What's interesting though, is that the pendulum swings back the other way. Congressman Wilson actually received a significant jump in fund-raising after his interruption of President Obama's address last week. (See video, below.) But only after he was swiftly condemned on Twitter and Facebook.
And West's appearance on Jay Leno's new show Monday night cast the rapper in a far more favorable light because he almost broke down when Leno asked what his mother would've thought about the award show interruption. More than 18,000 have watched a YouTube video of the Leno interview in 14 hours after the NBC broadcast. (See below, middle.)
Williams' verbal attack of a line judge at the U.S. Open might prove more difficult to defend. But that didn't stop the tennis star from urging her million Twitter followers to watch her on "Good Morning America" this morning. In the interview, Serena said about the line judge she screamed at that, later, "I would've liked to give her a big hug." She also seemed interested Tuesday morning in selling her new book. Will the outburst allow a positive pushback, letting her sell the book and, in the end, get more positive publicity? Irony: Serena's book is called "On The Line," when a foot fault sparked the whole outburst. (See the "Good Morning America" interview, bottom.)
Is the speed of negative reaction online to these public faux pas actually paying off for the instigators in the long run? Some thought Wilson's political career was permanently damaged last week, when he was roundly criticized for his behavior, seen as disrespectful of the president. But the incident has in some ways galvanized his support. (And sparked a slew of ads for him on Google and Facebook.)
Does this mean we're stumbling into a trap, and that the bad behavior that gets so much of our unfavorable attention immediately only proves a few days later that there is no bad publicity?
How can we teach/expect our chilgren to have impulse control?
ReplyDeleteWhat type of abject idiot are you to palce Rep. Wilson into the same category as those other two dregs of society?
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson has totally piggybacked off what was at first negative publicity for him and turned it around to make it into his own fundraising opportunity as he moves into raising money for his upcoming re-election campaign. Not to suggest there is anything wrong with this; he is taking advantage of what was a bad situation for him and by hiring a couple of pros (including a professional Twitterer) is re-branding himself as a Republican leader.
ReplyDeleteKanye and Serena on the other hand... I think what happens to them remains to be seen. I think what Kanye did was pretty bad and he will be stuck in that mud pit of shame for a while, but I also don't think it will affect his selling albums in any way. I think people will eventually forgive Serena. While it was poor form, I think her fans love her so much it will eventually fade into the past.
THE DUMBEST CONGRESS EVER ASSEMBLED JUST LOVE THE SORRY SCUM TAX CHEAT, TAX EVADER RAMGEL BUT SCREAM BLOODY MURDER AT A HERO LIKE WILSON!
ReplyDeleteI AM RELOCATING TO THE BAHAMAS WHERE I CAN GET AWAY FROM CRAZIES AND KEEP MY OWN MONEY PLUS NO D-- DEATH TAXES FOR MY HEIRS TO HAVE CONFISCATED!.
While each of these individuals deserve whatever backlash they receive from their actions, I think the media has a tendency to "oversale" certain news stories.
ReplyDeleteI specifically think that the incident with Serena has been depicted more vicious than it actually was meant. In most other major sports in which men dominate, this would have been nothing more than a side note in which the player would have been fined. I don't recall seeing one headline about Federer's cursing tirade at the umpire in his lost? In sports, athletes OFTEN lose their cool and responding with verbal assault is one thing, responding with physical assault is another.
I don't see any comparison of Wilson with the other 2. Wilson's outburst was about politics and healthcare which is very important to 300+ million people in this country. There is already much anger about what is going on, and he expressed this.
ReplyDeleteThe other 2? Nobody cares about. The best famale video and a game about hitting a ball is the farthest thing from the publics mind. There outbursts were nothing more than selfishness that only has to do with themselves and nobody else, and as I said before, about something nobody really cares about.
You George Bush loving racists from S.C. will stop at nothing with your bigotry. This sorry SOB should never be allowed to attend another Presidential address - EVER. Keep his sorry ass down in Columbia and let him rot. Post all the FOX NEWS generated trash links you want trying to call someone a liar, but it won't do any good. You stink of rich white trash and we are all sick of you and your Bush loving politics. I wish Nancy Pelosi would have slapped his damn face afterwards for yelling out like that and disrespecting our President. Joe Wilson is finished. We won't stand for this trash. S.C.: You can take this GD fool back and maybe he could be the mayor of the gay-hating Myrtle Beach!
