F**K 'Em If They Can't Take A Joke

I don't mean to be provocative with the title of this post, but I'm really getting tired of all the politically correct, narrow minded thinking that has taken over our society. I know this is a topic that I've written about before and talked about on the big WGN show, but despite my impassioned pleas, I have not made much progress changing the hearts and minds of a humorless populous.

It seems to me that people have become incapable of taking or getting a joke. ESPN's Dana Jacobson was participating in a roast of fellow sports broadcasters "Mike and Mike". According to reports, she was "swilling vodka" and launched into what some considered a tasteless tirade. Her insults were not only directed at the dueling Mikes, but included shots at the University of Notre Dame (one of the Mikes Alma Mater) and at Jesus himself. She has now been suspended and forced to make a public mea culpa. Why? Because some people cried foul, that's why. Before some of you get your panties in a wad, let me say that I am a fan of both Jesus and Notre Dame. Both have brought me moments of joy and moments of disappointment. The latter brought on by multiple Irish losses. Most people wouldn't defend speech like Jacobson's. Who wants to come down as pro Jesus mocking? I guess I have to.

If you've never attended a roast, not the sanitized Dean Martin roasts you can buy on late night TV, but a real roast, let me enlighten you, they are raucous affairs. The purpose is to embarrass the "Guest of Honor" and insult just about everyone in attendance, especially the other people on the dais. It is a grand tradition and not for the faint of heart. The Friar's Club is known for their roasts and made the mistake of letting outsiders view one, leading to the Ted Danson black face uproar a few years ago. Tasteless jokes are not only encouraged, but they are expected at these events. The roasters have to bring their best (worst) material and deliver it fearlessly. The content is definitely not for everyone, but if you're putting on a roast, that's what you get.

I think it's fine for some to say they were offended by her remarks. The "jokes" may have been disrespectful, poorly thought out and even (the worst sin of all at a roast) not funny, but unless Jacobson was expressly told to "keep it clean" I think she was within her rights to say whatever she wanted. According to reports she was booed off the stage. That should be punishment enough. Some people shouldn't attempt humor. It's not a gift all have been blessed with, and as Dana now knows, it's not easy. The embarrassment she felt after the event would have served as her wake up call. Having to face her co-workers would have been her penance, but the P.C. Brigade wasn't satisfied with that. No one in the media is allowed to make any mistakes without having to don their sack cloth and ashes and pound their chests for forgiveness in the public square. At least Notre dame was smart enough to say that they realized the situation in which the comments were made. If only we could all be as wise as Notre Dame.

Lighten up! She screwed up in an arena that was meant to foster groans, insults and "oh no" moments. It really is a shame that just because the "jokes" were aimed at Jesus and Notre Dame, the knee jerk reaction is to make this woman suffer in public. She needs to stay on the job. Obviously she needs the cash to hire better writers.

Stay up late Saturday night to listen to the big show on WGN. I've got a lot of interesting stuff planned, but if things go as usual, those plans may fall to the wayside. I might even say something that you disagree with. Before you go crazy, take a second and ask yourself "Is he joking?". We all need to do that a little more. Have a great weekend. Later....Brian