»» Columnists

Wonkette Editor Comments on Reprehensible Birthday Greeting to Trig Palin

by Tommy Christopher | 5:09 pm, April 20th, 2011

» 130 comments

Update: Wonkette’s editor responds later in the post, but also, a reader hilariously bought the domain name JackStuef.com, which now redirects to the National Down Syndrome Society donation page. Lemons into lemonade.

Political humor website Wonkette has long been trending toward nihilistic snark for snark’s sake, but Jack Stuef‘s column “honoring” Trig Palin’s birthday is about the most irredeemably vile, unfunny thing I’ve ever seen. As if jokes about Trig’s Down Syndrome aren’t bad enough on their own, Stuef goes the extra mile to pen kneeslappers about incest, child rape, and fetal alcohol syndrome. I don’t want to reproduce too much of it here, but this quote is fairly representative:

Today is the day we come together to celebrate the snowbilly grifter’s magical journey from Texas to Alaska to deliver to the America the great gentleman scholar Trig Palin. Is Palin his true mother? Or was Bristol? (And why is it that nobody questions who the father is? Because, either way, Todd definitely did it.)

Hey, that’s really funny, calling Trig a gentleman scholar because he has Down Syndrome. And the speculation that Todd Palin may have raped his daughter? Pure comedy gold. You know what will be even funnier? The first time Jack Stuef runs into Todd Palin. That one practically writes its own punchline.

When I first heard about this, I was, of course, outraged. Who wouldn’t be? I’ve read a lot of offensive things in my career (and even been fired over them), but I am hard-pressed to think of anything that comes close to this. If there is any expression of disgust that I have failed to convey, consider this my signature on it.

That is not to say that edginess, and even poor taste, have no place in political writing. One of the most famous pieces of political satire ever was basically one long dead baby joke. George Carlin set out to prove that cancer is funny, and succeeded. Those examples, though, had redeeming value beyond their shock value.

I emailed Wonkette Chief Editor Ken Layne to see if he had any comment, or if Wonkette intended to take the post down. Here was his response:

On whose account are you requesting that Jack Stuef remove a post mocking Sarah Palin’s well-documented use of her special needs child as a political prop? Is this coming from Mediaite? Which editor?

Apparently, Layne (and presumably, Stuef) think it’s okay to attack a baby if they have a good reason not to like his mom. The logic seems to be that by attacking Trig, they’re demonstrating why Palin shouldn’t have put Trig “out there.” It’s definitely not a cheap pretext to do retard and rape jokes.

I responded, “I’m not asking THAT you remove it, just if you’re going to.”

He hasn’t answered back, so I guess that’s a no. That’s not surprising. Wonkette’s entire brand is staked on pure, unapologetic id, so taking down a post because people found it offensive would be completely self-canceling. (full disclosure: Layne and I worked on the same blog a few years ago, AOL’s Political Machine. Ironically, his column was called “Ken Layne’s Outrage.”)

The beautiful thing about the First Amendment, though, is that everybody gets it. Wonkette gets to publish what it wants, and people get to express what they think about it. On principle, I’m not even in favor of campaigns like the one that was mounted against Playboy when I was fired from Politics Daily. I don’t want anyone to censor themselves based on public pressure, but rather, to do the right thing because it’s the right thing.

If Ken Layne really believes in retard jokes as a vehicle for the public good, he should absolutely stand by them, and I’ll stand where I stand.

Update: Layne responds to my second email:

So Mediaite wants you to encourage political satire websites to remove items that offend those who support the targets of the mockery? That seems awfully strange for Mediaite. Which editor is encouraging this, is what I’m asking.

My response:

Well, Ken, I’m not doing that, and I find it strange that you think a baby has supporters and opponents, but I get your underlying question. This story was not assigned to me, I chose it. I asked you for comment, and whether you were taking it down, in the interest of presenting your side of the story. You can reach my editor here

Great. I guess I’m in a feud with Ken Layne now. Get in line, pal.

Update 2: I’ve received another reply from Ken Layne, and in the interest of fairness, I’m going to include my response to him. Two things about that: First, there’s some strong language.

Second, I divulge to Layne that I’m the parent of two special needs children. I don’t generally include that information in my commentaries (and didn’t intend to here) because I don’t wish to use that fact to gain moral authority, or to be emotionally manipulative. I believe an argument should stand on its own merit. I include it here because it would be unfair to Layne to publish his responses, and not my own.

Here’s Ken Layne’s response to me:

But there’s already a Mediaite story, which is why I’m asking what Mediaite’s interest is in having a post taken down.

You *honestly* don’t know of the Palin fanatics’ Cult of Trig? I find that hard to believe, if you’ve been on the Internet before. In any case, spend a day at Team Sarah and then try to tell us there’s no Cult of Trig. Where do you think the pictures and poems Jack always mocks comes from? (He links to them.)

And my response to him:

I told you, I’m writing a piece of commentary, and wanted to present your side of the story. I guess you have. My interest in writing commentary is that I was deeply offended by the piece, and as the father of two special needs children, felt compelled to write about it. You and Jack think your satirical point redeems the vile child-fucking and retard jokes, I disagree.

Update 3: Ken Layne responds again, and concedes that targeting Trig was wrong, but isn’t all that apologetic, otherwise. Here’s his response in full. I will add my response once I’ve sent it:

Oh I didn’t follow this very well, sorry! Trying to read mail on my phone.

Well, you should obviously write your opinion about it. I don’t care for Jack’s reaching here, because whatever the meta-satire it’s going to be lost with Palin fans riled up about Trig. I have, in fact, admonished Jack about this. Write about Sarah Palin, yes. And we should always — it is a *moral duty* — show how reprehensible it is to be using *any baby* and especially a special needs baby as a political prop. That is gross, and sane people know it’s gross. It is not even worth mocking the very creepy “Cult of Trig” on the Team Sarah website, because how can you do that and *guarantee* that you’re not mocking the kid? Who will vouch for such a guarantee? Nuance is not exactly a common reading-comprehension skill in this country. So I have told Jack to cool it with that, you just have to make things so clear when writing about *certain subjects* because who wants to waste 3 hours on email about this? It’s not like those people are readers of Wonkette. It’s not like they’re going to suddenly become fans of a leftist website utterly dedicated to mocking the fringe right.

I have been editing and writing for political satire websites for 15 years, including on AOL where not a single AOL subscriber ever had *any idea* what I was doing and the whole point was to drum up as many insane comments as possible. People are going to act outraged about things on the internet. I’m pretty sure you are aware of this, if you work on the internet. And with two kids of my own and another on the way, I am obviously a great fan of children, especially mine. And I respect the rights of children to not be mocked on the internet just because their mom is a cow-demon. It’s not the kid’s fault. Who gets to pick their parents? I sure didn’t.

As for taking down the post, as you know on the internet there is no “taking down the post.” Why even try that? So people like you can get another freelance internet column out of it by feigning outrage again? (“They tried to take down the post, but we found it on Google cache!”) There is nothing in “political media” approaching even the most basic intellectual honesty, so why would any website fall for that “You should take down the post” thing? Wouldn’t that be crazy? So of course you never take down a post. But in this case, like all such cases over the decades, you sometimes put a note on the post apologizing for offending anyone, and making it clear that your target is Sarah Palin, an empty grifter and dollar-chaser and tabloid-fame monster with a delusional following of poor white people who somehow think her interests converge in any way with their interests. It is certainly not about her innocent child.

By reading this email, you agree to post the entire thing in your Mediaite post.