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson and Kanye West should record an album together. Because of their actions, they will be hated forever. Scum of the bleeding earth.
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson and Kanye are both racists. May they rot in hell.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Looks like some idiot thinks everyone lives in S.C. and loves George Bush.
ReplyDeleteit has nothing to do with politics, it's all about where you live.
Thank God I don't live in S.C. so I won't be unfairly judged.
If by "win" you mean, more people know who they are, then yeah they win.
ReplyDeleteBut I wouldn't say they won. They basically all have more of a public perception that "hey, that guy/girl is a jerk"
I would rather be rich white trash than the anonymous commentator at 2:30pm.
ReplyDeleteI do have two of the three down. The trash part can go back to the 2:30pm person!
hahaha!
Quick answer: Yes.
ReplyDeleteAnother example is North Korea. :)
Democrats constantly booed and made disparaging remarks when President Bush spoke to them. Now they want "respect for the president"? Hypocrites!
ReplyDeleteThis is all about money.
ReplyDeleteThe athlete, entertainer and politician will all receive a boost in their careers. Unlike a typical 9-5 job, these people profit from media exposure and that's just what they got.
Kanye doesn't care that much about Beyonce's video, Sarina doesn't care that much about a ref call and Joe doesn't care that much about healthcare. They are all just promoting their own self-image which they sell for profit.
We keep talking about them, they keep winning. Stop talking about them and the news media looses advertising dollars and we know that won't happen. The only thing we can do is go otu and treat each other with sincere, selfless, respect and hope that its spreads.
To those talking trash about SC, I'll tell you this:
ReplyDeleteStay out of our state...Most native South Carolinians (white, black, and latino) are SICK of you loudmouths moving in and building garish houses or tying up traffic in our beautiful coastal towns and foothills.
- Born and raised in the Low by God Country
crystalbass No one ever stood up and call the GWB a liar or any other name while he was making a speech. So please STFU Idiot.
ReplyDeleteI could care less about the State of SC never like it there and never will like it. Joe Wilson needs to be put out of politics. He should never be allow back on any part of Washington. Joe Wilson is a racists, bigot.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of the self-absorbed immature male who felt compelled to interrupt an acceptance speech by a female who is still only a child, I believe he subscribes to the "there is no such thing as bad publicity" theory.
ReplyDeleteAlso, since Beyonce graciously stepped aside to allow Taylor her moment, it seems to me that even if he did it for Beyonce, he actually hurt her in the end.
Put all three in a cage and see what happens. Charge $50 on Pay per View.
ReplyDeleteHey anonymous, you are the RACIST it seems, oh I get it, you have to be white to be a racist, but if you are black, it is an opinion..
ReplyDeleteWe all see how it is.. quote of your comment
"You stink of rich white trash and we are all sick of you and your Bush loving politics"
crystalsbass - Yes, the Democrats did boo and hiss at President Bush, but no one ever screamed "Liar" at him while he addressed the entire Congress.
ReplyDeleteThe Democrats behaved in an acceptable manner (in accordance with the Congressional Rules of Decorum).
Joe Wilson's outburst violated those same rules.
Hypocrites are those Americans, including Congresspeople (mostly Republicans, but some Democrats as well) who rail against "socialized medicine" but 1)Are covered by Medicare/Medicaid, or 2)Are covered by the taxpayers as elected officials.
You clowns have to get real! Joe Wilson is one of the biggest idiots alive. He only did it because Obama is black and doesn't feel like he owes him any respect, like a lot of South Carolinians (not all). Racism is yes indeed alive and you guys prove it everyday. Whinning,"I don't want him to talk to my kids", "I don't want another healthcare option that helps everybody", how STUPID! You left a complete idiot in office for 8 years who did nothing but put all of us in a hole but you don't want somebody that wants to make change to do anything (Bush did nothing but have wars and look at our broke country now). Look at who is complaining about healthcare reform, the wealthy and the dumb.
ReplyDeletePlease enlighten us.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of "You lie" can be misinterpreted as a racist bigot.
If yelling "You Lie" to someone makes you a racist bigot, then I confess, I'm a racist biggot too. And so is every other person I know too, including plenty of blacks.
Or are you that stupid? I vote that you are just that stupid.
In 2004, Democrats delivered a “Chorus Of Boos” during Bush's Bush’s State Of The Union when he called for renewal of the Patriot Act., according to the Washington Times.
