This is why I like Maher, even when I don't agree with him. He calls a spade a spade.

...And it should be noted that that phrase originated BEFORE the use of "spade" as a racist slur.

Did he seriously not understand why it was offensive to say that somebody's sexual identity is just 'acting'? What the fuck is "it's just words" supposed to mean? I'm not saying the line should or shouldn't be cut, because I don't know shit about the context, but at least I understand what the offending joke was... is this how Maher thinks comedy works, specific trigger words that are permitted or not?

No if only he calls himself out on this shit. That would make him perfect

As he goes on to explain, just like the "Hispanic men are rapists" joke and the "Muslims blow shit up" joke, this joke relies on exaggerating either the facts or our perception of reality. Case in point, Jenner was biologically born a man and decided he felt more like a woman. Now he literally needs to learn how to "act like a woman" because--let's face it--the majority of what we perceive as "feminine" is learned, acculturated behavior (how to dress, how to move, how to talk, etc.).

And yeah, all of those jokes are offensive--but so what? Why are we so worried about being offensive when telling jokes? If you honestly believe that all Hispanic men are racists or all Muslims are terrorists or all transgender individuals are "just acting" then clearly there's a problem. But how is there any harm in joking about these things?

The humor lies in exaggerating to an absurd level facts that are taken out of context (or put into an entirely new context). Every great comedian does this , which is why apparently great comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock don't do college shows anymore.

What he actually said was that the joke relies on him not holding the belief, ie not accepting this as either fact or a valid perception of reality... which seems disingenuous; insomuch as the joke works, it's only because Eastwood's intended audience believes that Caitlyn Jenner's identity is an act. There's nothing else to the joke.

You obviously want to express some kind of solidarity with Eastwood's intended audience and be in charge of Caitlyn Jenner's sexual identity, so I guess the joke resonates better with you?

Incorrect, he said we laugh because the jokes are a little bit true.

And if there are protected species, then there are no jokes left at the expense of other people, even self deprecating ones... That's the upside of equality, everyone get's grazed by jokes at some point in time. You can either choose to have the thinnest skin on the planet and a persecution complex the size of the Titanic or be a part of the human race and accept that at some point in time, there will be a joke where you or someone just like you is the butt...

Haha, yeah, I guess you're right. This is the first time anybody has made a mockery of transgendered identities, so they should just suck it up! Their number just happened to be up, in the Russian roulette that is comedy... It's not like there's a widespread history of that kind of jokes, or a history of discrimination, violence, and suicidal depression to go with it.

Again, I'm not advocating that the joke should be cut, because I don't know the context and I imagine whatever comedy comes out of Clint Eastwood will be asinine at best anyway. I do take issue with Maher's disingenuous pretense at not understanding what the offensive part of the joke was. He's literally saying "That joke was not an insult, it was not demeaning," when it obviously was. It played to the bigoted perception that transgendered women are men pretending to be women, which is both widely held and demeaning. He can defend it, but I don't see why he's pretending not to understand it.

I actually had no idea this was used as a racial slur.
Spade a spade... I assumed playing cards or something...
(Shrugs)

The Clinton's started political correctness. And now you can't even tell a joke. Thanks Liberalism.

Actually, the (wikipedia) link in my first comment says that the phrase "call a spade a spade" was created from a (mis)translation of ancient Greek. The original Greek apparently said "calling a fig a fig, and a trough a trough", but the trough became a spade (shovel) and the fig got dropped.

The word "spade" by itself being used as a slur probably does come from playing cards ("black as the ace of spades"). Wikipedia says that (racist) definition was first included in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1928.

I guess that "call a spade a spade" fell out of popularity a bit because people were concerned that it might be assumed that the use of "spade" was meant in a racist way, even though it wasn't originally. But now I think maybe most people don't know the usage of "spade" as a slur, so the other phrase is becoming more acceptable again? I had never heard "spade" used as a slur before talking to a friend from the UK.


...And even though I'm OK with "call a spade a spade", or even a lot of the more blatant pushing the limits that comedians like Seinfeld, Chris Rock, etc. do, I do think that there is a point where you have to realize you're just asking for trouble. I remember a while back, some politician got into hot water for (technically correctly) using the word "niggardly" to mean "stingy" or "cheap". That *is* correct usage, and the origin is entirely disconnected from the similar-sounding slur.

