The Axiom Of Respect
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It

Yesterday, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin formally accepted David Letterman's apology for making an inappropriate joke about her teenage daughter on his show two weeks ago ("Palin Accepts Letterman's Apology"):

"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez." The joke seemed directed at Palin's 18-year-old daughter Bristol, who is an unwed mother. However, it was Palin's 14-year-old daughter, Willow, who accompanied the governor to [the Yankee game]. Letterman later explained he had confused the two daughters and had Bristol in mind when he made the joke, but Palin interpreted it as directed at Willow.

Palin felt that Letterman's joke was in reality a "degrading comment about a young woman" and expressed her concern that this type of remark contributes to "young girls especially hav[ing] such low self-esteem in America." She asked "the public to rise up in opposition," and some of her supporters "have called for Letterman's firing."

Personally, we are not sure that we would go so far as to have Letterman fired, but we think his "joke" was certainly in poor taste. Our society has long forgotten the importance of treating others respectfully, and on many occasions, comedians go too far with their humor. Letterman should have known better than to make either Bristol or Willow the punch line of a sexually-charged joke.

As a society, we need to reevaluate what we consider funny: Teens and young adults have a difficult enough time growing up in today's stressful world, and the last thing Bristol or Willow need is some comedian making fun of them in front of the entire country.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society