ReplyDeleteIn 2005, Dems howled, hissed and shouted "No!" when Bush pushed for Social Security reform in the SOU: "Foreshadowing the contentiousness of the coming debate, Democrats broke decorum and booed twice," according to the National Journal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxmEGG71PM
Funny...Wilson's outburst comes up so quickly and gets labeled as racist by the Congressional Black Caucaus. The irony here is you had 3 or 4 congressman and Senators(including Obama) who yelled out and distrupted 3 or 4 times on 06 when Former President Bush was speaking to Congress on Social Security...its on video but it wasnt a issue it was called Democracy at work by all media outlets...you never saw any news on that.......wow, double standard seems to be taking over things here. what a joke.....
ReplyDelete3:18: Congratulations. You have officially made the dumbest comment since Obama was elected. Even the White House said Wilson's outburst wasn't racist. I don't agree with what Wilson did but saying that shouting "you lie" is racist is like calling Rosie O'Donnell thin.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what the big deal is about Serena. John McEnroe used to lay into officials on a regular basis. Have you ever read Coach K's lips during a Duke game? What about how Bobby Knight intimidated officals throughout his career. Serena was wrong but what she did wasn't any worse than the other tirades I see in sports. Joe Wilson and Kanye on the other hand are just two idiots. Not sure who's worse but Wilson broke a code of conduct that's been established for a long time. He disrespected the President so in my eyes he's more of a scumbag.
ReplyDeleteKanye is basically playing us all for fools. He acts out and the media gives him all the attention he can handle. This is what he wants people!!! He doesn't care if you like him or not. He only cares about the spotlight. Joe Wilson is just a redneck dirtbag and I really have no problem with Serena. She was wrong but it's sports people. I see athletes and coaches verbally cross the line every day.
ReplyDeleteAnony@4:00 You are officially the biggest, dumbest idiot I have ever came across. Joe Wilson is a racist, and a bigot and I stand behind every word. I really don't care what you think about it. Joe Wilson is what he is and as I recall the CO proved that Joe Wilson is the one proved to be the LIAR! So please do yourself a favor and STFU! Moron!
ReplyDeleteI think Serena and Kanye West made mistakes and their behavior was rude and objectionable, But representative Wilson I almost HATE. What a low life piece of CRAP and dispiscable human being who for some reason thought he could disrespect the President in public...BANG!
ReplyDeleteThe White House conceded on Friday night that Wilson was in fact right. Really doesn't matter what spin the Observer wanted to put on it. If the word lie makes one a racist, well, the President himself used the word in his speech. Kanye is a racist, his remark on GWB hating black people is proof enough of that. Serena apologized and obviously was more of an issue of frustration with her own poor play than anything to do with the judge.
ReplyDeleteIt seems America in general is much more angry that usual. Makes sense when you hear from all kinds of people and situations that the commonality in all our lives is getting screwed over by someone else, no one listening to reason, and being fair (following the rules).
ReplyDeleteWow I See the intelligent liberals are out and I bet most of them voted for Nick Mackey.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 15, 2009 2:30 PM
And Moron, the only sitting Congressman that served in the KKK is the esteemd Mr Byrd (D) WV. But you are the enlightened liberal voter and I am sure you knew that twit.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThe White House conceded on Friday night that Wilson was in fact right
Thank you but you are speaking to voters that only see skin color and have a collective IQ of a bucket of brim.
This is hilarious. All of you, go spend you effort doing something that matters. Go help feed some homeless people. Help them find a job or teach them real skills. Go play with your kids and be a real role model.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, some rich people who are used to getting what they want act bad and you want to condemn them? Like it's going to matter? There is no such thing as bad publicity, and if you are reading the dumb twitters these people are tweeting, you're even dumber. Go read a book.
-pdubb2k
I think all of this is very refreshing, we live in a society where 99% of the people in the world are phony and never say how they really feel and try to be "politically correct". Whether they are right or wrong in their outburst its all good!
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson, Kanye West, and Serena Williams share one common feature -- they are all losers and they make lots of ugly noise because in their heart-of-hearts, they're trying to distract everyone else in the hope that their loser ways won't be recognized. Of course, Joe Wilson (real name: Addison Graves Wilson) is also a Racist so he will strongly resent being grouped with Kanye and Serena.