Update 4: My response to Ken Layne: (again with the language)

Ken,

I want to thank you, sincerely, for responding. The outcome you’re suggesting is just about perfect. I could give a shit what you do to Jack. If your response, and his punishment, are merely to avoid wasting time on email, rather than out of a suddenly-learned sense of decency, then this will surely happen again. I don’t think that’s really the case, though. Being who you are, and writing where you write, you have to stay “in character,” so you can’t very well go all Jimmy Swaggart on me. I think (or hope) that despite your Wonkettitude, you and Jack have learned some empathy today.

I also agree that most of the people who were offended by this probably don’t read Wonkette. I do, or did, but most probably do not. I’m also not a big fan of advertiser boycotts, for the same reason. I don’t want a bunch of people who hate what I love deciding what I can or can’t see on the interweb, or the TeeVee, or those paper thingies. I think ideas should liver or die on the merits. As a longtime satirist myself, I understand the special thrill you can derive from people who don’t get the joke. They’re better than the ones who do. Just so we’re clear, I got the joke here. I just found it lacking. Lacking in humor, decency, or even a coherent satirical premise.

You’re also right, there is no “taking down the post,” and even though I realize you’re in character, fuck you very much for this: “So people like you can get another freelance internet column out of it by feigning outrage again?”

Imagine it was a child just like one of your two (soon to be three) kids who were attacked here. Maybe if I was a dick Wonkette writer, I’d think you were an oversensitive pussy for getting your booty-shorts in a twist, but as a fellow parent, I wouldn’t assume you were just a craven opportunist. You think I relished the thought of emailing a former colleague like this? You think I want to be in a feud with the Inglorious Basterds of internet dickheads? I don’t. Whatever you think of my outrage, know that it is sincere.

That said, thank you for responding, and good luck with your website.

Down Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, George Carlin, Jack Stuef, Ken Layne, Sarah Palin, Trig Palin, Wonkette

Rio

Thanks Tommy, appreciate your effort.
perceptorii

From what I hear, this will soon start to hit them where it hurts: their accounts receivable. They’re losing advertisers.
marcoesquondolas

Tommy….thank you
BarneyFranken

Please Wonkette, whatever you do, DO NOT take it down.

A person has every right to be vile and disgusting, just like we have a right to call them out on it.

BTW Wonkette, how does it feel to know that you’ve succeeded in garnering bi-partisan sympathy and support for Sarah Palin?

Who says this country can’t come together!
Puter Boi

Tommy Christopher……you are a good man.
Great job!
BarneyFranken

Tommy, you get alot of flack from the right, so the least we can do is give you kudos when you deserve it.

You really deserve it here- and its nice to see that your common decency supercedes any partisanship you might have.
lonestar77

Tommy, great write-up. You managed to do it without inserting a link to something that Palin said 3 years ago. In other words, you focused on the current story. I just wish you’d do that more often.
TillieGlockenspiel

You’re a stand-up guy, Tommy. I don’t agree with you often, and you showed a lot of courage on this. My goddaughter has Down Syndrome, she had to have open heart surgery as an infant. She is now in her thirties and lives in a supportive community atmosphere where she has her own place and a job. Thank you for taking a stand.
The Lantern of Truth

You’re not alone in your situation , Tommy . God bless you and your family , sir .
Harry Flashman

This transcends politics. Trash is trash, and whoever the imbecile who wrote this piece in the interest of “humor” is, he deserves the disdain he’s getting from around the net. The disgust is palpable..

It’s no secret that I’m an unabashed Palin backer BUT – had she or anyone in her camp had said something as ugly about a special needs I would hold her in equal contempt. And I would drop her like she was radioactive.

Tommy Christopher just went WAY up in the credit column in my ledger. He’s not taking political sides – he’s taking out the trash.
Black and Gold Brad

Congrats Tommy. From a conservative who frequently criticizes your posts, I’m proud of you taking a stand against these horrible small-minded people.

Misters Layne and Stuef are nothing more than kindergarten bullies.
murf

Congrats to Papa John’s : Papa John’s pulls their ads from Wonkette

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2707980/posts
Jerps

Good for you, Tommy.
Jean-Luc

Good on ya, Tommy. Very classy.
http://www.perceptionasreality.blogspot.com/ skoorbekim

“You know what will be even funnier? The first time Jack Stuef runs into Todd Palin. That one practically writes its own punchline.”

I think Track would have the better punchline…
turk281

Congrats Tommy. I’ve always argued that you’re one of the most intellectually honest liberals blogging today.

Thanks for reaffirming my beliefs.
perceptorii

Huggies is also not amused.

http://twitter.com/#!/Huggies/status/60807903271075840
tanzbodenkoenig

Jesus Tommy i can hear the pearl clutching all the way from east Tennessee. Get over yourself, you’re sounding like C4Per about to faint dead away. Wonkette consistently satirizes the uncouthness of the Palin tribe as well as the unwarranted self importance and fame of their whole family, mainly because they are a classless backwoods hillbilly clan rudely thrust into the spotlight by no merit of their own. Palin is famous for being a political prostitute who will say anything for money and her daughter is famous for being a literal prostitute who couldn’t keep her legs closed and yet still has the audacity to lecture other girls on abstinence, and Todd is a laconic cuckold who couldnt give a shit that multiple of his children’s parentage is in suspicion. Trigg is the only normal one in the entire family, and if you would have portrayed it properly instead of getting your panties in a big twist because Jack used the word retard than you would have realized that was the punchline of the post. Jack was satircally commiserating with the plight of a poor down’s child who is rudely thrust into the spotlight and venerated by an entire cult of followers for whom it is a major pillar of his mother’s political success, hence his prophood
ladyruth54

There’s another disgusting piece on there making fun of Rick Santorum’s family for bringing the baby his wife had miscarried home, clothing the child and saying their goodbyes in private, before burying him. This Jack Stuef is one caring, tolerant liberal all right.

And in the comments section, NOT ONE person wrote to say these articles disgusting (until me).
ladyruth54

were* disgusting
TangledThorns

Tommy, good on you for taking this story on. Freedom is a two way street. You can say what you want however don’t get upset when people react using.. free speech.
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

Hey Tommy, we rarely agree on issues, but I applaud your siding with decency here. For everyone commenting on the main story, raging about the Palin’s bringing this on or desrving of the attention, explain how a 3-year old is fair game for political mud slinging. The rest of the content, from the conspiracy to the implied incest, does not warrant mention.

I recall when the Clintons took office Chelsea was said to be off limits, and the press mostly complied. Yet we are in a new era and the Palin household is not only under constant fire but the media seems to go out of their way to justify the treatment. “Sarah brings it on herself”, is the collective impression. I know plenty of people in opposition to President Obama and his policies, yet I have never once heard anything approaching a disparaging remark concerning the first children. Why is that common decency not accorded to Palin’s family?
DaTruth

Credit where it’s due, Christopher: Props to you for this.
ElCapitanAmerica

Tommy, you are correct on this. Ken is being extremely irresponsible here, and there is nothing lower than brining families into this, specially small children.
Dave Richards

I don’t know how a guy like Layne can live with himself. I beleive he just doesn’t give damn as long as he can beat up on the Palin family.
Dave Richards

tanzbodenkoenig said:
Jesus Tommy i can hear the pearl clutching all the way from east Tennessee. Get over yourself, you’re sounding like C4Per about to faint dead away. Wonkette consistently satirizes the uncouthness of the Palin tribe as well as the unwarranted self importance and fame of their whole family, mainly because they are a classless backwoods hillbilly clan rudely thrust into the spotlight by no merit of their own. Palin is famous for being a political prostitute who will say anything for money and her daughter is famous for being a literal prostitute who couldn’t keep her legs closed and yet still has the audacity to lecture other girls on abstinence, and Todd is a laconic cuckold who couldnt give a shit that multiple of his children’s parentage is in suspicion. Trigg is the only normal one in the entire family, and if you would have portrayed it properly instead of getting your panties in a big twist because Jack used the word retard than you would have realized that was the punchline of the post. Jack was satircally commiserating with the plight of a poor down’s child who is rudely thrust into the spotlight and venerated by an entire cult of followers for whom it is a major pillar of his mother’s political success, hence his prophood

You should just go away. You’re a damn fool.
Rio

tanzbodenkoenig said:
a classless backwoods hillbilly clan

Projecting.
Cecelia

I find the argument that Trig has been used as a “political prop” very strange.

