Thursday, November 24, 2011

Ai Weiwei, blogging, and never having to say you are sorry.

This will be a quick post, because I am actually feeding my blogging jones while the Mrs. is on the phone. (Yes, she is Tony Danza in this household.)

Anywhoo, today is Thanksgiving Day, and everyone is reflecting on what they have to be thankful for. Here is the thing, if you are actually alive to reflect, you have a hell of a lot to be thankful for. Nothing is better than life. What you choose to do with it is on you.

Still, as an avid blogger, I am thankful that I am not living in The People's Republic of China. I was just reading about Ai Weiwei in my latest issue of GQ Magazine, and all I could do is shake my head. It's never cool when you can't freely speak your mind.

So I am thankful for being able to speak freely....most of the time. (Mrs. Field can be like the Chinese government at times, but that doesn't count)

Before I run off I want to slam the folks over at NBC. (So glad I can speak freely.) WTF were they thinking when they apologized to Michele Bachmann for a song The Roots played when she was introduced on Jimmy Fallon's show?!

"Bachmann received a letter Wednesday from Doug Vaughan, NBC's senior vice president for special programs and late night, that apologized for what happened and called the incident "not only unfortunate but also unacceptable," said Alice Stewart, the Republican presidential hopeful's spokeswoman.

According to Stewart, the letter also said the show's band, which played the song "Lyin' Ass Bitch" by Fishbone as Bachmann first appeared on stage, was "severely reprimanded...."

Fallon had offered an apology via Twitter on Tuesday, but Bachmann then called for an official apology from NBC.

The controversy started Monday when the Minnesota congresswoman walked out to greet Fallon on stage, and the show's band, The Roots, played the Fishbone song.

Bachmann admitted being oblivious to the slight, telling Fox News on Wednesday that she "wasn't aware of it at all."

She insisted the treatment she received through the song amounted to "sexism," and she added that it "wouldn't be tolerated if it was Michelle Obama and shouldn't be tolerated for a conservative woman, either."
Still, she said, "I'd love to go back again."

Some of Bachmann's ire was directed toward the drummer of Fallon's house band, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson.

"If that song had been played for Michelle Obama I have no doubt that NBC would've apologized to her and likely they could've fired the drummer or at least suspended him. None of that happened from NBC and this is clearly a form of the bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite," Bachmann said." [Source]

Oh please! You said that you were "oblivious to the slight", so I don't want to hear it. They would never have the balls to do it, (Wait, was that reverse sexism? I said balls.) but NBC should have told you that they will apologize when NASCAR apologizes to the First Lady and Dr. Biden for what went down in Florida

Here is the difference Ms. Bachmann: you are a politician running for office, Michelle Obama is the First Lady representing the office of the presidency in these divided states of A-merry-ca. The members of The Roots believe that you have lied about some of your positions and misrepresented the position of others in the past; they were just letting you know about it in a clever way.

I am not so sure that NASCAR should apologize to Michelle Obama,either. More than likely those were not NASCAR officials booing her. (At least I don't think so.) But NBC should definitely not have apologized to you.

I guess we are all free to express ourselves if we follow it up with an apology.

For that, I am not thankful. 

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mooches theme song henceforth is " I like big butts" as she wookies her way into the room.

Thanks be to God for all the blessings I and all in this country have. Thanks be to God that there are limits on presidential terms and thanks be to God that the American people have overcome worse before and will do so again.

PilotX said...

I think they should apologize. I agree with Bachmann that there shoul dbe some sort of level of dignity afforded the guests on your show. Now if that had happened on Bill Mahr's show then all is fair game. Thing is the Roots should step if they feel they were disrespected because being "severly repremanded" sounds like giving a child a whooping. They made their point they move on, simple. In a way they helped Bachmann by making her a victim which is what conservatives are best at, the move backfired.

Whitey's Conspiracy said...

Crazy, Willie Nelson version, would have been appropriate.

