Austin Businessman Files FCC Complaint over Letterman Joke

Friday, June 12. 2009

Austin Businessman Files FCC Complaint over Letterman Joke

The Austin American-Statesman's Jeff Salamon reports:

Sarah Palin is not the only person outraged about David Letterman’s jabs at her family. After the CBS late-night talk show host made some off-color jokes about the former vice presidential candidate’s daughter Monday night, Austinite Russell Korman, owner of Russell Korman’s Fine Jewelry & Watches, decided to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.

“I really think it was intent to hurt a public figure by going through their children,” said Korman, who saw the jokes on Tuesday when they were rerun on cable news shows. “We didn’t do that, much, to the Bush kids and we didn’t do it much to Chelsea Clinton or Amy Carter, and we certainly shouldn’t do it to Sasha and Malia Obama. And we shouldn’t do it to a governor or senator or, really, anyone’s underage kids.”

Many people in the comments disagree with Korman, and are threatening to boycott his business.

Posted by Tom Elia in Politics at 21:21 | Comments (21) | Trackbacks (0)

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My wife needs more fine jewelry. Now I know where to buy it.

#1 David on 2009-06-12 21:56 (Reply)

I support Korman and anybody who is opposed to Letterman retaining his slot on TV (can't call it a show, it's so disgraceful.)

#2 John Corn on 2009-06-12 22:19 (Reply)

An FCC complaint will go nowhere, except make adverse news for CBS and that, no doubt, is a good thing.

#3 Claude Hopper on 2009-06-12 23:22 (Reply)

Great! I sent the FCC a note earlier today as well. I also copied CBS about their vile attacks on conservatives, women and children! To: OMDCSSTF@fcc.gov, cbsmailbag@aol.com

To Whom it may Concern: FCC Standards

I would like the FCC to investigate and determine if Letterman's comments are not in violation of standards.

There is NO EXCUSE for the vile and despicable rape and sex jokes about a 14 OR an 18 year old girl. What the hell is wrong with CBS for allowing this to go on. It isn't the first time CBS has used "entertainment" to personally attack a child! CBS is using the network to destroy people that don't fit their narrow view of the world and I'm sick of it.

Apparently, children can be attacked if their parents are of a certain political party. Is that correct? I do want and expect an answer back because as far as I am concerned CBS should be sued and taken off the air. If these comments were made against Barack Obama's children it would be a different story, right? Is that what you think? CBS needs to fire Letterman and do it now! Then they need to at least make believe that they aren't using public airways against people with whom they disagree (the majority of America).

Up until now, people watched CBS and let them get away with often feeling a bit offended. That isn't the case any longer. I would think that being in last place would send these morons a message that most people don't appreciate person attacks against Americans. If they want to be a radical political network that's fine as long as they admit what they are and their agenda. This latest rape of a 14 year old girl certainly doesn't meet my standards and should not meet yours either.

#4 Mickey on 2009-06-12 23:26 (Reply)

I think it is deplorable what Letterman did. However, I think just as deplorable are people who let politics deprive them of their sense of decency and threaten to boycott this mans business because he filed the complaint. How ignorant is that? They can't recognize a debased personal attack when they see it because, like Letterman, they hate Sarah Palin because they disagree with her politically. Sarah Palin has obviously done nothing to them to deserve such hatred - it just seems to be the normal attitude of those on the left toward Republicans nowday. In my opinion it just shows how debased the Democrats in general have become. I would be ashamed to have the party designation "Democrat" associated with my name.

#5 Rick Garrett on 2009-06-12 23:45 (Reply)

Ok guys, calm down. Sarah Palin uses her kids for political reasons. She wants to be able to trot them out, like Bristol advocating abstinence-only sex ed (that should've been on Comedy Central....), then complain if anyone treats them the same as Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, or any other young girl in the public spotlight.

#6 Dufus on 2009-06-12 23:58 (Reply)

I don't know about that. When is it ever cool to go after the kids of a public figure? Especially in this manner.

It wasn't cool to go after Chelsea Clinton when she was just a kid; why is it okay here?

Seems there is a double standard here.

Also, why is it comical for the 18-year-old kid to talk about abstinence? Seems like she would be an effective spokesman for it -- kinda like someone with a drug or alcohol problem preaching sobriety.

I think the dislike for Palin plays a pretty big role in some folks acceptance of the slam...

#6.1 Tom Elia on 2009-06-13 00:05 (Reply)

And Obama DOESN'T use his kids for political purposes?????

#6.2 Diane on 2009-06-13 00:14 (Reply)

No, he does not. Palin presented her children at the convention, she brought daughters onto the ice when she was asked to drop ceremonial first pucks at NHL games. Now Bristol's on the cover of People magazine.
Besides, shouldn't A-Rod be more incensed?

