# Joe Scarborough drops F-bomb on live air **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 10, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030 "2008-11-10T13:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/41 "2008-11-10T16:40:11Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > I don’t want him to suffer _for this_ because I wouldn’t want Keith Olbermann to suffer for it if he let it slip. The difference is that Olbermann doesn’t deserve to suffer. Olbermann never questioned Cindy McCain’s patriotism, or even John McCain’s for that matter. He attacked McCain’s policies and tactics, not the man himself. Scarborough was absolutely vicious in his treatment of both Barack and Michelle. They are not comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/42 "2008-11-10T16:46:02Z")
The reaction was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/43 "2008-11-10T16:50:38Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > He attacked McCain’s policies and tactics, not the man himself. Scarborough was absolutely vicious in his treatment of both Barack and Michelle. I understand. He is a terrible turd. And I would like to punch him sometimes. But this has nothing to do with him saying Fuck on the air. He should be fined and fired for being a lying scumbag…but should get a pass for saying a pretty good word. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/44 "2008-11-10T16:52:08Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The reaction was hilarious. Yes, it was! 😃 There was a tension in the air for the rest of the show. Several moments of dead air when no one would speak. It was great. > [@spooje](#): > > He should be fined and fired for being a lying scumbag…but should get a pass for saying a pretty good word. I see your point, but the irony is that the constituency he always panders to WILL be upset about it. That’s the good part. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/45 "2008-11-10T16:53:22Z")
What’s really annoying is how Joe Scarborough’s eyes look like little raisins. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/46 "2008-11-10T16:55:05Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > What’s really annoying is how Joe Scarborough’s eyes look like little raisins. LOL! 😃 You should see him when he gets mad and squints. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/47 "2008-11-10T16:57:52Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Yeah. It’s an inside joke on the show. Whenever Mika says anything nice about Obama, Joe blurts out that she’s “in the tank” for Obama and has been mixing ambien with vodka. > > The point is my delight in seeing someone who spent a whole year trashing Obama (and his wife, I might add) fucking up in such a manner. Remember when a fatigued Obama mentioned going to all 52 states? Joe yakked about that for two days. If you don’t share in my joy, that’s okay. But I don’t know why you would begrudge it, especially since Joe would hate you if he knew you. How much time do you waste watching this show that you hate, that just stresses you out and pisses you off? Maybe go for a walk instead of watching from now on? You’d be a lot happier and healthier. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/48 "2008-11-10T17:21:27Z")
[Joe Scarborough: Hoisted By His Own Sanctimonious Petard](http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald) > [@](#): > > Here is Scarborough, from his February 2, 2004 show – after the Super Bowl show – lambasting the FCC for allowing indecency over the airwaves and demanding that Michael Powell slam CBS with massive fines or be fired: > > > [@](#): > > > > But, first, the FCC is asleep at the wheel. And it is your family who’s being hurt… > > > > And unless Michael Powell starts getting it soon by making CBS pay big time for their stunt, President Bush should fire the feckless FCC chairman immediately… > > > > But I have got to say, that’s the problem, not just being exposed to Janet Jackson, but being exposed to the F-bomb several times from rock stars at award shows, from actresses at award shows. Unbelievable. > > > > We are going to keep talking about this. > [@](#): > > On October 27, 2003, Scarborough expressed extreme anger that the FCC refused to impose fines on ABC when Bono used “the ‘F’ word” during a live broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards: > > > [@](#): > > > > The show was live, and unlike SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY, the “F” word was not bleeped out. Earlier this month, the FCC ruled that Bono’s acceptance speech and his use of the word that began with an “F” was not a violation of indecency rules. . . .. > > > > Robert, it was at 8:00. Kids were watching this. You’ve studied television and pop culture. What does it say about our FCC that we’ve come this far or you could say gone this far backward that somebody could say the “F” word on TV and get the federal government’s approval? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/49 "2008-11-10T17:42:49Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > How much time do you waste watching this show that you hate, that just stresses you out and pisses you off? Maybe go for a walk instead of watching from now on? You’d be a lot happier and healthier. Not to speak for **Lib** , but maybe, in the words of Rage Against The Machine, “Know Your Enemy”? That’s why I watch the equivalent shit here. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/50 "2008-11-10T17:44:08Z")
I’m conflicted about this. There are few people on TV more contemptible than Joe Scarborough, and i agree with basically every criticism **Liberal** has made of him regarding his politics in general, and his treatment of the Obamas in particular. Also, reading **Steve MB** ’s post, i have a delicious feeling of _schadenfreude_ knowing that the hypocrite is on the receiving end here, when he has been such a crusader against bad language himself. I’m certainly not feeling sorry for Scarborough here. But, as i’ve said numerous times before on this board, i really hate the ridiculous prudishness of American audiences and the media when it comes to swearing. So what if he said fuck? It was accidental, and he apologized for it. And even if it wasn’t, and he didn’t, it wouldn’t be a big deal. In Australia, or Canada, or Britain, or just about any other modern democratic country, this wouldn’t have even made the news. In my opinion, Joe Scarborough said worse things than “fuck” every single day on his show for the last god-knows-how-many months—things that made clear that he has no business hosting a serious political program. If MSNBC were willing to keep him on through all that, and are now firing him over the use of the word fuck, they’re idiots. Why is it that lying and misrepresentation and constant abuse and ridicule are considered perfectly fine for a serious political program, but the word “fuck” is a deal breaker? