I didn't see this anywhere on the board. I know there has been some controversy over the fundraiser because of comments made but...it isn't like it has never been done on both sides of the fence.


Slim-Fast Dumps Goldberg Over Bush Jabs LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Slim-Fast diet drink company has dumped Whoopi Goldberg from its advertising because its executives were unhappy with remarks the comedian made at a recent political rally that mocked President Bush. ``We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air,'' Slim-Fast general manager Terry Olson said in a press release Wednesday. Goldberg participated at a recent Democratic fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, joining performers such as John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange and John Leguizamo. At one point in a speech mocking the Bush administration, Goldberg used his surname as a sexual reference. The event raised $7.5 million for the John Kerry-John Edwards presidential ticket. Both Kerry and Edwards attended, but neither commented about the jokes made by the celebrities toward Bush. Goldberg's representatives did not immediately return a all for comment Wednesday. Slim-Fast Foods is based in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Geez...interesting where Slim Fast is located....hmmmm Florida? Didn't Disney have some issues recently with the Fahrenheit 9/11 stuff...in Florida? You didn't see Leno lose his Frito Lay ads when he made fun of Clinton.

[ July 15, 2004, 06:46 AM: Message edited by: Jason Cottrell ]

If I supported ESPN's termination of Limbaugh, then I have to support Slim Fast's firing of Whoopi. With some reservations.

Limbaugh made remarks on television.
Goldberg made remarks at a private event.

But...ultimately, it's all about the "brand". And if Slim Fast thinks Whoopi is taking their brand image in a direction they don't want to go in, then, yeah, they can end their relationship with her, fair and square.

It's not like Whoopi will be "hurting" from this either. If anything, she become a free speech cause celebre.

A more startling Free Speech concern: the fact that some radio stations - and MTV! - are editing the recently released track from Judakiss that criticized Bush.

I have to say, I would be a hypocrite if I said they were limiting her free speech. She still has the right to say whatever she wants, she just has to realize that it may impact her financially.

I hate to see it happen, because I don't like Bush, but if the shoe were on the other foot (i.e. she was a conservative) I would say that her free speech was not limited.

I think this is an argument that is thrown around way too much. Trent Lott tried to use it when he was being removed from his post. No one questioned whether or not he had the right to say what he did, but that doesn't mean there will be no consequences.

An affront to Freedom of Speech would be a situation where Whoopi was prosecuted or otherwise punished by the government for her statements.

As far as censoring anti-Bush material in a song, it's scary, but it's still just a corporate decision.

I'm wondering how long it will take for someone to erroneously claim that Goldgerg's 1st Amendment rights are being violated by Slim Fast. I support her right to express herself 100%, and while it is unfortunate how our society has seemingly become resigned to vulgarity posing as entertainment, Goldberg has the right to express herself in any way she sees fit. However, she is not being censored! A corporation that contracted with her decided it was in their interest not to utilize Goldgerg's services due to her statements and a portion of the public's reaction to same. She can continue to "entertain" people by referring to the president in vulgar terms, but she and other so-called first-amendment advocates would be in error to imply that her free speech rights were being infringed upon by Slimfast's response. Personally, I disagree with the company's actions, however I acknowledge its right to drop Goldgerg as a spokesperson. I just think elevating Whoopi to a first amendment martyr (as I am sure some people will do)degrades is some way true free speech issues.

Did they ever listen to her stand-up? Did they ever watch her TV-show? She's a liberal Democrat, anti-Bush, and if Slim-Fast doesn't like it they shouldn't have hired her in the first place.

And if she knew of their conservative slant, then she shouldn't have taken their money to be their spokesperson.

CNN Headline News ran her response to the firing, and Whoopi never mentioned this as a first amendment issue, or questioned Slim-Fast's ability to fire her. Rather, she was upset because the right was so willing to make her and slim fast a target for mocking the president.

On a broader level, I don't think it is wrong to at least be concerned by the ways that censorship can operate in corporate-driven environments. Whoopi should have been more careful with her speech, but given that so many of the outlets needed to send a message on a broad scale have ties to self-interested companies (newspapers, networks), there is a real chilling effect on the general expression of non-mainstream, cutting edge thought.

[ July 15, 2004, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Neptune ]

Dick Cheney privately tells Senator Leahy to go "f**k himself," and many folks on this board are all in a tizzy. Whoopi Goldberg, accompanied by numerous other Hollywood celebs--whom Kerry says "represent the core values of America" goes on a vulgar tirade against a guy's name and these same anti-Cheney folks are suddenly silent.