#6.2.1 J.J. on 2009-06-13 10:45 (Reply)

Of course President Obama does.

But even if he doesn't, does that make it okay for an adult to trash a kid in front of a national audience in this manner?

Really?

#6.2.1.1 Tom Elia on 2009-06-13 11:16 (Reply)

I didn't like it when folks took cheap shots at Chelsea Clinton, and I didn't like it when Don Imus took cheap shots at basketball players, and I don't like Letterman taking shots at Palin's kids.

Letterman needs a good keelhauling.

#6.3 desertdweller (Homepage) on 2009-06-13 01:03 (Reply)

You know I was just looking at the Time magazine "rise of a president" pictorial history of BARACK Obama.
It showed the story of his life.
Interesting the number of pictures of his two children and wife (many - well over half the book) versus the number of pictures of his mother, grandmother on his mother's side (zero - not even at the wedding).
Another notable absence from the wedding photos, his pastor, the Reverend Wright (nowhere to be seen in the story of Barack O).
Don't tell me about how Sarah Palin politisized her children, when out of the gate, the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos, and Andrew Sullivan, were running daily updates on "their" investigations of her children from the moment John McCain announced her as his VP pick.

#6.4 James M on 2009-06-13 04:43 (Reply)

You are trying to be above the rest of us and appear reasonable, ie "Ok guys, calm down." Then you go on to make an incredibly stupid statement accusing Palin of using her kids for political purposes. It's been the American tradition for candidates to campaign with their family. The Iranian candidate for President made a big splash by campaigning with his wife, breaking their tradition.

You could argue to remove spouses and children from the campaigns and political events of politicians and I'd be with you on that.

But to single out Palin for this criticism exposes your bias and blows a hole in your attempt at superiority over the rest of us, the great unwashed.

Palin and her family have been the target of the most vicious, most misosgynistic, evil attacks that are becoming the hallmark of liberals in this country. Accusing Palin of not being the mother of Trig (Triggerism).

B. Hussein Obama said to lay off the families in the campaign, then did and said nothing, while his pals went on the attack against Palin.

You can't be as stupid as you seem. And the rest of us aren't as stupid as you think.

#6.5 Jabba the Tutt on 2009-06-13 06:45 (Reply)

Just admit it's personal animus to Palin. She could cure cancer and you'd still have the long knives out for her. Does this society have no decency left for demonizing children solely based on hating their parents?

The recession is probably affecting purchases like jewelery, but I hope Mr. Korman will be rewarded for his courageous and moral stance.

#6.6 bitterclinger on 2009-06-13 09:59 (Reply)

I wouldn't worry that much about the comments on the Austin American-Statesman website. I live in Austin and the core city is very liberal. I've heard Austin nicknamed "Berkley on the Brazos" (Brazos River that is).

The liberals in Austin are relatively harmless. They're more bark than bite.

#7 naman on 2009-06-13 01:15 (Reply)

Folks, if you are disgusted with this grotesque “humor” (category: Funny Rapes); one thing you could do is petition the FCC to take action. CBS has a STATUTORY mandate as an FCC licensed broadcaster, to broadcast “in the public interest”! Joking trivializing of minor/youth rape is most definitely COMPLETELY CONTRARY to the public interest.

FCC link: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

To #3: A few complaints might accomplish little, but a few thousand might PUBLICITY = ACTION.

#8 KingDavidCaul on 2009-06-13 02:39 (Reply)

As I recall, the Bush twins were constant fodder for the gossip press and muckrakers accusing them of drinking and everything else under the sun. The media, and other comedians, consider the children of Republicans acceptable targets while generally protecting the children of Democrats and liberals.

Letterman, who is more of a fool than a comic, went way over the line. Can you imagine the outcry had this been said about one of Obama's daughters? The perpetrator would have been fired the next day.

#9 Claude on 2009-06-13 08:42 (Reply)

Thanks Russell, I'll shop your store as soon as possible!!!

#10 Pam on 2009-06-13 08:54 (Reply)

i need a new watch. Does Korman's do mail order?

#11 hadley on 2009-06-13 12:06 (Reply)

Any mature adult should know when NOT to cross the line. That comment was inappropriate regardless of the age of the woman...grow up Letterman, and take the rap for your own decisions...I say, "Yank him off!"

#12 Charmaine Ortega on 2009-06-15 21:55 (Reply)

Never hide the truth it may bite you in ass! If you don't like sarcastic repeal, tough you SOBs at CBS period!!!

#12.1 KIKO the Kangoroo (Homepage) on 2009-06-17 12:43 (Reply)

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Austin Businessman Files FCC Complaint over Letterman Joke

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