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/51 "2008-11-10T17:49:08Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Why is it that lying and misrepresentation and constant abuse and ridicule are considered perfectly fine for a serious political program, but the word “fuck” is a deal breaker? Because for him, it is. Until this morning, that is, It’s rare that he can be shown doing something he has specifically denounced. Sorta like O’Reilly calling pregnant teens “pinheads” and their parents “irresponsible” (or was it the other way around?) until Palin’s daughter gets knocked up, at which point it’s a purely personal matter that should be kept completely private from any media mentions whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/52 "2008-11-10T17:52:33Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [Joe Scarborough: Hoisted By His Own Sanctimonious Petard](http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald) Well, I am all for lambasting him for being a hypocrite! FUCK THIS GUY!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/53 "2008-11-10T17:56:18Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Not to speak for **Lib** , but maybe, in the words of Rage Against The Machine, “Know Your Enemy”? That’s why I watch the equivalent shit here. Exactly. That’s why I watch it. > [@mhendo](#): > > Why is it that lying and misrepresentation and constant abuse and ridicule are considered perfectly fine for a serious political program, but the word “fuck” is a deal breaker? Because that’s the way it is for his constituency. If he were, say, George Will, I wouldn’t even be mentioning it, and I would defend George if someone did. But Joe? As Steve MB pointed out above, Joe has condemned others for the exact same piddly shit. And now here he is, the king of passive-aggressive condescension, impaled by his own weapon. It’s just too delicious. And on preview, spooje’s cite (actually, Steve MB’s) sums it up nicely for me. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/54 "2008-11-10T17:56:49Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Because for him, it is. > > Until this morning, that is, It’s rare that he can be shown doing something he has specifically denounced. Sorta like O’Reilly calling pregnant teens “pinheads” and their parents “irresponsible” (or was it the other way around?) until Palin’s daughter gets knocked up, at which point it’s a purely personal matter that should be kept completely private from any media mentions whatsoever. Well, like i said, i understand the hypocrisy part; just not the obsession with swearing over all other forms of poor behavior. I just find it really odd. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/55 "2008-11-10T17:58:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Not to speak for **Lib** , but maybe, in the words of Rage Against The Machine, “Know Your Enemy”? That’s why I watch the equivalent shit here. Yeah, well, ya know, I used to take the words of Rage Against the Machine to heart . . . when I was 14. These days I’d rather eliminate the unecessary stressors from my life, because god knows there are enough necessary ones. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/56 "2008-11-10T18:01:16Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Because that’s the way it is for his constituency. If he were, say, George Will, I wouldn’t even be mentioning it, and I would defend George if someone did. But Joe? As Steve MB pointed out above, Joe has condemned others for the exact same piddly shit. And now here he is, the king of passive-aggressive condescension, impaled by his own weapon. It’s just too delicious. Well, it certainly is delicious, i’ll grant you that. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/57 "2008-11-10T18:02:54Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > The point isn’t to criticize him. The point is my delight in seeing someone who spent a whole year trashing Obama (and his wife, I might add) fucking up in such a manner. Remember when a fatigued Obama mentioned going to all 52 states? Joe yakked about that for two days. If you don’t share in my joy, that’s okay. But I don’t know why you would begrudge it, especially since Joe would hate you if he knew you. Dunno who Joe Scarborough is, largely because I don’t watch news on television, but from the way you describe him here, he sounds like the “Mirror, Mirror” version of **Der Trihs**. Does he have a beard? ---
**Author:** ![dehacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@dehacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dehacker)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/58 "2008-11-10T18:11:12Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Yeah, well, ya know, I used to take the words of Rage Against the Machine to heart . . . when I was 14. These days I’d rather eliminate the unecessary stressors from my life, because god knows there are enough necessary ones. How about taking the advice of [Sun Tzu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War#Quotations)? No, you’re right – fuck him, he was an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/59 "2008-11-10T18:16:27Z")
I’ve liked Scarborough but have thought lately that he was mellowing & drifting a bit too leftward for my tastes. Seeing the bile thrown at him here from the usual suspects, though, I realize that I’ve misjudged him and he is more my kinda guy. Though he really should have just quoted Rep. Emanuel as yelling “Eff you!”, especially in light of his previous comments about FCC actions. Btw, I’ve was really stunned the few times I heard the F bomb at Lefty political rallies ON C-SPAN! I thought Brian Lamb would have had someone manning the Bleep-button. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030/60 "2008-11-10T18:19:39Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I’ve liked Scarborough but have thought lately that he was mellowing & drifting a bit too leftward for my tastes. > > Seeing the bile thrown at him here from the usual suspects, though, I realize that I’ve misjudged him and he is more my kinda guy. Hey, if bile from the board is a good judgement on who’s your kinda guy, I expect you to start listening to the Der Trihs Radio Show weekly. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-scarborough-drops-f-bomb-on-live-air/472030.md?page=4)