I guess I’m getting old, but I come from an era where special needs children WERE treated as something special.

They were fussed over and passed around at church.

Their pictures did accompany any newspaper coverage of a particular event or gathering where their parents happened to bring them.

While not celebrating their affliction, they were cherished for what they innately taught us and for the best they potentially brought out in the rest of humanity.

No matter how old he grows, Trig would ALWAYS essentially be a child, with all the innocence and goodness of a child.

Of COURSE that would inspire poetry. It would inspire feelings of paternity and maternity in others. It would inspire a sense of angelic purity.

I’m at a loss as to how Jack Stuef would be offended by any of that. Amused…okay…. A little Eye-rolling…whatever… But OFFENDED?

Like I said, I guess I’m getting old. Damn old.
turk281

tanzbodenkoenig said:
Jesus Tommy i can hear the pearl clutching all the way from east Tennessee. Get over yourself, you’re sounding like C4Per about to faint dead away. Wonkette consistently satirizes the uncouthness of the Palin tribe as well as the unwarranted self importance and fame of their whole family, mainly because they are a classless backwoods hillbilly clan rudely thrust into the spotlight by no merit of their own. Palin is famous for being a political prostitute who will say anything for money and her daughter is famous for being a literal prostitute who couldn’t keep her legs closed and yet still has the audacity to lecture other girls on abstinence, and Todd is a laconic cuckold who couldnt give a shit that multiple of his children’s parentage is in suspicion. Trigg is the only normal one in the entire family, and if you would have portrayed it properly instead of getting your panties in a big twist because Jack used the word retard than you would have realized that was the punchline of the post. Jack was satircally commiserating with the plight of a poor down’s child who is rudely thrust into the spotlight and venerated by an entire cult of followers for whom it is a major pillar of his mother’s political success, hence his prophood

Congrats to you for being such an intellectual lightweight that in order to understand politics, you must let others tell you why to hate somebody. You’re part of the collective mindset that needs to feel smart by laughing at how “dumb” other people are. It says more about your intellect than it does anything else.

The reason that I’m a free speech purist is because wonkette articles like this and posters like you do more to discredit yourselves than the right could ever do.
dhg

The wider story here is that there are some who believe this type of behavior is an acceptable part of political discord and that being an opponent of someone politically is all the justification needed to make these types of comments.

This is where we are with our political system today.This is what it has become.

Tommy has taken the high road and should be applauded for that.The responses he has been sent should be a clear indication of not only the mindset of the web site in particular but of political extremism and extremists in general.

I’m waiting for sources on the left to condemn these comments.They certainly casts a pall on that side of the political spectrum and if I was in any way in support of the left I would be working very hard to distance myself from the site and it’s participants.

Recently the Democrats in the house tried to use dirty tricks to derail a Rublican bill.Regardless of what you believe,dirty tricks are not how things should get done in Congress.Now we have a left wing web site using a dirty trick to attack someone they oppose.These actions speak volumes.

Certainly the right are no saints but this is beyond any kind of acceptable.
TheRealRoyalQueen

Mr Christopher, I may disagree with most of what you write, but I have to admit that today you are my hero. It takes a real man of courage to do what you did in calling Wonkette out for this vile heartless attack on Trig Palin. My utmost thanks to you for your courageous actions. I just hope the radical left doesn’t “Juan Williams” you for your honesty and bravery. You’ve made me your fan today.
OxyCon

Good for you Tommy. I know your heart is in the right place. This whole “Trig is fair game because Palin used him as a prop” meme is a sadistically contrived excuse to exonerate the deplorable behavior of vile, lefty bloggers. Their lowly behavior really exposes the kinds of creeps they truly are, and you standing up to them says alot about you too.
Instead of seeing Sarah Palin holding Trig and thinking “there’s a typical Mom lugging her kid around like a loaf of bread” or thinking that Sarah Palin was holding Trig to set a good example of a Mom’s love for her children, regardless of their capacity, the lefty bloggers could only see nefarious intentions, which I think is their own projection. A
As I’ve said before, I used to be a lefty not so long ago but I just got so sick of the vileness and downright meanness. Both sides have their kooks but I’d rather associate myself with conservatives, who for the most part try to be fair and decent people who believe in self reliance and being neighborly.
Liberal Tormentor

Tommy, as someone who is not a fan of your politics, I applaud your work in this case.
david r

Thanks, Tommy. Great story.
Rusty Shackelford

Yes Tommy you take some lumps on occasion……but this,in my opinion is your best work. You are a hail fellow,well ment.
timzank

Credit where credit is due. Good job Tommy.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ellen-Carey-Rowe/683757018 Ellen Carey Rowe

TillieGlockenspiel said:
You’re a stand-up guy, Tommy. I don’t agree with you often, and you showed a lot of courage on this. My goddaughter has Down Syndrome, she had to have open heart surgery as an infant. She is now in her thirties and lives in a supportive community atmosphere where she has her own place and a job. Thank you for taking a stand.

I worked as a Employment Specialist and helped those who have developmental disabilities. Loved seeing them become independent and have their own jobs and apartments. Also found them to be the most appreciative and open-hearted group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure to serve. I was blessed for sure.
Jax_n_Jill

Good Job Mr. Christopher! The cowardly author has removed his name from the story and ads are missing from the website and all the vile comments were removed..there was only 5 positive comments a couple of minutes ago! Like RealRoyalQueen said…I hope you don’t get Juan Williams’ed as well!
Liberal Tormentor

Update: Papa Johns, Huggies Pull Their Ads From Wonkette Update II: Responds By Calling Papa Johns “Homophobic”

I know where I’ll be gettng my Friday night pizza from this week.
Rio

Lou Sarah said:
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!: Sorry to disrupt the outrage fest here at Mediaite, where it’s all Palin & Trump all the time! In the real world………….. Story #1 – St. Paul Ryan booed out of his own townhall meeting trying to defend his “plan”! Story#2 – In the latest Q poll, Republican “Heavyweight” Chris Christie loses his home state of New Jersey to a Kenyan-mooooslim-jihadist by 13pts!!!!! Story#3 – In another poll, 80% hate the GOP’s plan for Medicare… 70% of baggers hate it… “keep dem gubmint hands off my Medicare!!!” Story #4 – Noted Matt Schneider hater – Lou Sarah, was interviewed by George Stephanopolous on GMA, he claimed he “takes Palin at her word that Trig is her son, but it’s not his job to defend her”. Developing………………… Now carry on with outrage, but save some incase she actually runs for President!

What, no purses or shoes to sell?

Perhaps you need your own site, I’m sure everyone will race to be there.
J Baustian

Harry Flashman said:
This transcends politics. Trash is trash, and whoever the imbecile who wrote this piece in the interest of “humor” is, he deserves the disdain he’s getting from around the net. The disgust is palpable..

It’s not just trash — there is also the issue that these idiots at Wonkette are either mathematically or biologically challenged. Trig Palin was born April 18 2008, Tripp Palin was born December 27 2008. Bristol Palin could not have given birth to Trig in April and then another son 8 months and 9 days later!

