Bill Maher 6/9/17

[Neo-Scholastic]

1) The idea that a culture "owns" this or that word (or context) is silly. I get that many find the word offensive. I get the idea of blacks weakening the word by adopting it for their own use.

But in this context, Maher was clearly making a point insinuating that the Republican senator was the equivalent of a slave-owner. In that sense, his use of the word was unfortunate, but not racist. I don't understand why that is outweighed by the word being said by a white guy.

Saying that a culture owns a word is akin to saying a culture owns a thought or feeling. That strikes me as absurd.

2) Having never listened to Laura Schlesinger before, I didn't realize she was such a raging cunt.

Yes, overall Dr. Laura is a cunt, I agree. At the the same time as a Self-help personality her schtick is to berate anyone who considers themselves a victim of any kind. She takes a radical and unsympathetic position with callers to take control of their own lives. Her appeal is that occationally she says the harsh truth that listeners wish they could get away with sometimes. I'm thinking her about those coworkers that come by my desk to whine and complain about their job and I just sit there thinking to myself if you are so unhappy why don't you find another job.

You larger point is true. No one can own a symbol. They have a life of their own.