hurts.
We are still exceptional but it is dangerous to take our exceptionalism for granted. We must remain vigilant. Muzzling those who would warn us of being too smug is like ignoring signs of cancer. Linda already has turned a deaf ear. We need the Bill Mahers in the media. They are the canary in the mine.
chatmandu002 posted at 11:07 am on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Good article Linda.
sockratties.
Why is it that liberal/progressive media types are the only one that can blast us with there crude vile "media language and attitudes" and make us think?
Let's face it, Bill Maher is a schmuck, no ifs or buts about it.
nativemn posted at 11:37 am on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Why don't you include Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck in the trash talkers?
Masterrogue666 posted at 4:45 pm on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Bill WHO?
COMPUABLE posted at 6:12 pm on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
Interesting how it is OK and just "fine and dandy" for Bill Maher to use the term "Mental Patients" in such a derogatory fashion (during his June 22, 2012 broadcast) to describe his disdain for the 'current crop' of Republicans. I wonder if the media would have given Mr. Maher such a pass for doing this had he used other derogatory terms such as 'useless as cripples' or 'cheap as Jewish bankers' or 'lazy as a welfare moms' in order to describe politicians and/or political parties that he does not happen to care for or like?
mrconservative posted at 9:14 pm on Sun, Jun 24, 2012.
nativemn, Unlike Bill Maher, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh tell the truth. Bill Maher has every right to excersize his freedom of speech, but if some liberals had their way, all opposite voices, including conservative talk show hosts would be silenced. I've never once heard Beck trash Obama. It's not like Obama has never trashed conservatives!
As for Limbaugh, he can be a bit obnoxious at times, but you know somethin'? That's what he does. He demonstrates absurdity by being absurd. He tells the truth.
Irons1 posted at 6:21 am on Mon, Jun 25, 2012.
Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh tell the truth? Are you kidding? I sure hope so, two bigger idiots cannot be found on the air
sockratties posted at 6:26 am on Mon, Jun 25, 2012.
compuable -- you just did it for us.
chatmandont -- stix a & stones... and who said only?
mrcons -- depends on which half of the truth u want.
mnjcpa posted at 8:44 am on Mon, Jun 25, 2012.
Curious sockratties if you've actually listened to Limbaugh for six weeks? Or have you formed your opinion from what the liberal media tells you? If you did, what you would find is actually a gentleman. Granted he gets out of hand once in a while (Sandra Fluke), but he's quick to sincerely make amends.
The crude, debasing things Maher says about women and in particular conservative women and their children nor does he apologize for it. All the while the left has their faux war on women, while they accept his money? Hypocritical I say.
Your original piece has great insight about America resting on its laurels - couldn't agree more but you lost me at your conclusion. The fact that Americans have become lazy and entitled doesn't make it okay for moral degenerates to have an open mic and you accept their money on top of it.
As for those universities and coffee houses - they don't think outside the party lines - they are the party lines for liberalism. Our education system is devoid of means that students can compete globally while education costs have skyrocketed likely to support lifelong tenured pensions. Agreed that we shouldn't be smug about our exceptionalism, but you're looking in the wrong direction.
mrconservative posted at 10:37 pm on Mon, Jun 25, 2012.
Irons1, can you name a single lie that Beck or Limbaugh have told? Can you? I listened to Rush for years. I don't do it regularly anymore, but that does not mean I wll not defend him when he's attacked. I've read both his books. I suggest you do the same.
sockratties posted at 7:04 pm on Tue, Jun 26, 2012.
There are many Beck and Limbaugh lies and half truths but here is just one... It’s easy to find the hundreds of others along with an amazing selection of stupid quotes if one really wanted to see them. Of course some of Rush’s comments are made while he’s high on prescription narcotics so he can get a pass on those.
--- Limbaugh in April 2012:
”There isn’t any economic growth, there’s government growth. But there isn’t any private sector growth. There’s no growth in jobs. 120,000 jobs were created according to the news yesterday. It’s just pathetic.”
--- Here are the facts from the U.S. Department of Commerce:
The increase in real GDP in the first quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, private inventory investment, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from federal government spending, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.
--- So, all growth has been within the private sector and there were losses in the government.
mnjcpa posted at 6:26 pm on Wed, Jun 27, 2012.
sockratties you're seriously misinformed. A random comment off of a government website can't prove anything. You've been played.
The economy is growing much too slowly to absorb the available work force, and industries that usually hire early in a recovery—construction and small businesses—were crippled by the credit bust. The economy needs to grow by at least 1.5% or so just to absorb new entrants in the workforce. With just .7% economic growth in the first six months of 2012, the unemployed really don’t have a chance to get in the game.
On a personal note, I work with small business owners all over the country and I can assure you there is no growth in the private sector. They're scared of this administration and what it represents.
sockratties posted at 7:26 am on Thu, Jun 28, 2012.
mnjcpa – read back a couple of comments and you’ll see I was responding to mrconservative’s challenge to find a lie by Limbaugh. I used one from his radio program as an example. The facts are data from the Department of Commerce. I didn’t say growth was adequate or defend the current administration. My point is that Rush lies and tells half-truths to stir things up and keep his minions foaming at the mouth. The only time “he's quick to sincerely make amends” is when his sponsors start cancelling their adds. If you buy into Rush Limbaugh’s garbage without checking its validity, you’re the one who’s being played.