Do leftists say stupid things because they are leftists? Or do stupid people just naturally gravitate toward the left?
Rio

Cecelia said:
I find the argument that Trig has been used as a “political prop” very strange. I guess I’m getting old, but I come from an era where special needs children WERE treated as something special. They were fussed over and passed around at church. Their pictures did accompany any newspaper coverage of a particular event or gathering where their parents happened to bring them. While not celebrating their affliction, they were cherished for what they innately taught us and for the best they potentially brought out in the rest of humanity. No matter how old he grows, Trig would ALWAYS essentially be a child, with all the innocence and goodness of a child. Of COURSE that would inspire poetry. It would inspire feelings of paternity and maternity in others. It would inspire a sense of angelic purity. I’m at a loss as to how Jack Stuef would be offended by any of that. Amused…okay…. A little Eye-rolling…whatever… But OFFENDED? Like I said, I guess I’m getting old. Damn old.

Best post of the day, wonderful and thank you!
Cecelia

Lou Sarah said:
Now carry on with outrage, but save some incase she actually runs for President!

And you’ll save your outrage for some fellow ideologue, if not for a handicapped kid.
slickerwick

Tommy, you might want to update your story. Wonkette has removed the author’s name and most of the comments have been scrubbed. Also, ads have been pulled.

BTW, I know we’ve had dust-ups in the past but I’ll hand it to you this time. Good job.
Harry Flashman

dclobbyist said:

“I wonder how liberals would like it if we made fun of Obama’s kids — let’s see what happends!!”

No.

Let’s not. Kids dragged into the political arena have nothing to do with anything. I would be as revolted by comments like these made about the Obama girls as I am about Palin’s children. It’s wrong. Period.

There’s not a day in my life I would sink to that level. I think most people feel the same. The far left has no shame, dignity, or concept of conscience.

There’s a special place in hell for people who viciously ridicule hadicapped children.
slickerwick

Lou Sarah said:
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!:

Sorry to disrupt the outrage fest here at Mediaite, where it’s all Palin & Trump all the time!

In the real world…………..

Story #1 – St. Paul Ryan booed out of his own townhall meeting trying to defend his “plan”!

Story#2 – In the latest Q poll, Republican “Heavyweight” Chris Christie loses his home state of New Jersey to a Kenyan-mooooslim-jihadist by 13pts!!!!!

Story#3 – In another poll, 80% hate the GOP’s plan for Medicare… 70% of baggers hate it… “keep dem gubmint hands off my Medicare!!!”

Story #4 – Noted Matt Schneider hater – Lou Sarah, was interviewed by George Stephanopolous on GMA, he claimed he “takes Palin at her word that Trig is her son, but it’s not his job to defend her”.

Developing…………………

Now carry on with outrage, but save some incase she actually runs for President!

You felt the need to deflect away from the topic. Now why is that, I wonder?
slickerwick

Wow, that last paragraph in the update 3 letter from Layne is pretty classist and hate-filled in tone. Yikes. Is that really a leftist site or posing as one in order to make the left look bad?
Helix

Ken Layne = 0.00 Credibility in Update 3.

Kudos to TC for doing the right thing and demonstrating journalistic integrity. Satire is one thing but this way crossed the line. Coming from a person who has edited and written for 15 years on satire indicates to me that both editor and writer knew what they were doing and did it anyway. IHMO, Wonkette = Fail.
slickerwick

dclobbyist said:
**comment Deleted**/blockquote>

Stop it! Kids are off-limits or should be.
Jax_n_Jill

dclobbyist said:
I wonder how liberals would like it if we made fun of Obama’s kids — let’s see what happends!!

I know where you are coming from but lets not….the thing is, when dealing with idiots…never come down to their level because they beat you with experience every time!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Carolyn-Livingston-Dunston/1450492274 Carolyn Livingston Dunston

Anyone who could make fun of a Special Needs Child or really Any child is truly a sick person. All children are special whether smart or not so smart; all colors and classes. I have never heard of this “wonkette” until now. Ignorant people like this usually always hang themselves in the long run. Happy to see advertisers are dropping them.
turk281

Lou Sarah said:
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!:

Sorry to disrupt the outrage fest here at Mediaite, where it’s all Palin & Trump all the time!

In the real world…………..

Story #1 – St. Paul Ryan booed out of his own townhall meeting trying to defend his “plan”!

Story#2 – In the latest Q poll, Republican “Heavyweight” Chris Christie loses his home state of New Jersey to a Kenyan-mooooslim-jihadist by 13pts!!!!!

Story#3 – In another poll, 80% hate the GOP’s plan for Medicare… 70% of baggers hate it… “keep dem gubmint hands off my Medicare!!!”

Story #4 – Noted Matt Schneider hater – Lou Sarah, was interviewed by George Stephanopolous on GMA, he claimed he “takes Palin at her word that Trig is her son, but it’s not his job to defend her”.

Developing…………………

Now carry on with outrage, but save some incase she actually runs for President!

Breaking news to Lou Sarah: Mediaite is a site which reports ABOUT the media. If you want breaking news try the AP or Reuters.

Congrats on looking, and finding news though. Points off for not understanding the kind of websites you get info from.
idesign

Wonkette now pulling dozens of reader comments off their web site.

It reveals the slimy cowards they are.
Rio

idesign said:
Wonkette now pulling dozens of reader comments off their web site. It reveals the slimy cowards they are.

They should have thought a bit about what was in those e-mails Tommy sent to them earlier, didn’t they just know it all.
lane

I have to say that post makes me absolutely livid as well. Many of us work with disabled people and try to emphasize what they can do, not what is limited. They often feel awkward in public because people stare and notice their struggles.

To have a website attack one disabled person is to attack them all. It’s dispicable.
Teleologicus

Nasty Leftists justify their behavior by claiming it is necessary to combat evil and the forces of darkness, i.e. people they disagree with about politics. I have no doubt at all that the individual who composed that vulgar and tasteless article and his defenders regard themselves as morally superior to Sarah Palin and to Americans incensed about the ugly column. In the muddled thinking of such fanatics, Sarah Palin is guilty of some sort of vaguely defined transgression for even mentioning her son publicly, thus is fair game for whatever venom they direct at her. They put the worst possible interpretation upon her references to her son and cynically conclude it is all for show. They also do their best to smear and destroy her family on the same grounds. There is a deep, visceral fear and loathing of normality and traditional morality in such fanatical Leftists that causes them to hate and need to destroy anybody and anything that threatens to reflect back to them their own spiritual ugliness. Someone like Sarah Palin makes such Leftists feel bad about themselves. They cannot rest until they annihilate her and everyone connected to her. Beneath the usual juvenile partisanship there really is a layer of evil at work that gives one chills.
slickerwick

idesign said:
Wonkette now pulling dozens of reader comments off their web site.

It reveals the slimy cowards they are.

They told Tommy they won’t remove the story. Yet they’ve removed the author’s name and scrubbed the comments. What weasels.
timzank

Wow, just read your last response in the 3rd update Tommy. That boys and girls is one hell of a reply! As many of us here have noted, we don’t see eye to eye on much with you politically, but on a plain old “human” level I commend you, plenty of “bite” to it, but you were very professional.

Well done Tommy!

No go write something I can be pissed at you for again, damnit!
Grammie

I’ve often criticized you also, Tommy.

No matter how much I ever disagree with you in the future, and I’m sure I will often and vehemently, I will never forget how you handled this.

Very well done!!!!
idesign

Wonkette scrubbed the reader comments, but to late.

Screen shots have been saved by a number of bloggers.

It’s funny how the tried to cover their deranged butts…..LOL
JacksonGT

Tommy, this is why I love you. Fantastic piece.