La♥audiobooks said...

"If that song had been played for Michelle Obama I have no doubt that NBC would've apologized to her and likely they could've fired the drummer or at least suspended him."

This is why I always tell people, most white folks at any given opportunity will exploit the race card faster than any group on the face of this planet. Don't believe the hype. Living in a predominantly black ruled and thriving society, I see this behavior frequently.

And when will the whiny man-jaw woman give her apology for signing that pledge? The one which implied that black children are better off under slavery.

La♥audiobooks said...

And Happy Thanksgiving to you Field and all, including No-Slappz with his Trader Joe's food-stamp bought turkey. Poor ting.

Anonymous said...

Field, "I am not so sure that NASCAR should apologize to Michelle Obama,either. More than likely those were not NASCAR officials booing her. (At least I don't think so.) But NBC should definitely not have apologized to you."

You know something Field. YOU have no class or no sense of right and wrong. Hell, Satan would know what that band did on Fallon's show was wrong. Why don't you see if you can be their lawyer because they are a bunch of ignorant classless dumb shits.

I spent a career working for a competing network and that band is lucky, because they would have all been fired and I would have enjoyed doing it. NBC tends to be the most lenient with cases that tends to taint their image. Not only that, it makes talents and politicians skittish about walking on stage to an unfriendly entertainment show. Field, you don't know shit about promotions or decency.

NBC did the right thing with an apology. However, they didn't go far enough because they have a stupid ass band that is making Fallon's show a place not to be. Get rid of those morons before they really do the show in.

Fallon is struggling in ratings as well for politicians and talent as it is. Thank goodness Michele Bachmann doesn't hold grudges.

I knew you would revert back to your old self before Thanksgiving was over. And you did while eating your turkey! You need Jesus, brother.

Anonymous said...

PS, I was going to leave after Thanksgiving Day but I think I need to stay around to stay on your non-Jesus ass. I know you are relieved because where would you black lefties be without some good solid advice from black Conservatives on how to be human?

BTW, some blogs are closed on Friday. Are you open?

Anonymous said...

LAA, "And Happy Thanksgiving to you Field and all, including No-Slappz with his Trader Joe's food-stamp bought turkey. Poor ting."

He bought a turkey at Trader Joe's? They are about as expensive there as at Whole Foods! He must have bought his turkey at Jewels.

Regardless, I hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed one for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Field, "Anywhoo, today is Thanksgiving Day, and everyone is reflecting on what they have to be thankful for. Here is the thing, if you are actually alive to reflect, you have a hell of a lot to be thankful for. Nothing is better than life. What you choose to do with it is on you."

Not everyone thinks life is so great. "Nothing is better than life. What you choose to do with it is on you"...sounds very similar to what Herman Cain once said: "If you are poor, it's your own damn fault."

Field, you are sounding more and more Republican everyday. But so does Obama. First there were two parties, now we have one. No more worries, no more arguments, no more differences of opinions, no more lefties....now, we are one.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Fallon INVITED Bachmann to be a GUEST on his show. And he insults her by playing "Lying Ass Bitch" in front of his viewers? What an asshole!

He needs to fire those punk ass musicians NOW! they are ruining his show and I predict he will do so..... Something so indecent as that cannot go on.

Fallon, FIRE THOSE IGNORANT INDECENT FOOLS, and get your INTEGRITY back!

Field, it is understood you have no integrity; you have proven that many times over.

Anonymous said...

"Here is the difference Ms. Bachmann: you are a politician running for office, Michelle Obama is the First Lady representing the office of the presidency in these divided states of A-merry-ca. The members of The Roots believe that you have lied about some of your positions and misrepresented the position of others in the past; they were just letting you know about it in a clever way."

"Do unto others as you would do unto you." And it doesn't matter what position you have in life. Mr. Field, you are a hard-ass with no conscience. You certainly are no follower of the Golden Rule. Your moral compass is broken.

