Governor Palin Forgives David Letterman: Freedom of Speech, the Key

Yesterday I wrote a post about the situation between Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and late night talk show host, David Letterman. They were at an impasse over the joke Dave made regarding Alex Rodriguez and one of Palin’s daughters. I mulled over my thoughts regarding whether it constitutes an issue of free speech or crossed the line because one of the daughters, the one that attended the baseball game inferred in the joke, was underage.

Well it seems everyone is kissing and making up now, news source Newsmax left this article in my email inbox this morning. Palin’s statement, “on behalf of all young women, like my daughters, who hope men who `joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve.” Something we’d love to see happen with all men I suppose, that march toward evolution.

In this case, though, unlike with my example of the Jamie Foxx vs Miley Cyrus, Letterman comes out on his show announcing publicly to his audience and television viewers his regrets for this unfortunate situation. That, to me, speaks that although Dave may have committed somewhat of a faux paux with dropping that joke, this man is not one who needs be beaten into an evolved state. Letterman’s apology shows integrity, bravery and self-deprecating humor found in persons of an intelligent and evolved mind. According to Newsmax he took responsibility for anyone misconstruing which daughter the joke was directed toward. He said, “I’m sorry about it, and I’ll try to do better in the future”. Letterman added, “”The joke, really, in and of itself, can’t be defended”.

Any man who comes forth after doing a wrong, perceived or otherwise, and actually apologizes is to be commended. Many would rather put their head in the sand and just hope the situation goes away rather than risk some ill-conceived version of pride or embarrassment, or heaven forbid, admit they might have behaved badly.

Palin’s statement issued late yesterday brought up the subject of Freedom of Speech. She said Letterman has the right to joke about whatever he wants to, and “…thankfully we have the right to express our reaction.”

Invoking her Patriotic leanings and giving further sway to the thought process that indeed, this lady has plans to eventually campaign for President she issued this statement:

“This is all thanks to our U.S. military men and women putting their lives on the line for us to secure American’s right to free speech,” she said. “In this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect.”

Freedom of Speech was the issue that caught my focus when I wrote my post yesterday morning. Freedom of Speech entered the equation through Mrs. Palin yesterday afternoon. Freedom of Speech apparently what has sealed this riff between Governor Palin and Mr. Letterman. I guess the other Constitutional amendment, The Right to Bear Arms won’t have to be invoked in this case.