Just curious though: does wonkette realize that they mocked Palin for using her baby *by* using her baby? They might have become the monster they chase.
fenngibbon

Y’know, I’ve spent some time today whacking Tommy Christopher about the head and shoulders over his pieces on the Obama/chimp thing and the Obama/Trump thing — and rightfully so — but on this, I have to say,

Well done, Mr. Christopher. Well done.
turk281

Again Tommy, I appreciate your intellectual honesty. I remember you also showing the same courage defending Michelle Malkin, and I remember you condemning the Playboy “Hate Fuck” conservative women article.

What bothers me even more than the actual wonkette article is this gross “political prop” argument. I’m sorry, but Trig is her child. I am glad we aren’t still in the days where people with disabilities are kept hidden away.

I’m no arbiter of good taste, but when people question why a down syndrome child is “seen out in public” , even my stomach turns.

You know where a disabled child belongs? Wherever the fuck it’s mother wants to take him/her.

Good job.
JacksonGT

“a reader hilariously bought the domain name JackStuef.com, which now redirects to the National Down Syndrome Society donation page. Lemons into lemonade.”

Awesomeness right there!
Man Bites Dog

Teleologicus said:
Nasty Leftists justify their behavior by claiming it is necessary to combat evil and the forces of darkness, i.e. people they disagree with about politics. I have no doubt at all that the individual who composed that vulgar and tasteless article and his defenders regard themselves as morally superior to Sarah Palin and to Americans incensed about the ugly column. In the muddled thinking of such fanatics, Sarah Palin is guilty of some sort of vaguely defined transgression for even mentioning her son publicly, thus is fair game for whatever venom they direct at her. They put the worst possible interpretation upon her references to her son and cynically conclude it is all for show. They also do their best to smear and destroy her family on the same grounds. There is a deep, visceral fear and loathing of normality and traditional morality in such fanatical Leftists that causes them to hate and need to destroy anybody and anything that threatens to reflect back to them their own spiritual ugliness. Someone like Sarah Palin makes such Leftists feel bad about themselves. They cannot rest until they annihilate her and everyone connected to her. Beneath the usual juvenile partisanship there really is a layer of evil at work that gives one chills.

Excellent post.
Man Bites Dog

Three times Mr. Christopher asked Layne if he was going to pull the article, and Layne continued to respond as if Mr. Christopher was making a demand. This provides some insight into the lib “thought” process.
Mr B

Kudos Tommy Christopher. This isn’t an enemy of my enemy is my friend thing for me (supporting you). Wonkette crossed the line and pissed all over it. Thanks for calling it out. I look forward to respectfully disagreeing on issues again in the future. This helps establish or re-establish that respect.
Man Bites Dog

These people often justify their vitriol by claiming that it is “humor” or “satire”. Since I aspire to a career in comedic satire, I guess it’s OK for me to say I want to punch Ken Layne and Jack Stuef in the throat. Just kidding, of course.
cjd ohio 1

great work tommy, our politics are different but you have proven (not just on this article) to be a principled person sir
TfT

Nice work Tommy – as one who comes on board to criticize you frequently (well, probably all the time), tonight I come on board to congratulate you on a substantive and principled piece of work.
turk281

Funny. Wonkette is calling for a boycott of Papa Johns pizza, who just dropped advertising from their site along with Pampers and others.

Even living around 100 delicious east coast pizza shops, I just got a hankering for some Papa Johns. I’ve never even had a Papa John’s pizza but i bet it’ll taste great tonight!
Grammie

turk281 said:
You should buy advertising on wonkette, I heard it’s a lot cheaper than it used to be!

Comment of the Day!!!!!
Patrick

I disagree with Tommy 99% of the time, often passionately, but you have to give to him, he’s utterly consistent in calling out both sides when he feels someone’s being misogynistic or depraved. It’s a rare quality for a partisan commentator. Bravo Tommy, I’ll almost certainly take issue with the next topic that you write about, but I think you’d be someone worth knowing in real life.
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

I just read the latest exchange between T.C. and the Wonkette editor. While it is clear in Ken Layne’s words (and for that matter his actions, given the writer’s name has been stripped off his work) that he understands a line was crossed he still hews to the defence that the Palins have brought this on. He also tries couching the work by using terms like “Satire” and “Nuance”, suggesting that those getting upset are missing something due to their lack of “reading comprehension”.

To respond let me respectfully call Bull-Shit, Mr. Layne. Satire does in fact employ nuance. It also uses things such as wit, and subtlety, and may even involve tools like metaphor and hyperbole. However we are dicussing a piece that repeatedly referenced a 3-year old disparagingly as “retarded”, it forwarded a familial plot of mixed heritage of the youth, and had the direct reference to incest. Forgive my poor comprehenssion for missing the nuance in the humor therein. Satire is cutting, used in a manner verbally as one might a scalpel. This was the journalistic equivalent of flushing a grenade down the toilet: it was a purile move designed to cause havoc.

Mr. Layne referenced that he has been at this game for 15 years. Seems he has had very little growth in that decade and a half, given he encourages and defends works on the level of of a post-adolescent who discovered a keyboard for the first time.
Cancon2

You piss me off nearly daily Tommy, but really, you nailed it here. Good on you.
tatboy

This is truly one of the most hate filled, vile things I;ve seen. It can be compaired to KKK literature I’m sure (I wouldn’t know for a fact). I hope that many years down the road we will look at thigs like this the same way we do old films and how they depicted black people. I hope this man finds his soul.

Sorry you had to write this Tommy.
tatboy

tanzbodenkoenig said:
Jesus Tommy i can hear the pearl clutching all the way from east Tennessee. Get over yourself, you’re sounding like C4Per about to faint dead away. Wonkette consistently satirizes the uncouthness of the Palin tribe as well as the unwarranted self importance and fame of their whole family, mainly because they are a classless backwoods hillbilly clan rudely thrust into the spotlight by no merit of their own. Palin is famous for being a political prostitute who will say anything for money and her daughter is famous for being a literal prostitute who couldn’t keep her legs closed and yet still has the audacity to lecture other girls on abstinence, and Todd is a laconic cuckold who couldnt give a shit that multiple of his children’s parentage is in suspicion. Trigg is the only normal one in the entire family, and if you would have portrayed it properly instead of getting your panties in a big twist because Jack used the word retard than you would have realized that was the punchline of the post. Jack was satircally commiserating with the plight of a poor down’s child who is rudely thrust into the spotlight and venerated by an entire cult of followers for whom it is a major pillar of his mother’s political success, hence his prophood

Your parents sould have taken Olbermann’s advice.
stuiec

So, just to be clear: it would be distasteful and wrong to riff on Ken Layne’s line, “I am obviously a great fan of children, especially mine”? Because, you know, the satirical possibilities are ripe for exploitation… and given his defense of Jack Steuf’s highbrow humor, it would be hard to see how Layne could be offended by jokes about how DEEP a fan of his own children he is, or how many different WAYS he’s their fan.
tatboy

stuiec said:
So, just to be clear: it would be distasteful and wrong to riff on Ken Layne’s line, “I am obviously a great fan of children, especially mine”? Because, you know, the satirical possibilities are ripe for exploitation… and given his defense of Jack Steuf’s highbrow humor, it would be hard to see how Layne could be offended by jokes about how DEEP a fan of his own children he is, or how many different WAYS he’s their fan.