ReplyDeleteYou now choose to pick on gays by bringing up Rosie O'Donnel's weight. You low life piece of redneck Charlotte trash. No damn wonder you wish Bush was still in charge. And Ballantyne soccer moms can just stay down there in your bubble and breed more hate. How dare you insult our President. George Bush is a murderer and war criminal.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have Nick Mackey than that hatemonger Bill James or that lying Pat McCrory. You right winger FOX NEWS addicts are trashy.
ReplyDeleteFirst off...these three are ALL complete nothings.
ReplyDeleteWest...a loud mouth who does not even speak for the people of New Orleans but amazingly was not intelligent enough to see past skin color and spoke not of the town's mayor nor the state's governor. Why...because one shared his race and the other his political affiliation. He does NOTHING but open his mouth at inappropriate times.
Speaking of inappropriate...Wilson...sit down and shut your mouth. We ALL (that includes you blacks) know Barack Obama is nothing more than a liar. Period. But we take it from him just like we took it from Bush and Clinton and Bush and so on...not a single one of them will tell anything more than BS to put their views forward and will use every bit of spin they can to move forward their own cause. Period.
Serena...Serena just did what she was programmed to do...win and destroy anyone who gets in the way of that goal. Is she an amazing tennis player...sure. Is she a useless pig...yup. She would not have acted that way had it been an equal size/strength African American woman. If she had, she would have been picking up her teeth. But she intimidated a smaller person who was in a no win situation.
All of these people are now "in the headlines" for acting like idiots. And racial lines will be drawn as will political. And in the end, these people who could CARE LESS IF YOU LIVE DIE LAUGH OR CRY will laugh all the way to the bank! Yet you morons will continue to scream for them...blacks for the black...whites for the white...dems for the dem and repubs for the repub...
Too bad none of you were talk to step back, look at the picture and see..."They are using us like fools"
Yup...they are and taking your money along with it!
This is an interesting philosophical point to debate.
ReplyDeleteI do think that many, if not most, of the people who've risen from obscurity to celebrity in recent years, whether that's due to circumstances ranging from the briefest incident of a rude outburst at a presidential address, to the fame of an entertainment or political career that took many years to establish --- whether we're talking about right wing politicians or left wing entertainers (reverse that if you prefer), or athletes, or music stars --- either are cynically shrewd enough to know how to play the publicity game in their favor, or have handlers eager to do so for them. It's obvious to anyone who ever clicks on the internet or flips through the TV channels that sensationalism gets attention and ratings. The absolute explosion of media options in recent years (compared to the three TV channels I had to choose from, growing up) has SO much to do with this. Why should we be surprised that these individuals, either in a calculating way or just subconsciously, grasp onto the spotlight, swinging from one extreme of behavior to the other, while they have their "15 minutes of fame" as we like to call it? They know, or sense, that the fickle public will be fascinated by the next drama or outrageous sound bite a few days later, and they'll be yesterday's forgotten history in a flash. They also gamble that they can get away with immature despicable behavior b/c they sense what I believe the public has proven over & over again: we're extremely forgiving of flawed but extraordinary personalities.......Ted Kennedy...Michael Jackson....sports greats...most all U.S. presidents...and on & on, ad infinitum.
But we shouldn't despair for "society"; we still must continue to teach our kids the emotional maturity & character traits that we do, and which schools today, to greater & lesser degrees, all emphasize. Don't confuse the highly-visible world of the media, populated with both fictitious and real failed heros, with the "real" world the 99% of the rest of us inhabit day in & day out.
For a good related story about this behavior & its implications, check out David Brooks' column in today's NY Times online, "High-Five Nation".
My son's language arts teacher at Jay M. Robinson used the Williams/West incidents while discussing eloquence in language (meaning, of course, neither was a good example thereof). It made an impression on him, and left him with a negative impression of both.
ReplyDeleteWilson's a different case, I think. The country is so politically divided it seems many who agree with Wilson ideologically can't call him out for an atrocious lack of decorum (or, as my grandma would say, "just plain bad manners").
Interesting post. Thanks.
May Joe Wilson burn in hell, and take Fox News with him.
ReplyDelete"Do Joe Wilson, Kanye West and Serena Williams win in the end?"
ReplyDeleteOnly if we let them. As for the posts that are irrelevant to the column, you are examples of what's WRONG with this country, especially if you call someone like Joe Wilson a hero.