Young Gov. vs. Old, ex-funny, dog and pony show host.

I am going to run against the grain of many readers here and say I do not think David Letterman should resign or be fired over the Palin "joke". (Which was not a joke at all.)

If people want to come together, organize and demand this outcome I am all for organizing and exercising freedom of speech and assembly -and economic power. The fury and backlash against Letterman's comments is justified - and goes to the heart of a pervasive way of thinking among many. The cause of being witness to this wrong and standing against it is necessity.

In my mind this particular battle has been won. The "war" goes on - but those deeply offended by Letterman's crack won the day. We need to acknowledge this. The backlash worked. It forced the relentless and unfair insults the Palins have endured into the light. It clarified the hypocrisy on the Left for many- helped by Letterman waiting a week to "come to" - as it gave the excuse makers time to be seen in all their hypocritical glory. The ground beneath late night comics shifted a bit. Good.

Further, it brought into consciousness the grotesque views of girls and women in this society that are all to often considered par for the course. It is an "Amos and Andy" moment. That is: Defining women - esp. ambitious women - as whores and sex objects by default is no longer acceptable. Any more than making jokes about bug eyed, lazy, stupid, servile Blacks is acceptable.

I believe Letterman's second apology was sincere - or as sincere as he is capable of being. Does he "get it"? I do not know. His head on the metaphorical pike ads nothing. The issue here is much deeper than Letterman - and many bloggers more capable than I write thoughtfully about these issues.

It goes to power, though. Societal, economic, sexual, political - you name it. Calling the governor of a state a "stewardess" is aimed at neutering her power in all arenas. Including sexual- as sexual objectification is the one role many sexist men want women in exclusively. (Dismissing the thousands of hardworking, competent flight attendants as stupid is another layer of insult here - let's not forget.)

A commenter here a few days ago said she would like to see a "Women's anti-defamantion league" started. I concur. The Letterman event has seeded the ground for this. I hope it happens. Let's all continue to bring to light sexism in whatever forum we have avalialible.

I am all for satire and jokes - even off base jokes. Making jokes about public figures is essential. I find Obama veneration and Obama himself fertile ground for mocking send ups. There is much gray area however. (For a while Ann Coulter led with her legs, not her opinions. Therefore mocking her own self-objectivication was acceptable to me.) Comedians are essential. Going "too far" is a job hazzard. It took Letterman too long, but he did own up to his mistake.

What was so offensive here was the use of a a girl (or young women - if you believe Letterman) as a punch line. We ALL have a basic responsibility to defend our young. Mrs. Palin roared and this particualr cultural turf battle has been won. Palin went after it head on with the help of millions. She made her point and defended her family and many others.

2 last points: In general, we treat our youth badly. We entitle them and condemn them by turns. We waste their inheritance and leave them ill prepared for adulthood. On some level they know it. A young mother becoming a national punching bag for TV jokesters is a very bad sign for all of us and is indicative of a barely submerged contempt for youth. How has this happened?

Finally, the revulsion against Letterman's joke by thoughtful people came about for another reason: The bias on that talking box in our living rooms simply became too much. The medium is much of the message. But sometimes the message is the message. The message that the Palins are "hicks" or "dumb" has gone on too long. It is demonstrably and obviously false. Many don't like it but it's true: The Palins are just like many of us. Middle class, state college, blue collar, children that bring problems and joy, ambitious, hard working...

AND -we must remember and remind others that Sarah Palin became a Governor against substantial odds. She defeated an entrenched, all male "club" in Alaska. I dislike much about her politics intensely. But, as I've written before, her story is inspiring.

I am grateful so many were infuriated by Letterman.

But let's keep our eye on the ball.