Where are the folks who were so hypersensitive about Cheney's comment but are so typically silent about the profanity-laden, disgusting "fundraiser" Hollywood had for Kerry?

Oh! The hypocrisy!

(If this so-called fundraiser was so acceptable, why has everyone refused to release the video tape of it? That's unusual in such events.)

Footnote: The owner of Slim-Fast, Dan Abraham, is a liberal Democrat and big-time contributor to Democratic causes.

[ July 15, 2004, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: MIB ]

MIB

I have no clue where your post is coming from. Of the mere handful of responses, most of us agreed that Slim Fast had a right to can Goldberg.

Speaking for myself only:
1) I didn't say anything about Cheney
2) I didn't say Whoopi was denied First Amendment rights
3) Don't ever call me a hypocrit again, lest I tell you to go f**k yourself and eat Bush, or worse...

I don't think anyone here is saying that Whoopi's 1st amendment rights are being abridged. On the contrary, I think all the posters seem to understand that she has the right to say what she wants and she has to live with the consequences. What is causing your outrage here? I just don't see it.

I despise Bush, but if I was the president of SlimFast, I'd have terminated Whoopi's contract in a second. If my goal was to maximize sales, retaining a spokesperson who might turn off 50% of the population is a recipe for failure. Who knows, maybe they can hire the Dixie Chicks? wink

[ July 15, 2004, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: aquaman ]

Typical of the Left. Hurtle insults or personal attacks at people. Real mature. Real sad.

You won't find me lowering myself to this level, even if I disagree with someone here. Shame on you.

VP Dick and Whoopi said what they said in two VERY different situations

VP Dick told a US Senator to f**k off or whatever it was on the floor of the Senate

What Whoopi said was part of her stand-up routine at a private gathering

Well, first off all, my last statement, though loaded with sass, clearly referenced both Cheney and Goldberg.

That's not to say I don't embrace said vulgarity. I do embrace my vulgarity. Honestly. I was all Bill Cosby here on Outsports for my first several years, but now that I've gotten in touch with my inner Dave Chappelle, I feel much more politically empowered (and I'm not joking).

The anti-Liberals on these boards act like they're at some gentile tea party, where everyone is speaking from the same Ivory/Merchant script. Fact of the matter is, MIB, you dun pissed me off. You and other conservatives here paint in big, broad strokes, seeking to demean and demonize everyone who doesn't agree with you.

I've appealled for years to the intellects of conservative members, even when what I really felt like saying was, "Wow, that's some bullshit"

So now, I just call bullshit for what it is. In other words, don't put words in my mouth, insult me, and/or call me names and expect a meek response. I'm not saying that what's good for PhillyFan is good for The B Man, but, you know what, when I'm genuinely pissed off, I'm going to make it known. Period.

hurling (i assume, mib, you meant hurling and not hurtling -- now go edit your post and pretend you don't know what i'm writing about) insults? one man's insult is another's compliment.

anyway, i just thought we were witnessing a very clever twist on the veep's oratory toward the good senator from vermont, aimed at a tireless republican apoligista.

in my reading, the whole posting was quite tongue-in-cheek and highly ironic and clever.

and you fell for it.

we've come to expect better from you....

[ July 15, 2004, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: thersis ]

Ah, when will the "wacky" Hollywood Elite ever learn... They have been presented a stage to promote their views, a stage we dont have. Then they think they can say what they want, when they want, to who they want.. and we must accept it. Why? because a skanky Ho like whoopi thinks she knows more than us.

Her Terrible TV show should not be used for political benefit. Her job is to enterian and shut the hell up. Most of these idiots in hollywood have zero education. Most of them were table waiters who had a pretty face and got a break....

Has whoopi even made a good movie since ghost? I'm more concerned with that than who she votes for.

Oh and hey toots, do something with the hair.

PF, you said you don't have a stage to present your views??? Well what about Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Faux news? If those aren't "stages," then I don't know what is.

Sorry puckman, those are political shows. whoopie entertains. She has a comedy show (if you can call it that). People dont tune into shows like that to hear her spout off.

If you turn on rush, it's for political reason. Same with Hannity. Same with that hick on crossfire.

If that is what whoopi wants, she should create one. Why do you think that the hick, o'reilly, or hannity dont do alot of commercials?