While you’re pointing the finger be sure to include Congress. For example look at Rand Paul’s stunts such as blocking the current farm bill by attaching a completely unrelated amendment declaring ‘fetal personhood’ or attaching a Pakistan amendment to a bipartisan farm bill. This type of shenanigans are examples of the personal agenda of congress being put ahead of the American people. Without availability of flood insurance required by lenders much of the housing industry is stalled and the farm bill insures agricultural continuity for investment in crops. Paul has chosen to impact at least two bills that would have a positive impact on job creation. Try to blame those on the administration.
mrconservative posted at 8:53 am on Thu, Jun 28, 2012.
”There isn’t any economic growth, there’s government growth. But there isn’t any private sector growth. There’s no growth in jobs. 120,000 jobs were created according to the news yesterday. It’s just pathetic.”
This is not a lie. It's the truth. The Department of Commerce lied. That's a fact. You'll do anything, even lie yourself, to make your view be heard.
mnjcpa posted at 10:15 am on Thu, Jun 28, 2012.
Limbaugh is a radio host sock. In that capacity he has a right to entertain, report the news, or anything else for that matter that is his show's outline. He provides ideas, how to consider topics - but that's all it is is an opinion. Since his listeners top 15 million I guess there's a lot of people in America that feel the same way I do. We sure can't get the topics discussed on those ratings rivals CNN, ABC, NBC, or CBS who are nothing more than stenographers for Obama. You really think you get the truth from those folks?
What I was pointing out is you've got to have a deeper understanding of taxes, debt, and overall crushing impact of liberalism on America to understand why people that like Rush - like him. Do I think he gets out of hand from time to time? You bet. But his intentions and the heart of his beliefs are in complete alignment with mine - conservatism pure and simple. So yeah I guess I am one of his `minions` which I will take as a compliment. Thanks for the gesture.
Mike McClellan posted at 10:47 am on Thu, Jun 28, 2012.
Maher is slimy indeed -- and not funny and sanctimonious and arrogant.
Just like Limbaugh.
But let's be honest here -- if it's your guy, the slime and sanctimony and arrogance is okay. But if it's the other guy, well, then, that's offensive.
That's the world we live in today.
Engaged Voter posted at 1:00 pm on Thu, Jun 28, 2012.
Dear Linda Turley-Hansen, a few questions for you:
"the blood and lives sacrificed, so he can thrive"
Would you mind listing the lives sacrified so that Maher could thrive? We've had huge losses of life in Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., yet none of those confrontations were defending America's freedom. So, what lives are you referring to?
"read the Constitution on that day. Teach your children why it’s great"
Will you also remember to teach children why the words "God", "Jesus", and "Bible" do not appear anywhere in the Constitution, and more importantly, WHY they are not there?
downtownresident posted at 8:33 am on Wed, Jul 4, 2012.
Once again, brilliant deductions.
"the law of the power of language"
"People who use negatives as currency"
"Slavery still exists worldwide"
"why we reverence this nation."
Linda, you should look at your own life, for sure.
Maybe get a proof reader and a fact checker.
Maybe try staying sober while you write this junk.
Jesus Christo de Nogales posted at 12:51 pm on Mon, Aug 20, 2012.
Bill Maher is the poster child for B. Hussein Owebama anf his Fleabaggers Party aka Democrats.
Cas Lee posted at 7:46 pm on Sun, Oct 28, 2012.
Hello, my fellow American voters!
I watched the Oct. 3rd, 11th, 16th, and 22nd debates.
1st Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal gov’t economic regulation and role; healthcare; partisan gridlock.
2nd Romney-Obama debate covered 11 topics: college graduate jobs; gas prices; taxes; equal pay; Bush policies; Obama’s record; illegal immigrants; Libya; assault weapons; jobs; candidate misperceptions.
3rd Romney-Obama debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Syria; Egypt; U.S. world role; military spending; Israel; Iran; Afghanistan; China; U.S. national security threats.
Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics.
Romney and Ryan won all 4 debates, although Obama improved some in the 2nd debate and Romney slightly took the win both in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
In the 3rd debate (unlike in prior debates), Obama reflected his weakness and disrespect by interrupting Romney a lot and using too many “one-line quips” to try to denigrate Romney.
Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude behavior during the debate (often interrupted Ryan, laughed when Ryan talked, pointed his finger). Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth disrespected Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems.
Romney and Ryan won with substance, directness, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, credibility, and leadership.
As an INDEPENDENT female feminist (egalitarian) voter, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Romney and Ryan, with their no-nonsense and methodic approach to solving America’s problems, are the best persons in terms of qualifications and character to lead our country and make life better for all Americans.
I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too!
Best regards,
Cas Lee
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