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| Topic: Palin, daughter lash out at 'Family Guy' episode | |
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Edited by
massagetrade
on
Thu 02/18/10 06:10 PM
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it's apparant that the people that are disgusted with the bit didn't actually see the show Exactly. Someone tells you that a Down's syndrome person was used in a comedy show, so you assume that they are heartlessly exploiting Downs syndrome people or mocking them? Maybe I'll have to watch the episode again and look for ways to be offended by their use of a person with Down's syndrome. They did make her out to be a selfish and demanding person, but this was in no way connected to Down's syndrome. Edit: Oh, wait... now I'm playing into Seth's hands, because I'm seriously going to watch the show again with an eye towards reevaluated its 'offensiveness towards people with Down's syndrome'. |
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I did see the episode and thought it was pathetic. I find nothing funny with some of the comedy out there.
My point of posting this wasn't to back Palin, but about what people find funny these days. |
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I did see the episode and thought it was pathetic. I find nothing funny with some of the comedy out there. Did you feel that they were exploiting people with Down's syndrome? On some level, I just don't care about Palin and her shenanigans, while I do care about people with Down's syndrome and would react strongly if I saw, say a youtube video that seemed to endorse the idea that its okay to look down on them or mistreat them. The Downs character in this show had a strong and self-assured personality. She knew what she wanted and she didn't stand for anything less. If 'alaska' hadn't been mentioned, we wouldn't probably be having this conversation. I'd really don't like how these issues are being intermingled - Palins politcal posture as a victim, vs the question of whether Seth handled a D.S. character in a completely unacceptable way. (We already know that Family Guy is not in good taste). |
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I think the Alaska part was a shot at Palin, but yes, I would have an issue with it even if Alaska wasn't mentioned. I just don't find these things funny.
I don't see Palin as a victim. I really could care less about her, but not very humorous to hit that close to home when a child is involved. It was tasteless IMO. I would have said the same thing about Chelsie Clinton being made fun of when she was just a child, but I wasn't on any forums back then. |
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I would have an issue with it even if Alaska wasn't mentioned. I just don't find these things funny. I guess I'm not clear on what you mean by 'these things'. When a person with DS is mocked or derided for having Downs, I both (a) don't find it funny and (b) find it wrong. When a person with DS is used as a character, I don't find that funny either, but I don't find it wrong. So I agree with you that having a character w/ DS wasn't funny, but I don't think there is anything wrong with it. As far as the alaska mention, maybe I just don't get it. |
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I'm starting to think this is like an ink-blot test.
The female character with DS simply states that her mom is the former governor of alaska. What do we read into this? Since the character was female, not male like Palins son w/DS, my first thought was: Are they implying that there is more than one former governor with a child with DS? But then, I tend to be literal minded. |
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I would have an issue with it even if Alaska wasn't mentioned. I just don't find these things funny. I guess I'm not clear on what you mean by 'these things'. When a person with DS is mocked or derided for having Downs, I both (a) don't find it funny and (b) find it wrong. When a person with DS is used as a character, I don't find that funny either, but I don't find it wrong. So I agree with you that having a character w/ DS wasn't funny, but I don't think there is anything wrong with it. As far as the alaska mention, maybe I just don't get it. he only part about the Alaska part mentioned is that I can understand the reaction of a mother if it is toward her. I don't care if it is a cartoon or not, it seemed to me to be a dig at Palin because of the Alaska statement and it's pretty sad to use her child to take digs. Take digs at her directly....doesn't bother me. But a child or someone with special needs? cartoon or not, I don't find any humor in it. Which is a reason I don't watch things like South Park. If you don't have a problem with it, that's up to you. I am telling you that (me, myself and I) don't like it |
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it seemed to me to be a dig at Palin because of the Alaska statement and it's pretty sad to use her child to take digs. I can definitely sympathize with that point of view. If the perceived 'dig' was more blatant (and blatantly negative towards DS), I would feel very similar to how you feel. This may have even been Seth's plan...have the character make a statement whose literal interpretation is innocent, but which would be perceived as a dig, and benefit from all the attention while being able to hide behind his lack of explicit insult. |
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the dig part was only about understanding from a parent's point of view how Palin may have felt.
But even if that wasn't mentioned....I find it in poor taste and I would have mentioned it any way. I don't care for that show and I don't watch it but once in a while. I despise South Park. But I know I am not forced to watch it. It's my choice. I don't think racist jokes (no matter what race they are) funny, pedophile jokes, and other tasteless comedy like that. Some people do....I don't |
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I just fired up Hulu and skipped through the episode. The first time I watched it, I mentally tuned out the 'musical' segment; they do poke fun at Down's syndrome in general in the lyrics of that song.
When Chris gets mad at the end, he says: "I used to think that people with Down syndrome were different from the rest of us, but you’re not. You’re not different at all!" |
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I have this neat lil gadget I like to call a remote. If I dont like what Im seeing "Hey I just turn the channel"!!!!!!!!