Whoopi Goldberg isn't an elected official.

Well the name of this thread really implies just that.

Hello apple, meet orange.

CrashCart Mcf**kYourself is an (s)elected official, one who is Mr Family Values who was going to bring back "dignity." He dropped the f*bomb on the Senate floor.
Whoopie is an entertainer who goes on vulgar tirades most of the time she opens her mouth.
Even you should be able to tell the difference, judge.

Although I certainly believe SlimFast has the right to hire/fire people for their comments, just like CBS had the right to fire Jimmy the Greek and ESPN had the right to fire Rush Limbaugh, there is a difference between that Jimmy the Greek and Limbaugh did, because their comments were demeaning to entire classes of people. Basically they both questioned the ability of all African Americans.

Whoopi apparently insulted one person, the President, for his specific actions. That is not being prejudiced, as Limbaugh and Jimmy were accused of being. I do wonder whether this country, or at least the court of King George II, has gotten hyper-sensitive to criticism of Bush - we have also seen this with Howard Stern.

I mean really, Slim Fast could not have been surprised at her actions - this is a woman, after all, who once convinced her white boyfriend to appear in black face at an African-American gathering (talk about a joke that just did not work).

EXACTLY....

You can't compare the two. Dick was on the Senate floor, Whoopi was on the stage at a fundraiser for Kerry!

I'd love to hear some of the quotes from a Bush/Dick fundraiser....I'm sure they would make the hair on your back stand up.

This type of behavior is so typical from the Republicans - all I have to say to them is "GROW UP HYPOCRITES!"

Go have the Pentagon destroy whatever's left of the shreds of Bush's Military Record...hide another prisioner from the Red Cross...fabricate lies to go to war then blame it on the CIA. and so on, and so on

It's always a "different situation" with the Left. Then their sheep dogs chime in with the typical "EXACTLY." Really, now, this hypocrisy is getting old. Stop excusing inexcusable behavior.

I don't think it's a different situation, I think Dick Cheney should lose his job too.

Anything that keeps Whoopi off the TV is fine with me. Although I do agree with her, I wouldn't have gone about it that way.

Ah, but John Kerry is, and he more than once has dropped the "F bomb," with nary a protest from the holier-than-thou-hypersensitive folks here. Plus, he never did condemn Whoopi for her comments--comments considered so vulgar that newspapers couldn't print the full text. And why are they so afraid to release the tape from this event, especially since doing so is a traditional thing to do?

And Whoopi's comments weren't demeaning to all those people who have vaginas? As many here are so fond of not believing, "it's the same thing."

Like being a liar?
Oh, the hypocrisy.

I don't have a problem with Whoopi being fired- she said something extreme and the company that she represents took offense and have the legal right to get rid of her.

However, the extent of what she said is nothing different that what other comedians say in their standup routines and shows. I am just wondering why these companies and organizations don't bother to send some sort of message to other comedians, etc.

Bush & Co personally scare me. They bully until they get their way. This administration is lucky they have majorites in all branches. Clinton lying about having sex vs. Bush lying about the link with terrorism/Iraq is quite ironic- Bush deserves impeachment a hell of a lot more than Clinton.

There you go with that f**king crap again. You just can't f**king accept the fact that you're flat-out f**king wrong in your f**king assertions because the f**king situations are f**king different. Well, too f**king bad. You are wrong, f**king wrong. Maybe if we all say it enough you'll eventually get over it. f**k f**k f**k f**k f**k....

OK, what Dick did and what Whoopi did is exactly the same. Dick is employed by the American people. Can we fire him now? If swearing in public is a fireable offense, why is Dick still being paid?

As in most of those endorsement contracts that celebrities sign with companies, there is a clause limiting her to what "outside issues" she m,ay speak on and a clause banning "improper" language.
In short when Whoppi signed the contract, she more or less gave up some first amendment rights in some cases or at the very least was limited to what and more importantly how she said things.
I am quite sure this is one of them.
The clue will probably be if Whoppi files a breach of conttract lawsuit and wins it.

This is why i'd never be elected to public office... tho i'd be quite GOOD at it.

F off Whoopi you little skank ho.

Tally ho ho ho...

How you compare a COMEDIAN speaking at a KERRY FUNDRAISER to the VICE PRESIDENT speaking on the SENATE floor is so sad it's laughable but that's the depths the Republican party has fallen to.

