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So not that I should be surprised that Andrew Breitbart would liken criticism to rape…

Jill

But seriously?

Sarah Palin is being criticized for using the term “blood libel” in a statement casting herself and fellow conservatives as victims of the Arizona shootings, because liberals are mean when they say that violent rhetoric can beget violence. Andrew Breitbart apparently decided to respond, tweeting:

I used ‘blood libel’ because I thought using analogy of lefties at pinball machine in Jodie Foster film ‘The Accused’ was too obscure.

Oh fuck you. For those who haven’t seen “The Accused,” there’s a famously graphic scene of Jodie Foster being gang-raped on a pinball machine. So for Breitbart, criticism = gang-rape, but maybe lefties won’t get the gang-rape reference, so criticism = long-standing anti-Semitic myths, which resulted in the persecution and killing of Jews, about ritually slaughtering Christian babies. Got it. You’re disgusting.

37 thoughts on So not that I should be surprised that Andrew Breitbart would liken criticism to rape…

  1. And then these same people will deny that violent rhetoric is something they spew forth on a constant basis, poisoning our entire public discourse. The conservatives are shameless.

  2. I actually found this funny. It is always interesting to see people try to “explain” and instead just dig themselves down deeper.

  5. I don’t disagree with a single thing you’ve said, just so you know. I just want to ask what purpose this post serves. I can see small things and be angry on my own, I don’t need a post on a website that I’m a part to do it for me. Could it be at least something of substance? “Oh fuck you” has it’s place, yes. But could it *not* be the forefront of the feminist blogosphere? Seriously, please? I’m done being angry at the things assholes say. I’d much rather build that feminist movement that was supposed to happen.

    1. I don’t disagree with a single thing you’ve said, just so you know. I just want to ask what purpose this post serves. I can see small things and be angry on my own, I don’t need a post on a website that I’m a part to do it for me. Could it be at least something of substance? “Oh fuck you” has it’s place, yes. But could it *not* be the forefront of the feminist blogosphere? Seriously, please? I’m done being angry at the things assholes say. I’d much rather build that feminist movement that was supposed to happen.

      Well, it serves the point of illustrating how often rape is used as a metaphor for things that are not rape, and how that’s a part of rape culture. And if you don’t need posts on websites pointing to acts of sexism and misogyny and rape apologism, then I would avoid feminist blogs. Part of building a movement is recognizing what’s happening in the culture around us, and what we’re up against.

      And, sorry, but “fuck you” is definitely going to be at the forefront of my feminism.

  6. ravequeen — who’s holding you back? Jill by forcing you to waste your precious time explaining to her what she should be doing instead of what she is doing? I didn’t realize that was a job in the feminist movement, but can I have it when you are done with it? Sounds cushy!

  7. For Christ’s sake, this woman is too much sometimes. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her, that she has to listen to criticism of her consistently violent rhetoric from mean old liberals? I don’t give a flying fuck about how “victimized” she feels. The real victims are the people who were shot and killed last week. Even if she doesn’t believe that her rhetoric contributed to the political climate that made the Arizona shooting possible, the very least she could do is not disrespect the people who were there that day by making this issue about how fucking “attacked” she is.

  8. Ugh, I hadn’t realised the significance of the phrase ‘blood libel’ until I saw your explanation Jill. Having looked it up I think I’ll go throw up now….

  9. I . . . gang rape . . . blood libel . . . can’t anyone just say, “Hey, I don’t think you’re treating me fairly” without involving the Jews or rape victims? Maybe? Just try it once, see how it goes?

  11. err… wow. no words.

    Except for one thing:

    And, sorry, but “fuck you” is definitely going to be at the forefront of my feminism.

    Hahaha, couldn’t agree more 🙂 *planning on making a t-shirt with your quote*

  12. SMH @ Breitbart and Palin and their ilk.

    They’re the ones fanning the flames of hatred, and then all of the sudden they’re “victims” when called on it? And then they have the gall to accuse liberals / leftists / progressives of destroying civilization?

    I’d like to ask those right-wingers who are Christian, exactly how they think that Jesus would be ok with their hateful rhetoric. Quote me chapter and verse from the four Gospels and only from the Gospels – not the Old Testament (to which so many right-wingers turn to justify their hate), not Acts, Revelations, or the Epistles.

    *crickets*

  13. I thought it could not get worse after the “blood libel” comment. Now it has gotten worse. Next Palin will call media criticism of her a “holocaust” and then the world will implode.

  14. I think its kind of funny in that I can’t imagine that anyone would be stupid enough use that term after having been accused of being insensitive. It’s like she tried to defuse the fires of criticism by pouring gasoline on them. In her defense, she probably thought the liquid in those bright red cans was water.

    In the end though, I think it is kind of a moot point. I like pointing and laughing at the opposition but only as a temporary diversion to talking about the heavy, substantive stuff.

    I wonder if this will kill her chances with the conservative jewish lobby in the next presidential election. Hard to know.

  15. Now that’s not fair, Personal Failure. They use slavery as a metaphor all the time, too. Because it’s so unfair to make them pay for their roads by taxing gasoline, it’s exactly like slavery.