Anonymous said...

PilotX, "I think they should apologize. I agree with Bachmann that there shoul dbe some sort of level of dignity afforded the guests on your show."

OMG, even PilotX can't take such indecency! Only Field thinks it's ok for Fallon to degrade people on his show. SMH...

Anonymous said...

well, well, well. You FN Mexican lovers ought to love this video about "unbelievable" discrimination in New Mexico. Don't worry, it's not against your favorite Mexicans, just Negroes. Hmmmm. I wonder what Field and his liberal black cronies would say about this?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/23/civil-rights-groups-claim_n_1109308.html?ref=black-voices

field negro said...

"Why don't you see if you can be their lawyer because they are a bunch of ignorant classless dumb shits."


I tried. I wasn't so lucky. :(
I would LOVE to be their lawyer.

"You certainly are no follower of the Golden Rule. Your moral compass is broken."

What is the "Golden Rule"?

"I knew you would revert back to your old self before Thanksgiving was over. And you did while eating your turkey! You need Jesus, brother."

Pray for me.

Speaking of Jesus; today is Green Friday. I hope you all got your Jesus Birthday gifts already.

Anonymous said...

@Pilot X - Whoops - Thanks to FOIA There now is no doubt Global Warming really is a scam. Heres a cover up by some of those famous for pushing Global warming rejecting Scientific analysis (real scientific)

By the way, Scientists were the ones who pushed real science against the politicians (scientists in name) pushing the scam and hiding evidence.

The published peer accepted papers and emails highlighting the fraud are linked here:

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2011/11/foia2011-on-shameful-paper.html

Anonymous said...

La♥audiobooks said...
"If that song had been played for Michelle Obama I have no doubt that NBC would've apologized to her and likely they could've fired the drummer or at least suspended him."

This is why I always tell people, most white folks at any given opportunity will exploit the race card faster than any group on the face of this planet. Don't believe the hype. Living in a predominantly black ruled and thriving society, I see this behavior frequently.


And when will the whiny man-jaw woman give her apology for signing that pledge? The one which implied that black children are better off under slavery.

Wow, seems like the only one racist here is you. To justify someones bad behavior towards someone you don't like because they are white, you presume that it is ok because they would play the race card like you do. Again irrationally claiming that people don't like Michelle because she is black, of course never having anything in your mind to do with her being a mooch and married to the worst president of the US who hates American people?

So tell us, where is this wonderfully Black "Ruled" and thriving society that you live in, what city, state or town might this be?

no slappz said...

Jimmy Fallon? Do people watch his show?

Exactly how does Fallon score points for ambushing a hapless Republican candidate who hasn't got a chance of getting past the first primary or two?

no slappz said...

pilot x:

Imports of oil have dropped due to increases in domestic natural gas production.

In other words, more Americans are working to deliver natural gas to American than ever.

Success like this is all the reason America needs to increase all DOMESTIC fossil fuel production.

Energy production is the easiest and most obvious way to bring high-paying jobs to the US.

And like we both know, it takes fossil fuel to power an airplane. Not batteries. Not wind. Not solar. Not hydro.

It takes oil to keep airplanes in the air. Nothing else can do it.

no slappz said...

field writes:

Still, as an avid blogger, I am thankful that I am not living in The People's Republic of China...It's never cool when you can't freely speak your mind.

YOu should be thankful you weren't born or are not living in an Islamic nation. There are more muslims living in Islamic nations than people in China.

Maybe you should compile a list of nations in which you can speak your mind without government opposition.

If you do, you'll find the list is terrifyingly short. And the nations on the list are home to far, far less than half the world's population.

It's a bad idea to criticize Robert Mugabe and a long list of other black tyrants ruling impoverished nations in Africa and elsewhere.

The Purple Cow said...

Quote No Slapppzzzzzzzzz

"There are more muslims living in Islamic nations than people in China."

That can't be true.