Ewwwww… But the @SSHOLE deserved that one.
Peter Warner

In a comment posted above, Teleologicus wrote a very perceptive and wise description, that is worthy of repeating in total:
April 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm (Quote)

‘Nasty Leftists justify their behavior by claiming it is necessary to combat evil and the forces of darkness, i.e. people they disagree with about politics. I have no doubt at all that the individual who composed that vulgar and tasteless article and his defenders regard themselves as morally superior to Sarah Palin and to Americans incensed about the ugly column.
In the muddled thinking of such fanatics, Sarah Palin is guilty of some sort of vaguely defined transgression for even mentioning her son publicly, thus is fair game for whatever venom they direct at her. They put the worst possible interpretation upon her references to her son and cynically conclude it is all for show. They also do their best to smear and destroy her family on the same grounds.
There is a deep, visceral fear and loathing of normality and traditional morality in such fanatical Leftists that causes them to hate and need to destroy anybody and anything that threatens to reflect back to them their own spiritual ugliness. Someone like Sarah Palin makes such Leftists feel bad about themselves. They cannot rest until they annihilate her and everyone connected to her.
Beneath the usual juvenile partisanship there really is a layer of evil at work that gives one chills.’

Now, take a moment and contrast Teleologicus’s description with this, written centuries ago:

‘Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.’ quoted from Romans 1:28, NIV.

The commentary found here:
http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_129-32.htm
explains at length the meaning of that passage, and I am astounded at both the depth of Teleogicus’s insight, and how Paul’s letter to the Romans explains the exact same dynamics precisely.

In the Progressive Liberal Left today, we are indeed seeing the forces of evil having their way.

Best regards, Peter Warner.
just wow

Lou Sarah said:
Hey thanks shitbag, but the Mediate only reports ABOUT the media crap doesn’t really fly. Check the “Obama reaches new low of 41% in Gallup poll” this week…. were they reporting on Gallups website?? This is an agenda driven website (like most) that likes to indulge in petty attacks on people it disagrees with…. you think if Dan Abrams wasn’t the founder of this site it would take every, and I mean every, opportunity to bash Olbermann and MSNBC?? As for the stories I listed… I’m sure Matty and Tommy Boy (when he’s not indulging in petty feuds with former co-workers… wow you learned well from the FCO) can dig up a few articles from more mainstream sites than are reporting this Trig crap, and find a story or 5 about Christie’s unpopularity in NJ or poll results that don’t favor the GOP in budget talks and comment on them??? Unless Trump or Charlie Sheen are spouting off this moment, then all Mediaite’s rescources will be spoken for.

u mad ?
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

Hey Lou, any other negative conservative stories you want Mediaite to cover for you? You know, most web browsers come with an address bar where you can seek out said info you crave. Also, you might endeavor to actually write about these issues for a site — I’m betting Wonkette may have an opening for a leftist crank some time this week.
DonnaK

I don’t think anyones small children should be talked about in a terrible way, or brought into politics…That being said a lot of people didn’t have a problem with Glenn Beck & Limbaugh talking bad about the Obama kids…I didn’t hear any apologies from these 2 upstanding men…I’m just saying!!
turk281

Lou Sarah said:
Hey thanks shitbag, but the Mediate only reports ABOUT the media crap doesn’t really fly. Check the “Obama reaches new low of 41% in Gallup poll” this week…. were they reporting on Gallups website?? This is an agenda driven website (like most) that likes to indulge in petty attacks on people it disagrees with…. you think if Dan Abrams wasn’t the founder of this site it would take every, and I mean every, opportunity to bash Olbermann and MSNBC?? As for the stories I listed… I’m sure Matty and Tommy Boy (when he’s not indulging in petty feuds with former co-workers… wow you learned well from the FCO) can dig up a few articles from more mainstream sites than are reporting this Trig crap, and find a story or 5 about Christie’s unpopularity in NJ or poll results that don’t favor the GOP in budget talks and comment on them??? Unless Trump or Charlie Sheen are spouting off this moment, then all Mediaite’s rescources will be spoken for.

Hey, thanks for the civility.

Only someone so insular, so detached from reality, and someone so self important would call Mediaite biased because they don’t report what YOU feel is worthy of reporting.

Do you realize how crazy that is? Keep reading what reaffirms your political worldview and let that anger build!

god forbid any article be critical of MSNBC. Mediaite must be part of the vast right wing conspiricy!
tatboy

Lou Sarah said:
Hey thanks shitbag, but the Mediate only reports ABOUT the media crap doesn’t really fly. Check the “Obama reaches new low of 41% in Gallup poll” this week…. were they reporting on Gallups website?? This is an agenda driven website (like most) that likes to indulge in petty attacks on people it disagrees with…. you think if Dan Abrams wasn’t the founder of this site it would take every, and I mean every, opportunity to bash Olbermann and MSNBC?? As for the stories I listed… I’m sure Matty and Tommy Boy (when he’s not indulging in petty feuds with former co-workers… wow you learned well from the FCO) can dig up a few articles from more mainstream sites than are reporting this Trig crap, and find a story or 5 about Christie’s unpopularity in NJ or poll results that don’t favor the GOP in budget talks and comment on them??? Unless Trump or Charlie Sheen are spouting off this moment, then all Mediaite’s rescources will be spoken for.

You are a nutjob…
kit9

Obama and his wife have constantly used their daughters as props. Remember how Obama swore he wouldn’t allow media access to his daughters then completely broke that promise during the campaign by allowing direct media access to them, something I can’t remember any politician doing with young children? And, worse, he didn’t have them interviewed by some legitimate media like Time, but some cheesy gossip/entertainment channel. He let them be interviewed, on camera, and photographed for that piece and others. Then, he trotted them out at the convention, just like Palin did. So, where is the disgusting piece targeting the Obama daughters, eh Wonkette? It’s really grotesque how this Wonkette asshole refers to the ‘cult of Trig’ like they’re kooks when what they are are other parents with special needs kids. And, the Obama girls have a huge cult-the liberal media. How many times have I heard freaking Matthews blubbering over how beautiful they are? What a gorgeous family they are, etc?
TillieGlockenspiel

Newsbusters’ story on the Wonkette piece was updated thusly with a link to Tommy’s article. Tommy, again, I applaud you.

“*****Update: Mediaite’s Tommy Christopher tried to talk some sense into Wonkette’s editor today. Tried is the operative word.”

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/04/20/liberal-website-wonkette-disgracefully-attacks-trig-palin-his-birthda#ixzz1K7wA0LcN
murf

Lou Sarah said:
Hey thanks shitbag, but the Mediate only reports ABOUT the media crap doesn’t really fly. Check the “Obama reaches new low of 41% in Gallup poll” this week…. were they reporting on Gallups website?? This is an agenda driven website (like most) that likes to indulge in petty attacks on people it disagrees with…. you think if Dan Abrams wasn’t the founder of this site it would take every, and I mean every, opportunity to bash Olbermann and MSNBC?? As for the stories I listed… I’m sure Matty and Tommy Boy (when he’s not indulging in petty feuds with former co-workers… wow you learned well from the FCO) can dig up a few articles from more mainstream sites than are reporting this Trig crap, and find a story or 5 about Christie’s unpopularity in NJ or poll results that don’t favor the GOP in budget talks and comment on them??? Unless Trump or Charlie Sheen are spouting off this moment, then all Mediaite’s rescources will be spoken for.

You’re constant beef with Dan Abrams makes one suspicious if you’re really Keith Olbermann using the ” Lou Sarah ” handle .
tatboy

murf said:
You’re constant beef with Dan Abrams makes one suspicious if you’re really Keith Olbermann using the ” Lou Sarah ” handle .

I was thinking the same thing. If it’s not Keith, it’s one of his FOKing followers.
murf

tatboy said:
I was thinking the same thing. If it’s not Keith, it’s one of his FOKing followers.

Yeah true.
mlong

The Left have been going after Trig from day 1..it was less than 30 mind after McCain named Palin has his VP when the Daily Kos began the Trig isn’t Palin’s son BS trying to claim he was really Bristol’s’

Of course even after it was reported that Bristol was pregnant and couldn’t have been his mother some still tried to make that claim like Andrew Sullivan(who for a Gay man sure is interested in Palin’s vagina) even though it doesn’t make any sense or do they explain why she would fake a pregnancy and where Trig came from if she wasn’t his mother.