  16. GallingGalla: SMH @ Breitbart and Palin and their ilk.They’re the ones fanning the flames of hatred, and then all of the sudden they’re “victims” when called on it?And then they have the gall to accuse liberals / leftists / progressives of destroying civilization?I’d like to ask those right-wingers who are Christian, exactly how they think that Jesus would be ok with their hateful rhetoric.Quote me chapter and verse from the four Gospels and only from the Gospels – not the Old Testament (to which so many right-wingers turn to justify their hate), not Acts, Revelations, or the Epistles.*crickets*  

    I mostly agree with you here. But probably the verses that would be used would be Matthew 10:34-37: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

  19. Personal Failure: I . . . gang rape . . . blood libel . . . can’t anyone just say, “Hey, I don’t think you’re treating me fairly” without involving the Jews or rape victims? Maybe? Just try it once, see how it goes?  

    What are you, some kind of Lynch Mob inciter? Or maybe you’re… HITLER?!

    How many different ways can Palin be offensive in a single news cycle? I think we need a special bingo card.

  20. I can see small things and be angry on my own, I don’t need a post on a website that I’m a part to do it for me.

    a) So don’t read it
    b) Get your own blog

  21. I thought it was kind of sweet of Breitbart in a twisted way. Criticism of Palin upsets him as much as the brutal gang rape of Sarah Tobias. He must really be lovestruck.

  22. Well, I guess you’re right, Tony. Where, after all, would we poor women be if not for the protection of good men like Breitbart? Awwww …

  23. Alex: I mostly agree with you here. But probably the verses that would be used would be Matthew 10:34-37: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Alex

    Yeah, you’re probably right.

    I’d argue that Jesus knew he was founding a new sect within Judaism (I’m not sure that Jesus himself had the intention to found a new *religion*), and that said sect would bring upon political turmoil. I’d argue that Jesus was warning his disciples that they had some hard decisions to make, and that those decisions might very well piss off their family members, much like family members who are unable to deal with folks who come out as gay or trans in modern times.

  25. Chelsey Worth: For Christ’s sake, this woman is too much sometimes. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her, that she has to listen to criticism of her consistently violent rhetoric from mean old liberals? I don’t give a flying fuck about how “victimized” she feels. The real victims are the people who were shot and killed last week. Even if she doesn’t believe that her rhetoric contributed to the political climate that made the Arizona shooting possible, the very least she could do is not disrespect the people who were there that day by making this issue about how fucking “attacked” she is.  (Quote this comment?)

    Well, Scary Palin is such a fucking narcissist that she can’t possibly feel for the people who were, you know, SHOT or their families. She only sees herself being attacked for the violent imagery and rhetoric she used.

  26. Maybe a trigger warning for the rapey language? I didn’t know what the Jodie Foster thing was until I read about it – and then I wished I hadn’t.

  27. Everyone – Northeast Elizabeth was banned yesterday, because she is an asshole, but in the spirit of FNTT I’m letting this comment through, because, hilarity. Enjoy. -Jill
    _______________________________________________

    Turn your irony meter on once in a while. It was leftards like you whose “criticism” consisted of the equation “conservative political rhetoric = mass murder.” I know it’s tough that you lost the debate last night after Obama ceased his usual pathological lying long enough to refudiate your idiocy.

    Oh, and fuck you too, Jill. This comment will never see the light of day (coward) but you’ll thank me for it in January 2013 when Sarah Palin is sworn in — and you realize that I was the one who first planted the seed of common sense that ultimately led you to vote for her.

  29. Northeast Elizabeth: Everyone – Northeast Elizabeth was banned yesterday, because she is an asshole, but in the spirit of FNTT I’m letting this comment through, because, hilarity. Enjoy. -Jill
    _______________________________________________Turn your irony meter on once in a while.It was leftards like you whose “criticism” consisted of the equation “conservative political rhetoric = mass murder.” I know it’s tough that you lost the debate last night after Obama ceased his usual pathological lying long enough to refudiate your idiocy.Oh, and fuck you too, Jill.This comment will never see the light of day (coward) but you’ll thank me for it in January 2013 when Sarah Palin is sworn in — and you realize that I was the one who first planted the seed of common sense that ultimately led you to vote for her.  

    Awww, liz, you’re so CUTE! Even Glenn Beck won’t vote for Palin when he sits and thinks about how much a liability she is. I mean, a right-wing candidate has to be minimally credible if their going to get anybody but you and your fellow tea-partiers to vote for them. Even Bush pére had more on the ball than Palin could hope to have.

  31. Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or did Northeast Elizabeth really use the non-word “refudiate”? Seriously and without irony? Wow. The jokes just write themselves sometimes.

  32. Oh jesus. They’re trying to make refudiate a word now? I wanna vomit.

    I also wonder who in their right mind would vote for “I-can-see-Russia-from-my-house” Palin.

  34. I’m running the risk of sounding stupid here, but why is Breitbart taking responsibility for Palin’s words? Why does he say he “used ‘blood libel'” when it was Sarah Palin who used the term? Did he write the ‘speech’ for her? Am I missing something??????

  35. Fat Steve: I’m running the risk of sounding stupid here, but why is Breitbart taking responsibility for Palin’s words? Why does he say he “used ‘blood libel’” when it was Sarah Palin who used the term? Did he write the ‘speech’ for her? Am I missing something??????  

    I believe the execrable Mr. Breitbart used the description, first, in a tweet he squeezed out the night before the Quitter’s video statement was posted.

  36. Verchiel:
    I believe the execrable Mr. Breitbart used the description, first, in a tweet he squeezed out the night before the Quitter’s video statement was posted.  

    Aha, now that I know my ignorance is based on not following Breitbart’s twitter feed, I don’t feel so stupid any more! 😉

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