MIB - Are you (and the rest of the skum that subscribe to the Bush nonsense) THAT scared that the polls maybe right? That more people think Iraqi was a mistake and not worth it then those that do? That there really never were any WMD? That the coaliation of the "willing" never really amounted to more than US and Britian? That we are 150 BILLION dollars deeper in debt for a war based on lies? That 1000 Americans have been killed and THOUSAND more left without a leg/s, arm/s, eyes? That the Haliburton link runs deeper than you'd like to belive? That more people feel Bush should drop dick? That the Pentagon really did "accidentally" shred Bush's military record when it was obvious that the truth about his "commitment" differs from what he says? Scared that terrorist really will hit our nation again and all Bush and his party can talk about is gay marriage and the need for a Constitution Amendment? God, and that was just off the top of my head....

MIB - stay the good sheep that you appear to be and vote for Bush in November. You obviously have a difficult time thinking for yourself.

You've OBVIOUSLY never served in our military, put you're a STRONG patriot!

PATHETIC!

[ July 16, 2004, 12:52 PM: Message edited by: PewterPirate ]

Ok, up to this point I've haven't really cared about Fox News. But I'm currently watching Fox & Friends 1st. The hosts were sitting there cackling and gloating over the Whoopi imbroglio. These two morons are not merely bad broadcasters, but pretty much obnoxious shills for the conservative right. It's not just tragicly biased, but wretched television.

See, this is something that is radically difference in say the entertainment industry and the sports world.

We see people like Limbaugh, Whoopi, etc. get fired for making some extreme comments, yet sports players get fined a few thousand dollars if anything when they make similar comments. And it's not even comments, but violence, drugs, etc.

If you got arrested for some sort of drug use, I'd say a good majority of (respectable) companies are going to can you right then and there. If you had that drug issue or some sort of crime on your resume, it would be so hard to get a good job. Yet in sports, it's all excused. And not just by the managers, owners and coaches, but the fans too. It's really sad.

Hey, Could someone please tell me what Whoopi actually said? Is there a transcript some where? I have searched on websites and can't find anything. :confused:

You may not find anything as it was a private fundraiser and I'm unsure if anything is typically released. I'm sure there were off color things said as I'm SURE there are off color things said at Bush fundrisers too. For the Republicans to make an issue out of it further shows how desperate they have become and how they fear talking about the real issues that face this country!

Whatever she said, all it did was hurt Kerry. I don't get these knuckleheads. She wants to help Kerry, right? She wants Bush gone, right? Well, score one for Bush using this effectively against Kerry to further drive home the message that he's a man of the people (slightly ludicrous) who doesn't need to surround himself with stars, whereas Kerry and Edwards are rich, aloof and out of touch with American values.

I guess Whoopi and co are so far removed from everyday life that they forget that rank and file Americans have some level of reverence for the office. And that when they see these overpaid, overpampered meat puppets taking a break from lippoing their fat asses to get political all of a sudden, they will be looked at critically. Streisand, Whoopi, the whole lot of them are a f**king drag on Democrats. Who the hell does Streisand inspire in 2004 who isn't already a Democrat?

Here's a tip: take their money, check only, use the budgeted entertainment expenses to give free shows to veterans or, I don't know, elderly people or something. None of those celebrity schmucks needed a benefit dinner to fork over their cash. Explain to them in the nicest possible way that if they want their guy to win, the stars should keep a low profile.

A wine bottle and vulgar reference bush are all fine and good in private. But at a fundraiser? Even at a private fundraiser, word was bound to get out. Kerry and Edwards naturally disassociated themselves from what she said.

They need a better shit filter if they want to win.

[ July 16, 2004, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: TomFord ]

Tom -

Do you HONESTLY think that at several Bush "private" fundraisers his supporters haven't said terribly tasteless things? Honestly, as a Democrat, I could care less what Bush Inc. says at their private fundraisers. I know I'll never find myself there, much less invited.

It's ironic that after Dicks Senate floor exposure that they would be making an issue of THIS - or is that EXACTLY why they are doing it? To attempt (which has not worked - this is already yesterdays news) to not have to talk about current events that TRULY mean something to this country.

But you sheep, just continue to follow blindly and vote for dubya in November. You aren't going to convert any Democrats here just as we won't convert you. The truth of the matter is I didn't vote for Bush last time, nor will I this time and I'm proud of those decisions. It's not my fault we are in this mess now, other than I reside in Jeb's state that pulled every string to get bubba selected.