There are 1.4 Billion people in China, and there are only 1.57 Billion Muslims in the entire world

Anonymous said...

The Purple Cow said...
Quote No Slapppzzzzzzzzz

"There are more muslims living in Islamic nations than people in China."

That can't be true.

There are 1.4 Billion people in China, and there are only 1.57 Billion Muslims in the entire world


At one time this was true, not sure how many but it was years ago.

Now it's estimated at 2.1 billion, of course including the Islamic State that the U.K has entered. Interestingly and quite logically given what we know of Africa and Africans this continent is currently 52% Muslim - The only continent with a Muslim majority in the world.


http://www.islamicpopulation.com/world_general.html

The Purple Cow said...

Quote Anonymous

"Now it's estimated at 2.1 billion..."

Estimated by insane people, maybe. But people with a functioning brain put the figure rather lower.

If the figure of 2.1 Billion were true that would mean that currently 30% of the world's population is Muslim right now. When even the most pessimistic/optimistic (delete as you see fit) estimates I've ever seen do not predict the Muslim population reaching even 25% before 2030.

The Purple Cow said...

" Interestingly and quite logically given what we know of Africa and Africans this continent is currently 52% Muslim - The only continent with a Muslim majority in the world. "

Actually it's 47% - but nice try.

no slappz said...

Muslims in Africa?

Inasmuch as there's no official registry for muslims outside the North African nations that are effectively 100% Islamic -- except for the 10% of Egyptians who are Christian Copts -- we can say there's no meaningful difference between 47% and 52%.

Moreover, given the efforts of muslims in Africa to expand the reach of Islam around the continent, it's only a matter of time until the entire continent is 90% Islamic.

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is already way past the half-way mark.

Hence, Africa is well on its way back to the 7th century.

no slappz said...

purple cow has an interesting blog profile.

The cow presents himself as a writer.

He lists some of his favorite stuff. Music, movies etc.

But no books.

Some writer. No favorite books or favorite writers.

Oops. Must have slipped his mind.

field negro said...

"There are more muslims living in Islamic nations than people in China.."

Link please.

I will wait.......

PilotX said...

Oh dear god, one article that is in dispute concludes global warming is a hoax? This is exactly why I will not debate climate change anymore. The paper in question questions the link between hurricanes and global warming which is a fascinating and not well researched topic but in no way casts any doubt as to whether or not there is human induced climate change. Fact is no one knows for sure what is truly going on ergo much debate. Nice try but you should have learned about faulty arguments in high school debate class or college philosophy.
BTW there are many advancements in battery and solar powered aircraft. What applies to you is the same that applies to Slappz, just because you aren't aware of something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

PilotX said...

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/09/electric-airplanes-race-at-nasa-greenflight-challenge/

The Purple Cow said...

Quote No Slapzz

"...we can say there's no meaningful difference between 47% and 52%."

Well we could if it hadn't recently been stated that...

"...what we know of Africa and Africans this continent is currently 52% Muslim - The only continent with a Muslim majority in the world."

Unless things have changed since I studied maths 47% isn't a majority.

field negro said...

Still waiting.....

Abstentus said...

As a legal and formerly political professional, I did call this stunt a cheap shot prank. But as a rhythm player myself I might have gone with Buck Cherry,'s "Crazy Bitch," instead (all due props to Fishbone.)

And to be clear, I mean to say there is definitely a place in politics for cheap shot pranks! Particularly if one's gig is on the Ent. side of things; sometimes social commentary need to bite like a junk yard dog.

I understand why Fallon and the suits had to 'poligize. But this was such a oblique attack that the only reason it made news is otherwise Bachmann can't seem to get her bony ass mentioned in the news, latey. So beyond the whiny cry baby aspect of the story (talk about proving one's unfitness to be POTUS) we have the deseperate attention ho aspect. Whether calculated or subconsciously driven, The Stepford Wife at least is proving her ineptitude as not only a candidate, but as an adult human being.