The point of Bernhard’s routine: “If it happened to her, maybe she’d feel differently.” Did Swift really think the Irish should sell their children as food?

Of course not but that’s not the point. The difference is that–with the exception of incidents such as the Donner party or Monty Python sketches–cannibalism is an extremely rare phenomenon and the satire in Swift’s essay works because it’s so patently absurd.

Sexual assault, OTOH, is sadly not as rare as cannibalism–in point of fact it’s statistically likely that quite a few members of Bernhard’s audience for that performance were survivors of sexual assault.

At the center of this is that Palin has repeatedly expressed–most recently on television–that rape victims should not have Plan B (morning after pill) nor be able to terminate their pregnancy. Rape victims in Alaska were charged for their rape kits. I wonder what the shelter has to say about these matters?

The point of Bernhard’s routine: “If it happened to her, maybe she’d feel differently.” Did Swift really think the Irish should sell their children as food?

Firing Bernhard off the benefit was appropriate from the shelter’s perspective of who they are and the work they do. Again, I wonder how they feel about Plan B and termination of pregnancy when rape or incest is involved.

Both Bernhard’s comments and the actions by the shelter are examples of the rights we have in this country. Bernhard has the right to express her views; and the shelter has the right to not hire her if they don’t feel those views fit with their mission.

I really had no idea.

I am popular culture-challenged.

Don’t be afraid, as my father say’s, God hates a coward.
Get after ‘em and when they start howlin’, yer doing it right.

Was her routine funny? I wasnt there. Was it provocative? Yes, obviously.

Should it have gotten her fired? That’s up to the people who hired her. They felt her words were inappropriate (and if she had done that routine there..OMFG)

Actions have consequences. I applaud the shelter for standing up for what they feel is correct and right for them.

The graceful thing for Bernhard to do would be to make a (large)donation to that shelter if they will take her money or to a rape crisis service, perhaps one in Alaska, to help offset the costs for the victims, to be able to provide more services, etc.

And maybe charities should do more due diligence when it comes to booking talent for their benefits. Bernhard is play really blue, her work is brutal, rough and even before this, might not have been the best choice.