But the real thing is the Left hates Trig for the simple reason because he exist and wasn’t aborted….I mean Palin wasn’t a Christan hypocrite and didn’t have an abortion like they expected.

Oh and someone mention the Obama girls..if anyone dared to say anything about them they would be labeled a racist and condemn for daring to attack Obama through his girls…but Palin kids are fair game?…I mean the Left claims their fair game because she “uses” her kids but as pointed out Obama uses his kids all the time so that’s bull.
slickerwick

Tommy, you might be interested in knowing that this isn’t the first time Wonkette has gone after Trig in mean-spirited and distasteful ways. Here’s a link that shows their other nasty Trig stories and photos.

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/04/wonkettes-ken-layne-issues-phony-claim.html
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Mangan/100000213524770 David Mangan

I’ve said some things about Tommy in the past that might have been negative [actually, they were!], but he has more than redeemed himself and Mediaite’s reputation by taking on Layne and the moral lepers at Wonkette. I’m gonna order a Papa Johns pizza to celebrate…!
Jelperman

Does Mediaite offer anything but concern-trolling these days? If Wonkette is too much for you, you’d better stay away from Lisa Lampanelli!

LINK
Jelperman

Here’s a link that works (I hope):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcOeZIQX7Y8&feature=related
quo_vadis

OK… after reading the above article, these posts, and similar posts and articles in the past, I am beginning to
believe the the Founding Fathers faith in our “civility”, and that “free speech” will surely beget civil discourse, was
just an illusion. Unfortunately, “free speech” today REALLY means, “anything goes”. Why? Because we aren’t sitting/standing right in front of the people that we are skewering… we can’t see them… we say things that our parents, (hopefully), would have beaten us to a pulp for saying, or even thinking! Such brave people we are with our keyboards! I think it’s time for God to either start over, or just admit that this was a complete waste of time and
turn the lights out!
fenngibbon

quo_vadis said:
I am beginning to
believe the the Founding Fathers faith in our “civility”, and that “free speech” will surely beget civil discourse, was
just an illusion.

Wherever did you get the notion that the Founders had faith in our civility or believed that free speech would beget civil discourse?
http://www.zazzle.com/talkingpoints NORBIT Jr.

“Political humor website Wonkette has long been trending toward nihilistic snark for snark’s sake, but Jack Stuef’s column “honoring” Trig Palin’s birthday is about the most irredeemably vile, unfunny thing I’ve ever seen. As if jokes about Trig’s Down Syndrome aren’t bad enough on their own, Stuef goes the extra mile to pen kneeslappers about incest, child rape, and fetal alcohol syndrome.”
————————————————————————————————–

Alright Tommy, all you’ve shown us hear is that Steuf is obviously a classless Democrat, and sorry for being redundant!!!

LOL!
perceptorii

One side point on all this, aside the obvious disgust at these attacks on a 3 year old boy. I’d thought that Palin birtherism was much more fringe than Obama birtherism, confined to a few crazies like Andrew Sullivan. But a site as well known as Wonkette is apparently in the throes of crazed conspiracy theories surrounding the birth of Trig Palin. Who knew? Just how widespread is this thing?
got a grip

Instructive examples of two “intellectuals” weaving and dancing around their points to show how smart and clever they are, when direct Ronald Reagan type thought and communication would do. Will say this, Mr. Christopher: you have a moral center where the other guy has clearly lost his way.
Rio

Check out this website:

http://jackstuef.com/
Jax_n_Jill

Here is the Stuef that Jack is made of….

UPDATE: I regret this post and using the word “retarded” in a reference to Sarah Palin’s child. It’s not nice, and is not necessary, but I take responsibility for writing it. For those who came and are offended by this post: I’m sorry, of course. But I stand by my criticism of Sarah Palin using her child as a political prop.

–Jack Stuef

Pathetic apology and it took how many hours to write it?? Maybe he will grow up one day, but then if growing up was easy then more liberals would do it I guess.
rfgwere

My boyfriend thinks the same with me. He is 12 years older than me, lol. We met online at AgeM’ing’le. com The premiere online community for older women seek younger men or older men seek younger women to meet and share your interests. Ever feel that you would best enjoy someone who is not in your age group? Leave behind the other general dating sites out there and try us. erteqwr
http://www.sarainitalyblog.blogspot.com/ sarainitaly

I just don’t get the *she used him as a prop* crap. What Pol doesn’t bring out their children during campaign season?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4340241253_b9e64505f6_b.jpg

You know DAMN well had she NOT brought Trig out on the trail, the Palin haters would have attacked her for *hiding him* or being ashamed of him, or some other hateful crap.

Good on Papa John’s and Huggies and others for running from that ugly crap!

As for Tommy –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAKFlpdcfc&feature=related
TfT

It is such a canard that the left claims that Sarah uses Trig – what a crock of shit and shame on the idiot who wrote the article, and then apoogized and stood by his position. Jerk, joke, scum.

Good for Tommy for taking Wonkette on; good for the advertisers who left, and I hope others walk away from the garbage as well.
lane

Again, kudos to Tommy for making his points so firmly. I don’t have special needs children, but I absolutely applaud the Palin’s approach to include Trig in their family as much as all the others. There is no ‘cult’ of Trig. Many families, including my friend, handle the challenges but also find some very special gifts in it. You simply cannot leave a special needs by themselves like other kids or even in regular child care. To misinterpret this as a ‘prop’ is quite sickening.
Harry Flashman

In the ultimate piece of delicious irony, the writer’s domain name (http://jackstuef.com/) has been purchased and is now directed to a Down’s Syndrome site.

Hey, Jack….how does it feel knowing that because of your vulgar mindset, your foul mind, and your vicious, feces throwing tantrum you’ll forever be associated with a charity representing the very type of children you think so little of?

Thanks to whoever did this. Oh, and, Jack…..have a nice day.
notsofast

me2010 said:
Hahaha retards are funny sorry !

Yes, I laugh out loud every time I see you, you lib POS!
perceptorii

It appears Ken Layne isn’t done stepping in it. A number of blogs in the rightosphere have pointed out that while he tells Tommy Christopher that he has two kids with another on the way, he tells Dave Weigel that he has four kids.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/04/20/boycotting-wonkette.aspx

So Layne would have us believe that he’s such a better parent than Palin, but I’m pretty certain she knows how many kids she has.
notsofast

BTW, TC, I am surprised at your temerity to hold Wonkette’s feet to the fire for this travesty masquerading as satire. It was nothing but a mean spirited, vile and heinous attack on a disabled child and it highlights the true character of the left as seen in this abominable piece of garbage and in the demonstrations by the left on 4/15 , which the MSM refused to cover.
rocky road

Tommy, I fell in love with you all over again.
slickerwick

This is weird. I just checked the Wonkette piece again. The original comments that they scrubbed are back in place and the later comments protesting the piece are now scrubbed. And the article is up there twice.
justanotherconservative

me2010 said:
Hahaha retards are funny sorry !

you must be right because you are hilarious.
justanotherconservative

Harry Flashman said:
In the ultimate piece of delicious irony, the writer’s domain name (http://jackstuef.com/) has been purchased and is now directed to a Down’s Syndrome site. Hey, Jack….how does it feel knowing that because of your vulgar mindset, your foul mind, and your vicious, feces throwing tantrum you’ll forever be associated with a charity representing the very type of children you think so little of? Thanks to whoever did this. Oh, and, Jack…..have a nice day.

harry flashman.. thank you.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Ford/100000955260053 Stephen Ford

When Stuef grows up, he wants to be a KGB torturer.
Harry Flashman

Looks like Wonkette is taking quite a beating from their advertisers over this:

JJIll: “All: Please know we do not condone the Wonkette story. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. We have taken action to remove our ads.”
Holland America Cruises: “Thanks for letting us known, we have blocked that page from running our ads.”
Nordstrom: “Thanks for letting us know. The ads have been removed. We’re sorry to disappoint you.”
Reliant Energy: “Thank you for alerting us. We did not choose this site and are working to have this removed immediately.”
Bob Evans: “Our ad is not supposed to be running on that site. Agency has been alerted to pull it immediately.”
Coldwell Banker: “We are in the process of pulling our ads from Wonkette.”
DealSwarm: “We’ve pulled our ads from the site — we wouldn’t have approved them running next to that blog post. (Trig is a cutie pie.) Thank you for alerting us — we weren’t aware our ads were running alongside a blog post like that. Ads have been pulled.”
MetroPCS: “We don’t condone @Wonkette, have removed the ad and ensured that our ads won’t appear on this site in the future. Thanks for bringing to our attention.”

