Jim Norton and Lindy West debate rape jokes

[Pragdem]

[BainsBane]

1. What's funny about rape?

I haven't heard these jokes, but I'd wager they aren't remotely funny.

[ismnotwasm]

2. He would have made a better point if he hadn't complained about protesting advertising

In other words "I'm on fire for free for all speech as long as MY precious ox doesn't get gored"

The basic premise, no censorship is a good one. The next is; you have the right to say what you like, and I'll exercise my right to object to it.

"You make rape jokes, I get to call you a dick"

The best line?

Why does my vagina have to be your crutch?

And she hit it out of the park.

An interesting debate and thanks for posting

[BainsBane]

3. Evidently his right to free speech means women can't exercise theirs

That's free speech. Deal with it, bub. You say what you want, and others get to protest it.

[ismnotwasm]

4. That's the problem with these debates.

If a community in strength says 'we don't want to hear that shit' ----go find a community that does. See who you get.

George Carlin in his "rape can be funny" skit told unfunny jokes about rape, that were, if you listened to the subtext, about sex, not rape. Carlin was a master comedian and even he couldn't make them work.

[Pragdem]

5. I agree.

Even after she said she didn't want to see legal repercussions for comics making those types of jokes, he was still trying too hard to be dismissive by saying those offended shouldn't do more than write a blog about how angry they are. Unlimited "freedom" for comics and limited freedom for those offended.

And rather than end the debate respectfully, he pulled out the 'we should make out for the audience' line.

[redqueen]

6. Why do you think he would do that? End the debate that way?

IMO there are a hell of a lot of people right now who are doing as much as they can to ensure the status quo does not change.

Right now, women are portrayed as sex objects so routinely, that for most people, that is simply what they accept as reality. Any suggestion that that might change seems to be very threatening to them.