TomFord, I understand your post but don't you think that this whole episode has been completely blown out of proportion by the repugs in their typical fashion. I mean this was a private affair, no FCC involvment, with a group of like-minded individuals and she is a commedienne. She earns her living saying such things. We don't even know what she said, it could have been bad or just a little "off color". I suspect the repugs would be screaming bloody murder either way. The thing about the situation to me is this- Slim fast dropped her because of how they thought Bush supporters would react. It frightens me the way this administration has the power to silence such dissent. Its funny cuz I sent an email off not too long ago to Kraft foods telling them I would no longer buy any of their products because they gave money to one of the polititions in VA who wrote their anti-gay bill. I never heard anything from them nor have they said anything about regretting their support of the guy publicly. I wish they had acted like Slim fast in my situation. And if I ever get fat I will not use Slim fast, their stuff is full of chicken shit.

Gobar, how private could it have been? Sure, the average citizen could not attend, but it was held in Radio f**king City, with celebs getting out of their towncars smiling at the assembled paparrazi from around the nation. Did the Demo organizers not think that the event would get attention? Of course it was going to get press! To claim that what was said inside was a private affair and not subject to public scrutiny (and condemnation) is unrealistic.

Didn't you need to be invited? I don't get what is so abhorrent about Whoopie making a joke about his name. It has been done on SNL so many times if anything she should be ashamed at being so unoriginal. You don't think the whole is thing is way blown out of proportion?

Another funny thing about this episode is it seems to me that when "f**k off" Cheney did his thing the Dems didn't scream very loudly at all. Here we have the Repugs howling like a bunch of banshees. I can't even hear above the din.

[ July 16, 2004, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: gobar ]

This is the company decision...

The country is 50/50 on kerry v W... so why should slim fast have to take a hit in sales because some skank feels the need to polarize 1/2 of their market...

Arent you the same folks who were so upset by dr laura's comments that you wanted all of her sponsors dropped?

If this little ho wants to speak and say what she wants when she wants... well she can go to my job. I'll take hers, collect my millions.. smile for camera.. and keep my mouth shut...

[ July 16, 2004, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: PhillyFan ]

Maybe I'm being a little reactionary about this whole thing, but I am so sick and tired of the degradation, vulgarity, and disrespect that seems so rampant in our society, and we have become so inured (sic?) to it all that many of us don't see a difference between someone (albeit a repugnant person) saying "f**k off" in anger, and another person talking about the president and female genitalia. They are NOT the same (and I'm the last person who would be defending Cheney!)
I teach in an inner-city high school, and my students ahve grown up in a society where it's become acceptable to use the word "f**k" in every sentence; to disrespect women and think nothing of it; to think that there's nothing wrong with 15 year old kids having babies and gangs of boys assaulting girls because they "wanted it!" I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm overreacting to the Whoopi thing, but I think she and others like her contribute to the vulgarization of our society, and it's unfortunate that just because she "performed" at a Democratic function, too many of you give her a free pass.

They're not the same. What Cheney said was worse because he's an elected official, and said it to another elected official, while working.

why do we expect from our elected officials behaviour that we don't demand of ourselves?

That Cheney is VP is not adequate answer as to why he can't say "go f**k yourself" but Whoopi can say whatever she wants to. They're both public figures. Both on stage. and I thought we were holding up actors, singers and athletes as role models? as such, shouldn't Whoopi be held to a higher standard too? especially on stage at a campaign fundraiser?

So sayeth Yahweh himself, Joe in Philly, who excuses every instance of liberal hypocrisy with the same, tired, old "it's not the same thing...".

Of course, it's "not the same" because you say so, even though you're wrong. Sometimes you just have to realize your sainted left-wingers are two-faced.

What Kerry said re. Bush when using the "F" word was wrong. Cheney was wrong. Whoopi was wrong.

[ July 16, 2004, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: MIB ]

The situations ARE different, and this is obvious to anyone who has a brain or is not an ultra right-wing idiot sucking up to the most disgraceful, crooked, war-mongering, un-American presidency in at least the last 100 years.

You want to see "two-faced"? Look in your mirror, "judge."

[ July 17, 2004, 06:59 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

*Yawn*

I though clinton was out of office? JIP you forgot to mention lied under oath also... oh yeah and impeachment.

[ July 17, 2004, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: PhillyFan ]

Okay, I will bring it up again. When Clinton lied, no one died.