I mean come on!!!!!! Ever watch Glen Beck???? In politics its the same way on both sides...The Clinton's didnt raise a stink over the "NASTY" thing things said about Chelese, they let it go as "JUST GOES WITH THE TERRITORY"..... If you cant take the heat you shouldnt put your family out there!!!!! It happens all the time and just not to politicians!!!!! |
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that last part is a good message...I won't deny that. But I have a problem with the whole idea that I got from the whole episode.
I'm certainly not saying "Oh no....we must protect our children and get that show off the air" My nephew watches South Park. I just think it's tasteless and some of the episodes I've seen of it were disgusting. From what I have seen Family Guy isn't as bad as South Park, but to each their own. Just like the comedians that think they have to use cuss words ever other word. Why??? Can't they be funny without it? But the dig at Palin, which I perceived as bringing up her child, was out of line. The kids didn't ask to be in the spotlight. She is in the spotlight. I have no problem with jokes about her, since she is the one that decided to be in the spotlight. |
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Actually massage, you did bring up a good point though. For me, I wouldn't like it regardless of the political person involved, but that is a good question.
Would it matter to others if the reference to Palin wasn't mentioned? Or how about if it referenced Cheney? What about if Obama had a child with DS and he was referenced? |
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The kids didn't ask to be in the spotlight. She is in the spotlight. I have no problem with jokes about her, since she is the one that decided to be in the spotlight. I think it would be nice if the pundits, talking heads, comedians, etc all had more respect (esp. for privacy) for the families of celebrities. The best solution may be to boycott those products. I'm a little disturbed by the idea that people on the left and the right are often jusitfying some abusive treatment by saying 'the other side does it too'. I mean, that has nothing to do with how we ought to do things. |
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The kids didn't ask to be in the spotlight. She is in the spotlight. I have no problem with jokes about her, since she is the one that decided to be in the spotlight. I think it would be nice if the pundits, talking heads, comedians, etc all had more respect (esp. for privacy) for the families of celebrities. The best solution may be to boycott those products. I'm a little disturbed by the idea that people on the left and the right are often jusitfying some abusive treatment by saying 'the other side does it too'. I mean, that has nothing to do with how we ought to do things. well I don't care for either side myself. I'm a party unto myself 
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Actually massage, you did bring up a good point though. For me, I wouldn't like it regardless of the political person involved, but that is a good question. Would it matter to others if the reference to Palin wasn't mentioned? Or how about if it referenced Cheney? What about if Obama had a child with DS and he was referenced? Based on the way she has portrays herself, the way she responded to Letterman (not the fact that she responded, but the degree and manner) - I really get the impression that she is out looking to stage dramatic reactions to perceived attacks. She is preying on people's sympathies. I think this is part of her strategy to hold the spotlight on herself, and to gain sympathetic supporters. |
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massage, you could be right. I'm not in her head (thank goodness
) But I do know that any one that messes with my son better take cover lol...but I'm just that way and I'm not even in the spotlight.
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I have this neat lil gadget I like to call a remote. If I dont like what Im seeing "Hey I just turn the channel"!!!!!!!! I mean come on!!!!!! Ever watch Glen Beck???? In politics its the same way on both sides...The Clinton's didnt raise a stink over the "NASTY" thing things said about Chelese, they let it go as "JUST GOES WITH THE TERRITORY"..... If you cant take the heat you shouldnt put your family out there!!!!! It happens all the time and just not to politicians!!!!! hmmmmmmmmm I think I said that I can make the choice to watch or not...didn't I?  AND I have said I didn't think how they treated Chelsie was right either. Pick on the adults. the kids didn't ask to be in the spotlight |
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If anyone wants to watch the episode, it can be found here.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/125175/family-guy-extra-large-medium I found this blog while looking for comments from the Down's syndrome community on this issue. The blogger claims to have a sister with Down's syndrome. The blog can be found here: http://badgerherald.com/artsetc/2010/02/17/family_guy_dances_ar.php I'm offering this as food for thought in general - its not directed at anyone nor in response to anything in particular. Although the media’s attention in this issue has focused on Sarah Palin’s reaction to the joke, little attention has been paid to special needs organizations and their reactions to the episode. Perhaps it’s the total media eclipse that is Sarah Palin, or maybe they saw the episode and discovered there was nothing to worry about.
As it turns out, for a show that’s known for its defiant tactlessness, the writers at “Family Guy” handled the Down syndrome plotline with surprising sensitivity. For example, after learning what’s “up with her,” Stewie doesn’t make fun of Ellen. Instead, he just accepts it and moves on, encouraging Chris to ask her out and helping him getting ready in the best way he knows how — through a classic Hollywood song and dance sequence. Of course, there are jokes. In the musical number, Stewie takes advantage of a common stereotype — the idea that people with Down syndrome like to hug — and says Ellen’s hugs are “tighter than a vice and they go on for an hour.” And there are references to her distinctive, almond-shaped eyes, which Stewie calls “kitty cat impersonating.” |
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good article massage. But others can freely have their opinions. I don't base mine just because someone else thinks it is ok. I base mine on myself
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