To the Editor:
Re “Please Stop Apologizing,” by Bill Maher (Op-Ed, March 22):
We’re both women who have worked in Democratic politics and the media for decades and find Bill Maher’s misogynist treatment of women candidates deeply disturbing. Coincidentally we both hail from Alaska — where women are treated as equals — so perhaps our threshold for this kind of behavior is less than here in the Lower 48.
Mr. Maher has implicitly attempted to tie his own demeaning attacks on women to the unrelated issue of partisan-motivated fake outrage, which we agree is tiring. While others have been held to account for their sexism, Mr. Maher remains unrepentant for his attacks on women in public life.
How can we expect women to run for office when they are essentially told to “lighten up about” and accept misogynist attacks? The Women’s Media Center has found that such attacks on women candidates have a measurable negative effect on how voters view them.
Our message to Mr. Maher and his ilk is: Please start apologizing.
PENNY LEE
KIRSTEN POWERS
Washington, March 23, 2012
Ms. Lee is the former executive director of the Democratic Governors Association.
Ms. Powers is a political commentator who worked in the Clinton administration.
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Mahar has a history of going far beyond the normal satire people open themselves up to by being part of public life. His ugly, sexist and misogynistic attacks on women don't entitle him to hide behind comedy or large contributions to political campaigns.
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Maher continues the charade that he is a comedian and that his comments are satire and thus protected speech. I've listened to his schtick. He isn't funny, so that leaves out comedy and satire as an excuse. What Maher has to say isn't satire as much as it is simple juvenile smart ass slander. Speaking of ass, mine is better looking than his face. At least that's what my wife says.
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