Here’s the link:

http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/21/more-companies-pull-ads-from-wonkette-after-trig-palin-post/

At the risk of sounding petty, I’m getting quite a sense of satisfaction from this.
errxn

Tommy, you showed a metric ton more restraint in your response than I would have. I don’t know whether to congratulate you or chastise you for this. Ken Layne is a shitbag who is using the lamest of excuses to justify the garbage that passes for humor on that website. The tired old “anyone who I pissed off is just too stupid to get the joke” line is reason enough to wish him a horrible, horrible ending.
WilsonTheHeretic

Damn. Way to go, Christopher.
ladyruth54

Thank you Tommy.
ladyruth54

Jack Stuef is still posting articles there … thought he was on double secret (night) probation?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Patrick-McCloskey/1221006994 Patrick McCloskey

Very stand-up Mediaite. Well done.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Medvecky/1440774658 Bill Medvecky

The next time you pass an ARC business or sheltered workshop, take a good hard look at what the acronym stands for ACCORDING TO THEM;

the ASSOCIATION OF RETARDED CHILDREN.

Isn’t it simply disgusting how they are so bigoted against their OWN “Clients” !

People need to grow up.

I find it amusing that Palin can paint bullseyes and tell folks to “Reload” against her enemies, but God forbid you attack her.

When she dragged the kid onto the stage in front of the camera’s and paraded him for votes and sympathy, she made him a public figure. In all probability, he’s more capable of taking care of himself than his “Mother” is.
seek

Enough of the lies Bill. Grow up and quit believing garbage and trying to mislead people.

I don’t find anything you posted amusing. Nothing. You lie and distort and should be ashamed of yourself.

Your “hate” is palpable and just freaking stupid. You have absolutely no idea what the heck you are talking about. All you got is stupid, misplaced, lying hate.

BTW Dickwadddd – how do you “drag” a baby? What an absolutely ignorant jerk you are.
Chattanooga Jim

Wonkette’s editor seems to think that mocking a Downs Syndrome child is okay because of a hatred of the child’s mom. I wonder how that works with President Obama’s kids who are paraded around for media consumption constantly. Somehow I think Layne, Stuef, et al would find that less appealing given the left’s reverence for all things Obamaesque. Picking on defenseless, innocent children to get at the parents is cowardice at its worst. I am glad that numerous advertisers have dumped Wonkette. What comes around, goes around.
RoughAcres

I found the original ‘satirical’ piece tasteless and disgusting. But then, I find trotting around a special-needs child for the cameras ALSO tasteless and disgusting.

So freedom of speech balances out opportunism. Who knew.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Burr-Deming/1734810469 Burr Deming

I don’t like Sarah Palin even a little bit. Not my cup of Tea Party. The Wonkette “greeting” was was a tasteless, cheap shot and calling it just that was the right call.

Wonkette was wrong and Tommy is right.
seek

RoughAcres said:
I found the original ’satirical’ piece tasteless and disgusting. But then, I find trotting around a special-needs child for the cameras ALSO tasteless and disgusting.

In your case Rough – freedom of speech allowed us to see that what is in your mind should be censored before it ever hits print – you seem to have a malfunction in your junction. A stupid cowardly comment at best, a bigoted hateful left wing loony comment at worst. Take your pick.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Medvecky/1440774658 Bill Medvecky

I double checked with the ARC (Association of RETARDED children) posted on Google. Not ANYWHERE do those people describe a retarded child as anything but retarded. The DOCTORS call them retarded, the SCHOOLS call them retaded, the STATES even have offices for the MENTALLY RETARDED.

Now, either all of these people are ignorant morons, or they call a spade a spade. CLINICALLY the term is RETARDED.

They don’t use “Special” or “Exceptional”, or “Challenged” or any other cutsie name that makes folks all warm and fuzzy because it means NOTHING to describe the child’s (Or adults) actual problem.

If anyone is being condescending or improper in using the term retarded in describing these children, it is the ARC itself. They call themselves the ARC, the ASSOCIATION OF RETARDED CHILDREN, and yet 90 percent of their clients are ADULTS. What’s so “Childish” about a 30.40.50 year old person?

Face it folks, those who rail against the author are those thin-skinned New Nazi’s and teabaggers who grasp at ANY straw to attack one of them much hated “Liberals” (Pronounced with venom dripping off your tongues.)

MR 69: TOWARD PROGRESS: The Story of a Decade
A third report by the President’s Committee on
Mental Retardation about developments in the
national campaign to overcome mental retardation

Here it is in black and white. MR (Mental Retardation) 69: is part of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL RETARDATION. (Going back to Nixon and forward to OBAMA).

Now you boys ain’t going to start bad mouthing tricky dickie, Ronny, or King George are you?

Your bitch is against those evil LIberals (Shudder), so stop using this kid as an excuse, you could care less for him.
darpa

I’m not a fan of ANY politicians, right or left. Can’t stand 99.9% of them and have never listened through a speech by the current occupant of the WH. However, I’ll bet Stuff (stoof, stiff, steff?) would NEVER make fun of them. The media is pretty much owned by the handfull of people who decided BHO should be president., as they decided the bush person before him. Somebody decided Palin should get attention, bascially to divide the party. Trump is doing that now because the BHO crew knows the door would hit him on the way out if a referendum were held today. So. Don’t think a lot of these “bloggers” are solo. Oh, they talk all macho and call any female pol a cuss word hoping to annihilate them. As Sarah Silverman says, she doesn’t make fun of some groups because she’s afraid of them. I’d really like to see the big, sharp, oh so snarky macho (Kathy Griffin, are you there? Maher, are you sitting on the toilet?) make fun of blacks. Oh no. They’d be waaaaay too scared to be so “edgy.” Edgy my butt. They are a edgy as they think their echo-chamber of paid “liberal” commentary and “comics” will high-5 them for.
They are so contemptable on so many counts, i hardly know where to begin and feel sort of sick just thinking about them. rather like examining in great detail, a cockroach. lovely creatures to some, but not my thing

as far as trig being a cult. if he is I don’t know because i don’t follow such things. but in such a ‘cult’ he is loved honored by said cultists, in their own way. However, the wonky-people’s intent was — well, not to love or honor. or cuddle.
be carefull at whom you laugh. they may start laughing back.

wonky–that means–broken, unstable. maybe that explains it.
seek

Bill, somehow in your addled mind you’ve confused the players. Perhaps we should all wear shirt clearly stating what side we are on.

Somehow you’ve managed to simplify a vile, tasteless post to one word – retard, and the rest of the vile hatred (incest, child abuse) went right over your head.

You go boy – you’re a credit to some race – haven’t figured out which one, but keep talking and it will come to me.

p.s. in your spare time perhaps keep a running tally on the “ugly” comments and tell us which side wins the prize.