That's the thing -- there should be no "line." These types of issues should -- without question -- be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. One has to consider the framing, context, and intent of a remark before considering appropriate responses. My general sentiment in regards to comedians like, say, the above mentioned Anthony Cumia, or Jim Norton, or Louis C.K., is that they should be allowed to say anything they want in a comedic bit. If they are on stage with a mic, or in-studio on a mic, they should be allowed free-reign. I don't care if they call women cunts or blacks less-than-human; if it's a joke, it should remain so. Of course one has a right be offended, but one must also concede the right of others to say such things. And, for the most part, they do make these remarks and they are able to make these jokes without severe repercussions. A case like Rush is unique. Rush is not a news man, he is not even a social commentator, he is an entertainer. His radioshow has always been a circlejerk for far-right nuts. You claim in your post that there was "backlash from some of his viewers," I'd argue that his viewership remains relatively intact and relatively indifferent to his remarks. It's the advertisers that are pulling out. Rush says these types of things on a daily basis, it's just that the media picked up on this isolated remark. From there, the slope gets might slippery. If I were, say, Anderson Cooper, I could pull up a clip from Opie and Anthony right now and isolate a joke or a remark and perpetuate that remark in the news media as irrevocably bigoted and racist. How many people would dismiss it as pure comedy? You would have white-knighters on the internet and the political correctness police in the media all over that show in minutes. And to say that those crucifying Rush aren't agenda-less is inane. I just don't understand how the appropriate response (to his remarks) is to want someone to lose their outlet and job, instead of flipping the station and moving on with your life. Fuck how "offended" people feel. As long as you aren't physically attacked or your life is not legitimately threatened, you can cry all you want about offense and sensitivity. I despise Rush, I don't agree with what he says or what Hannity says, or what Beck says, but I have zero desire to remove them from their positions, even if I feel somewhat "offended" by their positions.
