by Jonathan Sadler

Created on: June 18, 2009

There has been much discussion over the poorly chosen and delivered David Letterman joke. There has been much news coverage devoted to the joke and the fallout. While such coverage has occurred, North Korea has launced dozens of verbal barbs toward our country and our allies. While such coverage has occurred, a block of freedom loving people in Iran are being trampled and in some instances killed. Has our Country become so self absorbed that a silly joke by an aging comedian trumps freedom and liberty? Inasmuch, have we not become a collective caricature?

Did anyone who heard the joke told by David Letterman, about Sarah Palin's family , think to themselves, "I wonder which daughter he is referring to?" Did anyone think, " Gee, I wonder if he means the fourteen year old daughter, which would be a criminal act?" Did anyone think, "Wow, Letterman is suggesting that grown men sleep with children." NO!

The only thing more tasteless than Letterman's joke is Palin's use and abuse of her fourteen year old as a means of attacking a comedian. Everyone who heard the joke, either live or later, immediately thought of the older Palin daughter, Bristol. Why? Because the family paraded her around the national media as an example of their family values and stance on abortion.

Parading their pregnant daughter around the country for personal political gain was shameful and disgusting. Immediately advertising the fact that Palin's younger daughter had attended the Yankee's game with her to attempt to score personal political points is even more absurd and borders on abusive behavior.

As a father I would be highly agitated and angered by any comedian who told a joke about a family member. But I certainly wouldn't rush to the nearest media outlet to publicly call the person out and drag my child's name and information out to help settle the score. I would demand a personal apology from the person to my family member.

Somewhere in our country we have to break this vicious cycle of personal attacks for political gain. Somewhere we must stop the cycle of political correctness to a degree that stifles discussion. Somewhere we just have to lighten up. Perhaps we start by chuckling at a goofy joke by a silly comedian. Maybe we laugh because the joke is funny or perhaps we laugh because we feel the comedian is a knucklehead. But folks, lets just try to laugh.

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