What do you think of the host of the VMA awards, Russell Brand(who is British) calling President Bush a "retarded cowboy"? I did not watch it, but it was all over the internet this morning, that his opening was very political, urging everyone to vote for Obama. He said "I don’t want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you people of America, to PLEASE ELECT BARACK OBAMA. Please! On behalf of the world. Some people, I think they’re called racists, say that America is not ready for a black president. But I know America to be a forward-thinking country, right. Because, otherwise, you know, would you have let that retarded cowboy fellow be president for eight years?"

I find this very insulting. That first someone from another country, would take the stage here in our country, and call our President retarded. Whether you like Bush or not, I find this so disrespectful. Also, he seems, to me, to imply that if you don't vote for Obama you are a racist.

What do you think?

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 12:37 pm:

Personally, I wish all participants in such award events would just keep their mouths shut about politics during the award shows. And yes, it is insulting to call Bush or anyone else retarded (which is why Shriver, among others, is so angry about the recently released film whose name I don't remember). But, "free speech" is just that. Certainly entertainers and politicians from the USA have expressed their opinions about politicians and political leaders of other nations - and about politicians and political leaders of this nation.

I'm not sure which bothers you more, Debbie - that this Russell Brand is not a US citizen but criticizes the US President, or that he called Bush retarded?

As for racism - well, some people who are going to vote for McCain and aganst Obama will be casting their vote because of Obama's race. That is a sad but real fact of life. And I think that some of the people who say that America is not ready for a black president are saying it because of personal racism, and others because they recognize that there is still a lot of racism in the U.S. (and in most of Europe, and certainly in Great Britain). But I don't think that all or even most McCain voters will be voting on the basis of race ... I can name at least 15 people in my office who are firm McCain supporters and whom I know to not be racists. That, however, doesn't change the fact that for some voters, race will be the deciding factor. It's a shame, and I wish it weren't so.

From my perspective, being almost 70, I see that the U.S. has come a long, long way from the accepted normality of racism and segregation before and during the 1940s, to the desegregation marches of the 50s and 60s and the passage of Civil Rights legislation, to the point where a man of African heritage and appearance is one of the two candidates for President of the United States. We are a whole lot less racist than we were, which is reason to rejoice. And racism is no longer acceptable, and something not publicly admitted by those who still have those feelings, which is also reason to rejoice. But yes, it is still there. I think another generation, or two at the most, will see the end of it.

By Colette on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 02:41 pm:

Actually the racism goes both ways with some people. There are people who will not vote for Obama because he is black and there are people who are voting for him because he is black. I think it is ridiculous either way.

By Vicki on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 03:08 pm:

Isn't this the same idiot that MTV fired because he thought it was funny to show up to work the day after the 9/11 attacks dressed as Osama bin Laden? He is a nut job plain and simple and I wouldn't be one to listen to much of anything he had to say!!

By Vicki on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 03:20 pm:

I thought so:

Brand has a history with the network. He was fired from his gig as a VJ on MTV in London after he came to work dressed as Osama Bin Laden on Sept. 12, 2001.

"I didn't mention [the incident] to them when they offered me this gig," Brand told me this afternoon from his home in London, "which leads me to believe that they haven't investigated my career history too closely."

By Debbie on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 04:49 pm:

Oh WOW, enough said, Vicki!

By Crystal915 on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 06:57 pm:

Honestly, the only people I think should be offended by this are mentally handicapped people... I wouldn't want to be compared to Bush if I were them. You can "throw stones" at me all you want, but I think the British have every right to criticize our president, as his administration has affected them too. This guy is some unknown jerk, who is really going to take what he says seriously, especially on the MTV VMAs? But he does have a point... a lot of foreigners hate Bush, and want us to elect Obama, and I happen to agree with his assessment of our current president. However, I still say the guy is a nobody, he obviously does things for shock factor, and everyone is playing into it by giving his antics the attention he was after.

By Crystal915 on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 07:00 pm:

Oh, and Debbie, I disagree that he was saying if you don't vote for Obama, you are a racist. He was saying those who are saying Obama can't win, because we are not ready for a black president, are racists. That could be Americans and non-Americans alike, you don't have to be eligible to vote in this country to have that particular opinion.

By Marie on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - 08:37 pm:

I watched and I really didn't care for him a whole lot. half the stuff I couldn't understand and I really didn't care for what he said about the purity rings the Jonas Brothers where. I think that if a young man can make that commitment (with all the perpressure they go through). I think that is truely something and alot of kids look up to them and if they are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in then maybe those kids who do look up to them will think differently. Dd was not to happy with him bashing them either

By Reds9298 on Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 08:34 pm:

The saddest part is that young people watch the VMA's and every word said, every song sung, and everyone ridiculous article of clothing goes right into their brains as "cool".

Debbie - I agree with you wholeheartedly. Having said that though, MTV is so full of offensive stuff IMO that it doesn't surprise me in the least.