BUT, you pretty much *have* to expect that people are going to jump to the other conclusion, so I think it is reasonable/best for people under public scrutiny (politicians, etc.) to avoid the word. On the other hand, if Seinfeld or Chris Rock wanted to work that into a bit that exposed our ignorance of the correct/original definition for comedic effect, I think that would be a good thing. And potentially funny.

No, Bob. Stop blaming everything on liberalism

Political correctness as always existed, but generally it's just called:

Being Polite

Very sound argument Baby makes here, @SDGundamX & @littledragon_79

The joke is only funny to the audience because of the mindset that..

Men & women can't just switch roles "on a whim" like that.

Hence, it's humorous in that way that the idea of a dog wearing a business suit is.

"Hah. Silly dog.. you're not supposed to wear that. Yes, you're adorable.. but you're still a dog. Silly puppy."

So yeah, patronizing and condescending laughter is the intent.

And not even a joke to people like me (& babymech apparently).

So these two Jews are in Dachau looking at all the scenes of torture and death surrounding them when one cries out "Oh God, this can't get any worse!" Just then, the cloudy heavens open up and it starts raining scorpions.

"Thank you, God!" he cries out in joy.

"Why are you thanking God for THIS?" the other Jew asks in despair.

"Because -- free scorpions!" he replies.


Your turn, Bob.

No it started under the Clinton. And it is the fault of liberals.

What's the difference between God and a Democrat?

A: God knows He's not a Democrat.
------------------------------------------
You might be a liberal if…

you break out in a cold sweat at the mention of the Constitution.


you believe the Constitution is living but unborn babies aren’t.


you believe that a democrat freed the slaves and a republican created the KKK.

you abhor censorship unless it’s censoring race, religion, Conservatism, Western culture or Rush Limbaugh.

you believe 59% of whites who voted for Romney are racists but 96% of blacks who voted for Obama are not.

White Fragility as it's finest.

These aren't even jokes.

They're just misconception from a scared old white dude.

Here's one:

What's the difference between a Neo-Con and a normal, well-adjusted person.

Us normal folks can think critically and admit when we're wrong! HAH.

See.. it's funny cause it's true.

Obviously you have shit for brains because you are full of it.

Least i'm not an old dumb racist jerkface.

"liberals! blacks! gays! that's the problem"

He whined as all of his rights and retirement savings were stolen by other RICH old dumb racist jerkfaces.

You sure do complain about a lot. Yet do nothing to "fix" it.

Go drunk, Bob. You're home.

The difference between you and I is that you HATE me but I don't hate you.
You will always be inferior to me all because you your hatred towards me. Self imposed inferiority. You are better than this. That is one of the problems with liberalism. Everyone is a victim.

Stop being a victim.

I don't hate you. Just the stupid opinions you express all the time.

"You're better than that". I know because you've made pretty thoughtful neutral comments on occasion.

[like on the Ann Coulter segment. You at least acknowledge BOTH sides. how liberal of you]


But yeah, you're just stupid.

You claim you aren't a racist.. and then tell me i'm inferior..
Which is THE definition of White Supremacy.. so..

But please, explain to me why is it that..

Blacks are "playing the victim".. but Conservatives aren't?

You got FoxNews, 300,000 Christian Churches, Christmas & Easter, Memorial Day & July 4th, Every President besides Clinton, Carter, Kennedy, & FDR..

Explain how you & @lantern53 aren't just making up problems to complain about?

You're so dimwitted..

you probably don't celebrate Labor Day because..

"those damn unions don't deserve a national holiday"

What dribble. Please come up with something that is at least a little intelligent.

Lmfao.. dribble? ...seriously.. lol.

You silly old geezer, did you mean.. drivel.. @_@?!

Or are you suggesting my statements of being too.. bouncy?
..or a small trickling stream of droplets..? hehe.

Is this what you meant by "at least a little intelligent"? lmao.. it's okay. big words are tough. I get it.

aah, this is too.. like.. shooting fish in barrel.. with a rocket launcher


Okay okay, now go ahead and deny your incorrect usage of words.

Them please explain to me how your not proving my point with every statement you make. HAH.